the Lords inclination and direction Again in the Proverbs we reade this that the heart of the King is in the hands of the Lord as the Rivers of water he directeth it whether he will Prov. 21.1 It will be said that although God properly and immediately inclineth the will of man yet also some small inclination must be given unto the Stars and that immediately For say some Constellations work upon the Elements by the four first qualities Elements work upon and alter the compound Bodies and humours Compound Bodies by their qualities change the Senses The Senses being altered the understanding is altered The understanding lastly altereth and inclineth the will of man Therefore Constellations incline the will This Reason is not much unlike that which the drunken man maketh serving as well for the defence of his Vice as the former for approving of truth in Divination He which drinketh well sleepeth well He which sleepeth well thinketh no harm He which thinketh no harm is a good man Therefore he which drinketh well is a good man The deceits and untruths which be in their Reasons are very many 1. The stars work upon mens bodies yet so that the nature of the Countrey and Soil the Meats and Drinks have most commonly greater force Why are the bodies of Gentlemen of England and poor labouring men of divers dispositions Are they not both in one Countrey Do not the Stars shew their force in them alike Yes truly but the kinde of life and diet prevaileth In the same Region why are they which dwell upon hills of other temperatures then they which dwell upon plain and champion ground why do not the same influences of Starrs make them of like natures is it not because the nature of the soil prevaileth So then when as there be many causes effectuall and differing in altering mens bodies to build an argument upon one cause is most unreasonable 2. The starrs work upon the Elements earth water air by making heat cold moisture driness The elements how work they on mens bodies They will also say by making heat cold moisture drinesse which is most untrue for the hotter and dryer the Elements be the colder and moisture by nature are mens bodies According to the saying of Empedocles Nature placed a hot Body in a cold Countrey and a cold Body in a hot Countrey 3. The Philosophers say that all causes are either per se or per accidens Now the heavens being causes of the alteration of the senses per accidens they must not be causes of the inclination of the will either per se or per accidens but per accidentis accidens which is most ridiculous 4. This long chain by which they link the will of man to the starrs if it shall be applied unto particulars it must needs break for the actions of the will is buying selling travailing lying heaping up wealth murdering spreading of fals ruomrs offering of discourtesies hating of kinsfolks and such like which our Heaven-gazers foretell have no coherent with the first qualities heat cold moisture drinesse neither can they any way proceed from them and therefore the stars cannot be causes of them for they work onely by these qualities 5. This reason is nothing to their purpose for because they grant that a man may freely resist the inclination of the starrs and he may hinder that unto which the starrs bend his will how dare they presume to say this or that will come to pass The heathen men gave up themselves to their own lusts and vanities and followed every little and vain inclination and of them in this order did ancient Astrologers among them divine that this or that time such actions such vices such enterprises such affaires should be among them In like manner our English wise men speak of us as though we were beasts not reasonable men as though we never heard the blessed Gospel of God never tasted of the grace of God never learned what is good and what is bad never laboured to subdue our lusts and affections alwayes turned too and fro with the blast of any influence working very slenderly in us Thus much of Civil Affaires They make mention also yearly of the diseases which shall reign but the way which they follow is taken forth of the barren and uncertain rules of the old Astrologers who do so ascribe unto every Planet certain Diseases that if need shall requite they may referre the same disease unto any signicatours as in the Plague the putrefaction of humours is attributed unto Jupiter the sharp Feaver unto Mars the madnesse which followeth unto Mercury the whole Plague unto Mars In the Plurisie the inflammation of the bloud between the skin called Pluritis and the ribbs is attributed unto Jupiter the suppuration of the Bloud unto Saturn and the whole Plurisie unto Jupiter In the Jaundies the inflammation and corruption of humours unto Jupiter the yelow humour in