Astro-meteorologica, or, Aphorisms and discourses of the bodies cœlestial, their natures and influences discovered from the variety of the alterations of the air ... and other secrets of nature / collected from the observation at leisure times, of above thirty years, by J. Goad.

Terrae Motus, & Vulcano's, or Fiery Meteors.

§ 71. We join them together because of their known Affinity, as hath been said, whether they belong to ☌ or ☍. And let no man think we have Earthquakes to present every New-Year, as every New year, almost, hath its Distemper. Nay, God be thanked, Earthquakes grow not so common; neither can they be expected here under this Aspect (which re∣turns between ☌ and ☍ in their Partile Acme) but every 10 year. They which will hear more of these Dire Agitations of the Earth, must re∣turn to ♄ and ♂—♃ and ♂,—which have their special Table of such great Accidents, where ♄ and ♃ stand unconcern'd oft-times, as to their ☌ or ☍.

§ 72. They, who will create to themselves an Awful Idea of this matter, which we labour to beget in our Celestial Theorist, may be pleased to mind these great Effects, and shew them to the next concourse of People, like Monsters fetch'd from the further parts of the Earth for our Admi∣ration. Nothing so dire is there, which doth not by frequency become Familiar, and carelesly regarded, by a Reader especially. Though we therefore present but one Species here, yet, if the Grand Effects be but mixed I say, and consider'd together, an Earthquake here, an Inundation there, a Pestilence yonder, a Hurricane elsewhere, and some more fright∣ful Appearances; all taking their Essence and Existence from the Cele∣stial Influence, especially our Superiours, ♄ and ♂—♃ and ♂—♄ and ♃, whose very Names we repeat with some Awe, as they bear Relation to the Glorious God, we may possibly think with the Christian Astrolo∣ger, that they are indeed, great Names, answerable to their Stupendious Bulk and Influence. I have heretofore hinted thus much, and I love it: ♄ is agreed to be the high Planet of the VII. Consider him not, I be∣seech you, according to his simple Character of a Sicle [♄] for what is he

then but a Fiction? which according to the dead Description of an Old decrepit Greybeard, is innocent, because of his Weakness and Distance. For I do not find but his Distance argues his Greatness, his Exaltation ra∣ther than Remove, as Potent as if he were nearer the Heavens, the fur∣ther he lyes from us. And of great Influence upon Earthquakes, even without ♃ Aspected.—♄ and ☉ I cannot but observe do shew How weak the Globe of the Earth is in their Hands, at least, as to its parts, whether One or both can turn the Earth round by its Beams, as the Co∣pernican teacher, I cannot say, but the parts of the Earth are in the Pow∣er of the Sun, &c. and ♄ too, to move and shake, and shog them at their Pleasure.

• § 73. Begin we then with a Vulcana, Ternate Island is such, A^o 1511. It Flames often, Purch. p. 168. 182. We find □ ♄ ♃, but This is but a Trine.
• 1516. Earthquake is noted with a Comet, Rockenbach. Now if it hap∣pened in the first IV. Months of the year, we have ♄ and ♃ (the excess allowed) to answer it.
• 1523. Earthquake in Autumne, after a Comet again, and a washing Sum∣mer. Lycosth, ☌ in ♒ fine, ♓ princ.
• 1533. Nov. 26. The River Sitter damm'd up by the Fall of a Moun∣tain into the Stream, ☍ in Tro∣pick Signs.
• 1536. Aetna flamed a whole year. Chronol. Account in the Transa∣ctions, Vol. 4. 968. ♄ ♃ in ♌ ♓ for January and February, continu∣ed by ♄ and ♂, Lyc. notes it on April 1.
• 1538. Sept. 27, 28, 29. Terrible Tu∣mours of the Earth, Fires break forth near Averno in Italy. But this is a □ in Cardinal Signs.
• 1542. After ☌ ♄ ♂, saith Eichstad, T. M. at Constantinople. The ☌ was double; the First at Februa∣ary's beginning, the Last at the end of May. Both in ♏. If the T. M. happened in September; yea, if after June, as it seems not much sooner by Eichstad's Words, Post Conjunctionem. We can pro∣duce ☍ ♄ ♃ with, or without Allowance.
• 1552. Sept. 16. Basil shook a little, hora 6. P. M. Lycost. ☍ in ♌ and ♒.
• Eodem Anno, In Misnia, and other places in Germany, Idem.
• Before this, April 20. The Tract of German Hills call'd the Sudetes, Lycost. With allowance it holds.
• 1553. Aug. 17. Along the River Elbe, a great T. M. falls in the Mouth of a Partile ☍ in ♓ ♍.
• 1554. March 21. Midnight, cum tre∣more mugitus ingens, ac velut ahe∣neus clangor multorum Curruum, qui concitato agmine preterirent, Gem∣ma, 2723.
• Another, March 22. hor. 4. P. M. Bic validè subsiliente Solo.
• A Third, stronger yet, April 30. hor. 5. P. M. At Lovain All three. All the Planets (as Gemma observes) and I could not but observe, were in the end of ♓, near the Equinox, and ♃ in the ☍. That we regard at present, is only our ☍.—And those who have a kindness for the Partile ☍ rather than the Platique, will think it credible, when they shall see the third Earthquake on April 30. to happen on that nice Point about the end of ♓ and ♍.
• 1563. Jannary 17. At Lovain, an Earthquake, which Gemma says, he foretold, by a long streak un∣der the ☉ on Christmas day, and such like fancies. But I rather should fancy, besides an ☍ of ♃. and ♂ in Tropical Signs, a ☌ of our Superiours in ♊ and ♋, even the same, which about a week before, caused the Hurricane and Lightning in Leicester, as Stow and Hollinshead tell us, overthrew Houses, &c,
• Nov. 29, Midnight, a Light from Hecla; an hour after the whole Island trembled as if it should have been mov'd out of its place. A

