stirreth up the vertue of the Pleiades and Hyades in that sign Manifested by common experience and the Hoedi to the North thereof and Orion to the South as also Arcturus then setting and we shall see these Constellations being naturally violent and tempestuous do raise Southern and moist winds for certain days together watring the earth and causing those seeds and vegetables not before to be discerned to spring forth and appear and this hath not only been delivered unto us from Antiquity but we every year towards the latter end of that moneth we vulgarly call April finde it by experience most true Hence that old English Proverb even amongst the illiterate that know nothing of the cause April showers bring May flowers Farther yet manifest Again when the Sun riseth with the Dog-star we see it causeth many infirmities and vehemency of heat so that Hipoc Aphor. 4 5. saith Medicines are hard or obnoxious that are administred under the Dog-star likewise we see Dogs at this time apt to run mad the Sea to be troubled and all Creatures whatsoever in one sort or other perplexed and this is known commonly to all the vulgar as well as the learned and therefore needs not farther to be amplified yet in some Summers Why the Dog-Days are not all years alike contagious this time is not so contagious as again in other years which happens according to the places and configurations of the Luminaries with the other Planets and fixed Stars according to their intentions and remissions neither cold nor heat proceeding from the absence or presence of the Sun as some weakly conceive for then all Summers would be alike hot as also all Winters alike cold since the Sun keeps his constant motion and is never more elongated nor appropriated one year then another And this we see also every year when the Sun comes near the 18. Degree of Cancer wherein the little or lesser Dog is notwithstanding the Revolution of the Starry sphear for otherwise it would be about the time he is in the 27. Degree of Gemini which is about the latter end of that moneth we commonly term May. A third manifestation thereof Lastly and with this I shall conclude as touching this point and then proceed There is no man that hath any knowledge in Astrologie but can affirm that the Weather will be tempestuous stormy and turbulent Saturn going out of one Sign into another according to Hermes Centil 33. and other sayings of the Ancients which if to be observed as they were just at the time Ptolomie writ or at the first Creation it will now be when he is in the middle or towards the latter end of a sign as the signs are now for that Aries is now in our times very far in Taurus or where Taurus was in Ptolomies time but this hindreth or varieth no more the Influence of the Heavens from their natural properties and inclinations then to affirm a Faggot or any other combustible thing will not burn although it be put into the fire because it is not in a Chimney or any such whimsical assertion c. wherefore let us now shew the power of their Influence and so discharge our former promise since it here so fitly offereth it self The Stars causes next under God the first moving cause By the study of the Stars we see God in his works What hath been already said is sufficient to satisfie any man who is not disposed or given over to obstinacy of the verity and certainty of Astrology but for farther satisfaction I think good yet to proceed to some particular effects of the Stars that God may be glorified in his Works being himself the first moving cause of all their wonderfull operations that we may according to the Apostle see him in his Works though not worthy to behold him as he is in himself nor indeed able so long as we carry this earthy Tabernacle about us unchanged and unglorified First then because we are to hasten to say somewhat to a pretended reply to my Lux Veritatis least this first Book swell to a bigger bulk then I would willingly have it I shall briefly speak of the Planets first and then of the fixed Stars or as they are both joyned together and so hasten to a conclusion CHAP. VII Shewing the powerful influence of the Stars and Planets and how far we are to have regard to the fixed Stars MOreover having then seriously considered what hath been said it is clear to every capacity that by consequence according to the account of Ticho the annual motion of the stars not being above 58. seconds and 58. thirds it is most palpably clear that all that while they rise with the same degree of the Zodiack unto which the Sun yearly coming at times prefixed and known further by their presence the work and effects of the Sun after one and the same manner and so do not of themselves at all betoken plenty or scarcity more in one year then another The fixed stars no cause of plenty or scarcity of themselves but the Planets by reason of their various motions are Dearth plenty drought plagues alterations of the ayr the course of Navigation and Husbandry also the rule and sole government of the earth as all accidents therein ascribed to the influence of the Planets but this variety and change as also the generation and corruption of all things is to be referred to those stars that have divers motions viz. the Planets and this there is none that is Compos mentis will shew themselves so ridiculous as to deny for by means of their various motions they being particular Agents apply their vertue and influence diversly on these inferiour bodies causing thereby the difference of the plenty of one year over another c. So that hereby the weakest Judgement may soon discern that the diversity of plenty and scarcity between one year and another dependeth not on the rising or setting of the fixed Stars but on the commixture of the Influence of the Planets with them wherefore we see Clem. Alex. in his Eglogues doth not only make the Stars signs foretelling the changes of the ayr and plenty dearth plagues drought c. and in his Strom. lib. 6. necessaries to direct the course of Husbandry and Navigation but also in the same sixth Book a little further in his discourse of the seven Planets he ascribeth the Rule and Government of the Globe of the earth thereunto testifying farther that the Chaldeans by them did judge of the future events of all things appertaining to this frail life and also of Accidents to come Look more Ptol. lib. 1. cap. 2. de Quadrip where may be seen the several operations of the Planets and fixed stars in and over all Nations Countreys and People and the reason of their several Customs Laws Manners and Inclinations Thus much for the general since you have already heard that their force and power may be and is
an Eclipse of the lesser Luminary being grown to some bigness fullfilled the effects and significations of the eclipse by their several deaths one of them being torn in pieces with Hounds the second first by a fall from an high place broke his Thighes and then the second time his Neck and the third was burnt A third kinde of cavillers we are now to speak of who not observing and warily searching into the order of causes in Nature nor the government thereof are dazled and puzled with the contemplation of the marvellous and admirable works of God and so by reason of the diversity and dissimilitude of events and effects in divers matters and subjects rashly and most inconsiderately deny the powers and vertues of the causes themselves Object Their cavil is that we see many born at one and the same time and in one and the same latitude and the one perhaps is a King and the other a beggar the third a Gentleman and the like But this were I disposed to vindicate Nativities I might say is the gross mistake and ignorance of these Carpers at what they know not Answ that causeth them thus to render themselves ridiculous for there is no Astrologer but doth especially regard in any mans Nativity the time place Parents and the seed for the better inabling him in his judgement therein for he is most shallow and weak that thinketh it not material to consider whether the Native be born the child of a King The quality of the Native constitution of the Climate Laws Customs and other causes necessary to be observed in every mans Nativity or of a poor and mean parentage or that it importeth not whether all the causes the presence of whose help is necessary to the constitution of an effect do concur or that some onely be present or that knoweth not that the force of the general doth prevail over the particular and of those that are universal that the first cause doth excel the rest which it sustaineth I say he that thinketh not these things to be most material and worthy the consideration is not onely shallow and weak but most ignorant in the Art or at least willfully obstinate For there is nothing more certain then that Astrologers which are true Artists indeed do warily consider these inferiour causes according as their Rules in Art do prescribe and admonish to have respect as I have but now said to the situation of the Climate or Place Parents Laws and Customs c. Nota. The instance of a Kings son and a Beggars both born at one very minute if such were known of no validity against Astrologie For it were a vain thing for any man to pronounce that such a constellation as giveth beauty here in England should have the same effect in Ethiopia or that he that is the son of a beggar should because born at the same time the son of the King was be a a King or the like but he the beggars son shall as far transcend the degree of his Parents at that time the Kings Son doth come to the Crown of his Fathers or inlarge his Territories which is the only way a King can be honoured or raised to dignity as the Kings son doth his they being both born under one and the same fortunate constellation and thus is the beggars son extolled and raised in comparison of his degree as much as the Kings son in relation to his he being perhaps made some Tradesman or one in