cold c. as you may farther see at the beginning of this Chapter So that you may see how falsely and injuriously he brings in St. Augustine against Astrologie by which I will onely add this the Reader may clearly see the envy and malice of Mr. Homes how he studieth by the learned and Fathers to perswade his reader against this most apparent truth viz. ASTROLOGIE SECT IV. Wherein Astrologie is defended against his allegations from Mr. Perkins his words MAster Homes comes then to tell us Mr Perkins a learned man and famous writ a Treatise against it so did Melancthon a greater scholler then he and as knowing a Divine write as much and more for it then he ever did against it what if I should tell him of some that have writ against the Scripture is the Word of God therefore false and to be rejected he saith Mr Perkins cals it prophanenesse and idolatry but let the Reader seriously and diligently but observe what hath been here already said and he cannot but understand Mr Perkins spake onely against the abuse of the Art not as it is in its self against the superstitious confidence and trust in the Stars not the searching and studying of the influences and effects of the Stars on elementary bodies and as much as this comes to all that study the Art will confesse Ergo Mr Homes is mistaken to thinke by these words of Mr Perkins to condemn Astrologie since he saith no more then all Astrologers themselves will say wherefore to dwell longer here were but vain and superfluous and to as little purpose as to bring a man a bag-pudding when he hath filled his belly with pie We come therefore now to his eighth learned man which condemnes Astrologie which he tels us is Mr Geree who hath saith he written a Treatise against Astrologie I could if need were cite as many and more that have written against the Divine word of God then he can make appear hath written against Astrologie shall any man be therefore so impudently wicked to conclude the word of God is not true or not to be credited no sure this were altogether as impudently wicked as Mr Homes his sequel or conclusion is ridiculous sophistical and envious Mr Chamber also writ a booke against Astrologie which I wonder he remembred not also but that learned Sir Christopher Heydon returned him such a repulse as that none of the Antagonists or ill willers to the Art ever durst undertake to give a reply thereunto for he doth not onely refute Mr Chamber but also Picus mirandula Melton Perkins and Geree to boote wherefore I refer all those that would be further resolved herein and desire to discerne between truth and falshood to the perusal of the discourse it self it being a piece of that exquisite wit and learning that none can be able to surpasse it if in the whole world be worthy to compare with it it was never as yet undertaken to be answered neither I beleeve wil it ever be attempted by any of these cavilling punies that gain-say indeed what they know not but by tradition or Theorically and if practically it is so slenderly known by them that they imagine the Art to be no better then meere Conjuration and the Artists Conjurers SECT V. Wherein his cavilling Mr. Briggs and others are convinced WE now come not to be too tedious to heare what he can tel us of learned Mr. Briggs against Astrologie which is briefly thus much That after an earnest desire to attaine the perfection thereof he seriously applyed himselfe unto the study but in conclusion when he thought to have had joy of his weried labours he was satisfied with nothing but uncertainty and meeting an other Astrologer told him how he had beene deceived in the rules of the Art who for his comfort concluded also as he did that there was no certainty therein upon which he left off further studying thereof Now I would very faine know of any man which shal be all the answer I shal give to this sophistical cavil whether by these words Astrologie be convinced as uncertain because Mr. Briggs and another or suppose halfe a dozen more could find no certainty therein when Ptolomy Galen Hippocrates St. Austine and thousands more found not only certainty therein but concluded and agreed that it was the most beneficial and pleasant Art under the Sunne and whereas he cites Phavorinus against Astrologie in these words Aut adversa eventura dicunt c. which is They foretel either things of prosperity or adversity if of prosperity and they faile then thou shalt be prosperous or happy in hoping for that good if of adversity and hit not right then thou wert miserable in fearing in vaine c. which agrees with what he sayeth Mr. Briggs would undertake to do viz To prove the rules of Astrologie contradictory viz. It shal be so and it shal not be so which is the meerest cavil of all the rest to say Ergo Astrologie is uncertain I wil undertake then a greater matter then Mr. Briggs for let there be what Art or Science that Mr. Homes can devise nominated though never so true I wil undertake to speak as much nay and with more proof against it then all these his learned men hath done in