Tetractys anti-astrologica, or, The four chapters in the explanation of the grand mystery of holiness which contain a brief but solid confutation of judiciary astrology, with annotations upon each chapter : wherein the wondrous weaknesses of John Butler, ... his answer called A vindication of astrology, &c. are laid open ... / by Hen. More.

THE EXPLANATION OF THE GRAND MYSTERY OF GODLINESS.

BOOK VII. CHAP. XIV.

1. Objections of the Iews against their Messiah's be∣ing come, answered. 2. A pompous evasion of the Aristotelean Atheists, supposing all Miracles and Apparitions to be the effects of the Intelligen∣ces and Heavenly Bodies. 3. Vaninus his re∣straint of the Hypothesis, to one Anima Coeli. 4. His intolerable Pride and Conceitedness. 5. A Confutation of him, and the Aristotelean Atheism from the motion of the Earth. 6. That Vaninus his subterfuge is but a self contradiction. 7. That Christianitie's succeeding Judaism is by the special Counsel of God, not by the Influence of the Stars. 8. Cardanus his high folly in Calculating the Nativity of our Saviour, with a demonstration of the groundlesness of Vaninus his Exultation

in his impious boldness of making Mahomet, Moses and Christ sidereal Law-givers of like au∣thority. 9. That the impudence and impiety of these two vain glorious pretenders constrains the Author more fully to lay open the frivolousness of the Principles of Astrology.

1. THE ‖ 1.1 Objections we were a mentioning are from two hands; from the Iew, or from the Atheist. That from the Iew is chiefly this, That the condition of the times under Christ is not conformable to what is Prophesied con∣cerning the times of the Messiah. * There is not that Peace and Concord, no not in Christendom it self, neither in the Church nor State; nor is Idolatry ex∣tirpated, nor the Israelites replanted and setled in their own Land: all which things notwithstanding are foretold to come to pass in the days of the Messi∣ah. Whence, say they, it is plain he is not yet come. But I briefly answer, 1. That the Prophetical Promi∣ses of the coming of the Messiah were absolute, as I have ‖ 1.2 already noted, the extent of the effect of his coming, conditional; men being free Agents, and not fatal Actors, in all things, as the Jews themselves cannot deny. 2. That the nature of the Gospel tends altogether to the accomplishing of those promi∣ses of Universal Peace and Righteousness, and did begin fair in the first times of the Church as much as respects the Church it self. 3. That whatever re∣lapse or stop there has been, things are not so hopeless but in time they may be amended; and that they in those days when they are true Converts to Christ, may, if they will then desire it, return to their own Land. But after this serious Conversion and real re∣novation

of their Spirits into a true Christian State, I cannot believe they will continue so Childish as to va∣lue such things; but will find themselves in the spiri∣tual Canaan already, and on their march to that Ie∣rusalem which is above, the Mother of us all, and that it will not be in the power of any but them∣selves to turn them out of the way.

2. The other Objection, or rather Evasion of that wholesome use that may be made of the Truth of the History of Christ, is from that sort of Atheists that love to be thought Aristoteleans: For there are two chief kinds of Atheism, Epicurean and Ari∣stotelean. The former denies all Incorporeal sub∣stance whatsoever, and all Apparitions, Miracles and Prophecies that imply the same. Who are sufficiently confuted already by this undeniable Declaration we have made. The other are not against all Substances Incorporeal, nor against Prophecies, Apparitions, and Miracles, though of the highest nature; insomuch that they will allow the History of Christ, his Resur∣rection, and Appearance after Death, the Prophecies concerning him, and what not? But they have for∣sooth this witty subterfuge to save themselves from re∣ceiving any good therefrom, in imagining that there is no such particular Providence, as we would infer from hence, because all this may be done by the In∣fluence of the Coelestial Bodies, actuated by the In∣telligences appertaining to each Sphere, and deriving in a natural way from him that sits on the highest of the Orbs, such Influences as according to certain Pe∣riodical Courses of Nature will produce new Law-givers, induing them with a power of working Mi∣racles, assisting them by Apparitions and Visions of Angels, making them seem to be where they are not,

and appear after they cease to be, namely after their Death: when in the mean-time there be neither An∣gels, nor Souls separate, but all these things are the transient Effects of the power of the Heavens and Configurations of the Celestial Bodies, which slacks by degrees, and so the influence of the Stars failing, one Religion decays and another gets up. Thus Iu∣daism hath given place to Christianity, and Christi∣anity in a great part of the World to Mahometism, being Establishments resulting from the mutable course of Nature, not by the immediate finger of God, who keeps his Throne in the eighth Sphere, and intermed∣dles not with humane Affairs in any particular way, but aloof off hands down, by the help and mediation of the Celestial Intelligences and power of the Stars, some general casts of Providence upon the Generati∣ons of the Earth.

3. * A goodly speculation indeed, and well befit∣ting such two witty Fools in Philosophy as Pompona∣tius and Vaninus: the latter of which seem not to give himself up to this fine figment altogether fully and conformably to the ancient Doctrine of Aristotle, but having a great pique against Incorporeal Beings, is desirous to lessen their number as much as he can, and seems pleased that he has found out, That one only Soul of the Heavens will serve as effectually to do all these things as the Aristotelean Intelligences; and therefore ever and anon doubts of those, and esta∣blisheth this as the only Intellectual or Immaterial Principle and highest Deity; but such as acts no otherwise than in a natural way by Periodical Influ∣ences of the Heavenly Bodies. Where you may ob∣serve the craft and subtilty of the man, what a care he has of his own safety, and how he has imprisoned

the Divinity in those upper rooms for fear of the worst, that he may be as far out of his reach as the Earth is from the Moon. So cautious a Counsellor in these matters is an evil and degenerate Consci∣ence.

4. This is the chiefest Arcanum that the Amphi∣theatrum and famed Dialogues, of this stupendious Wit will afford; who was so tickled and transported with a conceit of his own parts, that in that latter Book he cannot refrain from writing down himself a very God for Wisdom and Knowledge. When as, as∣suredly, * There was never any mans Pride and Con∣ceitedness exceeded the proportion of his wit and parts so much as his. For there is nothing considera∣ble in him, but what * that odd and crooked Writer Hieronymus Cardanus had, though more modestly, vented to the World before: only Vaninus added thereto a more express tast of bold Impiety and Pro∣phaness.

5. I have elsewhere intimated how the attributing such noble Events to the Power of the Stars, is * no∣thing but a rotten relique of the ancient Pagan super∣stition; and have in my Book of the ‖ 1.3 Immortality of the Soul, plainly enough demonstrated, that there is no such inherent Divinity in the Celestial Bodies as that ancient superstition has avouched, or modern Philosophasters would imagine. And I shall evidently prove against this great Pretender, That his removal of the Deity at that distance from the Earth is impos∣sible. For there are scarce any now that have the face to profess themselves Philosophers, but do as readily acknowledge the motion of the Earth, as they do the reality of the Antipodes, or the Circulation of the Blood. I would ask then Vaninus but this one question,

whether he will not admit that the Sun is in that Hea∣ven where he imagines his Anima Coeli; and whe∣ther this Heaven be not spread far beyond the Sun, and be not also the residence of this Celestial God∣dess of his? There is none will stick to answer for him, that it is doubtlesly so. Wherefore I shall forth∣with infer, that let his unskilful phansy conceit us at this moment in as low a part of the Universe as he will, within the space of six months we shall be as far above or beyond the Sun as we are beneath him now, and yet then phansy our selves as much beneath him as before. Which plainly implies that our Earth and Moon swim in the liquid Heavens, which being every where, this Deity of Vaninus must be every where, though his degenerate Spirit was afraid of so holy a Neighbourhood, nor could abide the belief of so pre∣sent a Numen. Thus has the Annual course of the Earth dashed off all that superstitious power and san∣ctity that ancient Paganism has given, and the Aristo∣telean Atheist would now give to the Sun, Planets and Stars; and we are forced even by the light of Nature and humane reason to acknowledge the true Principle from whence all Miraculous things come, that is, a God, every where present, in whom we live, and move, and have our being.

6. Besides this, suppose that all Prodigies, Appari∣tions and Prophecies were from the intermediate in∣fluence of the Celestial Bodies, these Intelligences, or that Anima Coeli working thereby upon the persons of men, to inspire them, and turning the Air into representations and Visions to converse with them; This covering is too scant to hide the folly of this sorry Sophist, his supposition plainly ruinating it self. For he does acknowledge that those inspirations and

Prophecies are true that are thus derived from those Sidereal Powers. But it is evident, that those that have been the most illustrious Prophets, have had converse with Angels, and talked with them, and have so re∣corded the matter to the World. As for Example, the Prophet Daniel, who discoursed with the Angel Ga∣briel; Christ also discoursed with Moses and Elias on Mount Tabor, and Moses with the Angel of God on Mount Sinai. Besides, Christ, who was so highly inspired and assisted from Heaven, has over and over again pronounced a future happiness after this life. All which, allowing them for a while to be the Di∣ctates or Representations of the Astral Influences, I demand of Vaninus, how he comes to be wiser than those, who were so miraculously assisted, That these Visions of Angels should not be so as they that saw them have related, That Moses and Elias should not be the Spirits of Moses and Elias, but only transient Figurations of the Air raised by the influence of the Heavens? Moreover I would ask of him if he think that that Heavenly assistance that can according to his own acknowledgment inform men of things to come at a thousand years distance, (for such was the prediction of the Death of Iulius Caesar in the Se∣nate, though a matter very contingent,) cannot cer∣tainly inform them whom it pleases so wonderfully to assist, whether the Souls of men be mortal or immor∣tal? which is far more cognoscible to those aethereal powers than the other. Wherefore this wretched Figment of his to excuse himself from the acknow∣ledgment of the Existence of Angels or Daemons, and the subsistence of the Soul after Death, from which he so much abhors, will stand him in no stead, but argues him more intoxicated, whifling and giddy, in

admitting the truth of such Narrations, and yet de∣nying the genuine consequences of them, than they that give no credence to the Narrations them∣selves.

7. That which was objected of Christianity just∣ling out Iudaism, and of Mahometism (in a great part of the World) justling out Christianity, is partly false, and partly nothing to the purpose. That Christianity hath properly justled out Iudaism is ve∣ry false. For Iudaism has rather been ripened into the perfection of Christianity, than been stifled and sufflaminated by any Counter-blast of those Sidereal Influences he dreams of. For we see how things have gone on in one continued design from ‖ 1.4 Abraham to Christ, as the Prophecies and Predictions in Scripture plainly testifie. God promised to Abraham, that in his Seed all the Nations of the Earth should be blessed. Iacob foretels on his Death-Bed, that the Jewish Po∣lity and Religion should not fail till the Messiah, a Iew and Son of Abraham, was come, to whom the gathering of the Gentiles should be: and so in other ‖ 1.5 Prophecies which we have already recited and ap∣plied. From whence it is manifest, that it is the hand and counsel of God who is constant to himself, and whose Wisdom and Providence reaches from end to end, that has begun and carried on this matter accord∣ing to his own will and purpose, and not any Bustles or Counter-Blasts of various Aspects of the Heavenly Bodies, that do and undo according to the diversities and contrarieties of their Schematisms and Configu∣rations.

8. * Nor could any thing but levity of mind and vain-glory induce Cardan to pretend the Calculating of our Saviours Nativity, when as the Year of his

Birth is so uncertain amongst the most accurate Chro∣nologers; and Astrology it self a thing wholly groundless and frivolous, as I shall demonstrate anon. Nor is it any Specimen of his wit, but of his gross im∣piety, so boldly to equalize the rise of Mahometism to that of Iudaism and Christianity, as if Moses, Christ and Mahomet were all Astral Law givers, a∣like assisted and inspired from the influence of the Stars. A conceit that Vaninus is so transported with, that he cannot tell what ground to stand upon when he cites the passage out of Cardan, he is so tickled with joy. But that this exultation of his is very Childish and groundless, appears, both in that he falsly attributes Prophecies, Divine Laws and Miracles, to the influence of the Stars (a superstitious errour that arises only out of the ignorance of the right Systeme of the World;) and then again (if it were true) that he imagines Mahomet (who was a mere crafty Poli∣tician, and did neither Miracles, nor could Prophe∣sie) to be a Law-giver set up by the Miraculous power of the Heavens, such as enables Divine Law-givers and Prophets to do real Miracles. To which you may add the ridiculous obstinacy of this perverse Sophist, who the more we give him of what he con∣tends for, (viz. that Mahomet also is a Star-inspired Prophet, that is to say, illuminated from the Anima Coeli, which according to his opinion is the highest and most infallible principle of Miracles and Divine Wisdom) the more ample testimony we have against his own Folly, that so peremptorily denies the exi∣stence of Daemons, and subsistence of the Soul after Death. Which are openly avouched by this third witness of his own introducing: and therefore he abhorring so from such truths as are certainly dictated

from the Celestial Bodies, did not excess of Pride and conceitedness blind his judgment and make him sense∣less, he could not but have found himself stung with that lash of the Satyrist,

O curvae in terris animae, & coelestium inanes!

But I have even tired my self with running the Wild∣goose Chase after these fickle and fugitive Wits, whose careless flirts and subsultorious fancies are as numerous as slight and weak, against the firm and immovable foundations of solid Reason and Re∣ligion.

9. I should now pass to the fourth part of my Dis∣course, * did not the reflection upon the insuffera∣ble impudence of Cardan, in pretending to cast our Saviours Nativity, and that villainous insulting of Vaninus thereupon, (as if all Religion were but an influence of Nature and transient blast of the Stars) invite me, nay indeed provoke me, * to lay open the vanity of their accursed Art, wherein they have combined together to blaspheme God, and to make Religion contemptible and useless to the World.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XIV. Sect. I.

THere is not that Peace and Concord, no not in Christendom it self, neither in Church nor State, nor is Idolatry extirpated, &c. I had brought my Demonstration for the truth of Christianity to that completeness in the fore-going part of my Mystery of Godliness, that I could find nothing to pretend to enervate it, but this Objection of the Jews, and that other of the Aristotelean Atheists, that impute all things to the natural Influence of the Heavens and Stars. And though the former is nothing to our pre∣sent purpose, yet I thought fit not to leave it out, that the Chapter might be entire. And since it is here, I will only note that besides those Answers I give here to this Objection of the Iews, there is one special Answer more taken notice of in my Preface to my Exposition of the Apocalypse, Sect. 11. That this Idolatry of the Church was predicted by Christ him∣self in that excellent Volume of Prophecies. The study of which ancient Prophecies, I think, much better becomes a Protestant Minister of the Church of England, as Mr. Butler stiles himself, than the vain Affectation of Astrological Prognostications. But he is so full of that empty Phantastry, that he does not only neglect that laudable and solid study of the Prophecies of Holy Scripture, himself, but derides them that are followers thereof, as he does me, in his Vindication of Astrology, p. 24. The Doctor, sayes he, has been all day in deep study of the Revelation

of S. John the Divine, &c. which plainly reflects upon the very Title Page of my Exposition of the A∣pocalypse; and may have respect also to his own Book coming out so immediately upon mine, namely his Hagiastrologia, which he interprets, The most sacred and Divine Science of Astrology, as if he would set up this his most sacred and Divine Science of Astrology as a Corrival with the serious study of the Revelation of St. John the Divine, so that in∣stead of being Divines or Theologers, we may turn phancyful Star-gazers or Astrologers.

And wot you not what great encouragement there is for it? For besides his Hagiastrologia, which is newly come out piping hot, he mentions a little Tract of Astrology written by himself, for the satisfaction of the ignorant, and his Christologia, or his Trea∣tise of Christ, For so the word will signifie whether he will or no, which Treatise notwithstanding pre∣tends only to tell us the Time of Christs Birth: As if that Genethliacal or Astrological moment of his Nativity were J. B.'s whole Christ. And lastly, He tells us (which I might have put in the first place, it occurring Hagiastr. p. 4.) of the Doctrine of Nati∣vities, written by his Friend Mr. Gadbury, a person famous as well for Astronomy as Astrology. These I must confess are great Motives, and if I did not consider, that the Apocalypse is a Book writ by truly Divine and infallible Inspiration, and that the Rudiments of Astrology are but the mere imagina∣tions and gross Hallucinations of deceived Mortals, unacquainted with sound Philosophy and the true knowledge of Nature, they might have made me seem to give ground a little. But being as it is, I stand perfectly unmoved in my self, and do in the mean

time take notice, That J. B. in his publishing pre∣sently, upon the coming out of my Apocalypsis Apo∣calypseos, this rudely swaggering piece of his (where there is nothing of Reason or Philosophy, but a meer endeavour in the grossest way of Buffonry to make my person as vile and contemptible as he can) acteth like one that does not endeavour more to vindicate his beloved Astrology than to stifle the good effect of my studying those Divine Oracles, which tell not into what quarter an Horse, or Sow and Pigs have gone astray, but how much the Church pretended Catholick and Apostolick have gone astray from the Rule of the Word, and wandred from the City of God, the holy Ierusalem, to the bloody, prophane, and Idolatrous City of Babylon. I say his virulent Book coming out in such a nick of time as this, may justly move a suspicion in me or any one else beyond the probability of any figure cast by an Astrologer, that this latter is the principal meaning and chief scope of his publishing this Book of his at this time. Which thing I leave to his own Conscience and the judgment of others to consider: especially if they will but take along with them what he writes in his Astrology Vindicated, p. 3. where speaking of my Mystery of Godliness. It was full ten years date, sayes he, from its first coming out, ere I had the hap to meet with a fight of this Explanation, &c. And my Christologia was in the Press first; and also I had written my little Tract of Astrology, for the satisfa∣ction of the ignorant in that Art; and an Answer to Mr. Selden, by way of Post script, before this of Dr. Mores came to my hands. Only I had heard of such a Treatise, and heard it very much commended by certain Anti-Astrologers, &c. Out of which passage

it is plain, that his Christologia was writ some ten years ago, my Mystery of Godliness having been pub∣lished near these twenty years. Wherefore that he should either be or feign himself to be in such a rage, so soon after the publishing of my Apocalypsis Apo∣calypseos, I leave to the sagacious to smell out the Reason. But this is only by the bye. We come now to what in these Chapters concerns Astrology and Astro∣logers.

Sect. 3. A goodly speculation indeed and well be∣fitting two such witty Fools as Pomponatius and Va∣ninus, &c. Answer. But what (sayes J. B. p. 11.) are all Fools that just jump not with the Doctors will? Repl. I must confess I think all are Fools that close with that Atheistical Hypothesis, which I have above described in the foregoing Section, and deny a particular Providence. And that Vaninus was a Fool, is demonstrable out of the Scripture, which this Minister of Gods word cannot for shame deny. Psalm 14. The Fool hath said in his heart there is no God. If he be a Fool that sayes in his heart there is no God, what a great Fool is he, that not only sayes it in his heart, but speaks it out with his mouth, and makes it his business to Proselyte others to the same Impiety? Which was the Case of Vaninus, who was so great a Fool or Madman as to become Martyr for Atheism. The History whereof you may see in that ingenious Writer Dr. Sam. Par∣ker, in his Disputationes de Deo, Disp. 1. Sect. 26. as he has taken it out of Gabr. Barthol. Gramond. in his History of France, from the Death of Henry the Fourth, lib 3. His story is sufficiently Tragical, and his Case to be lamented; an Atheist being a more proper object of scorn or pity, than of the ex∣tremity

of such severity. It were a more expediti∣ous way to free the World of this kind of Cattle, to exhibit Religion in a more credible and creditable dress than it hath been for over many Ages. And yet they that have been the most effectual makers of Atheists, have been the most forward to burn them. But this I have also complained of elsewhere. But J. B. further objects. But why a witty Fool, does not wit make wise? Repl. I say no, Wit may make witty, but 'tis Wisdom that makes wise. It is cal∣led Wit when Imagination and Reason dance the Anticks, and shew a dexterity by freakish Tricks to insinuate false and mischievous Opinions, and dis∣parage what is true and useful, what is holy, sacred and serious. But Wisdom is an ability of main∣taining weighty and useful truths, by firm and in∣vincible Arguments. But the Atheist being so great a Sot that he is sunk from the belief and relish of any such things, I look upon him, let his Wit other∣wise be what it will, as on one, that is not wise, but a Fool. And most assuredly he will find himself so in the Conclusion.

Sect. 4. Never any mans pride and conceitedness exceeded the proportion of his Wit and parts so much as his. Here J. B. being he does merely rail and offer no Reason to confute what I say, I am excused from answering any thing to him. But for the Readers satisfaction I will not stick to declare, That Vani∣nus as to his Philosophy is a meer Pedant, and that his Dialogues he bears himself so high upon, are very shallow things, and tiresome to any man of any skill and judgment to read them; And would be the flat∣test entertainment to all men that can be, but that some have a Palate for Atheism and Infidelity,

though never so homely dressed or poorly served up: I never met with any one yet, though never so free a Philosopher, but he had the same opinion of Vaninus that I profess. And what freakish nay doltish con∣ceits he has of Apparitions, will appear to my one by what I have writ against him in my Immortality of the Soul, Book 3. Chap. 16. and in my Enchiri∣dium Metaphysicum, Cap. 26. Now for his pride and conceitedness none can be greater, he making himself a very Gold for Wisdom and Knowledge, as I have observed in this Section. And if any one would have a more full description of his excessive Pride, let him either read Vaninus his own Dia∣logues, or what Dr. Parker has transcribed thence in in the abovesaid Treatise, and in the same place I named before. That odd and crooked Writer Heironymus Cardanus, &c. Here J. B. p. 13. cries out, He all to be calls him, and yet gives no account why he was either the one or the other, unless because he was a learned Astrologer. Repl. This Character of Cardan is so notoriously known to them that are con∣versant in his Writings, that it wanted no proof. Of what an odd, or if you will uneven temper and ir∣regular he was, he himself does freely confess, and calls it, Anomalam suae Naturae indolem. Which makes him write of things off and on, in so much that it is Thuanus his Elogium of him, In quibus∣dam plus homine, sapere, in pluribus minus pueris intelligere videri. And Dr. Parkers censure of him is with good judgment, in that he esteems him rather a Fanatick or Madman, than an Atheist. But to descend to instances of these things would swell my Annotations too much.

Sect. 5. Nothing but a rotten Relique of the anci∣ent

Pagan Superstition, &c. Answ. To this J. B. answers p. 33. Lo, in sacred times where we find Moses and Daniel famous Astrologers amongst the best of Jewish Writers, and in Christian times we have Cardan, Junctinus, Philip Melancthon, Pezelius, Morinus, and divers others famous Christian Astro∣logers, and yet the Doctor blushes not to call it a rot∣ten Relique of Pagan Superstition. Repl. That there have been several good men amongst the Christians that have without any ill mind, studied Astrology properly so called▪ as some also, nay, many Myriads of Mortals▪ out of ignorance have practised Idola∣try, I will easily grant. But that Moses and Daniel were such Astrologers as Calculated Nativities, and answered Horary Questions by casting of Figures, I utterly deny. As Theologia signifies the Doctrine or Learning touching the nature of God from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, so Astrologia from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, may signify the doctrine of the nature of the Stars, their situation, distances, and motion, which now adays is more properly called Astronomia. Of which Calcu∣lation of Eclipses is a part. But Astrologia of it self signifies no more the Art of predicting or Divi∣ning, touching the Fate and Affairs of men from the Stars, than Theologia signifies the Art of pre∣dicting things from God.

But because J. B. is so far from thinking Astrolo∣gy, properly so called, to be a Relique of Pagan Super∣stition, that he pretends it to be a sacred and Di∣vine Science, I will here in this very place, before I go any further, examine all his allegations, where∣ever they occur, in either of his Books, for the prove∣ing it so sacred and Divine.

First then he pretends that Astrology came out

from Paradise, and that our Father Adam after the fall Communicated it out of his Memoires of the state of Innocency, to his Son Seth, and that Seth made Impressions of the same in certain permanent Pillars which were able to withstand both Fire and Water, and that hence Enoch had it and Noah, and from him Shem, and so it came to Abraham, who taught the Chaldeans and Aegyptians the principles thereof. Pref. to Hagiastrolog. p. 18.

Again, (p. 27. of the same Book) he contends that Moses, that great man of God, was an Astrolo∣ger, as being learned in all the wisdom of the Aegyp∣tians, of which Astrology was a part, which they were taught by Abraham when he was in Aegypt.

Thirdly, That Moses was an Astrologer, he sayes is apparent by his Predictions touching the Tribes, as to what should betide them for the time to come, Deuteron. 33. which he not doing by Revelation, nor Dream, nor Vision, (for when it was so, the Scrip∣ture was wont to say how it was so) he must needs have done it by Astrology.

Fourthly, The Patriarch Jacob was also an Astro∣loger, by his Predictions to his Sons, and that the Opinion of the learned Origen was, that he was so indeed.

Fifthly, That Joseph was also an Astrologer, he being the very Hermes Trismegistus that Diodorus speaks of, who taught Osiris and Isis many learned matters both concerning Religion and State, and concerning things to come, and who lived about the same time that Joseph, and taught a Religion by himself, contrary to all the ways of worship as was ever known amongst the Aegyptians, before him, he assisted Osiris in the Art of the Plough, and counsel∣led

many things conducing to the benefit of mans life, and was in great honour with King Osiris, as Joseph with Pharaoh: so that Osiris must be Pharaoh and Hermes Trismegistus, Joseph. And of this man, sayes Diodore, he was one of the first that was skil∣led in the Stars: And the Astrological Aphorisms of Hermes Trismegistus, are extant to this day.

Sixthly, The Children of Issachar were Astrolo∣gers, 1 Chron. 12.32. For so are they described, Men that had understanding of the times to know what Israel had to do. These were also among the number of the bands that were ready armed to war, and came to David to Hebron to turn the Kingdom of Saul to him according to the word of the Lord: These Issacharians therefore were learned Astrologers, able to answer an Horary Question in such a Case as was now depending, whether they should follow David or Saul.

Seventhly, The Seers in Samuels time were Horary Question-men (p. 47.) who gave answers to them that enquired after lost goods, what was become of them. Which was not by any Divine Prophecy or extraor∣dinary Revelation, but by some industrious Art, be∣cause it was mercenary, as it appears, 1 Sam. ch. 9. v. 7. But behold if we go, what shall we bring the man? which is said concerning Samuel himself, who v. 11. is called the Seer, and of whom was enqui∣red what was become of the lost Asses of Sauls Fa∣ther.

Eighthly, Daniel, Shadrach, Mesech and Abedne∣go, were Astrologers (p. 30.) Students of the Fa∣culty under their Tutor Melzar, Dan 1.11. and were accounted as members of some Schools in Ba∣bylon, where the Science was taught by Abraham,

and after that, Belus the Father of Nimrod built the School-House of Learning, and much propaga∣ted the Art: and in these Schools studied the learn∣ed Daniel, &c.

Ninthly, and lastly, Several passages in Scripture favour Astrological Influences and Predictions; As Deut. 33. concerning Joseph, it is said by Moses, That his blessing shall be of the pretious things of the Sun and Moon. Again, Deut. 4.19. Moses sayes, that the Sun, Moon and Stars, God has distributed to all Nations under Heaven, p. 16. Thirdly, p. 77. When Barak and Deborah were victorious against King Jabin and Sisera his Chieftain, the Stars of Heaven (Judg. 5.20.) were at the Battel, and fought in their Courses against Sisera. And in the last place, which J. B. ever and anon harps upon, there is brought in our Saviour his Concession or assertion, That the redness of the skie prognosticks fair weather at Evening, and that a red and low∣ring skie in the Morning prognosticks foul, Matth. 16.2. These are all the Forces that my memory can muster up, which J. B. has produced to make good that Astrology is a sacred and Divine Science.

Which how strong they are, now let us try. The first indeed is a sweet amiable conceit, as fetching Astrologies first Original from Paradise. But he brings no proof for it but that one passage in Jose∣phus, Antiqu. lib. 1. c. 3. which makes against him∣self. For what is impressed of the knowledge of the Celestial Bodies, upon those Pillars of stone and brick, were no Paradisiacal Traditions but the inventions of the Sons of Seth (who also built the Pillars) The words in Josephus are, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. They excogitated

the knowledge or science of the Heavenly Bodies; that is, the order, situation, and motion of them, and so understood the true Systeme of the World, or were well skilled in Astronomy. But there is not the least hint here of Iudiciary Astrology, which J. B. is so fond of.

To the second I answer, That Moses was indeed learned in all the wisdom of the Aegyptians as it te∣stified, Acts 7.22. of which I admit Astronomy to be one part; but J. B. precariously supposes Astrology properly so called, the same that I write against, to be another. Now I say, and I have proved, that that pretended Art is no part of Wisdom but Folly, and therefore never professed nor acknowledged by Moses; he can be said to be an Astrologer in no sense, but as Astrology and Astronomy is taken for one and the same thing.

And to his third Argument (whereby he would enforce the former) that he was an Astrologer, from his predicting the future conditions of the twelve Tribes; I say it was no fruit of his Astrology, but an effect of the Divinity of his pious soul inacted by the Spirit of God. And it is a fond thing to think in these circumstances, he should take up the Form, after usual amongst the Prophets, Thus saith the Lord. Was it by Astrology that our Saviour predi∣cted the destruction of Jerusalem, because it is not set down whether it was by Revelation, Dream, or Vision, that that Prophecy of the destruction of the City and of the end of the World was communica∣ted to him? Not to add, that the entrance into this Prophecy of Moses is too high and majestick for an Astrological Figure-Flinger. The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Mount Seir

unto them, he shined forth from Mount Paran, &c.

To the fourth; where he would make Jacob also an Astrologer, because though he was blind or ex∣ceeding dim-sighted, could contrary to Joseph's mind lay his right hand on Ephraim, and his left on Me∣nasseh, Gen. 48. and predict the fates of the twelve Tribes, ch. 49. To this I say, That truly I thought when men had lost their sight, they had not been so fit to cast Figures. But he seems to urge this more faintly, and would support it only by the Opinion of learned Origen, as if he in his Homilies upon these two Chapters, had made Jacob an Astrologer. But here J. B. is either imposed upon himself by those that play the wag with him, or else would impose upon his Reader. For there is no Homily of Origen on the 48. Chapter, and in his Homily on the 49. not one syllable of Jacobs being an Astrologer. There is something in Eusebius touching Origen's making Jacob to predict the destinies of the Tribes, as have∣ing read them in Tabulis Coeli, but this J. B. seems ignorant of, or to omit it, as not deeming it much to his purpose. If he had produced it we had had an answer ready for it, but to say any thing now is superfluous.