• horrible noise of Ordinance, in∣credible, &c. we thought the whole Frame of the World would fall. The Sea went back two Leagues, and remained Dry, Purch. III. 648. ♄ and ♃ (Hear me) are close together, in the beginning of ♌. We have noted elsewhere the Thunders at London of a Fort∣nights continuance, before the Winter Tropick. It may well Thunder in England, if the Earth quake in Island, as we else∣where note. We may see how far Northward the Planets can reach.
• Eodem Anno; The Vulcano in Terra Del Fuego, had like to have burnt all the Iland Land, Hakl. 448. Edit. 2.
• 1564. Aug. 20. About Evening in Sophora, Aliquot oppida cum Pagis vicinis absorpta sunt, adeo ut multa vestigia domorum extent. It lasted from Aug. 20. ad 6. Sept. Garcaeus.
• In the same year in Sclavonia under the Dominion of the Venetians, the City Cataro, June 6. was harrassed Idem. In the former, ♄ and ♃ in ♌, dist. grad. 12. In the Later, in princ. ♌, dist. grad. 6.
• 1569. May 14. Midnight, Lovanii, cum rauco murmure, who adds, that there are Spectres seen wan∣dring in the Air. This is but a □ in ♎ and ♑:
• 1575. Febr. 26. Earthquake at York, Bristol, and Gloucester. Books fell down in Mens Studies; Bells toll'd, and Chimneys fell, Stow. ☍ ♄ ♃ ♐ 10. ♋ 0.
• 1581. April 21. at Angoango. See it before in ♃ and ♂. Yet the two Superiours came under consi∣deration, if our allowance be granted.
• 1582. February 5. T. M. in Persia, ♒ 5. ♃, ♓ 0. ♄.
• Eodem Anno, An Earthquake, over∣threw the whole City of Arequi∣pa, Acosta, apud Purch. III. 941. See before in ♃ ♂.
• 1583. July 30. At Blackmore in Dor∣setshire, 3 Acres removed, Stow. ♒ 27. ♃, ♓ 8. ♄.
• 1601. Aug. 29. St. V. In Germany, Italy, France, Asia, South and North, almost throughout the World. ♃ ☉ in ♍, but ♄ and ♃ are not above 8 gr. in ex∣cess, Keckerm. apud Fromond.
• 1612. Nov. per mensem integrum, T. M. in Westphalia, ☍ in ♓ and ♍, gr. 12. dist. Calvisius tells us of such a Stormy Christmas at Sea, that 60 Vessels perished in one Spanish Port, and above a 1000 Dead Carcases found on Shore. They, who have not the Heart to ask what's the matter: If they will believe in our Aspect, may see God is visible in the Character of Nature.
• 1613. Zant, January 13. an Earth∣quake continued for 5 or 6 days to∣gether, Coriat apud Purch. II. pag. 1811. ☍ in ♍ and ♓, gr. 11. dist. See, I pray, the Celestial Powers, there is but 8 grad. dist. between the last in November, and this in January.
• 1622. April 25. May 5. Terrae fremi∣tus in Narico, when two days be∣fore Pluit in Misnia scrupos Chara∣cteribus Plumatis, Kepl. ad Annum 1622. ♊ 25. ♃, ♋ 16. ♄.
• 1624. March 8. Lincii, Fama fuit de Terrae Motu, ☌ in ♌ gr. 8. dist.
• A^o Eodem, July 19. S. N. Romae, ☌ grad. 12. dist.
• 1615.February 12. St. V. Im Stifft Bamberg ein gross erd-heben, Kyr. Imputed by Kyriander to △ ♄ ♂, &c. All helps. But the two Su∣periours far within 30 grad. A Co∣met preceded in January, as Kep∣ler notes, ad finem Anni.
• 1632. Octob. 7. Vesuvius near Naples flaming, Kyr. Octob. 18, 19, 20. Earthquake, with glowing Winds, most part of the Month, and Rain, ☍ ♃ and ♄ Partile, with the Pleiades. Kyriander has got it by the end, to please himself and Us in declaring the Case; and a man may swear it was the Cause, with∣out danger of Perjury. It is a Noverint universi per presentes, as I use to call it, and a Flourish of an Astrological Character. The

