when ♄ and ☉ is in □ or ☠or when ♂ and ♀ is in □ or ☠or ♃ and ☿ are so posited and let him tell me then what alterations they produce in the aire both by Raine Snow Wind Tempests Thundering and Lightning and the like according to their several positions the nature of signes and houses and mansions they are in which if he be not altogether ignorant of the Art he may dayly see these and the like effects are most vulgarly known by experience so that therefore he might even as well have confessed those signes he speaketh of to be the Stars and causes their influence since he doth not nor cannot shew me any other thing they are without wronging and slandering the Art and contradicting the most learned therein as also the Fathers St. Austine Moses nay and GOD himself and if this appears not then to all the judicious an apparant Doctrin of Devils Mr. Homes proved rather to be a teacher of the Doctrine of Devils then Astrologers let the meanest of capacities judge but who could indeed looke for better stuff in so vile a meane warehouse or that beast not to be a monster or at least to be shun'd as very obnoxious that hath HELL written in it's fore-head for the title of his Bell and Dragon which he hopeth shal devour Astrologie with other frivolous and indeed unlawful Arts like an unconscionable judge condemneth the good with the bad is DEMONOLOGIE OR THE DOCTRIN OR LANGUAGE OF DEVILS I say is not this most wickedly or else most ignorantly done of Mr. Homes to deny these effects and operations of the Starres abovesayed to proceed from the Stars and seeing it is so of necessity then must Mr. Homes's Clerks in this point faile who have so palpably the word of God against them he might as wel then have left out that other addition of Doctor Willets where he saith that the Stars have not the same influence in summer and in Winter Spring and Autumne and so consequently will conclude them First not to be signes contradicting Moses and the word of God Gen. 1.14 as abovesaid Secondly Nor causes quia ex unitate causae sequeretur similitudo effectus of the same cause there should follow the same effect but there followeth not the same effect from the same signes appeares by experience As much to say the Stars are neither causes nor signes because they produce not fruits in Winter as wel as in Summer or because they cause not Snow in Summer or Buds and Blossoms in Winter O rare cavil but since he is already by what is abovesaid confuted I shal here add nothing but this that since the question is whether they are causes and signes because that passage in the first of Gen. manifests they are signes I wil if he wil be convinced by the word of God here give him to know they are also causes I will heare the heavens and the heavens shall heare the earth and the earth the corne and the wine c. Hos 2.2 And in another place the increase of the earth is referred to the Influence of the Sun and the Moon Deut. 33.14 By all which we may clearly see unlesse blinded with malice and wilfulnesse that they are both signes and causes of all our earthly injoyments and happinesses Et si scriptura ipse deus nobiscum quis contra nos SECT III. Wherein his allegations against the ground of the Art is condemned and his bringing St. Augustine and Galen against it proved fallacious injurious and malicious and how far we ought to attribute to the power of the Stars SEeing then it is most clearly so that the Starres are signes and causes as above said what need these envious carpers or malicious gainsayers of the truth be heeded or regarded but let their perverse rags of paper perish with themselves not worthy the least remembrance and indeed had it not been rightly to inform the vulgar and to make them see that high language serveth not to condemn truth I had buried both them and their filthy rags in perpetual oblivion but I hope since they must be remembred it will be but for their disgrace not Chronicled for their worthinesse but perpetual infamy But this is not all he comes next to condemn Astrologie by Keckerman and that with as weak arguments as he did the rest Keckerman saith he a most learned Philosopher and Christian although he favours some things which men now a daies call part of Astrologie did not in all his two great Volumnes in fol. of Arts and Sciences set forth any Astrologie a wise story indeed because Keckerman writeth not of Astrologie therefore there is no such thing but if Keckerman hath not yet as wise and as learned and greater Philosophers have Looke the second Chapter of this Treatise Sect. 2. as if the being of Astrologie depended on his writing hereof or a whit farther from being an heavenly Science and a lawful Art because he omitteth it fine Logick and rare reason if rightly understood and the depth thereof throughly searched because Aristotle knew not the reason of the ebbing and flowing of the Sea therefore no body else doth neither is there such a thing in Nature and because Moses writeth not of the creation of Angels Ergo there is none O profound and invincible reason but it savoureth so little of reason that it is rather rime-Dogril Brains and Staires or hot and block I had almost said head that I might make at least sence thereof if neither rime nor reason But to proceed he saith he is sure he hath these words against it Manent tamen c. the Stars abide as of other sublunary effects so of effects in man the common and remote cause which many wayes may be hindered not only by the first cause God but also by particular causes partly in the Heavens partly in the Ayre and other Elements so that the Predictions of Astrologers are with ifs and ands c. which is as much to the purpose as comes just to nothing for first that God can alter the course of the Stars there is no Astrologer but will confesse but whether he will or no or ordinarily uses so to do is the question so that Mr Homes gets little by this querk since he affirmeth nothing that any Astrologer will deny But if Mr Keckerman maketh it not appear what particular causes hinder the effects of the Stars me thinks for the strength of his argument Mr Homes should have done it for it standeth not with any reason that subordinate causes as are the Ayre and other Elements should predominate or rule over the first moving causes viz. the Stars this the weakest capacity that understands the Art will affirme and you have but now heard that the effects of the Stars cause alteration and mutation of the Ayre as we also daily see by experience and therefore his assertion that the principles of Astrologie are not confirmed on true
