The French academie Fully discoursed and finished in foure bookes. 1. Institution of manners and callings of all estates. 2. Concerning the soule and body of man. 3. A notable description of the whole world, &c. 4. Christian philosophie, instructing the true and onely meanes to eternall life. This fourth part neuer before published in English. All written by the first author, Peter de la Primaudaye, Esquire, Lord of Barre, Chauncellour, and Steward of the French Kings house.

Of the Planet Saturne, and how it is nor euill, not any other starre. Chapter. 30.

AMANA.

VVE shall doe very well, if keeping our selues from the superstition and curiositie, which misguideth many in the study of iudiciall Astrolo∣gie and Diuination, wee stay ourselues in the most simple and most certaine Astronomie, which the spirit of God teacheth vs by creation of the world: that is, to contemplate the creator by his works. For so should we become good Astronomers and Christian Astrolo∣gers, if (I say) contemplating the heauens, and all the ornament of them, we propose them vnto vs, as vniuersall preachers of the glory of the Soueraigne, and consider them as the high workes of his hands, as the Psalmist doth exhort vs. And so by creation of the Sunne, Moone, Stars, and other celestiall bodies, we shall learne to meditate, what light there is in * 1.1 him, who dwelleth in the inaccessible brightnes, and which is the father and fountaine of all lights, as also, what good wee are to hope for him. For by that good, which the corpo∣rall light bringeth vnto vs, for our bodies; and the Sunne, Moone and Starrs, for the life of men, we may somewhat iudge, what felicitie is prepared by the Diuine and spirituall light * 1.2 for our soules, and by God our Creator, in whom it abideth: beeing a sure meanes not to feare the signes of heauen, nor the constellations and aspects of the starres, wherewith ma∣ny do so menace men, as if in heauen, as in a court of tyrants, it were ordained, that so many mischiefes as should happen to the world, should be contriued.

But let those who so charge the starres of crimes, and therefore turne ouer the bookes of Pagan Astrologers, and Atheists, rather then diuine writings, lend a while an eare to some good witnesses, whom they themselues cannot reprooue, and who do euen praise the pla∣net of Saturne, the malice of whom wee haue heard to be so great. Behold then first of all, how the prince of the Astronomicall doctrine deposeth and testifieth concerning this pla∣net in these termes: [If Saturne be onely signifier in the estate of the minde, and Lord of the place of Mercurie, and of the moone, and blaseth towards the corners of the world good * 1.3 aspects and beames; the child shall be a louer of good things, of great and firme counsell, and a searcher out of secret things and diuine.] Likewise Iulius Firmicus adorning this pla∣net with many great praises, saith, that from his vertue proceedeth a quicke and subtile spirit in the deliberation of affaires, a certaine word, a stable amitie, a long foresight, and a roiall counsell. There be also many moderne Astronomers, who say of the same Saturne. That euen as the common and ciuill life is designed by Iupiter, so likewise the solitary and diuine life is appropriated to Saturne: Yea the ancient Philosophers and Poets haue sung that he is most good, and that the golden world did passe vnder him: fayning that Iupiter did afterward vsurpe the kingdome, hauing chased out Saturne, and that then beganne the siluerage. And let vs note in regard of the most famous Poets amongst the ancients, * 1.4 that they haue by their writings penetrated into the most profound cabinets of nature, and approched the secrets of the diuine thought. For they sung not i••sts (as some hold) which the old Fathers would not mention to their little childen: but they haue beene acknow∣ledged of the Sages for great Diuines, who hid the mysteries both of the one and other nature vnder the vaile of fables, and for this cause are they celebrated of such as vnder∣stand well their doctine. That it is so, Aristotle doth plainely manifest, in that hee confir∣me in great points of Phylosophy by the testimony of Simenides, and of Homer. And ••••estians the muentor of the new Academie, ascribed so much honour to Homer, that hee neuer went to bedde, but hee read some of his verses first, and said likewise in the day time.

