Demonstration of astrology, or, A brief discourse, proving the influence of the sun, moon, stars, over this terraqueous globe grounded on the fundamental rules of the Copernican system and philosophy, and verified by practical examples and experience : illustrated by diagrams : whereby the art is rendered almost mathematically demonstrable : to which is added, an astrological and philosophical appendix, or second part, treating of this summer's effects, both in the macrocosm as well as microcosm : wherein we have great cause to fear, that the sword, pestilence, and famine will annoy our European territories this ensuing summer / by William Hunt, a lover of the mathematics and natural philosophy.

CHAP. II.

I Having in the last Chapter hinted of a turbulent and violent Summer, both in the Macrocosm as well as Microcosm, wherein I fear a general Sickness and blasting Season; as also that the Sword will be more mortal and deadly this Summer than it hath been since the War began; therefore I shall say something thereof in this Chapter more particularly, and consider what Countries will be most passive, and how it will terminate.

We are still under the malevolent Effects of the grand ☌ ♄ ♃, and of the dire Effects those Comets presaged, which appeared in the Years 1680, and 1682, which was the Prodromus of these European Wars.

And in the Years 1692, and 1693, the said Superiours ♄ and ♃ were in Opposition, which produced several Earth∣quakes: These Earth-quakes by their Nitro-sulphurious and mi∣neral Vapours, and Arsenitical and Mercurial Fumes have poisoned our Air, and rendred our Vegetables, &c. corruptive and unwholsome; for the Air was first infected by those afore∣said Fumes and Vapours, which over-powered and poisoned the true saline and nitrous Particles conducing to Vegetation and Health; so that our Vegetables did not come to their Matu∣rity: for wanting that saline Vigor which should conduce to their Perfection, they remained crude and not fit for Aliment; so that we feeding on these Vegetables, and Animals, whose Flesh (not being fed with healthful Aliment) wanting its true Balsamick Virtue and Nourishment; and also by breathing and sucking in the aforesaid poisonous Vapours, we do become unheal∣thy, and our Bodies for want of the aforesaid saline Vigor, and true Balsamick Temper, do become infectious and corruptive.

Also it's a general Rule amongst Physicians and Philosophers; that when we have our Seasons irregular and out of order, viz. Winterly Summers, and Summerly Winters, and when instead of a wholsome North Wind, we have an unwholsome South Wind most part of the Winter, then do they foresee a Sick∣ness generally to ensue.

Astrologically we have had Saturn annoying us by his Presence all last Summer, and Mars this Winter, and just at the Solar In∣gress into our Northern Tropick, ♃ and ♂ are in ☌ in ♍, a Sign and Position, by Observation and Experience noted for Sickness.

Where was Saturn when the last devouring Plague raged in London? Was he not in Capricorn, the same place wherein he now is? which Distemper was agitated and stirred up by the ☍ ♃ ♂.

To be brief; I have too many Reasons, both Astrological and Philosophical, to fear a blasting and pestilential Season, which will (if not prevented by the Almighty) produce a Pestilence and Scarcity in most of our European Countries, who are already under one of God's Scourges, viz. the devouring Sword.

But in the day of God's Anger, when that he resolves to pour forth his Vengeance, and join to the Sword Pestilence and Famine, who can stand before him? He hath been pleased, like a kind Father, to correct us at first gently, to see and try if we would repent and amend our Ways; but when he finds that will not do, he then corrects us with more Severity. I pray God I be not a true Prophet, but that we may, with the Ninevites, avert his Judgments which hover over our Heads, with true Repen∣tance and Prayer.

And now, tho contrary to my intended Method, I shall con∣sider what Countries will be most passive this next Summer.

Jupiter is the Planet Passive, who is afflicted by ♂ in ♍: and Saturn strong in ♑, being the Significator of the Turks, shews their Strength; ♃ being afflicted, shews the Weakness of the Christians, viz. of the Emperor and K. Lewis; for Jupiter in ♍, conjoined to ♂, is the Significator of the French Government.

Mars is our England's Defender, viz. the Heroick and unpa∣rallel'd in Valour, K. William, who afflicts Jupiter in the very Bowels of France: for France is generally known to be under the Sign Virgo; who, like a dying Cock, is resolved to strike the sparring Blow if possible; and in order to it, musters up all her Force and Strength; but missing her Aim, she falls flat down and expires.

Certainly France is driven to her last Shifts, when that she hath no other way to rid her self of her Mortal Enemy, than to invent and contrive so horrid and devilish a Design, contrary to the Law of God, Nature, or War, viz. the Assassination of his Majesty K. William; certainly every honest Man can't but hate the thing. Surely it's enough to make the Jacobites them∣selves, which have any spark of Honesty in them, to hate and abhor the Contrivers of so black and detestable Practices, and come over to K. William. But be it as it will, his Sword will decide the Controversy, and make him more Friends this Sum∣mer than ever; who will be forced to sneak to him for shelter, for he is born to be a Shield to the Reformed Religion.

What can any Protestant Jacobites propose to themselves, or expect to gain by a French Power, but Popery and Slavery, if they should have attained their Ends? but before that could have been effected, the Nation must have been ruined by a Civil War. For let me reason with them thus; Suppose they had made an Insurrection and Invasion, and that Hellish Project of theirs, and the French King's, had taken effect, viz. the Assassination of our King, (which God out of his Mercy hath, and I hope will prevent) I say, suppose they had brought in a French Ar∣my, yet we see that the Confederates had Eyes over them, and in kindness to us and our King, was resolved to land an Army to assist us; the Duke of Wirtemberg having twenty thousand Men ready to land, and assist our King, or Us, if he had been so unfortunate as to have lost his Life by those barbarous and wicked Men: I say, we should not have been left to be de∣voured

by the French; but before the Disorders had been set∣tled, and that we could have crowned the next Successor, the Nation might have been ruined; no body considering the Mi∣series of a Civil War, but those that groan under it: Have we already forgot the Civil War in Oliver's Days?

We have now a King who ventures his All to make us happy, who stands himself between Danger and Us, who crosses the Seas to defend our Lives, Liberties and Religion: And yet we are so ungrateful to him, and unkind to our selves, as not to assist him to our Powers. Had we a King who minded nothing but Luxury and Ease, and cared not what became of his Sub∣jects, we might well grumble; or had we a King, who like the Stork in the Fable, devoured us and our Liberties, we might then justly complain, and Self-preservation would be a great Temptation to make us rebel: But contrarily we have an He∣ro, who undergoes all Perils to make us easy and happy. There∣fore be so kind to your selves and Native Country, as to stand by and defend your King against his Enemies; and instead of bringing in the Sword amongst us, let us unanimously join and carry it into the Bowels of France: I say, let us share in the Honour thereof, for, if I ben't mistaken, she will be afflicted with War, Pestilence and Famine, this Year 1696.

Scarcity and Sickness will be our Visitants in England, I hope no Civil War; but if it be, it will be to the Cost of the Jaco∣bites, let them begin as soon as they will.

King William is born to bring down the Power of the French King; and I believe this Campagn will end the Controversy, and we shall not be long e're we enjoy the long-wish'd for Ho∣nourable Peace.

But yet I fear the Emperor loseth Ground with the Turks. Many will be the Calamities which will afflict Europe this Year, which undergoes several Catastrophes, let Time demonstrate: Howsoever I am certain the French War is almost at an End, and the fatal Blow will be struck this Summer; and so shall end this Chapter.