this his Character of the present times he forgot to put in those that denie the truth nay and not onely so but sophistically and maliciously maintaine it to their utmost indeavours thinking the citing of St. Austine to be proof enough to terrifie the Reader from undertaking this study or continuing therein not observing the words of his Author Looke the first Chapter of his treatise and together with the Fathers to include the Councels but tels us not how and upon what grounds and reasons they disallowed of the Art lest then his malice be discovered Wherefore let me then for a conclusion as wel to this Chapter as his cavils aske him these two questions whether a man may not if enviously disposed speake against the most manifest truths nay against the very word of God and wrest the Scripture to their owne inclinations and intentions And secondly if he be proved hereof guilty in the next Chapter to wrest the Scripture sence to confute Astrologie whether he be not more fit to be brought under the lash of the Law then Astrologers so have you his learned men against Astrologie confuted we come now to the maine point of all viz. whether Astrologie be condemned by the word of God CHAP. III. Wherein his divine proofs against Astrologie are examined and confuted BUt before I begin I shall desire the Reader to have a special care to remember what Astrologie is which is now in controversie and either to be confuted and condemned or defended and cleared the definition whereof you have at the beginning of the first Chapter for otherwise our paines and arguments are but frivolous on either side wherefore I commend Mr. Homes in that
LVX VERITATIS OR CHRISTIAN JUDICIAL Astrology VINDICATED AND Demonology Confuted In Answer to NATH HOMES D.D. Wherein his allegations of the Learned Reasons Divine proofs and Arguments are particularly examined and convinced With the legality of the Art maintained and warranted by Scripture Whereunto is annexed a short Discourse of that Great Eclipse of the SUN March 29. 1652. By WILLIAM RAMESEY Gent. Student in Astrologie and Physick London Printed by J. B. for Nath. Brooke at the Angel in Cornhill 1651. To all wel-willers and lovers of ART Gentlemen IT is true I may looke for when I seriously consider my own insufficiency and lack of good utterance and a pleasing oratorious phrase many censures and be perplexed with doubts whether I have or no chosen the better part since most or the generality of men are carried away sooner with a pleasing and deluding tongue then truth delivered in an homely or mean stile especially since this most noble study that I undertake here to defend is so vulgarly traduced and commonly both ill spoken of which indeed at the first was some disheartning to my undertakings yet because my Antagonists Coat is such as that a word against Astrologie sheltred under it will by the vulgar be more heeded then an Oration from another and this noble Art in danger hereby to suffer most falsely an ill esteeme in their opinions for the well wishes I owe both to it the truth and all ye the students therein and lovers of learning whatsoever I thought good rather to incur the harsh censure of some then by my silence to give occasion to the ignorant and enemies thereof to vaunt themselves against it and truely notwithstanding all this I had not thus taken him up since neither he nor any one else can say ought against this science but what hath been formerly most fully answered Looke Pirovanu Goclenius Bellantius Maraseallettes and Sir Christoph Heydon but for the Readers satisfaction who perhaps would have concluded had no body undertaken to answer him he had been past answering I very much fear there are many most grosse faults and mistakes in this Treatise it being pen'd at that instant of time I was more perplexed and troubled then in all my life before my occasions being such that I had no time to study a better method or correct what hath escaped it being the fruits of what my weake Genius did produce in every house and place I came in in pursuance of my then occasions where I could happily meet with the least occasion Yet my hope is that in what I have been defective as I doubt not but your piercing judgements will soon discover you will both support supply and amend hoping also ye will accept of the will for the deed to whom I here Dedicate both my self and weak labours to serve you to my weak power W. RAMESEY Die ☿ 4. Decembris 1650. To the unpartiall READER Courteous Reader AS there is nothing more ridiculous amongst the learned then to conclude before a through understanding be in the matter in question and controversie so is there nothing more worthy or commendable in a man then to be patient and hear all nay and indeed both tales before judgement be given for the old saying is one tale is good till the other be heard and if this discourse be a thing beyond thy knowledge I should desire thee first Legere perlegere tunc judicare Read and read it over and over before thou judge This very same Art of Christian