called for his wisdom the Philosopher who would permit the meanest of his Subjects to come unto his presence and to converse with him for which quality he was ever held in high esteem and well beloved but on the contrary such who have abandoned this vertue ill have befell them I shall instance one Example hereof In Julius Caesar who so long as he continued affable and loving unto his Subjects they intirely loved him but when once he lest off this vertue and fell into pride they quickly forsook him altering their good affection of love unto disdain and shortly after conspired his Death and would he but have vouchsafed to have read a Note which a me in person delivered him when he went to the Senate he might for that time have saved his life there being written in it the whole discovery of the Plot. Sir I needed not to have mentioned these things presuming your Worship is sufficiently acquainted therewith already as having read these Moral Vertues and Vices not only in Antonius and Julius Caesar but also in many others Sir I want words to express the love and good affection I did always bear unto your Worthy Person having ever found you to be a true lover of such who were studious in all lawful Arts and Sciences That which I here present your Worship withal is not only Astrology which is the first and chiefest of all Liberal Arts and Sciences but also the true Astrological way of my many years practice in Physick for without knowledge in Astrology it 's impossible to be either a Phylosopher or good Physician for hath the Theory and Practick thereof is derived from Astrology In all Ages Astrology was ever held in high esteem the knowledge whereof as testiâ—ieth Josephus was taught by God himself unto Adam and from him unto Posterity this worthy Author further saith that he saw the Art of Astrology graven in Stone in Assyria done by Seth before the Flood also those Magicians or Wisemen which came to worship Christ were great Astrologers without question next unto Divinity it s the most excellent study in the World for those who are but me only read in this Art must needs know that a mighty and powerful hand hath wrought those wonders which â—â—â—â—isâ—â—â—y â—â—en in the Heavens as the Sun Moon Stars and Pâ—aneâ—s with their Mâ—â—ions and powerful Appâ—riâ—ians upon all suâ—â—unaâ—y Câ—â—â—ureâ— Sir I know I need an Arguments to perswade you unto the lawfulness oâ— excel eâ—â—y of this worthy Science well knowing that your Worship as I have already declared was ever a true 〈◊〉 thâ—reâ—f I question not but that when you have read once â—hâ—se my Labours you will not only be the more confirmed in your good â—pinion hereof but also find somewhat â—eâ—â—in which may increase your knowledge in these secret Mysteries Sir may these my Writings prove acceptable unto your most Worthy hands I have obtained the end of my 〈◊〉 which was in some measure to Demonstrate the great affection which I did always bear unto your most Worthy Person and shall ever remain Your Worships Servant to Command Jos Blagrave To all my loving Countrey-men in general but especially to those of Reading being the place of my Nativity IT was the saying of our Blessed Saviour That a Prophet could not be without honour save in his own Country Although I count my self no Prophet yet by the Rules of Astrology I have predicted such things which to our sorrow have come to pass as may appear in my Almanack for the year 1665. and others formerly written I presume I have both Friends and Enemies amongstâ—y uâ— it s well known unto many that I have done very great cures both in the Town and places adjacent although I have not mentioned their names in this Book yet I find that many being unsatisfied concerning the legality of my way of Cure have refused to come or send unto me for help to cure their infirmities and many of 〈◊〉 whâ— did come câ—â—me for the most part privately fearing either loss of reputation or reproaches from their Neighbours and other unsatisfied people and also fearâ—â—â— then what I did was either Diabâ—lical or by unlawful means I question not but when you have read over this Book although some things may seem mistical at the first especially unto such who never before read any books of this nature yet by oft perusied and well heeding what I have written I am confident it may and will give satisfaction unto any of reasonable capacity and for the benefit of those who deâ—ire Knowledge in the Astrological and Chymical way of Physick which is the most assured way extant I have both briefly and plainly instructed the learner herein so that those who can but read and will take pains may assuredly attain unto it and be inabled thereby to do the like Cures as I have done and as concerning the resolution of questions by Figures a thing much questioned by some I have in this book given sufficient reasons thereof according unto Art thereby inabling others if they please to take the pains to do the like What I have formerly done herein was more to satisfie the earnest importunity of others than for any gain or profit which came unto me for I alwayes although some reward was given me for my pains therein accounted my self a loser thereby in regard of my Practice in Physick and let the Artist be never so careful to give content yet what will the most men say especially such who are ignorant of the Art if we discover the thing sought after surely he doth it by the Devil otherwise how could he do it but if we chance to fail as sometimes we may by taking a wrong Ascendant then they will assuredly say they are cheated of their money I speak seriously I take no pleasure in such questions for the reasons aforesaid having denied many which came unto me therefore Kind Country men and Women my thoughts are better of you then wholly to blame you for I dare say it was either false reports or ignorance of the way I profess which caused many of you to be enemical unto me wherefore I have the rather published this Treatise that so fâ—r time to come you may not only be setled in your opinion but also be fully satisfied that what I have already done or shall for time to come do in the Astrological or Chymical way of Physick which is the way of my Practice is both honest just and lawful and is no more then what every industrious Physician ought to know and without knowledge therein its impssible to be an expert Physitian as in this book will appear Concerning the Legality of this Art of Astrology if any are unsatisfied they may read â—y Epistles of those Almanacks Dated 1658. and 1659. besides there are many Authentick Authors who have written both learnedly and largely thereupon for I intend not at this time tâ— trouble my self or reader much farther herein only
herbs under such Planets which are antipathetical unto each several Complexion before mentioned not omitting oyntments to the heart and brain and fumes to the head if the brain be moist and suffumigation if dry If the Patient have been long distempered then 't will get into the blood and then 't will be convenient sometimes to let them blood and then if you take a small quantity of the Sympathetical powder and mix it with so much Powder of the herbs proportionable for the Cure it will mightily help forward the cure you must order it and wear it as directed in the cureing of Agues There are several other kinds and causes of madness as followeth sometimes height of blood will ascend up to the head and so disturb their brain which will cause madness the cureing whereof is by oft letting blood and dyet drink made suitable by Antipathy unto their Complexion as aforesaid for if we should apply herbs which are by nature hot although good in general for the brain to a Cholerick mad body it will rather increase then mittigate their fury but in all cures you must ever remember to fortify the heart and vital Spirits the Sympathetical powder in this kind of madness mixt and ordered as aforesaid is most proper the truth is this kind of madness is easily cured by any drug-Doctor for their general way is to cure by blood letting and purgation which kind of Physick is proper for this distemper â—here is another kind of madness which cometh by being costive bound in body of which I have cured many and I always found by the Figure that the chief significators of the distemper were in earthy Signs for the time being these who are taken in this condition will be as mad as any according unto their natural Complexion be it Choler Sanguine Melancholy or Fiegmatick at the first they will be ill only in head and stomack but after some time it will make them light headed and forgetful and by reason of that great stop in Natures Course it will more and more cause inordinate Vapours to ascend up to the head