may not be ignorant of as also for the better understanding of the Reader I doe here more plainly rehearse by way of Quere viz. First whether Astrologie or fore-telling or Prognosticating by the Starres be a lawfull Art free from all Diabolical practises and devices Secondly Whether Astrologie may not lawfully be studied and practised by the best of Gods people without offence in the least either to the law of God or man if they concur with the rules of the Scripture which is the full matter in controversie and to be in this following discourse discussed handled and cleered and if so then certainly the malicious ignorant condemners of this Noble and most profitable Art studied by mortals as in it's due place shall appeare ought to be severely punished and that with examplary infliction that posterity may take warning how they condemne what they are ignorant of and likewise be incouraged to apply their minds to the contemplation and knowledge of all Arts and Sciences especially this most heavenly and divine study of Astrologie or the language of the Stars Now you have heard the distinction of Astrologie the subject intended by it you may not onely see the causes which concur to the constitution of the nature of the Art but also the finall cause whereunto all the precepts of the Art are to be referred seeing then the knowledge of the effects of the Starres in the Elements and their bodies dependeth of the motions Configurations and Influences of the Coelestial bodies Astronomy and Astrology both are one Art Astronomy or Astrologie for by the learned there is made no distinction between them as severall Arts but generally conclude them as indeed they are one and the same Art is divided into two parts the first speculative or theorical which consisteth in the knowledge of the heavenly motions the other part is that which consisteth in the effects and properties of the former motions and without this viz Astrologie the other is meerly vaine and of no use or to none or little purpose the former viz. Astronomy furnisheth the Astrologer with matter and stuff wherein to exercise himselfe the other viz. Astrologie disposeth the matter and accordingly judgeth as the case doth require and therefore to be esteemed the more noble part of this Science SECT II. In answer to some cavels of Mr. Homes his wherein be denyeth Astrologie to be warranted by Scripture proved erroneous and false HAving thus painted forth the matter and forme of the thing intended to be insisted on I come now to shew you what Mr. Homes his utmost power and malice against it is and first his blind zeal begins to shew it self in perswading the Reader it is condemned by the Scripture and no wise thereby tollerated his words are It is no where allowed in the Scripture under the notion of Astrologie but every where spoken against as we shall see afterward and all that he can shew us and make us see is but six places of Scripture which is farre from being worthy of the Title of a generall condemnation when there is none but knowes the extent of the Scripture to consist of many halfe dozen Chapters nay of books Ergo not envy where condemned and those places neither but imagined by him to condemne Astrologie when indeed they serve no whit at all for his purpose as in it's due place shall be made appeare But he thinks these words to be of force enough to astonish and discomfort the ignorant from the study thereof and therefore as a warning peece or that his other windy reports may better take and be more heeded and beleeved he prefixeth this slanderous and most false and wicked saying and truly for his pollicy he is worthy applause for mistrusting his words should be little regarded he colours them with a preface as it were of Religion Astrologie allowed of by Scripture yet this will not keepe him from being ridiculous to the wiser and more learned sort of people But by the way is it every where condemned doth not the King and Prophet David say The heavens declare the glory of God Psal 19.1 and in another place The language of the Stars which is the signification of the word Astrologie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the language of the Stars and is it not allowed any where in Scripture under the notion of Astrologie Is heard over all the earth or the utmost parts thereof Psal 19.3 as if he had sayd there is no part free from the power of their Influences for their power hath a general extent over all Nations Kingdomes Countries Provinces and Languages I pray who can restraine the sweet influences of the Pleiades Job 38.31 And did not the Starres in their courses fight against Sisera Judg. 5.20 One of these places had been enough to have convinced him of great wickednesse in denying the Scripture doth any where allow of Astrologie for if he never read these places then he is wicked and no lesse then wilfully wicked to conclude what he understands not if he hath perused them then most malicious to speak against truth I may even as well say diabolically wicked Mr. Homes himself rather to be imputed a teacher of the Devils Doctrin then Astrologers and that he teacheth rather the Doctrin of Devils for the Devils Doctrin is falsehood and if he preacheth such gross lyes as these he is the Devils preacher and not Astrologers neither is Astrologie a Doctrin of Devils as shall be made clear to him before the closure of my discourse as he in his 160 page line 21. is pleased to terme it So then now I hope the Reader doth clearly see these his first words of his discourse to be meerly envyous slanderous and malicious or at the best most ignorant for it will puzzle all his braines and Mr. Raunces nay and all that dare or will take their parts to make any one of those passages of Scripture he brings to confute or condemne Astrologie to serve in the least for his turn as in it's due place shall be cleared Then saith Mr. Homes as other things that are naturall which are brought to countenance Astrologie are not tollerated by the Encyclopedia and general order and seales of all Arts and Sciences within their own spheres to be accounted Astrologie For instance First saith he Some urge that we know the tydes of the Sea by the state of ☽ and tempests by other Stars which I am confident Mr. Homes cannot denye but he will render himselfe more ridiculous then already which he indeavours to do thus these and of the like nature are properly handled in that part of natural Philosophie which we call Meteorologie and so likewise are all fiery Meteors Comets c. and so by consequence are made an integral part of Physicks for if you will say because of their external efficient cause viz. the Starres they are to be handled as a part of Astrologie by the same reason there will be left
no such Science as natural Philosophie because all inferiour bodies below the Moon as sayeth the great Philosopher Aristotle depend upon the superiour Celestial bodies of the heavens In all which he doth but shew his great mistake in the ground of Astrologie and his envy thereto for how can Mr. Homes prove this is a meer urging or an opinion of some that the ☽ is the cause of the ebbing and flowing of the Sea or that it is rather to be attributed to that part of natural Philosophie which is called Meteorologie and so consequently to be a part of Physicks when all the world knows that hath any experience or understanding in Astrology that he is as far from hitting the mark as if he had mist the Butt Wherefore for his better instruction for I see he is not so well verst in Astrology as he pretendeth or as one that is to condemne it should be I will make it appear to him that the ☽ is the absolute cause of the ebbing and flowing of the Sea and this is the opinion of all or most knowing and learned writers both in this Art and other Sciences and not onely so but it is so clear to all the learned that his great friend Picus Mirandula which was a stronger Champion or at least more knowing in the Art then he against Astrologie doth confess the ☽ to be the positive and sole cause thereof And thus The ☽ the cause of the ebbing and flowing of the Sea if he have any understanding in the Art as by his writing I must confesse as I but now sayed I see none let him take the true time of the Seas flowing first and then observe in what part of heaven the ☽ is accidentally placed by her violent diurne