Astrologia Accusata pariter et Condemnata

Aſtrologia accuſata pariter & Condemnata. OR THE DIABOLICAL ART OF Judicial Aſtrologie, RECEIVING THE DEFINITIVE SENTENCE OF FINAL CONDEMNATION: BEING Delivered in this following Diſcourſe, where the ſaid Art is briefly and manifeſtly opened, juſtly arraigned, diligently examined, and experimentally condemned by him, who was a Student in the ſame.

Omnis planta quam non plantavit Pater ille meus coeleſtis, eradicabitur.

Matth. 15.13.

By JOHN RAUNCE, Sometime a practitioner of Aſtrologie, and Student in the Magick Art.

LONDON, Printed by J. Clowes, for W. Learner, at the Blackmore in Biſhopſgate-ſtreete, 1650.

The Preface to the Reader.

READER,

MY deſire is in this ſhort Treatiſe, to diſcloſe a part of my mind unto thee, concerning Judicial Aſtrology, and if it might be, to perſwade thee, not to ſpend thy ſhort and precious time, in the ſtudy and practice of this abominable Art; for I have been a Student in this very Art, againſt which I now write: alſo I was not quiet, nor at peace in my mind, until ſuch time as I had ſeen all the ſecrets of the ſame. Now the time being come, in which I had attained unto my hearts deſire, then did I blindly rejoyce in my condition, and thought with my ſelf, that I had now gotten the knowledge of that, which would for ever make me wiſe: thus having attained unto my Hearts deſire, and being in my youthful Age, I here with-held no knowledge from my ſelf, which might ſeem to give my mind content: So I mounting from degree to degree, upon the ſlippery ſcale of curioſity, at length I came to the height of uncertain principles; which when I was thus high gone, yet here found no reſting place, wherefore I beholding that there was more then I yet underſtood, then did I here ſeek for the knowledge of thoſe things alſo, the knowledge of which things was not from me with-held. Now I having gone to the ground of Aſtrology, I could then diſpute of the events of things, &c. Loe here I did vainly glory in my ſelf, as if that by the greatneſs of my Art, and the quickneſs of my ingenuity, made a Conqueſt of Plutoes Dominion. But this vain conceit of mine, did not continue long; for when I was in the prime of my practice, the Lord God from Heaven confounded my wiſdom, and deſtroyed all my Babylonian skill. Now my Reader, it may be here thou doſt expect the ſtory of my converſion from my diabolical practiſes, but I ſhall ſay very little of that at this time; for all that I ſhall declare of it at preſent, is only thus, viz. when I was in rhe prime of my diabolical ways, one day I being in my ſtudy, very earneſt in ſearching out the cauſe of future events: at this very time, when I thought my ſelf to be at peace, and in a happy condition, then came the Lord God in a terrible voice into my heart, and whereſoever I became for many days after, I continually heard this moſt doleful ſound in my mind, viz. After all ſuch things only wicked men ſeek. And as I heard this voice ſounding in my heart, ſo alſo I had my Conſcience accuſing me, that I was one of thoſe wicked men, becauſe I did ſpend my precious time in ſearching out the cauſe of thoſe things which no man can attain unto, but by diabolical Learning. Wherefore my Reader, it is not without cauſe, that I have taken upon me to declare the vileneſs of Aſtrological Predictions. For if I am raiſed up by the Lord God, to be an Inſtrument to gain-ſay and withſtand the Art of Aſtrology, then aſſuredly I ſhall be able, to ſtand before the faces of the Aſtrologers, to witneſs that which here I have delivered. Moreover, I ſay unto all perſons whatſoever, before whom this Book of mine ſhall come, how that I have not gone raſhly nor inconſiderately to work, in that I have taken in hand to declare againſt that wicked Art of Judicial Aſtrology: Alſo I ſay I would them to know, that I have ſet my ſelf down ſeriouſly to conſider, what it would coſt me at the higheſt price, which if the worſt come, I know what I have to do. And as for the ſcoffs and jeeres of all my Antagoniſts, or any other whatſoever, I ſay their ſcoffing and jeering is no more to me, then the dirt that doth hang on my ſhoes; which dirt at my pleaſure, I can ſhake off, when and where I pleaſe. Now if any man be unſatisfied in what I have here written, againſt the ſaid Art of Judicial Aſtrology, becauſe I do deny the ſaid Art to be lawful. Therefore I ſay unto all ſuch men, that if they can prove Astrology a lawful Art by ſounder and better Arguments grounded upon the Scripture and reaſon, then it is here, or can elſewhere by me be denyed, then am I willing to ſubmit, and ſo for the preſent farewell,

JOHN RAUNCE, Of the Burrough of Chipping Wickham, in the County of Buckingham.

The Prological Oration of the Authour, to all Practitioners of Astrology, and unto all other Perſons whatſoever, that are lovers of the ſame.

JOHN RAUNCE.

A DISCOƲRSE AGAINST Judicial Aſtrology.

CHAPTER I. Of Iudicial Aſtrology, what it is, the original of it, who was the Authour thereof, by what Names or Titles the Profeſſors of it are called, and their Profeſſion what it promiſeth.

FOr as much as I have taken in hand, to ſet forth to the view of my Countreymen, the nature of that Art which is known by the name of Iudicial Aſtrology, that now my Doctrine may be underſtood of all men;^[1] I think it convenient here to ſet forth in few words, what I mean by Iudicial Aſtrology, which is briefly thus defined, viz. by Iudicial Aſtrologie I underſtand Aſtrological Predictions, in which the Aſtrologer doth foretel the particular events of things belonging to man. For as much as it is my deſire, that my Antagoniſts may know and underſtand my mind plainly:^[2] therefore I declare that this aforeſaid Art of Iudicial Aſtrologie, is a ſecret diabolical Divination, as it is elſewhere by me divulged. Moreover, I do affirm the ſaid Art of Aſtrologie, to be full of Idolatry and ſuperſtition, and is contrary unto the Scripture, as I ſhall here manifeſt and prove to all rational men, whom I deſire wel to conſider this firſt,^[3] viz. That no Aſtrologer can or is able (according to the Rules of their ſaid Art) to predict or foretell the event or end of any particular thing belonging unto man, but by their ſuperſtitious and Idolatrous obſerving and regarding of time, that this regarding of time is (as I have ſaid) ſuperſtition and Idolatry, is evident from the words of the Scripture to be ſeen,^[4] in Deut. 18.10.11. verſes. You may there find many unlawful things rehearſed and condemned for abominable and wicked practiſes; amongſt which unlawful obſervations, there is alſo named this wicked Art of obſerving of time, in theſe words; Let none be found among you that is a regarder of times: ^[5] here is to be noted, how that all obſerving and regarding of time is here forbidden and condemned,^[6] which is not agreeable to the Scripture: now whereas Solomon ſaith, there is an appointed time, and a time to every purpoſe under Heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die, &c. Solomon doth not here ſay, that one time is better then another to be born in; nor that one time is worſe then another to die in; again he ſaith, there is a time to love, and a time to hate, a time of Warre, and a time of peace. Yet he doth not ſay, that Men and Women do either love or hate each other, according to the ſeveral diſpoſitions of the ſignificators of their Nativities. Neither doth Solomon ſay that Warres and Peace proceed of, or from the conjunction of the Planets: nor yet that one time is better to go to warre in then another, becauſe of the poſitious of the Starres. Now we may ſee how that Solomon ſaith, and ſo with him all other wiſe men, that there is an appointed time for every thing under the whole Heaven. The ſayings of this wiſe man Solomon, are agreeable to the mind and will of God revealed in the Scripture; for the Scripture doth evidently hold forth unto us, that there is a time for all things to be accompliſhed and finiſhed in; but in no one place of the Scripture is it ſaid, that one time is better then another, according to the Starres, or the poſitions of the Heavens, for to do the aforeſaid things: wherefore we may clearly behold our Aſtrologie what it is; for take from it that which the word of God doth forbid and condemn, and then it will be of no worth to the Aſtrologers, becauſe it will then appear to be a beggerly Art, that hath no reſting or abiding place, in any part of good learning. But to return to our matter again, I ſay, that Aſtrologie is an unlawful Art, ^[7] and ought not to be practiſed in a Chriſtian Commonwealth.