the gaul unto Mars the obstruction of the parts unto Saturn the whole Jaundies being white unto Mars blak unto Saturn And so in every disease they use this inconstancy and ambiguity in Prognosticating It is a rule among the Astrologers that if the Planets signifiers of diseases be well affected then there shall be no diseases but health if they be evilly affected then diseases follow Our Prognosticatours never mark this rule but howsoever the Planets be affected they straightwayes pronounce that such diseases shall reign For example the last winter quarter it was said by one of them that the diseases which should afflict mens bodies were rheums coughs cold lasks swelling of the face and throat falling of the Colmel sore eyes deafness the stone gout dropsie green-sickness madness quartern feavers c. And all the Planets signifiers of diseases in the quarter were indifferent well affected wherfore thou hast not one cause to fear their threatnings but rather to be sorry for their continuall deceits wishing them minds that they may one day see their own folly Concerning the time when the constellations take their effects our Prognosticatours say that some take their effects the same year some not the same year but long after as great Conjunctions and Eclipses for they say if the Moon be eclipsed one hour she worketh her effect a moneth after if two hours two moneths after and the Sunn for every hour it is eclipsed taketh his effect an whole year after Truely this rule which they follow must needs be against all reason For why should not all conjunctions and oppositions of the Sunne and Moon disserre their effects as well as those conjuctions and oppositions in which the Sunne and Moon is eclipsed if they show forth their power immediatly after why should not these also do the same Moreover the Epignosticall Astrologers who have conferred the course of the heavens with Histories shew very manifestly that Eclipses do not deferr the time of working their spite upon the Earth In the year of our Lord 1419 the Sunne was
that deceived souls may be reduced Poor Will it seems by his Pamphlet he was distracted when he penn'd it For he confesseth in his Epistle to All Well-willers c. that he was more perplexed and troubled at that instant of time his Treatise was penn'd then all his life So he O strange distemper and as strange a phantasie that counts the time of his penning of eleven sheets but at the rate of an instant He confesseth further ibid. that his Genius was weak and that he went or ran from house to house and made it where ever he came By which words I professe I do really suspect Will. Ramsey went about to his Brethren Astrologie-favourers to beg or borrow some Latine Greek and Hebrew but lost some of it as he went home See anon whether I speak not really true Out of all let the judicious Reader make the Crisis of the mans Cranie Collate his Epistle to the Reader with his Book and you shall see sutable fits and feits Where poor man he sinnes grievously sometimes in his raving and sometimes in his mopish melancholick fits In his raving Ira furor Inevis est Hor. he miserably fomes at the mouth with the froth and spittle of Malicious Fool Ignorant Knave Babling Priests Wretch c. some of which he drivels and slavers on M. Raunce for writing against Judiciall Astrologie the rest on the Doctour and all Ministers without distinction He is so bold a youth in his Title page as to stile himself Gent. I am informed that in comparison he is but a Boy which I should have construed Gentile-man or at least Gentle-man but that his language is the language of a Peasant or Boore unlesse the Astrologer excuse himself that he was then under the powerful influences of the Constellations Canis major minor Taurus Aries Lupus Leo Scorpius Serpens Draco c. Never any in their sober witts have accounted D. Homes ignorant or fool And of malice against Astrologers the Doctour must needs be free in that he professeth that the Astrologers never did him that he knows any personall wrong afore the penning of his Demonologie whereby to kindle any malice against them in his breast and to vent it in that Book His Treatise of Demonologie fairly testifies for him wherein he doth soberly handle the question of the unlawfulnesse of Judiciall Astrologie touching upon no mans person And there also professeth his love to the true Mathematicks even as with great delight he studied them in the Universitie And further I can assure the Reader that he calls God to witnesse that meer pressures of conscience to discharge his faithfullnesse to Christ as he is a Teacher to one of his Churches in declaring against sinne and errour for the preservation or reduction of poor souls made him write But as was the manner of the times in