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. ...

CHAP. II. That Astrology and Astronomy are one and the same Science, and that they were ever so received by the Ancients.

I Have already declared the testimony of Aristotle on this point, and if we peruse the works of Ptolomie, we shall finde also,* 1.1 that he maketh no difference between the one and the other; and more particularly (not to insist long hereon) Lib. 1. cap. de Quadr. & cap. 3. de Quadr. he calleth there the Art of Astrology Astronomy, and the Predicti∣ons Astronomical; so confounding the distinction of the parts with the essential name of the Science. Wherefore though Ptolomie hath, by some brain-sick men, been brought to condemn Astrologie,* 1.2 we see thereby the folly of such envious and ignorant gain-sayers of what they are altogether unknown in: for it is very strange that he should be produ∣ced to condemn what he hath taught to the world in four Books in Folio; but such is the stupidity and perversness of the Antagonists thereof, that when Astrologers declare and shew manifestly the power and efficacy of the influence of the Stars, there they accuse them with impiety and illegal practices: and when they sincerely teach not to ascribe so much to the Stars, as to neglect these inferiour causes, but to joyn the consideration of the one with the other; here (not considering, nor indeed understanding the scope and intentions of their Writings) they pick out certain particular places of their works which they think makes for their idle conceits and cavils to the condemnation of Astrology,* 1.3 and the labours of those that herein have spent their whole lives for the benefit of these af∣ter Ages; who have by us small requital of their care and pains thus to traduce them, when they ought rather by us to be eternized with Statues of Gold, and whole volumes of praises in perpetuum.

Hermes Trismegistus also in his Centiloquium, calleth the Art no other then Astrology,* 1.4 and the Students Astrologers.

And Tully also in all his Works calleth the Art no other then Astrologie,* 1.5 never so much as once mentioning Astronomy; for in Lib. 2. de Divinitat. he maketh predictions a part of Astrology, and not an Art of it self, when he testifieth of Cassander and Archelaus that they were excellent in other parts of Astrology, yet never used Predictions.

And Plinie lib. 7. cap. 37. witnesseth that Berosus,* 1.6 for his Divine Predictions in Astro∣logy, had his Statue erected him with a golden tongue.

The Septuagints in the 47. of Isa. also make no difference of Astrology and Astronomy, nor Astrologers and Astronomers,* 1.7 comprehending them both under the name Astrolo∣gers, and the Art under the word Astrology.

Galen also, lib 3. cap. 6. & 12.* 1.8 De diebus decret. contrariwise calleth the Egyptian Astrologers Astronomers.

* 1.9And again Cassiodorus comprehendeth the works and effects of the Stars under the word Astronomy where he defines Astrology: so also Plato, Philo, and indeed all learned Writers; which, since to the Judicious this is so well known, I shall not need here longer to insist; only shall also add this, that Bonatus in his 11. ch. De confirm. Astrol. Scientiae, maketh Astrology as did Aristotle (as you have already heard) a part of Astronomy in these words, Astronomia est Sciencia per quam non solum praesentium,* 1.10 verum etiam prae∣teritorum

ac futurorum habetur cognitio.* 1.11 Astronomie is a Science by which not onely pre∣sent things but what is past and to come may be known. Here you see by these words he comprehendeth Astrology under the name and word Astronomie. And then as I have said in the following words, shews it is a part of the same Art; definitur etiam alio modo, viz. In duas partes sive species ipsius breviter, contemplativam scilicet & activam; quae sunt Astrologia & Astronomia. It is defined also another way, viz divided into two parts or kinds, to wit, contemplative and active, which are Astrologie and Astro∣nomie.

Thus you see here what difference the Antients have made betwixt the one part and the other; and he in that same chapter further sheweth how they differ, where he saith, In quo differunt istae duae partes dicam tibi, in what these two parts differ I shall shew thee; and so forward; wherefore then this being apparently manifest, I shall not here spend more time or trouble thee, referring thee for further satisfaction to his twelfe chapter, where he sheweth cleerly both the parts and species of Astronomie; and I believe an artificer is best able to deliver a definition of his own Art, and rather to be believed then one altogether ignorant therein, which that man must needs be, that will be so perempto∣rily base and impudent, or rather imprudent, as to deny what is thus confessed by all An∣tient and Authentick writers of this heavenly and most delectable and admired Science; neither upon due consideration will any man finde the knowledge of the motions,* 1.12 which is one part of the Science, to be of much use or validity without the true understand∣ing of their effects, &c.

And here also I may add one word to that fourth Section of my first chapter, I have referred thee to, that he also in his next chapter, viz, the thirteenth, witnesseth that Abraham taught the Egyptians his Art, and that Atlas who was afterwards so excellent therein that it was thought of him, he was a God, and therefore was supposed (through his excellency in his knowledge therein) to support thr Heavens on his shoulders.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ptolomy maketh no difference between Astro∣logie and Astro∣nomie.
• * 1.2

  The apparent folly of these men that pro∣duce Ptolomy against Astro∣logy.
• * 1.3

  What the An∣tients deserve at our hands for their care & pains of us; for ingratitude is abominable.
• * 1.4

  Hermes.
• * 1.5

  Tully.
• * 1.6

  And Plinie.
• * 1.7

  The Septuagints also.
• * 1.8

  Likewise Galen
• * 1.9

  And the same doth Cassiodo∣rus, Plato, and Philo.
• * 1.10

  Bonatus con∣senteth to the same.
• * 1.11

  See also his 14 chap. where un∣der the word Astronomy, as you may see in the Contents of the chapter he proveth A∣strology to be one of the Liberal Sciences.
• * 1.12

  Astronomy of no great use or validity with∣out Astrology.