Britain's Royal Star

BRITAINS Royal STAR: OR, An Aſtrological Demonſtration of ENGLANDS future FELICITY; Deduced From the Poſition of the HEAVENS as they beheld the earth in the Meridian of London, at the firſt proclaiming of his Sacred Majeſty King Charles the Second, on May 8. 10 h. 56 m. A. M. 1660.

And an Enquiry made into the Uſe and Abuſe of ASTROLOGIE, reſolving whether it be convenient to be continued or contemned.

ALSO, An admirable Obſervation of a Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars made in the year 1170. by a learned Monck of Centerbury, communicated to the Learned in ASTRONOMY.

Together With an Examination and Refutation of that Neſt of Sedition, publiſhed by Mr. H. Jeſſey, concerning Frogs, Dogs, &c. in his Pamplet falſly intituled, The Lords Loud call to ENGLAND,&c.

By JOHN GADBURY, Philomathematicus.

Dei igitur altiſſimi coelum eſt inſtrumentum, quo inferiora agit, impellit regitque. Card. Seg. 1. Aph. 58.

London: Printed for Sam. Speed, at the ſigne of the Printing-Preſs in St. Paul's Church-yard, Novem 22 1661.

To the underſtanding Reader.

As a teſtimony of the Affections and good will I we to the Land of my Nativity, I have here adventured to publiſh the true intention and ſignifications of the Heavens toward the ſame; having with a conſiderable portion of pains and care obſerved them, as they weren poſited at the time of his Sacred Majeſties proclaiming, May 8. 1660. in the Palace-yard at Weſtminſter. There are two things that have principally prevailed upon me for the compoſing and printing this Diſcourſe:

• 1. The Quiet and Peace of theſe Nations, and ſatisfaction of the people thereof.
• 2. The neglect of other Aſtrologers in forwarding ſo neceſſary a work.

• 1. The Expectations of the people generally are mounted (as it were) upon Eagles wings, earneſtly deſiring; and ſeriouſly wiſhing to know, whether Peace and Quietude be like to be continued to us, in theſe (of late) diſtracted and bleeding Nations. whoſe wiſhes and D[•]ſires, I hope, I have fully and ſatisfactorily anſwered, in the following Tract; wherein I have written nothing but ſecundum Artem, according to the true meaning of the Heavens. I have not, with gay Flouriſhes, guiled over any thing; but taken a juſt Cognizance of the very worſt, as well as of the beſt of things.—Flatery and ſycophantick Practiſes, ought as well to flee the face of a Princely Science, as it ſhould the Sanctuary of a Prince's Preſence.
• 2. The neglect and backwardneſs of Artiſts in ſo neceſſary a work, may ſeem to perſwade with many, that things are not likely to ſucceed ſo happily and well as they may expect. But this is onely a ſullen ſilence in ſome of them, becauſe they ſee no probable hopes of a reward to follow ſuch an undertaking; and Dull Jades never go well without a ſpur. In our late times of confuſion it was a hard matter to hold them from ſhewing themſelves Incendiaries to purpoſe; then they could make Art ſpeak any thing. But now, although here be a far better ground to preſage Englands happineſs from, under the Government of his ſacred Majeſty, this is hardly worth the conſidering with them; they will rather, then take notice hereof, hang down their heads like Bull-ruſhes, and obliviate their Art. This hath been a ſecond Argument to Prevail with me for the publiſhing this Diſcourſe.

What I have here written, and publiſhed, I have done with an upright intent; not to ſow ſedition, but cement differences; not to ſet mens brains a madding, but to ſeaſon and compoſe them: Not to render any opinion odious, but to rectifie thoſe that are over-run with Errours and Miſtakes. I am not conſcious to my ſelf of commiting any ſin herein, either againſt the Art I profeſs, or the honour of the Nation. I may (I preſume) be as bold to write truth in the defence of Englands peace, and be protected for ſo doing, as others are to write falſities and untruths, and publiſh them to its prejudice. I may justly expect as good quarter for publiſhing a fair and ſober peice of Art, as thoſe that print Lyes, Forgeries and Libels. I have no deſigne at all, unleſs it be to preſerve ſuch that would deſtroy themſelves; and to render the Art of Aſtralogie (as it ought to be)amiable. I would not be miſunderſtood; when I plead for Aſtrologie, and the honeſt Aſtrologers, I deſire not the propagation of Incantations, witchcrafts, and sorceries, Gaeodemologic, dealing with Angels or spirits, Theurgic, calling up Dic-mie in a Chriſtal; with other to be abhorted Devices, and helliſh cheats: nor yet the toleration of Conjurers, Witches, Magicians, sorcerers, Divinators, &c. that under pretence of Aſtrologie have ſet whole Nations on fire, with their black skill and cunning. Nor ſhall I plead for any that have canred the downfal of kings, Nations, Laws and Miniſtry, Lawyears, and Divines, &c. from Pictures and Prphecies, which are the highest sorceries that can used; and against which there are very particular and expreſs Laws.

I deſire and plead for the toleration of Aſtrologie no further then it is ſerviceable for mankind. As, by the Decubital and Critical parts thereof, Phyſitians are befriended; by the Agricultural part, the Husbandman; by the Nautical parts, the Seaman and Navigator; the Genethliacal part aſſiſts each particular perſon with the good and adverſe times of his whole life, acquainting him (by gods permiſſion) when he may with thankfulneſs receive a benifit, and when with pious prudence, reverbirate, or at leaft mitigate a miſchief. theſe (with many others too long to mention here) I do d fend; there being a Demonſtration of the uſe, worth and excellency of them; as Bellantius, Cardan, and sir Chriſtopher Heydon, have largely proved; unto whoſe works I refer the Readers. But for the beforementioned Villanies, and the Pract ſers thereof, they cannot be too ſeverely dealt with; the Ruine of thouſands cries aloud againſt them; and every honest Aſtrologer abominates them.

Of my Anſwer to Mr. Jeffey, the reaſonleſs and falſeneſs of moſt of the things by him Puliſhed, and his partial Applications thereof, were the main inducements, no diſreſpect to his perſon at all. I deſire to live peaceably and quietly under the Government established; and hold is not a ſin, but duty, to proy for Kings. I earneſtly wiſh Englands welfare. I envy no ſort of perſon in the world, yet am not of every opinion. If Epiſcopacy be held the ſafeſt way for the churches ſettlment, and a means to mike England happy, I shall not grieve to see it eſtabliſhed. I eſteem full as well of the commonprayer-Book, as others do of their precatory Enthuſiaſmi. God preſerve his Majeſty, and the Royal Progeny, and continue the (happily begun) Peace of theſe Kingdoms! Amen.

From my houſe without TempleBar, near Strand bridge John Gadbury.