that hee might haue more leasure to reade (that hee went to his beloued. Anaxagoras also, yea and our Basil with laud admire the excellent vertue in the writings of this Greeke Po∣et. And how many bee there likewise who esteeme Virgil the imitator of Homer, for a Doctour in all naturall and mortall Philosophie? For many referre all that, which hee hath fained, to an allegoricall sense. Eucretius also entreateth of all the precepts of Phi∣losophy in verse. And Orphaeus singeth more loftily then humane knowledge can extend to, the mysteries of Theologie and of the sacred ceremonies, which hee had learned out of holy letters, as himselfe confesseth. Ouid likewise hath couered many of the secrets of Pythagoras, and of the creation, and disposition of the Vniuers, in his Metamorpho∣sis: but because hee depraueth them with too lasciuious a discourse, he loseth very much of their dignity. Wherein hee hath beene imitated of many other Poets, as in this our * 1.5 age, wherein there are very many, who doe the office rather of bauds, then of the true children of the chase Muses, because they delight to weaue poisoning sense in the webbe of their faire words. Such indeede Plato commaunded to be chased out of the common¦wealth. But to returne to our purpose; it is most euident that these auncient Poets, great Philosophers and Diuines,, doe testifie that Saturne is an happy and willing Planet. And in so much as they accuse him for deuouring all his children, except fowre, they themselues interprete that of Time, by which indeed hee consumeth all things, except the fowre elements, which still remaine, because that out of them, and into them all nature is chan∣ged. And thereof it commeth, that they so call them, to witte, the fire Iupiter, the aire Iuno; the water Neptune, and the earth Plato. Moreouer if wee will in excuse of Saturne, consider the cause of the malice, which commonly Astronomers attribute vnto him; it is certaine, that the euils wherewith they accuse him proceed from his cold and dry nature, * 1.6 by which he seemeth to fauour melancholie, whose property is to oppresse and stoppe the desiring power and naturall loue, whose seat is hotte and moist. And in that they se∣parate Saturne from humane society, wee must vnderstand, that this is not the planet which properly they meane, but rather the childe disposed to such complexion and disposi¦tion, partly through the influence of the starres, partly through his birth and seede of the parents, or the place of his generation, or of his foode, and partly also through the disposition which hee may gette by nurture and manners: and especially if the said planet ruling in the natiuity of the child, it be inuaded with the drines of Mars, and coldnes of the Moone. But yet one may correct euery such euill influence. For the child increasing * 1.7 in yeeres and iudgement may addict himselfe to study and contemplation of high and di∣uine things, which are the delights of him, who leadeth a solitary life: and doubtles he shall perceiue that Saturne is not euill, but doth rather fauour him with a good influence. And if any find himselfe heauy by reason of his Saturnine complexion, let him meditate on that which is written, [Blessed are they which mourne,] if he be pensiue or silent, let him hearkē to that which is saide, [Mary hath chosen the good part:] if he haue desire to store vp ri∣ches, let him lay vp in heauen. For so may he easily correct euery euill inclination, which * 1.8 he shall naturally haue. And as much may we speake of him who shall be stirred vp with the inflammation of Mars. For if the Martial choler maketh him hasty, and subiect to anger, let him not vse it against the poore and little ones, but to repressevices. For as golden Chryso∣stome saith, [Where there is no wrath nor indignation, there science profiteth nothing, the iudgements are not constant, & crimes are not corrected.] Let then wars, murders, boldnes, magnanimity, spoiles, captiuities, flights, violences, and such like bee exercised a∣gainst the enemies of God, and for the publike peace: and then this Mars will not be euill, but rather numbred amongst the saints and seruants of God, with Phinaeas sonne of Eleasar, commended for his zeale, and with Dauid who fought the battels of the Almighty. But if among Warriours there happen deceit, periurie, fraudes, temeritie, furie, man slaughters, thefts, and such mischiefes; all this commeth to passe, because the rule of reason is bro¦ken. * 1.9 And then this gate being open, the winds of passions whiske out, and blow violent∣ly, like a great tempest. But so long as they remaine vnder the commandement of Eolus, to wit, so long as reason duly gouerneth; euery violent motion proceeding from Martiall choller, is easily moderated, and turneth to profit. The like must be iudged of Venus, who is said to induce men to a lustfull and lasciuious desire. For if we gouerne well the concu∣piscence or appetite heated by this planet, the Sunne and Mars, thereto ministring feruor; thereupon would ensue a good loue in flamed towards God and our neighbour. So

then wee may conclude our speech, that men doe wrongfully complaine of their nature or the influence of the starres, when they should rather accuse the peruersenesse of their ill inclined will, which causeth their voluntarie sinne, as in the second part of our Aca∣demie wee haue related. But this will bee more cleere vnto vs, if we consider how the stars worke in man, not in constraining, but disposing: which (ARAM) shall bee the subiect of your speech.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 8. and 19
• * 1.2

  A good and true vse of Astonomy.
• * 1.3

  Ptol. in 3 Apotel. How the pla∣net Saturne is good.
• * 1.4

  Praise of an∣cient Poets.
• * 1.5

  Against the poets of this age.
• * 1.6

  From whence the euils ••oe proceede, which are at∣tributed to Saturne.
• * 1.7

  The meanes to correct all euill influen∣ces.
• * 1.8

  Matth. 5.
• * 1.9

  Numb 25.