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To the Reader.
I Know no great reason any hath to trifle out much time in admiration, that I peep out in print in this nature, I account it as lawful for me as for another, and for a third, as for me; and for any that can as wel as any of us all: let time witness whether my Predictions be true or false, mean season wise men will suspend, and the vain glorious only carp: I am not sen∣sible I have given just occasion of offence to any body, I was born a Gentleman, and brought up a Scholler, I hate a Sycophantick course of life, or to flatter any body, and can patiently pass by the Scandals cast upon me by such who keep Mendacium as a constant page to their tongues, I am sorry wise men should be so credulous to beleeve things they know no more of then I know what language is spoken in the Moon.
The Planets places did then Aspects are calculated for the Meridian of London, there is no harm in that; There is such dif∣ference amongst Ancient writers in this art, (almost as much as is between Episcopales, Presbyterians, and Independants) about the General Figure of the world, which I take to be the reason of their difference in calculating the Planets places, Ptolomy held his own, Copernicus derides and detrudes him, and sets up ano∣other, Ticho had a third, and Argol a fourth. I hold to Coper∣nicus as the truest, quot homines tot sententiae, and I durst, (si utriusque disceptator aequus adesset) maintain in dispute.
I give my reasons for most of my Predictions, and if any ask the reason why I do not always tell them, the reason is want of paper, not of good will, let young Students heed what I have written if they prove true, they may know how to do the like, if not true, they may know how to avoyd my errors; I scorn to assume any bodyes name to my writings, much more to fetch one from Utopia, or to write any thing that I am afraid or ashamed to set my own to, therefore take notice that the Author of the book is called
August 3. 1650
Nich. Culpeper.