Page 2. line 19. read. hath. p.3.1.2.r. was firſt; and in the Aſcendent of the Figure, r.O.A. 219 d. 49 m. p.4.1.16.r.Dominium.p.9.1.21.r. hope.p.12.1.12.r. Aſtris.p.13.1.21.r. per anitum.1.30 r.will.p.15.1.11.r. Bellantius. P.20.1.23.r. were. P.21.antep.r.Auomalie. P.24.ult.r.21.P.25.1.6.r. Harmenicon. 1.16.r. Apogaon. 2.28.21.29.P.26.1.12.r. Anomalia. 7.24.49.21.P.29.1.12 r. mildly. P.32.1.24.r. Etenim. In he Anſwer to Mr.Jeffey: In the Title for Num, read Non.P.1.1.12.r. Ninus. p. 20 l.4.r. know.

AN Aſtrological Demonſtration OF Englands Happineſs, FROM The POSITION of HEAVEN, At the time of his Sacred MAJESTY King Charles The Second's Being proclaimed King of Great Britain, &c.

WHile the Moon ſets, or keeps beneath the Horizon, not a Dog offers once to bark at her; it is her ſhininig onely that opens their venemous mouths: So while his Royal Majeſty was traverſing the tedious Road of a twelve years Affliction, being all that time debarred the Poſſeſſion of his proper Birth-right and Kingdoms, few then ſnarled at him or ſeemed to expreſs their prejudice, or Curriſh Nature againſt him, becauſe they deemed him then low enough; as low indeed as poſſibly his greateſt Enemies could have wiſht him, on this ſide the Grave. But when by Gods eſpecial providence there was room made in the Hearts of his Subjects for him to aſcend the Royal Throne of his Anceſtors, then behold how viperouſly do ſeveral of his Treacherous Subjects (conſcious to themſelves of a more then common guilt) in Scandalous and Invective Libels five out againſt him, and his conſtant and ſuffering Friends; endeavouring to diſparage his great and honourable Actions, and fly-blow his Princely Deſignes and Intentions, Being not aſhamed, to theſe their Lawleſs and Rebellious Devices, to add Treaſonable Threats not onely againſt ſome Honourable Perſonages by name, but the Government alſo. Which Malicious and Chimaerical Deſignes of theirs, I ſhall demonſtratively prove, had not the leaſt ground, ſave in their Enthuſiaſtick Brains; and that they are onely meer, empty and idle Conceits, ſuch as will ever be without that effect they wiſh; yet of ſuch unhappy conſequence and import, that will moſt certainly, if long embraced and cheriſhed, ſink the Ship of the Promoters thereof, and then both may perish together.

Sic ego torrentem qua nil obſtabat ennti

Lenius, & madico ſtrepitu decurrere vidi.

At quacunque trabes, obſtructaq: ſaxa jacebunt,

spumeus &fervens, & ab apice ſavior that.

Thus Engliſhed by one:

I have ſometimes a ſtream of water ſeen,

With little noiſe, and gently, gliding on,

Where no Obstruction in their way hath been

But where by Dams of Timber and of stone

Their paſſage was deny'd, they in diſdain

of being barr'd, ſwell'd, foam'd, and rag'd amain.

Behold with what a Princely Countenance the Heavens ſmiled that minute his preſent Sacred Majeſty Was proclaimed, by order of this preſent Parliament; and then conſider, oh ye wilful, obſtinate, yet ignorant Creatures, how vain and unſucceſsful, yea, and dangerous, it muſt needs be for you to fight againſt the Decrees of the Almighty, as they are legibly written in the Heavens.

In this Figure, we have the Regal Signe Leo aſcending on the Eaſtern Finitor, and the Royal fixed Star [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], the Heart of the Lyon, Secundum Longitudinem, ariſing therewith; it being the Degree of the Horoſcope of his late Majeſty of bleſſed memory and the very oppoſite Degree of the Aſcendent is [〈…〉] of the long Parliaments firſt convening, Novemb[•] 3. 1640. The Moon is in the Aſcedent, in Conjunction of that Fortunate and Benevolent Star Jupiter, between the Sextiles of Saturn and Venus, and applying to a Sextile of Mars, of whom ſhe diſpoſes in the Houſe of Friendſhip.

All which Teſtimonies, plainly portend a happy, pleaſant and durable Reign into his Sacred Majeſty, (or indeed to any King) being at ſo happy and ſuſpicious a time proclaimed, notwithſtanding all the publick Endeavours, or Clandeſtine Conſpiracies and Conservances of his known or ſecret Enemies uſed to the contrary; and abſolute impoſſibility of the long Parliament or Rumps returning, which divers wiſh, and pray aloud for; and a certain fruſtration of all thoſe Chimaeras and Enthuſiaſtick, and Fanatick Fancies and Deluſions, with which the Fifth Monarchy Saints do ſo vainly ſolace and pleaſe themſelves.

At ſi quando aſcendens fuerit ſignum fixum, & Lundin bono loco Figurae Dominum longo tempore durabit, maxime ſi fuerit in Leone, vel in ejustriplicitate: If at the time of proclaiming a King the Horoſcope ſhall be fixed, and the Moon in a good place of the Figure, (i.e.) Fortunate in an Angle, or a ſuccedent Houſe, it portends that his Kingdom or Dominion ſhall remain a long time; chiefly, if Leo ſhall aſcend, (which in this Figure it doth) or a ſigne of the ſame Triplicity. Haly de jud. Aſtr.fol. 334. He goeth on — Etiam ſi fuerit in Aſcendente fortuna, ſignificat bonitatem illius Regis, & bonos mores, & bona facta, Haly ut ſupra. And if (faith he) a fortunate Star ſhall be in the Aſcendent, it ſignifies Goodneſs, Clemency, Worth and Juſtice of the King ſo proclaimed, and intimates him alſo to be active and freely forward in good things. I ſhall ſpare to Comment upon theſe moſt full Texts, becauſe I would not be eſteemed a Flatterer: But were I minded to be as free in my writing for his Majeſty, as his ſinewleſs enemies are proud in being liberal againſt him, I could hence take occaſion to ſpeak ſuch things, (and not go beyond the limits preſcribed a Writer) that the reading thereof ſhould make the Adverſaries to the Peace of this (of late bleeding, but now flouriſhing) Kingdom, hang down their heads, and bluſh at their Aduſt zeal, and Cholerick Confidence.

—Pone Aſcendens Leonem, ſitque Sol tunc in Tauro in decima ab Aſcendente, ſit etiam Luna in primo juncta Veneri aut Jovi, &c. faith Guido Bonatus, pars 3. fol. 480. When you would proclaim a King, (faith he) place Leo upon the Aſcendent, and let the Sun be in Taurus, in the tenth from the aſcendent, and poſire the Moon in the firſt houſe, joyned either to Jupiter or Venus, &c. And here in this figure, You ſee the Rules in each Circumſtance there of fulfilled ſo exactly, as if Heaven had ſtrove to [〈◊〉] the Election of the moſt Loyal Artiſt upon Earth. Ergo, it muſt be a moſt happy and propitious time for the proclaimig of a King.

Hear Haly yet again, — Si Jupiter fuerit in Aſcendente, &c. When Jupiter is poſited in the Aſcendent of ſuch a Figure, (here he is ſo, and is in Conjunction of Luna alſo) he portends the King or Prince that is then proclaimed, to be juſt, prudent, and deſirous of the good of his Subjects. And that as he is honoured with Victory, ſo will he be a great Cheriſher and Preſerver of the Laws, and a Lover of all Acts of Clemency and Juſtice.