the reign of Arminianisme in England to question any mans learning though the ablest Scholar if he spake against their Tenets so now are the manners of Astrologers to call their betters every way by the names of fools ignorant c. if they do not sing to their tune but contrary You shall hear by and by Will. Ramsey despise Fathers School-men Councills See his book c. 2. p. 38. c. that speak the least word against Astrologie When Will. Ramsey is in his mopish fits I cannot I ingenuously confesse either gather that he sayes any thing at all to the Head he propounds or what it is he would have said For instance let the Reader consider well that head chap. 1. sect 6. p. 33. Astrologie profitable for health Nor can I reconcile Will. Ramsey with Will. Ramsey there is such contradiction in his words For page 11. line 25. me thinks saith he Doctour Homes being a wise man the phrase signifies an habituall wisedome as t is spoken without limitation and so left universall yet in the very next page but twenty three lines after he calls Doctour Homes a fool If he say the Doctour was a fool in condemning Astrologie then W. R. further like one impos contradicts himself For in his Epistle to the Reader parag the third he confesseth that of his knowledge many Discreet Gentlemen would sometimes condemn Astrologie Finally this Epistle and his whole book compared together will sufficiently argue that the man was miserably lost in his reason when he pen'd it For what are those Astrologicall predictions that D. Homes levels his Demonologie against but of such things as which either they themselves are as to us accidentall as the successe of businesses or their causes are internall as mens wills and free choise as to undertake a journey build c. or not Thus D. Homes in his very entrance upon the point of Astrology chap. 1. § 1. and § 2. And in the very next page viz. 112. he allows conjecturing and of things whereof any naturall reason can be yielded as saith he quoting and consenting with D. Willet c. there are naturall signes in the simple bodies as the heavens and air of the alteration of weather as into winds or rain c. as also in compound bodies either vegetable of seasons to set plants or trees or in humane bodies of convenient time to let blood or purge These are immediate effects in nature of the Celestiall bodies There are also mediate effects as Comets which shew siccity heat and combustion so the Crow cryes against rain because the clammy moysture of the air affects and afflicts him in the clinging of his feathers c. But the Doctour doth there deny signs of humane events So also in page 160. of his Demonologie he opens his he art wide to shew what he means by the Astrology against which he raiseth his battery of reason viz. against such an Art or Science as Astrologers would have it called that undertakes to predict and foretell what shall befall MEN and CITIES and COMMON-WEALTHS in relation to HVMANE affairs ARBITRARY actings SPONTANEOVS and voluntary transactions that depend upon the movings of mens wills To the same effect the Doctour speaks in his 113 165 167 pages of his Demonologie And therefore it is WILL. RAMSEYS ILL CUSTOME OF TELLING UNTRUTH to call it no worse though justly I might to say the Doctour or other Antagonists to Judiciall Astrologie know not or do not ponere what they mean when they speak against Judiciall Astrologie The Doctour as clearly as if written with Sun-beams doth often inculcate what he allows and what he disallows as even but now hath been plainly declared The state of the question adding oft in his Demonologie that all Naturall Predictions which the Astrologers would cram in to their Judiciall Astrologie with contradiction enough is to be called and considered in a way of Art or Science either as METEOROLOGIE or PHYSIOLOGIE or pure ASTRONOMIE according to the nature of the subject under consideration Thus you have heard the Doctour as plain as they say as a Pack-staff now
he should be so clamoured by him to run to fee in comparison a NOTHING Whether I speak truly let the sequell prove And had it not been to tell the Reader so especially young men in danger to be led away with Astrologicall impostures I should never accounted VVill. Ramsey worthy any thing that might be called a Reply Survey or c. And therefore I was loath Doctour Homes should so much disgrace himself and credit VVill. Ramsey as to have his name in print to any paper to him For 't is wittily observed by the Heathen Ovid. l. 13. Fab. 1 that it was too much honour to Vlysses being a Coward that he might contend but in words with gallant valiant Ajax for the Armour of Achilles Galenum non parùm errasse puto qui Thessalū dum nomen ejus proterit Aliquem esse docuerit cujus rationem haberet