Astrologia restaurata, or, Astrologie restored being an introduction to the general and chief part of the language of the stars : in four books ... / by VVilliam Ramesey, Gent. ...

To the Reader.

READER,

THou art here presented with the whole Art of Electi∣ons, which may be very beneficial unto ••ee in many things, especially in the administration of Physick, u∣sing of Husbandry and Navigation, for which conside∣rations I have undertaken to divulge the whole Body thereof; for herein are the rules infallible, yet in o∣thers (by reason they are to depend on several other considerations which we place as ground-works, [Note.] viz. the Revolutions of the Years of the World, Eclipses, great Conjunctions, and in some mea∣sure Nativities) they are very intricate and doubful; and truly I may say they seldom or never prove true, by reason few that undertake the practice thereof understand the fundamentals and ground-works, and how to order and dispose of them, or will take the pains to consider every particular which is requisite to be seriously pondered and weighed be∣fore Election can be made on any particular thing.

* 1.1Wherefore let him that presents this Book unto thee advise thee as thou tendrest the propagation of the Art and thy own Reputation, not to dare to put any part thereof in practise, unless it be (I say) so much as thou findest tend to the administration of Physick, Phlebotomy, or using of Husbandry and Navigation, till thou art very well acquainted with Nature, and canst prove thou knowst the fundamentals and reasons of every particular point of this Science, lest thou become ridiculous and odious to the Ignorant and the rural of the World, by thy frequent failings which thou canst never avoid if thou knowest no more then what is here verbally delivered, or if thou trustest barely to the writings of any man whatsoever; for the illiterate by this thy weakness (being no wise capable of the mysteries of these knowledges) will sooner con∣demn the Art as imperfect or faulty, then thee or thy judgement, which art rather worthy reprehension; for by the right knowledge of the di∣vine practice thereof thou mayst attain to admirable speculations and rare things.

For it was far from my intentions in the penning thereof to have it thus abused, which thou mayst soon do, by basely putting it openly in practise, as some have the resolution of Questions, and so not only be∣come an occasion of derision to thy self with them, but also an ill requi∣ter of my pains and care towards thee, and bring this part of the Art, (if not all under the notion thereof) into the contempt of the World, the which in it self is good and pure though sublime; for there is no∣thing more certain, then that there is a proper time and season for every thing under the Sun; A time to be born, and a time to dye; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to embrace and a time to refrain; nay even to the thrownig away of stones and gathering them again there is a time; and to be short to every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose un∣der the Sun, Eccles. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c. and that all inferiour things are ru∣led and ordered by the superiour, I have here no more to say then only refer thee to the first Epistle and first Treatise; for what man is there that will deny that the subtile soul and life of the World quickneth and disposeth of all things therein, or that all terrestrial things have their de∣pendency on the motion and influence of the Stars and Planets, and their Configurations; occasioning the like sympathy as is between the Load∣stone and Iron, there being nothing exempted from their power that is composed of the four Elements which they order, dispose, and govern; nay even the hardest stones we see have a sympathetical quality therewith, and are wrought upon by their penetrative power and vertue, which still before rain (especially if it be of continuance, even when the Heavens but incline to moisture) sweat drops of water, and become as wet as if they had been rained on, or washt over by some hand; many such like arguments I could produce for the proof hereof; but since the subject of almost the whole first Book tendeth hereunto, I shall say no more, but again advise thee not to put any part of this Book in practise till the grounds thereof be well apprehended by thee, that so thou mayest not violate his intentions that hath left it thee, and desires to have no occa∣sion to write himself other then

Thy Loving Friend William Ramesey.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Authors admonition to the Students in Elections.