The Sun (faith the Learned Cardan) hath ſignification of Kings, and the Moon of Subjects; in this Figure both being fortunately placed, beyond peradventure, happineſs, from this ſo happy and glorious Turn among us, muſt emerge both to King and People. The Sun, the grand Significator of Soveraignty, Rule and Dignity, is Nobly fixed in the Angle of Dignity, in the Houſe of the benevolent Planet Venus, and Exaltation of the Moon; whence it is apparent that this great Converſion and Change, will not onely be for his Majeſties happy and peaceable Reign, but the Peoples joy and delight: ſo happy an Intertexture is it, that in the general, both Prince and People ſhould endeavour each others ſafety. Away with thoſe Erratique Brains from among us, that wander onely to do miſchief.

— Grextotus, in Agris

Unius ſcabie cadit; & porrigine porci,

[•]aque conſpecta liverem ducit ab [•]va.

—One ſcabb'd ſheep will ſpoile

A whole ſome Flock; thus Swine their Friends deſile:

And ſickly Grapes by lodging near the ſound,

Force them partake of their ne'er-curing wound.

That the Government thus founded ſhall remain fixed and immoveable, is ſeen by the fixation of the Angles, the prime points of the Figure; but chiefly of the fixed poſition of the Sun.—Si ☉ fuerit in fixis, ſignificat durabilitatem & firmitatem longum tempus. (i.e.) If the Sun ſhall be poſited in a fixed Signe, he portends the Government and honor thereof to continue firm and durable a long time. But beſides his being located in a fixed Signe, and the chief Angle of Heaven, he is in partile Sextile of Mars, the Patron of Victory and Conqueſt, who is poſited in the eleventh Houſe; which is an eminent Argument, and moſt clear Teſtimony, That his Majeſty cannot want aſſiſtance and ſupport (ſhould he (which I dare be confident he never will) ſtand in need) even from the very beſt of men: (i. e.) from thoſe that are moſt active, powerful and skilful in Arms. Nor ſhould he be any manner of way leſs reſpected from thoſe of the meaner Rank, Quality and Degree: Is not Luna in Sextile of Venus, who is Lady or Governeſs of the Medium Coeli? Is not Mercury Lord of the eleventh and ſecond Houſes, in Gemini in the tenth, and he ſimply moſt ſtrong in the Figure? I know ſome may be apt to urge a backſliding in Friends from Mercuries Retrogradation, and the Poſition of Mars in the eleventh Houſe; but let ſuch know, that the Retrogradation of a Planet is no Eſſential, but Accidental Debility: nor are the Planets retrograde per ſe, but per Accidens, as Dr.Wilkins hath learnedly and acurately demonſtrated, Vide Nem Planet, &c. Lib. 2. Cap. 10. p. 226. Ergo, Retrogradation is no ſuch eminent affliction as ſome eſteem it; chiefly, if a Planet be eſſentially dignified, as in this Scheme Mercury is Nor is the Poſition of Mars in the eleventh Houſe the prodromus of any dangers, he being in Sextile of the [〈◊〉]. Beſides were it not that there was that happy Radi[•]tion between the Sun and Mars, yet the injury his ſingle poſition portends, is alleviated by the benign preſence of Venus in the ſame houſe, ſhe being in perfect Amity with the Moon: for it is a known Rule among Aſtrologers, Quicquid ligat Mars, Solvit venus: Whatſoever Mars by his ill influence, harms; Venus by her benevolent Rays, helps. Therefore neither Mars his poſition in the Angle of Friendſhip or Mercury's Retrogradation, can have any evil ſignification that is not otherways over-balanced. Yet I will not deny, but the Platique Squares of the Moon and Mereury, and of Saturn and Mars alſo, may ſo far operate upon the over-heated brains of ſome, and thoſe ſomewhat religious too, (is not Mars Lord of the ninth?) that their Actions may render them moſt unfit to be either truſted, or connived at: yet I aver, thoſe that are the moſt deſitous, and moſt powerful to do or act anything againſt this moſt happy, and (to England) natural Government eſtabliſhed, will in their Actions & Doings be moſt ſuddainly diſcovered, let them in the management thereof weare what kind of Vizards they pleaſe. Having therefore, anſwered the Objection, I re-aſſume what was built upon the a[•]oreſaid Arguments, That his Royal Majeſty ſhall be aſſited and ſupported from and by Perſon of Power, and thoſe alſo of the moſt inferiour Claſſis, viz. the Multitude.

And muſt not that Prince needs be happy, and reign honourably and proſperouſly, whom the Heavens bleſs, and honour with the Aſſistance not onely of thoſe that are of a ſuperiour degree, but the Multitude alſo? I ſhould think that the enemies to his ſacred Majeſty (were they not blind) might read their inevitable Ruine in the concurrent Affections of the People at his Majeſties proclaiming, and Reception! Who ever either ſaw, read, or heard of a more general Unanimity and conſent of Hearts and Judgements of all forts of people, then there was at the proclaiming and coming in of our dread Soveraign? If Vox Populi, be Vox Dei; if the Voice of the People upon be the Voice of Gods, how dare any ſort of people, upon the Cynical Cinceits or Humours, turn Separatiſts and cant the downfal of that happy and bleſſed Edifice: which is built nor onely upon the Suffrages of the major part of the People, but of Heaven it ſelf? The Learned Strafford by experience found, (and it was his dying expreſſion) That the breath of the People were the Organs of Deſtiny. And certainly, that which hath power to abate of the Majesty and Greatneſs of the one, hath Potency alſo to make another Mighty.

Let me add yet a little further, (for I preſume I may, and that rationally too, while I have Authority for my ſupport.) The Arabians in theſe manner of Judgements, did make uſe of ſeveral parts, as the parts of Fortune; Victory and Nobility, which (you may ſee) are all placed in the foregoing Figure, Aſpice ad partem fortunae, & ad partem Nobilitatis, quae accipitur in die a gradu Solis in gradum ipſius Exaltationis — & projicitur ab Aſcendente. Aſpice etiam partem Regni & victoria, quae accipitur in die & nocte a gradu Solis in gradum Lunae, & projicitur a gradu Medii Caeli. (Id eſt) In the Figure of the proclaiming of a King, you ſhould have regard to the Part of Fortune, and to the part of Nobility, which by day is gained by ſubſtracting the Degree of the Suns place, from the Degree of his Exalation, and projecting it from the Aſcendent. Behold alſo the part of the Kingdom, and of Victory, which both day and night you muſt take from the Degree of the Sun, to the degree of the Moon, and then project it from the Degree of the Mid-heaven. Then for the uſe of thoſe Parts, examining the ſame learned Author, he tells us — Si quando he paries venerint in bonis locis & fortunatis,& cum fortunis, ſignificat magnam nobilitatem & honorem illi domino, &c. (i. e.) If when any or all of theſe Parts happen to be placed fortunately in the Figure, and with the Fortunes alſo, they portend great Nobility and Honour to that Prince then proclaimed, &c. — Here you ſee theſe ſeveral Princely parts are poſited in the chief places of the Figure, and the Part of Nobility near the body of Venus: beſide, they are all near eminent fixed Stars, viz. the part of Fortune near Cor Scorpit in the fourth Houſe; and the part of Victory, &c. near Cor Leonis, in the Aſcendent or firſt houſe; and the part of Nobility in Cancer, nearly in Conjunction of Ras-Algenſe, a ſplendid, ſhiming, fixed Stat in the eleventh houſe: therefore I pronounce the Aphoriſm to take full effect It is no mean Argument of laſting honour and happineſs, in which the fixed ſtars are ſo eminently concerned: For, according to Ptolomy, Stella fix a mirabiles & ultra rationem faelicitates tribuunt &c. The fixed Stars do deſigne moſt admirable Felicity and honour, &c.prol. Cent. Aphoriſ.29.