Cardan de vita propria cap. 16. And it was the judgement of the great CARDANVS one of VVilliam's profession both wayes that famous GALEN VVilliam's Master did much erre in so often mentioning in his writings his frivolous Antagonist Thessalus for by that saith Cardanus Galen did teach men to think that Thessalus was some body and at all regarded by Galen Let not VVilliam or his adherents puff at this as if but flourishes but attend the short Surveyes of his chapters and sections and then see whether reason can cry him up for wit honesty or learning The Survey of Will. Ramsey's 1. Section of his 1. Chapter The Definition of Astrology W. R. his 1. Section THat the Reader may the better judge of the controversie between Doctour Homes and my self I think best here before I enter upon any part of his discourse to set down what this art of Judiciall Astrology is which I undertake to defend Ptolomy lib. 1. cap. 1. Of his Quadripartite defines it thus Astrology is that art joyning it with Astronomy as making no difference between them though M. Homes and other adversaries thereunto do which teacheth by the motions Configurations and Influences of the Signs Stars and Celestiall Planets to judge and prognosticate of the naturall effects and mutations to come in the Elements and inferiour and Elementary bodies And who so takes Astrologie to be any other thing is altogether ignorant of the Art or guilty of inveterate malice in traducing so noble and admirable a science esteemed and allowed of in all ages and that in great reverence and honour as well as the Students thereof as in its due place shall be made to appear by the chiefest and noblest of the people Though Doctour Homes would fain persuade the vulgar and ignorant sort of people that it is a Doctrine of Devils and unlawfull which shall in its due place be made to appear as also the rest of his weak arguments and cavils that they are meerly malicious ignorant weak and inconsistent with reason or the thing in question which that he may not be ignorant of as also for the better understanding of the Reader I do here more plainly rehearse by way of Quere viz. First whether Astrology or foretelling or Prognosticating by the Stars be a lawfull Art free from all Diabolicall practises and devices Secondly Whether Astrology 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 concurre with the rules of the Scripture which is the full matter in controversie and to be in this following discourse discussed handled and cleared and if so then certainly the malicious ignorant condemners of this Noble and most profitable Art studied by mortals as in its due place shall appear ought to be severely punished and that with exemplary infliction that posterity may take warning how they condemn what they are ignorant of and likewise be encouraged to apply their minds to the contemplation and knowledge of all Arts and Sciences especially this most heavenly and divine study of Astrology or the language of the Stars Now you have heard the distinction of Astrology the subject intended by it you may not onely see the causes which concurre 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 Stars in the Elements and their bodies dependeth of the motions Configurations and Influences of the Celestiall bodies Astronomy or Astrology 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 theoricall 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. Astrology the other is meerly vain and of no use or to none or little purpose the former viz. Astronomy furnisheth the Astrologer with matter and stuff wherein to exercise himself 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 Thus VV. Ramsey SURVEY Behold here VV. R. at the very first begins his Pamphlet with 3 gross UNTRUTHS For If Will. Ramsey begins with 3. great untruths in his entrance how shal we believe him in the rest of his Pamphlet◠1. there is no such definition as he affirms nor any thing in form of a definition in relation to Astrologie in that place of Ptolomy as his eyes can witness who of purpose read the Preface and first Chapter once and again in two severall Editions 2. Ptolomy doth there contrary to VVilliam Ramsey's assertion put a wide difference between Astronomy and Astrologie For he begins that his Book thus There are two things O Syrus speciall and most chief by which are made Astrological Predictions ONE which is first in order and power whereby we apprehend at all times the motions of the Sun and Moon and other Starrs and their postures amongst themselves or towards the Earth The OTHER is that whereby we consider by the natural qualities of the Starrs the changes that are wrought in Bodies that are congruous to those postures And of these doctrines the FORMER hath its proper Art albeit the end of the SECOND be not added unto it c. In which words most evidently Ptolomy distinguisheth Astronomy from Astrologie of the nearest kinde viz. Natural in so much that he saith Astronomy is a perfect Art without that Astrologie Yea and as it follows there we have this into the bargain that Ptolomy doth sundry wayes and with severall reasons in that Treatise shew the uncertainty and imperfection of Astrologie but cries up the certainty and perfection of Astronomy 3. The Learned contrary to VV. R. false assertion do make a distinction between Astronomy and Judiciall Astrology as severall Arts. For