Judiciall Astrologie which I here defend being by the vulgar in general some few years since and also by some otherwise knowing and discreet condemned as Illegal Diabolical and indeed to be little better then Witchcraft I also as ignorant therein at that time as themselves concluded so too yet upon an cccasion one day I desired a Gentleman that was extream hot in words onely against it to do me the favour as to acquaint me with his knowledge of the unlawfulness thereof that so I might have some ground for my then ill conceit thereof as also to be better able to uphold my opinion but to be short I could get nothing of consequence out of him that could any wise prejudice the validity of the Art but onely he believed so and how could any man tell him any thing that he knew not himself without dealing with the Devil or being a Witch which me thoughts was so ill becoming a man of judgement and understanding to have no better reasons nor grounds for his high words that I was even ashamed I was of his opinion and therefore thought it much more commendable to be silent thereafter in such matters which I understood not then to condemn an Art onely with words and no sound argument Whereupon being very much desirous to be satisfied in the verity and legality of this most famous Art of ASTROLOGIE The Authors first inducement to the study of Astrologie which so many discreet Gentlemen would sometime ignorantly condemn I applied my self to the study thereof which after some expence of time and paines I found to be so apparently true and lawful that these flashes of my friends against it was quickly manifest to me proceeded meerly from ignorance and tradition Wherefore Reader that thou maist not in the least be mistaken herein as the antagonists and enemies thereof are to condemn the Arts legality for the abuse of the Artist who will out of vaine-glory and pride often undertake to predict impossible things I mean which this Art cannot reach unto and so for their simplicity abuse thereof give occasion to condemn that which of all studies is the most delectable comfortable true and lawfull not knowing indeed what it is they would condemn and so deceive both themselves and reader But that thou maist not herein be deceived I say I will here declare unto thee the whole power and subject of Astrologie The whole power subject of Astrologie and that first Negatively and next Affirmatively Negatively First that the Rules of Astrologie doth not meddle with vaine contingents or such as have an indifferent respect to the opposites as depending upon unknown or indeterminate causes which may happen one way or other Secondly mans will is not subject to the influence of the Stars neither hath Astrologie to do with it but accidentally so far as the soul with the faculties thereof follow the temperature of the body neither doth Astrologie meddle with the providence of God Astrologers most falsly impeached to be searchers of the secrets of God or shew a cause of miracles nor with the secrets of God for they are past finding out saith the Scripture Ergo Astrologers that are but men that contemplate natural causes are falsly and most scandalously abused when thus impeached And thirdly Astrologie or the influence of the Stars have no fatall necessity except some contingency be mixt therewith for this were to deny the providence of God But
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
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
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
Parliament had lately made unto her he or some man or men signified by ♂ would be her hinderance so that she should no wise receive the money she expected of them which was the more certainly confirmed by his being in ☠to the cuspe of the second She thereupon confessed that the friend signified by ♂ whom I described was indeed very forward to outward appearance to do for her but she had indeed of late found him very perfidious but yet she said she could not be perswaded but the intentions of the Parliament were reall but not long after viz. within three moneths as ♂ wanted three dayes of the □ of ♃ came forth the Ingagement which her husband refusing to take was forced to lose his debt and who was the authors of the Ingagement which when she also found so marvellously to happen she was so converted from being an antagonist or enemy to Astrologie that she became a great lover and admirer thereof often times since blaming her former rashnesse in condemning what she was ignorant of But another example that the querents unbelief is no whit material to the perverting of the Artists judgement I will also here give you for if the question be indeed radical the Artist having any skill and not deviating from his rules he shall seldome faile And this is of an incredulous Gentlewoman also her Question was of her husband being absent ♂ 17. Oct. 1648. 