and brain and at length bring madness insomuch that they are not able to discover their own condition nor yet their friends I have known some who have dyed in this condition before their grief was perfectly known or at least were so far gone that Doctors could not help them I had once a Maid who was a Farmers Daughter living in the Parish of Goring in the County of Oxon brought tyed and bound fast in a Cart with Cords who was only mad by reason of this condition her Friends not knowing what she ayled some thought it might be through Love others thought she was either bewitched or possessed some thought one thing and some another the truth is she looked very gastly and wild but being by nature of a Sanguine Complection she would hoop hollow sing and dance day and night if she might be suffered having by a Figure discovered the cause of her distemper I bargained with her Father what to have for the cure I quickly with suppositer and glister brought her to stool and within three days she grew sensible and quiet and in a week was perfectly recovered I have known sometimes that an afright hath caused madness in this condition applications must be chiefly to the brain not omitting Dyet drink made suitable by antipathy to their Complexion I have known some Females who have been mad only by the stop of their monethly Course the cure is by herbs proper to help such infirmities as you shall find in this book I have known some women who have fell mad after they have been delivered of their Child occasioned sometime from great cold taken or disorderly dyet and sometimes by Witchcraft as I have already declared occasioned by the Tender or Nurse for their bodies being open and weak any infirmities may the easier be wrought upon them by such wretches and yet the cause undiscovered and the Patient many times dyeth The worst kind of madness that I know is occasioned from Sorcery or Witchcraft and I believe there are multitudes of this kind in Beathlaem and elsewhere that lye many years in this condition for except the Witches power be taken off and staid it s in vain to administer Physick more especially where the Witch sometimes may have admittance to come to the Patient others may perhaps be possessed and then the Devil must be cast forth for as I have said already except the true cause of each kinds of madness be discovered its impossible to cure without a Miracle except by accident now to cure this kind of madness which cometh from Witchcraft In the first place you must by the Rules of Art endeavour to afflict the Witch and then by herbs antipathetical unto the afflicting Planet and complection of the Patient you must make Dyet-drinks Oyntments and Glisters not omitting some ingredients suitable as Figs Raisons Currants Liquorish Aniseeds or any other seeds good to expel wind c. sometimes when the body is bound which most mad people are very subject unto you must make choyce of such herbs amongst your Numbers which are Purging and losening Note that I alwayes found in my Practice that the afflicting Planet and Complexion of the Patient were usually one as instance Cholerick people are commonly afflicted of Mars and Melancholy under Saturn for such is the subtilty of the Devil and the Witches that they strike most upon that humour whereunto they find the nature of men and Women most prone and apt to receive impression If these Rules which I have inserted be well observed and followed there is no one mad body whatsoever but may through Gods blessing be recovered to my knowledge I have not failed these many years where I have undertaken notwithstanding some whom I have cured have been mad many years but I must needs say the longer they are mad before a right means is used the more difficult the cure is and somewhat the more time it will require to perfect their cure For according unto that saying in Philosophy Custom produceth a second Nature c. FINIS To all such who are Students and well-Willers unto this most excellent Science of Astrology I Presume that no sooner are these following Books come forth but some will be ready to say What needs this Treatise since we have so many books of this nature extant written both so Learned and Copious even in our own Language that one would think nothing more could be written of this Subject but yet we know that in all Arts and Sciences whatsoever no man can so curiously and exactly write of any matter or thing of what Nature soever but that something might be added thereunto and were it but only a confirmation of what have been written formerly by other Authors yet it s but reasonable that such persons who have been Practitioners and Students in this Art should likewise have liberty to write
BLAGRAVE'S Astrological Practice OF PHYSICK DISCOVERING The true way to Cure all Kinds of Diseases and Infirmities which are Naturally incident to the body of man BEING Performed by such Herbs and Plants 〈◊〉 grow within our own Nation directing the 〈◊〉 to Distil and Extract their Vertues and making up of Medicines ALSO A Discovery of some notable Phylosophical Secret worthy our Knowledge relatinâ— to a Discovery of all kinds of Evils whether Natural or such which com-from Sorcery or Witchcrafâ—ts or by being possessed of an evil Spirit directing how to cast forth the said Evil Spirit out of any one which is â—ossessed with sundry Examples thereof By Joseph Blagrave of Reading Gent. Student in Astrology and Physick London Printed by S.G. and B. G for Obad. Blagrav at the Printing Press in Little Brittain 167â— The truth is I find by good experience especially in very cold infirmities as Agues Dead palsies and such like its impossible to make a Sympathetical Cure when Saturn is strong were it not so that those Observations before-going were in force and approved as for example If the Patient be old his grief cold his Complexion cold the season of the year cold and his remedies to be applyed cold it must needs destroy nature for where heat is wanting there can be no life but if Saturn be the afflicting planet and weak then herbs which are under the dominion of the Sun and Jupiter being of known vertue to cure the Distemper or grife will do it they being by Nature hot and moist whereas Saturn is by nature cold and dry clean differing in Elemental qualities and this is called an Antipathetical Cure but in all infirmities whatsoever which are caused by the evil influence of Mars he being strong in the Heavens the remedies used must be by such Herbs and plants which are under his own Dominion together with herbs of the Sun but if the Complexion of the patient their age and the season of the year doth naturally produce heat then to use some small numbers and dose of such herbs which are under the Dominion of Venus may be proper at some convenient times to give the patient towards the refreshing of nature yet chiefly in point of Cure you must adhere unto those herbs and plants which are under Mars and the Sun whereby to work your Cure for if you should give cooling remedies in hot Distempers when Mars is strong 't will destroy the patient as I have sufficiently proved but as I have elsewhere expressed if Mars be the afflicting planet and weak then those herbs and plants under the Dominion of Venus and the Moon together with a select number of Herbs under the Dominion of the Sun will do it In all Cures whatsoever a select number of herbs under the dominion of the Sun must be used These Rules being well observed and carefully followed may through Gods blessing produce wonderful Effects as I have sufficiently proved in my many years practice and experience as you will find in this Book To the truly Learned and my most Honoured Friend Elias Ashmole of the Afiddle Temple Esq Windsor Herauld at Armes and Comptroler of the Excise for his MAJESTY SIR ALthough somwhat abashed when I consider those admirable guifts both of Learning and Knowledge which are seated in your worthy Person as by your admirable works in Print are manifest to Dedicate these my Laboues yet being imboldned not only by our former acquaintance as having ever found those noble parts in you both of Wisdom and Affability but also considering the great love and affection you did always bear unto Philosophy and so by consequence a true lover of such who are well-willers thereunto according unto that Maxime in Philosophy Every thing delighteth in its own Element and doth sooner adhere unto it than to its contrary and should this Book come into some mens hands who are not delighted in these kinds of Studies although wise and well learned in other things yet they will assuredly slight and not regard what I have written nor yet willingly shew any love or countenance to the Writer for according unto that notable expression