Firſt, becauſe the thing without which Aſtrologie, cannot be practiſed, is by, and in the Scripture plainly forbidden and condemned: now this thing is the regarding of times, which you may ſee, is poſitively condemned in the 18. Chapter of Deut. v. 10. Let none be found among you that is a regarder of times. Now that the name Aſtrologie is not here named I confeſs; but that the practiſe of Aſtrologie is here condemned, is evident from what I have, and ſhall ſet forth againſt the ſaid Art. In the next place I will declare to the World (ſo far as I know) who was the firſt inventer of Aſtrologie, that ſo they, who are ignorant of this ſecret Art, ^[8] may underſtand from whence it came, and who was the Authour of it, and thereby they may the better judge of its illegality, according to the judgments of many very learned men: the invention of Aſtrologie is attributed to the Devills; wherefore I have for the witneſſing of the ſaid poſition, the Authority of that learned man, G. Carleton, Biſhop of Chicheſter, whoſe words are theſe, viz. ^[9] The firſt Invention of Aſtrologie, is by many learntd men attributed to the Devills. With whom agree the ſayings of many ancient Writers, as Tertullian, Clemens Alexandrinus, and Lactantius, with others who ſhall be mentioned in their proper places: hereupon it is apparent from what theſe Authours have written in their own works, that Aſtrologie is by them condemned for a wicked Art, whoſe original is from the Devils, and therefore is not fit to be ſuffered in a Commonwealth, much leſs in and amongſt thoſe, who are Chriſtians and Profeſſors of the Goſpel; ^[10] for as Auguſtin ſaith, it is a great madneſs and folly to go about to tell by the Starrs, the manners, actions, and events of men; which ſaith he, true Chriſtian piety expelleth and condemneth. Alſo the ſame Authour affirmeth, that it is not lawful for any Chriſtian to caſt Nativities. Theſe things which are here alledged out of Auguſtin, (I think) are able to ſatisfie any rational man, that Aſtrologie is a wicked Art, becauſe as he himſelf confeſſeth in his book of Confeſſions,^[11] that he was of that ungodly ſociety of Aſtrologers, for his words are theſe, viz. Now alſo I had renounced the falſe Predictions of Aſtrologers, whom Chriſtian and true piety expelleth and condemneth: the Aſtrologers cannot ſay (except they will lie) that this great Doctor, and ancient Father St. Auguſtine writ againſt Aſtrologie, through the weakneſs of his learning; nor can they ſay that he condemned their Art, becauſe he did not know it; but we find that he ſpeaketh againſt the ſaid Art, becauſe he had experience of its unſoundneſs. In the nexr place, I ſuppoſe it is convenient to ſay a little of the Names and Titles of the profeſſors of this ſaid Art of Judicial Aſtrologie, they are called or known by there names,^[12] viz. Aſtrologers, Prognoſticators, Almanack-makers, Figure-flingers, Wiſe-men, Cunning-men, Wizards, Magicians, Starre-gazers; with many ſuch ſtrange names they are called, and in latine, Chaldae, Aſtrologi, Mathematici, Planetarij, Magi, Genethliaci, Babylonij, Divini, Fatidici, &c. this which is ſaid already of the Names of theſe Profeſſors of the aforeſaid Art, ſhall ſuffice for the preſent; but to proceed, now I am to ſhew what this abominable Profeſſion promiſeth to perform:^[13] wherefore you are to underſtand, that Aſtrologie promiſeth to foretel what ſhall be the iſſue, event or end, of any thing belonging to man, which things the Aſtrologers do ſay, are ſignified by the 12. houſes of Heaven: theſe are ſome of thoſe things which the 12. houſes are ſaid (by the Aſtrologers) to ſignifie, viz. That the firſt houſe ſignifieth the Life and Body of him that is born, or doth aske a queſtion: the ſecond his Riches, the third, ^[14] Brethren and Siſters; the fourth, his Parents; the fifth, Children; the ſixth, ſickneſs, the ſeaventh, Marriage; the eighth, Death; the ninth, Religion and God; the tenth, Rule and Dignities; the eleventh, Hope and truſt; the twelfth, private enemies: theſe, and ſuch like things as theſe are, the Aſtrologers do buſie themſelves about, to ſearch out their Events; for ſo much as theſe things aforeſaid, are by the Aſtrologers feigned to belong to the 12, houſes of Heaven, and that they can by the motions and influences of the Starres, know what ſhall be the event and end of theſe, or any ſuch things: therefore I ſay and affirm, that no man can by the Starres, know what ſhall be the iſſue or event of theſe, or any ſuch things: Alſo, that the Stars do not ſignifie any ſuch things as theſe are: Likewiſe I deny, that your twelve houſes can ſignifie any of theſe things, or any ſuch as theſe are. Moreover I denie, that any man is able by any lawful Learning, to attain to ſo much knowledge as to know thereby, what ſhall be the iſſue, event; or end of theſe aforeſaid things, or of any other belonging to Man. Yet notwithſtanding, what is here delivered, viz. (that no man is able by any lawful Art, to attain to ſo much knowledge therein, by good and lawful learning, as to know thereby what ſhall be the particular events of things belonging to Man:) yet I ſay, I would not have any man think, that it is my judgement, that the Aſtrologer doth not ſometimes by his Art, predict or foretel the events of ſome things belonging to man. But this is that which I ſay, viz. That no man can by any lawful Art, come to any ſuch knowledg of future events; but as for Aſtrologers, and ſuch vain men as they are; I confeſs, that they may by their knowledge and skill in filthy and unclean Arts, (ſuch as is Judicial Aſtrologie, with Magick, and the like abominable Arts) come to knowe ſomewhat of future events,^[15] through the inſtigation of the Devil, by the permiſſion of God; for did not the Witch at Endor, with the help of the Devil, predict or foretel to King Saul, what ſhould be his end? which prediction proved true. Now who can prove the going of Saul to aske Councel of the Witch, or the practice of the Witch, in foretelling by the Devil the ruine of Saul; ^[16] I ſay where is he that can prove it lawful, becauſe the event anſwered to the Prediction? And yet our Aſtrologers have no better Arguments to prove the legality of their Art, of Aſtrologie; but only becauſe the event falleth out, to be according to the Prediction; for when any one queſtioneth with them about the legality of their Art of Aſtrologie,) then ſhall you have them, to prove the lawfulneſs of their Art. Rehearſe certain Hiſtorical Predictions which proved true by the events of the things foretold, and ſo to ſay with Sir Chriſtopher Heydon, ^[17] who ſaith, that he for his own part doth freely confeſs, that there is no one thing that hath made him ſo confident in the validity of this art, as that which he hath ſeen to fall out true. Now here you may behold that this great Champion of our Engliſh Aſtrologers after that he had made a long and tedious diſcourſe for the defence of Aſtrologie, at length thinking with himſelf that all his former Arguments were too feeble to prove what he had undertaken, doth here in this place, lay down as his ſtrongeſt Argument, (which as himſelf ſaith) made him ſo confident of the validity of Aſtrologie, ^[18] and it is this, viz. The event falling out, according to the Prediction. Now where is he, that by this Argument, is able to prove Aſtrologie a lawful Art? Almoſt ſuch another Argument, but to the very ſame purpoſe is to be ſeen in the works of Mr. Wil: Lilly, who writing of the markes, moles or ſcarres, that the Querent hath, ſaith that the verity thereof, hath been one main argument of his engaging in all the parts of Aſtrologie ſo far. But if Mr. Lilly hath no better Arguments to prove the verity of Aſtrologie by, aſſuredly he will not be able to prove the legality of the Art, which he as yet profeſſeth.

