I am more skilful in Divination than you are for I can foretel that you shall keep your Christmas in the Tower of London and accordingly commanded him to be sent Prisoner thither as a just reward of his impudence and besides the King did not die in the year predicted A Fifth Example It is memorable what we read in History that when some Astrologers had by some great Conjunctions of the Planets in watery signs predicted a general Deluge and so great calamities to men and beasts and that by the waters that never the like was seen aforetime and this deluge to happen in February 1524 the people in Spain France Italy and Germany being terrified with this Prognostication provided themselves of Shipping Beats Victuals and other necessaries for a long voyage it so fell out that all that moneth of February was fair and clear and more temperate than ordinary and we may take notice of a special Providence of God in it in regard of the great serenity that was at that time and we may justly deride the vain predictions of our star-Prophets for it is not usual to see February passe away without Rains That Cardan and Origanus themselves could not dissemble their sorrow for being so much disappointed in their expectations Example 6. There is another Remarkable Example recorded by Scaliger out of Rigordus who wrote that the Astrologers had foretold so general a destruction by the violence of winds and tempests because of a Conjunction of as well the Inferiour as Superiour Planets in Septemb. 1186 there being an Eclipse of the Sun on the 11th of May immediatly foregoing that many did expect the universal dissolution of nature then to come and yet when the time came there was not so much as a storm ensued So that the contrary event derided the skill of the Astrologers and foolish credulity of those that believed them Besides these Examples the commonnesse of every daies experience if diligently considered will produce the like Fallacies Do but read over the monethly Observations of several Astrologers in their Almanacks for this present year 1659 and you will find how grossely they are mistaken It s worthy of your noting There are many more examples recorded which I might have added but then my Book would have exceeded the Bounds I intended I shall only add the sayings of a worthy man and eminent Mathematician concerning Judicial Astrology and also add somthing by way of consideration and petswasion and finish this Treatise I am very credibly informed that Mr. Norwood a very worthy man and well known amongst the Merchants of Barmoodas should say speaking of Astrology to an eminent Friend of his that he thought that it was a very hard matter if not a thing impossible to be a noted man in Judicial Astrology and yet a good Christian This will be testified by two known witnesses But thus much I can say concerning it that the very Principles of Judicial Astrology are inconsistent with the lively and vigorous actings of the Grace of God and there can be no other agreement between them than between light and darknesse The considerations and perswasions against the study and practise of it are briefly these 1. It s a practise that the Word of God condemns Do not study it lest ye be found fighters against God For who is able to contend with the Almighty who is wonderful in knowledge and wise in Counsel 2. It s a practise that cuts in sunder the very Sinews of common Industry and makes a man carelesse and slothful in businesse for diligence is the life of businesse Solomon saith that its the diligent hand maketh rich 3. Consider how miserable the lives and terrible the deaths of those Kings and Princes have been that have confided in their predictions Histories are full of such Examples 4. Consider another example as notable as the former of some persons being told by Astrologers that they should die by a Rope to prevent the shame of a common Gallows were the horrible Executioners of themselves Then be advised in the fear of God to flee from all such abominable practises and have nothing to do with the Art or Artist in any thing you may be ensnared either by it or them I say flee from it as you would flee from the Plague or any other Infectious disease and in all your necessities make your addresses unto God through Jesus Christ and then whatever you want asking of it in Christs Name and according to his Will he will grant you your desire in it or some other thing that is better for you To his Care I commit you FINIS BOOKS sold by John Allen at the Rising Sun in St. Pauls Church-yard Viz. Mr. Caryl's 5th Vol. on Job 7th Vol. 8th Vol. 9th Vol. Beza Novum Testamentum Fol. Mr. Allens Scripture Chronology 4o Mr. Baxters Call to the unconverted 12o Mr. Lukins practice of Godliness 12o A Catechism of the chief Heads of Christian Religion by Mr. Davenport and Mr. Hooke of New-England 8o The Faith and Order owned and practised in the Congregational Churches in England agreed upon and consented unto by their Elders and messengers at the Savoy Octob. 