9. h. o. m. A. M. ☽ a △ ☉ in △ ☿ ad △ ♀ Where is my husband And when will he returne This Question was propounded by a Lady very unbelieving in the Art of Astrologie insomuch that if possible she exceeded the former I find here ♀ significatrix of the absent husband and located in the twelfth house of the figure whereupon I told her her husband was in Prison but before because ♠ascended I described his shape as also the markes of his body who when she heard this with much admiration began to tell me he was indeed in Prison and was such a manner of man exactly as I had described him but she could never have believed this could have been told her which was the reason she would say nothing to me of his condition whereupon she was very desirous then to know farther viz. when she should see him but first I finding ☽ separated from ☉ by a △ aspect lord of the ninth yet the third from the seventh his ascendant in △ of ☿ lord of the tenth in the figure and then immediately transferring the light of both by a △ to ♀ the absents significatrix I accquainted her that a brother or kinsman of his should make means to some officer in great authority or the General for it could not then be the King which should be the means of his inlargement He was then himself a Prisoner and for that these aspects were so near the time that the question was demanded I told the querent I was confident her husband was already or should suddenly be inlarged and be relieved also with money which I saw also by ☿ his being in combustion of ☉ he was in want of as for the time when she should see him I find ♀ very near the ascendant and the same time she comes to the cuspe thereof the ☽ comes to the same degree or very near it of ♊ the proper ascendant of London I told her I was confident when ♀ and ☽ came to these places he would be with her which was the 25. day of the same moneth being Wednesday which accordingly happened and when I came to the speech of him he confessed all that I had related concerning him was to the letter true viz. That he was in Prison ten weekes and was by the means of his brothers power with the Generall which was then Sir Thomas Fairfax he had his liberty and that his brother did for his necessary occasions furnish him with 20. l. I could here insert many the like examples but since they are so frequently divulged in other Treatises I hold it here no wise necessary longer to insist but Mr Homes I pray if one had asked whether a man had lived with his wife or no or whether he loved another mans wife might not these questions have been resolved as well as any of these above mentioned But let us see how he can prove the rules or principles of the Art groundlesse and of no verity and first he saith because of the foresaid various varieties and uncertainties of the Stars both in their own motions and in comparison with others but you have also afore received a confutation of these assertions of his and therefore this his first reason is not one jot equivalent to his purpose Secondly Because no man knoweth the particular qualities of the Stars but this is but one Doctors opinion and therefore I may as wel and with as good reason and strength of argument deny his words and not shew him to the contrary but this were to deceive my Reader Homes like And with this word only he cannot be willing to content himself but he must strive to confirm it by his false allegations No Artist yet ever undertook to speake of more then the seven Planets and some few nominated fixed stars of some few several magnitudes with what slight expressions are these his scandalous allegations vented Looke Ptolomeus Copernicus c. when it is clear and apparent to the world that all those Stars from the first magnitude down to the sixth magnitude and even to the cloudy and occult Stars as they call them are made clear unto us and the whole world And for their natures looke Ptolomy 1. Quadripartite Cap. 8. Stadius Sconerus and Lucas Gauricus whose works are so apparently extant and yet so openly traduced and scandalized what will he not then indeavour to hide that is not so apparent he doth not onely deny here neither so apparent a truth but affirmeth as palpable an untruth in his very next words they leave out saith he or are ignorant of millions of Stars that are neither named nor known What non-sense simplicity doth this his hatred aganist Astrologie cause him to be guilty of I would very fain know how he came to know these millions of Stars that he saith were never yet knowne or named he knowes that that was never knowne sure he did not learn this great skill in Bredstreet truly these ridiculous whimsies makes me beleeve he is not well in his senses since he was in the street aforesaid and causes me also extreamly to Pitty the poore Pastor Thirdly Thousands of Stars cannot be so much as seene a minute together as the Philosophers confesse in their discourse of Via lactea the milkie way in the heavens to be seene in a most starry night especially in Winter Before he was up with his millions now he is come down to his thousands I am confident at the last he wil descend to his unites yet
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