will say is fulfilled in the words following viz. And God made two great lights the one to rule the day 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 hosts of Heaven were they made for no other use then to gaze on the Sun and Moon will sufficiently serve our turn for matter of light if we look no further into their uses but the Scripture further putteth this matter quite out of doubt if we will believe Gods own word Job 28.31 For he speaking of his Omnipotent power asketh his servant Job whether he or any one else Can restrain the influence of the Pleiades or loose the bands of Orion On which words S. Austin on Job referreth all men to the study of Astrology 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 Celestiall host figuratively expressing pars pro toto and to shew you by experience the verity hereof if you will neither believe S. Augustine Moses nor God himself except you see and feel 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 Master Homes his learned Judges and condemners of Astrology 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 Moon 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 migh◠〈◊〉 recorded and let him then study the cause hereof and he will then without doubt be of another tenet let him observe also 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 air both by Rain Snow Wind Tempests Thundering and Lightning and the like according to their severall positions the nature of signs and houses and mansions they are in which if he be not altogether ignorant of the Art he may daily see These and the like effects are most vulgarly known by experience so that therefore he might even as well have confessed those signs 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 Father S. Austine Moses nay and GOD himself D. Homes might as well then have left out that other addition of Doctour Willets where he saith That the Stars have not the same influence in Summer and in Winter Spring and Autumn and so consequently will conclude them First not to be signs contradicting Moses and the word of God Gen. 1.14 as aforesaid Secondly Nor causes Quia ex unitate causae sequeretur similitudo effectûs Of the same cause there should follow the same effect but there followeth not the same effect from the same signs appears by experience As much to say the Stars are neither causes nor signs because they produce not fruits in Winter as well as in Summer or because they cause not snow in Summer or Buds and Blossoms in Winter O rare cavill but since he is already by what is abovesaid confuted I shall here adde nothing but this that since the question is whether they are causes and signs because that passage in the first of Genesis manifelts they are signs I will if he will be convinced by the word of God here give him to know they are also causes I will hear the heavens and the heavens shall hear the earth and the earth the corn 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 unless blinded with malice and wilfulness that they are both signes and causes of all our earthly injoyments and happinesses Et si Scriptura ipse Deus nobiscum quis contranos W. R. his SECT III. Wherein his allegations against the ground of the Art are condemned and his bringing S. Augustine and Galen against it proved fallacious SEeing then it is most clearly so that the Stars are signes and causes as abovesaid what need these envious carpers or malicious gainsayers of the truth be heeded or regarded but let these perverse rags of paper perish with themselves not worthy the least remembrance And indeed had it not been rightly to insorm 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 worthiness but perpetual infamy But this is not all he comes next to condemn Astrology 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 dayes call part of Astrology did not in all his two great Volumes in fol. of Arts and Sciences Jet forth any Astrology A wise story indeed because Keckerman writeth not of Astrology therefore there is no such thing but if Keckerman hath not yet as wise and as learned and greater Philosophers have as if the being of Astrology depended on his