Blagraves astrological practice of physick discovering the true way to cure all kinds of diseases and infirmities ... being performed by such herbs and plants which grow within our own nation ... : also a discovery of some notable phylosophical secrets worthy our knowledge, relating to a discovery of all kinds of evils, whether natural or ... from sorcery or witchcraft, or by being possessed of an evil spirit, directing how to cast forth the said evil spirit out of any one which is possessed, with sundry examples thereof / by Joseph Blagrave of Reading, Gent. ...

To the Right Worshipful Sr. John Davis Knight, one of his Majesties Deput. Leift. and Justice of Peace for the County of B.

Right Worshipful,

HAving for many years past had the happiness to be acquainted with your Worship, and having ever found seated in your most Worthy Person, those most ex∣cellent guifts of Knowledge, both in Divine and Moral things; but most especially, that most excellent guift and noble quality of Affability, being a vertue of the greatest Demonstration of true Generosity. We find it Recorded, that this noble Vertue did abound with Anto∣nius the Emperour (called for his wisdom the Philosopher) who would permit the meanest of his Subjects to come un∣to his presence and to converse with him; for which qua∣lity, he was ever held in high esteem, and well beloved: but on the contrary, such who have abandoned this vertue, ill have befell them: I shall instance one Example hereof, In Julius Caesar who so long as he continued affable and loving unto his Subjects they intirely loved him; but when once he lest off this vertue, and fell into pride, they quickly forsook him, altering their good affection of love unto disdain; and shortly after conspired his Death: and would he but have vouchsafed to have read a Note which a me in person delivered him when he went to the Senate, he might for that time have saved his life, there being writ∣ten in it, the whole discovery of the Plot. Sir, I needed not to have mentioned these things, presuming your Wor∣ship is sufficiently acquainted therewith already, as hav∣ing read these Moral Vertues, and Vices: not only in Antonius, and Julius Caesar, but also in many others. Sir, I want words to express the love and good affection I did always bear unto your Worthy Person; having ever found you to be a true lover of such, who were studious in all lawful Arts and Sciences. That which I here pre∣sent

your Worship withal, is not only Astrology, which is the first and chiefest of all Liberal Arts and Sciences; but also the true Astrological way of my many years practice in Physick; for without knowledge in Astrology, it's impossible to be either a Phylosopher or good Physici∣an, for hath the Theory and Practick thereof is derived from Astrology. In all Ages Astrology was ever held in high esteem; the knowledge whereof (as testi••ieth Jose∣phus) was taught by God himself unto Adam, and from him, unto Posterity; this worthy Author further saith, that he saw the Art of Astrology graven in Stone in Assyria, done by Seth before the Flood: also those Magi∣cians or Wisemen which came to worship Christ, were great Astrologers, without question (next unto Divinity; its the most excellent study in the World; for those who are but me only read in this Art, must needs know, that a mighty and powerful hand hath wrought those wonders which ••••••••is••••••y ••••en in the Heavens, as the Sun, Moon, Stars, and P••ane••s with their M••••ions and powerful Ap∣p••ri••ians upon all su••••una••y C••••••ure••. Sir, I know I need an Arguments to perswade you unto the lawfulness o•• excel e••••y of this worthy Science, well knowing, that your Worship, as I have already declared, was ever a true 〈◊〉〈◊〉 th••re••f: I question not, but that when you have read once ••h••se my Labours, you will not only be the more con∣firmed in your good ••pinion hereof, but also find somewhat ••e••••in which may increase your knowledge in these secret Mysteries. Sir, may these my Writings prove accepta∣ble unto your most Worthy hands, I have obtained the end of my 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which was in some measure to Demonstrate the great affection which I did always bear unto your most Worthy Person, and shall ever remain,

Your Worships Servant to Command Jos. Blagrave.