good repute and well to live among his Neighbours which his Predecessors were not able to do For you must know that the general fate doth over-rule the particular for it is neither agreeable to reason or policy that two Kings or more should be in one Countrey c. This I say were I disposed to vindicate the practise of some men in judging of Nativities I might speak in their behalf and to the silence of the Objectors who know not how in the least to reply Moreover others I have heard also question nay affirm positively and those too which seemed to be of some judgement in other matters but truly in this rendred themselves the most void thereof that can be imagined that a figure of Heaven which Astrologers do use to set for the goundwork of their business is Conjuration and illegal nay Diabolical What a figure of heaven is When at the worst it is but thus The form and shape of the Heavens or rather the picture thereof by which the Astrologer is made acquainted with the positions and several situations of the Pianets and Stars in every sign in the Heavens as we see in a Map the several situations of Countreys Provinces and Cities and if it be illegal diabolical and a Magical trick to set or make such a figure of the Heavens in a piece of Paper I know not what is lawfull but this may suffice for the silencing of such simpletons for let them be demanded what a figure is they thus condemn and you shall soon finde they have not a word to answer nor cannot tell how to give any definition thereof which is sufficient then to satisfie any rational man of their stupidity who thus rashly and ignorantly go about to condemn that as illegal and Diabolical That there is no harm in setting of a Figure of heaven is manifest which they are ignorant of and is no more hurt then to draw a mans figure or picture for knew they what it were they would never thus falsely conclude having no ground for their words but ridiculous tradition for indeed it was a most rare and fine invention and of great use for I can shew any man thereby the whole use of the Globe and the rising setting and culminating of every Star and Planet in the whole Heavens So then you clearly see the harmlesness of setting a Figure of Heaven and the envy of the Antagonists as also their extream ignorance thus to traduce so noble so worthy so excellent so delectable so satisfying so lawfull so true so transcendent and so incomparable and innocent an Art I but say they again or others though the Art in it self be lawfull being a contemplation only and study of Nature and its causes and though the setting of a Figure of Heaven be so far from any illegal or diabolical practise as that nothing can be more innocent yet is the study unlawfull Object by reason the Devil oft times brings things to pass in a secret way according to the prognostications of the Astrologer on purpose to cause the heart to be assured of the inevitable truth thereof and so bringeth by degrees the Student into the labyrinth of believing a fatality and so consequently to deny or distrust the Providence of God Answer in part It is confessed by all but Atheists that God the first and chief cause of all causes can alter and frustrate the power of the stars But as touching this confidence there is none
men for that they and they only were the first that made them any wise reputed several shall beneath appear for since it comes here so opportunely in my way I will give you for the farther clearing of this point the testimony of some former and authentick Writers though were I not confined to somewhat a narrow bounds I might insert most or all Writers that were any ways Judicious but since Verbum Sapienti sat est and the case so clear and unquestioned amongst rational men I shall as brief as may be give thee some and then proceed that I may hasten as hath been said to say somewhat of one that hath put forth a patcht pretended Reply to my Lux Veritatis in answer to Doctor Nathaniel Homes CHAP. II. That Astrology and Astronomy are one and the same Science and that they were ever so received by the Ancients I Have already declared the testimony of Aristotle on this point and if we peruse the works of Ptolomie we shall finde also Ptolomy maketh no difference between Astrologie and Astronomie that he maketh no difference between the one and the other and more particularly not to insist long hereon Lib. 1. cap. de Quadr. cap. 3. de Quadr. he calleth there the Art of Astrology Astronomy and the Predictions Astronomical so confounding the distinction of the parts with the essential name of the Science Wherefore though Ptolomie hath by some brain-sick men been brought to condemn Astrologie The apparent folly of these men that produce Ptolomy against Astrology we see thereby the folly of such envious and ignorant gain-sayers of what they are altogether unknown in for it is very strange that he should be produced to condemn what he hath taught to the world in four Books in Folio but such is the stupidity and perversness of the Antagonists thereof that when Astrologers declare and shew manifestly the power and efficacy of the influence of the Stars there they accuse them with impiety and illegal practices and when they sincerely teach not to ascribe so much to the Stars as to neglect these inferiour causes but to joyn the consideration of the one with the other here not considering nor indeed understanding the scope and intentions of their Writings they pick out certain particular places of their works which they think makes for their idle conceits and cavils to the condemnation of Astrology What the Antients deserve at our hands for their care pains of us for ingratitude is abominable and the labours of those that herein have spent their whole lives for the benefit of these after Ages who have by us small requital of their care and pains thus to traduce them when they ought rather by us to be eternized with Statues of Gold and whole volumes of praises in perpetuum Hermes Trismegistus also in his Centiloquium calleth the Art no other then Astrology Hermes and the Students Astrologers And Tully also in all his Works calleth the Art no other then Astrologie Tully never so much as once mentioning Astronomy for in Lib. 2. de Divinitat he maketh predictions a part of Astrology and not an Art of it self when he testifieth of Cassander and Archelaus that they were excellent in other parts of Astrology yet never used Predictions And Plinie lib. 7. cap. 37. witnesseth that Berosus And Plinie for his Divine Predictions in Astrology had his Statue erected him with a golden tongue The Septuagints in the 47. of Isa also make no difference of Astrology and Astronomy nor Astrologers and Astronomers The Septuagints also comprehending them both under the name Astrologers and the Art under the word Astrology Galen also lib 3. cap. 6. 12. Likewise Galen De diebus decret contrariwise calleth the Egyptian Astrologers Astronomers And the same doth Cassiodorus Plato and Philo. And again Cassiodorus comprehendeth the works and effects of the Stars under the word Astronomy where he defines Astrology so also Plato Philo and indeed all learned Writers which since to the Judicious this is so well known I shall not need here longer to insist only shall also add this that Bonatus in his 11. ch De confirm Astrol Scientiae maketh Astrology as did Aristotle as you have already heard a part of Astronomy in these words Astronomia est Sciencia per quam non solum praesentium Bonatus consenteth to the same verum etiam praeteritorum ac futurorum habetur cognitio See also his 14 chap. where under the word Astronomy as you may see in the Contents of the chapter he proveth Astrology to be one of the Liberal Sciences Astronomie is a Science by which not onely present things but what is past and to come may be known Here you see by these words he comprehendeth Astrology under the name and word Astronomie And then as I have said in the following words shews it is a part of the same Art definitur etiam alio modo viz. In duas partes sive species ipsius breviter contemplativam scilicet activam quae sunt Astrologia Astronomia It is defined also another way viz divided into two parts or kinds to wit contemplative and active which are Astrologie and Astronomie Thus you see here what difference the Antients have made betwixt the one part and the other and he in that same chapter further sheweth how they differ where he saith In quo differunt istae duae partes dicam tibi in what these two parts differ I shall shew thee and so forward wherefore then this being apparently manifest I shall not here spend more time or trouble thee referring thee for further satisfaction to his twelfe chapter where he sheweth cleerly both the parts and species of Astronomie and I believe an artificer is best able to deliver a definition of his own Art and rather to be believed then one altogether ignorant therein which that man must needs be that will be so peremptorily base and impudent or rather imprudent as to deny what is thus confessed by all Antient and Authentick writers of this heavenly and most delectable and admired Science neither upon due consideration will any man finde the knowledge of the motions Astronomy of no great use or validity without Astrology which is one part of the Science to be of much use or validity without the true understanding of their effects c. And here also I may add one word to that fourth Section of my first chapter I have referred thee to that he also in his next chapter viz the thirteenth witnesseth that Abraham taught the Egyptians his Art and that Atlas who was afterwards so excellent therein that it was thought of him he was a God and therefore was supposed through his excellency in his knowledge therein to support thr Heavens on his shoulders CHAP. III. Containing the Excellency and Nobility of the Science of Astrology as also its Antiquity and the admirable power and vertue of the