of yours to the Reader in your excellent Book intituled The way to Bliss That 't is as possible to shape a Coate for the Moon as in writing to please every Genius so various are the generality of our inclinations c. What I have written in this Book is no Translation but meerly the Subject of 〈◊〉 many years Practice and Experience in the â—â—â—rological way of Physick and Published not 〈◊〉 for my own vindication in point of Art 〈◊〉 Practice but also to instance others to do the like Cures as I have done for I may truly say 〈◊〉 Wonders have been wrought as in this Book will appear yet many people I find are unsatisfied concerning any way of practice in Physick the reason I conceive is because many illitterate persons and others who are ignorant of the Art of Astrology do foolishly speak against it verifying that notable saying of the Poet Ars non habet inimicum nisi ignorantem Concerning the lawfulness of the Art I have sufficiently given satisfaction to the wise in the Epistles of those Almanacks of mine Dated Anno 1658. and 1659. Besides there are many excellent Men who have written both learnedly and largely thereupon should I mention your most worthy self who is known to be a great Master herein and not only in Astrology but also in Philosophy the most excellent part having I dare say few or no equals living Sir for the love I bear unto your most Worthy Person and to those most excellent guifts which God hath endowed you withal I heartily wish I had higher and more excellent things to present you that so you might take delight in reading and increase in Knowledge thereby however I question not but that when you have read it over you will find somewhat herein worthy your perusal which may if ad nothing unto your wisdom and Knowledge put you in mind of greater Mysteries even as in Motions the lesser wheels being moved causeth the greater wheels to be set on work Craving pardon for the boldness of him who heartily wisheth your increase both in Coelestial and Terestial Wisdom Health and Happines in this Life and Eternal Joy in the Life to come and who shall ever remain Sir Your assured Friend and Servant to Command Jos Blagrave To the Right Worshipful Sr. John Davis Knight one of his Majesties Deput Leift. and Justice of Peace for the County of B. Right Worshipful HAving for many years past had the happiness to be acquainted with your Worship and having ever found seated in your most Worthy Person those most excellent guifts of Knowledge both in Divine and Moral things but most especially that most excellent guift and noble quality of Affability being a vertue of the greatest Demonstration of true Generosity We find it Recorded that this noble Vertue did abound with Antonius the Emperour
thus much at present I say next unto Divinity it is the most to be admired and most excellent study in the World and worthy our knowledge for there is so much seen of the wonderful Work of God in it that it must needs convince the most unbelieving persons whatsoever and cause them to know that a mighty and powerful hand hath wrought those wonders which we visibly see is the Heavens Sun Moon Stars and Planets with their Motions and powerful Operations over all sublunary Creatures and hath given unto man so much Knowledge thereby Next unto the Angels that he is able to reveale and make known in a great measure his Heavenly Will thereby unto his People that so they may be forewarned of his wrath to come If I find this Book hath acceptance with you I shall be incouraged to labour in my study and profession to do you and the Country farther service and shall ever remain your assured loving Country man and Servant Jos Blagrave In nobilissimi magni Astrologi Encomium INtima sanguinei scrutatur pectora Tauri Agmine plebeo cinctus spect ante sacerdos Imperiumque suum est quoties argenteus alti Solis avis tendit Romana insignia bello Augur cede viro cede ô Geometria magno Astrologo claroque Jovi summeque perito Ad sua multiplices deducere sydera morbos Non Aesculapius talem cognoverit artem Nedum Virgilius magnus non Thessala Tempe Talem frugifera conspexit vertice doctum Ex tripode haud quaquam sacro Grynaeus Apollo Verius ad sortem humanam dedit ore loquelas Astra regunt morbos morbi sacrantur avitis Planetis veluti summis piacula sanctis Aurea mundanis celebratur regula velis Quis super atra silex jamjam casura cadentique Imminet assimilis veniunt hic Circis ad antrum Contenti rediere omnes H. Pratt Generosus The Contents of this Book A Catalogue of the Herbs and Plants appropriated unto their several Planets pages â— 2 3 4. General rules whereby to know under what planet every herb or plant is Governed p. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. Rules concerning the gathering of herbs and plants at the right planetary hours 12 13 16 17. Concerning numbers attributed unto the planets with the reason thereof p. 18 19. The way to find the Disease by the Sun or Moon afflicted pag. 21. To know the time of Death or Recovery by the Critical Figure pag. 22.23 Judgment upon a Decumbiture Figure and also upon acute and perperacute sicknesses p. 24.25 Judgment upon another Decumbiture of a sick person pages 25 26 27. The Characters of the seven Planets Twelve Signes and the five usual Aspects and the houses of the Planets pag. 28 29. The sick-mans glass with the use of an Ephâ—meris pag. 30 3â— How to Erect a Scheme or Figure for any time given p. 32 A Decumbiture Figure set for the time of my Friends falling sick with judgment thereupon p. 3â— 34 35 36 37 38. Observations concerning the Ascendant pag. 39.40 Brief Rules concerning long or short sicknesses and whether the Patient is like to live or dye p. 73.74 The bodily shape and infirmities atributed unto the twelve Signes pag. 75. The bodily shape with the parts and members of the body together with the diseases which the planets generally rule pag. 77. Concerning the Moon of Mars or Sol afflicted in any of the Twelve Signes pag. 79. Concerning the Moon of Saturn or Jupiter afflicted in any of the Twelve Signes pag. 82. How to make Dyet-drinks or to extract the spirits of plants or Herbs How to make Syrups Lambitives Pills Glisters Faâ—mes Fumigations Cataplasms Oymments and Bathes pages 86 87 88 89 90. Of Purgations and the manner of Purging Vomiting Bathing Sweating Blooding with some other additions necessary to be known pag. 91 92 93. A Catalogue of Choyce herbs or plants collected for the curing of all kinds of griefâ— or infirmities whatsoever Alphabetically expressed beginning at pag. 94 and ending at p. 113. One cure done at Oxford Anno Dom. 1658. Another cure done at Oxford Anno Dom. 1659. p. 64.65.115 11â— 11â— One cure done at Tylehurst near Reading Anno 1667. pag. 118. The way to cure the Evil commonly called the Kings Evil with an Example Another kind of Evil and the Cure thereof 119 120 121 122 123. Another kind of Evil which cometh from Srâ—m Soreâ—ry or Whichcraft with the way of cure 127. A Boy suddainly struck dumb and so continued three years how cured pag. 144. How to make the Sympathetical powder with its application pag. 131. The Vnguent its making and use p. 131. Concerning Witchcraft and Sorcery with the way of cure pag. 135. Some experimental Rules whereby to afflict the Witch pag. 154. The way to cure both Witchcraft and Sorcery p. 155. Some notable Phylosophical Secrets whereby to cure sundry distempers pag. 15â— Two pretty secrets in Philosophy pag. 160. Some practical and experimental Rules whereby to give judgment Astrologically upon Thefts Strayes Fugitives Decumbitures of Sick Persons Vrines or any other Hâ—rary Question from page 161 to page 168. Concerning the casting forth of Devils out of such who are Possest and how performed by the Author form p. 168 to 17â— Concerning Agues and Quotidian Infirmities with the way of cure thereof 176 to page 183. Concerning all kinds of Madness its cause and cure Postscript to the Reader pag. 184. A short Epistle unto those who are Students and well-willers unto the Art of Astrology page 108. AN Introductory Preface TO THE READER HAveing formerly spent some of my youthful years in the Study of Astronomy and Astrology and since that in Philosophy and the practice of Physick and finding by good experience how each part doth depend upon the other for without some knowledge in Astronomy one can be no Astrologer and without knowledge in Astrology one can be no Philosopher and without Knowledg both in Astrology and Philosophy one can be no good Physitian and whosoever desireth to make practice either in the Astrological or Chymical way of Physick as for the Drug way there can be no certainty in careing thereby as will plainly appear in this book having laid his foundation as aforesaid which if any Practitioner or Student in Physick be ignorant of this Book will sufficiently instruct them therein must build and rely upon these five substantial Pillars following without which there can be no admirable cures done or wonders wrought in this noble Art of Physick Viz. Time Vertue Number Sympathy and Antipathy First Time is of great Concernment whereby to gather each Herb or Plant at the right Planetary hours which this book will sufficiently inform you and likewise to know the hour and time when to administer your Physick aright for if the Physick be administred at a wrong hour be it Purge or Vomit it will work contrary effects as I have oft times proved Example If you give a Purge when the Moon is in an Earthy Sign