And to the fifth I answer, That I acknowledge that according to Chronologers, Osiris and Joseph lived about the same time, else all the fat had been in the fire, and that Hermes to Osiris, in assisting him in Husbandry, and in being in such high favour with him, was such as Joseph to Pharaoh. But Dio∣dorus whom he cites for this fair story, does not re∣present Hermes as one professing and practising a Re∣ligion by himself, contrary to the Religion of the

Aegyptians, but that he ordered matters of Religion for them touching Sacrifices and the worship of the Gods: which is incredible that Joseph did for Pharaoh. And as touching the telling of them of things to come, there is not one syllable of it in Dio∣dorus. And on the other side he is said to teach them letters, and to speak articulately, and to teach them to wrastle and play on the harp and other feats of Musick. Of which not one syllable in the Hi∣story of Joseph. But let Hermes and Joseph be the same man. What then? O then it is plain that Jo∣seph was an Astrologer, because Diodorus writes he was one of the first that was skilled in the Stars. And Astrological Aphorisms go under Hermes the Aegyptian his Name. But I answer, that his skill in the Stars is set down in Diodorus, only in these words, that he was, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, an observer of the order of the Stars for their situation and motion, which Josephus above called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the disposition and order of the Celestial Bodies; which expressions in neither place reach any further than to Astrono∣my, there is not the least hint here of Judiciary A∣strology, properly so called. For to know when it will be Summer and Winter, Spring and Fall, I do not call Judiciary Astrology, though J. B. do, Hagi∣astrolog. p. 62. Such is Astronomy with me. And for those Hermetical Aphorisms, it is so frequent to fa∣ther new spurious Inventions upon ancient Names, that J. B. himself is justly diffident in that point of the Argument, if there be any such extant.

To the sixth I answer, That the phrase concerning the Issacharians, That they were men that had un∣derstanding of the times, implies no more than that

they were sagacious men and good Politicians, and knew, in rebus agundis, when to act and when to forbear. The Hebrew words are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, That had skill to act pro re nata, as the time and occasion required. But what is this to Astrology? I remember a Doctor of Physick that so doted on the Philosophers stone, that he would alledge places of Scripture from Genesis to the Revelation, in the be∣half thereof. The Application is easie, I go on.

The seventh Argument looks the most handsomely of any. As if the ancient Seers were Horary-Questi∣on-men, because they told men where their lost goods were, as our Figure-Flingers pretend to do in this Age; and because they were mercenary and took an hire or reward for their pains. But that these Seers were no such men but Prophets. J. B. might have dis∣covered out of the very Text, if he had not over∣looked it, 1 Sam. 9.9. Before time in Israel when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come and let us go to the Seer. For he that is now called a Prophet was before time called a Seer. Wherefore it is manifest, that these Seers were Prophets di∣vinely inspired, no Horary Astrologers as J. B. would have them. Nor is Sauls solicitude for a Present to bring to Samuel the Seer, as he is here called, any Ar∣gument that these Seers were mercenary Figure-Flin∣gers. For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is, as our English Translation ren∣ders it, a Present, properly made to a great person in way of honour and respect. Which these ancient Seers or Prophets might accept or refuse as they saw occasion. See Grotius on the place, and what he has written on Matth. 10.8. For it will satisfie any un∣prejudiced man.

To the eighth I say, That there is nothing in the

Book of Daniel whereby it is apparent that Daniel, Shadrach, Mesech and Abednego, were students in Iudiciary Astrology under their Tutor Melzar, but only learners of the Chaldee tongue, that they might be fitted the better to serve the King and converse with him as occasion might be. But as for the know∣ledge of things they are supposed to have it already, ch. 1. v. 3▪ 4. where Ashpenaz the Master of the Eu∣nuchs is ordered to bring of the Children of Israel, well-favoured persons, skilful in all wisdom, and cun∣ning in knowledge, and understanding science, whom they might teach 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to be able to read and spake Chaldee. Wherefore Melzar was a Tutor to them in nothing but this. And when they got the ready use of the Chaldee tongue, and communed with the King, all his Ma∣gicians and Astrologers seemed but a Company of Idi∣ots to him, in comparison of them, v. 20. He found them ten times better than all the Magicians and A∣strologers that were in all his Realm. But that Da∣niel was a Student in any Astrological Schools, is as true as that Belus the Father of Nimrod built them, after Abraham had taught Astrology in Baby∣lon. When as Belus reigned above two hundred years before Abraham was born.

And now in the ninth place, As for those passages in Scripture; To the first I answer, That the pre∣tious things of the Sun and of the Moon, are the fruits of the Earth produced or helped on by the heat of the one, and moisture from the other. Of these Virgil speaks in his Georgicks.

—Vestro si numine Tellus Chaoniam pingui glandem mutavit aristâ.

And to Deut. 4.19. I shall answer when I have brought into view the whole Context. And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto Heaven, and when thou seest the Sun, and the Moon and Stars, even all the Host of Heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord thy God has divided un∣to all Nations under the whole Heaven. But the Lord hath taken you and brought you forth out of the Iron Furnace, even out of Aegypt, to be unto him a people of Inheritance, as ye are this day. He must have a strong imaginative faculty that can phancy an Argument for the sacredness and Divineness of Iu∣diciary Astrology from this place. For whether we interpret the distributing the Stars to the Nations, as Vatablus and others have done, In ministerium omnium gentium creavit, as they are palpably useful to them all, by the enjoyment of their light, and by the observation of their course for the knowing of times and seasons, besides the comfortable heat of the Sun, and the refreshing moistness of the air from the Moon, to further the growth of Herbs and Plants. (But what is all this to the whimzies of Iudiciary Astrology?) Or if with St. Augustine (and Grotius seems also thither inclined) we conceive that this Host of Heaven, Sun, Moon and Stars, are divided to the Nations and permitted by God for a time to be worshipped by them, though strictly forbid to his own peculiar people (see Drusius and Grotius upon the place) what is this to the sacredness of Astrolo∣gy, but rather a Confirmation that it is a Rag of the old Pagan Idolatry? And I have heard with mine own ears from them that have been addicted much to that Art, that they have prayed to the Stars; as Anne Bodenham the Witch confessed

she prayed sometimes to the Planet Jupiter.

To the third I answer, The Stars in their courses fighting against Sisera makes nothing for Astrology, Stars there according to the Prophetick and Cabba∣listick stile signifying Angels. And it is a Song fra∣med in the height of Prophetick, and if you will of Poetick Eloquence. And Vatablus likewise inter∣prets it of the Angels, as also Grotius, who adds, Angeli stellarum nomine appellantur ob coelestem na∣turam ac splendorem. See my Alphabet of Prophetick Iconisms.

And as for the last allegation, the prognostick of weather from the Redness of the skie acknow∣ledged by our Saviour, though J. B. often mentions that instance, I do not see how it makes more for Astrology than the Neat-herds brended Cow, by whose frisking and gadding he could prognostick it would be rain, or any of those 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which Aratus re∣cites in his Astronomical Poem. These things are Meteorological not Astrological, neither is that red∣ness of the skie in the Heavens but in this lower part of our Atmosphere.

Thus I think I have sufficiently answered all his Arguments whereby he would prove Astrology a sacred and Divine Science. And at most all these Allega∣tions, if they had any weight in them at all, could but prove it is a lawful Science, not sacred or Di∣vine. Because Joseph taught the Aegyptians Astro∣logy, therefore Astrology is a sacred or Divine Sci∣ence. You may as well argue, Because he taught them the use of the Fiddle, and of the Plough, as Diodorus sayes Hermes did, That Fidling and Ploughing are Divine Sciences. But enough of this.

And that it is rather a Rag of old Paganism than a Divine Science, appears from that of Deuterono∣my above-cited, the Pagans being worshippers of the Host of Heaven, as Rulers and Disposers of all things here on Earth. What then could be a greater accom∣plishment of a Pagan Priest, than to know in what time and order, and in what aspects one with ano∣ther these Celestial Deities dispose things here below, and what a Temptation to him to pretend he knew it whether he did or no, and also to the vagrant Daemons of the air, to further him in the entangle∣ments of this vanity. This I hope J. B. himself will think no rash conjecture, especially if he consider withal what Jeremias sayes, ch. 10. Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the Heathen, and be not dismai'd at the signs of Heaven. For the Heathens are dismai'd at them. By which Text, not only Clari∣us, but the Catholick Church and chiefest Fathers, do hold Astrologers and they that believe them, to be perstringed; the conceit, That the Configuration of the Heavenly Bodies is the cause of all our wo or weal here below, driving the Nations headlong into Idolatry. And Grotius himself upon the Text, Juxta vias gentium nolite discere. Chaldaeos, sayes he, max∣imè intelligit, unde nomen Arti Chaldaicae, that is to say, Astrologiae.

Sect. 8. Nor could any thing but levity of mind and vain-glory, induce Cardan to pretend the Cal∣culating our Saviours Nativity, &c. This sentence of mine with others (p. 2.) J. B. perstringes, as if it were unjustly spoken concerning Cardan. But for his levity of mind and vain-glory, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that so frequently occurs in his writings, is suffici∣ent Testimony to any one that has read them, though

not altogether so much as I have done. And that ingenious Writer whom I above mentioned names this amongst the chiefest things that hurried Car∣dan on to that madness and disorder of mind he seemed to labour under, viz. Immoderatam gloriae Cupidinem, Excessive desire of Fame and Glory, or of an immortal Memory, which himself acknow∣ledges himself thirsty after. So little wrong is done to him in this.

And there was a levity of mind and temerity in this feat of his, both because the Year of Christs Birth was accounted uncertain amongst the learned, and because Astrology it self is but a thing ground∣less and vain, as I hope I have made plain in the ensuing Chapters, and shall solidly maintain what I have said against all J. B. his Evasions or Excep∣tions.

And Astrology it self a thing wholly groundless and frivolous, &c. To this he Answers (p. 34.) But he forgets, sayes he, his former acknowledgments (he means my After-acknowledgments, for those acknow∣ledgments are made in the following Chapters, if at all, not in the Chapter going before) how there was much in the Effects and Acts of the Moon, and that the effect of the Sun in his course is conspicu∣ous, in making an Annual Resurrection as it were of Plants and Animals, &c. Repl. But he is to con∣sider, that this is no part of that Astrology that I oppose, which is that which stands upon such ima∣ginary Fundamentals as I have described from the second Section of ch. 15. to the end of that Chapter. And besides, in that whole fifteenth Chapter I set down what Astrologers hold, not what I acknowledge. And I expect that their grounds should be establish∣ed

either upon sense or reason. Now the pretended Qualities and Effects of the other Planets, are not sensible to us as those of the Sun and Moon, nor is it rationally deduced, that if these two Planets whose Discus's appear so big; have a real influence upon things here on Earth, that therefore all the Pla∣nets and Stars, be their Discus's never so little in comparison of the others, shall have considerable ef∣fects and influences also. Which methinks is as un∣skilfully concluded, as if one should say, because the Moon Eclipses the Sun, therefore Mercury and Venus must Eclipse the Sun, they being Planets as well as the Moon, not considering how much nearer they are to the Sun and further off from us, so that the Cones of their shadows cannot reach us.

Sect. 9. Did not the Reflection upon the insuffer∣able Impudence of Cardan, &c. It will not be amiss here to take notice what J.B. has writ touching all the hard language (as he conceives) in this Chapter against Cardan and Vaninus, and how he concerns himself in it. Which I do the rather to do J. B. right, that his Protestation whereby he would clear himself, may be heard. J. B. therefore on this Chap∣ter writes thus (p. 2, 3.) And whereas my self mis∣sing of the hap to read the Mystery of Godliness ac∣cording to this Doctors Explanation, and therefore little dreaming of any Blasphemy or Irreligion, or accursedness in the Art of Astrology, but rather ve∣rily expecting to do God Almighty and his Holy Church all possible right and honour by it, even I my self also, without consulting Cardan, have Calcula∣ted a Scheme of our ever blessed Saviours Nativity, and made use of this very Astrology, against which the Doctor is so bitterly angry, together with other

circumstances to demonstrate the certainty of the Day and Year of Christs Birth, which the Doctor sayes is so uncertain amongst the most accurate Chronolo∣gers: and ere I was aware, by so doing, I find my self dropt within the compass of the Doctors long lash, and unhappily situated in Company with the high-minded, vain-glorious, insufferably impudent, villa∣nous, insulters, Blasphemers, and irreligious Students of the accursed Art. Only I have this advantage, that I am yet alive, and have my Pen in my hand to an∣swer for my self. Which had Cardan and Vaninus also been able to perform, certainly the Doctor had never written of them at this rate as we read him.

I have transcribed this long passage mainly in be∣half of Mr. Butler himself, for whom I must confess I have so much Charity as to believe his profession, touching his Calculating our Saviours Nativity to be so far true, namely that he had no irreligious de∣sign in it. And if Cardan and Vaninus had been persons of whom I suspected as little as of Mr. Butler, knowing nothing at all of him, I should never have run out into this sharpness of stile against them, nor against Astrology. But by reading of Vaninus, under∣standing that Cardan fetched the Law of Moses from Saturn, of Christ from Jupiter and Mercury, of Ma∣homet from Sol and Mars, and the Law of Idolaters from the Moon and Mars, making Moses, Christ and Mahomet, all of them mere Sydereal Prophets alike, as I have here described in this fourteenth Chapter, and how Vaninus exults in these principles of Car∣dan, in whose writings I had observed many passa∣ges that tend to Irreligion and Atheism, though it may be he was more a Mad-man than a fixed Atheist; these things I say, how could they but excite any se∣rious

mans indignation against them, they offering such Principles to the World as must needs make the Christian Religion contemptible, and defeat the ends thereof: And, which I was here more particu∣larly concerned in, elude the solidity of such Ar∣guments as I had brought for the demonstration of Christianity. And, would it not raise any mans zeal to see the truth and usefulness of such a Reli∣gion whifled away by so vain an Imposture as Astro∣logy. Read my Enthusiasmus Triumphatus, Sect. 48. which I wrote before my Mystery of Godliness.

Now let us compare the harshness of my language with the hainousness of the offence in Cardan and Vaninus. Touching Cardan's light-mindedness and vain-glory, I have spoke already, and need not re∣peat it. For the terming of it, his insufferable im∣pudence in pretending by his Calculating Christs Na∣tivity that he had found him to be but a Brat of the Stars, whom we believe to have been conceived by the Holy Ghost; if that Language, insufferable impu∣dence; be not within moderation here, let the whole Christian World judge. And it is the greater impudence that he durst declare so from such a groundless, whimzical, and falsly so called Science, as Iudiciary Astrology is. And the Case standing thus, and Vaninus so exulting in these phantastick principles of Cardan, and insulting over the Christian Religion in vertue of them, how can this gear be called less than villainous, unless such words must be expunged the Dictionary, and never come into use amongst men? And then for Cardan and Vani∣nus, their combining together to blaspheme God; Is it not manifest they blaspheme God, when they deny his particular Providence, and reproach Christ who

is the Son of God, and miraculously conceived by the Holy Ghost, in making him but the Off-spring of the Stars, which they make every Brute as much as he. And if any Instrument which is made use of for some direful and accursed Action, in an ordi∣nary strain of Rhetorick is called accursed, much more may such a vain Art made use of for such im∣pious purposes be called an accursed Art also.

But that J. B. conceits, that if Cardan and Va∣ninus had been alive with their Pens in their hands, I had never adventured to write at this rate against them, that is only his surmize. For they had no∣thing but Railing and Reasoning to oppose me with, and as for the former, I should have served them as I have J. B. their fellow Astrologer, neither be troubled at it nor have troubled my self with answer∣ing it. And as for the latter, I am confident, Va∣ninus was a less skilful Astrologer than J. B. and Cardan not more able to shuffle for himself in a sophi∣stical show of Reason than he. And therefore if I vanquish J. B. it may justly go for a Victory over them both. Which we shall try when I come to reply upon his Allegations against my sixteenth Chapter, where I confute the Fundamentals of Astrology. But in the mean time I will observe the injurious cun∣ning of J. B. who has thus raked together all the harsh language of this Chapter against Cardan and Vaninus and their beloved Art, but concealed the occasions given for such sharpness of speech, that it may the easilier seem railing. But the Reader I hope, having perused the whole Chapter will readily acquit me of that unjust charge.

I will only take notice what he saith (p. 34.) par∣ticularly touching that passage, To lay open the

vanity of their accursed Art, and then I shall pass to the following Chapters. Ans. But then belike, sayes he, Moses and Daniel, and the three Children, and the famous Melancthon, were all accursed per∣sons for studying of it, at least they were so in the Doctors eye, how ever holy Writ and all good men may say to the contrary. Repl. As for the making of Moses and Daniel, and the three Children students of Astrology, that it is a mere amiable Dream of J. B.'s, I have proved above. And admit that Me∣lancthon was a Student of Astrology, it follows not from any thing that I have writ, that he was an ac∣cursed person, or that I thought him so. The Axe that cut off King Charles his Head, would any think it a forced strain of speech to call it an accursed Axe, it being abused to such an accursed purpose as I have answered above? I think it argued Melanc∣thon less considerate, that he would embrace or coun∣tenance so vain a study, if he did so, but that will not amount to make him to be, or to be esteemed by me or any one else that is reasonable, an accursed person. My self had, but that more important oc∣casions drew me away, turned student of the Astro∣logical Game, a Friend of mine giving me a Copy of his MS. he wrote of it, and my self providing my self with Astrological Chess-men, as I may so call them, a double set of the seven Planets, and of Caput and Cauda Draconis. Which, if Mr. J. B. be a practitioner of the sport, they are at his service. And I think the study of Astrology is rather a Play or Game, such as Chess, which is not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, than any natural Science, much less Divine. Nor am I of so rude a nature as not to bear with the ludi∣crous humours of others, nor yet so sensless as not to

be offended with their impieties, or what ever ap∣proaches over near it, as any serious Christian ought to be.

And therefore though J. B. has made a fair prote∣station in his own behalf, as if he verily expected to do God Almighty and his holy Church all possible right and honour by Calculating the Nativity of our Saviour, and that any candid Reader ought to ac∣cept of his Protestation so far forth as it excuses him from any evil intent against Religion and our blessed Lord: yet I cannot but declare, that no man can excuse him from great Temerity and Imprudence, who reads and observes, in his descant on Christs Nativities-Scheme, which he pretends to have de∣scribed, those things he has writ in that bold and rash manner. Christolog. p. 276. Though Iupiter, sayes he, on the Ascendant promises well, yet Mars is set as if he stood on purpose to destroy a Nativity, so opposite to Iupiter and the Ascendant, and being strong withal, he seems to threaten all good qualities with an overturn, infusing nothing but choler, fury, and malice into the Natives head, and disposing of the Moon he makes her do so too. The Sun also looks upon the Cusp ascending with an evil Quadrature, and such as usually renders a Native much more proud and ambitious than either wise or good natured, and Mercury complying with Sol in the same Aspect, en∣deavours to encline this sacred person to theft and lies. This, to speak freely, looks like a Nativity-Li∣bel against our Saviour, and an anticipative Accu∣sation exhibiting an ill Character of him, before by his Age he was in a capacity of doing either good or evil.

But to do J. B. right, after he has thus broken our

Saviours head, he gives him a Plaister. But what now, sayes he, was Iesus thus, or rather does not Astrology bely him? No neither. For had these evil Aspects courted an ordinary nature unto evil manners naturally, yet would they not have forced him, but he might have overcome all by gracious habits; but much more than this must we note in the ever blessed our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. For my own part I am willing to receive this as a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as a Plaister broad enough to cover the wound he has gi∣ven our ever blessed Lord Iesus. But how he will be able to hold the Fingers of his beloved Vaninus, that great Patron of Astrology, and his Atheistical Followers from raking into this sore, notwithstand∣ing the fence of his Plaster, I cannot tell. I have heard of a story of an Hector-like Wit, who hearing this descant of J. B.'s on our Saviours Nativity-Scheme, that Mercury in such a posture inclined him to theft, rapt out a great Oath and said it was very likely, and that his sending his Disciples for ano∣ther mans Colt (Luk. 19.) to bring him to him, was an effect of that Aspect of Mercury. Which notwith∣standing was very ignorantly as well as impiously appli'd; the Colt being brought away not without the Owners consent; besides that Christ was true Owner and Lord of all. The Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof, as the Psalmist speaks: Not to add that Cabbalistical Notion, that the Soul of the Messias is Domina quatuor Mundorum. And to this in all likelihood might our Saviour allude when he bad his Disciples say, The Lord hath need of him. See Psalm 24. But to hold on.

And now will not others be as prone to impute his high zeal in whipping the buyers and sellers out of

the Temple, to the influence of Mars infusing nothing but choler and fury into the Natives head, as J. B. phrases it? And his declaring himself to be the Son of God, and that his Father works hitherto and he works, and that he is said, Hebr. 12. for the joy that was set before him to have endured the Cross, and to have despised the shame, and to have sat down at the right hand of the throne of God; will they not be prone to impute all this to the Sun's looking upon the Cusp ascending with an evil Qua∣drature, and such as renders the Native more proud and ambitious than either good-natured or wise? For such certainly would be his beloved Vaninus's descant upon this last point, who suggests in his Dialogues, that Christ offered himself to be crucified, ad com∣parandam apud posteros aeterni nominis gloriam, which, if that had been all, had proved him indeed more ambitious than wise, to cut himself off in the midst of his days, for an empty name. And in the same Dialogues he sayes; Great Conjunctions of the Stars happening, and by their influences Miracles here appearing upon Earth, some cunning man observing this, and being thirsty after eternal Fame, gives him∣self out for a Prophet and one sent from God, and ascribing these Miracles to his own fictitious Omnipo∣tency, (they being indeed done by the Stars) is ad∣mired and adored by the deluded People. And thus Vaninus will accommodate the Aspect of Mercury, not only to Theft, but also to Lies, and all that Christ assumed to himself, or did or suffered, that made way to his Exaltation, he will apply to the evil Quadrature of the Sun so looking upon the Cusp ascending. Insomuch, that considering the wound, and the Plaister that J. B. has given our Saviour, as

touching his Nativity, I must confess, though I am loth to speak any thing harsh or grating, that his venting of such strange stuff, is too apparent an Ar∣gument of either gross Imprudence, or deep Hypo∣crisy, the thing being so abusable by wicked and A∣theistical men, such as Vaninus and his Crue; not∣withstanding the whole business of Astrology is a mere imposture, and if there were any thing in it, that J. B. is quite out, not only in the hour or minute, but in the year of Christs Nativity (as I shall show in its due place) and that our Saviours zeal in whipping the buyers and sellers out of the Temple, was out of a deep love and pity to the Gentiles, despised by the Iews, not out of rage and malice, which Mars is pretended to infuse in his Nativity, nor the joy set before him the gratifying any ambi∣tion that the evil Quadrature of the Sun might sig∣nify, but his desire of being in an universal capa∣city of saving the Souls of men. Nor lastly, was it suggested to him by Mercury to give out that he was a Prophet, and the Son of God, but a voice from Heaven witnessed so in audience of the people, and his own sense and Conscience illuminated by the Holy Ghost, and answered by the perpetual assistan∣ces and operations of him that sent him assured him thereof. But notwithstanding, I say, all these most certain truths the Vaninian Atheists will click at and stick to what they would have, and will be gaily gratified by this extravagant, immodest, and imprudent Essay of J. B. for I would be loth to charge him of so deep Hypocrisy as he would lie ob∣noxious to, if he had been aware of these grand in∣conveniencies.

And therefore, I hope, by this time he is so sensi∣ble

of his mistake, that he could wish he had em∣ployed his time better than in such a mischievous and scandalous Curiosity, and that he will think more favourably of my just though sharp reprehensi∣ons of Cardan and Vaninus, than either to deem it or term it Railing or Reviling.

CHAP. XV.

1. The general plausibilities for the Art of Astrology propounded. 2. The first rudiments of the said Art. The Qualities of the Planets, and their penetrancy through the Earth. 3. That the Earth is as pervious to them as the Air, and of their division of the Zodiack into Trigons, &c. 4. The Essential Dignities of the Planets. 5. Their Ac∣cidental Dignities. 6. Of the twelve Celestial Houses, and the five ways of erecting a Scheme. 7. The requisiteness of the exact knowledge of the moment of time, and of the true longitude and latitude of the place. 8. Direction what it is, and which the chiefest Directors or Significators. 9. Of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Apheta and Anaereta, and the time when the Anaereta gives the fatal stroke.

1. I Shall therefore make this short digression to ex∣pose to your view the extreme folly and fri∣volousness of the whole pretended Art of Astrology, whose main general Reasons and particular Principles are in brief as followeth.

First, they alledge, that it is a thing beyond all

belief, that such an innumerable Company of Stars, whose light is not considerable, nor their position so exact for ornament, should be made for nothing else but to look upon. Therefore, say they, there is some other mystery in it, and that they are endued with cer∣tain hidden influences, and have their several peculiar virtues, as distinct as the Herbs and Flowers of the Field, and it is their Art of Astrology that professeth the knowledge thereof.

Again, The Earth and Water being such simple Bo∣dies as they are, the various productions in Nature could not be, were it not for that infinite variety of those Celestial Bodies, the Stars, and their several in∣fluences upon the Earth. This their great Champion Sir Christopher Heydon urges as a principal Argument for them.

Thirdly, That it is plain that the Moon hath a moist Influence, and that at her full the Brains of Beasts generally, the Eyes of Cats, and the meat of Shell-fishes are swell'd to a greater bigness; and that they are lessened in the Change.

Fourthly, That the Moon also, to our wonder∣ment, guides the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea, whose influence is equally seen when she is under the Horizon as when above, when near our Nadir as when near our Zenith. Whence, say they, it is plain, that the Heavenly Bodies have not only a power or influence, besides Light, but more searching and pe∣netrating than light it self, as being able to make its way through the thickness of the Earth, and to reach its effect on the further side thereof. Both which wonders they further confirm from the Magnetical Needle, that looks toward the Pole-Star, though on the other side of the Tropick of Capricorn; where

the North Pole will be hidden twenty or thirty de∣grees below the Horizon. Whence it is manifest, say they, that the influence of the Pole-Star pierces through the bowels of the Earth; and is a notorious Argument of that secret and irresistible virtue of the rest of the Heavenly Bodies.

Fifthly, The Station, Direction and Repedation of the Planets is a thing so strange and mysterious, that it is not likely they should make those odd motions, unless those waglings this way and that way, those goings backward and forward were a certain reeling or spinning the Fates and Fortunes of things or per∣sons here below.

Sixthly and lastly, Yearly experience teaches us that the approach of the Sun renews the World and makes an annual Resurrection of Plants and Insects, and such living Creatures as are born of putrefaction, and have no other Father than the fiery-bearded Sun. If then this one Planet does such rare feats, certainly the rest of the Planets and fixed Stars do not stand for Cyphers, but have their virtues and operations as well as he, whose efficacy and influence, say these Star-gazers, our Art does punctually and particularly define. You may add if you will out of Origanus, the heat of the Dog-Star, and the moist influence of Arcturus and the Hyades. * These are the gene∣ral plausibilities that these Deceivers endeavour to countenance their profession by. But we shall now set down the main particular Principles and Funda∣mental Rudiments of their so much-admired science, as they would have it esteemed, and then shall or∣derly answer to them both.

2. According therefore to Origanus, whom I shall chiefly follow in setting down these Astrological

Principles, I do not say all, but what is sufficient; nor will I set down any but what they acknowledge for Principles, nor omit any that are so considerable as these I set down:

First, It is thought by them, that the Planets have the most influence upon Terrestrial Bodies, but that the fixt Stars also as well as they have virtues so potent as to pierce the very penetrals of the Earth: * That of the Planets the Sun is hot and moist rather than drying: That Mars is hot and parchingly drying: That Saturn hinders the warm influence of the other Stars, and is in an high degree frigefactive, as also exsiccative. From these two Qualities contrary to the Principles of life, Saturn is termed Infortuna ma∣jor, Mars, Infortuna minor; because heat is not contrary to life, though driness be. Iupiter is also deemed Fortuna major, because he hath sufficient moisture well tempered with heat: But Venus, Fortu∣na minor, because her moisture exceeds her warmth. From this distinction of hot, cold, dry and moist, the Planets are also divided into Masculine and Femi∣nine, Diurnal and Nocturnal, &c. So that if these conceits of driness, moistness, coldness and heat fail, all the rest fail.

3. But I think that principle more observable which is touched upon already, That the influence of the Stars and Planets do pass freely through the Earth; which is implied in that Aphorism of Ptolemy cited by Origanus, Masculescere & efficaciores dici Plane∣tas, qui ab Horizonte ortivo vel occiduo deducun∣tur ad Meridianum supra vel infra terram, Effoemi∣nari vero qui contrá. Which plainly implies, that their Influences pass as easily through the Earth as through the Air: otherwise surely those Planets that

tended from the Western Horizon toward the Meri∣dian under the Earth, would have the disadvantage of it. That also goes upon the same Hypothesis, that the Earth is no impediment, namely, that Iupiter being Consignificatour in the second House, denotes rich∣es; and that by how many more Planets there be in the sixth House, by so much more subject to Diseases the Child will be. That the fixt Stars and Planets do most potently act in the Cardines of the Celestial Theme, of which Imum Coeli is one. Which suppo∣ses the Earth as pervious as the very Air to the Cele∣stial Influences.

To omit other divisions of the Signs into Mobilia, Fixa, and Bicorporea, into Masculine and Feminine, &c. I shall only set down that more noised division of them into Trigons, viz. the Fiery Trigon, Aries, Leo, Sagittarius; the Earthly, Taurus, Virgo, Ca∣pricorn; Aerial, Gemini, Libra, Aquarius; Wa∣tery, Cancer, Scorpius, Pisces.

4. They teach us also fine things of the Dignities of the Planets: which are either Essential or Acci∣dental. An Essential Dignity is nothing else but the encrease of the innate virtue of the Planet by being in such or such a sign of the Zodiack, as Origanus hath defined.

The first Essential Dignity is the House of the Planet. As for Example, Leo is the House of the Sun, Cancer of the Moon. And because there are more signs than Planets, it falls to the share of the rest to have two Houses a piece, so aspected to the Houses of the Luminaries as becomes the Goodness or Malig∣nity of their Natures. As for Example, Capricorn and Aquarius must be the Houses of unfortunate Sa∣turn, because their aspect is opposite to the Houses of

the Luminaries. Sagittarius and Pisces the Houses of Iupiter, because the Aspect to the foresaid Hou∣ses of the Sun and Moon, is a benign Aspect, namely, Trine. But now Mars has Aries and Scorpius for his Houses, because he forsooth himself being a ma∣lignant Planet may have his * Houses in a malignant posture to the Houses of the Sun and Moon, namely, in a Quartile Aspect, &c. And as to be in their own Houses is a dignity, so to be in the sign opposite they call Exilium, and account it a great detriment to the Planet.