• Transactions taking notice, that Vesuvius burn'd for several years in January 1633. where our ☍ ex∣pires not: see Vol. 4. 968.
• 1634. April 17. St. V. There seems to be an Earthquake (Erdboden) and the ☍ of our Superiours in Tropic Signs, is much concerned.
• 1638. March 17. ad 24. Earthquake in Calabria, and Tempest of Thun∣der all the while. The Like Storms in Nether Saxony, day 5. and else∣where, day 12. I thought fit to mark it upon the account also of the Partile □ of ♄ ♃. Again, Sept. 3. Kyr. Upon the account of the same □ Platick, June 2. ter∣rible T. M. throughout New Eng∣land, Joselin. 'Tis a bold word to say, I would be glad to see, Put all together, a greater Evidence for any Conclusion in Nature.
• 1641. Octob. 16. Stormy Winds and Earthquake, Kyr. refers it to a □ of ♃ with ☉ and ☿ conjoin'd, but our Superiours challenge their □. having but 3 gr. excess.
• 1642. Jan. 27. Tempestuous, and a Specimen of an Earthquake, says Kyr. Our Superiours are got nea∣rer, ♒ 23. ♃, ♓ 12. ♄. Again, March 31. Earthquake in Turino, by the Station of ☿, says Kyr. and an Aspect of ☉ and ♄, but he takes no notice of ☉ and ♀, nor dreams he of our ☌, ♓ 7. ♃, 19. ♄. Again, November 18. Earth∣quake at Francfort on the Maene, with other mischiefs done by Flouds in the same Month. 'Tis an Anticipation, says Kyr. of ♄ and ♃; yea, but he may know, they are but 9 grad. dist.
• 1643. January 20. ad 24. More Earth∣quake, and Earth-break, with mischief up and down, in Kyr. Our Superiours are but 3 gr. dist. but remember 'tis at the end of ♓. Anno Eodem. Sept. 2. ad 8. Earth∣quake again, Kyr. refers it to an ☍ of ♄ ♂—♄ ☿—♄ ☉—♃ ☿. So do we heartily; but we also point to our two Superiours, found both planted in ♈.
• 1644. In March, at Nissa de Provenca, Ein Erd-heben, Kyr. ☌ ♃ ♀, but withal, ♈ 10. ♄, ♉ 0. ♃ with∣in 20 degrees.
• 1658. Great Earthquake in New-England. Note, that if it happe∣ned in the last 6 Months, it found a □ of ♄ and ♃ in ♋ and ♎.
• 1662. Jan. 26. & 28. T. M. in New-Eng∣gland, 6 or 7 times in the space of 3 days, ♏ 13. ♃, ♐ 4. ♄.
• 1663. Several Earthquakes this year in New-England, ☌ ♄ ♃ in ♐.
• 1665. January 19. T. M. near Ox∣ford. Transactions, p. 166. ♑ 4. ♄, ♒ 2. ♃.
• 1668. April 3. T. M. New-England, an exact Quartile of ♄ and ♃.
• 1680. Aug. 3. St. N. T. M. not far from Basil, Gazet of Rotterdam, ♊ 10. ♃, ♋ 17. ♄.
• Aug. 16. Milain, T. M. with Thun∣der and Lightning, wounded Six Persons, and kill'd an hundred. 'Tis ♄ ♂ and ♄ ♃ with excess of 2 degrees.
• 1681. Jan. 3. T. M. at Wells and other parts, with ♄ ☿ Stationary, which is a ♃, or what you please.
• Die 27. T. M. at Basil, the same with February the 8.
• February 3. & 7. T. M. according to expectation. I must not say prediction.
• May 22. T. M. St. Johnstons. Again.
• June 17. Ferraria, T. M. which swal∣lowed up Trees, ♊ 29. ♃, ♋ 23. ♄. But note, that ♄ and ♃ in ♊ and ♋ posited, stands not upon Niceties,; they can speak to one another, as if within Terms.
• Note again, that notwithstanding this and more Evidence that may be brought from the former Centu∣ries, yet the Earthquake which was predicted, and happened accor∣ding to expectation, was not pro∣duced on the account of the Two Superiours, but upon the Order and Position of the whole Septe∣nary, which belongs to after-Spe∣culation.

§ 74. Now let not the World admire and say, that I tell them a great deal of News; I arrogate it not to my self; for so old is this Doctrine,

that the Books are not extant which first taught it the World, as I after es∣pied. And yet All this close observation of Earthquakes in the Tables precedent, especially this Later, may pass with favour, for a piece of a Commentary on that great Naturalist, whose Enquiry into Earthquakes cost him his Life. The Tenents of the Babylonians, saith he, do hold that Earthquakes are caused by the Influence of the Planets, sed illorum Trium, but especially of those Three who are the Procurers of Thunder. Lo you, they are our Three Superiours, Saturn, Jove, and Mars, Lib. 2. cap. 79. What News is it then to tell of Saturn and Jove,—Jove and Mars,—Saturn and Mars? The Planets which the old Babylonians did mean, or they meant nothing. For let any be pleased to survey our Ta∣bles of Earthquakes under Saturn and Mars,—Jove and Mars, laying Pli∣ny before him, he shall forthwith be convinced; and how would he be overwhelmed with Evidence, if we were Masters of so much Chronolo∣gy and Calculation Astronomical, as to name the first Earthquake from the Floud, and assign the Aspect; a Task which I have rendred the more easie, if it were to be expected, by enlarging, or rather vindicating the Dominion of the Aspect, of its own Nature so enlarged.

§ 75. These Earthquakes, says the Naturalist, are made by the presence of the Planets aforesaid with the Sun, or their Conjunction, or if you will, Congruency, because I suppose the Old Babylonians included the Opposition, to which our Tables bear plentiful Testimony. Now This chiefly, saith he, happens Circa quadrata Mundi. A great Note, and means nothing else but the Cardinal Signs near the Tropick and the Equinox. Who would not be proud to redeem such a glorious Truth from the Rub∣bish under which it hath bin buried so many thousand years in the negle∣cted Fields of Antiquity? Hippocrates hath long ago given us the same Note about Sickness and Maladies, which the happy Roman Pen hath pre∣served to us about Earthquakes, and yet We love to be in the dark. Gemma saith the same of some Comets circa Tropos & Equinoctia I. 112. and yet Astro∣logers forsooth speak not a Word of Sense. But to proceed, what he tells us from Aristotle, Earthquakes appear only in Calms, we don't find to be true in our Northern Regions, Germany, and the like. Nearer the Mediterrane∣an, it may be true, with Regard to the Wind, though not with Regard to Lightning; it being agreed on as Pliny states the Question, neque aliud in terreno Tremor quam in Nube Tonitruum. Earthquakes and Thunders are near a Kin. For whereas they take it for certain, that Winds are the Cause of Earthquakes, they must mean Spirits; there is no other way to re∣concile the Antients to Truth. But Pliny tells us further, that Earth∣quakes may be predicted. So they were, by Anaximander and Pherecy∣des. He means Predictions Philosophical, Conjectures taken from some certain Signs, and that, it may be, is easie in places that are Obnoxious thereto. But I don't hear any of his early Chaldeans have foretold it by Astrological Predictions, by Arguments taken from the Cause, though up∣on the Truth of their Principle, they might. He tells us in the next Chap∣ter 80. of the Dire Effects, Throwing down, Swallowing up, Raising Hills, Letting out Streams, Springing of Hot Baths, Retreats of the Ocean; Of which our Tables are not silent, and might have made more Noise; but Then to let pass the admirable account he gives of the se∣veral Noises that are heard, according to the variety of the Event, he tells us that they are felt oftner in the Night time, then in the Day; yet sometimes at Noon. He mentions also Morning and Evenings for Cri∣tical Hours, all which strongly declare a Celestial cause. The Sun I mean, and He, you must know, is never without his Retinue. Consequently, he tells us that Earthquakes happen many times at Eclipses. And have

not we prov'd that the Moon, New and Full, has Influence on Thunders Aethereal, Subterranean, &c. at which Congress, if Eclipses and Earth∣quakes be more noted, by so notable consent of Heaven and Earth, whence the Creator is more Illustrated, I reckon that That Providence hath its End.