known by observation wherefore to descend to particulars That the Sun hath influence If we have regard first to the Sun we shall finde that the power of the Sun and the quality of the Heavens cause the inhabitants of the Torrid Zone to be black such are they which we call vulgarly Blackmoors or Negroes and causeth them also to be of constitution Cholerick their hair curled of mean stature by reason of the temperature of their bodies which is hot and dry Look Ptol. lib. 2. cap. 2. de quadripar We further know the Sun doth also tan even us in this our climate and is the cause also of Spring Summer Autumn and Winter day and night and the chief cause of the generation of all living creatures but more especially those which proceed from putrefaction c. every one knows bringeth also to maturity all the fruits of the earth and extimulateth all creatures to the act of generation for the procreation of their several kinds But to be short that 33. of Deut. ver 14. before mentioned and the testimony of Moses Gen. 1.14 of which anon that the Sun and the Moon were constituted for signs and seasons as well as other stars is cleer We know also he is of a drying and attractive Nature That Chronick diseases follow his course as acute and sharp the course of the Moon cum multis aliis but here I shall pass them by since there is no Peasant but can acquaint us with some one effect or other of this clearly by experience known unto him And who is so ignorant but knoweth that the Moon hath a great influence on the ebbing and flowing of the Sea which every waterman on the Thames can justifie The Moon Object Answ Why there is no Tides or such as can hardly be discerned in the Atlantick seas Why there is no Tides in fresh waters and why in some places there are no Tides but if some urge that in the Atlantick sea there is no Tides and so think by this their ignorance to make ought against this most heavenly Art they are mistaken for as touching this their idle and vain conceit I shall not need for the answering thereof use many words but let them know that by reason of the profundity and vast wideness of those seas I must confess little or no Tide can be discerned yet is it most probable there is an increase and decrease of that current as I shall appeal to all the learned in Navigation for by reason of the indisposition of the subject the influence I must confess of the Moon is not so much discerned as in other things as all moist and watery bodies that she wholly rules as in fresh waters by reason of the rarity and subtilty thereof she not having that fit subject to work on which is requisite causeth no Tide there also expert Navigators can testifie that in some places of the Ocean Tides are letted by the strength of a contrary Current c. But there is no female of twenty one yeers of age though some at sixteen nay sooner but can testifie its effects on their bodies by causing their menstrues once a moneth this they finde by experience though perhaps all know not the cause or reason thereof you have already heard her influence on lunaticks causing their fits sometimes to be more grievous then again at other times wherefore then if we further look to shell-fish we shall see cleerly that they are made by her divers illuminations of or with the Sun both to increase and decrease this there is no Oyster-wench but knows the same effect she hath in the humours of all bodies sublunary And there is none so ignorant but knoweth also that those who sleep in the open fields in Moon-light-nights she filleth them with dulness and heavy drowsiness and their heads with moisture moreover flesh newly slain being hung forth in moon-light-nights doth soon putrifie and Pease sown in the increase of the Moon never leave blooming and blossoming and that she is the cause of critical days and also judicial you have had shewn you in my Lux Veritatis wherefore here I shall not insist thereon but refer you thereunto and to Galen de diebus decretoriis and you shall there finde what admirable vertue and power he assigns her over all alterations of ayr and other inferiour Elementary things as well as over diseases especially acute c. And not only shell-fish and the humours in men and women do increase and decrease according to her increase and wane but also the Brain of man and other living creatures Again there is no Sow-gelder but can justifie he observes the age and configurations of the Moon with the Sun for gelding of Cattle and every husband-man or Peasant knoweth that it is very useful for him to observe a time of the Moon to put his cattle to ingender and as it is reported by Gesner in his 300 page of beasts Democritus affirmeth that if a Horse cover a Mare the third day before the full Moon the Mare shall conceive a male foal if the third day after the Full a female If a Horse cover a Mare the third day before the Full Moon a male Foal will be conceived and also in his 207 page testifieth that Pliny knowing the strange secret operation of the Moon in Elephants doth as it were ascribe a kinde of Religion in this creature for from the Change of the Moon till the prime and appearance thereof they take boughs from off the Trees and first look or lift them up to Heaven and then look upon or towards the Moon which they many times together do as it were in a supplication or adoration thereof He further relateth of the Baboon who by the influence of the Sun and Moon on him in the equinoctial times of the yeer barks every hour once viz. twelve times a day The third day after the Full Moon a female and as often pisseth and at the Change of the Moon the male Baboon will neither look up or eat but in a forlorn condition through the sence of that conjunction of the Luminaries goes up and down and the female purging her self of abundance of blood But this is further handled in the fourth chapter of the second Book of this Volumn viz. That which we call the Introduction wherefore here I shall hasten to proceed Those born at the time of an Eclipse or Change of the Moon live not long and why Again we see that those that are born at the time of an Eclipse of either of the Luminaries or at the Change of the Moon cannot live long for the Sun or Moon being eclipsed he being fons vitae and she the mother as it were of moisture the native then by this defect must be deprived in the eclipse of the Sun of natural heat and nourishment he being deprived of his light and in the defect of the Moon of convenient moisture to mitigate and to
temper the heat and so also in her Change c. Moreover there is no Hearb nor fruit that is either set or sown in the wane of the Moon but the taste thereof is neither so good as naturally the fruit is nor so kindely except Pease only which you have already heard being set or sown in the increase of the Moon will still bloom and blossome So also that Vines may not spread and grow too fast and be too forward they are pruned and cut in the Wane and such Timber or Wood which we desire to keep long un-worm-eaten we cut in the wane for that then the Moons light being abated so is the sap and humidity of the Tree which causeth corruption being once lopt thus much concerning what we would not have grow but as touching such Vegetables as we would have increase it is but observing the Moon contrariwise and we shall soon accomplish our desires therein as if we be desired any thing should grow up in heighth we take care she be at the time of setting or sowing thereof increasing in light and motion and in an aiëry sign but contrariwise if to take deep root and to grow downwards we place her in an earthy sign A remarkable thing of the Pomegranate c. And it is reported of the Pomegranate which is a thing worthy the noting that it will not grow longer then so many years as the Moon was days old when it was first set and this is most credibly reported by Lucius Bellantius in that Treatise of his in answer to Picus Mirandula But Pliny and others will at large testifie of the admirable power and influence of the Planets and stars over Vegetables wherefore what hath been already said is sufficient to evince any man who hath not wholly given himself over to obstinacy of the verity and certainty thereof for since you have already heard how evident and clear it is that the Heavens have Dominion of and shew their effects on sensitive things I suppose there it none will render themselves so weak and ignorant after a serious consideration thereof as to deny contrary to the opinions and testimonies of all learned Philosophers the Heavens and Planets to have influence over Herbs Corn Plants and all Vegetables for if the vegetative faculty be comprehended and included in the sensitive as there is none so stupid as to deny then as a Triangle is contained in a quadrangle so is this most certain and consequently an assured truth And thus much shall suffice at this time for the manifestation and clearing that the Moon hath influence over as well men bruit-beasts sensitives and vegetables plants herbs c. as over things without life viz. of the sea causing as hath been said its ebbing and flowing humours in men and women diseases critical-days c. I might here but for tediousness deliver unto you the fivefold government of the moneth by the Moon viz. of the latitude of the Moon apparition synodical periodical and medicinal but of these God willing I may hereafter say somewhat and that at large God sparing me life and opportunity c. In the interim I say let what hath been said suffice as to the proving the influence of the Sun and Moon and now let us hear what we are taught by Saturn The influence of Saturn proved Not to insist long then on the Planets since their influence is not by the rational in the least denyed and we are anon to handle their effects at large we shall therefore be as brief as with convenience may be in my Lux Veritatis chap. 1. Sect. 6. P. 35. I have declared how that Climacterical yeers happen The cause of