CHAP. II. That Judicial Aſtrologie is a vain and fooliſh Art, being full of Idolatrous and ſuperſtitious Fables contrary to the Scripture, and the practice thereof is a Diabolical Divination.

THe vanity and fooliſhneſs of Aſtrologie, ^[19] may many wayes be proved. But to begin, I will bring the ſentences of that wiſe man King Solomon, who ſaith, that for to every purpoſe there is a time and judgement, becauſe the miſery of man is great upon him; for he knoweth not that which ſhall be: for who can tell him when it ſhall be? Now from this ſaying of Solomon, it is very apparent, that none can know the future events of things belonging to man; for he poſitively affirmeth, that no man knoweth that which ſhall be, or who can tell when it ſhall be? ^[20] here you may ſee Aſtrologers to be unwiſe, and their Art of Aſtrologie to be a vain and fooliſh Art; for that which the wiſeſt of men ſaith cannot be known, that do they take upon them for to foretel: Moreover, the vanity and fooliſhneſs of Aſtrologie doth herein appear.

Firſt, becauſe it hath no one place of the word of God to warrant its legality.

Secondly, becauſe the Scripture is not only ſilent in the Commendations thereof; but becauſe it is full of plain ſentences which declare openly the fooliſhneſs and vanity of the ſaid Art, in that the Scripture doth deride at the Practitioners thereof, and condemneth the practice of it as unlawful, as it is to be ſeen in Iſaiah 47. ch. & the 13. & 14 verſes.^[21] Let now the Aſtrologers, the Star-gazers, the monethly Prognoſticators ſtand up, and ſave thee from theſe things which ſhall come upon thee. Behold, they ſhall be as ſtubble, the fire ſhall burn them, they ſhall not deliver themſelves from the power of the flame, &c. Again, the practice, and the Practitioners thereof are condemned, Jer. 10. chap. 2. verſe. Thus ſaith the Lord, learn not the way of the Heathen, and be not diſmayed at the ſignes of Heaven, for the Heathen are diſmayed at them, &c.

^[22]Thirdly, Aſtrologie is a vain and fooliſh Art, becauſe that the regarding of time, without which, Aſtrologie cannot be practiſed, is by and in the Scripture condemned for an abomination, as it doth appear in the 18. of Deut. and the 14. verſe, which ſaith thus. For theſe Nations which thou ſhalt poſſeſs, hearkened unto obſervers of times, and unto Diviners; but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not ſuffered thee ſo to do. And as you may ſee in the 12. verſe, aforegoing in the ſame Chap. theſe words, viz. For all that do theſe things are an abomination unto the Lord: and becauſe of theſe abominations, the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Wherefore my beloved Countreymen, abandon theſe your Aſtrological follies, which if you do not do, I proclaim from the Lord God, that deſtruction ſhall come upon you, which you ſhall not foreſee by all your art of Aſtrologie, and when it is upon you, then ſhall you behold your ſelves in miſery, but you ſhall not be able to help your ſelves by all your Babyloniſh skill; conſider what I ſay. But from this I haſten to the next thing, which is this, viz. That Aſtrologie is full of Idolatrous and ſuperſtitious fables, contrary to the Scripture: ^[23] now to the end that this poſition may be made manifeſt: therefore in the firſt place I will begin with your Houſes of Heaven, and I ſay that thoſe ſignifications, which you give of them, are ſuperſtitious Fables; but to the end my Reader may underſtand what thoſe ſignifications are: therefore I do inſert them into this figure following, according as they are appropriated to the twelve Houſes by the Aſtrologians.

There are many other ſignifications belonging to theſe 12. Houſes, which are ſo many in number, that it would be over tedious for me to name them every one; for they are ſo manifold, according to the judgement of Mr. Lilley in his introduction page 50. where he ſaith, that there is nothing appertaining to the life of man in this World, which in one way or other hath not relation to one of the twelve Houſes of Heaven, and as the 12. ſignes are appropriate to the particular Members of Mans Body;^[24] ſo alſo do the 12. Houſes repreſent not only the ſeveral parts of man, but his actions, quality of life and living, and the curioſity and judgement of our fore-fathers in Aſtrologie, was ſuch, as they have alotted to every houſe a particular ſignification, and ſo diſtinguiſhed humane accidents throughout the whole 12. Houſes, as he that underſtands the queſtions appertaining to each Houſe, ſhall not want ſufficient grounds whereon to judge or give a rational anſwer upon any contingent accident,^[25] and ſucceſs thereof, thus far Mr. Lilly with his Forefathers the Aſtrologers: And now here again I ſay, that whatſoever Mr. Lilly hath ſaid, or any of his Fore-fathers affirmed of the aforeſaid poſitions, is by me denied from theſe conſiderations.

Firſt, I ſay, for as much as there is not a corporal Heaven, repreſenting the form and nature of a humane body; therefore I do denie, that the ſeveral parts, life and actions of a humane body, can be appropiated thereunto; for becauſe that thing which doth repreſent another thing in body, muſt have the very ſelf-ſame form of the thing repreſented. So that if the ſeveral parts of Mans Body be appropriated to the 12. houſes and ſignes then muſt the houſes and ſignes repreſent the body of Man in form and ſhape; but how manifeſtly erroneous this aſſertion is to all reaſon, is proved thus.