The Reader muſt pardon my repetition, for I cannot avoid it here; beſides, I have a warrant from Cardan for ſo doing, Seg.4. Aphor. 85. Repetitio neocſſaria eſt, in hac ſcientia, vel ob difficultatem, vel ob neceſſitatem, velob utilitatem ingentem, vel obcontradictionem. Repetition is neceſſary in this Science, either by reaſon of difficulty, neceſſity, exceeding benefit, or elſe to avoid contradiction. I muſt therefore (unleſs I ſhould rob thoſe weighty Arguments of their Concluſions which are drawn from thoſe parts before mentioned) here again affirm, That hence alſo is portended a happy continuation, and convenient duration of his Majeſties reign, and the Government of theſe Nations, maugre the moſt malignant and ſubtile Deſignes of the moſt inveterate Oppoſers thereof.

Now, as we have ſpoken of (and we have ſatisfactorily demonſtrated) the glory and happineſs, and the happy continuance of this Heaven-favouring Return of our gracious Soveraign, and Monarchical Government into theſe (of late) confuſed Iſlands; ſo give me leave to add a word or two concerning all thoſe that ſhall ſet themſelves againſt his Majeſty by reaſon of his happy Reſtauration; or againſt the Government of theſe Nations as it is now eſtabliſhed.

The Enemies of his Majeſty, and of Englands peace, are ſignified by Saturn: Ergo, they are envious, malitious, covetous, jealous, timorous, ſuſpitious, ſluggiſh, ſordid and miſtruſtful. This is the true Character of the inclinations and diſpoſitions of thoſe perſons ſignified by Saturn When he is ill dignified, as now in this Figure. Origanus de effectibus, fol.590. when Saturn and Mars both are concerned (as here they are) in the deſcriptions of any kind of Perſons, he tells us they are Turbulentos, Seditioſos, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], immiſericordes, implacabilcs, inftatos, gloriaſos, ventoſos, frandulentos, tyrannicos, auſteros, improbos, inhumanos, fallaces ſubdolos, &c. And a little, further the ſame Author tells us, That if thoſe Planets be ill beholding, (as in our Figure) then they ſignifie perſons that are—Raptores, graſſatores, maleficos, contumelioſos, inſidiatores, furaces, ſacrilegos, ſepulchrorum violatores & ſpeliatores, per juros, omris humanitatis violatores, voraces, &c, Iſhall not Engliſh theſe words, becauſe I would not have the world be any more commonly acquainted with ſuch a Generation of Miſcreants, or that there are ſuch Creatures any where, ſave in Hell. We in England have had our ſhare of the Company of ſuch a Race, for many years together; many Ages will not weare out the memory of their Actions: They have made greater Impreſſions upon the Happineſs and Peace of Englands flouriſhing Kingdom, then ever the ſurious Planet Mars by his being Promittor in a fiery Signe, could make by that loathſome Diſeaſe termed [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], in the face of a beautiful Virgin. But I return to Saturn again, and to his ſignifications, as he is placed in our Figure, becauſe he is Lord of the ſeventh houſe, and placed in the third in Scorpio.

The Learned Haly in this manner of Judgements, ſeems to decipher the Enemies of a King, and their conditions alſo, by the Infortunes at large, as appears by this Aphoriſm of his: Siquando infortumium fuerit cadens &:c ſub terra maxime, ſignificat debilitatem, inimieqrum; & depreſſionem, & vilem, eorum eſtimationem, &c. which ſonnds to this purpoſe in Engliſh: If when the. Infortunes ſhall at the proclaiming of a King be cadent, it fignifies the Depreſſion and Debility of hi Enemies; portnends their Credit and Eſtimation to be vile, not onely in it ſelf, but in the eyes of men; ancf this ſhall happen chiefly when they are cadent under the earth; as in this Figure. Hence it is as clear as the Son. in his Meridian Glory, that all thoſe who ſhall appear to be Enemies, (I would not be miſnniderſtood; I mean onely Domeſtick Enemies; for. by this Figure I have to do with no other; but from other cauſe I dare alſo include Forragin Enemies, but dare not do it here) I ſay, who ſhall appear enemies unto this Kingdoms Peaces, will alſo prove ſuch unto their own Happineſe and Quietude. For let their Deſignes be what they will, they are appointed to fall and fail under them; and by proſecuting their cruel (nay, I may add, accurſed) Purpoſes and Deſignes, they will never Feable to bring the Brat their Brains have conceived, and begin to grow big of, unto a perfect birth: The Midwiſe Time become, and will continue their abſolute Enemy and Hater. This very Poſition of Saturn in Scorpio, in Square of Mars, will diſcover their weakneſs and folly, and ſo far befool them in their contrivances, that when they think to be at the moſt likely and probable point of attaining to the Haven of their Wiſhes, they will meet their own deſtruction, and ſufferr ſuch a ſad Cataſtrophe, that will not onely ruine and deſtroy themſelves but eclipſe the Credit Fame and Eſtimation of their Poſterities for many Ages to come. Saturn you ſee is in Quartile of Mars his Enemy; hear what Bethem ſays to ſuch a Poſition, Aph. 10. Quando Tlanetaeſt in aſpectu ſui hoſt is, eſt ut vix timens hoſtem ſunm: A Planet in Aſpect of his Enemy, is as a man fearing toſuffer, or be endamaged by him. And in the 31 Aph. he ſith, Planeta in domo inimici ſui, eſt, nt vir in domo alterins, inter quos fame advenit odium & ira: A Planet in the Houſe of his Enemy, is as a man in another houſe ſubject to the Ire and Hatred of thoſe among whom he is. Saturn is not onely in Quartile of Mars, but diſpoſed of by him alſo. Ergo, theſe Rules are the more to be heeded.

Let me perſwade all you that are the pofeſſed and avowed Enemies to this Nations Peace and Happineſs, to change your evil purpoſes, and to turn the, deſtructive current of your Treacherous Inclinations; unleſs you have a deſire to meet your Miſery and Ruine in proſecuting the ill grounded Theam of your inſuling and reaſonleſs prejudice; which is (I unrefeignedly proteſt) moſt plainly to be read in the Heavens; and you your ſelves may alſo perceive it by the divers poſitive Authorities I cite.