writing hereof Look the second Chapter of this Treatise or it were a whit farther from being an heavenly Science and a lawfull 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 to proceed he saith he is sure he hath these words against it Manent tamen c. The Starrs abide as of other sublunary effects so of effects in man the common and remote cause which many wayes may be hindred not onely by the first cause God but also by particular causes partly in the Heavens partly in the Air 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 Starrs there is no Astrologer but will confesse but whether he will or no or ordinarily uses so to do is the question so that Master Homes gets little by this querk since he affirmeth nothing
of argument or proof His words in the very beginning of his second Section which Will. Ramsey hath all this while so puddered himself to confute shew William the contrary if he had been willing to see Because saith the Doctour the Astrologers give out that there is no body against this Astrology but one Perkins or some one or two more men not acquainted with Art or in the like slighting speeches it will be very convenient to quicken your attentions as to a point considerable by setting before you the judgement of severall learned men touching Astrology Indeed if I do here but reprint that second Section of the Doctour which Will. pretends to confute it will be a sufficient confutation of all these five Sections of William's second Chapter D. H. his SECT II. Of the Opinions of the Learned touching Astrology BEcause the Astrologers give out that there is no body against this Astrologie but one Perkins or some one or two more men not acquainted with Art or in the like slighting speeches it will be very convenient to quicken your attention as to a point considerable by setting before you the judgement of severall Learned men touching Astrology with their reasons Tostatus a great learned School-man hath a great deal against it in his Commentary on Levit. 19. Qu. 28 29. c. Doctour Willet gives us the summ of Tostatus and his own judgement thus Of things which are as to us accidentall as the successe of businesses or their causes internall as mens will and free choife as to undertake a journey or to build or not to build predictions are not onely uncertain but superstitious And the same is to be said of casting Nativities by the conjunction of Planets So Doctour Willet on Levit. 19. in his 41. Qu. the head whereof is The Vanity of Astrologers quoting of and referring us to Tostatus The same Doctour Willet on the same Chapter in his 32. Qu. hath this discourse All manner of CONJECTURING see he cals it but Conjecturing is not unlawful whereof any naturall or divine Cause can be yielded As first there are naturall signes in the Heavens and air as of the alteration of weather of winds of rain c. And in compound bodies as in setting and planting of Trees and in humane bodies as when t is good to let blood to purge c. These are immediate effects in nature of Celestiall bodies There are also mediate effects as Comets which shew siccity and combustions and so many portend Wars which is caused by wrath among men which cometh of siccity and heat So the Crow cryes against rain because the moisture of the air affects his feathers And the Dolphin against a tempest swims aloft because the Sand in the bottome is stirred For these creatures that are led onely by sense have a quicker feeling of such naturall accidents then man hath who is most occupied in the use and exercise of reason For Attentio ad operationes secundùm rationem c that is The attending upon the operations of reason doth take away the attention to the operation of nature And therefore FOOLS and SIMPLE persons that are LEAST GUIDED by reason are more sensible of naturall things then WISE men Again there are divine and extraordinary signs * which God speaks of that shall be for signs at such a time or of such a thing As Matth. 24.29 And the Dove descending on Christ Matth. 3.16 But there is no Judiciary Astrology in all these Doctour Willet adds on the same Chapter Qu. 33. to give it you in a word thus Signs observed by men of humane events cannot be signs first because Ex varietate causae variatur causatum The Stars have not the same influence in Summer and in Winter Spring and Autumn Secondly Ex unitate causae sequeretur similitudo effectûs Of the same cause there should be the same effects But there follows not the same effect after the same signs as appears by experience Thirdly Keckerman a most learned Philosopher and a Christian although he favours some things which men now a dayes call part of Astrology did not in all his two great Volumes of Arts and Sciences in Folio set forth any Astrology but in his