§ 76. In the next Chapter 81, he tells us, that at Sea also they are sen∣sible of Earthquakes, that they feel the Stroke. And where is it, that in the Collection of this Table, I meet with a Passage where a Ship in an Earthquake felt such an impulse, that they thought she had struck on ground; but when they heaved the Lead to explore the truth of their Suspicion, the Author says, they found no Bottom, Purch. p. I. p. 105.—How wide, yea, how deep is the Train laid in recesses of the Earth, which shall move a heavy dense Abyss, so quick, that it shall aemulate the hard∣ness of a Rock? What an Eruption would there have been, if it had been in Sicco, on a dry Surface? How strange, yea, how incomprehensi∣ble are the penetrations of the Celestial Influences! He tells us further of a certain Sign in the Air, when a thin Cloud in a Serene Sky shall be stretch'd to a vast space, the very Token by which Gemma predicted an Earthquake, as Fromondus also noteth; Where, though Fromond, per∣haps justly, maketh slight of this Token, yet, this I can say upon Recol∣lection of my self, that I, who perhaps have observed that Token as often as Fromond, do remember that there was more than ordinary to do among the Planets at such appearances, and so they may be reckon'd Signs remote and in-adaequate, as the Eclipses are confess'd to be.

§ 77. In the 82. Chapter, letting pass several Considerations, for we write not a Treatise of this Subject; He tells us an Earthquake may last Forty days, nay some a year, yea two year throughout. The three Pla∣nets that the Chaldeans spoke of, may be twin'd together so long, ♄ and ♃ may, appears by their slow dis-ingagements, and many times by their fresh returns before they are absolutely Dis-engaged.

§ 78. In the 83. Chapter, He tells us of Smoke and Fire starting out be∣tween two Mountains in Mutina, when Martius and Julius were Consuls; manifesting the Kindred between the Flaming, and the Quaking Moun∣tain. See Cap. 88.

§ 79. To proceed, in the next Chapter 84. He informs us of Inundati∣ons and Earthquakes that they go together, even as it may be noted in Ari∣stotle himself, which is no untruth, and may be proved from the Premi∣ses, whether the Inundation be as I may term it, wet or dry, caused by Rain and Wind, or by Spirit and Inflation only, As we have consider'd before, when we treated of the Rarefaction of the Watry Element, which in Flouds join'd with Earthquakes is most certain: and in Flouds in di∣stant Countrys must be presumed in some Proportion, if not from the Heat below, at least by the Heats from above, whence the Sea is allowed to tumefie against every Storm, by the Influence of the ☽, or other Pla∣net.

§ 80. Now, if we may observe here, what also we have before asser∣ted, that Comets go along with those Earthquakes and Inundations, as be∣ing united in a common Efficient, where matter is disposed, though Pliny hath no such Hint, we shall conclude: Only I am sensible that here it will be said, That this is old Stuff; Earthquakes, Inundations, Comets, and Pestilences, I warrant, to make them All hang on a Thread, agrees not with the New Philosophy. I may answer, if it agrees with Proof and Reason, we are well enough. I think I can prove that they hang all in one Thred, Three of them; and for Earthquakes connexion with Pesti∣lences, Fromond himself admits it beyond all doubt or Suspicion. Not

that I believe you know that Earthquakes are the Causes of Pests, but that the Three Superiours, as the Chaldeans have said of Earthquakes, are the Causes, under God, of Epidemical Distempers, Agues, Feavers. Nor will it conclude against this Doctrine,

that sometimes our Earth∣quakes appear without an Inundation; a Comet, without an Earthquake; or Plague, without a Comet, therefore their meeting is Casual;

For ma∣ny things in Nature are not reciprocal, which yet have Connexion one with the other, though the Connexion always appears not. To Instance in nothing but what belongs to our present Discourse, Flaming Eruptions are of kin to Earthquakes, yet not always doth an Earthquake follow. Why not? Why, 'tis obvious to say, and the Answer is good here, All things are not ready, the matter is not prepar'd, &c. much less Vice versa, doth it always Flame when the Earth Trembles; The Reason is, because it cannot break forth, according as before we have Instanced in Light∣ning, and its Consequent, Thunder; Thunder, and its Consequent, Rain. Lightning and Thunders and Rain hang all on a Third, yet it doth not al∣ways Rain when it Thunders, nor, I am sure, always Thunder when it Rains.

§ 81. Now as we have attempted before to shew ♄ or ♃ affected with ♂ to have no benign Influence, upon Health now it may be expected, we should say the same of ♄ and ♃; and verily we must speak as we find, nor is it dissonant from reason, for the Superiors Influence met together, is too unkind and disagreeable, too much disproportion'd to our Nature, our Bodies being nothing in their Hands, like a Venice Glass by a rude touch quickly complains. As the Man, so is his Strength; and the Deduction is Strong. For if ♄ or ♃ united with ♂, the less erratic, can disturb our Frame and Temper; how much more can ♄ and ♃, unquestionably the two vaster Bodies, put us out of order? All Disease is nothing but Disturbance and Distemperature of our Tenour of Life, our Bloud, Spirit and Humour; and I hope we need not beg any Man's Belief of the less Conclusion, when we have demonstrated the greater. Those Planets which we have demonstrated to be Inceendiaries, Perturbers of Heaven and Earth, may, for that while at least, be suspected and presented, for the dis∣turbance of Man an infirm part of the Universe.