motion and he shall find it to flow till she come to an absolute □ aspect of the place she was in at it's first beginning to flow and then will continue ebbing till she come to the direct ☠or opposite place in the heavens c. Still let him observe exactly when she comes to the □ or ☠of the place of her first beginning and he shall never erre in this point this is sufficiently well known to the learned Practitioners and the sonnes of Art yet note that ☉ and other Starres may hasten hinder and alter the ☽ influence as he may see at ☌ and ☠of ☉ or the change and full in spring tides and neap tides at quarters and half quarters I would he had not been ignorant of this and then perhaps this being the beginning of his discourse he had not undertook to lay pen to Paper against this most heavenly most admirable and most contemplative delectable study and science of the Stars and Coelestial bodies So by this time he clearly sees how inconsiderate and rash this his sophistical and false argument is Secondly saith Mr. Homes others say that by Astrologie we know Eclipses and Changes of the Moon but we say Astronomy doth challenge this as belonging to it c. My answer is that I say what ever he telleth me others may or do say he cannot but know that those that say so are not versed therein and are as ignorant to apply or attribute this part of the practick viz. Astrologie to the Theoricall part viz. Astronomy as he is to make a distinction between the one and the other as two distinct Arts when Ptolomie whom the most learned follow in his book chap. 1. of his Quadripartite as above said defining Astrologie maketh no distinction between the one and the other but that the one is Theoricall the other Practicall And thirdly How doth he define by all his rabble the Art of Astrologie saith he If any one urge that Astrologie bandles of the qualities and effects of the stars we Reply that so doth Astronomie of their qualities namely of their light and colour and naturall Philosophie of their effects in watry ayrie and fiery meteors as much as to say Astrologie is no Science at all but will give its property to another study if this be not slanderous and malicious let the weakest in the world judge he might as well then all this while have called it Natural Philosophy as Astrologie and then he tels us if we admit of the Title Alsted gives to Astrologie viz. Astrologia planetaria or Planetary Astrologie and of Doctor Willets titles viz. Astromaney Genethliaca then saith he for conclusion by all observe that there is no place left for Astrologie by which he clearly renders himself the most malicious of all wretches to deny that Art which above 298. The learned and famous Sir Christopher Heydon recordeth them which you have verbatim by and by of the most wise men of all ages have studied and practised their names you shall have hereafter in its place both before and since Christs time whose antiquity may be derived from our first father Adam maintained by Princes and Kings reverenced by that greatest of worthies Alexander the Great and not condemned by any of the Fathers or the practice thereof prohibited by the Church farther then that they should not hereby be drawn from the study of Divinity as you shall see by and by Mr. Homes me thinks being a wise man should not write against and that in such a zealous manner a thing which is not in rerum natura or in posse as in his first Section of his tenth Chapter he studies to make Astrologie appear to what purpose then are all his arguments against Astrologie when he will not admit of any such thing in the world what doth he write against then and why doth he so much condemn the students thereof because he knows not the validity thereof because he knows not the rules and fundamentals thereof because indeed he is altogether ignorant of the same and let him not be angry I plainly tell him so plain dealing is best among friends for if he did he would have been so far from writing or speaking against it that he would have been more furious and hot with any one should have condemned it then I am with him for he that will speak against what he knoweth not and bring false scandalous and sophisticall arguments to maintain his opinion he I say would certainly terme that man no better then a fool or at the best a knave to write against what he knows and can also prove to be true but I will not be so hot with him But now that he may see his errour in offering to undertake to put men out of conceit with this heavenly study I will shew him here before I begin to answer his second Section in that which I have to say to it though this will sufficiently refel it First that Astrologie is an Art Secondly the lawfulness of it being not impugned by Scripture nor councels but allowed of by the wisest and greatest men Thirdly the antiquity of it Fourthly that it is the profitablest study under
life of the Patient and that these times are onely to be known and judged by the Starres Fernelius a learned Physitian doth hereunto also condescend as also Ficinus for there is nothing more certain then that Astrologie doth plainly deliver rules for all the parts of Physick abovesaid which Mr. Homes I am confident if any whit read therein dare not but confesse and not onely so but teacheth also the critial dayes without which they cannot be known with any certainty wherefore it is that those Physitians ignorant in Astrologie conclude the seventh and fourteenth dayes to be dangerous when most times they are deceived and so consequently apply contrary remedies to their Patients much to their prejudice The reason of Critical dayes if not absolute destruction The reason is the ☽ by her various motion commeth sometimes sooner and sometimes latter to her □ and ☠or quadrat and opposit part of the place she was in at the beginning of the disease viz. Sometimes she comes to her □ in seven dayes sometimes not till the eight or ninth day other times at the sixth dayes and to her ☠sometimes at the fourteenth day sometimes at the thirteen day other times not till the sixteenth day I would faine now Mr. Homes you would shew what Art in the whole earth is more beneficial to Physick then Astrologie c. but I hasten to the remaining proofs Fourthly For health Astrologie profitable for health which none but the most ignorant and malicious wil deny since the constitution of the body the only ground wise Physitians go upon and look first too that that foundation being layd they may then fall to the rebuilding of the Patient otherwise as you have heard destruction like a house founded on the sand is to be expected Then consequently the most envious cannot but confesse and acknowledge it to be the most profitable thing for our health under the Sun Wherefore then let us see whether the husband-man will acknowledge it to be beneficial to him in his way of living viz. Husbandry Astrologie profitable for Husbandry Fifthly Husbandry and first let me aske him whether he lops his Trees from the time the Sun declines from our Horizon till he againe reenters the equinoctial point or if he knows not if he should that it wil not grow again or whether he use to sow Pease in the increase of ☽ or if so whether they wil then ever leave blooming or blossoming or whether therefore he doth not observe and remember to set them in the waine or decrease of ☽ Nay it is reported of the women in the North both of England and Scotland that they diligently observe a time of the Moon to set