I ſcorn and abominate to ſubſtitute my own Opinion in the room of Art; or to wrack and torture the Science I ſtudy, with unwarrantable Devices, to force and compel it to ſpeak what the, Heavens do not intend or intimate. It is ſufficiently known I have made it my deſigne all along to detect and diſcover the Errours, Forgeries and Vanities of the higheſt Abuſers of this noble Science in our Age. And ſhould I attempt any ſuch thing, or wilfully ſuffer my Pen to walk either contrary to, or beſides the Rules of my Art, I ſhould then be as bad as he, who pretending to abhor Idols, was not aſhamed to commit Sacrilege.

Perhaps theſe my ſerious and ſeaſonable Premonitions, becauſe they are deduced ex Artis from the Stars, maybe contemned, neglected and ſlighted; and my ſelf for the ſame derided, if not detruded, by thoſe who are moſtly concerned in them, and ought chiefly to conſider and obſerve them. It is a practiſe among the ignorantly reſolute in ſhawing a Foolhardy valour, rather to run into the Jaws of Ruine, then be wrought upon by the moſt gentle Perſwaſions to reform.

I know Aſtrology. is ſuffciently under Hatches at this day in England, and by tne major ſort, of wiſe and ignorant, not onely neglected, but condemned, by reaſon of the Sychopincy, Leidgerdemain, and Grand Jugling of that Arch-Paraſite Merlinus Anglicus; who for many years together hath been felſly reputed rhe chief Aſtrologer among us. If f[•]ttery be the onely diſtinguiſhable Character to know an Artiſt by, the general Cry and Commendations will the more eaſily reach him. But if true knowledge in the Art ſhall take place, I here publickly.maintain, He is not guilty of the tythe of the knowledge that the people have generally believed of him. This may ſeem ſomewhat Paradoxial and ſtrange, That a perſon that hath born the Bell I cannot tell how many years in the common Fame of the Nation, ſhould not be moſt excellent in the thing he pretends unto: but it is moſt true, and I dare publickly aver it, That his skill is ſo mean in the Art he prerends unto, that he knoweth not how to calculate one Stars or Planets place: nay, I ſhall go further 3 he ſcarcely Knows how to reduce a Star truly from one Meridian to another

It is common for the major part of the world, whoſe judgements are unſeaſoned, to be taken with pretended Flourtiſhes of skill, whether they be certain and true, or not. I have heard of a Muſtian who (with his Youth) was pſaying before it great number of perſons; and the Youth having obtained a little ſuperficial skill, did with the ſame ſo enchaunt the Ears of the Auditors, that they brake forth into a great Commendation of his rare skill: His Maſter obſerving this their applauſe, came near to the Youth, and ſtruck him on the Ear, ſaying, Sirrah, If you had been true to your Notes, thoſe misjudging-Ears could never have commended you. So, if that grand Abuſer of Aſtrologie have been commmended in all things he hath written, it hath been by unſeaſoned Judgments, Perſons that were not acquainced with his Wiless and lgnorance. Yet for his ſake alone, hath Aſtrologie been hardly cenſured, yea, plainly abuſed, neglected, ſcorn'd and condemned.

It is not Aſtrologie, but Sycophancy, and arch-Villany, to turn tide & tale with every, intereſt. An houeſt Aſtrologer ſcorns to fawn, ftatter, and write for and againſt a Parliament for.200 and l. 100.l. per anuum. Is he an able Astrologer that ſhall trapan the King-of Sweden to his ruine, and yet receive from him both money and a Goid Chain? Is he not a Villain rather?. Is he an. honeſt Artiſt that ſhall trayterouſly traduce his. lawful Leige-Lord and So, veraign, and call him Titular King, Pyratical Prince; threaten him with a ſtab, or poiſon? Is he a Eriend to the Scince he pretends, that for a Bribe ſhall (ſine ratione) doom the. King of Denmark to ruine, and the Prince EleEtor of Beandenburgh to repent in ſackeloath and aſhes? Is he not a Mercenary Killain rather, that for a handful of earth ſhall aſſaſſinate the moſt ſplendid reputations in the world? Nor dare I esteem him other then a rancorous hearted Wretch that ſhall aggravate a difference between his own Prince and Subjects, or that ſhall abuſe his Royal Majesties Friends by name, as the before mentioned Merlin's Brat hath ihe Earl of Ormond calling him arch-Rebel, and indiſcreet Earl, and threatning him with inglorious death; and Prince Rupert, whom he villanouſly stiles Plunder-Maſter-General, &c. Thus you ſee how Aſtrologie is come to be evilly ſpoken of, and for whoſe ſakes alſo

Aſtrologie is too Princely a Science to be thus a buſed! but by the ſoile and black Actions of this Proditorious Fellow, the Diamond, Luſtre and Beauty of the Art, is the more excellently ſhadowed and ſet off. I abominate to threaten or terrifie any ſort of men in the world with falſe fears, or indeed with any at all! Howbeit, I ſhall endeavour to perſwade all thoſe that are wilfully precipitating themſelves into the Gulph of Miſery, Ruine and Deſtruction, to avoid running the Road that leads neceſſarily thereunto: If the cauſe be taken away, the effect of courſe ceaſeth.

And that I may uſe a pertinent and proper Argument to perſwade with them, I ſhall acquaint them, and the world at large, That Aſtrologie is not ſo vain, ſo empty, or ſo idle a ſtudy, as the ignorance and villany of the beforementioned Perſon hath ſeemed to render it. There is more Worth, Truth, and certainty therein, then the weak & yeilding Brains of Men are generally able to conceive or comprehend: And that may moſt probably be the ground of the Right Honorable the Lord Chancellour's Caution in his Learned and Elegant Speech to the Parliament, — That we ſhould not too much deſpiſe the influence of the Stars. We do not (faith the Learned Dr. Brown) reject or condemn a ſober and regulated Aſtrologie; we hold there is more truth therein, then in Aſtrologers; in ſome more, then many allow; yet in none ſo much as ſome pretend. We deny not the influences of the Stars, but often ſuſpect the due Application thereof: Pſeud. Epidem. Lib. 4. p. 194. And what man of Reaſon, will deny the Reaſon of this Learned Author? Shall we through a conceited or zealous ignorance, confound the good uſe of the Art with the abuſe thereof, for the knaviſhneſs of a known Impoſtor therein? Are there no Grapes ripe, or fit to be eaten, but thoſe that are within our reach? Shall we wilfully damn and deſtroy all things we are not able to underſtand? This were ridiculous, and moſt unworthy the Reaſon of men! Is there no ſober Diſtinction to be made between the good Wine and the Dregs? between the skill of an honeſt Artiſt and the practiſe of a Sycophantique Pretender? That it is unjuſt for any to blend or mingle the true uſe, with the abuſe of an Art, I ſhall endeavour to ſatisfie the world, by remembring them of ſome few, but admirable examples, in which the true worth and certainty of this honoured Science hath to the great credit thereof, been verified.

And to avoid the repetition of thoſe famous Predictions Lucius Bellanticus, Gauricus, Cardan, Spurina, Guido, &c. (with whoſe worthy skill, and famous Preſages, we might fill ſome Volumes) I ſhall relate here onely ſome few, but remarkable things, forecold by the aſſiſtance of the Syderal Science, of late years, and among us alſo.