Then having recourse unto the rules elsewhere in this Book under the titles of the Moon by Saturn or Mars afflicted there you shall find the disease and the cause thereof The Almanack which you use herein must be such a one which setteth forth the daily motions of the planets I shall give one or two examples hereof as followeth A Friend of mine took his bed the 10th day of October 1667 at a quarter past one a clock after noon the Moon being of nine degrees in Sagitary and Mars in eight degrees thirty five minutes in Virgo which argueth that Mars is in platick square to the Moon we call that a platick aspect which doth not perfectly accord in degrees and minutes and if Mars had been but one degree in Virgo yet we should account it a platick Square by reason that the Orbs Rayes or Influence of the Moon unto any planet doth begin to opperate when she is within ten degrees aspecting any planet as is shewed at large elsewhere Now to find the Grief with its cause you must repair unto the place in this book intituled The Moon in Sagitary of Mars oppressed as in page 57 which sheweth that the Sick is tormented with a strong fever and cholerick passions c. occasioned by surfeiting or too much repletion as there more at large appeareth the next thing considerable is to know whether the Sick shall live or die and the time when either death or recovery may be expected Now in regard that the Moon is applying by a friendly Sex to aspect unto Venus a fortune and free from combustion and not in that part of the Zodiack called via combusta as shall be shewed more at large elsewhere I did conclude that the sick would recover and so he did had the Moon applyed unto the infortuâ—s ♄ or â— and no fortune interposed his friendly Rays then I should have concluded that the sick would have died of this sickness to know when the time of recovery will be is found by a critical figure or circle divided into 16 equal parts I shall not stand or spend time to give you the definition of each term of art Onely thus much I say the intercidental time or divident part of the circle is not so dangerous as the judicial time or part nor yet the judicial time so dangerous as the critical time The Cui Steali Cirkle of 1C equall pts Begining whear The moon WES at The â—lecum Litus Doict â™ â™ 4 9 Note That in this critical figure each part containeth 22 deg 30 min. you must begin where the Moon was at the decumbiture viz. in 9 deg â™ unto which you must add 22. deg 30 min. Now in regard there is 30 deg in every sign you most set down 1 deg 30 min. Capricorn for the first intercidental time into which 1 deg 30 min. you must add 22 deg 30 min. which maketh 24 Capricorn for the first judicial time Now if you add 22 deg 30 min. unto the last number it maketh 6 deg 30 min. Aquarius which is the second intercidental time and if you add 22 deg 30 min. unto the last number it maketh 9 deg Pisces which is the first crisis or mortal time according unto which account you must go round the circle as appeareth by the figure now to know when the time of recovery will be you must observe by a critical figure when the Moon upon a critical day doth meet with any friendly aspect of either of the fortunes viz. Jupiter or Venus or Sol or Leo for then the time of recovery may be expected This critical figure being set for a friend of mine at the time aforesaid I did observe each change and alteration of his distemper and I alwayes found that upon the critical and judicial dayes and times he was ever most afflicted The reason is because the Quartiles Oppositions and Semi-quartile aspects are more pernitious and hateful aspects then any other as the intercidental times which happen between the critical and judicial times consisting only of 22 deg and a half which we call a Semi Semi Quartile aspect they seldom prove mortal by reason the aspect is not so bad and forceable as the other it being but half the half quartile aspect yet notwithstanding sometimes in perperacute mortal sicknesses I have known the Sick depart when the Moon came unto a partile evil aspect of the infortunes no fortune interposing their friendly rayes upon an intercedental time but this is not usual but as concerning the time of recovery of my Friend before mentioned it was upon the fourth and last critical day the Moon being returned unto the place she was in at the decumbiture at which time she applyed to the Sextile of Venus and Trine of Jupiter which happened upon the sixt day of November after midnight would my friend have been let blood he might questionless have recovered upon the second crisis at what time the moon applyed to the Trine of Venus now had this Sickness continued longer than we account the grief Chronick and then we give judgement by the Sun afflicted as before we did by the Moon But all acute griefs do end usually before the moon goeth round the Zodiack some griefs are peracute and those end sooner others are perperacute and those commonly make a quick dispatch one way or other But of this I have treated more at large elsewhere Judgment upon an Imaginary decumbiture For the better explanation hereof I shall instance two or three Imaginary Decumbitures as followeth Suppose one should take his Bed April the 10th 1668. at Noon the Moon being then in 12. deg 50 min. in the Signe Leo and Saturn in 12 deg 50 min. in the Signe Aquary now this is called a partile opposition aspect by reason the Moon and Saturn are just in the same deg and min. opposite unto each other had the sick took his bed 16 hours sooner or later then it would have been called a Platick opposition for as I have said elsewhere the influence of the Moon and Planets doth begin to appear when she is 10 deg distant from any aspect which will take up near 20 hours motion before and after separation Now to know what the Grief is you must seek out the place in this Book intituled the Moon in Leo of Saturn oppressed which argueth the Sick shall be troubled with unkindly heat in the Breast and a violent Feavour with faintness at the heart or swounding fits and inclining to the Black jaundies occasioned from ill Melancholly blood c. Now to know whether the sick shall live or dye and the time when either recoverie or Death may be expected is as followeth First the Moon is increasing in light Secondly she is not in that place in the Zodiack called via combusta which is from the middest of the Signe Libra unto the middest of Scorpio Thirdly the Moon seperateth from Jupiter a fortune and applyeth unto a friendly Trine aspect of the Sun
fountain of life Fourthly the Moon is free from combustion of the Sun A Planet is under combustion when he is not fully elongated 7 deg 30 min. from him We have only two Testimonies of Death which is first Saturns being in opposition of the Moon at the time of decumbiture Secondly his being more strong then the Moon yet commonly a Planet strong is not so malicious as those which are weak and peregrine however it appeareth that there is foure testimonies of Life and but two 〈◊〉 Death wherefore we may conclude according to the Rules of Art that the Sick shall recover Now to know the 〈◊〉 when you must by a Critical figure of 16 equal parts 〈…〉 when the Moon upon any Intercidental Judicial 〈…〉 day doth meet with any benevolent aspect of the 〈…〉 be it Sun â—upiter Venus or Dragons head no evil 〈◊〉 interposing their bad Influence for then the Sick shall 〈◊〉 which according unto the Critical figure will be upon the 12th day of April about one a Clock at night at which time the Moon will be in 14 deg of the Signe Virgo and Jupiter in 14 deg of Taurus making a partile Trine to each other but the sick shall begin to recover sooner at the first intercidental time which is about six a clock in the morning at which time the Moon will be 5 deg 20 min. in Virgo which is 22 deg 30 min. distance from the place she was in at the decumbiture for as I have already declared the influence of the Moon doth begin to opperate when she is ten degrees distant from any