their Egges that they may all come to good and furthermore let me aske the Husband-man whether he observeth not a time to graffe and prune his Trees but this is so common that to spend more time hereunto were to no purpose Sixthly For rendrin a reason for Climacterical years For rendring a reason for Climacterical yeares it happening by the profection of the Planets and Horoscope ascendant or first House as ye may call it to the ☠or □ aspects or their places in Nativities or by the motion of ♄ if he have any power in the Nativity for Ptolomie and the wisest in this Art give ♄ as much power in the decree several of yeares as the Sunne hath in months or the ☽ in dayes and if his course be observed it will bee found finished much about the same number of years as the Moones is in dayes and further that ♄ in every seven years comes either to □ or ☠of his place in the Radix of Nativities And further know that if there be no danger as we find by experience of some mens lives at these yeares they have either some of the beneficial Planets in their eight House or the direction of the ascendant Looke Ranzovius on this subject or Aphetical places are free from all impediment and affliction of the interficient and malignant constellations Seventhly and lastly Astrologie profitable for military affaires for military Discipline History is full of examples herein and for brevities sake because I will hasten to conclude this first Chapter that I may proceed to Mr. Homes his second Section I will hear content my self with this one which the Indian Histories shew forth unto us which is that Columbus having the Art of Astrologie and being in a straight for want of Victual together with the whole Army of the King of Spaine Ferdinand and foreseeing an Eclipse of the ☽ within few daies to happen threatned the Indians he would send infinite plagues amongst them if they speedily relieved them not in token whereof they should at such a time see the ☽ light taken from them which they at first slighted but when they saw according to the former words that the Moon began to be darkened and grew so more and more and being ignorant of the cause thereof did not onely send them the victual they formerly retained from them but also threw themselves at Columbus feet asking forgivenesse So then you have had as brief as may be shewn unto you what Astrologie is that it is an Art and a lawfull Art allowed of by Scripture the antiquity of it and the utility of it there is it may be some Arts that may be beneficial or helpful to another but you see both positively and conclusively that Astrologie is generally helpful to all Arts and Sciences nay what other study in the whole world in this point is like it or able to compare with it and seeing it is so very indiscreetly and unfitly doth Mr. Homes joyn it or compare it with Augury Auruspicie Auspicie Pullarie Necromancy Sortelegie Onieromantie or Palmestry which are no Arts as he clearly seeth this is and that by the judgement of the wisest men and greatest Philosophers wherefore if he will be wiser then all these he hath been shewn by my consent he shall be elected the 8th wise man wherefore seeing truth and authority of these as well as Scripture standeth with it and distinguisheth it from these sortelegies haphazards and chances it mattereth not what either he doth or can say or do against it CHAP. II. In Answer to the opinions of the learned touching Astrologie wherein is further shewn the legality of Astrologie that the Stars are both signs and causes and that Mr Homes his quoting the Fathers and learned is meerly fallacious and envious and no wise available to his intent and purpose I Am come now to Mr Homes his second Section wherin we shal see how he vents his malice most invectively all along against Astrologie thinking he bringeth the learned to condemn it but what are the learned Schoolmen or great Philosophers to me or their sayings in this matter Truth and reason the touchstone whereby all controversies are decided further then they have truth and reason on their side
If they follow their own opinions and conceits without sound reason and warrant I see no warrant or reason why I should regard either them their words or their quoters SECT I. Wherein is further shewn the legality of Astrologie HIs first learned man then he begins with is Tostatus who he saith in his Commentary on Levit 19. Quest 28 29 c. hath these words the which Doctor Willet gives him viz. Of things which are as to us accidental as the successe of businesse or their causes internal as mens will and free choice as to undertake a journey or to build or not build predictions are not onely uncertain but superstitious and the same is to be said of casting of Nativities by the conjunction of the Planets but if he had considered what reason or ground Tostatus hath for these words he had never thus laid them open and I much wonder he being a Divine he had not first himself considered and weighed the text which that he may now do Nunquam sera est ad bonos more 's via I will here set it down Regard not them that have familiar spirits neither seeke after Wizards to be defiled by them I am the Lord your God Levit. 19.31 where we clearly see there is no part of the text once in the least mentioneth or meaneth Astrologie it is against the seeking after those that have familiar Spirits and Wizards Looke what Astrologie is pag. 2. now that Astrologie doth not in the least savour hereof is clear in what hath been already said and the definition thereof see Ptolomies own words at the beginning of my discourse in the second page So that except the rest of his learned men as he calleth them can bring better proof or reason then this first he had better have been silent then thus to be overshot SECT II. Wherein is shewn that the Stars are signes and Causes HE then brings Doctor Willet to cast his squib also at this strong Tower viz. Astrologie in these words all manner of conjecturing which saith he is meant by Astrologie is not unlawful whereof any Natural or Divine cause can be yielded as first there be Natural signs in the heavens and ayre as of the alteration of weather of winds of raine c. This doth no whit hurt it and is onely a flash that at the most doth but whiz about it and at the last after a great crack vanisheth in smoke mark but the words all manner of conjecturing is not unlawful c. and saith Mr Homes see he calleth it meaning Astrologie but conjecturing onely but doth Mr Homes conjecture it to be no other if he do it is his ignorance I hope the reader sees by this time what Astrologie is and begins to be as much in love with it againe as ever before by him discouraged as also out of love with his cavils but this is not all when you see him stript of his Scripture proofs you will tell me something then when you see him as naked left as my naile of all his sophistications you will tell me then you are worse in love with him I 'm confident when his ugly malice is discovered against this most apparent truth But let me not forget my self and spend too much time about him but return to the discourse in hand which is that since there hath been already shewn that the Stars have the applause of power on the natural things of this world as also the great Ptolomie whose word in this case I believe wil be taken before Doctor Willets or Mr. Homes his gives his word for it Astrologie no way unlawfull besides experience also as above shewed and you know