The second Essential dignity is Exaltation: as Aries is the Exaltation of the Sun, because his Effi∣cacy is so apparent in Spring, and therefore his casus must be in Libra: which must on the contrary be the exaltation of Saturn, that Planet being of a cold temper contrary to the Sun. The Dragon's Head also is exalted in Gemini, as Albumasar out of Hermes has given us to understand, and depressed in Sagit∣tarius.

The third Essential Dignity is Triangularity or Triplicity, whereby certain Planets are constituted the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of their respective Trigons. Sol and Iupiter of the Fiery Trigon; The Moon and Venus of the Earthly Trigon; Saturn and Mercury of the Aereal: and because there are not eight Pla∣nets, but seven only, Mars is the sole Trigonocrator of the Watery Triplicity. I omit to say any thing of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or Dignity of Terms in which the two Luminaries are not concerned. Carpentum, which is the fifth Dignity, is but * a coacervation of the four precedent. Persona or Almugea is when there is the same Configuration betwixt the Sun and Moon, and another Planet, as there is betwixt their

Houses. Decanat is the prefecture of the Planets * over every ten degrees of the signs in the Zodiack. Mars over the first ten degrees of Aries, Sol over the second, Venus over the third; Mercury over the first ten of Taurus; the Moon over the second; Sa∣turn over the third; and so on according to the or∣der of the Planets, till all the ten degrees of the Zo∣diack be gone through.

The last Essential Dignity is Gaudium, which is competible only to those Planets that have two Hou∣ses, and is when a Planet is placed in that House which is most agreeable to his nature.

The chief of these Dignities are House, Exaltation, and Triplicity. For the first has five powers, the se∣cond four, the third three. But 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 has but two, and Almugea and Gaudium but one apiece.

5. The Accidental Dignities arise either from their posture to the Sun, or from their motion in their Orbs, or from their mutual Configuration.

In regard of their Position to the Sun, they are either in Cazimi, or Combust or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or free from Combustion, or Oriental or Occidental. To be in Cazimi is to be corporally joined with the Sun, and gives the Planet five Fortitudes. To be Combust or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is to be distant some ten or fifteen de∣grees from the Sun, &c. This position puts four or five Detriments on the Planet. To be free from combu∣stion adds five Fortitudes. Saturn, Iupiter and Mars from their Conjunction to their Opposition with the Sun are Oriental, and gain two Fortitudes; but from their Opposition to their Conjunction are Occiden∣tal, and incur two detriments.

In regard of their motion the Planets are either Direct, Retrograde, Swift, Slow or Stationary. Di∣rection

has four Fortitudes, Retrogradation five De∣bilities, Station two Debilities.

Configuration or Aspect is either Sextile, Quar∣tile, Trine, Opposition or Conjunction. The Con∣junction of benign Planets adds five Fortitudes, of malign five Debilities. Sextile and Trine are be∣nign Aspects, Quartile and Opposition malign, &c.

6. But to climb nearer to the top of their Arti∣fice, let us now set down their witty contrivance of the Heavens into twelve Houses in their Erection of their Astrological Scheme. The first House begins at the East Horizon, and is to be numbred according to the series of the Signs Eastward, and is called Horo∣scopus and Domus vitae. The second 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and Domus lucri. The third 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and Domus Fortunae. The fourth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Imum Coeli, and Domus Patri∣monii. The fifth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and Domus liberorum. The sixth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and Domus Aegritudinum. The seventh 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and Domus Nuptiarum. The eighth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and Domus Mortis. The ninth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and Domus Religionis. The tenth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Cor coeli and Domus Honorum. The eleventh 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Domus Amicorum. The twelfth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Domus Carceris. Every one of these Houses has its Consignificator. The first House, Saturn, the second Iupiter, the third Mars, the fourth Sol, and so on, according to the Ptolemaical Order of the Planets. According to which also they constitute their 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Alfridarii, giving the Planets a septen∣nial Dominion in succession from the Nativity. The first Septennium to the Moon, the second to Mercury, the third to Venus, &c.

Now this Erection of a Scheme and distribution of the Heavens into twelve Houses, is no less than five

manner of ways, as ‖ 1.6 Origanus has set down. The first of Iulius Firmicus, who draws his Circles through the Poles of the Zodiack. The second of Aben Ezra, who divides the Aequator into twelve equal parts, as the other did the Zodiack, by the drawing of six great Circles through the mutual Se∣ctions of the Horizon and Meridian, and through each thirtieth degree of the Aequator. The third is that of Campanus, who divides the principal Verti∣cal into twelve equal parts, by Arches drawn through the common intersections of the Meridian and Hori∣zon. Fourthly, Alcabitius draws the Circles through the Poles of the World, and certain equidistant points in the semidiurnal and seminocturnal Arches of the Ascension of the Ecliptick. And lastly, Porphyrius divides the two Oriental parts of the Zodiack inter∣cepted betwixt the Horizon and Meridian above and below into three equal parts apiece. So many ways are there of building Houses or Castles in the Air.

7. That the Erection of a Scheme may foretel right the Fate of the Infant, the time of the Birth is to be known exactly. For if you miss a degree in the time of the Birth, it will breed a Years errour in the Prognostication; if but five minutes, a month, &c. For which purpose also it is as necessary to know the Longitude and Latitude of the place.

8. After the erection of so accurate a Scheme, they pretend to be able to foretel the time of the main Accidents of a mans life, and that either by Profecti∣on annual and Transition, or by Direction. The last is the chief: and therefore not to fill your Ears over∣much with the wretched gibberish of Gypsies, when I have intimated that the first of the two former run all

upon Aspects, and that Transition is nothing else but the passing of a Planet through the places of the Na∣tivity, whether its own, or of other Planets, or of the Horoscope, &c. I shall force my self a little more fully to define to you, out of ‖ 1.7 Origanus, the nature of Direction. Which is, The invention of the Arch of the Aequator, which is intercepted betwixt two Circles of Position, drawn through two places of the Zodiack, the one whereof the Significator possesses, the other the Promissor, and ascends or descends with the Arch of the Ecliptick in the posture of the sphere given. The term from which the computa∣tion is made is the Significator, the term to which, the Promissor. As if Sol be directed to Mars, Sol signifies Dignities, and Mars the nature of those Dig∣nities; and the distance of the time is computed by Direction. I shall omit to tell you that all the Planets and all the Houses are capable of Direction, if we would accurately examine a Scheme. But the chief∣est Directors or Significators are, 1. * The 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which the Arabians call Hylech from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the La∣tines, Emissor or Prorogator vitae. 2. The Moon for the affections of the mind. 3. The Sun, even then also when he is the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for the condition of life and Dignities. 4. The Horoscope for Health and pere∣grinations. 5. The Medium Coeli for Marriage and Procreation of Children. 6. * The 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the Part of Fortune for increase or decrease of riches.

9. But the chiefest of all is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as respecting life it self, which is directed to the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or In∣terfector, or Slayer. Which is, suppose, either some Planet which is present in the eighth House, as Saturn or Mars, or the Almuten of the eighth House, or

the Planet join'd to the Almuten, or the Almuten of the Planet, or the Almuten of the Lord of the eighth House. But the huge mystery is, and that a sad one, that when the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 comes to the place of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, the Emissor to the place of the Inter∣fector, then wo be to the Brat that ever he was born under so unlucky Stars; for there is no remedy but he must die the Death. Nor will his * Alcochodon, or Almuten Hylegii avail him any thing, when his Hy∣leck or Emissor is once come into the hands of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or that Celestial Butcher.

These are the most fundamental and most solemn Fooleries (for so I must call them) of their whole Art: and I shall now set my self to demonstrate them to be so, after I have answered those more general plausibilities they would countenance themselves by.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XV. Sect. I.

THese are the general Plausibilities, &c. I shall only here note how faithful I have been, and impartial in setting out with the utmost advanta∣ges the cause of the Astrologers, in laying down the most plausible Arguments they can alledge, with the best gloss I could. Which is a thing so notorious, that my Antagonist himself cannot but acknowledge it. Which he does with a free and pretty humoursome strain of Rhetorick, p. 41. And the truth is, saith

he, the Doctor has so ingeniously compiled the Argu∣ments on Astrologies behalf altogether in one Chap∣ter, and set them out in such neat Apparel and so good order, that as they stand holding together so unanimously, and maintaining their cause so chear∣fully, methinks they look so confidently sweetly on the Opposer, as if they were at strife whether to wooe, or daunt the Adversary to their side. With such an overcoming beauty, it seems, have I drawn the Por∣traiture of his beloved Mistress, the most sacred and Divine Science of Astrology, that either awe or pity would turn any one off from defacing so fair and lovely an Image as his enamoured phancy conceives it to be. But it is in pity to himself and all others that are deluded with this fair but false show, that I have discovered the foul flaws thereof, and as much as in me lies demolished this deceitful Idol. Which, that I have really done, I shall show anon by making good my sixteenth and seventeenth Chapters against the Answers of my Adversary, where he offers any shew of Reason. But for his ill language, I shall not so much as bring it into play, whether it come alone or attended with some offers at Reasoning, which I shall ever strip of the ill language as near as I can, and deal with the bare Argument it self.

Sect. 2. That of the Planets the Sun is hot, and moist rather than drying, That Mars is hot and parchingly drying. Because my Antagonist (p. 25.) denies this to be acknowledged by the Astrologers, I will set down the very words in Origanus, Part. 3. de Effect. Cap. 1. Where, of the Sun, he sayes, Solis natura est quam sensu percipimus, 1. Potenter cale∣facere. 2. Paululum exsiccare. Vivificus enim ejus calor est & non vehementer siccus, quoniam quasi

humido jungitur, As if the heat of the Sun were mingled with moisture, and had something of the nature of warm Oyl, according to Origanus his mind, who is one of their prime Astrologers. And then of Mars, Martis est, saith he, 1. Exsiccare & arefa∣cere. 2. In calefaciendo urere; which surely will amount to what we have expressed, That Mars is hot and parchingly drying.

Sect. 4. In a malignant posture to the Houses of the Sun and Moon, namely in a Quartile Aspect, &c. For that Quartile is a malignant Aspect with the Astrologers is expresly acknowledged by Dariot in his Judicial Astrology, chap. 10. Some of these, saith he, are Aspects of Amity, as the Trine, and Sextile, others of Enmity and Hatred, as the Quadrate and Op∣position. See also Origanus, Part. 3. de Effect. Cap. 6.

A Coacervation of the four precedent, &c. Ra∣ther an Adjection of some of the precedent digni∣ties. Quinta dignitas, sayes Origanus (Part. 3. de Effect. cap. 4.) composita est ex aliis simplicibus quae hactenus declaratae sunt, & vocatur Carpentum, Thro∣nus, seu Regium Solium; Veluti Venus in Tauro & Domo & Trigono potens, Signo illo ut Regio curru utitur.

Over every ten Degrees of the Signs of the Zodi∣ack. These Decads Dariot calls Faces, as Origanus, Facies Signorum.

Sect. 8. The 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which the Arabians call Hy∣lech, &c. The entire place in Origanus is this. Part. 3. de Effect. Cap. 2. Prorogator vitae (qui Graecis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, item 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 quasi Emissarius, Arabibus verò Hylech Ambulator ab Herbraeo 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ambulare, dici∣tur) est vel Planeta vel locus Coeli ex cujus digressi∣one

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vel directione de statu vitae judicant Astrologi. And a little after, Pleri{que}, sayes he, imprimis nobi∣lis ille Cyprianus Leovitius, gradum Ascendentis tantummodo assumunt pro Hylech. And near the beginning of that Chapter, Horoscopus, saith he, propriissimus est significator vitae, foelix futura sit an infelix. Foelix quidem est foelicis & benefici Planetae signo ac Termino, vel etiam beneficorum Planetarum radiis, vel praesentiâ. Veluti, vitae validae statuuntur quibus Aries vel Leo ascendit & Sol est in nona, de∣cima, undecima, vel septima domo. Vel Taurus aut Cancer & Luna in his existit. Infelix autem est vel Termino malo, quando videlicet, Maleficus corpore obsidet Horoscopum, vel etiam Horoscopus incidit in malignum aspectum Malefici, praecipue Interfe∣ctoris.

The 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the Part of Fortune, &c. Pars Fortunae is defined by the Astrologers, locus Zodiaci in quem, numerando ab Ariete, cadit nume∣rus conflatus ex gradu oriente seu Horoscopi, & di∣stantia Solis & Lunae.

Sect. 9. Nor will his Alcochodon, &c. Alchocho∣den est stella virtutis ex qua de annis quibus Natus secundum Naturae cursum victurus est judicium sumi∣tur (from whence the reason of the name seems to be derived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 stella ad 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 judicare) nisi rati∣one Directionis vel alterius violenti & subiti casus vita Nati citius abrumpatur. Origan. Part. 3. de Affecti∣bus cap. 2.

These few things I thought worth the while to add for the more easy and full understanding of these brief Rudiments of Astrology, rather than to seem to have said nothing on this Chapter: As indeed there was very little to be said of it, J. B. with other

Astrologers, being agreed on the Principles which I have laid down as theirs. But now we are to see how well J. B. has defended them against my Obje∣ctions, or Confutation of them in the following Chapters. Which we will do with what brevity and clearness we can.

CHAP. XVI.

1. That the Stars and Planets are not useless though there be no truth in Astrology. 2. That the Stars are not the causes of the variety of productions here below. 3. That the sensible moistening power of the Moon is no Argument for the Influence of other Planets and Stars. 4. Nor yet the Flux and Reflux of the Sea, and Direction of the Needle to the North Pole. 5. That the Station and Re∣pedation of the Planets is an Argument against the Astrologers. 6. That the Influence attribu∣ted to the Dog-Star, the Hyades and Orion, is not theirs but the Suns, and that the Suns Influence is only heat. 7. The slight occasions of their in∣venting of those Dignities of the Planets they call Exaltations and Houses, as also that of Aspects. 8. Their folly in preferring the Planets before the fixt Stars of the same appearing magnitude, and of their fiction of the First Qualities of the Pla∣nets, with those that rise therefrom. 9. Their rashness in allowing to the influence of the Hea∣venly Bodies so free a passage through the Earth. 10. Their groundless division of the signs into moveable and fixt, and the ridiculous Effects they

attribute to the Trigons, together with a demon∣stration of the falsness of the Figment. 11. A Confutation of their Essential Dignities. 12. As also of their Accidental. 13. A subversion of their Erection of Schemes, and distributing of the Hea∣vens into twelve Celestial Houses. 14. Their fond pretences to the knowledge of the exact moment of the Infants Birth. 15. A Confutation of their Animodar and Trutina Hermetis. 16. As also of their method of rectifying a Nativity per Acci∣dentia Nati. 17. His appeal to the skilful, if he has not fundamentally confuted the whole preten∣ded Art of Astrology.

1. WHerefore to their first general pretence, That the very Being of the Stars and Pla∣nets would be useless, if there be nothing in the Art of Astrology, I answer, That though there were cer∣tain Influences and virtues in every one of them, yet it does not follow that they are discovered in their Art: And then again, That though there were none saving that of Light and Heat in the Fixt Stars, it will not follow that they are useless. * Because the later and wiser Philosophers have made them as so many ‖ 1.8 Suns: * which Hypothesis our Astrologers must confute before they can make good the force of their first Argument. And for the Planets, they have also suggested that they may have some such like use as our Earth has, i. e. to be the Mother of living Creatures, though they have defined nothing con∣cerning the natures of them; whereby their opinion becomes more harmless, and unexceptionable * as it is in it self highly probable: Forasmuch as the Earth, as well as Saturn, Iupiter, and the rest, moves about

the Sun, and is as much a Planet as any of them; as the best Astronomers do not at all stick now adays to affirm. Which does utterly enervate the force of this first general pretence of the Astrologians.

2. To the second I answer, That the Stars are but Lights of much the same nature as our Sun is, only they are further removed, so that their contribution is much-what the same. And again, nothing turns off their more subtil influence, according to their own concession; and therefore though there were this va∣riety in them, * yet because all this variety reaches every point of the Earth, the product would be the same, unless the particles of the Earth were diversi∣fied by some other cause, which assuredly they are. And thirdly, That neither their own variety, nor the Influences of the Heavens, if they be merely ma∣terial, are sufficient causes of productions here below. Fourthly, * That the Celestial matter is every where, and that the Earth swims in it, as Wood doth in Wa∣ter, so that we need not have recourse to so remote, unknown, activities. And lastly, That that general 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Spirit of nature, is also every where ready to contrive the matter into such shapes and virtues as its disposition makes toward. And this is enough and more than enough to take off the edge of the Knights Argument.

3. I do acknowledge that the Moon in her Full swells certain things with moisture; which effect is both sensible and palpable, and also reasonable, by reason of her proximity, and of the reflection of the Suns beams from her body, which being but of a moderate power, * melt the Air and vapours into an insinuating liquidness, but do not dissipate them, as his direct beams do by day. Which feat I do not

doubt but that any other of the Planets would per∣form, * if they were so placed that their Discus would seem of equal bigness with the Moons, and she were removed into their place. * But it is an unsufferable folly to argue from such both reasonable and palpable effects of the Moon, that the other Pla∣nets also and Fixt Stars, have as powerful effects upon us; which yet we can deprehend by neither Reason nor Experience.

4. The like may be answered concerning the Flux and Reflux of the Sea; the ground whereof is ra∣tional from what Des Cartes has set down in his Prin∣cip. Philos. Part. 4. namely, * That the Ellipsis of the Celestial matter is streightned by the Moons Body, which makes the Aether flow more swift: which is a plain and mechanical solution of the Phaenomenon. And then we find by certain experience, that this Flux and Reflux depends on the course of the Moon, so that there can be no deceit in the business. But when there is no reason nor sufficient experience, that this is the cause of that, to attribute the one to the other is no good Logick. And to that of the Load-stone and Polar-Star, I say again, as I have said already, that it does not follow, because there are some sen∣sible Effects from the Heavens, certain and constant, that therefore we may imagine what effects we please to proceed from this or that particular Star, without due experience or reason for the same. And then in the next place, That it is not so much the Influence of the Heaven, as the Magnetism of the Earth, in which this Direction of the Needle toward the North consists. For the Needle varies in certain Meridians, and some three miles from Rosseburg, a Town near upon the very Corner where the Finnick Seas, and

sinus Finnicus are join'd, the Needle amidst a many Sea Rocks turns about, nor ceases so to do for the space of a whole Mile. Which is a further demonstra∣tion that the direction of the Needle depends upon the Magnetism of the Earth. But truly if the Events which the Astrologers take upon them to predict, did as steadily point to the causes they alledge, This Pla∣net or that Configuration of Planets, Signs or Stars, as the Needle and Axis of the Earth to the North; though they could give no reasons thereof, I could easily allow their Art. But there being such demon∣strative Reasons against their Grounds, and no cer∣tain experience for them, these particular Allegations concerning the Moon and Pole Star will stand them in no stead.

5. The Station and Retrogradation of the Pla∣nets is a very considerable Argument against them, and shews how foolish and imaginary their Art is, that is upheld by such gross mistakes. For they that un∣derstand the right Systeme of the World, * know very well that those Phaenomena are not real but seeming: which is a Scurvy Slur to the Astrologers. But this I shall meet with again hereafter.

6. To the last I answer, * That neither the Dog-Star, Arcturus, the Hyades, nor Orion, are concei∣ved to have any such effects as are attributed to them, but then when the Sun is in such places of the Zodi∣ack as himself without them would bring forth. And therefore they do fallaciously attribute to those Stars what is really the virtue of the heat of the Sun ap∣proaching nearer us, or abiding longer upon us. And as for the wrath of the Dog, which is abated already in some considerable manner, how tame a Creature think you will he be, when the Anticipation of the

Aequinoxes shall appoint him his Kennel as low as Capricorn, if the World should so long continue? These may serve for Poetical expressions (such as that of Virgil, who attributes that to the Signs which be∣longs to the Sun;

Candidus auratis aperit cùm cornibus annum Taurus — When the white Bull opens with golden horns The early year:)

but they will not endure the severity of the Laws of an Art, which is, to speak properly, not to entitle things circumstantial and concomitant to real causa∣lity. But as for the Suns efficacy it self, I will not de∣ny it, nor yet acknowledge it any more than in the general influence of Heat, which cherishes and excites the seminal Principles of things into act and perfecti∣on. * Which is no more mysterious than the Aegyp∣tians and Livia's Maids of honour hatching of Eggs without the help of the Hen; the same which the Sun does to the Ostriches left upon the sand. And I will also acknowledge that the rest of the Stars do not stand for Cyphers, but that at a competent distance they will have their effect: which the Sun it self has not when removed from us but to the other side of the Aequator, whereby his rayes become more oblique. How inconsiderable then think you would he be, if he were removed as far as the fixt Stars, all whose in∣fluence put together cannot supply his absence in the depth of Winter? Whence it is plain, that it is a very fond inference to argue that those remote bo∣dies of the fixt Stars and Planets have an influence upon us, because the Sun and Moon that are so near

us have; when as if they were as far removed, their influence would assuredly be as insensible as that of the five Planets and fixt Stars.

7. And yet notwithstanding such is the intolerable impudence of the Inventors of Astrology, that they have at random attributed such things to the other Planets and Stars as they have only ground for, if any at all, in the two Luminaries. As for Example, * be∣cause they might observe some more sensible mutation in the Air and Earth at the Suns entring Aries, it would be the more tolerable to phansie that sign his Exaltation. But now to appoint places of Exaltati∣on to other Planets, as Taurus to the Moon, Libra to Saturn, is a mere running the Wild-Goose Chase, from one single hint to matters where there is nothing of like reason or experience. So likewise because they had some intimation * to make Leo the House of the Sun, his heat being then most sensible, and Can∣cer the House of the Moon, because then she would be most vertical to us; * they have without either fear or wit bestowed Houses, two a piece, upon the rest of the Planets, though there be neither Reason nor Effect answerable.

And lastly, For Aspects. In all likelihood the sensi∣ble varieties of the Phases of the Moon in Opposition, Trine, and Quartile, gave them first occasion to take notice of Aspects: * and then another thing happen∣ing, though independent on the course of the Moon, namely, that every seventh day, in an acute Disease, is Critical, and that there are usually at those returns the greatest stirs and alterations in the Patient, and the Quartile Aspect of the Moon happening also about seven days from the Conjunction, and then about se∣ven dayes more she being in Opposition; this natural

Circuit of Fermentations in acute Diseases, has given them occasion to slander the Moon in those Cases, and for her sake to reproach the Aspects of Opposition and Quadrature, in all the rest of the Planets. Such small hints as these are the solidest Foundations of the phantastick structure of Astrology. Which we shall now something more nearly lay battery to, and so shatter it, that it shall not so much as find room in the imaginations of men.

8. To begin therefore with the first of their Prin∣ciples I have set down, That they prefer the Planets before the fixt Stars (I mean those so remote ones, that they seem but about the bigness of the greater Stars) is without all reason; * the Planets being but heaps of dead matter much like that of the Earth, and having no light but what they reflect from the Sun. For that which seems to be the innate light of the Moon, is but the reflection of the Suns beams from the Earth. Wherefore their activity and influence may justly seem less * than that of the fixt Stars, which shine not with borrowed but innate light. And for their powerful penetrating into the Bowels of the Earth, that is a mistake arising from the supposed in∣fluence of the Moon, on the Flux and Reflux of the Sea, even when she is on the other side of the Earth; to which with the like fallacious inference I have ‖ 1.9 answer'd already. But then, for the Qualities of the Planets, where they define the Sun to be hot and moist, rather than drying, but Mars hot and parch∣ingly dry, and Saturn dry and cold; what will not these impudent Impostors dare to obtrude upon us, when they will vent such stuff as is liable to confuta∣tion by our very senses? For does not our very sense tell us that the Sun is the most hot and drying Planet

that is? His heat it is, and not that of Mars, that withers the Grass and Flowers, and parches the tops of Mountains, and even roasts the Inhabitants of the Earth, when they expose their Bodies to his more direct rays. But what faculty could ever inform us, that Mars was such a parching and heating Planet, and Saturn so cold? Assuredly he that will expose his head to their Acronycal Rays, which are most po∣tent, and profess he feels more cold from one, and heat from the other, than he does from the other parts of Heaven, will approve himself as mad as that old Dotard that pretended that he could as often as he listened, plainly hear the Harmony of the Cele∣stial Spheres. * All the Planets are opaque Bodies, and whatever their colour is, are as cold as Earth. For neither yellow nor red clay cast any more heat than white, nor has any soil any sensible influence but what is drawn in by the nose, which sometimes proves wholesome and savory, and sometimes offensive. But how our Star-gazers Proboscides should be drawn out to that length as to smell out the different virtues of the Planets, I can no way understand. Wherefore the pronouncing of Mars hot and dry, and Saturn cold and dry, &c. is a shameless Foolery, and a de∣monstration of the vanity of the rest of their allot∣ments of the first Qualities to the Planets. * And since from these they are reputed Malign or Benign, Masculine or Feminine, and the like, all this part of their pretended Science is but a Rhapsody of Foole∣ries also.

9. To the second, of the Earths being so pervi∣ous to the influence of the Stars and Planets, I say▪ first, that it is a Principle without proof, as I have al∣ready evinced: and then secondly, if I give them it,

they will be fain to vomit it up again, it being de∣structive to their whole Art. For if the rayes and influence of the Stars and Planets have free passage through the body of the Earth, the whole Ceremony of erecting a Scheme for such a Longitude and Lati∣tude is needless; nay, as to the Heavens, the fates of all men would be alike. * For that hidden influ∣ence which governs all would reach to all points from all parts of Heaven at once.

10. Thirdly, Concerning the division of their Signs into Mobilia, Fixa and Bicorporea. The mo∣bilia are the Aequinoctial and Solstitial Signs. The latter whereof might deserve better the name of Fixa than Mobilia. And in my apprehension the tempers of the Year might as well be said to be begun, sup∣pose the cold in Sagittarius, and fixed in Capricorn, and the heat in Gemini, and fixed in Cancer, as be∣gun in Capricorn, and fixed in Aquarius, &c. But we will wink at small matters. * That of the Fiery, Aery, Earthy and watry Trigons is more notorious, and I cannot but smile when I read the effects of them. As for Example, in Physick, as Dariot has set down, the Moon and Ascendent in the Fiery Signs comfort the virtue attractive, in the Earthy signs the retentive, the Aery the digestive, and the wa∣tery the expulsive. Would any man dare to admini∣ster Physick then without consulting the Precepts of Astrology?* 1.10 Also in Husbandry that's a notable one of Sir Christophers, who tells us how we may cause a plant to shoot deep into the Earth or higher into the Air, by setting of it at such an Aspect of the Moon; namely, if the Moon be in the Earthy Triplicity, the root will shoot more downward into the Earth; if in the Airy more upward into the Air. Which is a

rare secret. Now, to omit the groundless and arbi∣trarious division of the Zodiack into these four Trigons, of which there is only this one hint, that I can imagine, namely, the fitness of Leo for one part of the Fiery Trigon, the Sun being most hot in that Sign; (from which little inlet all the four Elements flew up into Heaven, and took their places in their respective Triplicities in the Zodiack, with great nimbleness and agility, playing at leap Frog and skip∣ping over one anothers backs in such sort, that divi∣ding themselves into three equal parts, every Trien∣tal of an Element found it self a Fellow-member of a Trine Aspect:) The best jest of all is, * that there is no such Zodiack in Heaven, or, if you will, no Heaven for such a Zodiack as these Artists attribute these Triplicities to. For this Heaven, and this Zodiack we speak of is only an old error of Ptolemie's and his followers who not understanding the true Systeme of the World, and the motion of the Earth, in which in salv'd the Anticipation of the Aequinoxes, have phansied a Heaven above the Coelum stellatum, and a Zodiack that did not recede from West to East as the Starry Zodiack does. And this figment which later Ages have laughed off of the Stage, is the only subject of these renouned Trigons and Triplicities, which therefore are justly laughed off of the Stage with it. Which discovery is a demonstration that the whole Art of Astrology is but upon frivolous and mere imaginary Principles, as we shall further make manifest. And therefore Physicians proclaim them∣selves either Cheats or Fools, that would recommend their skill from such vain observations.

11. Fourthly, Now for the essential Dignities of the Planets, sith it is nothing but the increase of their

innate virtue by being in such or such a sign, and these being the Signs of that Zodiack which has no Hea∣ven, nor is any thing; it is manifest, that the whole Doctrine of Essential Dignities falls to the ground. But we will also cast our Eye upon the distinct parts of this vain Figment. And therefore as to the first Essential Dignity, the House of the Planet; there is no sagacious person but can easily smell out the meaning of making Leo the House of the Sun, namely, not that that Sign has any virtue to increase heat, but that the Sun then has been long near the Tropick of Cancer, and so has more than ordinarily heated the Earth by so long a stay in so advantageous a posture. And this is it, not the being in his House then, that makes the heat so great; for those beyond the other Tropick sure are cold enough. The same may be said of Cancer, the Moons House, that it is posture, not the nature of the place, that makes her virtue more then to us, but less to our Antoeci. From this small hint from sense and mistakes of Reason, have they without all reason and sense bestowed Houses on the rest of the Planets, * guiding themselves by the con∣ceit of the malignity and benignity of Aspects. Which to be a mere figment I have ‖ 1.11 noted already, it having no ground but that rash joining together of Critical days with the Aspects of the Moon.

What a small preferment Astrological Exaltation is, you may understand from Albumazar's liberality, who amongst the Planets has advanced the head and tail of the Dragon to the same Dignity, which yet are * nothing else but intersections of the imaginary Circles of the course of the Moon and the Ecliptick. But of this Dignity I have ‖ 1.12 spoke enough already, and therefore I pass to the next.

As for the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Lords of the Tri∣gons, what great pity it was there were not just eight Planets, * that each Trigon might have had its two Consuls, and Mars not rule solitarily in his wa∣tery one? But the foolery of the Trigons being al∣ready confuted, I need add nothing further concern∣ing this Dignity. * The Prerogative of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is destroyed by that first general Argument, the parts of the Signs being as fictitious as the whole. And as for the Carpentum or Royal Seat or Throne, it be∣ing a compound Dignity compacted of the former, the parts being but imaginary, it is evident, that the whole is a mere nothing.

And that Persona Planetae, or Almugea is as little, appears from hence, in that Aspect is an empty con∣ceit, raised upon no solid ground, as I have more than once already intimated.

And that the Lords of the Decanats have but ima∣ginary Provinces, is again plain, For that their whole Zodiack wherein all those Fripperies are lodged, is but imaginary, and their Order also of assignation upon a false Hypothesis, viz. according to that range∣ing of the Planets that is in Ptolemie's System.

And lastly, Gaudium, the last of the Essential Dignities, supposes two falsities; that there are Hou∣ses in this fictitious Zodiack, and that Planets are Masculine and Feminine: which supposition has been confuted already. So that all these Essential Digni∣ties are devoid of all substance and reality, and the numbering of their particular fortitudes is the telling out so many nullities to no purpose.