• I. Mr. H. Johnſon in his Book called Anti-Merlinus, page 23. predicted the ruine of the Long Parliament in theſe words — That notwirhſtanding the Parliament ſhall ſtouriſh yet a while, yet in the end they ſhall be conquered, and brought low; and many of them ſhall die a death ſhameful and ignominious, &c.
• II. Mr. Wharton in p. 42. of his Hemeroſe, 1653. predicted the routing of the Long Parliament moſt exactly in theſe words: Mars tranſits the Degree culminating in the laſt Conjunction of ♄ and ♃ in the watry Triplicity, which will manifeſt it ſelf in one or other grand accident to befal ſome, and they none of the meaneſt in power; but men (if I ſin not in calling them ſo) of the firſt Magnitnde: and this by means of the Soldiery, or of ſuch perſons as are Martially diſpoſed. And this (he faith) ſhould happen at the beginning of the year. And behold in April O. Cromwel turn'd out the Parliament that had ſate twelve long years, and upwards.
• III. In the year 1658. I verified theText of Haly de judciis Aſtrorum pars 8.cap. 19. in predicting the death of Oliver Cromwel Which came to paſs exactly, as was foretold, See my Almanack of that year, and page the 11th of the prognoſticon.
• IV. In the year 1659. in my Ephemeris, I plainly predicted the downfal of Richard Cromwel from the Text in fol. 124. of Johan: Anton: Guiffus de Eclipſibus: and the Confuſions of the (then) Perſons in power, I did foretel in Nudis verbis; and that from, the great Eclipſe of the Sun, as alſo from Prolomy and Origanus their Aphoriſms and Judgements thereof.
• V. The beginning of the ſame year, I publiſhed the Nativity of the King of Sweden, viz.. when he was in all his glory; and therein did from Schoner, and other Aurhorities, preſage his death; and in February 1660. he did die accordingly.
• VI. The ſame year I publiſhed his Royal Majeſty of Denmark's Nativity, and therein predicted his Recovery from his troubles; and the Peace alſo (now confirmed and ratified) between him and the Swediſh Crown. See Nuncius Astrologious, lately printed.

I ſpare to ſpeak of the moſt fortunate, happy, and heaven-favouring Predictions that are to be found in my Ephemeris for this year, becauſe the Book it ſelf (and things therein contained) is ſtill freſh in each mans memory. Not is it requiſite for me to take notice of each auſpicious Prediction my Pen hath been the Author of; otherwiſe for one of theſe, I could have produced ten. But my buſineſs is onely to prove Aſtrologie uſeful and worthy; and that the Predictions thence lawfully derived, ought to be ſeriouſly and carefully heeded and conſidered. Shall we ſay that the Lute is a dull Inſtrument, becauſe a poor Piper cannot tell what to make thereof? Is AEſop's Jewel of no uſe, bacauſe a Cock preferred a BarlyCorn before it? Aſtrologie was never yet condemned by any that underſtood it. And that alone preſeves its honour with the ingeniouſly learned.

Neither let any man under pretence of oppoſing Aſtrologie to Divinity, take occaſion thence to give the leſs credit unto it. For. —. If there be a truth therein, (as faith the aforeſaid worthy Author) it doth not injure Divinity: If to be born under. Mercury diſpoſeth us to be witty, under Jupiter to be wealthy; I do not owe a knee unto theſe, but unto the merciful hand that hath ordered my indifferent and uncertain Nativity unto ſuch benevolous Aſpects:Vide Religio Medici, Sect. 18. Beſides, Divines themſelves have been the greateſt Propagators of this Science; as Junctine, Ficinus, Hartgil, Dr. Gell, Burton, Origanus, Lindholt, Reeves, Swadlin, Carpenter, &c. And can we in reaſon believe or conceive, that they would advance, or ſet up, any thing contrary to their own profeſſion? Nay, moſt of theſe have affirmed, That Aſtrologie is neceſſary in a Divine; for he cannot truely underſtand ſome places of Scripture without the knowledge thereof. And that was the reaſon that formerly in Egypt none were admitted into the Sacred Order without being competently verſed in the Science of the Scars.

This being now conſidered, I ſee not reaſonably how the greateſt Antagoniſts can hood-wink themſelves from the knowledge of Coeleſtial Influences. Nor can we underſtandingly conplude, that he which gave vertue to the Mazzaroth (or twelve ſignes) the Pleiades, Arcturus, and the Stars of Orion, ſhould refuſe to enſtamp an inſluence proportionable upon the reſt of thoſe glorious Creatures. Nor ought we in reaſon to. condemn, ſlight and neglect all Aſtral inſluence or ponrer, for the Impoſturiſms of any one either pretending to or practiſing Aſtrologie, any more, then we ought to make light of the Deity, becauſe Caligula and Lucian would nor grant any.

Will any man eſteem him Wiſe or judicious, that like AEſops Dog letteth ſlip the ſubſtance to ſnatch at the ſhadow? Is it not a moſt bluſh-worthy fault in any that ſhall catch at Vanities on purpoſe to carp at Verities? He puts the greateſt Fallacy and Cheat upon himſelf, and robs his Reaſon of its proper food, that in deriſion and ſcorn of an Art ſhall hug, cheriſh and embrace the Abuſe and Impoſturiſm thereof, on purpoſe to wound the true uſe and worth of it. The Errour of the Artiſt is but the Organ of his unwary and imperfect Nature, and no impeachment to the honour of the Art at all. It would be highly unjuſt in any to condemn the true uſe of Phyſick, under pretence of crying out againſt the knaviſh and unwarrantable practiſe of Empyricks.

Aſtrologers ſeldome commit Errors, except when they (for bribes) turn Paraſites, &c. Amor odiumque ne vera eveniant judicia prohibent ſi quidem minunt maxima, augent minima; (i.e.) Love and Hate will occaſion great Errour in judgement;The one cauſerh the Artiſt to magniſie things trivial, and the other to leſſen things conſiderable, Ptol. Cent. Aphor. 12. The true Aſtrologer therefore ought to avoid running upon, either of theſe Rocks, as carefully as he would avoid the giving a falſe judgement.

But I wave this Apologetique Diſcourſe, and would not indeed have ſpoke ſo much here, but that the cauſe is ſo preſſing; And to acquaint the world, that Aſthologie is not ſit to be contemned, but continued, notwithſtanding the Abuſes of the greateſt Pretenders thereunto. I have partly proceeded thus far in it, to check the vain conceits of Unbelievers: and to aſſure them, as there is truth in ſtarry Influences, and in rhe forementioned proofs thereof, that Englands happineſs cannot be endeavoured to be undermined, but by the abſolute deſtruction and ruine of the Undertakers and, Projectors of the ſame: and this without Flattery, or by-reſpect to any Intereſt, I ſend into the world, there to remain an Aſtrological Truth with the reſt of his Fellows, when the Author of it ſhall ſilently reſt Inter Mortuos, among the Dead.