experientia docet there is no more to be said but that Astrologie is not as Doctor Willet sayeth unlawful neither doth he in any wise condemne it for in his following words he tels us There are natural signes in the heavens and aire which cause raine winde c. The cause of which is no other then the influence of the Stars which if he deny all Writers on this Art are contradicted as also the Scripture to boot if then this be not a strong Argument let himself judge But to clear this point more fully what sayeth Mr. Homes Nota. As anon shall appeare is the cause of Raine alteration of Aire and the like if his Master Doctor Willet did not in these words shew it me thinks he should not have left the Reader unsatisfied and not onely so but have proved the Stars to have no Influence thereon nor to be causes of these alterations and then his argument had been good but certainly he that wil carpe at such trivial words as these would not have omitted that could he but sufficiently have proved it which since he could not or did not he must give me leave to prove they are The Stars signes and causes And first let me give you Moses judgement herein who plainly tells us The Stars are for signes and seasons Gen. 1.14 which Mr. Homes will say is fullfilled in the words following viz. And God made two great lights the one to rule the Day and the other to rule the Night Gen. 1.16 To which then I answer by way of Quere to what end then are these invincible irresistable and innumerable hostes of Heaven were they made for no other use then to gaze on the ☉ and ☽ will sufficiently serve our turne for matter of light if we looke no further into their uses but the Scripture further putteth this matter quite out of doubt if we will beleeve Gods own word Joh 28.31 For he speaking of his Omnipotent power asketh his servant Job whether he or any one else Can restraine the influence of the Pleiades or loose the bands of Orion Saint Austine on Job On which words St. Austine referreth all men to the study of Astrologie for the understanding of that place and not onely so but shews us that under these two constellations the Lord doth comprehend the influence of all the Celestial host figuratively expressing pars pro toto and to shew you by experience the verity hereof if you wil neither beleeve Augustine Moses nor God himself except you see and feele not to insist long on this point which is cleared by such strong and invincible witnesses one whereof is able to be sufficient testimony against all Mr. Homes his learned Judges and condemners of Astrologie For confirming and clearing hereof then I might here again instance that palpable experience we have of the ebbing and flowing of the Sea by the influence of the ☽ as abovesaid but to manifest it yet further let him call to mind the increase and decrease of shel-fish the mutation and variation of times and innumerable other effects of the Stars which if time and conveniency would permit might be recorded and let him then study the cause hereof and he will then without doubt be of an other tenent let him observe also
principles is here also condemned as erronious false and malicious Carelesnesse in Astrologers cause errour for we see Astrologers seldome faile in their judgements except when they swerve from the rules of Art wherefore Alsteds assertion also is here no lesse simple then the rest who saith Astrologers are also often deceived and what then because a man that never was at London misseth his way once or twice shall he conclude there is no such place sure it should rather teach him to observe diligently his roade and not turn on the right hand nor the left and if the Astrologers would as warily observe their rules this objection of the ignorant had never been thought on But Mr Homes is Divinity false and no wise to be heeded because there is so many errours and schismes crept into the Church or because every one attaineth not to a full perfection of the Spirit or because humanum est errare man is fraile and subject to failings no sure experience reason and truth teacheth us to the contrary Wherefore he might very well have omitted these slender reasons as also that place of Galen where he saith sophisticum est it is sophistical but how not as having no verity therein but in the superstitious abuse thereof for you see clearly in the first Chapter of his Treatise Galen holdeth that man a fool rather then a Physitian that is not an Astrologer and in all his works hath Astrologie in great esteeme and applause and moreover testifieth his own practice hereof especially lib. 3. de diebus decret chap 2 3 4 5 6. and the like So he brings St. Austin to condemn it thus in these words in his Treatise De Doctrina Christiana lib. 2. chap. 21 22. est magnus error magna dementia superstitio Astrologie is a great error madnesse and superstition it is clear that St. Austin here speaketh of the superstitious use thereof as in attributing fatal necessity thereto and in too much trusting and confiding therein as may appear by what you have already heard St. Austin saith of it but to clear it more fully St. Austin confesseth that before his conversion he followed the heresies of the Manichees who maintained the Stars to be adored and prayed unto Lib. 5. chap. 4. lib. 20. ch 6. contra Faustum Manichaeum and therefore to reclaime the multitude which went thus a whoring after the waies of the Heathen this good man useth these words to recall them and unite them to the belief of God But I hope Mr Homes will not say that Astrologers are thus superstitious and wicked he that saith Astrologie as I said before is any other thing then what is delivered by Ptolomy in the second page of this Treatise knoweth not what Astrologie is Neither will he affirme I hope that St. Austin condemns Astrologie but the superstitious abuse thereof which is clear for he delivereth five opinions concerning destiny First that by destiny is understood the providence Lib. 5. chap. 1. De civitate Dei will and power of God and therefore he warneth the Astrologers that they continue their opinions but correct their tongues for through custome of speech the vulgar commonly understood nothing by the word fate or destiny but the inevitable power of the Stars The second is quite contrary to the former ascribing all to the absolute power of the Stars without the will of God But this opinion derogating from the omnipotent power of God and his providence in all our actions he saith ought to be rejected not onely by those that professe the true Religion but which serve or worship any gods at all though never so false The third so attributeth to the decrees of the Stars that yet they believe them to have this power in such sort derived unto them from God that thereby they can and do determine of us and our actions as they will themselves which opinion he thinketh is very wrongfully held of heaven to maintaine such wickednesse to be as it were inacted in that most shining Senate that were the like acted in any Court or State on earth were worthy to be subverted The fourth opinion is that the Stars have neither power nor will to operate on us at their own pleasures but as they do necessarily execute that which God imposeth upon them which St. Austin accounteth more intolerable then the other for that it teacheth us to conceive that of God which they hold unworthy to impute unto the Stars Lib. 2. de Gen. cap. 17. against such he sufficiently declareth These opinions St. Augustine