12. Nor can you hope for a better account of their Accidental Dignities. Cazimi, Combustion and Freeness from Combustion. How fond and inconsi∣stent

conceits are they? For first it is unreasonable, if they know the nature of the Planets, of the Sun, and of the Celestial Vortex, to make a Planet in Cazimi to gain five fortitudes: * For beyond the Sun the Planet is at the furthest distance it can be from us: and Saturn, Iupiter and Mars, a whole Diameter of the Suns Orbit, more distant than when they are in Opposition to the Sun: and Venus and Mercury half of their own. * Besides, how can their virtue pass the body of the Sun, * or the bearing of the Vortex against the Planet and against us, and all the attempts of influence from the Planet not be elu∣ded? * Again, if Cazimi on this side the Sun be good, why should not beyond the Sun be bad? And if Venus or Mercury in the body of the Sun be so con∣siderable, * how much more are the Spots of the Sun that are far greater? which their ignorance could never reckon in the compute of their Digni∣ties. Besides, what wild and disproportionable jumps are these, * That Cazimi should be five fortitudes, and yet combustion, which is to be but a little di∣stance from the Sun, should be five debilities; and yet to be free from Combustion, that is further remo∣ved from the body of the Sun, should be again five Fortitudes? Things so arbitrarious and groundless, that none but sick-brain'd persons can ever believe them.

That also is notoriously foolish, * That Saturn, Iupiter and Mars from ‖ 1.13 their Conjunction with the Sun to their Opposition should have two fortitudes, and from their Opposition to Conjunction should have two debilities. For in a great part of that Semi-Cir∣cle that carries from Opposition to Conjunction, they are far nearer, and therefore much stronger than in

the beginning of that Semi-Circle that leads from their Conjunction to Opposition.

Moreover those Dignities and Debilities that are cast upon Planets from Direction, Station and Re∣trogradation, the thing is mainly grounded upon a mistake of the System of the World, and ignorance of the Earths Annual motion, and from an Idiotick application of accidents or phrases amongst men. And therefore because when things succeed ill they are said to go backwards, and when we are weary we go more slow, or stand still to breath us, or when we are most vigorous we run swiftest; therefore must Station be two debilities, Retrogradation no less than five, but Direction must be five fortitudes: whereas in reason * Station should rather seal on the effect of the Planet more sure. But the truth is, a * Planet is neither Stationary nor Retrograde truly, but in ap∣pearance, and therefore these Debilities no true ones but imaginary.

The last Accidental Dignity is Configuration or Aspect, the vain grounds whereof have been ‖ 1.14 alrea∣dy taxed. To which I add, that it is utterly unrea∣sonable to conceive, * that Sextile and Trine should be good, and yet Quartile that is betwixt both be stark naught. Nay, it were far more reasonable to conceive, that if Conjunction and Sextile were good, * that Quartile should be better than Trine, as being further from Opposition, and because * the Planets thus aspected are in better capacity both of them to strike with more direct raies on the Earth, than if they were in a Trine Aspect. And therefore I know no reason imaginable that could move them to have so ill a conceit of Quartile Aspect, but because of the great unquietness of acute Diseases that happens about every

seventh day, which is the time also of the Quartile Aspect of the Moon: and therefore the whole my∣stery of Aspects is to be resolved into this rash mis∣application.

You have seen now how little worth all the Astro∣logical Dignities are; and yet out of these huge No∣things of their fictitious Art is the whole Fabrick built of whatever predictions they pretend to: So that we may be assured that all is vain and ridicu∣lous.

13. Concerning their twelve Houses of the Nati∣vity, the Division is arbitrarious, * and their erect∣ing of a Scheme so many ways, and that with like suc∣cess, an evidence that the success is not upon Art but fortuitous. * The Configuration also of the Houses and those ‖ 1.15 Septennial 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or Alfridarii do intimate that the whole business is but a figment, going upon that false Hypothesis of Ptolemy, That the Planets and the Earth have not the Sun to their Centre. But this is not all we have to say against these Celestial Tenements. * For either the Earth is pervious to all the raies of the Planets and Stars, as well beneath as above the Horizon, or only they above the Horizon shed their virtue on the Child. If the former be true, all Nativities are alike. If the latter, why have they any more than six Houses, and why any at all under the Horizon? And in good sadness what is the meaning that their Horoscope, and the sixth House, being Houses of so great concern∣ment, should be under the Horizon; especially when they are pleased at other times to pronounce; * that a Star or Planet that is Vertical is most efficacious? And can it be thought any thing but a meer phancy that led them to make the Horoscope the House of

life, namely, because the Stars arise from thence, and are as it were born into the World? whence (as I have shewed their custom to be in other things) they have feigned the rest of the Houses at random. And that you may still be more sure that there is nothing in these Houses, (or rather that the Houses themselves are nothing) they are but the distribution of that imaginary Zodiack and Heaven, which (I told you ‖ 1.16 before) the error of Ptolemy brought into the World, into twelve imaginary Sections, beginning at the East point of this Zodiack: So that their Art is perpetually built upon nothing.

14. Now for the exact time of the Nativity, that one should know the very moment when the Child is born, I say it is a curiosity nothing to the purpose. For first, if the hard and thick Earth be pervious to the Raies of Heaven, how easily may those thin co∣verings of the Womb be penetrated continually by the power of the Stars? and therefore * even then is the Child as much exposed to them, as when it is newly born. Or if it be not; why may not it some moments after its being born, be still as liable to their influence as in the moment when it was born? For cannot these Influences that pierce the very metal∣line bowels of the Earth, pierce a Childs tender skin without any resistance? But supposing this curiosity to be to the purpose; how hard and lubricous a mat∣ter is it to come to that exactness they pretend to be requisite? * For first they must know the exact Lon∣gitude of the place, (a thing of extream uncertainty) or else the exactness of time will do them no good. And yet again, their affectation of exactness seems ri∣diculous, when we cannot well determine the pro∣per time of his Birth. * For he is born by degrees,

and few or none come out, after first they appear, in a shorter space than half a quarter of an hour. Where∣fore their head being exposed to the starry influence, why should not that Celestial infection pervade their whole body? But suppose that to be the moment of their birth wherein the whole body is first out, how shall this moment be known? By an exact minute watch, such as Tycho had, and Sir Christopher Hey∣don professes himself to have had, which would ex∣actly give him the minute and second scruple of time. But how few Nativity-Casters can boast of the same priviledge? Or if they could, to what purpose is it, when it seldom happens that they are in the same House, much less in the same room where the party is delivered? Wherefore the report of the Midwife is the best certainty they have: and how many Nativi∣ties have been cast without so much as that? And yet they will confidently predict Fates and Destinies upon an uncertain time given them. For they can, say they, correct it, and reduce it to the right moment of the Nativity, and that by no less than three several ways; by Trutina Hermetis, Animodar, and Accidentia Nati: which how bold and groundless a boast it is, let us now see.

15. Trutina Hermetis goes upon this ground, That that degree of the Zodiack the Moon is in at the time of Conception, the same is the Horoscope of the Nativity. But what a Foolish subterfuge is this when-as the exact time of Conception, is as hard to be known as that of the Nativity? And if it were known, there is yet no certainty, some coming soon∣er, some later, as every Mother, Nurse or Midwife knows full well; nor will any of them presume to tell to a day when a Woman shall be brought to Bed.

In Animodar the Nativity is either Conjunctional or Preventional, that is, either after or before the Conjunction of the Sun and Moon. If the Interlu∣nium precede the time of the Birth, the degree is to be noted in which it happens; if the Plenilunium, that degree in which that Luminary is that is above the Horizon in the time of Opposition, the Sun by day, the Moon by night. The degrees thus given, the Almuten Almusteli is to be found out, which is the Planet that has most Dignities in that place of Oppo∣sition or Conjunction; which are Trigon, House, Al∣titude, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and Aspect. Then the degree of the sign is to be noted, in which the Almuten was at the time of the estimated birth,* 1.17 &c. For I need not hold on; enough has already been said to de∣monstrate the whole process a Ceremonious Foolery. For the computation being to be made from the place of the Almuten Almusteli, and his Election by Dig∣nities, and Dignities being nothing but empty phan∣sies and vanities, as I have already proved, the Cor∣rection of the Nativity by Animodar must needs be idle and vain. Besides that, the Almuten being one and the same, as belonging to one and the same Con∣junction or Opposition of the Luminaries, how can it be a rule to Children born at the same times in di∣verse Climates? For it is evident, the Horoscope al∣ters with the Clime. And lastly, not only Picus, a Foe to Astrology, professes how false both this me∣thod of Animodar, as also that rule of Hermes is, and clashing one with another; but Origanus himself, a Friend to the Art, advises us rather to listen to the Relations of Mother Midnight, than to give any credit to either of these ways.

The most certain way of correcting a Scheme of

Nativity in Origanus his judgment, is per Accidentia Nati, whether good or bad, as Honours, Prefer∣ments, Gifts, Sickness, Imprisonment, Falls, Con∣flicts, &c. which way notwithstanding at the first sight is very lubricous. For it is at least disputable and uncertain, whether there be Liberty of Will in man or no. But I will venture further, that for my own part, I think it demonstrable from inward Sense, Rea∣son and Holy Writ, that there is free will in men; whence it will necessarily follow, Quòd multa acci∣dunt hominibus praeter naturam praeter{que} fatum. Diseases therefore, Imprisonments, Disgraces and Pre∣ferments may be brought upon us by the free Agency of our selves or others, and that sooner or later, ac∣cording as mens Virtues or Vices act. * Which takes away all certainty of computation per Acciden∣tia Nati.

16. Besides, that the manner of it is very frivolous and ridiculous. For it being threefold, as Origanus has set down, Profection Annual, Transition and Di∣rection; there is none of them that are any thing more than meer phancies and figments. For what can be more vain and imaginary than their Annual Profection, which makes the Horoscope and the rest of the Houses move thirty degrees a Year till the whole period be finished in twelve? * Is this Circuit of the Nativity-Scheme any where but in their own brain? And then their Predictions or Corrections, are by Aspects of the Cusp of the Root with the Cusps of the present Scheme Calculated for this or that Year. And how Aspects themselves are nothing, I have again and again taken notice.

And for Transition, what is more monstrous than to think that a Planet by passing the same place in

which it self or others Planets were at the Nativity, should cause some notable change in the party born? As if the Planets walked their rounds with perfumed Socks, or that they smelt stronger at the Nativity than at other times, and * that another Planet come into the trace thereof should exult in the scent, or the same increase the smell: or what is it that can adhere in these points of Heaven that the Planets were found in at the Nativity? or why is not the whole tract of the same scent, or why not expunged by the passage of other Planets? But what will not madness and effa∣scination make a man phancie to uphold his own pre∣judices? And truly these two Origanus himself is wil∣ling to quit his hands of, as less found and allowable: but Direction is a principal business with him.

Which yet in good truth will be found as frivo∣lous as the rest. For as in Transition, so also in Di∣rection, the great change must happen when a Pla∣net, or Cuspe, or Aspect come to the place where such a Planet or Cuspe were at the Nativity. When the Significator comes to the place of the Promissor, then the feat does not fail to be done. For the Pro∣missor is conceived as immoveable, and such as stands still and expects the arrival of the Significator: * which is a demonstration that this Promissor is either imaginary space or nothing: and which of these two think you will keep promise best? nay, the significa∣tor also, if it be the Horoscope or any other House, is imaginary too, as I have demonstrated. And if it be a Planet, seeing yet the Planets move not as a Bird in the Air, or Fishes in the Waters, but as Cork car∣ried down the stream; * it is plain, how this Planet never gets to that part of the Celestial matter in which the Promissor was at the Nativity, the Promissor

ever sliding away with his own matter in which he swims: and therefore if he hath left any virtue be∣hind him, it must again be deposited in an imaginary space. Which is an undeniable Argument that the whole mystery of Direction is imaginary.

Wherefore if Profection annual, Transition and Direction are so vain that they signifie nothing for∣ward, how can we from Events (though they should be judged and reasoned from exactly according to these phantastick Laws) argue backward an exact indication of the time of the Nativity? If they could have pretended to some rules of nature or Astronomy to have rectified a Geniture by, they had said some∣thing; but this recourse to their own phantastick and fictitious Principles proves nothing at all.

17. And thus have I run through the eighth and ninth Sections of the foregoing Chapter before I was aware. And he that has but moderate skill in the so∣lid Principles of natural Philosophy and Astronomy, and but a competent patience to listen to my close reasonings therefrom, cannot but acknowledge, that I have fundamentally confuted the whole Art of A∣strology, and that he has heard all their fine terms of Horoscope, and the Celestial Houses, Exaltation, Triplicity, Trigons, Aspects benign and malign, Sta∣tion, Retrogradation, Combustion, Cazimi, Signi∣ficator, Promissor, Apheta, Anaereta, Trigonocra∣tor, Horecrator, Almugea, Almuten, Alcochodon, together with the rest of their sonorous nothings, to have fallen down with a clatter like a pile of dry bones by the battery I have laid against them. And truly here I would not stick to pronounce I have per∣fectly vanquished the Enemy, did I not spie a little blind Fort, to which these Fugitives usually make

their escape. And surely by the Title it should be a very strong one; They call it Experience or Obser∣vation of Events, which they boast to be accurately agreeable to their predictions.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XVI. Sect. I.

BEcause the later and wiser Philosophers have made them as so many Suns. Ans. As if be∣cause they are Suns, sayes J. B. (p. 54.) it were ex∣cuse enough for them to stand for Cyphers. Whereas standing for Suns the more rather is expected from them, the Sun being the Prince of all Stars, &c. Repl. If they be Suns they cannot stand for Cyphers, but be of the same import that our Sun is, who ad∣ministers light and heat to those in his respective Vortex. Neither, it being once admitted, that the fixed Stars are Suns, can any one Sun be the Prince of all the Stars, but only of the Planets of his own Vortex. J. B. his ignorance of the Cartesian or rather ancient Pythagorick Philosophy, makes him argue so weakly in this point.

Which Hypothesis our Astrologers must confute, &c. Answ. The Hypothesis it self, sayes he, (p. 55.) is but a meer conceit without proof, and yet forsooth we must confute it. Repl. Amongst the learned in Philosophy, especially the Cartesians, it is so well known and generally admitted, that it wanted no proof. And it were too long here to insist on it. Let

J. B. lay his beloved Astrology a while aside, and read Galilaeus his Systema Cosmicum, or Des-Cartes his Principia, or my first Epistle to V. C. and then let him tell me whether the opinion of the fixt Stars being Suns be a meer conceit without proof. But suppose them so many Suns, saith he, and without all Influence but light and heat, whom is it that they are made to shine to or make warm? As for us we feel nothing of their heat, and make ten times more use of a Candle than of their light. Repl. As if there were no sensitive Creatures in this vast li∣quid Aether of the Vniverse, but the Men and Brutes on our Earth. Our Sun having the Satellitium of so many Planets of which our Earth is one, why may we not rationally conclude, that other Suns have Planets about them, at least some of them, as well as our Sun, as also that the Vortices of all the Suns or fixt Stars are replenished with Intellectual Inha∣bitants, or Aethereal Genii? And all Genii or Angels according to the ancient Cabbala and Primi∣tive Fathers, having Bodies of Aether, or the Cele∣stial matter, and being able to see, and in a capa∣city of having their Bodies conveniently and in∣conveniently affected, why may not the Sun mini∣ster to the gratifications of these Aethereal Inhabi∣tants, and that be true of the blind Poet, as you call him in reproach (who was not the less capable of Philosophizing by being bodily blind, sith Demo∣critus deprived himself of his Eye-sight that he might the better Philosophize) why may not that, I say, of his be true concerning the Sun.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

that is to say,

He rose to shine to Gods as well as Men.

And it is in it self highly probable; forasmuch as the Earth as well as Saturn, Iupiter, &c. Answ. It is highly probable, and that's the utmost of his Argument, sayes J. B. (p. 56.) and yet how confi∣dently he concludes, That this first general pretense is utterly enervated! Repl. What a vain Insulta∣tion is here over the modesty of an expression, though backed with little less than a Demonstration from the proof and acknowledgment that our Earth is a Planet as well as those other so called? And the Earth being habitable and created to that end, un∣less Nature be defective, what less can be surmised of the rest of the Planets, especially those that are called Primary Planets? And if the Secondary Pla∣nets as the Moon which the Pythagoreans called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is as much as Terra ex opposito sita (and the spots in it shew, that there is Water or Sea there as well as Land) be habitable as some contend she is, much more the Primary. These things are highly rational to them that have reason, but men of phancy phancie things as it happens. But J. B. goes on. But what says he, if the Earth were certainly a Planet, and the Planets Saturn, Jupiter, &c. were all Mothers of living Creatures as well as the Earth, what is all this to the purpose? God made the Stars for us and to influence us, &c. Repl. But if they be Mothers of living Creatures, it is manifest they were not made for us alone. Nor does it follow they being made also for us, that they were made in an Astrological sense to influence us, but to be marks of time and serviceable to Chrono∣logy, and to exercise the wit of man in making Ob∣servations touching their courses, which is the Art of Astronomy. So that it is manifest, that they have

manifold uses, partly in regard of others, and part∣ly in regard of our selves, without Astrological In∣fluence, and that therefore the force of this first general pretense of the Astrologians is defeated.

Sect. 2. Yet because all this variety reaches every point of the Earth, the product would be the same, &c. Ans. The Doctor knoweth, saith he (p. 60.) that the Weapon-salve points meerly at one wound, viz. that which the Weapon made, besmeared now with that salve, and be there ten thousand wounds between, yet it misseth them all. And so may he as well conceive, that the influence of every star and of every part of Heaven, does not like Water scatter it self into all pores of the Earth as it flies along, but though one Star may have more than Millions of Influences (which if they have, what need so many Stars) going at once, yet as the Weapon salve, sends it forth each unto its proper object, and all this without diversifying the Earth or any part thereof. Repl. This is very pretty in good sooth, but altogether as impertinent. It does not reach the case nor the defence of Sir Christopher Heydon's Argument, which is the thing in hand. He would prove the necessity of variety of Influence of the Stars from the Non-variety, Simplicity or Homo∣geneity of the parts of the Water and Earth. Where∣fore J. B. his reasoning is upon a quite contrary sup∣position to Sir Christopher's, whose Argument yet he pretends to defend. And then releasing him from his obligation to Sir Christopher, whom he has ser∣ved such a slippery trick as to slide quite from the concern of his cause, what is this instance of the Weapon-salve which I mention in my Immortality of the Soul, Book 2. Ch. 10. Sect. 7. to the Influence of

the Stars in a Conception or Nativity? Which Con∣ception is a pure Crystalline homogeneous liquor, as Dr. Harvey describes it, unvariegated of it self, and to be variegated or modified by the Stars. But the wound is modified already to cause a peculiar sym∣pathy betwixt it and the Weapon-salve on the knife that made it. Wherefore there being no premodifi∣cation in the Conception, but it being to be modi∣fied by the Stars, and the Stars by reason of the simplicity of it, reaching it by their Influence alike, can give no peculiar modification unto it. And so for the Nativity it self. Forasmuch I say as it is supposed, that whoever is born under such a precise Positure of the Heavens, is impressed precisely by such an Influence, it is plain, that the difference of impression he is modified with, is not at all from himself but from that particular Positure of the Hea∣vens at his birth, and therefore cannot be resolved into this Principle of distinctive sympathy. And indeed, if the difference of modification of the Birth, came not from the Stars, but from the Birth it self, as the healing of the wound from being the wound of such a knife with salve upon it, this would destroy the very pretense of Astrology, which diffe∣renceth the Birth according to the difference of the Schemes of Heaven. And therefore the distinction not being in the Birth, it is liable to be imprest upon by all the Stars alike.

The Celestial Matter is every where and the Earth swims in it, &c. Ans. Neither the Earth, says J. B. (p. 58.) nor the Air about it can be so situated as to swim all parts of it at once in the Celestial matter, much less to apply every part of the Earth to its proper Instrument of nature, so as to be wrought by

it with an immediate Conjunction, but these pro∣ductions here below must necessarily be caused by the activity of remote Instruments and their Influences, &c. And these Instruments, as remote as they are, that they may send down their Influence to the Earth, he would prove from the Polar Star, which draws the Magnetical Needles pointing upon it self from the utmost Southern Coasts. And from the working of the Weapon-salve at a great distance by Sympathy. This is the main of what he alledges a∣gainst this passage. Repl. The former part whereof is from his being not skilled in the Cartesian Philo∣sophy, and his want of rightly conceiving what the Celestial matter is, it being a substance so subtile, that it will pass the very pores of glass, much more of Air, and Water and Earth, so that all parts of this Terraqueous Globe, together with its Atmosphere, is easily understood to swim in the Celestial matter, it penetrating throughout. And this is the most immediate material Instrument of Nature, that is to say, of the Omniform Spirit of Nature, that guides and modifies the gross matter according to certain vital Laws the Creator of all things hath indued it with. So that we need not have recourse to those remote Instruments for the production of the varie∣ties of things below, and himself avows there is such a spirit of the World, and acknowledges it to be Vegetative or Plastical, but the delicacy of his phancy it seems carries him out to such remote In∣struments of Generation according to the Proverb, That far fetcht and dear bought is good for Ladies. And for the mystery of the Load stone I will refer him to Gilbert and Des Cartes, in whose Philosophy he will find rationally asserted, that the Magnetical

Particles, which the Cartesians call the particulas Striatas, come from a certain part of the Heaven, and cause this posture of the Earth's Axis, and of the Magnetical Needles accordingly. But if J. B. has been so profoundly taken up with his Divine Science of Astrology, as to neglect Philosophy, these brief Annotations will not afford space to instruct him therein. But in the mean time he may take notice, that some few certain effects from the Heavens, that are constant and palpable, are no warrant for the uncertain, slight and imaginary pretences of Astro∣logy. And as for the sympathy of the Weapon-salve, how little it makes to his Astrological purpose I have shewn above, and that its distinctive symphathy is ill applyed to the free Influence of the Stars, their operation being determinative not determined in Nativities. And that there are de facto any such remote Influences, besides those that are constant and palpable, his own concession of the Spirit of the World shews to be vain and needless.

Sect. 3. Melt the Air and vapours into an insinu∣ating liquidness, &c. Ans. Well but which way, says J. B. (p. 42.) gets this liquidness into the Brains or Eyes of living Creatures? Repl. How come wooden Doors to be so much swelled in a moist Air? Why may not the subtile moisture of the Air thus liquified by the moderate beams of the Moon, insinuate it self into the Head, Brains and Eyes of Animals, as well as ordinary moisture doth in rainy weather into wooden Doors? Certainly there are as open passages to the Brains and Eyes of living Crea∣tures as there are into the body of wood, and more open too.

If they were so placed that their Discus would

seem of equal bigness with the Moon's, &c. From this passage J. B. (p. 48.) would collect that I grant that Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury, have indeed Astrological Influences in them, but that they only want proximity to discover them. But for the matter of proximity, sayes he, the Doctor it seems is yet to learn how the Heavenly Bodies are neither helped by proximity, nor hindred by longin∣quity in the exercise of their power, or in the pour∣ing down of their Influences. It seems either he had forgotten, or did not know that the farther the Moon is from the Sun the greater is the light she receives from him, and the nearer she is to him, she receives still less and less. Repl. But as for the moistening faculty of the Moon, I deny that it is any Astrological Influence, I having given so appa∣rent reason of the Phaenomenon. And that of the Flux and Reflux, we shall consider it in the next Section, and therefore if Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Ve∣nus and Mercury, should exhibit any such effect as the moist Moon by their proximity, it were not pro∣perly Astrological. But for that Astrological Axiome of his, that the Heavenly Bodies are neither helped by proximity, nor hindred by longinquity, it is point-blank against what he writes (p. 21.) where his express words are these. All Astrologers do hold the Moon to be the nearest to us, and nimblest ply∣ing about us above all other Planets, and therefore to have more powerful effects upon us than any other Planet has. And then for his Argument, it is ut∣terly false, nay the thing is quite contrary. For the Moon, the nearer she is the Sun, the more she is illu∣minated, according to the known principles of Op∣ticks, though by reason of her positure the light is

less reflected to us. But it seems J. B. was yet to learn that Optick Maxime, That a round opaque body, whose diameter is less than that of a round lucid body, the nearer it approaches the lucid body the more it is illuminated.

But it is insufferable folly to argue from such both reasonable and palpable effects of the Moon, &c. Ans. If the Moon, says J. B. (p. 60.) which is one Planet, have such and such Influences, which are so apparent that they cannot be denied, what hinders but that it may aptly follow, that her fellow Pla∣nets may have Influences too, &c. Repl. The fel∣low Planets of the Moon are all secondary Planets, she being of that Classis and attending her primary Planet the Earth, and so the conclusion is rational enough for her fellow Planets, that is, the secondary Planets, that they may have some palpable effects on their own Primary Planets, as this secondary Planet the Moon has on its primary Planet the Earth. But it does not hence follow, that other Planets so far removed and of so small an appearance, have any ef∣fect on our Planet to cause any considerable change to any thing there.

Sect. 4. That the Ellipsis of the Celestial matter is streightned by the Moon's body, which makes the Aether flow more swift, which is a plain and mecha∣nical solution of the Phaenomenon, &c. In answer to this section, J. B. (p. 44, 45, 46, 47.) by reason of his not being acquainted with either Gilbert de Magnete, or, which is of most consequence, with the Theory of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea in Des Cartes his Principles, Part. 4. Artic. 49, 50, &c. and of the Magnet, Artic. 145, 146, &c. he is so be∣wildered in his phancies and reasonings, that it

would be too operose a business to reduce him into the way. It is not worth the while for me to read Philosophy Lectures to him, but I desire that him∣self would set so much time apart from the Divine Science of Astrology, as to be vacant a while to the study of these Theories in Natural Philosophy. And then I don't despair but that he will discern the so∣lidity of what I return in answer to the experiment of the Loadstone, and to this Phaenomen of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea depending on the course of the Moon. I will only advertise thus much by the by, that whereas I say, it is a plain and mechani∣cal solution of the Phaenomenon, the sense is, That this mechanical way of solution makes the Doctrine of the Flux and Reflux, plain and intelligible. But that it is not merely Mechanical, I have shewed in my Enchiridion Metaphysicum, cap. 14. Of which the natural upshot is, that the Laws of the Aestus marinus are executed sympathetically and synener∣getically by the spirit of the World, and by the body of the Moon Mechanically as by his Instrument, and not by any strange Influence from her. And so the spirit of the World in Magnetical Phaenomenons acts Synenergetically and sympathetically from it self, but mechanically by those instruments of his operation, the Magnetick Particles which Cartesius calls the particulae striatae.

Sect. 5. Know very well that these Phaenomena are not real but seeming, &c. Ans. Here J. B. (p. 62.) But however seeming, sayes he, this Station and Re∣trogradation is, by experience such is it found unto us as if it were really so. And a little above he says, It is well known that we Astrologers understand the Phaenomenon beyond mistake. Repl. But did your

great Author Ptolemy understand it? And your Rules went upon the faith of his Hypothesis. And what was taken upon this ground, credulity phan∣sied afterward to be confirmed by experience.

Sect. 6. That neither the Dog-star, Arcturus, the Hyades, nor Orion, &c. Touching this notion of ours of the nature of these Stars or Constellations, J. B. spends almost three whole pages, 63, 64, 65. But the main lies in a very little room. For as touching Arcturus, the Hyades and Orion, he quotes Job 38.31. Canst thou bind the sweet Influences of the Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazaroth in his season, or canst thou guide Arcturus with his Sons? This is in Job, which is acknowledged to be an highly Rhetorical Poem, and therefore to use such figures of speech as other Poetry does, and accordingly it is expounded by sober Interpreters.

Wherefore not taking notice of J. B. his confound∣ing of Hyades and Pleiades, as if they were the same, I shall set down Grotius his Gloss, and it is the sense of Vatablus, and other Interpreters. Canst thou bind the sweet Influences (the Hebrew word is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Deliciae simply, there is nothing of Influence in the word) of the Pleiades? Which are a clustre of little Stars in Taurus a vernal sign, in which when the Sun is, it is Spring. Whence Grotius glos∣ses it thus, Potésne impedire flores vernos Vergilia∣rum? And loose the bands of Orion? The Hebrew word is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which Hierom translates, Orion sydus hybernum, says Grotius, Est autem frigoris constrin∣gere. And, Orion tempore hyberno assurgit, sayes Vatablus, and adds this short gloss on this last part of the Verse, Efficiésne, says he, ut tempore hyberno

flores erumpant? And Grotius, Poterísne tu rusticis facultatem dare laborandi ubi labores Orion inhibet? But this constriction of cold is attributed to Orion, because when he rises Achronychally the Sun is in his Winter signs. So that it is really the absence of the Sun, or his lowness that occasions this cold. But to fancy any Stars efficiently and positively to cause cold, is as extravagant and ridiculous as that con∣ceit of Paracelsus, that imagined that it was not the absence of the Sun but certain Tenebrificous Stars that caused Night. But now as for Arcturus, there is nothing touching him but his motion. And the sense of both the Verses put together is only this, Canst thou change the seasons of Summer and Win∣ter, or is it thou that makest Mazaroth, viz. the twelve signs of the Zodiack to ascend, and guidest Arcturus with the lesser Stars about him in their Circuit? But of Astrological Influence in the He∣brew Text there is not one syllable.

And, as to the Pleiades and Orion is attributed what really belongs to the site of the Sun, so is it also in the Dog-star, whatever J. B. will pretend to the contrary, which I will give you in his own words, p. 64, 65. But when the Doctor, says he, doth thus entail the heat and cold to the place of the Sun, he forgets how that in Ptolemie's time, when the Dog-days were long since observed, they happened in May and June, a whole month before what they do now. And therefore had the sultry season pertained to the Sun only after he had heated the Earth, how came it to pass that in those olden days it happened so soon ere the Sun came to its full heat? Or why is it that this sultry Air goes along with the Dog as he meets with the Sun, and that varying as the

Dog varies, and not fixing to any point of the Sun's Circle? Repl. That the Dog-days should happen in Ptolemie's time a whole month before they do now, is not likely. For Timocharis, who lived about three hundred and thirty Years before Christ observed Azemech or Spica Virginis to be placed in the begin∣ning of the 23. degree of Virgo. And two hundred Years after Abrachis, who usually is called Hippar∣chus, observed the same Star to be in the beginning of the 25. degree of Virgo. Whence it is concluded, that the motion of the Coelum stellatum, to speak in the Ptolemaick language, moves from West to East about one degree in an hundred Years. And from that time and Ptolemie's, who was a little Junior to Hipparchus, to this day, it has got but to the 18. degree of Libra. So that from Ptolemie's time to this it has not gone passing 23. degrees, which falls short about a fourth part of a month. And therefore reckoning from the 19. of July, to the 26. of June, it will want some 25. days of having the Dog-days begin in any part of May, and in those hotter Coun∣tries, where Ptolemy lived, it is no wonder that the Sun being entred so many degrees into Cancer, should cause very hot weather though the Dog-star stand for a Cypher in the Case. But by reason of the Sun's heat coming into that Sign, Cancer is called, though figuratively, yet judiciously, the burning Crabb by Dionysius Afer in his Geographical Poem.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

that is to say,

Round in the Heavens is whirl'd the burning Crabb. But here let J. B. give me leave to ask him whether he thinks that when the Dog-Star and the Sun join

forces together, that our Antoeci feel any such sultry heat. And for my own part I have observed more sultry hot weather before the Dog-days as they are now placed, than in them. So that this sultry heat is by no string tied to the Dog's Collar. And because he will have Adam and Seth Astrologers, I desire to know of him whether in their Almanacks (reckon∣ing according to his account, that makes the Dog-days in May, in Ptolemies time, which therefore would be in March in those olden times) whether, I say, in the Month of March in Adam or Seth's Al∣manack it was writ down, Weather hot and sultry.