Let. us but obſerve the grand Harmony between the Figure before going, and-that of the Revolution of the world, viz of the Suns intrat into Aries; and we ſhall find, that Luna in this Figure is in Sextile to her place in that, and on the place of Jupiter alſo; and the Benevolent Planet Venus Lady of the tenth here, upon the place of Luna in that Scheme; and the Cuſp of the eleventh of that Figure aſcending here in this.

From all which auſpicious Tranſits and Radiations, we may once more boldly affirm — That Peace and Unity is intended to theſe Iſlands by this ſo happy Renovation and Change among us: and that there. will be both harmony, concord and agreement between both Prince and people. And moſt wretched muſt that man, or thoſe men be, that ſhall endeavour to diſturb our long-expected, and now growing Felicity.

Thus much I have thought ſit to publiſh upon this occaſion; preſuming, as it may be of very good uſe to ſome, it can be of no bad conſequence or import to any that love this Kingdoms Peace.

AN Admirable Obſervation commended to the Learned in Aſtronomy

HAving an opportunity of the Preſs, I ſhall, for the honour of Aſtronomy, preſent unto the Learned in that Act an Obſervarion more ancient then any commonly extant, as it was made by one Mr. Knighton a Monk of Canterbury, An. 1170. Sept. 13. at midnight, and lately diſcovered by the reading of my worthy Friend Mr. J.Childry, who (to the end it might be ſerviceable to the Lovers of Urania, and claim their ſerious notice) gave me the ſame to publiſh in the very words himſelf met with it, viz. An. 1170. Idibus Septembris nocte media, duo Planet & it a conjungi videbaniur, ut quaſi una eademque ſtella fuiſſent appareret, ſed illico ab invicem ſeparati ſunt: In the year 1170. in the Ides of September about midnight, were ſeen two planets ſo nearly conjoyned, that they ſeemed to appear as it were one and the ſame Star; but they did ſuddainly ſeparate from each other.

Mr. Childry gave me alſo a Calculation of this Conjunction from the Tables of Mr. Vincent Wing in his Astronomia Instaurata, by Mr. Rich. Fitz-ſmith, a perſon excellently verſed in this knowledge, (by which without trouble I knew the Stars conjoyn'd near Jupiter and Mars) with which I ſhall preſent my Reader. But firſt I ſhall take the pains to try how near the Tables in my Doctrine of Nativities will anſwer this rare appearance.

1. For the Suns place to that time given.

For Jupiter's place.

For Jupiter's Latitude:

For Mars's place.

For Mars's Latitude.

And their difference in Longitude, I min. 58 ſec. in Latitude 17 min. a thing inconſiderable both ways; and remarkably proves the exactneſs of the beforementioned Tables in my Doctrine of Nativities, which are founded upon the Hypotheſis of the Learned Bullialdus.

In the next place, I ſhall preſent you with the pains of Mr. Fitz-ſmith on this admirable Conjunction from Mr. Wing's Astronomia Inſtaurata; which, as it was delivered me, take as followeth.

The Sun's place.

viz. in nz 27 deg. 16 min. 32 ſec.

The places of Jupiter and Mars.

Hence their places in Longitude and Latitude, is —

Their Difference in both, od. 3 m. 53 ſ. — 22 39.

I ſhall in the laſt place preſent you with a Calculation of this ſo famous Conjunction from the Tables of my worthy Friend Mr. Wing in his Harmonicon Coeleſte, which differ very little from the Calculation thereof by the Tables in my Treatiſe of Nativities.

For the Sun's true place, Ex Harmoni Coeleſte.

For Jupiter's place.

For Jupiter's Latitude.

For Mars's place.

For Mars's Latitude.

I hope the Noble Students in this Study, will conſider of what worthy advantage this choice Obſervation may be, and not grutch their pains hereon, if hereby (as I believe)they may rectifie Aſtronomy; ſince it is Price enough for the pains of the true Filius Artis, if he have but the honour of elevating Art a minute nearer the truth then at the preſent it ſtands. And of what Emolument it might prove to this CoeIeſtial Study, if all Learned perſons would follow the ſteps of this Reverend Church-man, and communicate all their Obſervations of this kind, that in their reading they ſhall have the good hap to meet with, I need not inculcate. This one Example will (I hope) prove an encouragement ſufficient to irritate the more able Endeavours of the moſt knowing in this. Science, toward a Reſtauration of what the ignorant world admires, viz.The Motions of the Planets.

The Author vindicated from Lilly's Scandalous Imputations.

HAving been of late moſt unworthily taxed by that known. Traducer Mr. William Lilly, (a common ſcandalizer of Kings and Kingdoms) and by his means in ſeveral ſquirting Pamphlets untruly charged as guilty of that deformed and foul Crime of Ingratitude; He pretending himſelf (though falſly) my Tutor in Aſtrologie; I having had the great unhappineſs aſ well as many others) to be, to my coſt, formerly acquainted with him: upon which acquaintance, he protends to ground his Scandals. And my being neglective of his S[•]omma's, and a mild for bearing to reſpond unto any of his Nefarious Forgeries againſt me, hath partly perſwaded many perſons into a belief of his wicked Inſinuations. Which to correct with the Soveraign Antidote of Truth, I hold it requiſite to acquaint the world, how I came firſt to ſtudy Aſtrologie, and unto whoſe memory I owe my knowledge therein. Which make as followeth.—

In the year 1652. going into Oxfordſhire, in the way of a grateful Viſit to my honoured Grandfather Sir.J.Curſon, who out of his Nobleneſs was at the charge of my Education; I took with me ſome Pamphets as, The Copies of the Times Humours, to preſent him with. And among the reſt, Mr. Wharton's Hemeroſc. for that year: upon fight of which, he was very well pleaſed, and began to enter into a Diſcourſe with me touching Aſtrologie. And (although my knowledge then was but mean therein) I anſwered his Demands according to the beſt of my skill. In brief, he was ſo well pleaſed with my mean Returns, that he not onely commended my poor industry, but gave me ſomewhat to encourage me further; and withal, expreſſed a greater reſpect and affection to the Art, then Gentlemen in this Age commonly do; And adviſed me (for attaining perfection therein) to the Study of Aſtronomy; acquainting me, that (which I ſince found as true as the Oracle) he who was ignorant of the Motions of the Stars, muſt be ſo alſo in their effects.

Finding my ſelf ſo well entertained for that mean mite of knowledge, I was reſolved then to make a further progreſs therein, and (if poſſible) underſtand the moſt abſtruſe parts thereof. And this my inclination wanted not an ample ſignification in my Nativity from the Heavens. For I had then operating M.C. ad △ ♂, and this in ♍, the greateſt Dignities of ☿, the true Patron of Arts and Sciences. And upon the Effects thereof, I acquainted my ſelf with that eminently Learned Mathematician and Aſtrologer, Dr. N. Fiske; who, in little time, had ſo far inſtructed me in the whole Art of Aſtrologie, and a competent part of Aſtronomy alſo, that in 1655. I was able to preſent my honoured Grandfather with an Almanack in Manuſcript, which was afterwards printed, and hath ſince been annually continued. And in that year alſo, I, together with my Uncle Mr. T.G. began to reduce the places of all the fixed Stars in the Heavens, as an Emendation of the Learned Hartgil's Tables. And theſe were printed and publiſhed 1656. And in the ſame year I published my Coelestial Ambaſſador. In the year 1658. I emitted into the world my Doctrine of Nativities. In the year 1658 I publiſhed the King of Swedes Nativity, and Nuncius Aſtrologicus alſo. And in the year 1660. I publiſhed my Treatiſe of Prodigies.