aspect of the planets Concerning Acute Griefs Note That at the time of decumbiture of any sick person if the Moon be free from the bad aspects of the infortunes which is Saturn Mars Mercury or Dragons tail that then more especially if the infortunes Jupiter or Venus attend upon the next judicial or critical day or time that the Moon meeteth with any friendly aspect of the fortunes no ill planet opposing the Sick shall recover but commonly acute griefs are seldom ended before the first critical time at which time the Moon maketh a Quartile aspect unto the place she was in at the decumbiture consisting of 90 deg The Moon alwayes goeth this 90 deg or fourth part of the Zodiack in lesse than eight dayes sometimes acute griefs last untill the Moon hath passed over three critical days or times Viz. until she returneth unto the place she was in at the decumbiture making the fourth crisis An Example hereof is of my friend before mentioned and if by the Rules aforesaid you find that the grief is mortal then you must proceed forward round the critical figure until you find the mortal time according unto the rules before mentioned and you must do the like upon the rules for the time of recovery Concerning Peracute griefs There are are also some Infirmities and Sicknesses which end usually before the first judicial time is over called peracute griefs at which time the Moon maketh a Semi-quartile aspect to the place she was in at the decumbiture consisting of 45 deg now this aspect is not so pernicious as the Quartile yet oft-times the Sick dyeth before this aspect is over more especially when the Moon at that time meeteth with the infortunes and no fortune interposing their friendly rayes This Semi Quartile aspect or judicial time the Moon finisheth in less than four days likewise on the contrary by the rules aforesaid the Sick may recover at the said judicial time Concerning Perperacute Sicknesses There are also some Sicknesses perperacute and such griefs commonly terminate before the first intercedental time is over at which time the Moon maketh a Semi Semi Quartile aspect to the place she was in at the decumbiture which consisteth of 22 deg 30 min. containing the 16th part of the critical figure more especially when the infortunes doth afflict the Moon at that time no fortune attending It was observable that in the time of the plague that many thousands died before the first intercidental time was over which number or time the Moon finisheth in less than two dayes And many lived not one day dying immediately so soon as they were struck which we call the time of decumbiture or first mortal time I have known the like both in Appoplexies and Convulsions mother fits and risings in the throat and such like griefs Another Judgement given upon a decumbiture Figure I shall take an imaginary time and so give judgement thereupon for the better informing of young Students herein I could have inserted many exemplary figures of my own but considering that new Almanacks may be had when happily old ones may be lost I therefore thought this way most profitable to instruct the learner I shall instance the 22 day of April 1668 about nine a clock at night at which time I will suppose one took his bed Now the question is what the grief is and whether the Sick will live or die And when either death or recovery may be expected you must in the first place by an Almanack find in what sign the Moon is and how aspected Now at the hour and time aforesaid the Moon will be in 5 deg 48 min. of the sign Aquarius and at the same time I find Mars to be in 5 deg 48 min. of the sign Scorpio which maketh a partile Square aspect consisting of 90 deg Now to find what the grief is you must repair unto the place in this book where it is written The Moon in Aquarius of Mars oppressed which argueth that the Sick shall be troubled with great pain at the heart and with swooning fits also very feavourish likewise a pain in the breast with difficulty of breathing and the blood swelling in all the veins the cause of this sickness proceeding from violent affections and vehement passions c. Now the next thing considerable is to know whether the Sick be like to live or die and the time when either death or recovery may be expected First the Moon is decreasing in light Secondly the Moon departeth from the Square of Mars and applyed unto the Conjunction of Saturn both enemical planets Thirdly neither Sol Jupiter or Venus doth cast their friendly rayes or influence at the time aforesaid unto the Moon wherefore according unto the rules aforesaid the sick person will die To find the time when you must frame a critical figure of sixteen equal parts as aforesaid begining at the place where the Moon was at the decumbiture making that the first critical or mortal time which if the Sick escape then at the next critical or mortal time you must observe how the Moon is aspected at which time you shall find the Moon meeteth with the opposition of ♂ being upon the 29th day of April in the Month aforesaid at one a clock after noon Now in regard there is no fortunate planet interposing their friendly rays at that time we may conclude that the sick wil
10 23 4 d 25 39 1 35 4 57 21 1 11 6 8 25 10 ♠16 10 20 5 e 25 40 1 27 5 33 22 0 12 2 10 6 24 48 10 17 6 F 25 42 1 19 6 14 23 0 13 37 11 47 8 ♎ 18 10 14 7 g 25 43 1 11 6 48 24 0 14 52 13 28 21 47 10 11 8 a 25 45 1 3 7 23 25 0 16 7 15 9 6 ♠18 10 8 9 b 25 47 0 55 7 59 26 0 17 22 16 50 23 39 10 4 10 c 25 49 0 47 8 35 27 0 18 38 18 32 8 ♠31 10 1 Concerning the use of the Ephemeres The first Column on the left shews the days of the month the second column sheweth ' the week dayes the next column sheweth the daily motion of Saturn the sign next beneath his character sheweth what sign he is in and the numbers next beneath that sheweth how far Saturn is entered into the sign for every day the first number is for degrees the the second minutes and so forwards fot every planet accordingly Example ♄ Saturn the first day is 25 deg 35 min. in the sign Capricorn the second day he is 25 deg 36 min. in Capricorn the third day he is 25 deg 37 min. in Capricorn the fourth day he is 25 deg 39 min. in Capricorn and so forward In the next column is ♃ Jupiter and the sign ♉ Taurus beneath which argueth that ♃ Jupiter is in the sign ♉ Taurus and over against the first day is the numbers 1 deg 59 min. which sheweth that he is so far in the sign the second day is but 1 deg 51 min. the third day he is 1 deg 43 min. the fourth day he is 1 deg 35 min. the and so onward this planets numbers decreaseth daily by reason he is retrograde and moveth backward as somtimes all the rest will except the Sun and Moon In the next Column is ♂ Mars and underneath the sign Virgo and under that the numbers 3 deg 8 min. which argueth that Mars the first day is gotten so far in the sign Capricorn the second day he is 3 deg 45 min. in the sign Capricorn the third day 4 deg 21 min. The fourth day he is 4 deg 57 min in Virgo and so downward as you find in the Table you may do the like for the rest of the planets accordingly How to erect a Scheme or Figure according unto any time given The usual time whereby to erect a Figure concerning any Patient is first by the time of falling ill or most properly when the patients first betake them to their bed which we call the time of decumbiture But if that may not be had as sometimes 't will fall out especially in Chronick griefs then you must take the time when the urin is first brought or the time of any strong fit if any be Or the time when you first visit the patient provided alwayes that you so vary your ascendant that it together with its Lord may exactly personate the sick without which no true judgment can be given by reason the Ascendant fourth sixth eighth and twelfth Houses are concerned now if you fail in the first there can be no certainty in the rest how to know what bodily shape belongeth unto each Figure and planet is shewed elsewhere in this Book for the better understanding hereof I shall insert one example as followeth A friend of mine being very ill took his bed October the 10 1667 at a quarter past one a clock in the afternoon according unto which time I did erect a figure as followeth having by an Almanack found out that page intituled The daily Motions of the Planets as is before expressed for the Month of October you must seek for the 10 day of the said moneth and move forward in a strait line untill you come unto the sixth column and under the Characters over head thus expressed ☉ there you shall find the number 27 which sheweth that ♎ the Sun is gotten into the sign Libra 27 deg upon the tenth day aforesaid with this number 27 you must enter the Table of Houses which you shall find at the end