Works hath these passages against it to this effect Manent tamen c. The Stars abide as of other sublunary effects so of effects in man the COMMON and REMOTE Causes which many wayes may be hindred not onely by the first cause GOD but also by particular causes partly in the HEAVENS partly in the AIR and other ELEMENTS so that the PREDICTIONS OF ASTROLOGIE are with IFFS and AND 's So that it follows not this man is born under an unhappy Star therefore he hath a dull wit So Keckerman System Phys lib. 2. cap. 3. De Motu Cocli The same Keckerman in another place hath these words Disciplina Astrologica c. The Discipline of Astrologie about the Predictions by Heavenly bodies or Stars is not yet confirmed upon true principles therefore no marvell if that part of Astrology which is conversant about the predictions of Comets doth rest upon most uncertain principles It is granted to Astronomy to use such Hypotheses or arguments or principles which are not in nature but are conceived onely by a kind of similitude But Astrology may not use such Hypotheses The Astrologers assign several Countries and Cities to severall Celestiall Signs But of Cities plainly no reason at all appears So Keckerman Syst Phys lib. 6. cap. 5. De Cometis in genere Fourthly Alsted the great Philosopher of these times and a Christian sets forth a thing he calls Astrology but see his faithfulnesse in this Astrologia saith he vitio c. Astrology by the vice of man hath more vanity in it then Astronomy Astrology because of our imbecility is conjecturall And he adds Astrologers are often deceived and therefore we do rightly saith he pronounce the divinatory part of Astrology to be but Conjecturall Fifthly The great Galen saith of Astrology Sophisticum est c. T is a sophisticall thing Contrary to experience Sixthly So famous a man as was S. Austin famous for learning and godlinesse in his time having been addicted to Astrology afterwards repents of it and renounceth it in his Treatise De doctr Christiana lib 2. cap. 21. in fine initio capitis 22. His words are these It is Magnus error magna dementia superstitio c. that is Astrology is a great errour a great madnesse a superstition easily refelled Saint Austin brings in another on Psal 63. as a penitent renouncing this Art Paganisme and Judaisme For we know that the Scriptures do much forbid it to the Jews as the evill of the Heathens as we shall see plentifully afterwards Seventhly Master Perkins famous for learning and godlinesse as his Works shew hath not only a Treatise against Astrology though once much addicted to it but also gives us his repentance and renouncing of it in his Preface to the Reader
Boy that is never from my elbow And all this is done by Astrology by sacred Astrology divine Astrology the Art of Arts the Science of Sciences for it is the ancient the most authentick the most excellent Art in the World For old father Adam was both an Astronomer and Astrologer Abraham and all the Patriarks Nay I will asture you the Students of our Art have been famous in all Countries for Porphyrius and Apuleius derive the Original of Magick from the Persians although Suidas will have it from the Maguseans and from them he cals them Magi the Latins call us Wise-men the Grecians Philosophers the Indians Gymnosophists the Egyptians Priests the Cabalists Prophets the Babylonians and Assyrians Chaldeans the Frenchmen Bards And many excellent and eminen men have flourished in this Knowledge as Zoroaster the son of Aromasius who laugh'd when he was born among the Persians Numa Pompilius among the Romans The shion among the Gymnosophists Hermes among the Egyptians Buda among the Babylonians Zamolxis among the Thracians and Abbaris among the Hyperboreans A thousand more beside these were excellent Astrologers as Ptolomeus whom some though very Fools in their Opinion hold to be the first Astronomer that ever was then Messahala Aboafar Abenragel Alchibichius Albumazar Abraham Avenezra Algazel Hermes Tresmigistus Aratus Higinus and Thebit after whom did arise Maternus that famous Mathematian then Georgius Purbachius after whom followed Johannes de Monte Regio Alphonsus King of Castile as his Tables can testifie Was not broad-shouldered Atlas that was bigger then the great Porter an admirable Astronomer and Astrologer Was not Erra Pater whom I had almost forgot a rare Fellow at Astronomy Yes as this his Table can testifie What think you Sir was not this learned Artist deeply read in the large-leav'd Book of Heaven Do not you think he could learnedly discourse of the Poles Spheres Orbes Circumferences Circles Centres Diameters the Zodiack the Zenith the Artick the Antartick Poles Tropicus Capricorni and Tropicus Cancri He was as well acquainted with the Twelve Signes in Heaven as any