Climacterical yeers and are caused by the profection of the Planets and first house to the Square and Opposition of their places in Nativities being more especially occasioned by the motion of Saturn he having as much power in the decree several of yeers The power of Saturn in diseases as the Sun hath in moneths or the Moon in days he coming every seven yeers to the Square or Opposition of his place in the Radix of any mans Nativity Again there is no skilfull Physitian that is acquainted and verst throughly in his Art as Galen and Hippocrates say none are but who are skilled and acquainted with and in Astrology but knows that he after the Revolution of the Sun be cometh chief ruler and orderer of the Disease and critical days and many times by his configurations with the Moon hinders the Crisis in acute and sharp Diseases and observation as hath been said and the manner taught will cleerly evince all the ignorant that Saturn is cold and Melancholy as the Sun is hot and inclining to mirth for as he is opposite to the Sun in nature so is he opposite in relation to the signs and mansions of the Heaven he rules and therefore inclines always to cold as the ☉ doth to heat whence the ☉ in ♒ being the house of ♄ and opposite to ♌ his own house the weather inclines more to cold And by reason the light and so consequently the influence of the Sun and the Moon is most manifest and apparent unto our sense yet I say though the other stars by reason of their obscurity and remote distance from us cannot so easily be discerned a short time spent in the observation thereof will soon cleer the truth of their several influences and inclinations But to speak more plainly and home to the matter Nota. do we not at every Conjunction Square and Opposition of the Luminaries with him finde all inclination of the ayr to moisture and cold and that it never fails but at the Square Opposition or Conjunction of the Sun and him except the body of Jupiter or Mars interpose or some of their Aspects cold ayr and wet weather is thereby produced according to the season of the yeer notwithstanding the natural inclination of the Sun to heat and dryness and this since so manifest and that even in the heat of Summer we may well conclude he is of a cold nature especially since by often experience we so finde its effects The inclination of any one who hath in their Nativity Saturn Signifitor Moreover there is none born that hath either the Sun Moon Mercury or the Lord of the Ascendant disposed of by Saturn and he located in the ascendant or in square or opposition thereunto or to Sol Luna or Mercury or the Lord of the Ascendant as hath been said but the native will be much addicted to melancholy and surly chumpish dispositions and in configuration of Mercury as I can justifie by many testimonies for truth the native shall be of slow and ill utterance of a dull and hard wit and capacity And thus much of Saturn and we are next in order to descend to Jupiter and so hasten to proceed since this point is so cleer viz. That the Planets have influence on sublunary and
thou dost clearly see that the influences of the stars do not according to the vain opinions of some weak heads take away Gods Government for if we will believe that God worketh daily new things according as we see them procreated and brought forth by Nature we shall run our selves into a gross errour when we are taught that he finished his work in six days Gen. 1. Exod 20.11 Ergo he worketh now no more but according to his inevitable decree by his Providence upholdeth all things by the same power of his word by which they were first made and leaveth the effecting of all things to the influence of the Heavens and Stars which you have already heard by the word of God hath been proved to be next under him the sole cause of all mutations and blessings here on earth and in elementary bodies What shall I say then for the farther clearing of this point I shall not say much more since who so desires to be further satisfied how far casual events may be referred to the influences of the stars and yet the government of God and Angels no wise diminished or denyed let him peruse Lucius Bellatius his answer to Picus Mirandula lib. 4. cap. 2. 3. Yet one thing as touching Nativities I must here needs clear which oftentimes the Artist may be deceived in if he have not special respect to the general fate of the place occasioned by the general influence of Eclipses Comets Blazing-stars great Conjunctions and Revolutions of the World c. For ofttimes though the Nativity of any man promise health or long life yet by reason of the affinity he hath with the place of his birth his health may be much impaired and life shortened by wars general diseases and the like but more especially if the Topical stars of that place be in the Horoscope or medium Coeli viz. the ascendant or first house or tenth or mid-heaven in the Nativity and if so this doth rather give him a fate still subject to general accidents There are many other ways which may alter the Nativity of any person but they would be here too tedious to relate since I have an earnest desire to be no tediouser then I needs must and for that I fear before I have delivered what I am yet to say I shall far exceed my bounds yet are not these so intricate but by a skilfull and ingenious Artist they may be found out c. Object But here it may be some will say that I do attribute too much to the influence of the stars and Celestial bodies Answ wherefore I think good for the clearing of all what hath been already said least some may be stumbled thereat to deliver my minde as touching their influence thus How far the Author holdeth of casual events That who so thinks by what in any point or part of what hath been already said or to be said I do detract from the Government of God or Angels in my tenets and scope is altogether mistaken for I do not so attribute all the actions of men to the Heavens as they consist of Bodies elementary and so subject them to the heavenly influences but I acknowledge them also subject to Angels rule and government as being indued with understanding and to the Government of God as using will Astra igitur nisi agunt the Heavens but incline and we being induced by passion incline either to anger love pleasure or the like but in these the Angels may so illuminate the understanding of our minds that by some intelligible consideration we are therefrom delivered and God directs the will far beyond that wherewith we are inclined to by the Heavens or disposed to by the Angels for by how much God and Angels exceed the Heavens being of a Corporal essence and they of a Spiritual by so much the more doth that whereunto we are carried by the illumination of Angels and the direction of God exceed those inclinations to which we are by the influence of the Heavens and Stars disposed Let men therefore apply their study to the knowledge of the chief part of the Art viz. that which teacheth general accidents for all this being considered the judging of the fate of any man by the time of his birth must needs be uncertain and therefore not maintained by me being not of very much moment Ignorance the only cause of mens ill conceit of this most lawful heavenly Art Wherefore then let not ignorance and stupidity carry thee beyond the bounds of reason and discretion to condemn or censure what thou understandest not for it is naught but ignorance which is the cause of all those open mouths which have of late so furiously barked at this most heavenly dilectable and most lawfull study for did they understand it they would be more hot against the gainsayers thereof then Astrologers are with them or they with the Art for you shall finde their discourses fraught with naught but ignorant mistakes as to think the Art Witchcraft Diabolical Illegal and the like barely because thereby we declare things to come not considering that we do it by no other means then the influence of the Heavens which is altogether natural when they might even as well say it is Witchcraft for any man to say or affirm that such an herb Astrology as lawfull as the use of herbs or any other thing drug or composition is good and available to the expelling of such or such an infirmity before he applyeth the medicine when all knowing men know such imaginers to be most ridiculous since they are infallibly known to be of such and such a nature and temper and so consequently available for such and such infirmities or diseases for no more then this More to be desired by Physitians then any other study is Astrologie unlawfull nay it is more then this to be esteemed and to be allowed of and desired since without it the other is of no use or certainty for Hippocrates Galen Avicen and Paracelsus the main pillars on which the fabrick of Physick Medicinal is built found out the uses of herbs drugs minerals stones and other medicines by the influences of the Heavens as they were known and found by them to be under such and such a constellation and so concluded by them to be of such and such a nature and then consequently a remedy for such and such a disease Hence it was that Hippocrates said that that Physitian which is ignorant in Astrology cannot perfectly be knowing in his Art being never able without Astrologie to give Physick safely viz. when to purge by evacuation or vomit or phlebotomie or for what humours or in what quantity Look my Iux Veritatis ch 1. Sect. 6. p. 32. neither can he know or come to the true understanding of the chief pillar of his Art viz. the true cause of the malady without it neither with it if well learned therein can he erre And Galen accounteth that