§ 82. The best Physitians consent, even those who otherwise are not so Astrologically given, which is a probable Argument of the Truth, when∣soever a Professor is fain to run abroad out of his own Jurisdiction, to give account of what is done at home: Their Eye chiefly, I confess, is upon ♄ and ♂, with reason enough, if the Premises be true: But they do not mean that Configuration in any exclusive Sense. Hippocrates meant All by his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, All that concur to the Character of the Season. Now our Two Superiours are more to be suspected in impoisoning the Fountains, and corrupting our Mass of Bloud, because of their Pertina∣cy and Perseverance, as he that on the Stage hath the longest part', is most concerned in the Plot; the Terms of Duration in ♄ and ♃ are more protracted than any other. ♄ and ♂, by the Repetition of the Aspect, may sometimes disturb the Ambient above a year: ♄ and ♃ by playing fast and loose, seldom disturbs us less than Four or Five; in which space of time, they create such immethodical variety, and inequality in the Air, so alien from the kindly natural State and Season, that our Bodies yield like Flesh fresh and sweet, in a hot Air, and are sensibly exposed to Putrefa∣ction, and That which follows Stench, which is a Token of the Dissolu∣tion, and as it were the Deordination of the Compound: And to make some improvement of This, I reckon that even the Malignity of a Di∣stemper is nothing but the Enmity that takes place in the Compound, when

the curious parts component are at discord, the Mal-Effects of Discord being Infinite. I confirm my self by this Conjecture, that there is such a Proportion between the Live-Flesh, and the Carcase, that as the Faetor or Stench of the one is infectious, and thereupon abominable: Even so is the Effluvium or odour of the Infected Person as malignant and pernicious, though not so obvious to Sense, because the Spirit of Life-Bloud is more Subtile and Minute, than the crasser Spirit of Carcase-Gore. Be it how it will, Astrologers venture sometimes to predict Epidemical Di∣stempers; they venture their Credit too, when they hazen a Good City every foot with some such Nusance; but when they pronounce on the accont of our Aspect, they have sometimes come off with Credit. Co∣mets have been several times predicted, and 'tis owned, by Herlicius Appi∣an, and others. In like manner I remember the Pestilence of 1665. was given notice of by Mr. Edlin in his Astrological. Treatise of our ☌ pre∣ceding. It may be disputed, I confess, whether we had not better be ig∣norant of such a future Evil Day among other Reasons, for that, he that proclaimeth such unwelcom News, will thereby make himself hateful to his Country, as hard-hearted, pityless, if not dealing with Evil Angels, seeing in the Jews Theology They are concerned here, unless perhaps he hear∣tily loves the Publick, and is so obliging, that he counterpoises that Sus∣picion by his known Innocence and Merit. Alass! Is not the Misery, I fear, not so much the Astrologers Skill, as an unwillingness to prepare against an Evil Day, which the best of us, 'tis true, desire to put off. I fear it, I was going to say I know it; for 'tis a clear case, if upon a surprize, we may sometimes, though too late, wish we had foreknown the event: it is Consequent then, that 'tis a desirable Science, that inables us to foreknow. For, put case the Prediction fails, instead of ridiculing the Observation, it might be much better to thank God for his long-sufferance, since what usually hath been, might have been once more, nor was it improbable, howsoever.

§ 83. Here the Astrologers put in their note of Attention to observe which of the Two Planets have Dominion or Elevation one above ano∣ther; for if ♄ have Dominion, say they, then Nothing but Mischief, if ♃, the contrary, or something better. And when Haly, or who is it? defines one way of Dominion over the other to be, when a Planet shall be on this side the Medium Caeli, or nearer to the West, (and so Cardan in Ptol. Lab. III. Cap. 14.) while the other is under the Earth. I must own thus far, that there is some difference between a Planets Application to, or the Separation from another, as to the State of the Air; Every Agent being more fortified in the Augmentation of its Force then in its Dimi∣nution, though alike gradual. But for Sickly Times I don't find, that as many Distempers, or to speak plain, Pestilences, succeed the Aspect as go before it. How it is in the Arabian, or other Climes, I know not; but consulting Escuids Table, which is the Compend of Albumazar, I find Erit Mors inter homines, when our Aspect haps in ♌ under ♄'s Domini∣on; and the same Mors multorum Hominum with greater Men, when ♃ has the Dominion. Cardan bids us enquire into Eclipses, two years be∣fore, or a little more. Nay he will give us an Example of a great Pesti∣lence at Milain, A^o 1524. which followed the Eclipse in Aug. A^o 1523. I turn to the year 1524. and there I find another cruel Cause of a terrible Pestilence, what d'ye think? Our very ☌ of ♄ and ♃. He tells us of ☿ with ☉, unfortunate in the ☍ of the ☽, &c. and ♂ respecting ♄ and ☿ from ♏. I tell him Frustra fit per plura, even if what be said were all unquestionable.

§ 84. For our Evidence we will not vapour and run back to the Incar∣nation, as we seem'd to do in the Comet, which method indeed was only

a Mercurial Finger, if any shall delight to Travel on the like Design. We will come nearer Home, and content our selves with the beginning of the former Century, where the first ☌ which appears compleat, is found in ♋ 20. June, A^o 1504. what Sickness do's attend, Gemma answers, for Brussels, Pestis Virulenta, A^o 1502. Again, A^o 1505. in Flanders, Gem. 2. 249. and our Sweating Sickness the second time in London, A^o 1506. saith Stow. Note that in June 1502. ♄ and ♃ are both in ♊, in 1505. both in ♌, in 1506. within Terms. This for the first.

1. The Second Congress of our Superiours after 20 years past in the year 1524. ♓ 10. for the year 1524. we may remember, Honest Cardan has furnished us with one example from Milain; and before that, A^o 1522. Kircher informs us of a cruel Pestilence at Rome, our Planets being with∣in Terms in April at least, and October, which instance being far from So∣litary, gives us just Cause to suspect that the Vicinity of ♄ and ♃, even beyond the Tedder of 30 gr. is of dangerous signification, which is confir∣med presently from the Winter Mortality noted in London, A^o 1525. where our Planets are 10 degrees distance, but secretly link'd together by their mutual Approaches to the Equinox, even on ♃'s part, not here to be treated of.

2. The third meeting of ♄ and ♃ in September, A^o 1544. about ♏ 27. Here is Pestilence at London again in the Month of July, as Stow informs, our Planets within 20. degr. distance.