12 1658. Mr. Cottons Treatise on the Convenant oâ— Grace Johannes Becoldus Redivivus the English Quaker the German Enthusiast revived A Defence and Justification of Ministers Maintenance by Tythes and of Infant-Baptism Humane Learning and the Sword of the Magistrate which some Anabaptists falsly call four sandy Pillars and Popish Foundations of our Ministry and Churches written by Immanuel Bourne Pastor to the Congregation at Waltham in the County of Leicester Presbytery and Independency vindicated in answer to Mr. John Tympsons Treatise of a free admission to the Lords Table Mr. Gattaker against Judicial Astrology The vanity of Judicial Astrology written by Gassandus Mathematical Professor to the King of France The Quakers Folly made manifest to all men in a publick dispute with Mr. S. Fisher G. Whithead and R. Hubberthorn to which is added a Narrative of their wicked and abominable practises by Tho. Danson Min. of Gods Word at Sandwich in Kent
witnesses against it as being irrational and uncertain There is vanity in it danger by it Satan is a subtil Serpent and insinuates into many this way before they be-aware Find you pleasure in it It s but a sweet poyson Think you to get honour by it you may be applauded by vain men but are disallowed by God Perkins reckons it up amongst the kinds of witchcraft Saint Austin counts it ungodly dotage and inconsistent with Christianity Doth profit entice you It s but Balaams gain the wages of iniquity money that will perish with you Secondly If notwithstanding all that can be said Astrologers will persist in their wicked practise all should take heed of countenancing them lest partaking of their sins they partake in their plagues Have therefore no fellowship with these unfruitful works of darknesse abhor all commerce with and resort to such persons flee from them as from the devil himself thou breakest thy Baptismal Vow if thou renouncest not such Diabolical practises Shall we countenance what God abominates and strengthen men in that which makes both them and the Land liable to wrath Let them not have the countenance of thy cost to buy them nor of thy time to read them no of thy tongue to mention or applaud them nor of thy affections to fear hope or rejoyce in any thing they say Forbidden Jer. 10. 2 3. If there were no buyers of such Almanacks there would be no Sellers and if there were no Sellers there would be no Makers at least no Publishers of such lying vanities and truly if the Astrologer be guilty the Buyer and Reader cannot be innocent God hath forbidden seeking to such under a grievous penalty Lev. 20. 6 I will even set my face against that soul and will cut him off from amongst my people Indeed learned men have observed that such delusions have prevailed amongst Popish and anabaptistical spirits But that England should countenance such and in a time of Reformation Oh let us blush for shame c. How often said Tully did I hear such men promise Pompey and Caesar that they should live long and die a peaceable death whereas both of them not long after were murdered And Cornelius à Lapide the Jesuit in his Comment on Acts 19. bewaileth that whilst he was at Rome they were so much given to this wickednesse whilest the Astrologers promised to some long life to others a Cardinalship to others the Popedom and yet at last all were miserably deluded Thirdly If Astrologers should be tolerated then they which are in authority are to be entreated First That their books be not suffered so ordinarily to pass the Press O how doth the world dote upon them I have been credibly informed that neer thirty thousand of Lillies Almanacks have been vended in a year If devout men burnt their own books of this kind how should devout Governours see to the burning of such Books sure if those Books deserve the fire which derogate from the honour of Princes how much more such as withdraw the minds and hearts of men from God It were well if Astrologers were put into the same Catalogue with other Sorcerers in the Statute of the first of King James chap. 20. and to suffer the same punishment with the other for the Scripture makes them birds of a Feather c. See as before Quest But may we not use Charms wherein there are none out good words Answ. No It s the usual craft of Saran to present things and waies in themselves indifferent to silly minds which consider not that the harm doth not consist in using such words and actions but in ascribing to them an unnatural vertue without the warrant of God who is the Master of nature Quest Is it not lawful to exquire of Astrologers after things to come Answ. Certainly since God hath hidden the future