of the Almanack and seek out the page where it is written Sol in Libra And in the column under 80 min. the signs going down in a strait line there you shall find the number 27 and in the column next adjoyning on the left hand under the title of time from noon moving downward unto the same line where is the number 27 before mentioned there you shall find the numbers thus printed viz. 13 40 12 but the number 12 being but seconds you may leave out and so take only the two first numbers 13 40 which you must set in some place by it self then you must add to that number the time of the day when the sick first took his bed being a quarter past one a clock afternoon as for example  h. m. Time from noon 13 40 The time of the day when the Sick took his bed 1 15  14 55 Note that the 15 min stands for a quarter of an hour there being 60 in an hour A Figure For The Time of Dccum Biture October The 10th h 1-m 15 p ìn Annc doni 1667 ☽ a = ♂ ad ⚹ ♀ The next thing material is to set the planets in those figures and houses which for to do you must by the Almanack find out the page before mentioned for the month of October And from the tenth day moving in a right line you shall in each column find the numbers of degrees and minutes according as each planet hath gotten into each sign Example The first number is 25 deg 49 min. and Saturn is over the head of Capricorn which argueth that Saturn is so many degrees and minutes entered into Capricorn which degrees and minutes you must set in the first house as by the Figure appeareth In the next column is 0 deg 47 min. and Jupiter is over the head of Taurus which sheweth that Jupiter is forty seven minutes in Taurus which number with the character of Jupiter must be set in the third house In the next column is 8 deg 35 min. and Mars is over the head of Virgo which argueth that Mars is gotten so far into Virgo and must be set in the eighth house In the next column is 27 deg and Sol is over the head of Libra In the next column is 18 deg 38 min. and Venus is over the head of Libra In the next column is 18 deg 32 min. and Mercury is over the head of Libra In the next column is 8 deg 31 min. and Luna is over the head of Sagitary which argueth that the Moon was at noon so far entered the Sign Sagitary but in regard it was above an hour after noon when the Sick took his bed there must be half a degree which is 30 minutes added unto the Moons motion for by reason of her quick moving she getteth
one degree in two hours wherefore we must set the Moon in nine degreeâ— Sagitary you must do the like in all other figures Had he took his bed at midnight you must have added six degrees and then the Moon would have been fourteen degrees thirty one minutes entred Sagitary Now having set the signs on the cuspes of every house and the Planets in those signs as by the figure appeareth I shall in the next place shew how to give judgement thereupon and so thereby discover the grief as followeth How to give Judgement by the Figure of twelve Houses THe general way especially in acute griefs is to give iudgment by the Moon being in any of the twelve signs and by the infirmities afflicted as I have already declared And this being an acute grief judgment must be given accordingly yet notwithstanding I shall by this figure set forth his natural infirmities or griefs and so instruct â—â—e Learner how to give judgement in any other chronick griefs by the signs on the ascendant sixth house and their Lords afflicted For some lasting and obscure griefs cannot be discovered by the Sun and Moon afflicted In the first place you must observe whether the ascendant which is the first house or the sixth house or their Lords be any way afflicted by the malevolent planets Saturn Mars Mercury or the Sun for sometimes the Sun may and will afflict more especially if the grief lieâ—h about the heart or in the arteries or vital spirits In the neâ—t place it will be necessary to know whether the grief be natural or whether it came by Witchcraft or Sorcery Now if you find the Lord of the twelfth house in the ascendant or if the Lord of the twelfth being in the sixth or Lord of the sixth in the twelfth or if the Lord of the ascendant be combust that is when the Sun is not above eight degrees thirty minutes distant from him or if one planet be Lord of the ascendant and twelfth house and an infortune then you may conclude that the grief is more than natural more especially where there is any just suspition thereof which may be somewhat deferred by heeding well the nature of their distempers as I have shewed elsewhere But in this Figure I find no such thing wherefore I did conclude the grief was natural occasioned by his own disorder of body as shall be shewed in order Sometimes I have known the ascendent the sixth house or their Lords have been afflicted by the Lord of the twelfth house and yet the sickness was not from Witchcraft notwithstanding those suspected evils for if Jupiter and Venus or the Sun do cast their friendly aspects unto the afflicted Planet or Cusp of the House aforesaid that then the grief came by some disorder of body Also if that Lord of the ascendant be in the twelfth or in the sixth the grief is natural For from the twelfth house we give judgment of self-undoing so well as otherwise but any rational experienced practitioner may easily distinguish the natural diseases from the unnatural by heeding well the manner of their distempers as aforesaid And generally I find that those who are taken in this snare of Witchcraft that at the time of any strong fit or when they are more than usually tormented that then the ascendant together with its Lord doth exactly personate the sick and at that very time the Lord of the twelfth house doth one way or other afflict either the ascendant or its Lord or that an infortune Lord of the ascendant and twelfth house which may so happen when the proper ascendant is intercepted in the first house as I have oft times experimented I shall now proceed to give judgment upon the decumbiture figure before mentioned and in the first place describe the person of the sick Secondly y rules discover whether the sick shall live or die if live how long time before recovery Thirdly I shall by rules set forth what the grief is and from what came Fourthly How and which way he was recovered The mans person is described by the ascendant Capricorn and Saturn his being therein who is Lord thereof viz. one of a middle stature full and well set of a dark or swartish complection â—ad brown hair as you may find more at large in this book Signes of recovery was first Saturn Lord of the ascendant being his significator is strong as being in his own house and is more strong than Mars who is the afflicting Planet Secondly the Moon doth separate from Mars and apply first unto Venus and from thence to the Sun and Jupiter all fortunes Thirdly the Sun is increasing in light Fourthly neither the Moon or Saturn are combust Planets are said to be combust when they are not elongated eight deg thirty min from the Sun Fifthly she is not in that part of the Zodiack called via combusta which is from the middle of Libra to the midst of Scorpio Lastly Venus Lady of the fourth house which usually sheweth the end of all things of this nature was in friendly aspect to the Moon at the time of decumbiture all which are arguments of recovery The time when followeth First the angles of the figure are part fixt and part common Secondly the Moon was in a common sign which argueth that the grief was not perfectly acute nor yet chronick but between both and so it proved for upon the last critical day the feaver left him at which time the Moon came to the place she was in at the decumbiture viz. unto the ninth deg of Sagitarius yet notwithstanding at the last critical time he had a very strong fit the Moon being then in square to Mars but Venus fortune and Lady of the fourth house being in friendly aspect to the Moon and she together with Saturn being both more strong than Mars who was the afflicting Planet put an end to this sickness at the time aforesaid The next thing considerable is to discover the grief and from what cause and likewise what infirmities she was naturally subject unto from the birth Now concerning the present acute grief I found the Moon being in the sign Sagitary was the platick square of Mars afflicted for between the sign Virgo the place where Mars is and the sign Sagitary the place where the Moon is containeth ninety deg which number maketh a square had the Moon been but one degree in the sign Sagitary yet that would have been a platick square for if we consider the moity of each Orb there will be ten deg allotted at which time and distance the influence of those Planets doth operate both before and after any aspect Now to know what the present distemper was by reason it was an acute grief you must find out the place in this book entituled the Moon in Sagitary of Mars oppressed which argueth a high and strong fever with the flux or lask and cholerick passions the pulses few and taint heating slowly his blood over heated The