thou canst not so place him let him be in the third fifth or ninth House but these are not so powerful or so good as the aforesaid places In going or sending to Kings or great men Nota. let not the Moon be in Gemini or Pisces To Church-men Also if you send or go to Popes Cardinals Bishops Deans Prebends or any belonging to the Church let the Moon be in Sextile or Trine of Iupiter out of the aforesaid places and if possible with reception or in reception with the Lord of the Ascendent To Souldiers If your business be with Warriers as Generals or any Souldiers whatsoever understand the same by Mars and let him be accordingly placed but let not the aspect of the Moon be from Angles but succedent Houses To ancient men and husbandmen To Women To Scholars Secretaries Scriveners or young men If to Husband-men or ancient men understand the same of Saturn To Women let her apply to Venus To Mercury let the Moon be joyned or have aspect if you send to young men of no alliance or relation to you or to Scriveners Secretaries or Scholars c. but let Mercury be free from misfortune and impediment and understand the same of the foregoing Planets if your business be with such as are signified by them And thus much for the Elections appertaining to the fifth House SECTION VII Of Elections appertaining to the sixth House CHAP. I. Of the true Knowledge of the Crisis or Critical and Judicial Days very useful for those that study Physick The errour of most Physicians LIke as we read in the holy Writ The Physician is honorable so indeed he is but being ignorant in his Art he rendereth himself despicable and ridiculous and the way to make him perfect is to know NATURE and her secret operations and that by the influence of the Superiors and Rulers of all Inferiors viz. The Stars It is not his looking in an Urinal of water or feeling the pulse of the party or questioning with him how he feeleth himself and in what places of his body he is most afflicted that can give a through understanding of his malady the water is Meretrix the pulse is Fallax the patient himself is Ignorans These I say are not sufficient grounds for him to work on and without a good foundation the fabrick is not likely to be well built or at least to stand long they are indigent and insufficient and the patient perhaps so overcome with torment or desire of relief that he cannot well define his own misery The cause of a disease is to be first known before a cure be undertaken And since it is so a Physician or rather a Pretender thereunto I may justly call him for as Galen and Hippocrates say They are rather to be termed fools then Physicians must be better versed in his Art before he can do any thing for as he is he can do nothing with certainty A blinde man may catch a hare but it is very unlikely The cause of a disease must first be known before it be endeavored to be removed and the cause being taken away the effect will soon cease but they are ignorant of the cause ergo not able to perform what they undertake And again the nature and temper of the Patient is to be regarded and this can never be certainly and throughly discerned by looking in his Urine nor by feeling of his pulse That which causeth his Constitution to be either Sanguine The nature and temper of the patient is to be regarded or known also Flegmatick Cholerick or Melancholy is to be regarded it is not any inferiour thing that causeth it it is the influence of the superiours ergo Physicians ignorant therein are not able to perform with certainty any Cure whatsoever For what will cure a Flegmatick man of a Feaver will not a Cholerick and then the pretended Physician seeing his Medicine doth not work the like operation as formerly supposes the malady to be somewhat else and himself mistaken and falls another way to work and so kills the patient with a great many Thanks and Gratuities both of Money and Gifts for as the ignorant about him suppose doing his endeavour to save the sick The simplicity of the vulgar especially if he can but talk of this rare cure and that excellent remedy he hath formerly given and preach himself up and others a thousand times more knowing then himself down and now and then use some Latin in his Discourse and flourish it over with hard words to the ignorant I say he carries it then whether he save or kill and that with a great deal of credit but of all murtherers these we see seldomest hang'd yet none more deserving it The nature of the Medicine ought to be known before physick is to be administred The nature of medicinal things found out known by the stars Again the nature and quality of every medicinal thing ought especially to be known as Herbs Drugs or Minerals otherwise the pretending Physician doth what he doth not understand and if we will believe GALEN he telleth us They are onely to be known and judged by the stars So also Fernelius and Ficinus two learned Physicians confess also HIPPOCRATES PARACELSUS and CORNELIUS AGRIPPA who was Physician to the Emperor Charles the fifth and not onely these but all the more rational of the Ancient Physicians and Studiers of Nature which were onely Physicians indeed have acknowledged the same whose names if I should here record it would be be too tedious both for my self and thee and in a manner superfluous or needless in so clear a case since it is most certain that Hippocrates and Galen the two pillars of the Art of Physick found out the use of Vegetables and their natures as also of all their Physical things by the Stars who are the Governors and Disposers of them all and causes of their several vertues according to the several Constellations they are under A Physician ignorant in Astrologic can not safely administer physick Hippocrates and Galen further say that a Physician cannot safely give physick that is ignorant in the knowledge of the Stars and Superior bodies not knowing indeed when to give purges or vomits or let blood without much mischief doing nor in what quantity which ignorance often times indangers the life of the Patient when as these that know not the influence of the heavenly bodies give vomits at such times as cause a purge and purges when they become vomits which in laxative diseases or fluxes prove very dangerous if not deadly or totally destructive and at other times when the physick never worketh at all The cunning of the ignorant physicians to colour their ignorance yet you shall never finde the ignorant without an excuse for their rashness as when they administer a purge if it cause vomiting then say they the party is of a weak constitution and cannot retain the
the rule or Dominion before the other yet shalt thou joyn him in judgement therewith but if there be several Planets that have Dominion in these places you shall prefer that which is nearest an Angle and most strong in the degree of the Eclipse and make him Lord of the Eclipse Fixed Stars to be considered And you are also to observe those fixed Stars which are of most note and placed nere the place of the Eclipse and the Cuspe of the Angle preceding the Eclipse as also the Cusps of the Ascendent and mid-Heaven at the time of the Eclipse The forms and figures of the signs Having thus seriously considered the fixed Stars as you ought the forms and figures of the signs are to be considered in which an Eclipse fals and in which the predominant Planets are for the quality of the Events cannot be well known but by the nature thereof For humane signs of such as are of that form have signification unto mankinde and if they be ferall signs or such as bear the form of wild Beasts or four-footed Creatures it shall be to such Beasts and Creatures which are found in shape and Nature agreeable thereunto whether the sign signifie Snakes Beasts of the field domestick tame Creatures c. Northern signs Nota. signifie sudden Earth-quakes which have the figure of Beasts of the field when an Eclipse is therein in Southern alteration of the ayr in such Signs and Constellations as have wings such as are Virgo Sagittary the Hen the Vulture c. it denotes detriment to birds and flying fowl chiefly such as are usually eaten by man If in Cancer Pisces or the Dolphin to Creatures living in the water if in the Constellation of the Ship to Ships and such as Navigate in Aquaries to Rivers and the like c. The portence of an Eclipse in Tropical or Equinoctial signs Also if an Eclipse of either I uminary be in any of the Tropical or Equinoctial signs it denotes change of ayr in every of these times if in the vernal Equinox dammage to Trees when they begin to bud and shout forth as the Vine Fig-tree and others then springing if in the Summer Solstice the events will be on fruits when they are gathered but in Egypt it signifies the over-flowing of Nilus If in the Autumnall Equinox they will be manifest on Hearbs and the Seeds of the Earth when they are sown and detriment in harvest in the Winter Solstice on Pot-Hearbs Birds of the season and Fish Also if an Eclipse be in Equinoctial signs it shews its Effects in Religious things and Church affairs in the Tropicks in the ayr laws and manners of men In fixed signs in foundations and edifices in common signs in mankinde and Kings In the quarters of Heaven Moreover Eclipses nere the East signifie their Effects will be apparent in fruits youth and foundations in the mid-Heaven in the Church State great ones and such as are of middle age but if in the West in the Laws and Customs of the People the alteration thereof and in those of elder years it hath signification also of Murthers To know the greatness of the Events of any Eclipse The quantity or the greatness of their Effects are known from the greatness of the Eclipse and from those Stars which in the place of the Eclipse are caused of the future events For when an Eclipse of the Sun is vespertine the evill portended thereby is lessened but when Matutine increased so likewise on the contrary an Eclipse of the Moon Vespertine increaseth the evill Matutine impareth it the one half The reason thereof is because the Sun is the proper Governour of the Day and the Moon Governess of the Night Gen. 1.16 and therefore when they are thus afflicted in their own season the Effects must needs be much more effectual