time from us to go about to lay it open is a work proper to the profest Undoer of Gods words Quest Why may we not enquire after future times Answ. Curiosity to know the future carrieth many so far as to make a Covenant with the Devil who yet stands not so much upon his points as to refuse to be consulted with by those that have made no Covenant with him No doubt but his pride is tickled with a mischievous delight when he sees men seeking to him for that which is proper to God and thereby yielding him Divine service Which service that he may receive in a hidden way from the finer sort of wits he hath devised some seeming sublime Divinations perswading them that the decree of God about humane events is written in the motions and several aspects of the stars and that therefore this kind of Divination is lawful yea Divine Quest What are the evils that proceed from hence Answ. First They are innumerable For 1. That silly reverence which vulgar persons give to these Predictions makes them wild and sets them upon the fulfilling of them because they esteem them unavoidable Secondly The worst evil is that thereby mans mind which ought to dwell at home is transported out of himself and in stead of reposing upon the wisdom and love of God is suspended upon the Dragons Tail and the ascendent 〈…〉 Horoscope Thirdly It cuts in sunder the very sinews of industry and makes men idle greedy and inconsiderate The Histories of the Greek Emperors Alexius and Manuel are lamentable examples how credulous persons are undone by the impostures of Astrologers when they expect from the stars those successes which should have been wrought out by Piety Prudence and Valour Quest What further reason is there against these Astrological Predictions Answ. Consider that all affirmation is grounded either upon Reason or Authority The assertions of Judiciary Astrology are of the last kind For no reason can be given of their Maximes Now the authority upon which these Maximes are grounded must either be Divine or Humane or Devilish They are not grounded upon Divine authority but are expresly forbidden by it Jer. 10. 2. Isa. 47. 13. And humane authority in this case is of no weight for who hath given power to men to dispose of the several Offices and Pre-eminencies of Celestial bodies It remains then that these Maximes are grounded upon Diabolical authority In brief since they are not grounded upon reason either they are forged by men or delivered by revelation and if that revelation comes not from God it must needs come from the Devil Dr. du Moulin of Moulin of Contentment The Fundamental Maxims of Judicial Astrology examined and answered THE first general maxime whereby Astrologers endeavour to gain credit and reputation to their documents is what all men readily confesse viz. that the Stars are not meer signs but also natural causes of very many effects as if men were bound to admit the same Position for truth concerning other effects which they boast the divination of aforehand It is well known say they that inferiour natures are not subjected to superiour
is plain that we are to ascribe this fertility not to the influence of the Sun and stars but the faming of the ground by the dung or soile seasonably laid upon it by the careful Farmer I shall not need to add any thing more by way of argumental confutation of Astrology as to shew you the vain Fictions concerning the fixed stars the 12 Celestial Houses the 7 Planets positions in them and their several aspects one towards another with the several imaginary effects they attribute to them I think for my own part enough hath been said in the general discourse for the confutation of it and I hope every judicious man that reads it will be satisfied with it I shall onely add some memorable examples of the frustration of the tokens of these Liars and end this work One eminent Example All Histories assure us that Henry the 3d of France died in the Fourtieth year of his age compleat of a wound received in his eye in the exercise of Tilting and yet see the Prophesie of Gaurious concerning him in his Prognostication of the year 1556 because in the Scheam of his Nativity he had the Sun almost partitely conjoyned to Venus under the degrees of his altitude and also the Moon and Venus advancing through his Horoscope under the Constellation of Arics therefore he shall live most happy and glorious till the seventieth year of his age deducting only two moneths and if by the favour of God he escape the dangerous years of sixty three and sixty four it will be very long before there be an end of his renowned life You have also the prediction of Cardan when speaking of the same King Henry he shall be said he in his old age so much the more happy by how many the more difficulties he hath passed through before And how acutely these two famous