the grief or infirmity out of which you must take a select number according unto their elemental qualities and virtues being rightly appropriated unto their severall planets and gathered at the right planetary hours which this Book will sufficiently instruct you dry them so that you may pound them and searce them into fine powder Then take the quantity of half a dram thereof and the like quantity of the Sympathetical powder and mix them well together in a Mortar ever after keeping the powder warm and dry and when you are minded to cure thereby you must warm the powder very well over a few coals and while its warm put a small quantity of the Patients blood into it and mix it very well together always keeping it warm and so make it up in a little bag and let the Patient wear it next their skin that so it may always be kept warm I have by virtue of this powder done many very great cures and should have still continued in this way of practice but that I found many were unsatisfied concerning the legality thereof taking it for a kind of charm by reason I ordered the patient to wear it about their necks and I believe they did the rather conceipt so in regard I did use to resolve many questions in Astrology as Thefts Strays Fugitives c. There is but one danger in this way of cure which is as followeth If the Patient happen to lose this mixture from their necks or body wheresoever worn or otherwise let it take cold the grief will be apt to return aâ—ain more especially if the Patient be not perfectly recovered But when the Patient is through well than they may burn it I could have inserted many cures which I have effected by vertue of this powder I shall only mention one for example as followeth about nine years ago there lived a woman in Newbery in the County of Berks she was daily troubled with fits which at the first would begin with a kind of trembling about the heart and from thence by degrees set al the arteries to work throughout her whole body after which for some hours she would be as seemingly dead and could wagg neither arm or leg for cure whereof I let her blood in the heart vein and having my powders made in readiness according unto what is before expressed I mixt some of her blood with the powder and while it was warm made it up into a little bag which I caused her to wear about her neck by vertue of which not omitting dyet-drink suitable to her condition she was in about a months space recovered notwithstanding she was near twelve moneths in this condition before she came unto me The cure being perfected her husband according unto our agreement paid me for the cure but it so chanced that within some small time after she carelesly lost this from her neck whereupon her fits began to mind her again and more and more increased insomuch that she was almost so bad as at the first for as I said before except the patient be for some time perfectly well at least a moneth the grief will be apt to return especially when the principal matter of cure is lost or neglected for it s not sufficient in any distemper whatsoever only to cure except for a time there be a perfect settlement for we daily find that relapses are very dangerous and apt to befall many who think themselves well recovered This womans husband came to me again and told me that his Wife was so bad as ever being much discontented he not knowing the reason I askt him whether she had not lost the little bag from her neck which I gave her to wear he told me he thought she had the truth is through carelessness she had lost it whereupon I once more let her blood and did as is before expressed desiring her to take care of it which she did after which she became well again and her fits left her and so hath continued well ever since as I am informed This cure being effected about eight or nine years ago The Vnguent or wonderful Oyntment for Wounds Composed of the four Elemental parts of Mans Body The Seven Planets being applyed thereunto It s making and use followeth The Ingredients The Moss of a dead Mans Scull 2. ounces Of Mans Grease 2. ounces Of Mummy ½ ounce Of Mans Blood ½ ounce Oyl of Lindseed 2. ounces Oyl of Roses 2. ounces Bolearmeniack ½ ounce The three last ingredients are the rather added unto it because it helpeth to bring it unto a subtile oyntment and without question there is also great vertue in them Elements Nature Complection Planets Water Cold and Moist Flegm Venus and Luna Fier Hot and Dry. Choller Sol and Mars Earth Cold and Dry. Melancholy Saturn Mercury Ayr. Hot and Moist Sanguine Jupiter ALL these things before mentioned must be mixt together and beaten well in a morter until it become an oyntment then keep it in a close thing from ayr for your use The way to use this Unguent whereby to cure is as followeth Take the blood or matter of the Wound upon the Weapon or Instrument which made the Wound or otherwise dry it upon a piece of wood then put the wood into the oyntment or else anoint the blood being kept dry upon the wood with the oyntment and keep it from air you must every day wet a fresh linnen rag with the Urine of the Patient and so bind up the wound do it early every morning Also you must be very careful that the oyntment which is applyed to the blood take no cold with this Unguent wonderful things may be done if it be rightly managed according unto the directions aforesaid I shall quote one example concerning the tryal of this Unguent as followeth One day being at dinner with Sir Humphrey Forrester of Aldermaston in the County of Berks. The Gentlewoman who usually waited on his Lady was extreamly tormented with the tooth-ach we caused her to prick her teeth with a tooth pick and to blood it immediately we put the tooth-pick into the ointment and the Gentlewoman had present ease after some short time we took forth the tooth-pick and put it into vinegar whereupon she was presently in extream pain We took the tooth-pick forth of the vinegar and applyed it to the unguent and she was immediately well and so continued I could have inserted many great cures done by virtue of this unguent which for brevities sake onely I am willing to omit Concerning Witchcraft and Sorcery with the cure thereof as followeth THe way to know whether the patient be bewitched or not I have already set down elsewhere in this Book I find by experience that those who are taken in the snare of witchcraft are usually afflicted in some outward limb or member of the body caused by an image made in the likeness of man or beast and through the subtilty of the Devil made at such hours and times
are possessed with the true way and manner how to do it according unto the Authors experience and performance thereof with some observations whereby to know whether they are possessed or no. THe occasion which first moved me to undertake the casting forth of Devils was as followeth One Goodman Alexander a Turner by trade living at Basing-stoke in the County of Southampton had a Daughter who was not onely perplexed with very strong fits which usually took her every day near the same hour every fit lasting above twelve hours being very terrible to behold during which time with many shrieks and cries and through extream torment she was brought so low both in body and Spirit that she could not move or wag any part of her body or limbs from the middle downward her Father told me he had spent much money upon several Doctors and others but they could do her no good whereupon hearing by some what great cures I had done he came and told me what her condition was as I have in part related desiring me to undertake the cure I desired to know at what hour and time her fits usually did begin which he told me according unto which time I did erect a Scheam and according to the Rules of Astrology in this book elsewhere expressed I did find she was either bewitched or possessed Her Father was very earnest with me to undertake the cure and I could not blame him she having been in this condition above twelve months and besides he made his bargain so that it I did not effect the cure I was to lose all my pains and charges upon which agreement being made the Maid was brought to my house whereupon observing and taking notice of her kind of sits and having made some tryal upon her by way of questions and her answers for she could not say or once name God Jesus Christ or Deliver us from Evil or the like but that immediately