3. The next meeting is found in the end of ♋, Aug. 1563. In the year 1562. a Strange Murrain of Cattle, says Gemma; This was in the beginning of the year, and our Planets were out of Bounds; only in Oct. I find a note of Variolae & Morbilli, Small-Pox, &c. with another Mur∣rain, it should seem. But in A^o 1563. a great Plague in Germany, saith Untzer, our City of London not escaping that time. Add A^o 1564. Pe∣stilence at Brussels, says Gemma, at the end of the year, Yea, A^o 1566. the Strange Plague in Hungary within the Terms of our Planets, or not a∣bove 4 degrees excess.

4. The Fifth ☌ happens about ♓ 20. April, 1583. and we meet with a new Disease at Lunenburg (July 1581.) as Dimerbrock informs us. Now though the time of the year does but border upon our Aspect, and ♄ and ♂ answer for the Distemper, yet we have said that even bordering years are dangerous upon the account, that though our Planets be without their Bounds or Limits, yet they may be fetch'd to life again (as it were) by a Third Planet stepping in between the Extreams, and a good shift too, as we see practised before, § 14. of this Chapter; for verily both ☿ and ♀ from the opposite Quarters do so face ♄ and ♃, that they unite them for the present, and force their Contribution to the mischief. This I do not mention for lack of Instances for we find a furious Pestilence in 1584. but because I see 'tis of great concern in my Judgement to solve the ap∣pearances often occurring.

5. The 6th. ☌ happens about Christmas, A^o 1603. in ♐ 10. And here we meet with a Pestilence in London, as it pleased God so to order it in the first year of K. James, the first of that Name; any one may see it was our two Planets ♄ and ♃, in the hand of the great God (unless all we have said hitherto is Vanity) by the New Star, and the Frost that followed the year ensuing, proper Attendants on our Aspect, which, I hope, we have made out; and can further evince it by running back into past Centuries; yea, or Chiliads of time. Note here again, A^o 1604. while London was clear, (saith Stow) other Cities, Villages and Towns Corporate were extreamly visited.

6. Go we now to the year 1623. and observe the Congress in the be∣ginning of ♌, in the Month of July. Threescore years ago is within Memory, when our City smarted under the farewell of our Planets in ♍. We know to what great purpose we have before observed, the Equi∣noctial ☍ of ♃ and ♂ in the hottest time of this Visitation; but we are not bound therefore to put out our Eyes, or say we do not see, that this grand Fatal ☌, or Positure of the two Supreams by commission from Heaven, doth conspire with the like fatal Positure of the Third Superi∣our. We will not anotomize the year, but we may discover the Foot∣steps of our Aspect by the Droughty Summer noted in New England, A^o 1623. Purch. IV. 1866. by the Fire-ball that was seen all Germany over. By other Meteors, mention'd also by Kepler, A^o 1624. not to for∣get the Maculae Solares which Hevelius has left upon Record were more frequent in that year, than ever any he met with.

7. All this while we forget the ☍ of ♄ and ♃, at Midsummer, 1513. in the beginning of ♏ and ♉, at what time England labour'd with its Metropolis, says Mr. Stow. We take no notice of those Distempers men∣tion'd by Fracastorius, A^o 1511. or that strange Murrain mention'd by Fernelius, Quae Solas Feles corripuit.

8. In the next ☍, we find Pestilence in France, A^o 1534. mention'd by Valeriola apud Dimerbrock.

9. The next ☍ we hear not of. But that of 1573. before Midsummer, in ♏ and ♉; Gemma will tell us, for his Country, lasted two year, A^o 73. & 74. the cure of which he discourses. And may we not say the New Star in Cassiopeia is a Concomitant of this ☍? Yes, even as the New one in Serpentarius was of the ☌.

10. We shall name but one ☍ more in the 36th. year of Q. Elizabeth, A^o 1593. which is acknowledged for a Pestilential year in this City.

§ 85. Well, it seems our Aspect may be Pestiferous with the help of his Neighbours; It may be enquired whether without his Fellow-Mar∣tial-Aspects, I fear we shall find it absolutely so; Let the Reader Judge. Some Pestilential or Sickly Years seem for a while to appear when ♂ is conjoined with neither. As perhaps, A^o 1502. when a Pestilence raged at Bruxels, and 500 perished in a Day: the ☌ of ♄ and ♂ fell off be∣times, viz. in the Month of May, before probably the Pestilence began: But behold we see a ☌ of ♄ and ♃ then enters; so there is a ☌ ♄ and ♂ preceding, and ☌ ♄ ♃ following, A^o 1505. ♄ and ♃ preceding; ♄ and ♂ come not in till the end of August. A^o 1543. an ☍ ♄ ♂ pre∣vails, and falls off in May, but ♄ and ♃ hold their own. To speak therefore as I find, seeing 'tis rare to find a ☌ or ☍ of ♄ ♃, without such an Aspect of ♄ and ♂, We may not possibly pronounce upon the whole year, without reckoning in the Martial Aspects, which if they precede, may dispose or co-operate to the common Nusance; The ☌ of ♄ and ♂ in a Spring, yea, or Winter Month (February suppose) may alter the matter, and corrupt it, followed by an Aspect of ♄ and ♃. How much more when they are Plaited and Breaded together in the same Twine, and at the same Hour, as it oft-times happens.

§ 86. 'Tis easie to note, that we may proceed in the same Method in the ☍; 'tis enough we have pointed at it; but for Brevities sake we ab∣stain, as we do much against our Will; Concerning Agues, Fluxes, Small-Pox, Scurveys, which are taken at Home and Abroad, by Sea or by Land, when the greater Plagnes don't appear. 'Tis long ago, I remember it still, when in a Droughty January and February, the Small Pox was rife in the County of Oxford; it came into my fansie the ☍ ♄ and ♃ compleat in February, might be the under-Cause, reasonably imputing the unseaso∣nablenss of the Weather to have Influence upon the Malady, and casting

about me, I suspected the Planetary ☍ to be the Cause of the Dry Constitution; then which nothing is more certain, whether we repect Drought, or Malady.