Which is no more mysterious than the Aegyptian's and Livia's Maids of Honour hatching of Eggs with∣out the help of the Hen, &c. Here J. B. (p. 51, 52, 53.) makes long but weak ambagious steps toward an answer, but the most pertinent part of it is this, That in these Eggs there was a seed of life fore-pre∣pared by the Influence of the Sun and Moon, and other Planets, insomuch that nothing was wanting but heat only to perfect the act of producing the fruit. And that that very heat too, whereby they were produced, was influenced by the quickening and qualifying faculty of the Sun. Repl. This is the main, and shews that my Antagonist can phansie rather any thing than disphansie his Divine Science of Astrology, or be brought out of conceit with it. For certainly he must have a wonderful peremptory phancy, that can imagine that Plastick power, which is in the seed of Animals or their Conception, to be the mere Influence of the Stars, as if they guided the work into Organization. And as needless a phancy it is with J. B. he acknowledging a spirit of

Nature and arguing better for it, than for any thing that I see he manages in his whole Book. Wherefore there being a Plastick Power, whether the spirit of nature, or proper to the soul of the Animal it self, what needs any other vivisick power but this and a well moderated heat to make the matter more pliable to the operations of the Plastick upon it? What ever is besides this is precarious and imaginary.

Sect. 7. Because they might observe some more sensible mutation in the Air and Earth at the Sun's entring into Aries, &c. Ans. There are some, saith J. B. (p. 66.) who are not satisfied with this rea∣son, if that were all, because there is the like sensible mutation at his entrance into Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Repl. Who those some are I know not, But Origanus Part. 3. de effect. cap. 4. writes ex∣presly thus. Sol exaltatur in Ariete, quia cùm id Sig∣num ingreditur, in septentrionalem mundi partem supra Aequatorem exsurgens, calorem vivificum, quo in subjectam Terram ac Animantium corpora agit, vehementer intendit, lucis{que} diurnae sensibile incre∣mentum efficit. And Dariot speaks to the like pur∣pose in his Judicial Astrology, Chap. 5. And it is evident to sense that mutations are not so notable, either in Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn, as in Aries, when the World seems to awaken into a natural Re∣surrection.

Omnia tunc florent, tunc est nova Temporis Aetas. as Ovid (fast. lib. 1.) argues it with Janus, for the beginning of the Year with Spring.

To make Leo the House of the Sun, his heat being then the most sensible, and Cancer the House of the Moon, because she would then be most vertical to

us, &c. Ans. As for Leo, says J. B. (p. 66.) if that were Sol's House only for his sensible heat there, why then was not Capricorn the Moon's House because of her sensible cold there, she being a Planet as much delighted in coldness as the Sun in heat? And as for Cancer, were that the Moon's House only because there she is most vertical, why then was not Cancer Sols House too, because he is also most vertical there as well as the Moon? And if that were all, how is it that the Moon doth not change her Houses as she hath to do with the change of Countries, seeing that in some places she is vertical in Gemini, and elsewhere in Taurus and Aries. But had the Doctor a little better perused Ptolemy, or the Arabians, or Origanus, whom he sometimes quotes, he would have found that Cancer is generally esteemed the Moons House, as well in those Countries where she is not Vertical, as where she is. And that Leo is the House of the Sun, as well there where he has less heat as where he has most. Repl. Full Moon in Ca∣pricorn causes no more cold than full Moon in Can∣cer, nor so much I trow. For if she be in the full in Capricorn, the Sun must be in Cancer, and then I think J. B. will acknowledge it hot enough. But full Moon in Cancer supposes the Sun in Capricorn, and therefore I should think her cold and moist In∣fluence should be most sensible then, though I be not so deeply studied in this Divine Science of Astro∣logy as J. B. And that Cancer is not Sol's House, though he be more Vertical to us then, is, because the effects of his heat are more sensible in Leo than in Cancer, as also the Moon's in Cancer more than any where else. And therefore these two Signs are with fairest colour constituted the Houses, the one of the

Moon, the other of the Sun, and they the proper 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of them. But that the Moon's being more vertical to us in Cancer, should make that Sign her House, does not at all infer that her Houses should change with the change of Countries, to which any Sign is Vertical. And J. B. is to remem∣ber that his Divine Art of Astrology was invented by them that liv'd on this side the Tropick of Can∣cer, and that to all those of this side that Tropick the Moon is most vertical in that Sign, that is, is the nearest to them, but the inventers of the Art were not concerned for any that liv'd in the Torrid Zone or beyond it. And I would have J. B. to con∣sider, where he says, that Leo is the House of the Sun, as well in those Countries where he was less heat as where he has most, whether the Inhabitants of the Temperate Zone beyond the Tropick of Capri∣corn, if they had made an Astrology, would ever have constituted Leo the House of the Sun, his heat being so inconsiderable to them when he is there.

They have without either fear or wit bestowed Houses, two apiece, upon the rest of the Planets. &c. Ans. That there is the very same reason (p. 68.) why Aquarius should be the House of Saturn, as he him∣self alledges, why Leo should be the House of the Sun. And as much reason why Capricorn should be the other House of Saturn, as he affirms why Cancer Should be the Moon's House. For if the hottest Pla∣net may have that House where is at hottest; why may not the coldest Planet have that House where he is the coldest? And if the Moon who is a friend of Nature, may be Housed in the most vertical Sign, why may not Saturn who is the Enemy of Nature,

dwell in the most unvertical? And a little after in the same page: Why does he charge us to have no reason for the Houses of the other Planets, besides the Sun and Moon? For if he had asked we could have told him reason enough. Repl. But I answer first, that it is not so apparent that Saturn is cold, as that the Sun is hot, but 'tis only the Astrologers imagination; nor that Saturn is such an Enemy to Nature, as it is that the Moon is friendly to her by her kindly moisture. And besides, this account does not reach down to the rest of the Planets. But I perceive J. B. has other reasons in his budget if he would produce them, nor do I question but they are those that Origanus and Dariot offer, the latter, Astrolog. Judicial. Chap. 4. the former, Part. 3. de Effect. Cap. 4. Briefly therefore Saturn has Aquarius and Capricorn for his two Houses, be∣cause he being a malign Planet his two Houses are to be in a malign Aspect to the Houses of Sol and Luna, and Capricorn is in Opposition to Leo, and Aquarius to Cancer. But Sagittarius and Pisces be∣holding the Lion and Crabb with a Trine Aspect, are the Houses of the benign Planet Jupiter. But Aries and Scorpio beholding the Crabb and Lion with a Quartile Aspect, which is a malign Aspect, are the Houses of Mars who is no friend to Nature. And Taurus and Libra which are in Sextile Aspect to Cancer and Leo, which is a benign Aspect, are the Houses of Venus, she being more friendly to Nature. And lastly, Mercury has for his Houses Gemini and Virgo, because they behold the Houses of the two Luminaries with no Aspect, neither benign nor ma∣lign, as he himself is a Planet neither good nor bad of himself, but such as he keeps Company with. And

is not this a trim distribution of the Houses amongst the Planets? But yet it seems such, as J. B. himself thought would not hold water, else why did he not produce it? If the benignity and malignity, as well of Aspects as the Planets, were Solidly made out, this account were handsome, and had some shew of congruity in it; but these being imaginary figments, not grounded upon reason and certain experience, to give such an account of things, is but cum ratione ineptire.

And then another thing happening, though inde∣pendent on the course of the Moon, namely, that every seventh day in an acute Disease is Critical, &c. Answ. As for acute Diseases, saith J. B. (p. 67.) all men are not apt to believe the Doctor, that every seventh day they are so Critical and stirring, &c. Repl. Whether all will believe me or no I know not, but that this has been an ancient tradition, that every seventh day from the beginning of an acute Disease is Critical, you may read in A. Gellius, Noct. Attic. lib. 3. cap. 10. who calls them dies 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And that famous Physitian Daniel Sen∣nertus, in his Chapter de Causis Dierum Criticorum writes thus, and I suppose pretty well to the tooth of J. B. himself. Quantas Luna, says he, in Conjun∣ctionibus, Oppositionibus & Quadraturis mutationes in inferioribus hisce efficiat notissimum est. And then a little below, Non sine causa statuitur, Lunam etiam in morbis insignes quasdam mutationes excitare in iis locis, quae locum in quo Luna initio morbi fuit Qua∣drato vel Opposito radio aspiciat, & cùm eous{que} pro∣gressa sit, ut novam 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & insignem luminis mutatio∣nem subeat. Crises tamen fortiores sunt ubi septena∣rii exactè incidunt in Lunae quadras. And lastly,

Quocun{que} ergo díe, says he, in morbum quis inci∣dat, in primo morbi insultu conjunctio quasi fit Morbi & Lunae. Hinc ubi tria signa emensa est Luna seu 90 gradus peragravit, & primum quadratum attigit, pri∣mus fit dies Criticus. Ubi sex signa seu 180 gradus peragravit, oppositúm{que} Signum attigit, secundus dies Criticus incipit. Ubi ab opposito Signo and secundum Quadratum pervenit, tertius Criticus initium sumit si eous{que} extendatur morbus. Where it is plainly asser∣ted by Sennertus, that every seventh day in A. Gel∣lius his sense and mine, is Critical, though most Critical of all when the very Conjunction of the Moon falls in with the beginning of the Disease, or with the beginning of some quarter of the Moon.

But from hence may any sagacious person easily smell out, that the Phases of the Moon were the shop wherein this Conceit of the Aspects of the Planets was forged, and the natural determination of the Crises of acute Diseases to Septenaries, gave that unfortunate Character of malignity to the Quartile Aspect and Opposition. For that there is no real malignity in the Moon's Oppositional Aspect more than in her Conjunctional, appears by the frequent prescribing Medicines about the time the Moon is in Conjunction and Opposition. But the seventh day being Critical, and the night before the Crisis happens being most trouble some and painful, according to that known Aphorism, Nox ante Crisin est molestis∣sima, hence Opposition and Quartile, first in the Moon, and then in all the rest of the Planets and parts of Heaven, have been phansied inauspicious or malign. And that it is the Critical days indepen∣dent of the Moon, that has given occasion of phan∣sying this malignity in the Aspects of Quartile and

Opposition, is plain from that passage in Sennertus, In primo insultu morbi conjunctio quasi fit Morbi & Lunae, and then they number by those Critical Septena∣ries, that answer to the seven days of the Moon's Quar∣ters, as if the Moon were in Quartile Aspect and then in Opposition in reference to the beginning of the Dis∣ease. Which plainly betrays the Imaginariness of the business as to the Moon and her Aspects, as also the Imaginariness of the malignity or benignity of Astrological Aspects in general; the Critical Septe∣naries depending nothing on the Moon but on the Nature of the Disease, no more than the Paroxysmes of a Tertain or Quartan do of the Moon, but of the Nature of these Diseases. These things can't but seem plain to those that are not effascinated with Astrological prejudices.

Sect. 8. The Planets being but heaps of dead mat∣ter, much like that of the Earth, and having no light but what they reflect from the Sun, &c. Here J. B. (p. 69, 70, 71.) trifles egregiously and flutters in empty words, of which the most weighty are those that pretend that I only think so, as if the Asser∣tion were without proof, or as if it were my private conceit, whenas there is no Philosopher of note now adays, but thinks the Planets as inert and opaque Masses of matter as our Earth is, the Earth it self so apparently approving it self to be a Planet by moving about the Sun as other Planets do. And J. B. himself in that passage seems to acknowledge the Moon to be opaque. The Moon, says he, has no innate light but what she borrows, this is reasona∣ble and palpable, but what reason or experience can deprehend that Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and Mercury, must therefore have none also? Repl. It was wisely

or luckily done of the man that he left out the men∣tion of Venus, in whom Philosophers observe so pal∣pably such Phases as are observed in the Moon. And she moreover is a Primary Planet. So that it is ma∣nifest, that two Primary Planets are opaque: to say nothing of Mercury in whom such like Phases have been also noted by some, though not with like confi∣dence. But his body appearing blackish when he is in the Discus of the Sun, as well as the Moon's body does, it is a plain Argument of his Opacity. Wherefore four of the Planets being found opaque, viz. the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and our Earth, it fairly leads to the belief that Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, are so too, sith it cannot be expected of them by reason of their situation, that they should either be seen in the Discus of the Sun, or exhibit such Phases as the Moon. But Mercury shining with the briskest raies, and Saturn with the dullest, the one being the nearest, the other the remotest from the Sun, it is a sign their light is mutuatitious and borrowed from him. These hints are sufficient and beyond a Think so, to assure us that all the Planets properly so called are opaque. But J. B. had rather think or unthink any thing than that his beloved Astrology should be thought a Foolery, as it will undoubtedly be so thought by all wise men and considerate. But he will at last allow them opaque (p. 71.) and yet pre∣tends to gain by the bargain, because they are thereby more nearly apt to sute with and make impression upon our bodies, which are neither Light nor Air, but rather Earth, whence, says he, the Planets are the greatest Agents at least, if not the noblest bodies. Repl. As if opaque bodies at such a vast distance acted by virtue of their similitude. No more than

one bullet of lead at a distance acts upon another. And what Influence more than a Bullet of lead has our Earth, or any other Planet beyond their Atmo∣spheres? Besides that there is a great deal of Fire and Air in mens Constitutions, or else they could not so nimbly weild their bodies of Earth.

Then that of the fixt Stars which shine not with borrowed but innate light, &c. To this J. B. answers (p. 71.) That is the Doctors think so touching the innate light of the Stars. For he has no other proof. Repl. And who I beseech you ever thought other∣wise? So that there was no need of any proof. The light of the Planets we see depend of the Sun. But no such discovery is made of the fixt Stars. Nay it is impossible they should be illuminated by the Sun so far distant from them, that if we were where they are, the Sun would seem no bigger that an ordinary Star. What light therefore could such a solitary Star afford when so many put together afford so little light in the night? Besides it is a thing well known amongst the best Philosophers, that the fixt Stars are so many Suns, they being fixt as he is? Where∣fore if our Sun have innate light, the fixt Stars have innate light also. And lastly, the Scintillation of the fixt Stars which is not observed in the Planets, is another Argument of their innate Light. And he must be blind in the mysteries of Philosophy that does not see the reasonableness of these things.

Define the Sun to be hot and moist rather than drying, &c. Ans. I will not say, says he (p. 72.) the Doctor lies, but I am sure it's false that he says, Astrologers holding no such thing, as that either the Sun is hot and moist, or that Mars is parchingly dry. Repl. And yet that famous Astrologer David

Origanus, expresly declares, that the Sun is not ve∣hementer siccus quoniam quasi humido jungitur, But that Mars does exsiccare & arefacere, & in calefaci∣endo urere. What in Latin can be more significant of what we have declared in English? See what we have said upon Ch. 15. Sect. 2.

All the Planets are opaque bodies, and what ever their colour be are as cold as Earth, &c. Here again J. B. swaggeringly denies (p. 83.) the Planets to be opaque bodies, but I have proved them already to be opaque, so that I need insist no further thereon. And whereas he would insinuate that in [all the Planets] I do imply the Sun, 'tis a mere cavil, the Planets that move about the Sun being peculiarly called Planets, and the Sun improperly as being fixt, and having no Planetary motion at all.

And since from these they are reputed (namely from the first qualities) benign or malign, masculine or feminine, &c. Ans. Here says J. B. (p. 83.) the consequence is unsufferable, that if the Planets be opaque bodies they cannot be Male and Female. Ash-Trees are opaque bodies without dispute, and yet by all Herbarists are allowed to be Male and Fe∣male, &c. Repl. He makes here a foolish conse∣quence of his own, and then Tragically exclaims against it, as if I were the Author of it. I no where say, if the Planets be opaque bodies they cannot be Male and Female; but that since Astrologers account the Planets Male and Female from those first qualities phansied in them without any reason, the grounds of this distinction into Male and Female failing, the Astrological distinction it self necessarily fails. So that all the course Buffoondry he uses in this page returns upon himself. But (p. 72.) to repair the

loss of the first qualities in the Planets he will not have Mars hot and dry as is the Sun, or as Fire, but as Pepper or Salt. Repl. Certainly J. B. must have a long neck or a long tongue to reach a tast of the Pla∣net Mars to perceive it has a smack of Salt or Pep∣per, which is as true as that the Moon is made of green Cheese. Which if it were, the Salt or Pepper of Mars were excellent Correctives of the Phlegma∣tickness thereof, that it may the easilier digest in an Astrologers Stomach. But in good sadness, how can we be more assured of this Salt or Pepper in Mars, or internal cold in Saturn, than of the Ele∣mental heat or cold in either? So evident is it, that these are pitiful subterfuges, and that the whole distinction of Planets into hot and cold, and con∣sequently into Masculine and Feminine, is a meer phancie.

Sect. 9. For that hidden Influence which governs all, would reach to all points, &c. Here J. B. has re∣course again to the Weapon-salve (p. 74.) and to the Magnetical Particles. But I have so sufficiently baffled this evasion upon Sect. 2. of this Chapter, that I need say nothing here.

Sect. 10. That of the Fiery, Earthy, Watery, and Aiery Trigons, is more notorious, &c. In this Se∣ction, because I seem to bestow a silent smile or two upon the pretty conceits of Dr. Dariot, and Sir Chri∣stopher Heydon, of the one in Physick, the other in Husbandry, in observing these Triplicities; J. B. (p. 77, 78.) takes occasion to play the Robin good Fellow, or laughing Goblin at such a rate, and to raise such Horse-play, that if the Parish of this Minister of Gods Word, as he stiles himself should spie him in such a vain pickle and scandalous strain

of levity, they would be tempted much to despise his person for his fond buffoondry and idle mirth, as all sound Philosophers would be asham'd of him to see him so triumphantly exulting in his own gross ignorance and unskilfulness in matters of Philoso∣phy. That I smiled at the conceived virtues of the abovesaid Triplicities, which Dr. Dariot and Sir Chri∣stopher attribute to them, is from my firm assurance, that they are placed in no subject but the imagina∣tion of the Astrologer, there being no such Zodiack in Heaven, or as I have said already, no Heaven for that Zodiack, which is divided into these Tri∣plicities. For to make a distinct Impression of the

[illustration]

truth of the case upon the Readers mind, and upon J. B.'s too, if it be penetrable or impressible, I shall set forth the mistake of these Astrologers by this plain Scheme. Where ABC is their supposed Hea∣ven, that does not move from West to East, and in which the Zodiack cast into four Triplicities, is ima∣gined to be. The Fiery Triplicity is ♈, ♌, ♐, the Watery, ♋, ♏, ♓, the Airy ♊, ♎, ♒, the Earthy, ♉, ♍, ♑, DEF is the Coelum stellatum, where the real signs of the Zodiack, namely the Constellations called Aries, Taurus, Gemini, &c. are to be seen, and from whence the other had their names. For cer∣tainly they gave the names to these visible Constel∣lations before they were given to that invisible Hea∣ven, which I say is only imaginary. And this Coe∣lum stellatum in Aristotle's time was accounted the Primum Mobile that did not recede from West to East. And therefore the Zodiack of the Coelum Stel∣latum then and this imaginary Zodiack was all one, that is, there was no Zodiack conceiv'd, but this of the Coelum stellatum. And consequently the supposed Astrological Influences were necessarily at∣tributed to the Signs of the Zodiack of this Coe∣lum stellatum. And indeed from whence should they be conceived to come, but from this visible Heaven?

But by reason of the Anticipation of the Aequi∣noxes, a Phaenomenon, whose cause is to be resolved into the motion of the Earth, the unskilful in Phi∣losophy rashly collected these two things. 1. That there was a motion of the Coelum stellatum from West to East. 2. And then a Primum Mobile that had only a diurnal motion, not any from West to East, in which a fixt Zodiack was, wherein the course of

the Sun observed his Cardinal points, and did not anticipate. And this is the Astrologers Zodiack divided into Triplicities or Trigons, the main Basis of their Art for Houses and Triplicities, which if it had any truth in it when they used the real Signs of the Zodiack of the Coelum stellatum, must now ne∣cessarily be judged vain and ridiculous. For now for Example, the Fiery Trigon is not the real Aries, Leo, Sagittarius in the Coelum stellatum, DEF, but the imaginary one ♈, ♌, ♐, in the Figure above de∣scribed, and so of the rest. Whence it is plain, that when Dr. Dariot and Sir Christopher attribute such virtues to such a Triplicity, they miss almost a whole Sign in their account, pitching upon AD for DG, and so of the rest, if you respect the Coelum stellatum, and so they put one Triplicity for another, the Watery Trigon for the Fiery, and suppose Aries the Horoscop. when 'tis Pisces. And if you respect a Heaven distinct from the Coelum stellatum, which was forged upon the ignorance of the true cause of the Anticipation of the Aequinoxes, they do yet toto coelo errare, that fictitious Heaven being a mere mi∣stake as all Philosophers now of any note are well assured of. And therefore I think any understand∣ing man may well smile at these sweet conceits of Dr. Dariot and Sir Christopher, touching the use and observation of the Heavenly Trigons in Physick and Husbandry.

That there is no such Zodiack in Heaven, or if you will no Heaven for such a Zodiack, &c. Ans. This is a very confident one, says he, (p. 75.) all Astro∣nomers agreeing to the contrary that there is such an one, &c. Repl. I speak of that Zodiack which Clavius and other Ptolemaick Astronomers call Zo∣diacus

Fixus, and conceive to be in the Primum Mo∣bile, and whose Signs do not recede from West to East, as those of the Coelum stellatum are said to do. And I beseech J. B. to tell me if all Astronomers agree that there is such an one. No Copernican can without a contradiction to his profession admit of such a Zodiack. But this Zodiack is the subject of these four famous Triplicities of Astrologers. Which therefore for all the pudder J. B. makes (p. 75, 76.) are plainly deprehended to be a mere figment, a con∣ceit at least worth a smiling at, if not laughing out∣right. If J. B. had but read the first rudiments of Astronomy in Johannes de Sacro Bosco, he might easily understand the strength of my Argument, but he seems to study Astrology in an implicit Faith, and to be either of a slow Saturnine Perception, or else an exercised Shuffler off of such reasons as him∣self cannot but be convinced of, that they are unan∣swerable.

Sect. II. Guiding themselves by the conceit of the Benignity and Malignity of the Aspects, &c. Ans. Thus strangely, says J. B. (p. 79.) abounds the Doctor in his own sense, concluding all the utmost of our reasonings not to extend one tittle farther than just as he imagines, &c. Repl. That these Aspects, their Benignity and Malignity, are the grounds of conferring such Houses upon such Planets, is manifest both out of Dariot and out of Origanus. For after the Astrologers had assigned Leo for the House of the Sun, and Cancer for the House of the Moon ( undoubtedly for the reasons I have alledged in this Section) and they looking upon these two Luminaries as the Parents of Generation and Friends to Nature, Saturn being a malign Planet,

they gave him two Houses in a malign Aspect to the Houses of the Moon and of the Sun, namely they assign∣ed to him Capricorn and Aquarius. But Jupiter who is a benign Planet, has Sagittarius and Pisces for his Houses, because they behold the Lyon and Crabb with a benign Aspect, namely, with Trine. But Mars being a malign Planet, Aries and Scorpio are his Houses, because they behold Cancer and Leo with a malign Aspect, viz. that of a Quartile. But of this I having spoken so fully upon Sect. 7. I need give no further intimations here, saving only to remind the Reader, that I having above made it good against J. B. that Aspects are a mere phancy, it plainly fol∣lows, that the assignment of Houses to the Planets, upon that ground, must be a mere phancy also.

Nothing but Intersections of the imaginary Circles of the course of the Moon and the Ecliptick, &c. Here J. B. (p. 79.) instead of [Intersections of ima∣ginary Circles] puts [imaginary Circles] and is so fond himself, or would make me so fond as to call the Caput, and Cauda Draconis, imaginary Circles, whenas they are the same with the Nodi, which are points rather than Circles. They are the Intersecti∣ons, or as it were points of the Intersections of two imaginary Circles. Such a nullity are they of them∣selves, and yet forsooth they must have their Exal∣tation. For which empty conceit he brings only the bare pretence of a sound Argument, that is Expe∣rience. Which is impossible to discover to be from the Caput Draconis it self, suppose in Gemini, if the Moon be not near that Node, or to conceive the Node it self, which is a mere imaginary thing, and only a phancying that in that place the Moon has or will cut the Ecliptick, to have any effect, unless she

be a cutting it, and then it is the Moon not the No∣dus that gives the effect, if there be any. And let J. B. if he can, produce any Astrological authentick Record where it has been discovered that the mere Nodes themselves, or Caput and Cauda Draconis, have had their distinct effect and did not stand for Cyphers.

That each Trigon might have its two Consuls, and Mars not rule solitarily in his watery one, &c. Ans. This is like a man, says J. B. (p. 81.) that would con∣fute the Doctrine of the Antipodes by crying [Pish] Repl. As if there were no force of Argument in this passage, because J. B. is either so blind as that he cannot see it, or so perverse that he will not see it. For whereas it is a Maxime in Philosophy, That Na∣ture is neither wanting in necessaries, nor affects su∣perfluities, surely if this business of Trigons and Tri∣gonocratores were a real thing in Nature and not a mere phancy of Astrologers, she would not have been so superfluous as to have furnisht three of the Trigons with two Lords apiece, or so defective as to afford but one to the fourth. For if one will serve one Tri∣gon, it is superfluous to have two, and if two be re∣quisite, 'tis a defect to have but one.

The Prerogative of the Horecratores is destroyed by that first general Argument, &c. Ans. When the Doctor is at a full point, says he (p. 81.) as his Ha, ha, will extend no further, then flies he to the main shift that there is no Zodiack, &c. And a lit∣tle after, Yet for certain there is an Heaven as no body can deny. Repl. It is to me a wonder, that J. B. should have so little skill in the first Rudiments of his own professed Art, which supposes a Heaven distinct from the Starry Heaven, which I say is a

fictitious Heaven, and the Zodiack fictitious in it; or yet so little Conscience, that understanding this, and that I oppose this fictitious Heaven only, which has a Zodiack that is said not to have a motion from West to East, as the Starry Heaven's Zodiack is said to have, he should play the buffoon for almost two pages together to prove there is a real Heaven, and that it is divisible into parts, and that these parts are real, which neither I nor any one else will deny, but the weakness of his cause puts him upon such sorry and sordid tricks.

But being conscious to himself of his inability of answering my confutation of the rest of the essential Dignities as well as the former, he shuffles all off (p. 82.) with saying, the Doctor goes madly on in a kind of Enthusiastick humour, that the Heaven is nothing, and the parts of Heaven is nothing, whereby I would destroy the rest of the Essential Dignities. Repl. But that that Heaven on which these Essential Dignities are founded, is nothing, I have noted a∣bove, that the best Philosophers are now agreed upon it, and that the Zodiacus fixus, distinct from the Zodiack of the Starry Heaven, is a figment forged in the dark shop of the gross ignorance of the true System of the World. And I would have J. B. seri∣ously to consider that truth I hinted, That in Ari∣stotles time there was only one Zodiack, which was that of the Starry Heaven, whose real Signs gave names to that fictitious one that Astrologers now build their Houses upon, and that therefore that ancient and venerable divine science of Astrology, which J. B. would have as old as Adam or Seth, di∣vided the Starry Heavens Zodiack into twelve Hou∣ses, and supposed the peculiar virtue of each House

placed there in each Sign of the Starry Heaven. From whence it will follow, that our modern Astro∣logers building their Houses on that Zodiacus im∣mobilis, or fixus, and the Zodiacus mobilis of the starry Heaven having receded since those older times, at least two whole Signs from West to East, (and the antique Astrology conveighed out of the Memoirs of Adam when he was in Innocency, being the most holy, sacred, certain, and authentick Astro∣logy) I say it will follow that our modern Astrolo∣gers, and J. B. good man amongst the rest, do err no less than two whole Signs in all their Astrologi∣cal Calculations. This is a morsel that I leave to J. B. to chamble in his mouth to see how he relishes it, or to swallow it down as a Pill to purge out the Astrological humour, if it may happily cure his sick mind and rid him of this malady.

Sect. 12. For beyond the Sun the Planet is at the farthest distance it can be from us, &c. Ans. The di∣stance of situation, sayes he (p. 84.) can no ways impede the force of the Planets operation, as is ap∣parently seen by the Moon, which never receives more light and force of Solar virtue than when she is far∣thest from him. Repl. Sith all created Beings are of a finite virtue, it is impossible but that the Spheres of their operation must be finite, and there∣fore according as they are more and more distant from the object, their virtue be less and less. Again, he contradicts his own self and the vote of Astrolo∣gers, as I have noted above. For p. 21. he writes thus: All Astrologers do hold the Moon to be the nearest to us, and nimblest plying about us above all other Planets, and therefore to have more powerful effects upon us than any other Planet. Which yet is a

perfect contradiction to what he says p. 48. viz. The Doctor it seems is yet to learn how the Heavenly Bodies are neither helped by proximity, nor hindred by longinquity in the exercise of their powers, &c. Thus vacillant and contradictious to himself is J.B. but the Astrologers are on my side, as appears by the former citation, and if that will not suffice, I will also add the particular authority of Origanus, who De Effectibus Part. 3. Cap. 1. writes thus, Omnes Planetae juxta Excentrici & Epicycli Apogeum mino∣rem efficaciam habent & Aerem minus movent. In opposito autem Augis robustiores sunt, Aerem{que} va∣lidius turbant. Omne enim Agens naturale tanto va∣lidius agit quanto proximius est passo. Which is point-blank against J. B.