Firſt I ſay, that the houſes cannot repreſent the body of Man, becauſe that they are only imaginary circumſtances in the circumference of the 9. Heaven. Wherefore or as much as that the houſes and ſignes have but onely an imaginary being in form and ſhape: therefore they cannot be appropriated to the particular Members of Mans Body, becauſe the Body of Man hath a viſible and real Being in form and ſhape. which the 12. houſes and ſignes have not, becauſe they are only imaginary things as I ſaid before. Now ſeeing I have from ſufficient grounds, denied that the 12. houſes and ſignes can be appropriated unto the particular parts of Mans Body: In the next place I am to write of the life and actions of man, for this is the poſition of the Aſtrologers, viz. ^[26] The 12. Houſes repreſent not only the ſeveral parts of Mans Body; but his actions, quality of his life and living: this Poſition is already afore by me denied, and I have given reaſons for my ſo doing. But to the end, my Reader may be the better able to judge between me and my Antagoniſts: Therefore I ſay, that the quality of the life and actions of Man, cannot be known by the Houſes, nor from the Stars or ſignes of Heaven: which thing although I have ſpread abroad ſufficient Arguments for the proof of what I have delivered, yet nevertheleſs, this I ſay again, that for as much as the 12. Signes, as alſo the 12. Houſes of the Aſtrologers, are only imaginary things, ſeigned by the Aſtrologians: therefore I deny, that the quality of the life and actions of Man, can be known by the Houſes, or from the 12. Signes of Heaven; becauſe that no conceived Idaea, which is as it were a ſubſtance, but is not a real ſubſtance in being, can repreſent the humane nature of Man, which is a rea ſubſtance, and hath a viſible being: wherefore ſeeing, the Houſes and Signes cannot truly and really repreſent the Body of Man, in ſubſtance, form, and being: Therefore I ſay, that the quality of the life and actions of man cannot be known by the Houſes, nor yet from the Signes of Heaven; for that thing, which doth not truly and really in nature, repreſent the very ſubſtance, form, and natural Being of the thing repreſented, cannot in any wiſe ſignifie the quality of the being; nor yet the nature of the actings of the thing repreſented: from which Argument I infer this concluſion following which is this: That for as much as the 12. Houſes and Signes do not truly and really repreſent the very ſubſtance, form, and natural being of Man: therefore I ſay, that the quality of the life and actions of Man, cannot be known by,^[27] nor from the Houſes and Signes of Heaven aforeſaid.

Now then in this place, to inſert ſomething out of the works of that godly Man, Mr. Perkins, I judge it very neceſſary for theſe two Reaſons. Firſt, becauſe he was a very godly man, and therefore all men ought the more readily to believe that which he wrote to be truth. Secondly, becauſe he was a Student in the ſaid Art of Judicial Aſtrologie; and therefore he was the better able to judge of the legality or illegality of the Art of Aſtrologie. Now what he faith of Aſtrologie, you may ſee in his diſcourſe of Witch-craft, page 620. where his words are to this purpoſe, viz. That divination by the Starres, is commonly called Judicial Aſtrologie, of which we may read, Deut. 18.10.11. where the Holy Ghoſt doth of purpoſe reckon up all thoſe kind of develiſh Arts,^[28] whereby men have dealings and ſociety with Satan, either in divining or practiſing: amongſt which this is the ſecond.

The word there uſed may carry a double ſence, for it ſignifieth either him that obſerveth times: under which acception Aſtrologie is comprehended, or him that obſerveth the Cloudes;^[29] and howſoever, the beſt learned Interpreters do diſſent about the Notation of it, yet all agree in this, that the profeſſion of divining by the Starres, is condemned: and that it is to be numbred among the reſt expreſſed in the prohibition, may further appear by other places of Scripture, as in Iſaiah 47.13.14. where the Lord threatneth the ſame judgements againſt the Diviners by the Starres, ^[30] that he doth againſt Sooth-ſayers, and Magicians. Again in Dan. 2.2. Inchanters, Aſtrologers, and Sorcerers, are joyned together, as being all ſent for about the ſame buſineſs, viz. To expound the Kings Dream.

Now if the Lord himſelf have alotted the ſame puniſhment to the Aſtrologer, which he hath to the Sooth-ſayer and Magician, and account them all one; it is manifeſt, that divining by the Starrs, ought to be held as a ſuperſtitious kind of Divination.

Thus Mr. Perkins hath declared againſt the Art of Aſtrologie, whereby it doth appear from that which hath been delivered, that Aſtrologie is contrary unto the Scripture, and is alſo full of idolatrous and ſuperſtitious Fables; for it doth manifeſtly appear to be fabulous, and to abound with ſuperſtition and Idolatry, in your Planetary days and hours; for thus ſay you Aſtrologers, viz. ^[31] That Saturday is not a good day for work, becauſe of the Planet Saturn; for ſaith Ganivetus, if any one cometh to aske councel in the hour of an evil Planet, viz. Saturn or Mars, it is a ſuſpition rather to evil then to good.

Again ſaith another,^[32] the hours of Saturn and Mars ought to be abhorr'd in all things; for ſaith he, you were beſt to take heed that you take no great matter in hand, or begin any long journey in the hours of the aforeſaid Plan[•••] &c. But of this more hereafter in this diſcourſe. Yet nevertheleſs it is manifeſt, from what hath been declared, that the Art of Aſtrologie is a Diabolical Divination. ^[33] For ſaith the Prophet David, the Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will he uphold from them that walk uprightly.

From hence I gather that much, viz. That the knowledge of all good things is, and hath been by the Lord manifeſted unto his People, ſo that if the fore-knowledge of things by Aſtrologie be a good thing, it hath been by the Lord revealed unto his People; but the Scripture doth in no place juſtifie thoſe that ſeek after the fore-knowledge of things by the Starres: therefore I ſay, that the ſeeking to know future events by the Stars, which is Aſtrologie, is not a good thing; becauſe that whatſoever is a good thing,^[34] the Scripture doth not condemn it, in deriding at the profeſſors thereof.

But the Scripture doth condemn Aſtrologie in deriding at the Profeſſors thereof: therefore Aſtrologie is not a good thing. Again, whatſoever is an evil thing, the word of God doth condemn it with thoſe that practice it; but the word of God doth condemn the Practitioners of Aſtrologie: therefore it doth condemn Aſtrologie.

Now then, for as much as Aſtrologers do take upon them for to divine by their Art of Aſtrologie, of the particular events of things belonging to Man: therefore I ſay, that the aforeſaid Art of Judicial Aſtrologie, is a Diabolical Divination, becauſe it is condemned by the Scripture, with the Profeſſors thereof for a wicked Art; for ſaith the Prophet to the Law, and to the Teſtimony, ^[35] if they ſpeak not according to this word, it is becauſe there is no light in them.

From the very word of God, you may here then very evidently behold, that Aſtrologers are workers in darkneſs, and their Art of Aſtrologie is a work of darkneſs:^[36] wherefore conſider the words of the Apoſtle, who ſaith thus: Have no fellowſhip with the unfruitful works of darkneſs, but even reprove them rather.

CHAP. III. In which is ſet forth, that one of the firſt and chiefeſt points in Aſtrologie; and without the ſaid point, Aſtrologers can do nothing, is the regarding of times, the which regarding of times, is ſuperſtition and Idolatry.

^[37]NOw in this place I will manifeſtly declare that which is one of the firſt and chiefeſt points in Aſtrologie, and the point is this, viz. The regarding or obſerving of times.

Now I ſay, that without this point of regarding of times, the Aſtrologers can do nothing in their Art of Aſtrologie; for take from the Art of Aſtrologie but this one thing, viz. The regarding or obſerving of times; and then it will be ſo poor an Art, that the Practitioners thereof, will be aſhamed to own it; for then it will do them no more ſervice, neither ſhall the Aſtrologers get any more pence by their Art, for telling of Fortunes, or reſolving of horary Queſtions, nor for their making of Elections; for take away Regarding of times, and then no Aſtrologer can calculate your Nativity; for according to the Rules of Aſtrologie, the very exact time muſt be known, in which the Man or Woman is born, before judgement be given by the Aſtrologer: ſo in like manner, it is in queſtions, elections,^[38] and all other parts of Aſtrologie, that this is according to the rules of Aſtrologie, it is very manifeſt from their own words; for that Aſtrologer Mr. Booker, ſaith plainly thus, viz.