§ 87. If then, what between the ☌ and ☍, we should find every XXth. Year more or less, should prove with us in England, (if not Pestilential) yet a Sickly Year, & vice versa: Then I say, we should believe in Astro∣logy. Nay, God forbid we should have such Cogent Commanding Evi∣dence: for then it were as certain as a Mathematical Principle. But what if our Evidence Flutter near such a place, shall we not think it hath a Nest thereabout? Try we our Home-Spun Annals from the beginning of the Last Century, and let us visit the ☌ and ☍, that we may see how they stand affected to us English. They are unkind at the best, but let us believe in our Principle no further then we find.

The ☌

• § 88. First then, A^o 1504. ♋ 20. in June, our Planets meet in ♋ 2. the year 1503. was a Dry Sum∣mer, saith Stow. No Rain nota∣ble from Whitsontide to our Lady-Day in September. And A^o 1506. before Planets are gotten clear off, the Sweating Sickness as∣saulted us a second time.
• 1523. Next, A^o 1524. in ♓ 10. in February. Now A^o 1521. was a great Mortality in London, and other places of the Realm, beside a Dearth. This is on one side of the ☌, and again on the other side, A^o 1525. Those two Years were very Sickly, so that Micha∣elmas Term was adjourned, and the Christmas kept in the Countrey.
• 1544. Third, A^o 1544. in Sept. ♏ 28. A great Pestilence at London, whereby Michaelmas Term was adjourned to St. Albans this very year.
• 1563. Fourth, A^o 1563. in ♋ 28. Plague and Pestilence, first at New-haven, and then after in Lon∣don, of which Dyed 23372. where∣of of the Plague 17404. this ve∣ry year, Stow.
• 1583. Fifth, A^o 1583. April, in ♓ 21. The year 1582. brought forth a Comet, May 15. The Year 1583. Earthquake in Dorsetshire; and if none with us, it brought a Plague elsewhere, and that a furious one.

The ☍.

• 1513. So A^o 1513. the ☍ in June, in ♏ and ♉ 7. A Great Morta∣lity of Pestilence is noted in Eng∣land, and about London especial∣ly, the very same year wherein the ☍ happened. It may be to some purpose to note the Drought.

☍ in Febr. ♑ ♋ 21.

• A^o 1534. No News with us of Sickness; howbeit, for the As∣pects sake, we must note that o∣ther places saw Comets, and Earthquake.
• A^o 1554. ☍ in July, ♓ ♍ 29. Now A^o 1551. (a matter of a year before, as we observed the same distance in the Conjunction, A^o 1523.) Sweating Sickness in the North parts of England, and London. On the 12th. of July it was vehe∣ment, it kill'd in 24 Hours, or less. Note, that the Comet in 1556. appear'd within the Verge of this ☍.
• A^o 1573. ☍ in June, ♏ ♉ 22. Earth∣quakes. A^o 1571. & 1575. a New Star. A^o 1572. with a Great Win∣ter, and Dearth, Heavens burning twice. As it brought forth all these, so no Plague did we hear of.
• A^o 1593. ☍ in May, ♑ ♋ 22. Plague in London, of which seve∣ral Aldermen are noted to have dyed. Of all Diseases, 17193. of the Plague, 10695.
• ...

• 1603. Sixth, A^o 1603. Decemb. ☌ in ♐ 9. Another New Star; Pestilence in London, whereof in One Week, in July, Dyed 857. of all Diseases, 1103. This was but one Week. Nor was 1604. quite free; for in that year Dyed of the Plague 896. Plague also noted in Ostend, &c. 1603.
• 1623. Seaventh, ☌ in ♌ 6. A^o 1623. The great Plague Year within remembrance, whereof Dyed about 3000 in one Week in August, viz. from the 11th. to the 18th. Preceded, A^o 1621. & 1622. with a great Frost.
• 1643. Eight, A^o 1643. February, ♓ 25. Now in 1642. Dyed of the Plague 1824. And in 1643. 996.
• 1663. Ninth, A^o 1663. October, ☌ in ♐ 13. This Year, and the fol∣lowing were, as to London Heal∣thy; but abroad not. Several Comets appeared in, and before 1665. at the mention of which we tremble. And though it may be pleaded our Aspect was dissol∣ved, yet it was no wide Dissolu∣tion, at the Heighth not above 9 degrees expired: so true is my suspicion of an Enlargement of their Boundary. Note, Small Pox, Jan. 1664. and Meazles. rife in March following.
• 1682. Tenth, A^o 1682. in October, in ♌ 19. ☌. The year 1681. was none of the Healthfullest. I will not dispute, there was some Pesti∣lence; but without dispute the Sums of 400. 500. yea, 600. per Week, are not desirable Sums. Surely from May to September there past not a Week under 400.
• A^o 1613. ☍ ♓ ♍ 12. Sept. and A^o 1612. ♓ ♍ 28. August; the years were clear of the Plague, as by Bell's Account appeareth. Inun∣dations we meet with 1612. in the Later Part of the Year, but the Summer Dry, and little Hay. Inundations again, 1613.
• 1633. The ☍ in ♐ and ♊ 7. A^o 1633. Maio mense, all clear till 1636. and that comes not within our Verge. It belongs (to admi∣ration) to ♃ ♀; their Motion, and height of the Sickness consider'd.
• 1653. July, ♌ ♒ 14. Droughty Febr. I remember, and a Sickly Season in the Country, as is else-where noted. The year was in∣troduc'd by a Comet at the end of 1652.
• A^o 1673. ☍ in ♈ and ♎ 15. Aug. This year goes for a Healthy year, but in all its Parts I find it other∣wise, for the Spring complained;
• Jan. 27. 354.
• Febr. 3. 418.
• 10. 430.
• 17. 537.
• 24. 510.
• March 10. 688.
• 17. 695.
• 24. 568.
• Mar. 3. 547.
• The Sums are high in February and March; our Two Planets were opposed near the Equator. So those Months were sickly, though the year was well, God be thank'd.

This for us. But in America, the French Gazet tells us the Small Pox raged among the Indians, as the Plague doth among the Europeans. In Spain also a Plague, which ceased the year following.

A^o 1682. In June, we hear of great Mortality of Cattle in the North parts of Scotland.

In Aug. Plague in Algiers Rages, saith the News from Paris.