renounceth as they rather utterly deny the power and providence of God or as they impute absolute rule and dominion of the Stars immediately over the will of man necessarily inforcing us in all our actions or as they throw all our sins upon God whilest they make him by the Stars inevitably to inforce us to evil wherefore had Mr Homes as it had besit a learned man first examined his Authors with good observation and deliberation and not so readily taken hold on every thing he finds delivered by others that he imagineth will serve for his turne I 'm confident he had not thus inconsiderately alleadged St Augustine against Astrologers for as I defined before in the second page what Astrologie is so the same Ptolomy confesseth the Stars not to have any fatality as working by or with a fatal necessity on the will or soul of man as much as St. Austine himself giving them no farther operation in these matters then the most orthodox and learned Divines do The fifth opinion is which neither esteemeth the Stars of their own wils How farre we ought to attribute to the power of the Stars as if they were living souls to decree future events nor necessarily to usurpe power over our minds but onely to signifie the inclinations of the elements and of all things compounded of them Now that St. Austine meant not such Astrologers as deny necessity as Mr Homes would faine perswade the vulgar to believe but onely ascribe power unto the Stars to worke upon sublunary bodies is evident by his words Non usque quaque absurde dici possit Lib. 5. cap. 6. De civitate Dei ad solas corporum differentias afflatus quosdam valere sidereos sicut in solaribùs accessibus recessibus videmus etiam ipsius anni temporae variari lunaribus incrementis decrementis angeri minui quaedam genera rerum sicut Echinos conchas mirabiles aestus oceani non autem animi voluntates positionibus syderum subdi where we see nothing exempted from subjection to the Stars that is bodily but onely our spirituall part St. Austine concurreth with Astrologers lib. 2. cap. 5. De Gen. And he ascribeth not this power to the Stars in generall as that their specifical vertues are not possible to be known to man for he concurreth with Astrologers that the quality of ♄ is
not first proved so this wrest of Scripture and sophisticall cavill is already refelled but he begins to make up the matter with the interpretations of some men but all will not do they are at least a mile short of the marke yet if I should see any of them within an inch thereof I should conclude him to be as fas from hitting it as he that is a yard wide but let us see but how he tugs to bring this far fetcht argument or proof to serve his turne he shews us first that the word clearly signifieth Soothsayers which is enough alone to refell all his Interpreters therein let them say what they will to the contrary Vatablus in his notes saith he rendreth it Diviners and Junius Praestigiators that is saith he that make shew of that they cannot do you have heard Junius opinion but now but what of this Votablus saith the word imports Diviners must this consequently and infallibly be Astrologers why not Necromancers Auguries Inchanters Sorcerers Auruspicers do not all these Divine but I need not insist longer hereon for he answers this point in his following words himself the Septuagint saith he rendreth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is saith Budeus saith he a kind of foretelling as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith they signifieth Divination and generally the Caldee Syriacke Arabicke Arias montanus c. renders it Augurers or Auguries Ergo not Astrologers but saith he farther because antiquities tell us that that the Augurers did Divine as well by the aspects of the heavens as by flying Birds Authors of late times commonly use that word to expresse Divination in general O brave reason because for brevity sake in Oration or the like Authors as he calleth them perhaps use this word therefore he will use it being as he confesseth himself general to condemn particularly Astrologie and because the text speaketh against Augurers and they know the aspects of the Planets therefore it also condemneth Astrologie all that believe shall be saved saith the Scripture it is clear the Devils believe and tremble Ergo I shall conclude them not damned rare logick indeed which is as affirmative I 'm confident as his argument in every particular so that you see then I hope by this time the infatigable pains Mr Homes taketh to swim against the streame and when reason and truth will no wise support him he laies hold just as he is sinking on the rushes and weak props and supporters of logick which neither is sufficient to save him but together with him they sink down with perpetual shame and silence into the pit of forgetfulnesse Alas poor Doctor Homes I must confesse this would make any one Pitty the poore Pastor A pretty jest of a zealous Priest SECT III. Wherein his third text is convinced viz. Esay 44.25 THirdly he produceth the 44. Chapter of Esay verse 25 c. I am the Lord thy redeemer which do frustrate the signes of Wizards making the Soothsayers mad foiling their wise men and making their skil foolish This is to as little purpose brought to condemn Astrologie as it is weaknesse in him to alleadge it or affirme it but before I begin to meddle with the words I thinke meet here first to remove his injurious wrong he doth impose upon Astrologers to reckon them Soothsayers and Wizards Diviners or Augurers c. But I desire here the reader to observe that Mr Homes in his book studieth to condemn those that professe Astrologie here in England and this City of London and yet he will needs intrude Astrologie or rather perswade the vulgar that Astrologie is the same with these above named from all which Astrologie is as far as black from white or Mary-stainings from Bred-street or as different as a a A very Religious story if rightly understood of a Divine and one that should with such zeal set forth the sins of the times sick bodie is from one that 's well which because he can bring some proof against them will therefore terme Astrologers by the same to be understood when all Astrologers will not deny to condemn in as much as in them lies these aforesaid studies as well as he But to the purpose how can Mr Homes or any one living prove Astrologie to be signified by any of these names when it is clear as abovesaid it dependeth meerly on the natural influences and effects of the Stars which is not to foretel by the flying or voice of Birds observation of the intrals of Beasts and the like nor indeed is it properly to be termed Divination for to divine is not or doth not naturally signifie the foretelling of future events by natural causes but by some divine instinct Wherefore Mr. Homes might have discharged his duty much better both to God and his Country if he had imployed his pen to vent all the Gall both in his Inckhorn heart and brain against those enemies of the truth that maintain their owne opinions before the word of God and make no Conscience of perjury professing the form of Godlinesse but in effect denying the power thereof And not against Astrologers nor the Art who attribute all their knowledge and the power of the Stars to the Omnipotent Creator of them and in all points of Religion shew themselves conformable both to the discipline of the Church and obedient to the Laws of the Land But to come to the words