then when on the contrary CHAP. IV. Of the quality of the Events of any Eclipse whether Good or Evill How to know the nature and quality of the Events of any Eclipse whether good or evill UNder the verge of this Chapter will the quality of the events whether good or evill fall and the nature of them both the which is known from the nature of the Planets having most fortitudes in the place of the Eclipse and the Communication and commixtion of one with another and the places in which they are in the Figure of Heaven For the Sun and Moon bear rule over the other Planets and are main causes of future accidents as also the power and efficacy of the other Stars are by them augmented or diminished but the commixture of those Stars who are of most power shew the quality of the events But let us declare the works and properties of each Planet and their natures but that our relation thereof may be the more effectual you are to take notice that when I nominate or declare the nature generally of the five Planets you are to understand their temper power and force whether that Planet doth of himself in his own nature predominate or no or whether any other Star which is not errant or other place of the Zodiack of the same nature and temper or influence of that Star wherefore if possible we are to know the nature and quality of every fixed Star worthy the noting for the making a right commixtion when they are joined in Configuration with the Errant Stars or Planets because this is as considerable as their commixtion one with another according to their familiarity before mentioned Of Saturn when he is chief Ruler and his significations in general So that if Saturn be only chief Lord or Ruler he shall be generally the occasion of destruction and mischief caused by cold and particularly when his influence relateth unto men he causeth long and tedious Infirmities Tissicks and obnoxious Diseases occasioned from Humors Flegm and Defluxions quartane Feavers Banishment Want Tribulation Anxiety Fears sadness and Death and these chiefly to those that are stricken in years But when it relateth to Beasts and Creatures belonging to the use of Man he bringeth destruction and causeth a scarcity of them and sickness and rottenness to those that remain death also and infirmity in the same nature to those men that use or eat them In the ayr he shall cause frost and snow and such as shall produce bitter cold weather cloudy and obscure also pernicious pestiferous and tempestuous Snow and inconvenient wind and moisture producing by corruption pernicious and offensive creatures to mankinde But in the Sea and Rivers tempests and shipwracks also difficult and dangerous Navigating a destruction and scarcity of fishes increase and decrease of waters in the Sea by fits the over-flowing of Rivers and eruptions of the Sea-banks and mischief by water In the Earth a diminution and destruction of fruits and chiefly to such as are more particularly for the use of Man they shall suffer by Worms very much detriment and Caterpillars Locusts and
The signification of the Sun his Coments Comets and Blazing-Stars of the nature and complexion of the Sun denote the death of Kings Great men and Nobles in those parts they appear and in that Kingdom or Nation under the Ascendent of that sign where in they appear and for which the Revolution is made when they are seen in the Ascendent thereof also alterations in Government to the better continall and dayly tumults also war drought and such infirmities and are solar and those chiefly to solar men and to such places as are under his Dominion Comets of the nature of Venus and their portences Such as are appropriated unto Venus shew their Effects on Fruits and in Waters and cause change and mutations in the World alterations of the Laws Customs and Priviledges of Men damage and detriment to Women Nuns and Matrons chiefly in their Stomach Secrets and Reins c. All infirmities signified by Venus are threatned to those especially that are under her rule and also to those places subject unto her What is signified by Mercurial Comets Mercurial Comets occasion the death of some Great man still remember this is where they have Dominion grievous calamities War Pestilence and Famine Destruction Tribulation Anxiety trouble and sadness to Mercurialists and Ingenuous and wise men and such as are ruled by Mercury and grievous trouble and sorrow to such places as are subject unto him and the sign wherein the Comet appears and places to which it extends it self and where it is visible it sends Mercuriall diseases What by Lunar Lunar Comets chiefly manifest their significations on women and common people as also to all such as are under her rule whether Towns Cities Kingdoms or Nations they particularly denote troubles alteration of the Laws Customs and Rites Sterility and Wars all infirmities signified by the Moon and those chiefly to such as are by her governed c. Note also that if a Comet extends its self towards Saturn viz. its raies or tail it portends the destruction of the fruits of the Earth and a scarcity or Famine towards Jupiter wrath and destruction to Kings and the Grandees of the Earth towards Mars grievous and terrible sicknesses wars slaughters and blood-shed and the alteration of Kingdoms towards the Sun the death and destructions of Kings and Government towards Venus the death of Great and Noble women and damage to such things as appertain unto them towards Mercury much consumption of wealth with shame and infamy towards the Moon troubles and shame to the People in general CHAP. X. Shewing the Significations of Comets when they appear in any of the twelve Signs of Heaven Of the signification of Comets when they appeat in Aries ALbumaser and Junctinus with many others say that if any of the aforesaid Comets or Blazing-Stars appear in Aries it signifies evill and detriment to Noble men and the Grandees of the Earth in the Eastern parts and abundance of sadness to the commoner sort and truly I conceive all Nations Kingdoms and People Cities Towns Villages and Families under the sign Aries will suffer the same also a noise of the clashing of Arms blood-shed and the death of some eminent Prince or slaughter of some great Lady you must remember to confine your judgment herein to the places wherein the Blazing-Star or Comet hath power so also in the subsequent rules in the like case with fear and trouble of slaughter amongst men also great drought common diseases in the Head Eyes and Brain a rot amongst small Cattel especially Sheep and a dejection of Great and Noble men or an un-throning of some King and a rise or promotion of vile and ignoble mean people If its apparition be in the Eastern part of Heaven it will operate sooner and there shall be enmity amongst men but if in the Western more slow and much evill and detriment from Kings or Superiours and many showers inundations and frequent snows in Winter In Taurus If any Blazing-Star or Comet appear in Taurus it signifieth mischief to men and diminution of their goods also injuries and wrongs put upon them it uses also to signifie as say the Antients the death of some Great man Captivities injuries and a toleration of evils detriment to the greater sort of Cattel especially Buls Cows and Oxen great winds a corruption of Fruit and destruction of Corn and in Winter much cold also grievous Earth-quakes vehement sicknesses and dry scurfie diseases proceeding of putrefication as scabs c. If it appear toward the East it will sooner operate and the King shall fear his Enemies and men shall be molested with boils and swellings about the Groins and these shall continue for some years also sicknesses in the Summer-quarter and if it appear in the Western part it will work more slowly and signifies much rain In Gemini In Gemini if any Comet appear it signifies men shall be lascivious and incestuous In Gemini loose livers and neglecters of goodness also it denotes quarrels wars and dissentions amongst men sicknesses and the death of children and yong men especially also Abortive births the slaughter of Birds Famine Thunder and Lightning with very high winds to the eradication and subversion of trees and houses And if it appear towards the East part of Heaven the Effects thereof will soon be seen and many Grandees of the World shall be abased and brought down from their High Places and Honours and if it appear in the West not so soon and it signifies much captivity and abundance of rain and inundations In Cancer Also if a Comet appear in Cancer it signifies abundance of Locusts in the parts where they are naturally produced in our Climate it produces Caterpillars and such like pernitious worms which shall eat up and destroy the Fruits of the Earth also small worms in Corn and Trees a scarcity of Fruit and plenty of Worms it denotes also wars discords and much evill the death of some Great Person submersions Rapes and Robberies Famine and Pestilence And if it appear in the Eastern part of Heaven its Effects will be quickly manifest and there shall be scarcity of Provisions for the use of man towards the latter end of the year if in the Western not so soon it denotes the kindness of Kings and Great men to the Commons Again if any appear in Leo men shall be damnified by wild Beasts In Leo. Lyons and Woolfs this is to be understood in those Regions where such feral creatures are Worms and Vermin shall be destructive to the Corn an men shall be damnified in their estates the Gentry and Nobility shall suffer detriment and many of them death and War amongst Kings towards the end of the year and much effusion of bloud in the Eastern parts note the Parenthesis in Aries and pains in the Eyes And if it appear in the Eastern part the Effects are soon manifested and it signifies great Winds Lightning and a scarcity