she would be tormented falling into strange fits whereupon I told her Father that she was possessed by the Devil and that it would be impossible to cure her except the Devil were first cast forth I also advised him to get one godly Minister or other to try what he could do by his means and devotion whereupon and not before he told me â—hat he had done that already For the Minister of the Parish whose name was Mr Webb one reputed to be a very honest godly and Learned man did undertake to do it and came to his house two several times to that purpose but could not prevail notwithstanding he spent about three hours time in tryal thereof at his first coming yet he was forced to desist but withal told her father that at the next coming he would be better prepared and accordingly he did come the second time but could not prevaile then neither during all the time that he was in action about this business the Maid was extreamly tormented it being as before near three hours before he â—nded who then said to her Father Lord have mercy upon me I cannot do it wherefore I advise you to look out farther per adventure you may meet with one another who may have strength of faith and a gift to do it and likewise to cure her distemper I confess when I heard by her Father what the Minister had done I began to be somewhat danted but when I considered that it would much reflect upon my reputation to send the Maid home again uncured and farther considering that by Prayers and strength of Faith it might be done more especially where it pleased God to give any one that gift which gift is obtained by Prayer and strength of Faith I also farther considered that both before and since Christs time Devils were cast forth out of such who were possessed as appeareth by the answer of our Saviour Jesus Christ unto the Jews who taxed him saying He casteth forth Divels through Belzebub the Prince of Devils If I say our Saviour cast forth Divels through Belzebub by whom did your Fathers cast them forth by which words it appeareth that the Jews had done it before Christs time And further telleth them That a Kingdom divided cannot stand c. Considering these reasons aforesaid according unto the method hereafter expressed I did undertake and through Gods blessing perform this great work unto whom be ascribed all honour Power and Glory with Thanks-giving for ever more Amen Before I proceed to set forth the way and manner how I did through Gods blessing perform this great work I conceive it will be necessary to say somewhat concerning the tryal of the Patient whereby to know whether they are possessed or no which is as followeth If they can without stop or starting say the Lords Prayer also pronounce God Jesus Christ and likewise say I defie the Devil and all his works and other such like Godly expressions then 't is probable they are not at that time possessed and then you must try them again at another time for as we find in Scripture there are some which are possessed at certain times and at other times the Devil leaveth them But as concerning this Maid in question the Devil did never forsake her from the time he first entred into her Also some are possessed with Devils which speak within them at certain times as instance this Maid was others are possessed with dumb Spirits which will not speak nor yet many times suffer the Patient to speak nor yet to pray or pronounce God Jesus Christ the holy Trinity or any other such like expressions for fear of being tormented with fits I have cast forth of both kinds out of sâ—â—h who were possessed as shall be shewed in order I shall first begin with this Maid in question whose fits began about nine a clock at night and lasted until eight a clock the next morning during which time she was most sadly afflicted making many kinds of noises as sometimes crying sehritching howling also sometimes using strange actions and gestures of her body as twisting and twyning her self about sometimes crawling about the room with many other strange passages Now from eight a clock in the morning until noon she would resolve all questions whatsoever and give true answers unto them as have many times been proved more especially if propounded by her Mother for she did not desire to talk with any other body except by accident during this four hours they did usually put many questions unto her as sometimes asking what became of any one that was dead whether they went to Hell or to Heaven and she would instantly resolve them and so far as they could guess she answered truly for those who had been evil livers she would tell all their faults and misdemeanours and how they lived and dyed and what disease and where they were buried likewise such who were godly persons she would say they went to heaven and point upwards although they were such whom she never saw or knew
their Knowledge and Experience herein And although in general we keep close unto one intire Method and Rule as in our Introduction appears compared with others even as with young Scholars so in this Science there must be beginning or entrance at the first after which each industrious Student and Practitioner may increase in knowledge and so make farther progress and discoveries herein and having attained thereunto some perfection may do well to communicate their knowledge unto others that so this Art may continually be inlarged we find that in all Ages this Art hath still increased by means of those Worthies who have been Students and Practitioners therein whose Books are extant of this nature I confess in some material matters and circumstances I differ from many Authors yet I keep close unto the Principles of Art giving sufficient reasons for what I write those that read my Books being compared with other Authors may follow that way and method which by tryal doth manifest its self to be most effectual I do not intend by this my vvriting in the least to disparage other vvorthy Authors but do highly praise and extol those excellent Works vvritten by our Learned and Ingenious Countrey-men vvho have taken much pains in Demonstrating the Art only as I have already said vvhere there is a Continuance of Practice each ingenious person may vvithout doubt add something to the increase of knovvledge and I question not but that each Practitioner and young Student vvill gain somevvhat by my Labours herein And as for such vvho are vvell learned in this Art although my vvriting may not adde much unto their knovvledge herein yet in point of vvisdom and love to the Art and Artists I presume they vvill take vvhat I have vvritten in good part and pass by my failings if any vvith silence But as to the envious they shall not much trouble me considering their persons vvill be sufficiently revvarded as being to themselves most destructive But unto such vvho are loving and true lovers of the Art I vvish a blessing upon their Studies and that they may increase in knovvledge Vale. Books sold by Obadiah Blagrave at the Printing Press in Little Brittain ALstedii Aencyclopedia 2. Vol. Fol. Aretius in Nâ—vum Testamentum Fol. Aguâ—nii Commentaria in Psalmos Fol. Biblia Junii Trimelii Fol. Beza in Novum Testamentum Greek Latine Fabricius in Psalmâ—s Fol. Marloret in Novum Testamentum in Psalmâ—s in Isâ—aiah Junii Opera 2. Vol. Fol. Causins Holy Court in five Tomes Fol. The Câ—mpleat Statesman Fol. Carâ—i's Commentary on Job in Twelve several Vollumes Qâ—arta Allius Chain of Scripture a Chronology from the Creation of the World to the Death of Jesus Christ Qâ—artâ— The Pilgrim by J. Hall Twelves Gee Of Magistracy Octavo Sr. Kenelm Digby Of Bodys and of Mans Soul to discover the Immortality of Reasonable Souls with two Discourses of the Powder of Sympathy and of the Vegetation of Plants Culpepers Translation of Riverius Fol. Culpepers Translation of Bartholinus Anatomy Fol. Culpepers Translation of the London Dispensatory Culpepers English Phisitian Culpepers Directory for Midwives Culpepers Last Legacy to his Wife being his Choyce Secrets Blagraves's Astrological Practice of Physick Aristotles Problems in English Ramsey of the Nature of Poysons Wits Interpreter The English Parnassus Or a sure Guide to those Admirable Accomplishments that Compleat our English Gentry in the most acceptable qualifications of Discourse or Writing Octavo Blounts Accademy of Eloquence The Accademy of Complements The History of the Seven Champions of Christend on Quintus Curtius in Latin or English Erasmi Adagia Fol. Clerks Phrasalogia Puerilis Octavo Sydelii Manuale Gr. Latin Octavo Turnerii Orationes Octavo Testamentum Latinum Octavo Testamentum Graecum Octavo Hoâ—les Easie Entrance into the Latin Tongue Translation of Aesop Corderius Colloquies Sententiae Pueriles Confabulatiunculae Cato Terence