Aske what you will, would you reſolved be,

Obſerve your time, learn your Nativitie.

But to come more cloſe unto the matter, I find that the Aſtrologers do regard and obſerve times, to be either good or evil, to do ſuch, or ſuch a thing in, becauſe of the Stars and their poſitions, &c. for they have planetary days and hours, according unto which Planets, that then rule and govern:^[39] The Aſtrologers do account the time to be either good or evil; for ſaith one, the hour of Mars is to be abhorred in all things, both in the beginning, and when the thing is done.

And a little after he ſaith thus, viz. And as I have ſaid of Mars, ſo I ſay of Saturn, for there is never a good of them both, meaning their hours.

Now this regarding of times, is Superſtition and Idolatry, for theſe Reaſons.

Firſt,^[40] becauſe God hath not made any thing to be both good and evil; for ſaith Moſes, God ſaw every thing that he had made; and behold, it was very good. So that here you may ſee, after God had created all things, behold, he ſeeth all things to be very good: then from hence I gather thus much, that is, that the making the Starres, and ſo times according to the Stars, and their poſitions to be evil, for ſuch or ſuch a purpoſe; I ſay that this making of times evil or unfortunate according to Stars, and their ſeveral poſitions, is not of, from, nor by the appointment of God,

The Reaſon is, becauſe the word of God ſaith the contrary; for ſaith the Scripture, God ſaw all that he had made, and behold it was very good. So then from this you may ſee according to the Scripture, the hours of Saturn and Mars, to be as good for to do any thing in them, as in the hours of Jupiter or Venus. Alſo the Moon may be in any of her Manſions, and yet you may not fear to do any lawful thing, although the Aſtrologer ſhall tell you, that you have taken an infortunate election, to do your operation, by reaſon of the poſition of the Heavens. As alſo becauſe of the Moon, who is in one of her Manſions: which poſition of the Moon in the ſaid Manſion, doth ſignifie the deſtruction of the thing you have begun, or that it ſhall be marred by this or that means, before you can perform the work, &c. I ſay, that none that fear the true God, ought to regard theſe or any ſuch like heatheniſh ſuperſtitions of the Aſtrologers, becauſe that theſe things aforeſaid are not of Gods own inſtitution; but are of mans invention, that theſe things are not of Gods inſtitution: it doth evidently appear from and by the Scripture; for whatſoever is of Gods inſtitution, the Scripture doth bear witneſs of the ſame: but the Scripture doth bear witneſs that God made all things good,^[41] therefore all things are good, by and from Gods inſtitution.

Again, whatſoever is by, and in the Scripture condemned, the ſame is not of Gods inſtitution; but the regarding and obſerving of times,^[42] is by and in the Scripture condemned: therefore the regarding and obſerving of times, is not of Gods inſtitution.

The Arguments above written, do wholly depend upon the Scripture, as you may ſee; for the firſt Argument whoſe ſcope is to prove, that all things are good, by and from Gods inſtitution, is evidently ſeen to agree with the Scripture, and is therefore confirmed by the Scripture, as you may ſee Gen. 1.31. in theſe words, And God ſaw every thing that he had made, and behold it was very good. Now the Scripture ſaith plainly, that God made every thing good; ſo then we may now manifeſtly know, that God made all the Stars of Heaven good alſo according to his word, he made all years, moneths, weeks, days, and hours to be good, then that fantaſtical opinion of making a difference of days and hours, to begin a work in or upon, is in very truth, an Idolatrous and ſuperſtitious Dotage and fiction of the brains of the Aſtrologers.

Alſo the other Argument, in which is declared, viz. That the regarding and obſerving of times, is not of Gods inſtitution, is proved thus, becauſe it is condemned by and in the Scripture; for you find that Manaſſeh, that great Idolater, is in the Scripture reproved for his obſerving of times, among other his Idolatrous practiſes; for ſaith the Scripture thus of him, viz. ^[43] And he made his Sonne paſs through the fire, and obſerved times, and uſed Inchantments, and dealt with familiar ſpirits, and Wizards, &c. 2 Kings 21.6. Again in Deut. 18.10. it is ſaid, viz. Let none be found among you, that uſeth Divination, or is an obſerver of times, or an Inchanter, or a Witch, &c. Alſo in Levit. 19.26. it is ſaid, Ye ſhall not uſe Inchantment, nor obſerve times. From theſe places of Scripture, it is plainly to be ſeen, That the regarding or obſerving of times is forbidden to be uſed, and the uſe of it is condemnen for Idolatry.

Now then from hence it is apparent, that Aſtrologers are very Idolaters, becauſe that they regard times, the which regarding of times is in the Scripture condemned: In the very like manner it is very apparent to all rational men, that Judicial Aſtrologie is a ſecret Diabolical Divination. I ſay ſecret, becauſe it is ſo cloſe, and a ſubtil deluſion of the Devil, whereby Satan doth delude almoſt all men at his pleaſure, and maketh men which believe in this vain deluſion, viz. Aſtrologie, to think that the Stars of Heaven are the cauſes of thoſe ſtrange alterations here upon earth, in the Bodies of Men and Woemen, according as the Aſtrologers ſay the 12. Houſes of the Heaven do ſignifie. Now what thoſe ſignifications are, is elſewhere by me ſet forth in a Figure,^[44] and there you may find many of thoſe things belonging to man, which the Aſtrologers do appropriate unto the 12. Houſes; and withall the Aſtrologers do ſay, that theſe 12. Houſes do give ſignification of the particular events of the ſaid things, and alſo of many others which are not there by me mentioned. But once again I give all men to know, how that I do here again deny, that any Man can know the iſſue, event, or end of any of the things a fore by me, ſet down in the ſecond Chapter of this Diſcourſe, in the Figure of the Aſtrologers 12. Houſes. I ſay that no man can by any lawful learning, attain to ſo much knowledge therein, as thereby to know the events of the aforeſaid things; but that ſome-what may be known of the particular events of thoſe things, by unlawful and filthy Arts, I do not deny;^[45] for we find, that the Witch at Endor did predict and foretel to King Saul, that which afterwards fell out to be as the Witch had ſaid. What cauſe now then have our Aſtrologert to brag ſo much of their Predictions, becauſe the event is as they foretold, I ſay they have no juſt cauſe to rejoyce ſo much as they do, ſeeing a wicked Witch is able to do as much. Again, their art is ſuch, that they are not able to prove lawful according to the Scripture; and therefore it doth appear to be nothing better, then an art of learned Witch-craft: ^[46] according to which poſition, is the ſaying of the late King James, whoſe judgement is this, viz. as there are two ſorts of folks that may be inticed to this a[••], to wit, Learned or un-learned: ſo are there two meanes, which are the firſt ſtirrers up, and feeders of their curioſity, thereby to make them to give themſelves over to the ſame: which two means I call the Devils School, and the Devils Rudiments.

The Learned have their curioſity wakened up, and fed by that which I call his School.