But his Instance of the Moons having most light at the greatest distance from the Sun, heals his cre∣dit again. And of this Example he is so fond that he could not stay but brought it in in another place as well as here, viz. p. 49. where he says, I either had forgotten or did not know, that the further the Moon is from the Sun, the greater is the light she receives from him, and the nearer she is to him she receives still less and less. But this shows J. B. his gross igno∣rance in Opticks, as I have noted above. Nor did I forget but ever knew to the contrary, even from my youth, when I wrote my Philosophical Poems, namely, That the Moon the nearer she is the Sun the more light she receives, as I have expressed it in my Psy∣chathanasia, Book 1. Cant. 2. Stanz. 7.

Nor being hid after my monthly wane, Long keppen back from your expecting sight, Dull damps and darkness do my beauty stain; When none I shew, then have I the most light:

Nearer to Phoebus more I am bedight With his fair rays. And better to confute All vain suspicion of my worser plight, Mark aye my Face after my close salute With that sharp-witted God seem I not more acute?

Wherefore it is as clear as the Sun, that J. B. has said nothing to the purpose hitherto in his answer to my confutation of this first Accidental Dignity called Cazimi.

Besides, how can their virtue pass the body of the Sun, &c. Ans. The Sun is a thin and pure body as the Air, &c. Repl. But it is an hot consuming body being as it were a boiling fire, as they that have made the most accurate observations of him have described him, and the Maculae are his scum. How can then the Influential vapours of a Planet pierce his body, and not be spent and lost?

Or the bearing of the Vortex against the Planet, &c. Ans. He says, the Planets in Conjunction do comply and not at all clash Influences. Repl. I had thought that that had been a peculiar humour of Mercury to be so sociable and compliable with that Planet he is conjoined. But besides this, Though the bearing of the Vortex against us is no such mat∣ter, yet it bearing against the Planet, and transfu∣sing a Celestial stream of most subtile matter against it, carries away the Planets Influence from us, as a contrary wind does odours and sounds.

If Cazimi on this side the Sun be good, why should not beyond the Sun be bad? Ans. Because, says he, Cazimi works a perfect compliance betwixt the Sun and the Planets in Cazimi. Repl. Learn∣edly spoken! It is so, because it is so. A body is

white by whiteness, black by blackness, Hoosibus and Shoosibus, as Sir Kenhelm Digby pleasantly ap∣plies that Country story. But I leave J. B. to exco∣gitate a better answer to this present difficulty. The subtile matter flowing from the Sun, and driving the Effluvia of the Planet in Cazimi on this side of the Sun upon us, if this be good how can Cazimi be∣yond the Sun be good, the stream of the subtile mat∣ter from the Sun driving the effluvia from us? That is the point, consider it at leisure.

How much more are the spots of the Sun that are far greater, &c. Ans. Here J. B. gives us a tast of his education and elegancy of wit. Does not every Scullion-Girl, says he (p. 85.) know the difference betwixt a blemish and a beauty-spot, though both at once on the same face? Repl. I confess I never con∣verse with Scullion Girls to know the extent of their capacity and judgment; if J. B. does, I envy him not that piece of curiosity of knowledge. That and Astrology together may strike far to the making up a compleat Gentleman. But now as to the fitness of the comparison, I would know of J. B. touching the Macula Solaris, and the Planet in Disco Solis, sup∣pose Venus or Mercury, which is the Blemish and which the Beauty-spot, or what he means by a Beauty-spot, an artificial black patch, or some Naevus in Venere; let him consult with his Sibyl in the Kitchen to be able to give a right answer to these Queries, and then I shall give him a more full reply. But he stills holds on, which I did not observe, and makes his Sibyl of the Kitchen wiser and wiser; adding, Or between a mere dead Patch and an operative Plaister: what a discerning Girl is this! But to avoid ambages I shall ask J. B. himself which is the

dead patch and which the operative Plaister. And methinks I hear him promptly answer, the dead Patch are the Maculae Solares, and the operative Plaister the Bodies of Mercury and Venus in Cazimi on this side the Sun. How well the Bodies of Mer∣cury and Venus, which are as round as any mustard Ball, and God knows how many thousand miles di∣stant from the face of the Sun, resemble a flat spread plaister applied immediately to the face of any Male or Female, I dare refer to his stale Girl, or Sibyl of the Kitchen. But as for the Philosophy of his An∣swer, that the Maculae Solares are dead Patches, it is an unskilful supposition of his, and contradictious to his own profession, that allows a Soul or Plastick Spirit of the World, which implies, that all the mat∣ter of the Vniverse is enlivened, and those spots as∣suredly as much as either Venus or Mercury (which are no more alive than our Earth) and therefore as fit for Astrological Influence as either Mercury or Venus. But for such a Caput mortuum as some Chy∣mists phancy, there is none such in Rerum Natura, unless it be the heads of those that are devoid of wit and judgment.

That Cazimi should be five Fortitudes, and yet Combustion which is to be but a little distance from the Sun, should be five Debilities, &c. To shuttle off this invincible Argument he abounds with simili∣tudes, as if he were unacquainted with that trite Aphorism, Similia non probant. But that I may not be tedious, I will bring only one of them into view, there being the same reason of the rest. And indeed it is a sweet one and remarkable one. Behold, sayes he (p. 86.) but the Rosy bush, how it is set with now a sweet Rose, and next an offensive Prickle, and

then a Rose again. Repl. And even so there must be three Fairy Circles about the Sun, one of Forti∣tudes, the next of Debilities, and the third of For∣titudes again. For the Earth moving about the Sun there is neccessity of whole Circles of this difference to go about the Sun to salve the supposed Astrologi∣cal Phenomenon. Nay moreover there must be twice three such Circles; the one three for Mercury, the other for Venus, and thrice three such for the superior Planets, yet all this will not do. For the Circles of the Planets are the same in Cazimi as out of it, and if in Cazimi by reason of the Circle there all to be∣strewed with Roses, it have five Fortitudes, it be∣ing still as much as ever it was in the same Circle, removed from Cazimi, it must have five Fortitudes still. So that J. B. his Rosy comparison withers to nothing: To let pass here his contradiction to himself, who in his Hagiastrologia, plainly affirms the Hea∣ven to be a most simple and clear body like to refined Crystal▪ which is inconsistent with this Heteroge∣neity, which to stop a gap he has introduced in this place. And lastly, how Homogeneal the Celestial matter is, the Cartesian Philosophy does well set out to them that have a capacity to understand it.

That Saturn, Iupiter and Mars from their Con∣junction with the Sun to their Opposition, &c. Ans. Here he bewrays more of his old ignorance. Says he (p. 86.) As if the Fortitudes of Planets stood in the nearness of their distance, &c. Repl. But that it is none of my ignorance but his that he does not think as I do, I have sufficiently prov'd above, and therefore need say nothing further here.

Station should rather seal on the effect of the Pla∣net more sure. Ans. Experience, says he (p. 87.)

and reason joined together do evidence the con∣trary, namely, that a Stationary Planet is standed in the Influence of his virtues as well as of his body during that Station. This is his Answer entire. Repl. But as for reason he brings none unless he thinks that a reason, That because the Influence is then standed as he calls it, it is called the Station of the Planet from thence. When as by the consent of all Astronomers a Planet is said to be Stationary, because he seems to stand still as to any motion from West to East. And as for experience, as I said above, let him bring any authentick Astrological Record whence it does appear that a Planet for being Stationary was clogged with two Debilities. And the truth is, the Annual Motion, as I may so call it, of the Planets, especially the superiour, is so slow, and their Diurnal in comparison so exceeding swift, that it is incredible that the modifications of their Annual Motion by Station, Direction, or Retrogra∣dation, should signifie any thing.

Is neither Stationary nor Retrograde truly but in appearance, &c. Ans. It is not so, says he (p. 87.) For although the Planet of it self make no returns, but is always moving directly on, yet going round his Circle after he has past his utmost distance, as we stand, he really returns upon us in his perambulation, and the time between this going on and return is unto us a real Station, his motion looking upon us for some days altogether from the same point. This is his entire Answer in his own words where∣by he would prove that there is a real Retro∣gradation and Station in the Planets, which is his first Answer. But he has another which I will give you also in his own words: But however, says he,

were the Retrogradation and Station no more but in a mere appearance, yet it does not follow but the De∣bilities arising from that appearance, shall be real and not imaginary. Repl. But as touching the first, I dare say he had no distinct notion of what he ut∣ter'd, though he give his suffrage for Copernicus, Ha∣giastrolog. p. 83. and if he ever knew, had forgot the nature of the Station and Retrogradation of the Planets, This Answer of his being incumbred with such gross absurdities and harsh repugnancies to these Astronomical Phaenomena. For by this account which is taken from the circular perambulation of the Planet it self in its own course secundum ordi∣nem Signorum, which may by Analogy be called the Annus of that Planet, or Annual course thereof; Ju∣piter suppose shall make but two Stations and one Re∣trogradation in the space of twelve years, when as he makes twelve Retrogradations in that time; and Saturn who in thirty years makes about thirty Re∣trogradations, and sixty Stations, shall make but two Stations and one Retrogradation in that time. Which gross ignorance of J. B. makes me suspect that he bore himself merely upon his faculty of sordid and foul language when he adventured to publish this pretended Answer to my Confutation of the vain Art of Astrology.

And to do the man all right that may be, as being something conscious to himself of his own confused ignorance in the present point, not knowing whether his first Answer was sense or non-sense, he offers at a second, wherein he sayes, were the Station and Retrogradation no more but in mere appearance, yet it does not follow but the Debilities arising from that appearance shall be real and not imaginary.

Repl. But I beseech you, Mr. J. B. how do you prove that there do arise any such Debilities from that ap∣pearance? If there were any such Debilities arising, it would follow they were real not imaginary. But how can any thing real arise from what is mere ap∣pearance, unless it be that the subject it acts upon be a perceptive subject, and the action or impress upon it quatenus perceptivè: as the mere appearance of truth in the Divine or Sacred Science of Astrology, so deemed by J. B. has had a real effect of intoxi∣cating all his faculties both moral and intellectual, whereof this present Book of his is an ample testi∣mony. But that Station or Retrogradation of Planets that is in mere appearance or imaginary should have any real effect upon the Nativity of Infants, who have no imagination thereof, is as perfect a contra∣diction, as if one should say there is an effect with∣out any cause. But J. B. it seems is so taken up with his Divine Science of Astrology derived to us from the sacred Memoirs of Adam in Paradise, that it has drown'd in him all the sense and memory of the in∣dubitable principles of Logick and Philosophy.

That Sextile and Trine should be good, and yet Quartile which is betwixt both be stark naught. Ans. Do but observe him, sayes he (p. 88) A Quartile can∣not be stark naught, because betwixt a Sextile and a Trine. His slovenly comparison I will omit, as being as well nasty as superstuous, because the force of his reason is as entirely couched in his following com∣parison, where he says, Nor can that Creature be an Ass which stands betwixt two men. As if he should say, That Quartile Aspect betwixt two good Aspects, Sextile and Trine, may as well be bad as an Ass be an irrational Creature placed betwixt two men, who

are rational ones. Repl. But this is a reason only to impose upon Asses. For the Ass here is specifically distinct from the two men, nor can their site de∣stroy this specification. But the degrees in Heaven being homogeneal, that sixty of them should be good, and an hundred and twenty good, but ninety which takes up all the same sixty, and also thirty of the whole hundred and twenty, should be naught, is such a repugnancy, that it can fit the head of no Animal but that of J. B's naming, placed betwixt two men.

But he has a more seemingly material Answer (p. 89.) That Astrologers do not account the Quar∣tile Aspect stark naught. For first they hold it better than Opposition, and the Quartile Aspects of the Fortunes in some senses are good. Repl. If they don't account it stark naught, how comes it to pass that in the Table of Aspects it has no better credit than that of Opposition? For first they divide the Aspects of Planets into good, as Sextile and Trine; and evil, as Quartile and Opposition: And of these latter Aspects it is expresly said, that Quartile and Opposition in good Planets is not evil, as Quartile or Opposition in Jupiter and Venus, which Jupiter and Venus are the two Fortunes. But Quartile and Opposition in evil Planets is evil, as Quartile or Opposition in Saturn and Mars. And Quartile and Opposition of good with evil is evil, as Quartile and Opposition of Jupiter with Mars. And so Quartile and Opposition go hand in hand in pro∣perty through the whole Table of Aspects. But it is no where said, that Quartile Aspect of the Fortunes is in some senses good, much less very good; whence it is apparent, that if Opposition be stark naught,

Quartile is very little better. See G. C. his Mathe∣matical Physick, p. 153.

That Quartile should be better than Trine as be∣ing further from Opposition. There is a most fulsome, slovenly Answer to this passage, as stinking and noi∣some as one I omitted before, which no ingenuous pen would deign to transcribe or Answer, and it is the less requisite to do it, it being a like Argument with that of the Ass betwixt two men, as weak, and more rude and sordid than it. These are the odoriferous Flosculi of his Saturnine Rhetorick, as if he had been Nursed in an House of Office, as well as disciplined under the old Girl, his discerning Sibyl of the Kitchen. For shame Mr. J. B. why would you write such a Book, and profess your self in the mean time a Minister of Gods word, and a Prote∣stant of the Church of England, as if you intended a slur and disgrace to our Church and Function? Both which are very sacred and honourable, and not to be exposed by such lewd doings to the scorn of their Enemies.

The Planets thus Aspected are in better capacity, both of them to strike with more direct rays on the Earth than if they were in a Trine Aspect. Ans. But the Aspect of Opposition, says he, (p. 88.) strikes better and with more direct rays, and therefore by the same Rule should be best of all. Repl. What an impertinent Answer is this of J. B. to this passage? In the Aspect of Opposition indeed the Planets seem more directly (as being Diametrically opposite) to ray one against another, but they do not jointly to one point on the Earth, suppose where the Foetus is, ray more directly. J. B. his Answers are such, as if he did either not understand, or not care what he

said as to reason; as if railing and rude language were the only Province he had undertaken.

Sect. 13. And the erecting a Scheme so many ways, and that with like success, is an evidence that the success is not upon art but fortuitous. Ans But why names he not these many ways, says he (p. 89.) For either these many ways are all the same in effect, and then the Doctors consequence is false; or else they are not the same in effect, and then the Doctors Allegation is utterly untrue. Repl. This is an An∣swer indeed that seems to have some smartness in it, as a Nettle, if you touch it gingerly, but press it boldly and you feel nothing. To the former there∣fore, I reply that I have reckoned up those several ways, Ch. 15. Sect 6. adding at the end, that there are so many ways of building Houses or Castles in the Air. To the latter, I say, they are the same as to any certainty of effect. There is never a Barrel better Herring of them, as the Proverb hath it: All alike fond and frustraneous. sometimes hitting, some∣times missing. For why did they invent this va∣riety, but that the foregoing structure was vacillant and lubricous? And thus one being supposed as good as another, my consequence will come in, that the success when it hits right is not from Art, but for∣tuitous.

The Configuration also of the Houses, and those Septennial Chronocratores or Alfridarii, do inti∣mate, that the whole business is but a Figment going upon that false Hypothesis of Ptolemy, &c. Ans. This is an horrible falshood, says he (p. 89.) For our Configuration of the Houses depends no more upon that of Ptolemy than it does upon that Hypothesis of Copernicus. Repl. What a marvellous Antagonist

have I got, that huffs, and sputters, and cocks his Beaver, as the invincible Champion of the Astrolo∣gers, and understands neither the Hypothesis of Pto∣lemy nor Copernicus? It is the Zodiacus fixus which the Ptolemaick Hypothesis necessarily implies, that is the ground, which all your Astrological Houses are built upon, as I observed above more than once. And it is undeniably true, though this bold Champion for Astrology calls it an horrible falshood. But I commend his modesty or discretion rather, that he will make but one grand vapour at once, when as I intimated also, that the Alfridarii have their Septennial Dominion according to the order of the Planets in the Ptolemaick Hypothesis, and Ch. 15. Sect. 6. that the Consignificators of the Houses observe the same Order. But an Answer to these things he discreetly declines to make his single bravado more passable.

For either the Earth is pervious to all the raies of the Planets and Stars, &c. Ans. The Earth is pervi∣ous, saith he (p. 90.) to all the rays of the Planets and Stars, as well beneath as above the Horizon. And yet does it not follow that all Nativities are alike. For is it not plain, that all kinds of Plants are pervious to the virtues and Influences of the same Earth, and yet how far off are they from being all alike, or from bringing forth leaves and flowers alike? Repl. No considerate Philosopher will admit any other Influence of the Earth but the Particles thereof which constitute several consistencies and juyces, and the Plants are concerned only in those juyces or moistures that are next them, nor in any more Particles of them that are fitted for their pores. Wherein the mystery of placing of Plants near

one another consists, namely, when their construction of parts is such, that they do not suck away, to speak in the vulgar language, the same Particles of juice, and so do not beguile one another. But the Astrolo∣gical Influence of the Stars is a thing so subtile and penetrating, that it stands not upon pores, but passes peremptorily through all the Earth from one side to another. So that J.B. his comparison falls wonder∣ously short in the present case.

That a Star or Planet that is vertical is most effica∣cious. Ans. As to matters of honour, sayes he, a Star is most efficacious when vertical, but as to mat∣ter of Life and Nature, he is most efficacious when he ascends. Repl. This is a mere put off, For both Origanus and Cardan in Origanus absolutely declare thus. Stellae supra verticem alicujus Regionis vel Civitatis, quae inde verticales dicuntur, maximae effi∣caciae sunt; quae autem remotae sunt, tanto minus pos∣sunt quanto plus à vertice removentur. De Effectibus Part. 3. Cap. 2. Here is no restriction to Honour, but it is spoke absolutely and at large. And if for Ho∣nour why not for other things as the Nature of the Planet is? Direct and perpendicular Raies being ac∣knowledged by all to be most effectual. But if the Earth be perfectly pervious to the rays, then our other Argument holds good against the Astrolo∣gers.

Sect. 14. Even then (viz. in the Womb) is the Child as much exposed to them as when it is newly born. Ans. In his Answer to this J. B. does so faul∣ter and fumble. (p. 91.) that I profess I can hardly make sense of it. But the main is couched in the close, That as soon as the Child draws breath of its own, the former imployment of the Heavens upon it

being ended, a new begins, and so the imployment of the Stars upon the Child begins immediately as it draws its breath. Repl. When as the Influence of the Stars freely penetrate the thick crusts of the Earth from side to side as freely as if there were no∣thing to resist; how is it possible the Stars not act∣ing voluntarily but necessarily, as all natural Agents do, but that they should continue the same Influence in the Womb and out of the Womb, the respects of the Childs being in or out of the Womb, signifying nothing as to the Stars, and therefore the time of his Nativity as little?

For first they must know the exact Longitude of the place, &c. Ans. The exact Longitude, says he (p. 96.) matters us not, therefore that's false. Repl. Very pertly and assuredly answered. But those that have been more accurately studied in this pretended Science, I am sure I have heard complain of this very defect. And it stands to all reason it should be considered. For there are the same hours from twelve a Clock numerable from the Meridians of all the degrees of Longitude, and therefore the true Lon∣gitude of a place is also to be known for the right adjusting of the site of Heaven and Earth one to another at the Nativity. But what a bold assured thing is Ignorance!

For he is born by degrees, &c. Ans. But the Child, says he (p. 92.) does not draw its breath by de∣grees, nor is the navil-string cut off from the Womb by degrees. Repl. But I demand of J. B. whether the Child begin to breath first, or has his Navil-string cut first, concerning which there is a great deal of circumstances and curiosity, and sometimes longer, and sometimes sooner done. And whether

to the first breathing of Christ, or the cutting of his Navil-string he refers that minute of the time of Christs Nativity in his Christologia.

Sect. 15. Which takes away all certainty of com∣putation, per Accidentia nati. Though we should al∣low a particular Influence of the Stars in mens Na∣tivities, so that they incline them to this or that, yet by reason of mans Free Will there could be no finding of the time of the Nativity, per Accidentia nati. This I contend for. Nor can J. B. for his life elude the force of the Argument, he asserting as he would seem to do (p. 93.) That Sapiens dominabitur Astris, How much more then shall a serious and sin∣cere Christian? And whereas himself acknowledges that the Free Will of man, according as he is good or bad, may retardate or accelerate the effect of the Influence of the Stars, though not wholly take it away, how is it possible to come to the true time of the Na∣tivity by the Accidentia Nati? But J. B. writes as if he were asleep and not minded what he said, else his pen could not pass such gross contradictions. And it is but said by him not prov'd, That the Stars will necessarily have their effect, though slower in time and less violent in good men that make use of their Free Will, and resist the power of the Stars. For what does J. B. think of Socrates, who by his Temperance as A. Gellius writes, liv'd all the days of his life inoffensâ valetudine? And in that great devastating pestilence in the Peloponnesian War, he in Athens where it raged most, by his course of li∣ving kept his health of body, nor was obnoxious to that common contagion of stronger force certainly than any Influence of the Stars can be deemed to be.

And if Socrates liv'd so much above the power of the Stars, what shall we think of the Prophets and Apostles? what of Christ himself? who was not only able to resist the power of the Stars, which J.B. allows every wise man able to do, but was carried in all his actions of concern by the immediate inspira∣tion of the Holy Spirit. And yet (than which no∣thing can be more prophane and ridiculous) J. B. in his Christologia pretends per Accidentia Nati, to come to the very Minute of our Saviours Nativity. But such delirances as these they are justly permitted to fall into, who mock at the study of the Revela∣tion of Saint John the Divine, and so highly mag∣nify this vain imposturous Art of Astrology for a most sacred and Divine Science.

I might add in this place, that not only the Free Will of the Party, whose Nativity is considered, breaks this pretence of Calculating per Accidentia Nati, but the Free Wills also of all those that he has to do with, nay the Free Wills of them that have been before him, his Ancestors, the Lawgivers of the place or Country, &c. But it would be an endless Argument to enter upon, and enough has been hinted already to satisfie the unprejudiced.

Sect. 16. Is this Circuit of the Nativity Scheme any where but in their own brain? Ans. And against Profection, says he (p. 95.) he falls foul, saying, Is it any where but in their own brain? but produces nothing of absurdity against it, and therefore needs no answer to it. Repl. How heedless and oscitant is J. B. here, that neither feels nor perceives what is even put into his mouth! What greater Argument can there be against Profection Annual having any Influence upon men and their Nativities, than in

that it is only in the brains of the Astrologer, and therefore can work no change in Nature? And that it is only in the brains of the Astrologer, the very description of it in Origanus and others plainly im∣plies. For the very words of Origanus are, Tales significatorum in consequentia Progressiones quibus, singulis annis singula Signa conficere cogitantur, Pro∣fectiones Annuae appellantur. And a little before, Nam loca Zodiaci quae vel ipsa significatum aliquod habent vel Aphetas & Significatores alios cujuscun{que} Nominis & Muneris continent, fixa perpetuò non ma∣nent, sicut in primo hominis exortu disposita esse de∣prehenduntur, sed cum suis Aphetis & Significatori∣bus subinde aequabiliter progredi secundum seriem signorum cogitantur, &c. And indeed they can be only imagined to do so. For, that slow-paced Saturn should go thirty degrees in a Year in consequentia (much less the Horoscope and Medium Coeli when they are Loca Hylegialia, as they call them, which are conceived to be in Zodiaco fixo, and therefore can make no progress at all, secundum seriem Signo∣rum, they being parts of those immoveable signs) is I think an absurdity with a Witness, and implies no less than a gross contradiction, you imagining the same thing to move slower and faster, or to move and not to move at the same time.

Or that another Planet coming to the trace there∣of should exult in the scent, &c. Here J. B. for at least two pages together puts himself upon the pin of extravagant mirth and buffoonry, which is as grace∣ful a spectacle in this grave Minister of Gods Word, as the Dancing of a Cow or a Camel. But to pass by all that Horse-play, let us see what reason he offers. Ans. If an Hare, says he (p. 96.) or a Fox, or a Man

with Shooes on, does leave such a scent in every step he treads, that a Dog coming after some hours will discern every place as the foot went in the wide Field, although Horses, Hogs, or other Men have crossed the way; how much more shall the Stars be able, &c. Repl. I understand you Mr. J. B. very well what you would be at, but withal that it is no∣thing at all to the purpose. For when Hogs, or Hor∣ses, or men pass that way in the Field, their feet do not fall in exactly with the feet of the Hare or the man, whose scent is searcht after, but the Planets or Stars come into the same place, by reason of the diffusive subtility of their Raies or Influence, reach every atome of those parts of the Heaven which you suppose perfumed before. Which perfume neither can rationally be supposed to continue till the other come, especially such slow-footed Planets as Saturn and Jupiter, nor indeed in such liquid subtile mat∣ter as the Heavens are, to continue any considerable time at all, if there were any such Influence: but as the Sun so long as he shines into the Air makes it Light some, but at his removal the Air is as it was be∣fore: such in all likelihood are the Influential Raies of the Stars and Planets. In short their Influence if any is so subtile that nothing keeps it out, when it does come, and the Aethereal matter is so fine, fiery and consuming, that no Influential Effluvia trans∣mitted into it can be retain'd, but vanish as per∣fumes, when the odoriferous body is removed in the Free Air. Wherefore gross ignorance in Philosophy and in the nature of the Heavenly matter, is the Mother of J. B. his beloved Art of Astro∣logy.

Nor will his instance of the Weapon-salve prove

any salve for this sore (p. 97.) For both the Wea∣pon salve and the Weapon are bodies of a due con∣sistency, the Weapon to imbibe the spirits of the body wounded, and the Weapon-salve to lodge such sana∣tive virtues as are proper in such Cases of wounding. But the effect is not by a Transit of the Weapon-salve over the Weapon, (which will do the wounded party no more good than if a Crow flew over his head) but by a corporeal and tactual application of the Wea∣pon-salve to the Weapon. And yet he would have me admire with himself how strangely that salve in its Transit only over the place of that Weapon where the Nativity of the wound was made, does cause some not able change upon the wound that was then born. 'Tis pretty, and pity, that in so amiable a phansie the Analogy will not hold. Nor do I think that J.B. knew distinctly, or ever thought on it, which were the Termini Homologi in the comparison. But if he will examine the business he will find what he would have been at, is this, That as the Weapon-salve is to the Weapon, so is the Planet in its Transitus by the Cuspes of the Houses, and the rest of the chief places of the Nativity, to the said Cuspes or places of the Nativity, wherein it seems some special vir∣tue was lodged of Starry or Heavenly Influence at the Nativity, by that Nativity-Configuration of the Heavens and Heavenly Bodies at that time.

Now I appeal to J.B. how like the fluid material Heaven which I have described above, is to a Wea∣pon of steel, which made the wound, and the tran∣scent Planet at such a distance to the close corporeally applied Weapon-salve. Nay indeed how much the Cuspes of the Houses which are so many Nothings phansied in an imaginary Heaven and Zodiack, are

like to one of the most firm Bodies we find upon Earth. So that this comparison stands upon feet so rotten or disproportionated, that I will leave it to fall of its own accord. His pretence to experience is a thread-bare shuffle, and liable to so many excep∣tions that he can never make any thing of it, and there will be occasion of examining it in the next Chapter if he will venture there upon the Pikes.

Which is a demonstration that the Promissor is ima∣ginary space or nothing, &c. Ans. There is, says he (p. 98.) a certain and real space measured out in∣to degrees and minutes between the Significator and Promissor. Repl. But what is this to the Promissor himself, who being supposed immoveable, which the real matter of the Heavens is not, I say, is imagi∣nary space or nothing?

It is plain how this Planet (viz. the Significator) never gets to that part of the celestial matter in which the Promissor was at the Nativity, &c. Ans. I won∣der, says he (p. 98.) whether the Doctor knows his own meaning, &c. Repl. And I wonder that so acute a man, and so well exercised in the Phanta∣stries of Astrology, does not easily guess at it at first sight. To shew how desperate the cause of the Astro∣logers is in this point of Direction, I put the case of the Significator's being a Planet, and the Promissor, we supposing in the same superficies with him, we cannot allow to be the body of another Planet, but its Influence levening or tincturing at such a distance the celestial matter. As for better understanding the business, Let Mars be the Significator (for all the Planets may be so according to both Origanus and Ranzovius) and Jupiter the Promissor, to which Mars is directed in Trine Aspect. The Influence of Jupiter

lodged in the celestial matter at this distance from Mars, but in his way is the Promissor, but both Mars and this Influence of Jupiter being carried along in the celestial matter as Corks in water, the Significator here will never overtake the Promissor. But that Mars may overtake Jupiter by way of Tran∣sit, or give him a go-by, he being six times more swift in his course, who can be ignorant of that? Observe the definition of a Promissor, as Ranzovius has de∣fined. He says it is, Planetae vel corpus vel radius, &c. ad quem cùm Significator pervenerit, Significa∣tio effectum suum editura creditur. Which is also the sense of other Astrologers.

But though they phrase it as if the Significator were to come corporally to the very Promissor, to challenge and receive his promise, yet J. B. does not interpret it so grosly (as neither do the Persians some passages of the Alchoran) but glosses thus on it (p. 100.) It is, sayes he, as much as to say, the Virtue of the Significator being at a distance, at the Nativity, from the Promissor, will be a certain number of years and days according to the Rules of Art in Direction, ere it comes to maturity. Repl. As if the Promissor stood only for an Index of time but promised nothing concerning the thing it self. Which is point-blank against the Rudiments of Astrology. What Astrolo∣ger will ever say, that the Horoscope for example directed in Trine Aspect to Venus as Promissor, the same thing is promised as when it is directed in Trine Aspect to Mars? But while J. B. despoils the Promissor of all office but the indication of time, he yields the cause to me, and makes it all one as if it were empty space or nothing. And withal insinuates a very considerable notion to the sagacious. That

these Aspects are so sacred with the Astrologers, merely that they may hence take occasion or find a pretence to foretel the time of the Accidents of hu∣mane life, as the Physicians do the time of the Pa∣roxysms of the Disease by the Aspects of the Moon, the phantastry of which conceits I have above suffi∣ciently laid open.

And that this numbring of years by Direction when the feat will come to pass, is a mere arbitrari∣ous phansie, does further appear, whenas all the Pla∣nets may be Significators, yet their courses are ex∣treamly different in swiftness, the Moon's being about 360. times swifter than that of Saturn, and yet the Moon directed in Trine Aspect to Saturn, there are promised such things to the Infant as cannot ea∣sily belong to him till he be thirty or forty years old. Which is a plain intimation that this pretence of prognosticating the fate of the Infant by Direction, is a mere phansy, as I have, though briefly, yet clearly proved against J. B. all the Rudiments of Astrology to be. And whether he will acknowledge my just triumph hitherto or no, it is all one to me. There's no unprejudiced Reader but certainly will. The main subterfuge behind is their pretence of E∣vents answering to their Art. Which if he speak any thing material to, we shall have occasion to consi∣der it upon the next Chapter.

CHAP. XVII.