In all which works, my Enemles themſelves can't ſay, I have done Aſtrologie the leaſt diſhonour, or caſt one blot upon the Divine Beanty of the fair Ʋrania. Howbeit, I muſt ingenuouſly acknowledge, that all theſe Rivulets are ſprung from the ſource of that great Seminary of the Mathematicks, Dr. Fisk. beforementioned: for to him, and to him alone, next unto Divine Aſſiſtance do I owe all my knowledge in Art; and can boldly aver, I never learnt the meaning of an Aphoriſm from any other man in the world.

I have been acquainted with the beſt and worſt knowing in this Science in England; and muſt acknowledge, there are more ingenious perſons ſtudy if privately, then any that practiſe it publickiy. I cannot diſcover either more Art or Honeſty in our higheſt Pretenders, then in the mear vulgar Aſtrologer. Nor am I able to diſcern any material Difference between a fam'd Mountebanks pair of Dials, with a Non Cogunt, and the poor Bill-Poſters Astra non neceſſitant,&c. onely this, The one hath quacked under an eſpecial Protection from the State, for a bribe of 100 l. and ſometimes 200 l. per annum; and the other perhaps better deſerving, for want of Clyents; is compelled to the courſe he otherwiſe hates and abominates. I honour Aſtrologie honeſtly conſidered, but hate the Sycophantick Pretender thereunto. I was more confident when I ſcarcely knew a ⚹ from a △, then now I dare to be after nine years ſtudy. I have written more of Art, then any man of this latter Age: yet have not prejudiced Kingdoms or Families, or abuſed Kings, Princes. or meaner Perſons, under pretence. thereof. I have carefully endeavoured to eſcape Tacitus his Cenſure, who reſhly concludes Aſtrologers —Genus Hominus infiduns Principiuſ.

I have had the happineſs to read Aſtrological (and ſtill do) to many ingenious perſons, and that ſatisfactorily, as many very well know: By which mean, I have much embettered my own underſtanding: For, Decendo diſcimus, by teaching we learn our ſelves.

And whereas perſon, as inſolently, as unjuſtly, rearm me ungrateful, either to Litty or any other, I ſhall deſire them, Firſt Arguere, then Readarguers firſt, to prove the Crime they object againſt me; then, reprove me for it. I acknowledge readily, that Ingratitude is the greateſt of Crimes a man can be guilty of. And it is a thing ſo contrary to my nature, that I deſire no longer to live, then to be grateful. And if I eſteemed my ſelf a drachm behiad hand with any man in this, I would return him a pound in ſatisfaction. Nay; the beforementioned perſon that hath objected Ingratitude to me, upon my demanding his Reaſon, did before Mr. E.Carrant pronounce me (to him) the moſt grateful man in the world. And I am confident he cannot, neither dares he ſay, (unleſs it it be boaſtingly behind my back) that I ever learned a Line in Aſtrologie or Aſtronomy from him. The later of which I dare, and do here publickly maintain, he knoweth nothing of; no, not to the Calculation of one Stars place, either fixed or Erratique; both which I was ſufficintly able to perform before ever my ill Fortune directed me to his acquaintance: and how he ſhould then prove my Tutor, I cannor in reaſon ſee. Nay, I proteſt freely, (and this without any boaſting, or ambitious lifting up my ſelf, for I know my knowledge is but mean) I underſtood more Art before ever I was acquainted with Lilly, then he was ever capable of learning in his life; notwithſtanding his great Fame for (doing nothing elſe in truth but) deluding the world. I mention not this by reaſon of the Difference between him and my ſelf; for in matter of Truth I ſo far deveſt my ſelf from Paſſion, that Reaſon might reign as King. Nor would I have any hereby think, that Labhor to learn of an Adverſary; for I have always made that Adage my Companion, whicn ſaysEtemin fasest, & abhoſte doceri; It is both juſt and lawful for a man to learn of his Enemy. And I ſhould not refuſe so learn of him who hath as arrogantly as falſly ſtiled himſelf my Tutor, and hath taught others to cant ſo, if I conld perceive in him any thing by which my underſtanding might be bettered.

But although I ſhall ſo far ſubmit my ſelf to the truth; as to bow the knee of my Reaſon to any, and ſhall not refuſe to ſtoop to the foot of a Shepherd, if Ingenuity and Reaſon keep Court in ſuch a Cottage; yet I hold it the higheſt ſlavery in the world for any man that is diſcipulus ratiouis, to ſubjugate his Reaſon ſo far, as — Jurare in verba Lillii. I am too Maſculine to believe the King of Sweden ſhall be greater then Charles the Great, becauſe Mr. Lilly rantingly ſays ſo; except he give me a better Reaſon, then ipſe dixit; and Authority, then the Sibyls, and Mother Shipton. Or that we ſhall have no more Kings in England, becauſe he Sycophantiquely, and for baſe Bribes, (laying aſide his Art) writ ſo. I am too great a Diſciple of Art, to betray my Reaſon and Knowledge therein, to the by[•]ſſed Intereſt of every confident Pretender. And if to defend the honour of Art, and detect and diſcover the Treaſons and Cheatiſms practiſed under it, and lay the Perſons open to the World, that thus notoriouſly abuſe it, be to be ungrateful; Sine Apologia, I deſire to be ungrateful ſtill.

And whereas Lilly hath printed it — That lay it in my power, I would ſwallow his Body, and ſpit his Soul into the Stygian Lake, I muſt tell him, The Fear is as ſcandalous as the Conceit idle and fooliſh: For, it muſt be a Grave of far larger Dimenſions that muſt ſwallow his Body, had he not eſpouſed himſelf to Villanies that ſwell him ſo much bigger then he naturally is. But if he mean by this Charge to ſet off my Hatred to him by a Sarcaſm, or Hyperbole, I muſt return him as egregionſly miſtaken in this, as he prov'd himſelf in the Swediſh Victory, or R. Cromwel's continuance: For, I proteſt freely to the World, my heart is furniſhed with no ſuch polluted ſtuff. Nay, I dare be bold to affirm, That were there an occaſion offered me to try my Hatred toward him to purpoſe, I ſhould prove as great a Friend to him, as he is a man, as any of his Hickshall Jury did in 1654. when he was indicted there for a Cheat.

And whereas Lilly is troubled that I have at any time reported him a Taylor, I here again tell the world, I do therein but call a Spade a Spade. And he knows I have not onely his own Confeſſion, and Witneſſes yet living to prove it, but good,ſufficient and uncontradicted Authority in Print for ſo reporting him.

If Mr. Lilly have ought elſe to urge againſt me, I ſhall, God willing, as ſoon as I hear thereof, return him a moſt ſeaſonable, and civil Reply. This therefore ſhall content me for the preſent to return in anſwer to ſome of his scurrilities.

FINIS.