^[47]This is the art of Judicial Aſtrologie; for divers men having attained to a great perfection in learning, and yet remain without the ſpirit of Regeneration, and the fruits thereof, finding all natural things common, as well to the Countrey Clown as unto them; hereupon they aſſay to purchaſe unto themſelves a greater name, by not only knowing the courſe of the Heavens, Stars, and Planets; but likewiſe to climb to the knowledge of things to come thereby, which at the firſt face appearing lawful unto them, in reſpect the ground thereof ſeemeth to proceed of natural cauſes only: they are ſo allured thereby, that finding their practiſe to prove true in ſundry things, they ſtudy to the cauſe thereof.

And ſo mounting from degree, to degree, upon the ſlipperie and uncertain ſcale of curioſitie; they are at laſt intiſed, that where lawfull Arts and Sciences fails, to ſatisfie their reſtleſs minds, even to ſtick to that black and unlawfull Science of Magick. Where finding at the firſt, that ſuch divers forms of Circles, and Conjurations, rightly joyned thereunto, will raiſe ſuch divers forms of ſpirits, to reſolve them their doubts: and attributing the doing, to the power inſeparably tyed, or inherent in the Circles, and many words of GOD, confuſedly wrapped, they blindly glory in themſelves, as if they had by their quickneſs of ingeny, made a Conqueſt of Plutoes Dominion, and were become Emperors of the kingdome of Hell: where, in the mean time, (miſerable wretches) they are become in very deed, bond-ſlaves to their mortall enemy, viz: the devil, and their knowledge for all that, they preſume thereof, is nothing increaſed, except in knowing evil, and the horrors of hell for the puniſhment thereof, as Adam was, for eating of the forbidden Tree. I will here end with that ſaying of Saint Auguſtine, who ſaith,^[48] that the running to theſe Wiſemen is, Genus quoddam fornicationis, A ſpirituall kinde of fornication. For all ſuch as run after this Art, or ſeek to thoſe which practiſe the ſame, I ſay they go from God; and run after the Devil a whoring.

CHAP. IIII. The Poſitions and Arguments, which the Aſtrologers uſe, and bring for to warrant the legality of their Art of Aſtrologie, examined, condemned, and overthrown; Alſo their Objections opened, controverted, and Anſwered according to Reaſon.

HEre I am to Diſpute, of the Poſitions and Arguments which the Aſtrologers make uſe of, to warrant their Art of Aſtrologie by: but if the ſaid Poſitions and Arguments are warily conſidered, it will appear, that they have nothing in them, to prove the lawfulneſſe of Aſtrologicall Predictions. Of which Poſitions this is the greateſt and ſtrongeſt, and the ſaid Poſition is this,^[49] viz: That the Stars are naturall cauſes of ſuch effects, as Aſtrologers foretell. From this Poſition the Aſtrologers frame many Arguments, to prove Aſtrologie a lawfull Art: for upon this very one Poſition, doth reſt and depend that great Diſcourſe of Sir Chriſtopher Heydon, which he made in the Defence of Aſtrologie. So that if I can but remove this Prop, you ſhall ſee Sir Chriſtopher's Defence of Aſtrologie drop down to the ground, and ſo with it, all our Engliſh Aſtrologers, and their Art of Judiciall Aſtrologie: for our Aſtrologers, if a man queſtioneth the lawfulneſſe of Aſtrologie with them, they are then at ſtand what to ſay; and have not any other way to reſolve him that maketh a doubt of the ſaid Arts legality: But to ſend him to Sir Chriſtopher Heydons Defence of Aſtrologie; and thus theſe idle Drones, which are not able to prove the legalitie of that Art which they daily practiſe: are glad with all their hearts to run, and hide themſelves under Sir Chriſtopher's protection, as in a Mouſe-hole; for fear they ſhould be catched in their own Arguments for it. Come out of your ſelves, you idle Drones, and prove your Art of Aſtrologie a good, true, and lawfull Art, if you can. For if you are not able to prove the legalitie of Aſtrologie by ſound and ſubſtantiall Arguments, then for ſhame give off your practiſing of ſuch an Art, which you cannot prove lawfull and honeſt: and think not with your ſelves, that ſeeing we are not able to prove Aſtrologie a lawfull and honeſt Art yet we have on our ſide Sir Chriſtopher Heydon, and Doctor Gell; and they ſhall prove it for us. I give you to underſtand, I will not be ſo ſatisfied; for I ſay unto you Aſtrologers, that if Sir Chriſtopher Heydon, and Dr: Gell, and all the Friends Aſtrologie hath, I ſay, if I were before their faces all at once, yet then, even then I would denie, Aſtrologie to be a lawfull Art. But now to return again, to the aforeſaid Poſition of the Aſtrologers, which is this, viz: That the Stars are naturall cauſes of ſuch effects, as Aſtrologers foretell. Firſt I will examine this Poſition, and then ſhall we ſee, whether thoſe events which the Aſtrologers foretell, are cauſed by the Stars, or not. Wherfore in the firſt place we are to know, what thoſe Effects are which the Aſtrologers ſay are cauſed by the Stars. Now the effects, which the Aſtrologers do affirm are cauſed by the Stars, are theſe, viz: The particular events of thoſe things, belonging to man, which things are by the Aſtrologers appropriate to the twelve houſes of Heaven. As for the things whoſe effects,^[50] the Aſtrologers ſay are cauſed by the Stars, I have mentioned many of them in the ſecond Chapter of this Diſcourſe, and therefore I refer you thither; for there you have them inſerted into a Figure, according as they are by the Aſtrologers, appropriate to the twelve Houſes. Now in this place I am to treat, of the Effects of the aforeſaid things; that is to ſay, whether,^[51] or not, the effects of thoſe things are cauſed by the Stars. To this I anſwer Negatively, and ſay, that the Stars are not the cauſes, of the Effects of thoſe things belonging to man; as for example, I will inſtance in theſe particulars following, viz: Gauricus warned Henry the ſecond King of France,^[52] not to run at Tilt in the one and fourtieth yeer of his age, for that the Stars did then threaten a wound in his Head. Paulus tertius, warned his Son long before, of the very day of his death. Mr. Christian an Aſtrologer of Prague,^[53] admoniſhed Ladiſlaus Jagello King of Poland (by a Prieſt,) that he ſhould beware of eminent Death, becauſe that many Planets were conjoyned this yeer, and there happeneth an Eclipſe likewiſe of the Moon under the earth; notwithſtanding the premonition he dyed that yeer, 1434. Anno aetatis 49. Alſo Picus, being fore-told by three Aſtrologers, that he ſhould not live above thirty three yeers, confirmed the prediction. Now that theſe aforeſaid events, were fore-told by the ſaid men, (viz: Aſtrologers) I confeſs; But that thoſe men could fore ſee thoſe events by the Stars, or that the Stars were Naturall cauſes of thoſe events, both theſe things I do deny, for theſe Reaſons. Firſt then I ſay, that the Stars were not naturall cauſes of thoſe afore-ſaid Events; Becauſe there is a dependence and coherence between the cauſe and the Effect, in Naturall things; but in theſe things there is none. For every Effect and Accident, doth ſhew it's Cauſe. So that Naturall and Elementary effects and accidents, ſhew forth Naturall and Elementary Cauſes. Alſo Metaphyſicall or ſupernaturall Effects and Accidents, ſhew forth Metaphyſicall or ſupernaturall cauſes. Herein the Aſtrologers are beſide the matter, and are deceived in their principles; for they take Metaphyſicall or ſupernaturall effects and accidents, to be effected by Naturall and Elementary cauſes. Now why the Aſtrologers are here deceived is this; viz: becauſe they do behold and ſee, many Alterations, changes, events and accidents, effected in mans body; Hereupon they do beleeve that the ſaid Alterations, changes, events and accidents, are effected by and from Naturall and Elementary cauſes: becauſe the body of man, upon whom the ſaid things are effected, is a naturall and elementary ſubſtance. Wherefore I ſay, that there are many things, which the Aſtrologers affirm to be effected by and from Naturall cauſes; the which Poſition I do deny, and ſay, that thoſe things are not effected by nor from Naturall and Elementary cauſes: But I ſay that thoſe things are Metaphyſicall, and ſupernaturall Effects, and Accidents; and are effected and accompliſhed, in Naturall and Elementary bodies, by a Metaphyſicall and ſupernaturall Cauſe: as I will hereafter in theſe following examples declare. For whereas the Aſtrologers do impute the Flood,^[54] which was in the dayes of Noah, to a certain great Conjunction of the Planets: ſo in like manner they ſay of the Birth of Moſes. Alſo the coming of Chriſt, and the preaching of the Goſpel, the promulgation and publication of the Law, the ſedition of the people, their troubles, perſecutions, baniſhments, bloodſhed, deaths, wars, theſe, and many other ſuch like things as theſe are, the Aſtrologers ſay are fore-ſhewed by the Stars. Now all theſe things are ſupernaturall effects, that is to ſay, they are ſuch things whoſe cauſe is not Naturall, but above Nature. So then, for as much as the cauſe of theſe things, is a Metaphyſicall Agent, therefore I denie, that the Effects of the aforeſaid things can be cauſed by a Phyſicall conſtellation.