1. Their fallacious allegation of Events answering to Predictions. 2. An Answer to that Evasion of theirs, That the Error is in the Artist, not in the Art. 3. Further Confutations of their bold pre∣sumption, that their Art always predicts true. 4. That the punctual correspondence of the Event to the prediction of the Astrologer does not prove the certainty of the Art of Astrology. 5. The great affinity of Astrology with Daemonolatry, and of the secret Agency of Daemons in bringing about Predictions. 6. That by reason of the secret Agency or familiar Converse of Daemons with pre∣tended Astrologers, no Argument can be raised from Events for the truth of this Art. 7. A Re∣capitulation of the whole matter argued. 8. The just occasions of this Astrological Excursion, and of his shewing the ridiculous condition of those three high-flown sticklers against Christianity, Apollonius, Cardan and Vaninus.

1. BUT here their Hold is not so strong as their Impudence great, that they will so boldly bear us in hand, that by virtue of the Principles of their Art they have foretold any thing to come. * There are many ludicrous ways of Divination wherein no man is in good earnest, and yet the Pre∣dictions and present personal Descriptions of men sometimes fall right; but no sober man will impute this to Art, but to Chance. It was but a fallacy of Neptune's Priest, when he would have carried the Spectator into admiration of that Deity from the

many Donaries hung up in his Temple by Votaries. But he whom he would have thus impos'd upon was too cunning for him. For he demanded straightway a Catalogue of those Votaries that had suffered Ship∣wrack. And so do I of those Predictions that have prov'd false. * Cardan, a reputed Prince in this fa∣culty, complains that scarce ten in forty prove true: And Picus, a narrow searcher into the Art, professes that he has found of his own experience nineteen in twenty false; and that in the Prognostication of wea∣ther, where no free Agents intermeddle to interrupt or turn off the natural influence of the Stars.

2. But all the Aberrations that either themselves or others may have observed, will not bring off the more devoted Admirers of Astrology to acknowledge the vanity thereof. For their excuse is, First, that by Hi∣story, private Information, and by their own Expe∣rience they are assured, that the Predictions sometimes do fall punctually true to a Year, nay to a Day, and sometimes to an Hour, and that the circumstances of things are so particularly set out, that it cannot be chance but Art that arrives to that accuracy. And then, secondly, That the Profession of others, and also their own observation, does witness to them, that when there is any mistake, * the Errour is in the Artist, not in the Art. For when they have examined their A∣strological Scheme, they find the Event was there signified, and that it was their own oversight to miss it. But to Answer to the latter first, I say, they can∣not pretend their observation Universal; and they that understand Astrology best, will acknowledge there is that intanglement usually and complication of things, that it requires a very long time to give due judgment according to Art concerning a Nativity.

And therefore, I say, the Representation of the Event being so doubtful, if they chance to predict right at first, they easily perswade themselves that was the meaning of the Celestial Theme. If they miss, they will force on their way further, till they find out what is answerable to the Events; which then must needs be the meaning of the Art, though the Artist over∣saw it: nor will they urge themselves to any further accuracy of Inquisition, for fear they should find it disagree again; or rather out of a strong credulity, that if it hit right, it is surely from the true meaning and Principles of their beloved Science: when as in truth their Themes have no certainty in their repre∣sentation, but are as a piece of changeable stuff, or creased Pictures, look this way it is this colour, that way that, this way a Virgin, that way an Ape; or like the Oracles of Apollo, who was deservedly cal∣led Loxias, whose crooked Answers winded so this way and that way, that nothing but the Event could tell whither they pointed.

3. I might add further, that the pretence of the Schemes themselves (be they never so exact) I say, the pretence of their always representing the Events aright, is a most impudent and rash presumption; because (as I have intimated already) * the Objects of their Predictions are so alterable by the interposal of free Agents, which interrupt ever and anon the series of causality in natural inclinations. Whence in reason a man can expect no certain Predictions at all from the significations of the Stars, nor that any trial can be made whether there be any thing in the Art or no. And it cannot but seem to every one a very bold surmise, to imagine that all that fall in one Fight by the edge of the Sword, suffer Ship-wrack in one

storm, or are swept away in one Pestilence, had their Emissors and Interfectors in their Nativity answer∣able to the times of their Death. *The Artists them∣selves dare not avouch it, and therefore bring in an unobserved caution of having recourse to Eclipses. Comets, and Blazing-Stars, to calculate the general fortune of the place, nay, of their Parents and An∣cestors, and of their familiar friends, of which there is no news in the most famous Predictions of Astro∣logers: and therefore these and the like considerati∣ons being left out, it is a sign their Divinations fell true by chance. Wherefore it is a shameless piece of Imposture to impute the truth of Predictions to Art, where the Rules of Art are not observed; I may add where they are so palpably by experience confuted. For so it is in Twins, whose natures should be utterly the same according to their Art; and if they could be born at one moment, the moment of their Death should be the same also. And * yet those undissevered Twins born in Scotland, who lived till twenty eight years of their Age, prov'd very often dissenting Brethren, would wrangle and jangle; and one also died before the other.* 1.18 In answering to which in∣stance, in my judgment, that ingenious Knight Sir Christopher is very shrewdly baffled.

4. And now to the ‖ 1.19 former, I say, the reasoning is not right, to conclude the certainty of the Art from the punctual correspondence of the Event to the Prediction. For it is also true, that the Event has been punctually contrary thereto. And therefore this is as good a Demonstration that it is no Art, as the other that it is: But * it is easie to conceive that both may happen by chance. Again, as for that exact punctu∣ality of time, it is most likely to be by chance, because

(as I have proved above) there is no way of rectify∣ing a Nativity to that accuracy they pretend. And for particular circumstances * in Horary Questions, why may not they be by under-hand information, or some tricks and juglings that are usual amongst Cheats? But if the Predictions of Astrologers be free from this, and yet be punctual in time and other circumstances, and so many that it may seem improbable to be impu∣ted to chance, (though chance has such a latitude, that it is difficult to say any thing is not by chance that happens, suppose but four times seldomer than the contrary) it will not yet follow, that they are free from other things which are assuredly worse, more horrid, and more execrable; * such as the con∣sulting of Ghosts and familiar Spirits: a wickedness that that zealous Patron of Astrology, Sir Christopher Heydon, acknowledges to be too frequently palliated under the pretence of this Art.

5. And truly for my own part I do not much doubt but that Astrology it self is an Appendix of the old Pagans Superstition, who were Worshippers of the Host of Heaven, and whose Priests were Confederates of the Devil; and therefore it is no wonder if Dae∣monolatry creep in upon Astrology, and renew their old acquaintance with one enother. And assuredly it is a pleasant Spectacle to those Aiery Goblins, those Haters and Scorners of Mankind, to see the noble fa∣culties of men debased and entangled in so vile and wretched a mystery, which will avail nothing to Divination unless these 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, these malicious Deceivers act their parts in the Scene. For it is not unconceivable how these invisible Insidiators may so apply themselves to a mans curiosity that will be tampering and practising in this superstition, that,

(suppose) in Horary Questions, * they may excite such persons and at such a time to make their demands, that according to the fore-known Rules of Astrology the Theme of Heaven will decypher very circumstan∣tially the Person, his Relations, or his Condition, and give a true solution of the demand, whether a∣bout Decumbitures, stollen goods, or any such Que∣stions as are set down in Dariot's Introduction. Which needs must enravish the young Astrologer, and in∣flame him with the Love and Admiration of so strange an Art. And as for Nativities and punctual Predictions of the time of ones Death, and it may be of the manner of it, (which either only, or most or∣dinarily happens in such as are addicted to, or devo∣ted admirers of this Art) it is very suspicable that the same invisible powers put to their helping hand to bring about the Effect; and * so those whose misfor∣tunes and deaths are predicted, must to the pot, to credit the Art, and be made Sacrifices to the lust and ambition of those rebellious Fiends, to whose secret lash and dominion men expose themselves when they intermeddle with such superstitious Curiosities as are Appendages to ancient Paganism, and were in all like∣lihood invented or suggested by those proud and lu∣dicrous Spirits, to intangle man in by way of sport and scorn, and to subjugate him to the befoolments of their tricks and delusions. For it is not unreasonable to think, that by certain Laws of the great Polity of the invisible World * they gain a right against a man without explicit contract, if he be but once so rash as to tamper with the mysteries of the Dark Kingdom, or to practise in them, or any way to make use of them. For why not here as well as in the Ceremonies of Witchcraft? (but I must not make too large ex∣cursions.)

And therefore I think it the safest way for every one that has given his name to God and Christ, not to meddle nor make with these superstitious Cu∣riosities of Astrology, either by practising them him∣self, or consulting them that do, that no ill trick be put upon him by being made obnoxious to the invi∣sible scourge, or by making others so in whose behalf he consults.

6. I say then, these vagrant Daemons of the Air, either secretly insinuating themselves into the actions of Astrologers, or after, more apparently offering themselves to familiarity and converse, for to grace their profession by oral Revelation of things past, present, or to come, in such a way as is above humane power; I demand how it shall appear that Cardan's, for Example, and ‖ 1.20 Ascletarion's Deaths, and others more punctually, that I could name, predicted by themselves or others, was not by the familiarity of Daemons, but the pure Principles of Astrology? And so of whatsoever Honour or other Events that have been found to fall out just according to Astrological Predictions, * I demand how it can be proved that Astrology was not here only for a Vizard, and that a Magician or Wizzard was not underneath? By how much accurater their Predictions are, by so much the more cause of suspicion.

7. Now therefore to conclude, seeing that the Principles of Astrology are so groundless, frivolous, nay contradictious one with another, and built upon false Hypotheses and gross mistakes concerning the Nature and System of the World; seeing it has no due object by reason of the interposing of the free Agency of both men and Angels to interrupt perpe∣tually the imagined natural series of both causality

and events; seeing there is not sufficient experience to make good the truth of the Art, they that have practised therein having not observed the pretended Laws thereof with due accuracy, and therefore if any thing has hitherto hit true, it must be Chance, which quite takes away their Plea from Events; so that their Art is utterly to seek, not only for Principles which I have demonstrated to be false, but for Experience and Effects, which hitherto have been none; (And assuredly they make nothing to pronounce loudly that such or such a Configuration will have such an Event, though they never experienced it at all, or very seldom, as it must needs be in the Conjunction of Saturn, Iupiter and Mars, which returns not in seven hundred years;) seeing also that those Predi∣ctions that are pretended to have fallen right are so few, that they may justly be deemed to have fallen right by chance, and that if any thing has been fore∣told very punctually and circumstantially, * it may as well, nay better, be supposed to proceed from the secret insinuations or visible converse with the Aiery Wanderers, than from the indication of the Stars; and lastly, seeing there is that affinity and frequent association of Astrology with Daemonolatry and an∣cient Pagan Superstition, that person certainly must have a strangely-impure and effascinable passivity of phancy, that can be bound over to a belief or liking of a Foolery so utterly groundless as Astrology is, and so nearly verging toward the brinks of Apostasie and Impiety.

8. I have now finished my Astrological Excursion, to which I was strongly tempted, in a just zeal and resentment * of that unparallel'd presumption and wicked sauciness of the vain-glorious Cardan, who

either in a rampant fit of pride and thirst after admi∣ration, or out of a malicious design to all true piety, would make the World believe, that the Divinity and Sacrosanctity of Christian Religion was subjected to his imaginary Laws of the Stars, and that the fate of Christ the Son of God, miraculously born of the Holy Ghost, was writ in his Nativity, which forsooth he pretended to have Calculated: As if all that Iu∣stice, Meekness and power of working of Miracles were derived upon our Saviour from the natural in∣fluence of the Configuration of the Heavens at his Birth; and as if he did not willingly lay down his Life for the World, ‖ 1.21 as he himself professes, but were surprized by Fate, and lay subject to the stroke of an Astrological 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Sidereal Interfector. As also to meet * with that enormous Boaster and self-conceited Wit, the prophane and giddy-headed Vaninus, a transported applauder and admirer of that wild and vain supposition of Cardan, upon which he so much dotes, that it is the very prop and Master-piece of his impious Writings, the both Basis and finishing of all his Villainous distorted Do∣ctrines against the truth and sacredness of the Chri∣stian Religion. To which two you may add also Apollonius, though long before them, a high pre∣tender to Divine Revelations, and hot Instaurator of decaying Paganism; but withal, a very silly af∣fecter of ‖ 1.22 Astrological Predictions, by which it is easily discoverable at what a pitch he did either di∣vine or philosophize. And methinks it is a trim sight * to see these three busy Sticklers against Chri∣stianity, like three fine Fools so goodly gay in their Astromantick disguises, exposed to the just scorn and derision of the World for their so high pretensions

against what is so holy and solid as the Christian Faith is, and that upon so fond and frivolous grounds as this of Astrology.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XVII. Sect. I.

THere are many ludicrous ways of Divination wherein no man is in good earnest, &c. Ans. Very good, says he, (p. 102.) and therefore be there never so many serious ways of Prediction, none shall be believed to be otherwise but mere chance. As who would say, because Zidkijah the Son of Chena∣anah was a false Prophet, therefore Micaiah the Son of Imlah could not be a true one. Repl. The serious and solid ways of Prediction are to be attended to, nor do the false pretences of some to them, null the right of those whose pretences are just and true. But we have abundantly proved, this very way of divining by Astrology to be vain and frivolous, when as the Answer supposes it solid and serious. And the instance of Zidkijah and Micaiah is as little to the purpose, they both pretending to a solid pri∣viledge where it is obtain'd, viz. Inspiration from the Lord. But judiciary Astrology it self is wholly a cheat and foppery, as I have made good clearly and evidently against J.B. And lastly, this Answer shoots quite besides the mark, my Argument here being against their Appeal to Events answering sometimes to their Astrological Predictions. Which I say makes

nothing for them, the same happening in Divina∣tions confessedly ludicrous.

Cardan a reputed Prince in this faculty complains that scarce ten in forty prove true. And Picus a nar∣row searcher into the Art, &c. Ans. He quotes Cardan, sayes he, (p. 103.) but names not where, enquire if he bely him not. He quotes Picus, but Pi∣cus had no skill in Astrology, &c. Repl. I must confess I have not the Book by me, but it is Cardan Lib. de Judic. Cap. 6. as 'tis quoted by Gassendus in his Physicks, Sect. 2. lib. 6. Cap. 5. Whereupon Gas∣sendus cries out, Confessionem habes quam vel ex nolente veritas extorserit. And a little after in the same place, he notes, how Cardan commends that saying of Marlianus, Si vis divinare, contrarium ad unguem dicito ejus quod Astrologi aut pollicentur aut minitantur. And my self have made observation how exactly false they have spoken. And as for Pi∣cus, what he says of his own observation, the like Gas∣sendus testifies of his. And for their skill in Astro∣logy it must be J. B's great ignorance of what they have writ touching that pretended Art, or else ex∣cessive Immodesty that he does not readily acknow∣ledge their skill much to exceed his own. They had indeed so much as clearly to discern the foppery of it, which he perversly calls their enmity thereto.

Sect. 2. The Errour is in the Artist not in the Art, &c. Ans. I would fain know, says he, what Art or Science humane it is, whose professors are clear of Errour. There be many Physicians miss of their Cure, and yet are there not true Physicians? Repl. This is again as above a fallacious Answer, it sup∣posing what is not, That Astrology is a real Art, to be made out by experience and reason, whenas I have

clearly shewed it is not, but that all the Principles thereof, which are proper to it, are merely imagi∣nary, not to be proved by sense nor reason; but it is quite otherwise in Physick, Theology, and other Arts or Sciences. A man is certain of and feels the ope∣rations of such and such methods of Physick, that it was that which altered his Body, but who could ever distinctly perceive, That such a Natalitious Theme of Heaven wrought upon him? It is merely the phansie of the Astrologer, and of such Fools as believe him. Cardan, who is accounted the greatest and most skilful Astrologer that ever was, so that it could not be imputed to the defect of the Artist, yet having Calculated the Nativity of his eldest Son Johannes Babtista, which you may be sure he did with all care imaginable, yet he missed the most notori∣ous accident of his life, his poisoning of his own Wife, and his shameful punishment by the hand of the Hangman for that villainous crime. This mistake was plainly a defect in the Art, it being perfectly casual as other ludicrous modes of Divination are, and not in the Artist, Cardan being accounted the most incomparable Prince of Astrologers.

Sect. 3. The Objects of their Predictions are so al∣terable by the Interposal of free Agents, &c. Ans. All he Answers to this is, He comes up again with the old objection which needs no more Answer. Repl. A compendious piece of discretion to decline an Ar∣gument too hot and heavy for his fingering, as I have shewn sufficiently above, and that Free Will is a perfect repugnancy to the pretence of Astrological Predictions.

The Artists themselves dare not avouch it, &c. Ans. The Artists may and do avouch it, says he

(p. 104.) and the recourse to Eclipses is but out of modesty, &c. Repl. This seems a great piece of Im∣modesty in J. B. to affirm a thing so peremptorily that is new, and cite no Author that has broke the ice before him. But he urges further, It is apparent, says he, in the late Fire in London, by many Exam∣ples, and by all as can be gathered up, that every mans loss was predicted in his Nativity. Repl. I would here ask J. B. how many those many were (For they ought to be a very great many indeed to signifie any thing when such an huge multitude. suffered loss) and whether their Nativities were Calculated before the Fire or after. (For they have a trick to squeeze what they please out of their Celestial Themes, and to drag them some way or other to their known Event) And whether he will warrant there were no Themes suppressed, which served not the Astro∣logers turn, and could not so hand somely be forced to confess this loss by Fire. Vnless these things be cleared, it is but a lame Answer, and deserves no fur∣ther Reply.

Yet those two indissevered Twins born in Scot∣land proved very often dissenting Brethren, and one also died before the other, &c. Ans. But what of that, say he, (p. 105.) There are some men so frow∣ard that they are seldom at peace in their own selves, &c. And are there not many men afflicted with a dead Palsie, in whom one side is dead while the other is alive, &c. Repl. But this frowardness in himself complies well enough with the Astrological Princi∣ples and pretended Influence of the Stars, it being the same person, and so the same person having the same conflicts with himself. But two persons exactly under the same Influence of the Stars, from their Na∣tivity

to clash one with another, plainly clashes with the Principles of your Astrology. As also does that other Answer clash with the same, viz. that a man, who is all of him born as well one side of him as the other at one time, should have his left side suppose dead before the other, as if the left side breathed be∣fore the right, or had its Navil-string cut before the other. So that this other Answer is really another Objection against the Principles of Astrology.

Sect. 4. It is easie to conceive that both may hap∣pen by chance. That is, That the Prediction may prove exquisitely true, or exquisitely false, as I have observed my self in the latter. And when the former happens it is no more admirable than the feat of my Tutor R.G. his Linnet, who gotten out of the Cage, and flying to a Book that lay open, muted upon the very word Sterquilinium, and yet the Linnets tail could neither write nor read, much less understand Latin, or any Language else. But J. B. here returns a swaggering Answer (p. 105.) We are able, says he, to produce our Rules, and by our Rules to say this Child shall be certainly fortunate, and that unfortu∣nate, this year it shall have a Fever, and that year it shall be well. But how well this agrees with Car∣dan's own profession, who I trow was a far better Astrologer than J. B. I leave to the prudent to con∣sider.

In Horary Questions they use tricks and juglings to deceive, &c. Ans. And what then, sayes he (p. 106.) are these the blame of Astrologers because there are Cheaters amongst them? Repl. It is the blame of such Professors of Astrology as impute that to their Art which they do by under-hand Information. And these falsly pretended Divinations filling up

the Catalogue of the proofs for the Art of Astrology, shews plainly the rottenness of that Topick, and that there is no arguing from Events.

Such as the consulting of Ghosts and familiar spi∣rits, &c. A wickedness which Sir Christopher Hey∣don acknowledges to be too frequently palliated un∣der the pretence of this Art, &c. Ans. What a strange kind of wickedness is here, says he (p. 107.) We Astrologers are all of us an ancient relique of Pagans, Confederate with the Devil and guilty of Daemonolatry, &c. Repl. That he may seem to be able to give an Answer he lays the charge false, as if I had said all Astrologers consult with Ghosts and familiar Spirits, whenas I only say some do, which are over many though not all. And to make good the charge that I have laid, besides the witness of Sir Christopher, I will bring in J.B. himself to wit∣ness against his fellow Astrologers, who in his Pre∣face to his Hagiastrologia (p. 24.) expresly confesses, That without the Heavenly or Supernatural Wisdom, Astrological skill would become rank poison to the Astrologer, as being such a thing as would lead them to the Devil sooner than to God, and draw them in∣to Sorcery and other evil Arts, whereby they would be intangled with Diabolical Familiarities ere they were aware, even as are Witches and Conjurers. And here I would ask J. B. how many of the many Astro∣logers now adays have attained to that Celestial and Supernatural Wisdom, that is requisite to keep them from falling in with the Devil, and becoming Sor∣cerers, to use his own phrase, p. 25.

And again in the Treatise it self, p. 35. I would have the Reader to know, sayes he, that there are many that under colour of Astrology, do practise

other Diabolical Arts of Magick or Sorcery, which are quite different things, and of no kin to Astrolo∣gy. And this Theme he writes copiously and freely upon for three or four pages there together. I will only set down one passage more which shall serve for all the rest, p. 38. But true it is that too many Astro∣logers using their skill more prophanely than religi∣ously, and finding that their Rules of natural Art cannot tell them all things they would know, or so easily or quickly as they would know them, they fall into the study and practice of Geomancy, Sorcery, and plain Witchcraft. The Devil though he be a most damned Apostate, yet is an Angel, and as such has skill in all natural causes, and the reasons of future Contingencies, beyond the most learned of mortal men that ever wrote, except such who wrote and spake by Divine Inspiration. Now if any man will so far fall from God as to be Confederate with this Apo∣state, or any of his Infernal Imps, there is no doubt but he may save the labour of a World of study which it costs other men, and he shall have his Astrology at second hand by a kind of Diabolical Inspiration, and that more readily and punctually to the purpose than they that by great labour and pains come more honestly by it. Lo, what an ample testimony J. B. has given to confirm this charge of mine against the Professors of Astrology, whenas he himself con∣fesses of them, that many betake themselves to the Confederacy of Infernal Imps, and the consulting with familiar Spirits, or the having some way their assistance, who have a faculty to raise the very Scene of the things enquired before their sight or imagi∣nation, as I have heard also from experienced par∣ties. Wherefore many Astrologers Predicting or Di∣vining

by these unlawful and Hellish assistances, and imputing what they do to the Art of Astrology, it is manifest, that this destroys the force of the Argu∣ment fetcht from the truth of their Divinations or Predictions, when they are true: it seldom happen∣ing that one can be assured that it was not from Diabolical assistance, while Astrology is pretended, besides that other Topick of chance.

Sect. 5. They may excite such persons and at such a time to make their demands, &c. Ans. Now al∣though, says J. B. (p. 110.) the Devils may very possibly excite men to make their demands, yet be sure the Heavens at those times it is not in the De∣vils power to frame at all, &c. Repl. It need not be in the Devil's power to frame the Heavens at that time, he having observed in that frame they then are, that from the fictitious Rules of Astrology the Artist will give Answer according to truth, that co∣incidence of things happening so at that time as to agree with the principles of Astrology (as the Lin∣net muted on the word Dunghil) Which coincidence the Devil observing without any changing the Hea∣vens but only by exciting the party to go at that nick of time, occasioneth the Astrologer luckily to hit the mark.

So those whose misfortunes and deaths are predict∣ed must to the Pot to credit the Art, &c. Ans. It seems then with the Doctor (p. 111.) these Devils can kill whom and when they list, and that as well Saints as Sinners, and the Anti-Astrologists as well as the Philo-Astrologists. For thus was predicted the Death of Picus as well as Cardan, and of Gassen∣dus as well as Ascletarion. Repl. Neither whom nor when they list. For in this Section I restrain it to

the devoted admirers of Astrology, nor to them, but when they have superstitiously given their lives or fortunes to be determined by the vain Rules of that Art. And as for Picus and Cardan I would wish J. B. to read Gassendus touching the Case, who tells us how Gauricus himself writes how three Geneth∣liaci of those times predicted only that Picus would die before the thirty sixth year of his Age, which na∣turally implies, that he would live to the thirty fifth thereof, when as he liv'd but thirty one years. And Ballantius that pretended to hit the mark at the thirty third year of his Age, over-shot himself two years or thereabout. So that it is a vain Allegation to say the Devil then had power to kill Picus the An∣ti-Astrologist, when he neither did assist those Ge∣nethliaci, or if he did, was ignorant of the time of his death, and consequently was no cause thereof. And as for Cardan he pined away himself to death, being impatient of being laughed at for out-living his own Prediction. And for the Prediction of Gas∣sendus his death by Astrologers, I will consider it after I know it. He quotes no Author for it, and therefore I shall defer any Answer to it till he does. And for Ascletarion, Cardan himself suspects it for a Fable, as you may see in Gassendus. But if there had been any truth, either touching Cardan's death. as the Astrologers report it, or Ascletarion's, I have spent my judgment of it already, Sect. 6. And for those other three Predictions he mentions, after I have certain information how the punctual time of the Birth of Cromwel, Philip Prosper, and Charles Gustavus was known, and am acquainted with the person of that most ingenious Artist J. G. as well as himself, I hold it time enough to give an Answer.

And I think I have answered all pretences suffici∣ently already, in maintaining the former Chapter against J. B. and so plainly demonstrating that all the supposed Rudiments of Astrology are mere Fool∣eries.

They gain a right against a man without explicit contract, &c. Ans. What's all this to the purpose, says he, (p. 109.) unless there could be no such things as Conjurers but what are first Astrologers? Repl. Yes it is to the purpose. For though this be not the only way to be entangled in Diabolical su∣perstitions, yet because it is one way, and that a special one, it is worth the while to take notice of it.

Sect. 6. I demand how it can be proved that Astro∣logy was not here only for a Vizard, and that a Ma∣gician or Wizard was not underneath, &c. Ans: You must note now, says he (p. 109.) that to have fa∣miliarity with these Daemons so as to predict or tell any thing by virtue of such a familiarity, is punish∣able with death both by the law of God and Man, &c. Repl. That there are many that under the vi∣zard of Astrology are really Magicians or Wizards, I have abundantly proved already to be the opinion of J. B. himself. And therefore my Question is rai∣sed upon a ground acknowledged in common by us both, and he is bound to answer any seeming in∣convenience from the opinion as much as my self. Nor does it at all follow, because such an Astrologi∣cal Prediction, it is uncertain whether it be the ex∣ploit of a Magician or a mere Astrologer, that he that predicts it is to arraigned for a Magician, but that such a Prediction is no proof for the soli∣dity of Astrology, unless it can be proved that the

Predictor is no Wizard or Magician; And if he be certainly cleared thereof (without he predict better than Cardan allows Astrologers to predict) unless it be proved also that it is not chance but Art, that he predicted true.

Sect. 7. It may as well nay better be supposed to proceed from the secret insinuations or visible con∣verse of the Aery Wanderers, &c. Ans. Well now, says he (p. 32.) we are beholden to the Doctor, he doth not call us downright Conjurers, Sorcerers or Witch∣es, but it is to be suspected so, &c. Repl. But not always, but when things fall out punctually right. For then unless they will take sanctuary in the Lin∣nets tail, and acknowledge they predicted so ex∣actly by chance, according to J. B. his own Conces∣sions, it is too too probable there was the assistance of some Infernal Imp in the business, with whom the Astrologer is Confederate, who has this his Astrology at the second hand as J. B. phrases it, by a kind of Diabolical Inspiration, and that more readily and punctually to the purpose, than they that by great labour and pains come more honestly by it; they are his own words above recited. And now let any indifferent Reader judge, whether these punctual Pre∣dictions be not, unless they happen by chance, better imputed to Diabolical Inspiration, as J.B. calls it, than to the pretended Art of Astrology; which quite spoils the pretence of arguing for Astrology from some Events punctually answering the Predictions.

Sect. 8. Of that unparallel'd presumption, and wicked sauciness of vain-glorious Cardan. Ans. The Answer to this charge or what ever is like it against Cardan (p. 14.) is very slim and shuffling, and does not at all come home to the matter. For first,

he says, Cardan tells in what Position the Heavens were at Christ's Birth, which is no more than Astro∣nomers do, who Calculate the Planets places for any time. Repl. This I confess there is no hurt in if they knew the time exactly of Christ's Birth; but to pretend to give the Configuration of the Hea∣vens in a mistaken time of Christ's Birth, as Car∣dan and J. B. have done, is an apparent piece of fol∣ly. Secondly, says he, Cardan avers, that as the Hea∣vens were then posited, that such and such manners, complexion, and ordinary accidents were wont to follow as befel our Saviour. And if this be culpable then wo be to all Physicians, who out of their read∣ings and experiments collect receits of Medicines from their skill in Herbs. Repl. As if the Stars had as natural and effectual operation upon the per∣son of our Saviour to make him to be, do, and suffer, what he was, did and suffered, as physick has upon a Patient. From whence it will follow that the San∣ctity of his person, which was from the Holy Ghost, the Power of doing Miracles, which was also super∣natural; and the laying down of his life which was from himself merely and voluntary, should be from the Influence of the Stars, as Cardan expresly con∣fesses (as I shall note anon) that the Law of Christ and Moses is from the Stars as well as that of Maho∣met and the Pagans. And here I appeal to all the World if it be not a wild presumption and wicked sauciness of Cardan thus to subject the Holy Jesus and his Divine Law to the Influence of the Stars, and place them in the same Classes with Mahometism and Paganism. If this be not enormous presumption and sauciness, considering the greatness of our Savi∣ours person, and gross wickedness and impiety, con∣sidering his Holiness, I dare appeal to J. B. himself. But he goes on.

Thirdly and lastly, Cardan asserts, says he, That by virtue of his Astrological experience ( or at least J. B. phansies he does, that he may seem to do as he does) and the nature of the position of the Heavens compared with the life of our Saviour, he found some confirmation of the truth of the time of Christs Na∣tivity, and that the truth of the time of Christ's Birth was some confirmation of the truth and worth of Astrology. And if this be blasphemy, &c. then sure the Scriptures must needs be as much too, which affirm the time of Christ's Birth, and declare of the wise men how they found him out by their Starry In∣telligence, or indeed by their Astrological skill. Repl. As for Cardan's making use of his Calculation of Christ's Nativity to find out the time thereof ex∣actly, or to conciliate authority to Astrology there∣by, so far as I can find, they are the mere surmises of J. B. But to affirm, that there is as much blasphemy or impious sauciness to set down simply the time of Christ's Birth as the Scripture does, as there is to pretend to know it by Cardan's Principles of Astro∣logy, which determine the condition of the person and Law of Christ to the Influence of the Heavens and Stars in such sort as they do the Religion of Mahomet and of the Pagans, is such a piece of extra∣vagancy and wildness, that nothing can be more.