of their several inclinations 16 Aspects names nature characters why so named and charactered partile and platick 92 dexter and sinister 93 Aspects of the Planets to the Lord of the year 235 Assistance from whence to be expected and from what kind of men 282 to obtain it of great men 197 Astrologie the definition of the word * 1 its scope or definition * 3 agreeth with Divinity * 5.4 c. one of the Liberal Sciences together with Astronomy and Physicks 2 how they became separated or so accounted ibid. how brought into contempt * 1 * 3 the best of studies and lawful 4 18 23 revealed first to Adam by God not diabolical as some weakly have endeavoured to perswade the world but a great mean rather to acquaint us with a Diety 4 38 medleth not with the secrets of God 21 most useful for Physicians 23 28 its definition 29 Legality 38 Excellency 4 warranted by Councels 37 not impugned by Divine Scripture from 30 to 36 useful for all the parts of Physick 153 Athazer what 111 Atlas fained to be the supporter of the Heavens and why 4 The Author divided by the Author * 20 his exhortation to this mad world * 22 how far he holdeth of casual Events 22 his practice or way of living 28 denieth a fatality in the Stars Influencies ibid. yet proveth they have admirable Influence in all sublunaries 4 and that they are cause of fertility and sterility 5 how far he vindicateth it 37 38 alloweth not of the resolution of Questions whereby many now-a-days enrich themselves and cheat the world and bring a scandal on the purity of Astrologie but condemneth it with the setting of Nativities as toys trifles vanities cheats and abuses of the purity of the Science of the Stars * 3 * 36 38 the cause of his putting pen to paper in any of his works * 4 * 6 what books he hath hitherto wrote 4 his manner of writing in these his Labours * 25 c. the occasion thereof and his end therein * 6 his birth breeding and life hitherto declared * 28 * 29 Author of the pretended Reply to my Lux veritatis discovered and that it is not his under whose name the Epistle thereof passeth 24 B Barreness a curse * 13 A time for Bathing 169 Beasts a time to purchase 173 Beauty real defined as vulgarly received rejected * 9 A time for Begetting Boys and Girls 152 Benevolents not alwayes Jupiter and Venus 124 Besieging what 111 Birds a time to buy 174 Blackmores why black 14 Blood-letting when convenient 170 Book the first second third of this Volumn their scope * 2 the fourth * 3 Books published by the Author * 4 A time for Borrowing of money 135 A time to purge the Brain 168 A Bridle for Youth * 9 Of buying and selling 137 to profit thereby 136 C Cancer its nature and quality corporature diseases Angel colours places 87 Regions Cities part in man under its Rule 88 why ruled by the Moon 68 why the exaltation of Jupiter and fall of Mars 69 the number names nature magnitude latitude and longitude of its most notable fixed Stars 97 Capricorn its nature and quality Corporature Diseases Angel Colours Places Regions Cities and Part in man under its rule 90 why ruled by Saturn 68 why the fall of Jupiter and exaltation of Mars 69 the Number Names Nature Magnitude Latitude and Longitude of its most notable fixed Stars 103 Captives a time for freeing of them 201 Carbunkle its nature 57 Castles a time to build them 143 Casualties of Cities how to judge of them 144 Cattel small and great a time to buy them 173 to tame them 174 Cautions in administring Physick laxative 166 168 Cazimi what 111 Characters used in Astrological books explained 49 77 81 91 Charactery Astrologie questioned * 3 Childhood the vanity thereof * 7 * 8 Child dead to bring forth 153 Children born at the time of an Eclipse or at the Partile Conjunction of the Luminaries live not long and why 12 A time to purge Choler 168 A time to draw cholerick blood 171 Of Christening 154 Chronick diseases how ruled 11 Chrysolite its vertue 57 Churches a time to build 145 Chyrurgery a time to use 169 Circles of Heaven their number order and motion 79 Of Circumcision 154 A time to bathe for cleanliness 169 Clergymen their significators general in Annual judgments 220 more particularly 141 Cause of Climacterical years 12 Cloathing a time to buy 137 Clysters a time for administring them 164 Why it is Colder in January when the days increase in length then in December when they are at the shortest 13 Combustion what 111 Comet why so called the many sorts thereof 318 the definition thereof 304 318 the appearance thereof an evident token of Astrologies Legality and that it is allowed of by GOD 36 in what part of the Heaven they appear Continuance Portencies how to judge thereof the birth of our Saviour foretold thereby 319 Physical reasons of their portencies 320 why seldom seen and but in one part of heaven at what time of the year the reasons of their various shapes and colours distinct significations 321 Saturnian Jovial Martial Solar and Venerial their portencies 323 Mercurial Lunar 324 significations and portencies in any of the 12 Signs from 324 to 327 when chiefly they manifest their effects 326 Conception when hindred 152 when farthered 153 Vt mulier Conciplat ut non Concipiat 178 Great Conjunctions their Number Considerations before judgement 327 of the superiours and their effects 328 Lesser their portencies 329 Hermes of Conjunctions from 330 to 333 Conjunction its nature 92 How to order the matter of Conquest in any war 179 Considerations to be had in Phlebotomie 170 Constellations hindering and farthering Phlebotomie Ibid. To know the the Contents of any writing unseen 185 Contrantiscians of the Planets how to know them their force 77 Corns a time for the cutting of them 134 Coronations a time for them 197 Covetousness most detestable * 12 What sign the Sun was in at the first Creation 214 Critical-days whence caused 11 the true knowledge of them 162 may often be hindered by Saturn 13 Custome reproved* 16 a second nature 170 cannot wholly alter the Natural Constitution of any Place or People 15 The Customs and Laws of all Nations different and why 16 D. Dead childe to deliver 153 Debility of any Planet in any Sign to know 66 Decrepit age prohibited Physick 166 Degrees how many in a sign of Heaven 79 Delectatione cum muliere jacere 178 Devil ignorant of the issue of future accidents 21 Dexter aspect what its nature 93 Direction what 110 A time for any work in the Art of Distillation 139 Dog-days why not a like contagious every year 9 A time for buying of Dogs 173 of bringing them up 174 Dragons Head and Tayl what they are their nature 76 significations in the twelve Houses in the Revolutions of the years of the world 247 in
all my days in and about this City of London save only the time I was in Scotland I am not familiarly acquainted with three people in all England for such is my disposition that I had rather be a stranger in the Land of my Nativity in this perverse and rebellious Age and to the generality of men living therein then to my self and my own conscience the which so long as I may freely enjoy I shall never repine but be ever content with what condition loss or change soever God hath farther in his Wisdom and Providence decreed for me to whom for eternal protection I shall here commend thee and remain Die ☿ 19. Januarii 1652. Thy Loving Friend William Ramesey On his Ever Honoured and most Ingenious Friend the unparalleld AUTHOR WHy wert not thou produced in those Days In which Philosophers did wear the Bays Learning and Art in this Age are beat down Learning of old was had in great renown In Syria Greece and Babylonia A rabia Persia Lacedemonia ' Mongst the Caldeans also and Assyrians REnown'd Egyptians and Sydonians And Indians with our Neighbours of France Much honoured it and still did it advance Each then in vertue striving to exceed So vertuous were they Now in our need Even when it was almost forgotten quite You were brought forth to bring it unto light W. D. Iatromathematicus On this incomparable Work and my worthy Friend the Ingenious AUTHOR VVHat shall I of these learned Labours write Or of the Author what shall I indite Come all ye Gods assist this pen of mine Come all ye Sisters come ye Muses Nine Lend here your help and let now all men know If they in Mysteries desire to grow Here they the Treasure of the East may finde And Natural hidden causes to their minde How by the vertue of the glorious Stars Health Sickness Plenty Scarcity Peace Wars Are brought to pass in their due time and all Things that are done in this World great and small And that God worketh not prepostrously As some men strangely have maintaind but by Order and Nature he brings all to pass Which we may clearly see as in a glass Could we but read the volumes of the Skie As here the Author clears it to the eye Of every notion whose elaborate pains Be recompensed with immortal gains And when he shall be taken from this place Let him be fixt amongst the Stars to grace Those Heavenly bodies and those Lamps of Light For he hath made them glorious in our sight I. W. Vpon the Authors Elaborate Pains in these his Labours VVHO in his Writings seeks all men to please Is not unlike the Merchant on the Seas Meeting with rocks winds pyrates shelves and sands Yet boldly ventures ere at home he lands His Ship full fraught returned safe and sound Discharg'd of Wealth wherewith she did abound He sits him still and lives at quiet ease Thinks the Land better then the boystrous Seas Even so our Friend in these ungratefull times Hath brought home learning bred in Forraign Clymes Is sure to meet with Find-Faults for his pains When he seeks nought but profit to their brains And pleasure all men Dolts do ever pine When they see Learning live and Vertue shine All Ages Sorts of men and Learned Schools Have honour'd this rare Science save some Fools Who neither know nay will not understand Unto what purpose God hath given command To the great Lights of Heaven Planets and Stars To shew their power on these Inferiours I envy none yet hee 's no Friend of mine Who having Pearl's will cast them unto Swine The Commonwealth