But now I am come to the ſecond thing which is this, viz: That no man can by the Stars foreſee ſuch Effects as is aforeſaid. Now that no man can by the Stars foreſee ſuch events, it is very manifeſt, for if all the Star-gazers in the world, if they were agazing all together at once on the Stars, they are not able to foreſee thoſe events in the Stars, which events they do not cauſe. That the Stars are not the cauſes of thoſe events, it is the ſaying of ſome of your own Authors; For, ſaith Spineus, that as well the great Conjunctions,^[55] as Mo[•]kſtars, Comets, Eclipſes, and the like, ought not to be called the cauſes of future events, here then you may ſee, that there is ſo great contradiction, between the ſayings of the Aſtrologers and their practiſes; that all Rationall men may behold, the Art of Aſtrologie to be a fooliſh lying Art: and that the Aſtrologers do profeſs ſuch an Art, whoſe Rules they are ignorant of. For ſometimes you ſhall have them ſay with Spineus, that the Stars are not the cauſes of Future events, but do they alwayes ſay thus? No, for if we look upon their Aſtrologicall Predictions, then ſhall we hear them ſay the very contrary. For whereas they ſaid at one time, that the great Conjunctions of the Planets, &c. are not the cauſes of future events. At another time you ſhall have them ſay, that the very ſame Conjunctions do produce great Effects. As for example, I will inſtance in the ſaid Spineus who is cited afore,^[56] whoſe words are thus in one place of his book, viz. That as well the great Conjunctions, as Mock-ſtars, Comets, Eclipſes, and the like, ought not to be called the cauſes of Future Events. But this very man, Spineus writing of a Future Cataſtrophe to come upon the world, in the ſame book ſaith thus, ſpeaking of the ſaid Cataſtrophe, ſubverſion, or end of the world, viz: that the principall cauſes are the great, mean, and leſſer Conjunctions of the ſuperiour Planets, the other principall cauſes are Mock-ſtars; changing of the Abſis of the Planets, Eclipſes, and the like: ſo likewiſe the Genitures of Kings, Geniturae validae regna mutant: ^[57] Strong Genitures do change Kingdoms. Cauſes Adjutant, are Revolutions, the progreſſions of the greater Orb, of great Conjunctions; before Noah's Flood, the Birth of Chriſt, Mahomet, and the like; which things being rightly conſidered, may not only enable us to foretell the end of the world, but perhaps the time alſo: and a little after the ſame Author ſaith again, viz: ^[58] That ſeeing therfore the great Conjunctions of the weightier Planets, are wont to produce great effects, as the changes of Monarchies and Kingdoms, the coming of Prophets, &c. by them alſo ſhall the dead be changed, and all things ſhall be renewed; and again he ſaith, viz: for like as the Cauſes are, ſo ſhall the effects be; for good Conjunctions are wont to beſtow goodneſs, and good Magiſtrates; but evill Conjunctions produce the contrary. Thus Spineus who is ſo much applauded by many Aſtrologers, doth one while ſay one thing, and another while he ſaith the very contrary to what he ſaid afore, as it is to be ſeen from his own books: for one while he ſaith that the principall cauſes of that Cataſtrophe, are the great, mean, and leſſer Conjunctions of the ſuperiour Planets, &c. and not long after he ſaith, viz: that as well the great conjunctions of the Planets, as Mock-ſtars, Comets, Eclipſes, &c. ought not to be called the cauſes of future events, what ſhall I ſay, of ſuch an Art as is Aſtrologie? and of ſuch Artiſts, as are Aſtrologers? As for the Art of Astrologie, it is as I have elſewhere ſaid, viz: a fooliſh and lying Art. But as for the Artiſts of this Art of Aſtrologie, they are Aſtrologers: of them I ſay thus much, that for as much as ſome of them would needs be taken for to be Prophets: I deny that theſe Aſtrologers are any of Gods Prophets; But that they are the Devils Prophets I grant: for if in their Aſtrologicall predictions, of the particular events of things belonging to Man; they at any time do predict or foretell ſuch an event, which at the time limited by the Aſtrologer, doth come to paſs accordingly: yet I ſay, that the ſaid particular event could not before ſeen by the Aſtrologer in it's cauſe, without the help of a Spirit. That this Poſition is according to your Art,^[59] I prove by your own Authors, for your great Maſter in Aſtrologie, Ptolomie ſaith, Soli autem numine afflati praedicunt particularia: that is, none but thoſe inſpired with a Daemon foretell particulars:^[60] here alſo I will bring another great Artiſt, who ſpeaking of Aſtrologicall Predictions, ſaith thus of them, viz: That ſuch predictions ſtand not by Learning, but by ſome inſtinct. Wherefore it is apparent from what theſe two great Aſtrologers have ſaid, that he who doth foretell, the particular events of things in Aſtrologicall predictions, doth not foretell thoſe events, from the Poſitians and Qualities of the Stars: But by being inſpired with a Daemon, or by having familiarity with ſome Spirit.