in the Text which he would needs inforce against Astrologie the same Sir Christopher Heydon further sayeth upon these words That they are purposely uttered to advance the omnipotency of God Page 32. Chap. 2. of his defence of Astrologie so greatly diminished by Idolatry but to imagine that God would set forth the greatnes of his power by opposing the same against that which in it's self is fruitlesse infirme and of no force at all were not onely against sence but in truth to frustrate the words and meaning of God himself wherefore it doth necessarily follow that so long as it pleaseth him to suffer the course of nature to proceed without interruption Astrological signes must be confessed effectual and not to be frustrated but by miracle and by his omnipotent power to which that the Starres are subject all our Astrologers do confesse and none but an Atheist wil deny For as God is the Creator of all things so is he the first cause of all causes to whom all causes are but his instruments and therefore as the instrument worketh not of it self but when it is imployed by the Artificer so the heavens being Gods instruments doe not exercise their force upon these inferiour things but as God doth use their ministery in the Government of the world And this he sayeth is taught us by the Prophet Hosea as abovesaid Chap. 2.21.22 where saith he he sayeth not simply the heavens shall heare the earth but first I wil heare the heavens to shew them the power the heavens have over the earth and that it
dependeth on God In which sence the Scripture sayeth also God worketh all in all things and that we live move and have our being in him And therefore whether we respect the natural course of things or those accidents which happen besides the order of nature we are to acknowledge it to be the supereminent power of God as the first cause of every thing which neverthelesse can be no impeachment to Astrologie because God doth govern ordinately and therefore seldome perverteth or disturbeth that order whereby in his eternal providence he doth govern his workmanship Wherefore seeing he can not properly make the words above-said to signifie Astrologie and seeing the Text doth not in the least expresse Astrologers but onely Sooth-sayers and Wizards I may confidently affirme and conclude this Text no whit at all to impeach Astrologie and then consequently his argument to be meerely sophistical rash and inconsiderate malicious weak and inconsistent with either reason sence or honesty This may sufficiently serve to refel this his wrest of Scripture but if the Reader desireth further the discussion hereof and how it is in every point cleared and handled let him peruse the 2 Chapter of Sir Christopher Heydons defence of Astrologie against Mr. Chamber to whom for brevities sake I refer him where you shall not onely finde these his owne reasons and words but likewise the opinions and judgements of as wel the Ancient as latter Divines all which could never pick any thing in the least justly to be objected against Astrologie Ye see clearly therefore Mr. Homes his palpable mistake or at least wilful wrest of the Text to serve his owne turne to condemne Astrologie but all wil not do which is a most pittiful case and doth almost perswade me also to Pitty the poore Pastor SECT IV. Wherein his fourth proofe is refelled viz. Esay 47.12.13.14 FOurthly he brings the 47. of Esay 12.13.14 Stand now with thine Inchantments and with the multitude of thy Sorceries Let now the Astrologers the Star-gazers the monthly Prognosticators stand up and save thee c. Behold they shal be as stubble the fire shall burn them they shall not deliver themselves c. This very place as I would have the Reader observe is enough to confute his former injury to Astrologers in reckoning them no other then Sooth-sayers Wizards Sorcerers and the like when he sees clearly the Lord here makes a particular distinction between the one and the other for you see Astrologers Monthly Prognosticators Sorceries and Inchanters particularly named here I may also put the Reader in mind Mr. Homes his craft in wresting the Scripture that he take him as he is viz. a Sophister in wresting the Scripture to his own purpose and interpreting it to maintaine these his arguments which he cannot otherwise in the least support with either reason or truth But to come now to the claring of the Text which he thinks doth absolutely strike the fatal blow to Astrologie inferring from thence that Astrologie is opposite to confidence in God and that Astrologers are much of the same abomination with Inchanters and Sooth-sayers which you may see is false and as for Sooth-sayers they are not in the least mentioned in the Text where you see he againe hath his owne interpretation and that they are to be derided and no wise to be trusted in c. But as I sayed before the wit of man is not able to answer these his vaine wrests and interpretations of the Scriptures better then by that Honourable Gentleman Sir Christopher Heydon I heare give you as he hath it in his 2. Chapter in answer to Mr. Chamber bringing the same place of Scripture and indeed with the same conclusions as doth Mr. Homes I wil not deny that because God and his Prophets were not beleeved by the Chaldeans who reposed in their Magicians Sooth-sayers and Mathematicians the Prophet here in a scorning Sarcasmus biddeth them save their Empire from ruine therein contemning their Power and not their Predictions and expresly noting that it shall not be in them to save themselves from the judgements to come This I do plainly acknowledge although were I disposed to stand upon all advantages with Mr. Chamber sith both Vatablus and Mr. Calvin in their Commentaries confesse that word Chabar doth indifferently signifie such observers of heaven as were Inchanters thereof I could easily avoid him as not disputing ad idem sith not Astrologers simply but such as withall joyned Magick seemes here to be mentioned And it is manifest by the example of Moses and the Egyptians and of Balaam and Balacke that though they were Astrologers yet they reposed their safety against God and his people onely in their Magical power by which as their Poets and others report they professe themselves able to pull the Moon and the Stars out of Heaven and so doth Diodorus Siculus testifie Lib. 2. Cap. 8. that though they were cunning in Astrologie yet they did onely prevent the evils which they did fore-see by Inchantments and Charmes For in truth Astrologie professeth onely to fore-see natural mutations and accidents and not power to prevent and save Nota bene But to returne to that which he most expects I will admit as much as Mr. Chamber himself can desire that the Prophet here derideth the trust which was put in the skil of Astrologers The true meaning of the Prophet in this fore going Text. which is indeed Mr. Homes his chief drift also now let him frame his argument and he shall never be able to bring the proposition of this Chap. which is That Christianity and Astrologie cannot stand together which indeed is Mr. Homes his argument also concluding Astrologie to be opposite to confidence in God within his conclusion For it followeth not that because upon some circumstance a thing my be derided that it is unlawful If this were any consequence then because confidences in Princes Psal 1.16 in Riches Psal 52. in Horses and Chariots Esay 31. in Cities Jer. 5. in Physitians 2 Chron. 16. in Negotiation or trade of Merchandize In the last verse of this same Chapter of Esay where the very same words and phrase are used against Merchants that before were used against observers of heaven or Astrologers as Arias Montanus and Tremelius Translate it is prohibited derided and punished we must hold the permission of Princes Riches Horses Chariots Cities Physitians and Merchants to be against Christianity and unlawful He ought therefore first to have distinguished of the trust that is here derided and not thus to deceive by any elench à dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter as if all trust were taken away because some trust is derided For in these places and the like onely such a trust as excludeth confidence in God is understood and no other As in our case where notwithstanding God by his Prophets had threatned the destruction of the Babylonish Monarchy it was not believed but these heathen presuming