And yet that is a marvellous freak also to under∣stand that, Matth. 2.9. as J. B. does. When they had heard the King they departed, and loe, the Star which they saw in the East went before them till it came and stood over where the young Child was. Vpon which he glosses thus. The Scripture declares of the Wise men how they found Christ out by their Starry Intelligence, or indeed by their Astrological

skill. Whenas the following this Star required no more skill in Astrology than to follow a Lantern-Carrier, or a Link-Boy in a Winter Night. It was neither Planet, nor fixt Star, nor any natural Co∣met, especially as to its motion, but rather 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or an Angel or good Genius displaying his visibility in the form of a Star, according to the opinion of the Ancients. And that the Genii do ap∣pear in such a form, there is frequent mention in History. I have already sufficiently made good my charge against Cardan of his presumption and wick∣ed sauciness in Calculating our Saviour's Nativity in that sense, in which he understands his own act, and we see how weak and vain J. B. his defence is. Which shall yet be made out more fully by what I shall reply to his Answers to other passages of this present Section.

With that enormous boaster and self-conceited Wit, the prophane and giddy-headed Vaninus, and transported Applauder and Admirer of that wild and vain supposition of Cardan, &c. Ans. Has he, says J. B. (p. 12.) named any thing out of Vaninus that proves either his enormous boasting, or any thing of his merely self-conceited Wit, or ought that shews him prophane and giddy-headed? Does he name any of his Writings that must needs be impious, or any of his Doctrines which are so villainous, di∣storted, and against the truth and sacredness of Christian Religion? Repl. Has J. B. read Vaninus himself, whereby he may pretend that I have given a wrong Character of him upon his own knowledge? As for the proof of Vaninus his boasting and self-conceitedness, I have put J. B. in a way already (upon the fourteenth Chapter) whereby he may be

satisfied. And for his giddy-headedness and whim∣zicalness, his admiration of so vain and frivolous an Art as Astrology, and his building so great mat∣ters on it, is proof enough. To say nothing how he shifts and flings about to shuffle off those certain truths of Apparitions in the Air of humane shape, &c. One while phancying that they may be Images or Statues librated in the Air by certain Mathema∣tical Laws. Another while that an Image full of rifts and little holes, newly coloured and moist, ap∣plied to smoak, the smoak carries the representati∣on of the Image on high. Other sometimes that some light Image may be carried up into the Air by being hung at the foot of some Kite or Eagle. Another while that these Appearances are nothing but the reek of mens bodies which therefore represent humane shapes carried on high. With several other as vain conceits, whereby he would elude the truth of such Apparitions in the vulgar sense, and the existence of Daemons, which is his main scope. So in like manner, that there may be no Witches that have any Confederacy with familiar Spirits, he phansies that old ones do all their mischief by the filthiness of their breath, by which they corrupt whole Fields of Corn, the young ones by the strength of their phan∣sie, with many such whimzical things which it would be tedious to recite. J. B. may read them at his lei∣sure in Vaninus, beginning at the 50. and holding on to the 60. Dialogue.

But my charge of Prophaneness and Impiety is of more consequence to make good. And here I will appeal to the judgment of J. B. himself, what he may think of such suggestions as these in Vaninus. 1. Christum se crucifigendum obtulisse ad comparandam

apud posteros aeterni nominis gloriam. 2. Mosen vi∣vum se in abyssum dejecisse, ut in coelum raptum esse populus crederet. 3. Unicum esse verum cultum, Legem Naturae, quae & Deus est; caeteras Leges Fig∣menta esse à Principibus ad subditorum Paedagogiam excogitata & à Sacrificulis ob honoris & auri aucupi∣um, confirmata, non miraculis, sed Scripturâ (cujus Originale nullibi invenitur) quae miracula ficta reci∣tet, & bonarum ac malarum actionum repromissiones polliceatur, in futurâ tamen vitâ, ne fraus detegi possit. 4. Miracula & portenta Religionum aut fuisse sacer∣dotum imposturas aut ad causas naturales referri posse. (These you may see in Dialogue the 50. And Dia∣logue the 52. which is the fifth passage which I will note.) 5. Omnia orta occidere & aucta senescere, non solùm Arbores, Bruta Animalia, Homines, sed Urbes, Regna & Religiones. 6. Mundum esse aeter∣num ideo{que} qui nunc sunt in usu ritus centies millies fuisse, toties{que} renasci quoties ceciderunt. 7. Cor∣pora coelestia de Regibus, de Regnis, de Civitatibus & de rebus magnis in Universum sollicita esse, ac proinde ubi illis immutatio imminet, in Coelo, in E∣lementis, in Plantis, in Brutis, & in Hominibus di∣versa nobis signa & prodigia objicere. 8. Corpora verò coelestia si Reges, Regna, & Civitates curant, multo magis Religiones & Legislatores, quos ipsa con∣stituunt Divinae Voluntatis praenuntios, qui & Dei Filii meritò nuncupari possunt. 9. Religiones in sui ortu & interitu non in medio miracula ostentare, cu∣jus rei hanc esse causam, quia in longissimis temporum intervallis intercedunt Planetarum conjunctiones: quo tempore novam Religionem institui ac proinde vete∣rem cessare. E{que} magnis siderum conjunctionibus, quum Inferiora haec summam nanciscantur potesta∣tem,

admiranda opera proferri, hominum voluntates tunc immutari, phantasian quâ Intellectus voluntatis consiliarius utitur Coelo subjici. Virum igitur sapien∣tem sacros{que} aeterni nominis honores appetentem cum haec futura praevidit, prophetam se à Deo missum prae∣dicare, quae{que} necessariâ coelestium corporum vi mi∣racula fiunt, confictae sui ipsius omnipotentiae adscri∣bere, at{que} ita delusam plebeculam illum admirari & ado∣rare. 10. Ea demum esse vera miracula quae post longissimas Coelorum circuitiones accidunt, non quae naturae vires superant. 11. Coelestia corpora Vates instruere, rerum futurarum species in ipsorum Intel∣lectu effingendo. Nam si Sol dat muris formam in fi∣meto, quantò facilius eventi futuri speciem in phanta∣sia? 12. Ex Cardani sententia unam in omnibus A∣nimantibus esse animam, quae pro materiae dispositione plus minusve se alicui communicat.

But I hope by this time J. B. is tired out or sur∣feited with such prophane stuff, and blushes that he should stand up for such a Patron of Astrology as this. But if he like it, he may find more of the same suit in the following Dialogues. So little injury have I done Vaninus in saying he is impious and prophane. Nay, I shall bring Vaninus his self against himself, or the general sense of all Christians, and upon this very point of Cardans saucy presumption of Calculating the Nativity of our Saviour. In his Amphitheatrum Aeternae Providentiae Divino-Magi∣cum Exercit. 8. There says Vaninus, that Petrus Pom∣ponatius allows indeed the miracles of both Religi∣ons, Jewish and Christian, to be true, but that the efficient cause of them is to be referred to the Stars, or the strength of imagination. And concerning the Stars, he says, Hieronymus Cardanus is of the

same opinion, namely, where he declares, that, Lex Iudaica est à Saturno, Christiana à Jove & Mercu∣rio, Mahometica à Sole & Marte, & Idololatria à Luna & Marte, &c. Whereupon Vaninus cries out, O Os impudentissimum! O Linguam execrandam! O sermones inquinatissimos! O voces detestandas! Which he speaks either ironically or seriously; if se∣riously, it is a testimony with a vengeance, both against himself and J. B. if ironically, which is more consonant to that in his Dialogues, then it is an exultation of Vaninus in this bold conceit of Cardan.

But there is another more notable passage to the same purpose in the same Exercitation. Where Car∣dan again is brought in speaking thus, Lex nostra & Servator ipse sub Arietis Conjunctione Superiorum natus est, & ipsa Lex orta; promulgata verò sub Con∣junctione Superiorum in Sagittario, in Regione A∣rieti subjectâ, &c. Whereupon Vaninus again ex∣claims, O sacrilegam doctrinam & ex hominum con∣sortio eliminandam! O impietatem nefariam & post homines natos inauditam, Prophetarum vaticinia, Christianam Religionem à Deo institutam, à Deo mi∣raculis confirmatam, ad fabulosam & commentitiam Arietis Conjunctionem referre! Here I appeal to J.B. if I have spoke any thing either concerning Cardan or Vaninus more harsh than these Exclamations of Vaninus against Cardan. In which if he be in good earnest, he does in foulest manner condemn both Cardan and himself, and let J. B. look to himself too that he come not into the bargain. But if he speaks by way of Irony, yet being he personates the whole pious Christian World, and speaks but what they would naturally express, there is the whole

Christian World justifying my sharp reprehensions of Cardan and Vaninus against the Cavils of J. B. But out of what has been produced above, it is suffici∣ently clear, what an impious and prophane soul Va∣ninus was.

To see these three busy Sticklers against Christia∣nity, &c. Ans. He charges them all three, says he (p. 18.) as Sticklers against Christianity and high pretenders against the Christian Faith, whenas all well read men do know that Cardan was a Christian Philosopher and Physician, and died a Professor of the Christian Faith, and so did Vaninus too. Repl. As if a Professor of Christianity may not yet be no good Christian, or not really stickle against it, and more dangerously while he professes it. A very Atheist may be a Professor of Christianity, which yet I will not say Cardan was. But some passages of his are so Atheistical that they that befriend him most are fain to acknowledge him to be mad, that he may not seem an Atheist. What an unchristian thing is that to make the Religion of Christ draw its Original from no higher a Principle than Mahometism does, that is, from the Influence of the Planets, that from Jupiter and Mercury, as this from Sol and Mars, and ex∣presly to declare of all the miraculous things in Christ that the reason of them may be resolved into the power of the Stars. The words of Cardan in Vaninus are these, Amphitheatr. Aetern. Provid. Exercit. 7. Est genesis Domini nostri Jesu Christi in quâ tot videbis & tanta mirabilia ut judices, etsi naturalibus rationibus so∣lummodo insistendum esset, Christi Nativitatem fu∣isse admirabilem, Naturam{que} illi tribuisse, quantum concursu omnium Coelorum excogitari poterat. And in the same Exercitation he attributes Christ's po∣verty,

that he had not where to lay his head, to the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which he calls Sors) its being under the Earth in the Terms of Saturn. And Exercit. 8. His disputing in the Temple at twelve years of Age, to Jupiter his being in his Ascendant. And his put∣ting an end to the Iewish Religion, to his having Saturn Retrograde in the ninth House. Which he says signified, Studium evertendae Religionis in quâ natus erat. When yet our Saviour expresly professes he came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it, that is, to carry it on to further perfection and completion, which ill agrees with the Retrogradation of Sa∣turn.

And in the same Exercitation. After Cardan has attributed the Iewish Religion to Saturn, the Chri∣stian to Jupiter and Mercury, the Mahometan to Sol and Mars, and the Idolatrous Pagan to the Moon and Mars, he madly holds on, saying, Solvitur au∣tem unaquae{que} Lex à suo contrario. Saturnum debel∣lat Iupiter authoritate, & Mercurius ratione. Iovem & Mercurium debellat Mars non audiens rationes & saeviens contra authoritatem. Martem & Solem de∣bellant Saturnus & Venus, haec lasciviâ, ille dolis. Martem & Lunam debellant Sol & Iupiter authori∣tate, dignitate & veritate. Vpon which he concludes, Ob hoc Christiani erigite capita; qui potest capere, ca∣piat. As if he had predicted some excellent state or overspreading Empire of the Christian Religion upon the Conversion of the Turks. But what he has writ he acknowledges to be obscure, though it be in the mean time clear enough that he imputes all Re∣ligions alike to the natural Influence of the Hea∣vens and Stars.

Whence his Faith cannot be Christian but a

phansie, the true Faith in Christ being to believe his Mission supernatural, and the condition in which he was in all his miraculous respects not to proceed from the Aspects of the Heavenly Bodies at his Nativity, but from the immediate assistance of the Holy Ghost, who also overshadowed the Virgin in his Conception. Now I demand of J. B. how lit∣tle the distant from blasphemy it is to subjugate the Holy Ghost to the Laws of the Stars, as if he were determined by them to act, or if he be free, that he should chuse to over-shadow the Holy Virgin at such a time that his Nativity would fall out under such a Configuration of the Heavens as might indicate all the great concerns of our Blessed Saviour, as proceeding from the Influence of the Stars, and so expose him to be thought a mere natural Prophet not a Supernatural one, and give occasion to this damna∣ble conceit of Cardan and Vaninus, that Prophets and Religions, of what sort soever, are but the ef∣fects of the Stars. Certainly this had not become the wisdom of the Holy Ghost, and therefore it is a reproach and contumely against him to suppose it. Whence J. B. his pretence of Calculating of our Sa∣viours Nativity, and finding out the very minute of his Birth, per Accidentia Nati, is quite blown away. And Christ himself professes, John 10.17, 18. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down my self. Which I leave to J. B. to consider how well it consists with his making our Saviour obnoxious to an Astrologi∣cal 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Sydereal Interfector.

But to return to Cardan, I would have J. B. to con∣sider what a kind of Christian Philosopher Cardan

can be reputed, and in what a kind of profession of the Christian Faith he could die, who made our Sa∣viour Christ only an Astral Prophet, or Sydereal Law-giver, who makes him born of the Stars, as he phansies Moses and Mahomet to have been, when as it is an Article of our Creed that he was Conceived by the Holy Ghost, nor was obnoxious to any Astrolo∣gical Anaereta, but laid down his life of himself. And I demand of J. B. did the Stars unite him hy∣postatically with the eternal Logos, or raise him out of his grave the third day? Assuredly therefore there was an immediate power of God and wholly Supernatural that effected all those wonderful things that all true Christians believe and profess concern∣ing the Holy Iesus. Besides, Vaninus has noted in his Dialogues, that Cardan held but one common soul in the Vniverse, which diversly communicates it self to diversly prepared matter. How this will con∣sist with that life and immortality which Christ brought to light through his Gospel, I leave again to J. B. to consider.

And now for Vaninus himself, how well he could be thought to have died in the profession of the Christian Faith, let his Dialogues answer for him, out of which I have above produced so many prophane and impious passages, as I had noted them in my Adversaria. Moreover at the point of his death, when he was brought to execution, which no good Christian can think of without pity and horrour, he affecting to act the part of a constant and magna∣nimous Philosopher, was so far from professing him∣self a Christian, that in vainly magnifying him∣self he insulted over the meritorious Agony of our ever Blessed Saviour. For the Monk that accompa∣nied

him offering him a Crucifix to contemplate, he rejected it with scorn to the Crucified Iesus, saying, Illi in extremis prae timore imbellis sudor, ego imper∣territus morior. And yet J. B. declares of Vaninus too, that he died likewise in the profession of the Christian Faith. As if it were impossible for any one that was an Admirer of Astrology (which J. B. will have a Science most Sacred and Divine) but he should be also a good Christian. When yet in ano∣ther mood he will freely acknowledge that many by the affecting that Art have fallen into the snares of the Infernal Fiends.

By this time, I hope, I have made it good by these my brief Annotations. First, that though I writ something sharply and satyrically against Cardan and Vaninus, and such like Astrologers, yet I have not exceeded their demerit, but have dealt justly and faithfully in the business. Secondly, That I have clearly shewn the impertinences and weaknesses of the very chiefest of J. B. his pretended Answers to my Confutation of the main Principles of Astrology. And thirdly and lastly, that there being nothing considerable in his Answers to my Arguments against Astrology, that it is very probable he thought to make it up in sordid railing and rude buffoonry, hoping to engage me in his own Element that I might so be brought to encombate him as a Cock on his own Dunghil. But true Philosophy and Christianity has taught us a better Lesson.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

But he thought me to be a very March-Bird at the

Game, and as he professes (p. 7.) he expected no better language from me than Cardan and Vaninus met with at my hands, and therefore arms himself with such a patience, that shall quench all the ut∣most brands of my fury, insomuch as can my Pen sputter out altogether Wild-fire, yet I shall never hurt him. So furious an Assailant out of his deep insight into Iudiciary Astrology did he prognostick I would be. But good man, the superstitious presa∣ges of his Art have made him more scared than hurt. Which might be another Argument amongst the rest of the vanity of his Astrological Profession, that he can't tell aforehand in his contentions and brangles he begins with men, whether he shall carry the Cause or his Adversary. And yet if he had liv'd at the time that our Saviour was born in, and had been of that Age or rather skill in Astrology that he was when he wrote his Christologia, he would infallibly have foretold all the Accidents of our Saviour's Life.

And to give him his due, his Nativity-Schemes of our Saviour Christ and S. John Baptist, with his Astrological descant thereon, by operose pulling and stretching of things, looks speciously and prettily at first sight, and I must confess, I have neither the lei∣sure, nor think it worth the while, to examine them according to the Principles of his own Art, which I have abundantly demonstrated to be but a Foolery. But in my slight perusal I cannot but observe, that these two great Astrologers Cardan and J. B. give quite contrary judgments of the natural Qualities of our Saviour's person. For whenas Cardan will have the Heavenly Influence to breath into him no∣thing but Piety, Justice, Faithfulness, Simplicity and

Charity, J. B. on the contrary reports, as I have no∣ted above, that though Jupiter indeed on the Ascen∣dent promises well, yet, says he, Mars is set as if he stood on purpose to destroy a Nativity so opposite to Jupiter and the Ascendent, and being strong withal, he seems to threaten all good Qualities with an overturn, infusing nothing but Choler, Fury and Ma∣lice into the Natives head. And disposing of the Moon he makes her so too. The Sun also looks upon the Cuspe ascending with an evil Quadrature, and such as usually renders a Native much more proud and ambitious than either wise or good-natured. And Mercury complying with Sol in the same Aspect endeavours to encline this sacred person to theft and lies. Can there be two Characters more contrary the one to the other than these, or a greater Argument of the folly and madness of Astrology?

But I noted also, that whereas J. B. out of Christ's Nativity-Scheme declares our Saviour of an health∣ful, robustious complexion, and exceeding able to struggle with Death, how ill this consorts with that passage of Scripture which says, he was found dead on the Cross before the two Thieves that were Cru∣cified with him, so that there was no need to break his Legs to hasten his dying. And lastly, I appeal to J. B. who cannot but be acquainted with all the pullings and stretchings, and the pressing of small things, and the suppressing of what is not for their turn with Astrologers; if a Turkish Astrologer had been to give judgment on this Nativity-Scheme of Christ, where the Moon sits upon the Cuspe of the Eighth House, or the House of Death, whether he would not (according to that conceit of the Turks, that God would not suffer so good a man as Christ to be Cru∣cified,

but that Judas was trussed up in his stead) have declared with Albohaly, that the Moon in this posture did not prognostick a violent death but great straits and danger, & Natum fore fugiti∣vum, and so to escape with his life. But J. B. will Answer, the Moon was also in near Conjunction with Algol's Head. Repl. But that (as Astrologers use to do) I conceive the Turkish Astrologer would either willingly oversee or conveniently omit. But suppose Algol's Head put in its Nose here too, and that the Moon must be lethiferous in this Case, yet hear what Cardan says to the point, mergit aquis Luna in octavâ existens, the Moon in the eighth House drowns men, not hangs them either on Cross or Gallows; and any ordinary man would have thought that he that is orn'd to be drown'd could not have been hang'd, if there were any thing in Astrology, as he, according to the Proverb, that is orn'd to be hang'd will never be drown'd.

But this is but a slight Velitation in comparison of what I shall now produce to the convincing of J. B. of his folly in pretending to Calculate our Sa∣viour's Nativity, or indeed in pretending at large that there is any thing in Astrology. For these two Nativity-Schemes of Christ, and S. John the Baptist, being as specious and plausible as any of them can offer (I'le appeal to J. B. himself if it be not so) if I prove that J. B. is so far from telling the day and minute of Christ's Birth, that he has missed of the Year, I hope he will according to his promise (p. 7.) observing these two such elaborate Nativity-Schemes to prove but the fruit of the ludicrous Principles of Astrology, and his own working phansie, for ever bid adieu to that vain Imposture.

I will with all possible brevity intimate to him what may convince him of this his mistake in time. And the first thing is, That his first main ground, which is, that there are just 4000. years from the Creation of the first Adam to the Incarnation of the Second, is not only precarious, as being built upon an uncertain interpretation of the 4000. Cubits of Waters, Ezech. Ch. 47. (those 4000. Cubits being ca∣pable of a Symbolical sense as well as a Numeral): But it is further evident, that his interpretation (S. John having manifestly prevented him in his descrip∣tion of the River of Paradise, Apoc. Ch. 22. and determined that Vision in Ezekiel to the times of the new Hierusalem, when the fulness of the Gentiles will be come in, and all Israel be saved, as the Apostle speaks, Rom. 11.25.) It is evident, I say, that his Interpretation is false; Those Waters measured by the Angel, and the description of the River and Trees bringing their monthly Fruits, prefiguring such a state of the Church as will not appear at least till the seventh Vial, but is to be most properly ac∣complished under the second and third Thunders: So that he has plainly err'd already near one thou∣sand seven hundred Years.

Secondly, He cannot adjust the seventy Weeks of Daniel to this scope and time of the Incarnation in which he would have the seventy Weeks end; he founding the adjustment of them upon a very false ground, namely, upon the three Weeks or twenty one days of hindrance mentioned Dan. c. 10. v. 2.13. which he interprets so many Years, that upon the expiration of those twenty one Years of hindering the building of the Temple, &c. he might fix the going forth of the Decree, c. 9. on the second Year of

Darius Hystaspis. And this he acknowledges to be the main Argument (Christolog. p. 32.) that evin∣ceth that there began the seventy Weeks, namely, upon the expiration of the three Weeks of hin∣drance. Which he point-blank against the Text inter∣prets three Weeks of Years, when the Text says ex∣presly 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 three Weeks of Days, and the Septuagint so interpret it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 three Weeks of Days, as the Hebrew has it. Where [of days] is added on purpose in counterdistinction to the seventy Weeks to be understood of Years. And the one and twenty days, v. 13. being the same with these three Weeks, it is manifest that they are to be understood literally too. Moreover he understands this hindrance of the hindrance from building the Temple, when the Text says expresly it was the hin∣drance of the Angel that he could come no sooner to Daniel to instruct him in such things as his soul was carried in fervent devotion and desire after. And Daniel is said to afflict himself with mourning all that time of the one and twenty days, or three Weeks, which therefore cannot be understood of Years. And lastly, This may he takes he is fain to pull back the single Week (in the midst whereof the Messias is said to make the daily Sacrifice and obla∣tion to cease) and place it in the beginning of the Weeks (p. 33.) than which nothing can be more wild and preposterous.

But now in the third place, suppose his adjust∣ment were not encumbred with these absurdities, he can never make sense of the Prophecy of those seventy Weeks if they expire in the Incarnation of our Bles∣sed Saviour, but such an Epocha is to be chosen of the going forth of the Decree, as the Weeks conti∣nued

in the Order they are mentioned, our Saviour may be found to be Crucified, and so to put an end to the Iewish Sacrifies and Oblations, in the midst of the last Week.

And fourthly and lastly, That incomparable Chro∣nologer and pious Learned Person Thomas Lydiat, hath with solid judgment pitched upon the twenti∣eth Year of Artaxerxes Longimanus, for this Epocha, reckoning from whence our Saviour will be found to have suffered in the midst of the last of the seventy Weeks of Daniel, according to the natural sense of the Prophecy. And moreover, which is more pre∣cisely to our purpose, he has convincingly shewn, that our Saviour was born, L. Aelius Lamia, and M. Ser∣vilius Geminus being Consuls, Anno Juliano 48. V. C. 755. Whenas J. B. will have him born Anno Juliano 45, or 46. and U. C. 752, or 753. So that there will be two whole Years difference. And whereas J. B. places the Crucifixion of our Saviour in the nine∣teenth Year of Tiberius, Thomas Lydiat has prov'd it to fall out in the twenty second of his Reign, about the middle of that Year, as also in the middle of the last of Daniels seventy Weeks, which seals all sure.

And therefore missing so wide of the time of that chief Accident of the life of Christ, he must be very foully out in the exercise of his Art, if it were any, of coming to the right time of the Birth of our Sa∣viour per Accidentia Nati. But the Scheme of our Saviour's Nativity, as also of S. John the Baptist's Calculated by him, being so trimly contrived and hitting so handsomely, as it may seem to himself, and he would perswade others, and so suitably to the conditions of them both, and the occurrences

of their lives, and yet things falling out so, though their Nativities are grosly mistimed, methinks it ought to a Conviction to J. B. himself, and to all men, that the whole business of Judiciary Astrology is a mere piece of phantastry, in which they may make quidlibet ex quolibet, or that things hit by chance as in other ludicrous ways of Divination, and that there is nothing sound at the bottom. And that the boast of J. B. is very vain in pretending to have found out the Nativity of our Saviour to the very Minute of an hour, whenas he has missed in the Hy∣pothesis of Time, * 1.23 some whole Years.

Not to add, that suppose he had arrived to the very minute of his Birth (whenas yet the exact day is as unnecessary as in the Celebrating his Passion or Resurrection, which are of as great concernment as his Birth, and Celebrated with as much devoti∣on, though it is taken for granted they are not the same days on which he was Crucified, and rose again) or that by a general Council his Discovery were ac∣cepted of, and established by so great an Authority, I would here demand of J. B. besides the sacrificing to his own vain glory, what good would come to the Christian Church thereby? For it is a very weak al∣legation of those that slight the Celebrating the Na∣tivity of our Saviour, because the day of his Birth is uncertain. For we are certain we do not keep the day of his Passion and Resurrection, the very same day as they fell, Easter being acknowledged a move∣able Feast, and yet that cools no mans Devotion. It is sufficient that there be Anniversary Comme∣morations of these great Occurrences in the life of Christ the Son of God, that they may take impression on the minds of our Children, and Childrens Chil∣dren

to all Posterities, and endear the person of our Saviour to them, by the pious performance of the solemnities of those days.

But were the day and minute of Christ's Birth agreed upon by the Vniversal Suffrage of the Church upon the Astrological pretence of J. B. which he seems rather to wish than hope for, it would look more like the Celebrating the Resurrection of Astrology, than of the Nativitiy of our Saviour, and would set all men agog so upon studying of J. B. his most Sa∣cred and Divine Science, that thousands being im∣patient of not finding themselves so soon Masters as they would, of what it is impossible for them ever to be Masters of (Astrology being a mere cheat and vanity, no solid Art at all) would inevitably be drawn into Contract with that Grand Apostate Spi∣rit Lucifer, or some of his Infernal Imps, as J. B. himself confesses they are prone to be (p. 39.) And so this his idle Astrological freak of pretending to have found out the Birth of our Saviour to the Mi∣nute of an hour, if once countenanced by the Church, would make the Christian World swarm with Witches and Wizards, who by their wicked Confe∣deracy with the Infernal Powers, would lose their Souls, which Christ was born into the World to save and redeem from everlasting misery.

Wherefore to make a friendly Conclusion with my so much incensed Adversary, I do in all meekness and kindness desire him to consider with himself, if it had not been more advisable for him (being as he stiles himself a Preacher of Gods Word, and a Protestant Minister of the Church of England) and more for the Honour of the Gospel-Ministry in gene∣ral, and for the credit of our Church it self, (whose

Genius is fair, peaceable, prudent and gentile, as well as serious and pious) not to have run out in that sordid scurrility and rage against a professed Member of the same Communion, having no personal provocation from him, but only the pretence that he had so sharply inveighed against the folly and va∣nity of Astrology, and the Impiety of some Astrolo∣gers, and this out of mere zeal for Christianity, whose Authority and Efficacy he saw was under∣min'd under colour of this Art. And whether he had not better have busied himself in Calculating the Nativity or Conception of Christ according to the Spirit (answerably to that saying of the Apostle, My little Children of whom I travail in Birth until Christ be formed in you) I say, in Calculating the Nativity of Christ in the hearts of those that are committed to his charge, when, and in how many he had been instrumental to form Christ in them, and so render them true and living Christians, and to compute when in himself Christ was thus born (for as face answers to face, so the heart of man to man, and he that has Christ really living in his own heart, can the more easily discern whether he be living in anothers) whether this I say had not been a more proper imployment for a Minister of Gods Word, than to be taken up with so vain and mischievous a curi∣osity as I have made good that Astrology is; And experimentally to have understood what are the greatest Enemies to the Birth of the Spiritual Christ in us; And what his Birth consists in, and whether the Principle of Regeneration be not a Divine Re∣ality and living sense quite different from what is resolvible into the natural Sentiments of Self-Love; And whether Pride and Selfishness, and Wrath, and

Quarrelsomeness with men, be not of a more direful Aspect to the Spiritual Nativity of Christ than Mars in the Eighth House, or the Moon conjoin'd with Algols Head, to the natural Nativity of him.

These great points I leave to J. B. seriously and in the Fear of God to consider with himself, and shall give him no further disturbance, nor be any further disturbed by him, nor by any one else that shall write in such an Vnchristian manner as he has done. In which he has wronged himself and his Profession more than me. But I pray God forgive him it all.

Notes

• ‖ 1.1

  Chap. 13. Sect. 1.
• ‖ 1.2

  See Book 7. Chap. 1. Sect. 6.
• ‖ 1.3

  See Pref. Sect. 4. and Book 2. Chap. 14.
• ‖ 1.4

  See Book 5. Chap. 17. Sect. 2.
• ‖ 1.5

  Book 7. Chap. 5, 7, 8.
• ‖ 1.6

  De moti∣bus Part. 2. Cap. 11.
• ‖ 1.7

  De moti∣bus Part. 2. Cap. 15.
• ‖ 1.8

  See Book 3. Chap. 1. Sect. 6. Also Im∣mortal. Book 3. Chap. 19. Sect. 4, 5, 6.
• ‖ 1.9

  See Sect. 4.
• * 1.10

  See Sir Christopher Heydon his defence of judicial A∣strology, c. 7. p. 186.
• ‖ 1.11

  See Sect. 7.
• ‖ 1.12

  See Sect. 7.
• ‖ 1.13

  See Chap. 15. Sect. 5.
• ‖ 1.14

  See Sect. 7.
• ‖ 1.15

  See Chap. 15. Sect. 6.
• ‖ 1.16

  See Sect. 10.
• * 1.17

  See Origan. Par. 2. Cap. 13.
• * 1.18

  See his de∣fence of judicial A∣strology, Cap. II.
• ‖ 1.19

  Sect. 2.
• ‖ 1.20

  Sueton. in vitâ Domi∣tiani, Sect. 15.
• ‖ 1.21

  John 10.18.
• ‖ 1.22

  See Book 4. Ch. 4. Sect. 2.
• * 1.23

  See my Expositi∣on of the Prophe∣cies of Da∣niel Notes on Vision VI. p. 120.