Tradesman with those in Cheapside and run over the Nature of the seven Planets as nimbly as the French Vaulter over the Ropes And I my self but that I know this kinde of Learning is out of your Element could discourse to you what a sullen fellow Saturn is on whom the permanent continuation of all things depend what a joviall fellow Jupiter on whom the fecundity of Agent Causes rely what a quarrelling Swash-buckler Mars on whom the swift expedition of any thing to the effect doth hang what a hot fellow Sol whom all Agent Causes follow what a wanton Wench Venus on whom the fecundity of all Material Causes look after what a merry fellow Mercury in whom a manifold vertue doth flourish and what a mad Lass Luna on whom the increase and decrease of humane things consist For know that the rich and golden Harvest that I have gathered out of the sweet and fruitfull Fields of many learned mens Works and carefully hoorded up in the Garner of my breast hath made me full and copious in my knowledge so that there is no Art and Science but I am as deeply and profoundly read in as those that have taken the Worshipfull Degree of Doctour I am so good at Physick that every morning I have whole Troops of mad men and others sick of Sarpegoes Gouts Epilepsies Feavers and many others labouring under as dangerous Diseases as these send their Urine to me so that never Doctour was so famous for when Medicine will not prevail and that neither Galen Paracelsus Avecin Hyppocrates nor all the Heirs of Aesculapius can cure them I have a Spirit that will fright any Disease from the most dangerous and over-spent Patient My skill in Alchymy is so great that I can turn any thing that is brought to me into as perfect Gold as ever came out of the Indies Frier Bacon was an Ass Doctour Faustus a Fool Ripley an Emperick and Kelly a Coxcomb to me they were not worthy to blow my Bellows or look to my Stills while I work for the Philosophers Stone But for Astrology I can do that none of my Profession besides my self could ever reach unto for there is nothing lost but I can finde again nothing in hazard of losing but I can preserve safe sure I have given Tradesmen Spirits that have kept their Shops as faithfully as if they had twenty Journeymen continually in it There is not a part of the Body but I can give a Spirit to keep it safe sound Therefore Sir to conclude assure your self that if all my Spirits mine own endeavours can do you a pleasure as you need not doubt of my Art you shal not fail of your Chain so merrily return to your Lodging again and repair to me to morrow morning 30 Minutes after 6. and always remember to admire at the wonderfull power of sacred divine and heavenly Astrology A Table made by the learned Astronomer Erra Pater shewing that the Twelve Signes and Seven Planets have as great a Predomination over all Trades and Callings which are the Members of the Body of a Common-wealth as over the Body of Man  ♄ Saturn ♃ Jupiter ♂ Mars ☉ Sol ♀ Venus ☿ Mercury ☽ Luna ♈ Aries Goldsmiths Haberdashers Merchants Mercers Drapers Vininers Horners ♉ Taurus Butchers Graliers Cooks Drudsters Tobacco men Players Fidlers ♊ Gemini Serjeants Bailies High-way men Lifts Cut-puries Gilts Decoys ♋ Cancer Brewers Draymen Porters Tapsters Hostlers Constables Beadles ♌ Leo Roaring Boys Young Gallants Courtiers Cutlers Fencers Armorers Brothers of the Sword ♠Virgo Sempsters Laundresses Chamber-maids Tyre-women Waiting Gentlewomen Flax maids Tobacco-women ♎ Libra Grocers Chandlors Cheesmongers Silkmen Apothecaries Pewterers Plummers ♠Scorpio Usurers Brokets Informers Promoters Petty-foggers Sumners Jaylors ♠Sagittarius Fletchers Gunners Scriveners Smiths Brasiers Iremongers Turners ♑ Capricornus Drugsters Milliners Coach-makers Jewellers Stone-cutters Painters Shoomakers ♒ Aquarius Watermen Water-bearers Cloth-workers Bakers Salters Sadlers Barbers ♓ Pisces Oyster-wives Fishmongers Fruiterers Hosiers Gold-finders Taylors Plasterers When he had made an end I gave this Answer to the Figure-caster and the Confutation of it SIr if you every day should trouble your self or rather those that hear you with these long-winded Exercises you had need eat great store of Lycoris and if you lye so much to every man as you have done to me you had best learn of Symonides the Art of Memory for these two things are most requisite for those that talk and lye so much as you do You have made a large Astrological discourse onely to make me a Fool and prove yourself a Knave for cunningly in your Exordium you hearten me on to cheat my self for doth not a man palpably cousen himself when he gives money to a Knave that first cheats him before his face then laughs at him behinde his back which is the true custome of all Figure-casters of whose faculty you