Prophets did foresee these things let the Event be Judge A second Example is that of Cardans predicting the lamentable mis-fortunes of men that were his dear friends Check of England and Raconet of France and divers others all whose Nativities he erected with all possible exactnesse and afterward printed them I cannot hold from noting that John Rudolphus Camerarius when writing against Sextus ab Heminga to declare the certainty of Judicial Astrology collected an hundred several Genitures and amongst them put the Nativities of the Late Kings of France Henry the 3d. and Henry the 4th joyning also the judgment of Fredericus Rutelius as to Henry the 3d. the businesse succeeded accordingly he told his disaster after it had befaln him But as for Henry the 4th who was then living when his Century was published in the year 1607 nothing was lesse foretold by him than the time of his death for though that best of Kings was murdered by a sacrilegious hand in the year 1610 and that in the Moneth of May our famous Prophet never suspected the least danger to him in that year or moneth but cast his death upon the year 1613 and the moneth of October as threatning some eminent danger to his life in the 59 year of his age nine moneths and one and twenty dayes he being born on the 24 of December at two a Clock after Midnight in the year 1553 and that because the Sun would then come to the body of Saturn by direction the Horoscope to a Quartile of the same and the middle Heaven to a Quartile of the Sun but truly as the death of that Prince was deplorable so was the hariolation ridiculous A Third Example is that which Suffredus Judge of Salona shewed some friends of his his Fathers Nativity with the judgments thereupon given under Nostradamus his own hand-writing they were pleased to require of him concerning his Father whom he knew well a not dying till his Son was almost arived at mans estate The Father according to that scheam was born in the year 1544 on the 13 of January 22 minutes after high Noon the altitude of the Pole being supposed to be 44 degrees which is more by the third part of a degree than ought The Son John Suffredus not being able to give any account of those accidents which Nostradamus had foretold should befal the Father in his youth as that in the 16th year of his age he should fall into a dangerous Dysentery or bloody Flux that he should fall into a violent Feaver in the 17th year of his life and in the 20 fall into love and relinquish his studies c. There were some accidents which he did certainly inform his Friends of viz. that the Prophet told him that the Father should wear his Beard long crisped but he alwaies shaved his chin bare that in the middle of his age his Teeth should be rotten but he had very white and firm Teeth to his dying day that in his old age he should go almost crooked and double but he went to the last upright and straight as any young man whosoever that in the 19th year of his life he should become exceeding rich by inheriting a strangers estate but besides what his Father left him he never had any wealth or estate that he should suffer by the treachery of his Brethren and in the 37thyear be wounded by his own Mothers Son but he never had any Brother nor had his Father more than one wife that he should marry a Forreigner but he married a French woman of Salona that in the 25 year he should be so addicted to Natural Philosophy and the secrets of Magick as no man more as also to Geometry and Arithmetick in an extraordinary manner but he never had any particular affection to or care of any of those studies but entirely devoted himself to the knowledge of the Lawes that in his old age he should apply himself to Navigation and Musick but he never delighted much in Musick nor was ever at Sea in his whole life that he should not passe the 75th year but he passed not the 54th year of which Nostradamus said not a word And these things are the more particularly handled to the end that men may judge what credit is to be given to such vain predictions I may say old women children and fools somtimes do tell truth and why may not Astrologers It s more by hap than skill if they do Cardan himself gives this advice to his Astrological Friends if you have saith he an itch to be divining be sure you foretel the quite contrary to what Astrologers promise or threaten Fourthly Historians report of a pregnant example of an Astrologer that predicted that Henry the 7th of England a wise valiant and prosperous King should die in such a year the King sent for him and asked him if he could tell in what place himself should be in the next Christmas then near at hand the Prophet being surprized with this unexpected question stood mute a good while and at last confessed he could not tell thereupon the King smiling said then my friend