of Learning cannot flourish If she instead of True-born Bastards nourish Some say those things are best which are in common But in these speculations there is no man Will so adjudge For an illiterate head But only taught to spell perhaps to read His mother Tongue high Secrets to expound Mis-leading others runs himself on ground But as our Merchant in some Forraign soyl Hath got a precious Jewel by his toyl And industry hoping thereby to raise His Fortunes brings it home which he doth praise Unto his Friends It they much magnifie And some choice person doth his Jewel Buy And much esteem it So this Far-fetcht piece Of Heavenly Science will the Golden Fleece Even much resemble Th' Author honoured be As Jason was to all Posterity I. B. The Contents of the First BOOK CHAP. I. PRoving Astrology to be one of the Liberal Sciences Fol. 1. CHAP. II. That Astrology and Astronomie are one and the same Science and that they were ever so received by the Ancients Fol. 3. CHAP. III. Shewing the excellency and nobility of the Science of Astrology as also its antiquity and the admirable power and vertues of the Heavens Fol. 4. CHAP. IV. That the Stars and Heavens have influence on inferiour and elementary bodies proved by Scripture or the Word of God and acknowledged by the Philosophers and the learned in former Ages Fol. 5. CHAP. V. Shewing that observation may be made of the motions of the Stars in answer to those that hold it impossible for any man in his days to observe the particular configurations of every Planet with the fixed stars and with one another as also that thereby we may discern their Influences if we have any capacity Fol. 7. CHAP. VI. That the variation of the Heavens from their places wherein they were in Ptolomies time or at the first Creation causeth no Errour in Astrological judgements Fol. 8. CHAP. VII Shewing the powerfull influence of the Stars and Planets and how far we are to have regard to the fixed stars Fol. 10. CHAP. VIII Shewing further the influence of the Heavens on inferiour and elementary bodies Fol. 14. CHAP. IX Shewing that the influences of the Heavens and predominancy of the stars in every climate is the cause of the several Laws and Customs of the people therein Fol. 16. CHAP. X. Containing the resolution of the main objections against this Divine Science Fol. 18. CHAP. XI Containing an Introduction to the vindication of my Lux Veritatis from the aspersions of Dr. Homes and his second with the first reason why I accounted him not worthy of my notice Fol. 23. CHAP. XII Comprehending three reasons more why that rabble of theirs was not worthy answering as to every quirk Fol. 24. CHAP. XIII Containing the Authors fourth reason and a vindication of both him and his Lux Veritatis from some of their abuses and untruths and their juglings and evasions manifested Fol. 26. CHAP. XIV Containing the Authors fifth Reason and the Scripture proofs alledged for Astrology in his Lux Veritatis proved to remain unshaken Fol. 30. CHAP. XV. Shewing that the Text in the 19. Psal ver 3. alledged by the Author to prove the Stars have influence is no wise refelled Fol. 32. CHAP. XVI Proving their Reply to Job 38.31 shewing the Stars to have influence to be frivilous and of no effect Fol. 33. CHAP. XVII Proving
their Reply to Judg. 5. and the 20. weak and no wise available to their intent or purpose Fol. 34. CHAP. XVIII That the Stars are proved both signs and causes by the word of God and the Art lawfull notwithstanding all their malice Fol. 35. CHAP. XIX Proving Astrology to be warranted by Councils in spight of their rabble Fol. 37. CHAP. XX. Containing the power and subject of Astrology and how far the Author vindicateth it Fol. ibid. ASTROLOGY FULLY Vindicated and Defended FROM ALL The Aspersions and Calumnies of the Antagonists thereof As also its Legality and Verity proved both by the Testimony of the Scriptures Fathers Antients and the consession of Councels With a clear Vindication of the Authors Lux Veritatis from the vilifying Reproaches of Dr. Homes and his Second and that the purity of the Science remaineth still untainted notwithstanding all their Reply CHAP. I. Proving Astrology to be one of the Liberal Sciences WHen I first entred upon these my Labours I thought by reason of the bulk and for that it had been of late traduced by the ignorant it would be very convenient to prefix some Discourse which might tend both to the vindication thereof and the manifestation of its sublime excellency and verity whereupon at my spare times I entred upon this subsequent Discourse upon my first conception thereof I thought it would not have exceeded a short Preface but being brought forth I perceived both for the largeness of its bulk and variety of discourse it deserved rather the denomination of a Book which I call A Vindication of Astrology I shall not need to say any more thereof only refer thee to its perusal and here begin our matter with the Answer of an Objection the better to usher in our following intentions which is Object That Astrology is none of the Liberal Sciences Answ but Astronomy is The vanity of which Objection shall be cleared here beneath it being indeed one and the same Art though two distinct parts or properties But first least some may question whether it be an Art for that as they suppose Aristotle in some parts of his Works seems to deny it yet upon better consideration there is no rational man but will soon finde that he is so far from denying any such thing that he speaketh as much thereof as any Astrologer can Aristotle maketh no difference between Astrology and Astronomy but together wiâ—h Physicks acknowledgeth them all one and the same Art though distinct parts Look further Aristotle Methaphys 6. and 12. and 1. Polit. cap. 7. and several other places too tedious to relate here Also his 2. De Coelo text 17. and lib. de proprieta element and lib. de mundo cap. 9. and in the 4. de generatione animalium cap. 10. for there is none that is well acquainted with his manner of Writing but knows that he indifferently useth the Name of Astrologer and Astronomer for one and the same and also in other places Astrologer and Philosopher as making no difference between them which here to particularize were both tedious and superfluous in so clear a case and in his Phys lib. 2. cap. 2. he makes no more difference between Astrology Astronomy and Physicks then the particular names of the head hand and foot c. do make that they are different things from the body though distinct members when all rational men know that notwithstanding they are several parts yet they all conduce to the composition of one intire body Wherefore in my Lux veritatis or defence of Astrology chap. 1. sect 3. I bring Aristotle to affirm Astrology to be Scientia media a Science between the Mathematicks and Natural Philosophy wherefore those that finde not these very words Scientia media in the above said 2. of Phys cap. 2. if they finde so much inferred it is sufficient to evince such carpers at Truth to be either void of matter of discourse or envious or both when it is clear he makes no more distinction between the one and the other then what you have but now heard I forbear here to set down the testimony of Averroes in his Com. on the 12. of the Metaph. Text 44. and on the second Book of Phys cap. 2. but refer you to the perusal of that 3. Sect. aforesaid where you shall also finde that in his Comment 7. of the third of his Metaph. he affirmeth Astrology to be a Mathematical Art and this is acknowledged by all the Judicious and learned neither do any but Fools and Novices make it a distinct Art or Science of it self but a part of Astronomy Physicks and Natural Philosophy which make up one intire Liberal Science Astrology one of the Liberal Sciences this is well known to the Learned yet for the satisfaction of some weak headed Momuses have I thus plainly delivered my self who carp and rail at what they are ignorant of Further Averroes Text 44. of the 12. of the Metaph. amongst many more which to insert here would make my labours of too great a bulk acknowledgeth Astrology to be an Art but in this place I say he hath these words Ita autem ars propria est huic intentioni inter alias Mathematicas quia considerat de substantiis aeternis sensibilibus aliae autem Scientiae Mathematicae considerant de accidentibus ut ars Arithmetica Geometria And in his Comments on the 2. de Coelo Text 58. he attributeth so much to the power of the Heavens over these inferior Bodies that he confesseth one Star to have a greater power then another and also in the 68. Text of the same Book he acknowledgeth every star to have his own particular operation c. Of the legality great esteem and antiquity of Astrology standing firm and unshaken for ought all the envious carpers and Ignoramuses can say How Astrology and Astronomy came separated Astrology and Astronomy one and the same Science As touching the legality and great esteem Astrology was in in former Ages I shall here for brevitie sake refer thee to the perusal of the 4. Section of the 1. Chapter of my Lux veritatis and for its Antiquity to the 5. Section of the same Chapter for there is nothing more certain then it hath been ever in most high esteem by all the more grave sort of Councels States Kingdoms and Empires as also by the chiefest and wisest sort of men studied and maintained it being the chiefest of all studies under the Sun and among the Learned the most coveted after For though it hath been by the malicious adversaries thereof distinguished from Astronomy yet I say by the Learned and Judicious never for though they are distinct parts yet are they one intire Science and that one of the seven Liberal Sciences as you have heard wherefore the simplicity and ignorance of some weak-braind men who make this distinction ought not to be countenanced staining and traducing thereby the chiefest of Sciences that was ever studied by