and how far all Astrologers hold it effectuall as ye have also before Now that this place of Scripture doth no wise condemn Astrologie I shall desire him to observe that God in his secret wisdome and counsel Dan. 2.18 had decreed what should happen in the latter daies and had revealed it to the King by a dreame viz. the subversion of his Monarchy and together with his all others whatsoever and the comming of Christ which is the stone cut out without hands which afterwards grew to a mountain which filled the whole earth both with his power and glory by the clear Sun-shine of the Gospel by which I am confident Mr Homes cannot prove then Astrologie to be condemned or to be false when it is not in its power to reveale the secrets of God but onely extendeth to the knowledge of natural accidents and mutations and their causes which was not you clearly see the Kings dreame but a revelation of Gods secret will and intent by dreame wherefore since his argument will not hold his conclusion must needs faile him Moreover you see as the dreame was really a revelation so was also the interpretation thereof for you see in that same second chap. that Daniel prayed to God to reveal it unto him which you see accordingly was in a vision by night Daniel an Astrologer and Magician and thought he was as great an Astrologer and Magician as any of the wise men yet he knowing it was a secret beyond nature Dan. 2.13 14. applyed himself to God for the revelation thereof not to the search thereof in any booke of naturall causes as of Astrologie or Magick wherefore you see how far Mr Homes runs himself into an errour for want of knowing what Astrologie is and the extent thereof And then lastly he as rashly concludes with his divine proofs as in all his progresse before intruding and falsely impeaching Astrologers to be some of those that brought and burnt their books upon repentance of their wicked practices Acts 19.19 which I must confesse were they as he also most rashly and inconsiderately tearmes them to be and as he saith set forth in the 21. Revel 8. to have their parts in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone they had at that time done very well in burning their books had they been worth a thousand times as much againe as they are there reputed or valued at but sith their Art and study depends upon onely the knowledge of the nature and influences and motions of the Stars I know not what reason he hath to include them to be thus penitent for studying Nature onely Ergo not condemned under the word Sorcery in the Revelation 21.8 wherefore seeing this is so apparently false I should counsel him and that speedily to to burn his books that thus hath lead him into an errour and to contradict the Scriptures for I find in that very 21. of Revelation 8. Lyers expresly nominated and when he goeth to the fire with his books let him remember to go by Bred-street that so he may sorrow for all together that so the Lord may have mercy and Pitty of the poor Pastor CHAP. IV. Wherein his reasons and arguments against Astrologie is particularly examined and condemned neither to consist with reason or truth SECT I. Wherein his first four-fold reason is convinced HIs first reason then is to prove Astrologie is false that Astrologers themselves confesse that either the prudence of a moral wise man or the piety of a Godly man or the tutelarity of Angels or the providence of God over-ruling all things may prevent their predictions Whereupon be concludes that Astrologie is false for saith he what humane providence cannot doe grace can if not Angels may and wehre all faile providence doth order according to the mind of God c. To answer this his most weak cavil I shall begin with what he sets down last viz. The providence of God over-ruling all things which he sayeth himselfe as well as the other three clauses is the concession of Astrologers themselves and if so I would demand then what advantage he hath hereby against Astrologie when he can say no more against it then what the Practitioners in the Art do confess themselves there is certainly none but wretched Atheists that will deny that God hath not an over-ruling and a restraining power over all things as well celestial as terrestrial but whether his will and pleasure be to alter their naturall courses is a question but he hath heard that Ptolomy himselfe nay and all Astrologers in general do attribute nothing farther then natural things which are in sublunary elementary bodyes to the power and influence of the Stars The Stars have power but on natural things he might then as well have sayed the eye hath no power to see or distinguish from black and white because by the power of sense it may be closed as weakly to infer the Stars not to have power because God can alter or is able to alter their motions influences and effects or the piety of a Godly man which neither is in the verge of nature all Astrologers will condescend and agree that the Stars as also Ptolomy himself hath no power of what is beyond nature and if piety be not as far beyond nature as heaven is from earth let the weakest capacity judge He might then as well have said a fish is no living creature nor hath any life because it will not live on the Land for it is altogether as far out of the element as I may say of the Stars or their power to extend their influence to divine matters as for a fish to fly or a stone to swim or the like ridiculous things if affirmed which is contrary to nature Wherefore his third clause also is to as little effect as the two former when all that knows any thing in divinity will acknowledge the tutelarity or guard of Angels to be administred onely to the elect and if this be not as far out of the bounds and confines of nature as the other I would desire Mr. Homes to make cleare to the contrary and for his fourth clause it is as witty an one as if one should say Mr. Homes is no Divine because he is not as yet a Bishop k Inquire of Mr. Homes or that a man is not married because he lives from his wife The prudence of a moral wise man may alter or prevent the effects of the Stars This is not onely confessed by all the learned in Astrologie but also sapiens dominabitur astris a wise man may rule the Stars but they do not conclude therefore they have no effects at all as the ignorant in the Art do with Mr. Homes but they farther say astra regunt homines sed regit astra deus The Stars rule men but God ruleth the Stars this is the doctrine of Astrologers I meane those that are Astrologers indeed and know the fundamentals and true