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JANUARY, 1651.
NOw Mars hath newly left the Square of Saturn, and his Square to the place he was in at the Conjunction; now Mars marches through the Ninth House of the Conjunction of Saturn and Iupiter, it is something strange that so many Influences should threaten the Clergy; who knows but that is the reason they rail so at Astro∣logy? we use to do so when we were School-boyes against those that told tales of us. The propinquity of this Month to the for∣mer or latter of the last year (if you will conclude the year at Christmass, which perhaps was first invented because they would end it merrily) is such, that this Month cannot chuse but partici∣pate of the evil Influence of the former; I find Mars in his de∣triment, though with Spica Virginis, a benevolent fixed Star, as if some honest minded People should labor to pacifie his fury; but he is in the Ninth of the Conjunction of Saturn and Iupi∣ter, in the Twelfth of the Conjunction of himself and Saturn, in the Seventh of the inition of this present Parliament, as if the Clergy should go about to Oppose the State; nay, to set the World together by the ears: Oh Heavens! What the Pigmies assault Hercules again! Learn your duty (Clergy) from an A∣strologer, it is not allotted you to be Statesmen, your Office is to teach Jesus Christ, and he was, he is the Prince of Peace, your Commission reaches no further, if you go beyond your Com∣mission, look to suffer for breach of it; if you be pressed in Spirit, then teach that Jesus is THE Christ, meddle with your Charge, but 'twas the Costome of your Fathers before you, go on in your Sins, they will be the sooner full, and your Judgment the sooner come; beleeve me, the time hastens when People will be Priest-ridden no longer.
I had forgotten that the last Month threatens great Dissention in Scotland, great ones against great ones: Do! fall out, and Fight to, it shall not trouble me.