CHAP. XXI.
The Figure-casters are Witches; the uncertainty of their Art, and of their contradicti∣ons; Cornelius Agrippa's sentence against Judicial Astrologie.
THese Casters of Figures may be numbered among the cosening Witches, whose practice is above their reach, their purpose to gain, their know∣ledge stoln from Poets, their uncertain and full vanity, more plainly derided in the Scriptures,* 1.1 than any other folly. And thereupon many other tri∣fling vanities are rooted and grounded, as Physiognomy, Palmestry, interpre∣ting of Dreams, Monsters, Auguries, &c. the Professors whereof confess this to be the necessary Key to open the knowledge of all their secrets. For these fel∣lows erect a figure of the Heavens, by the exposition whereof (together with the conjectures of similitudes and signs) they seek to find out the meaning of the significators, attributing to them the ends of all things, contrary to truth, rea∣son, and divinity: their rules being so inconstant, that few Writers agree in the very principles thereof. For the Rabbbins, the old and new Writers, and the very best Philosophers dissent in the chief grounds thereof, differing in the propriety of the houses, whereout they wring the fore-telling of things to come, contend∣ing even about the number of spheres, being not yet resolved how to erect the beginnings and ends of the houses: for Ptolomy maketh them after one sort, Cam∣panus after another, &c.
And as Alpetragus thinketh, that there be in the Heavens divers movings as yet to men unknown, so do others affirm (not without probability) that there may be Stars and Bodies, to whom these movings may accord, which cannot be seen, ei∣ther through their exceeding highness, or that hitherto are not tryed with any observation of the Art.* 1.2 The true motion of Mars is not yet perceived, neither is it possible to find out the true entring of the Sun into the equinoctal points. It is not denied, that the Astronomers themselves have received their light, and their very Art from Poets, without whose fables the twelve signs, and the northerly and southerly figures had never ascended into Heaven. And yet (as C. Agryppa saith) Astrologers do sive, cosen men, and gain by these fables, whiles the Poets, which are the inventers of them, do live in beggery.
The very skilfullest Mathematicians confess, that it is impossible to find out any certain thing concerning the knowledge of Iudgments, as well for the innu∣merable causes which work together with the Heavens, being altogether, and one with the other to be considered: as also because influences do not constrain but incline: For many ordinary and extraordinary occasions do interrupt them; as education, custom, place, honesty, birth, blood, sickness, health, strength, weak∣ness, meat, drink, liberty of mind, learning, &c. And they that have written the rules of judgment, and agreee neerest therein, being of equal authority and learn∣ing, publish so contrary opinions upon one thing, that it is unpossible for an Astrologian to pronounce a certainty upon so variable opinions; and otherwise, upon so uncertain reports no man is able to judge herein. So as (according to Pto∣lomy) the fore-knowledge of things to come by the Stars, dependeth as well up∣on the affections of the mind, as upon the observation of the Planets, proceeding rather from chance than Art, as whereby they deceive others, and are deceived themselves also.