In Octob. Flux rages in the Garison of Oran for some time past. At Bermudas a Destructive Feaver, mortal to many in two or three days.

A^o 1683. January, Plague broke out Jan. 3. St. N. in Caschaw in Up∣per Hungary, so that Teckley was forced to remove in March. From Vi∣enna we hear of a Contagion among the Turks, Thousands being found dead betweed Belgrade and Buda. In May 13. From the French Kings Army, a Cough and Gravedo Pectoris, which, in a few days march'd off 4000 of the Army. Relat. extraord.

From Lintz, in July, a Dissentery was so rife, that the Emperors Ar∣my was forced to move to Vienna, Relat. Extraord.

In September, the same in Holsatia, Lunenberg, &c. Feaver in Spain, scarce a House free.

But one ☌ fails, and not many Oppositions.

§ 89. Thus it is, and the more we enquire, the worse we shall find it: for where ever any ☍ fails, 'tis to be feared that other places have not bin so happy, at what time the City hath been so secure: whether we take the Word in a good or bad Sence, I mean them no harm. If I have mention'd sometimes, Comets, Droughts, Flouds, we intimate thereby that such are the Attendants; of Distemper'd years, and therefore imports so much: Comets, I say, among the rest, imply an unhealthy Constitution, of Distempers extant, and co-existent with it. I could confirm the Premises by a further review of Chronicle, even from the Conqueror; yea, from the Incarnation; if the Table of the mean Conjunctions will be serviceable to us, as they must be, because the Equation of ♄ and ♃ at most is not above gr. 10. if I remember right.

§ 90. It may be asked me what I will say to those who give out that Pe∣stilences come in with our Kings Reigns: A New King brings a Pesti∣lence. I answer; suppose it were so, what Inference will they make? What absurd intollerable Inference will a Phanatique (for 'tis their Obser∣vation, they say) draw from thence? What Black Mouth can say, that K. James the Peaceful; or, K. Charles the Martyr were Plagues, (for that's the English of it) to the Nation? The Martyr shews that the Nati∣on, the Predominant part, were rather a Plague to him: The Guilt of which is not yet expiated; and God knows when it will. But that grand de∣lusive Principle whereby they perswade themselves (God help them) to be the only peculiar of God, makes them bespatter any one who is not of their Lay-Communion, though Better and Superiour. An Unchristian Division; yet they call themselves the Church, the Salt of the Nation, and yet infatuate. If a Monarch perhaps through his more generous Education, sees himself Bound not to Truckle under them, or connive at their Self undoing, They are what not? But they see no Sin in them∣selves. If they did, with how much greater Probability might they say, that God sends a Visitation at the entrance of a New Prince, to reckon with us for our Misdemeanors under the Old! He seems to chuse us that Critical Time to shew we have been in arrear. But so they fill up the measure of their Fathers, with their Proverbs, like them; That Princes eat sour Grapes, and the Peoples Teeth are set an Edge. 'Tis a Fallacy of that Accident wich Providence suffers many times, to prove us, whether we will make rash, heady, unworthy, self-Justifying Conclusions, so proclaim our selves to the World for a perverse Generation. Because God said once, I gave a King in my Wrath, therefore saith the Dissenter, All Kings are from the Wrath of God. That's an Inference from the same delusive Spirit, which wheedles many a Poor Soul to their Ruine. But let them look back and compare, the First Eleven Kings came in with Health, even William the Conqueror, and King John brought no such Memorandum; No, nor King Richard the 3d. nor King Henry the VIII. nor his Daugh∣ters, Queen Mary, no more then Queen Elizabeth. But VI. of XXVI.

Kings can be thus slandred. Now we under God, in Philosophical Spe∣culation impute it to such and such Aspects; We have seen That of 1603. of King James; and 1623. under King Charles I. his entrance, hung upon the Revolution of our Aspect: So did that at the entrance of K. H. VII. 1485. It falls manifestly within the Verge of ♄ and ♃. I grant that God's Wisdom and Power is seen in Circumstances and Co∣incidences of Events; but we must take heed of Fallacious Arguing, least by the Rule we say the same of the Plagues coming in at the First Parliament, seeing the Monarch usually calls one at his Entrance.

§ 91. But the Truth I have told them already, Heaven ows us a Payment for all the Week, and then as some Parents do, they chastise their Chil∣dren at the beginning of a Kings Reign. 'Tis we are set down in the Black-Book, incorrigible I fear, and therefore we smart.

§ 92. But another sore Objection assaults us, as if Wee made Pestilences too frequent, every X. or XX. Year. I answer, Mercy steps in, and de∣nies the Consequence. Truth says there is Danger, and Conscience says We deserve it; but we see, with thanks to Heaven, 'tis not always so. Sometimes 'tis not once in XX Years, though it cannot be denyed but that about once in that Term there is some reason to fear: for so the Ta∣ble begins in the ☌ Column, A^o 1504. 1524. 1544. We do not love to hear of Death: that's true. Yet no man will give above VII. years for a Life; that's less than X. nor can you make a Deed to any purpose, without mention of Mortality. So let the Objection cease, and instead of reviling with sad Truths, let us remember our Enemy, and prepare to meet him. Memento homo quod pulvis es, must not be abolish'd.

§ 93. The Truth of this Hypothesis appears from the continuance of 112. Pestilences, and from their Prodromi, Feavers, Fluxes, &c. 'Tis a ruled case amongst us, That the Small Pox growing more Rife than ordi∣nary, bodes some worse Distempers ensuing. If in the Spring, then the Summer is feared; If in the Summer, then the following year is suspe∣cted. And this is fairly accounted for with us, who put up the Aspect for two year, nay for more; A Pestilence may last, I do not say, Rage, Four Years, on the Account of ♄ and ♃. It did so. The City of London was not absolutely free for 8 years together. There Dyed above a 1000 per Annum each of those 8 years. In 1643. indeed it reaches but 996. IV. of them, viz. 1641. 1642. 1643. 1644. are imputable to our Aspect; Only the later part of 1644 takes in the next Malignant Congress of ♃ and ♂.