Again here I bring another great Aſtrologicall Author, Cor: Agrippa, who ſaith,^[61] that Magick and Aſtrologie cannot be ſeparated: for, ſaith Agrippa, there is ſuch affinity and agreement, between theſe two Arts, viz: Aſtrologie and Magick; That as Magick cannot be performed without Aſtrologie; ſo Aſtrologie cannot have it's end and perfection without Magick. So then the differences is not much, whether we call theſe predictions Magicall, or Aſtrologicall predictions. Now here it is objected, viz: ^[62] that the Aſtrologer may ſtay himſelf in his Figure, and proceed no further. To this I anſwer: That for as much as the Knowledge of a particular event, cannot be known without the help of a Spirit; therefore I ſay, that the difference is not great, in whatſoever degree he proceedeth, ſo he proceedeth at all with the devill in his illuſions. So that if he come to the knowledge of a particular event, whether it be by conference, or by ſome other means, then he doth proceed with the devil in his illuſions, for we are herein certified, that this thing cannot be done by any lawfull Art and Learning, but by the help of a Spirit; take that help which way you will, it is diabolicall. For that judiciall Aſtrologie either hath been, or may be altogether ſeparated from Magick; this the Aſtrolegers can never prove: if they can, then let us ſee them do it.

But it is again objected by the Aſtrologers as followeth, viz: ^[63] That thoſe events which the Aſtrologers do Predict, and foretell; many of thoſe events do fall out to be, as the Aſtrologer fore-told: therefore the Art of Aſtrologie is uſefull and profitable in the life of man. To this I anſwer thus: That to come to the knowledge of any thing by unlawfull means,^[64] does not make the practiſe warrantable. For ſuppoſe that their predictions fall out to be as they foretold, yet this makes the Aſtrologer never a whit the more to be believed, nor his Art to be ever a jot the more lawfull: as it is plain in the 13. Chap. of Deut. verſe 1. If there ariſe amongſt you a Prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a ſigne or a wonder. And the ſigne or wonder come to paſſe, yet ſhalt thou not hearken unto him, for the Lord your God proveth you, &c. Again the devill in Samuels ſhape,^[65] being conjured up by the Witch, did foretell unto Saul thoſe things which were true, and as the devill had predicted, the prediction proved true by the event, which fell out to be as the devill had ſaid: as you may ſee, for ſaid the divell, 1 Sam. 28.19. unto Saul, ^[66] And to morrow ſhalt thou and thy ſons be with me, and the Lord ſhall give the host of Iſrael into the hands of the Philiſtines. ^[67] Which thing was according to the devils prediction, for in the 1 Sam. 31.6. you ſhall finde theſe words, viz: So Saul died, and his three ſons, and his armour-bearer, and all his men that ſame day together. Moreover we find in the Acts of the Apoſtles, that the Pythoniſs there did give a true teſtimony of the Apoſtles of Jeſus Chriſt: thus we may ſee that the devill telleth truth ſometimes, and yet he is ſtill the father of lyes. Now here you may plainly ſee, that the devils can foretell what ſhall be the events of ſome things; ſo then it being ſo, that God is ſometimes pleaſed, to permit unto the devils, the foreknowledge of ſome things, and that the ſaid devils do many times declare the future events of things as is aforeſaid. Therefore I ſay, for this cauſe we are not to think it a ſtrange thing, in that we ſometimes ſee the Aſtrologers foretell, that which afterwards doth come to paſs, and when the thing is come to paſs, we are not then to give ever the more credit to the Aſtrologer; nor yet to think Aſtrologie to be any whit the law fuller; becauſe the event falleth out to be, as the Aſtrologer had afore predicted. For, if becauſe the event falleth out to be true, or ſhall come to paſſe according to the prediction, I ſay if any ſhall beleeve Aſtrologie to be a lawfull Art, from this ground (viz: Becauſe thoſe things foretold by the Aſtrologers, many times fall out to be true, and ſo come to paſs as they predicted) again I ſay if they have no better arguments to prove the legallity of Aſtrologie then this of the event anſwering to the prediction. Here then I ſay to all rationall men, viz: ^[68] that Magick, Conjuration, Witch-craft, and all ſuch abominable, wicked and unclean Arts may by the aforeſaid argument, be proved to be as lawfull as is the Art of Judiciall Aſtrologie. ^[69] As for example, I will inſtance in the death of King Saul with his ſonnes, and the deſtruction of his great Armie, for we finde that the witch at Endor having conjured up the divell for to reſolve the King of his doubts, the ſaid divell being raiſed up by the Witches art, anſwereth unto the King after this manner, viz. ^[70] To morrow ſhalt thou and thy Sonnes be with me, the Lord ſhall deliver alſo the Hoſt of Iſrael into the hand of the Philiſtims, &c.

Now that this Prediction fell out to be true,^[71] according to the Devils predicting of the ſame, none can deny; for ſaith the Scripture, ſo Saul dyed, and his three Sonnes, and his Armour-bearer, and all his men that ſame day together.

So then from hence you may ſee the aforeſaid argument, cannot prove the legality of the art of Aſtrologie any more, then it can prove the lawfulneſs of the Witch and her art, in raiſing up the Devil at Endor: wherefore we may evidently underſtand from hence as followeth, viz. What the greateſt and ſtrongeſt arguments are, which the Aſtrologers can, or are able to bring to prove the legality of Aſtrologie from and by: I ſay that Magick Conjuration and Witch-craft, may from and by the ſaid argument, be proved and warranted, as lawful and as honeſt as Judicial Aſtrologie; ^[72] but how lawful and honeſt Witch-craft is, I leave unto all men for to judge from theſe places of Scripture; for it is ſaid in Exod 22.18. Thou ſhalt not ſuffer a Witch to live, again it is ſaid by the Lord God in Mica, 5.12. and I will cut off Witch-crafts out of thine hand, and thou ſhalt have no more Sooth-ſayers.

But to return again to my purpoſe, I have declared a little afore, that the greateſt and ſtrongeſt arguments that are ſet forth by the Aſtrologers, for to prove the legality of Aſtrologie by, is this, viz. The event falling out to be according to the Prediction. Now that this is the beſt,^[73] and ſtrongeſt of all the arguments, which the Aſtrologers can bring and produce, to warrant the legality of their ſaid art of Judicial Aſtrologie by.

I ſay it is evidently to be ſeen, that this is their greateſt and ſtrongeſt argument, as it doth plainly appear by their own words and confeſſions, written by themſelves in their own Books, as you ſhall ſee I will here again manifeſtly prove, although the ſame is elſe-where by me done.

^[74]But to begin, I think it is my beſt way, to ſet their Champion in the firſt place, becauſe if any man queſtioneth with our Aſtrologers, about the lawfulneſs of their Art, they in all the haſte and ſpeed as may poſſible be done, ſend him unto their Champion Sir Chriſtopher Heydon's Defence of Aſtrologie, where he may have a full reſolution of all his queſtions and doubts which he hath ag inſt Aſtrologie.

But now ſeeing we are in a Diſpute about the Arguments that the Aſtrologers do commonly bring, to prove their art of Aſtrology a lawful art: now then ſeeing Sir Chriſtopher is the chiefeſt of our Aſtrologers, and unto him they ſend all that gainſay their art; therefore let us hear what he can ſay for Aſtrology.

^[75]Now what he ſaith, made him believe Aſtrology to be a lawful art, is onely, becauſe he had ſeen the event fall out true according to the Prediction; as it doth plainly appear by his own words, which are as followeth in the 195 page of his Diſcourſe, where he ſaith thus, viz.

I, for my part (ſaith he) do freely confeſs, that there is no one thing that hath made me ſo confident in the validity of this art, as that which I have ſeen to fall out true.

Thus the great Artiſt of Aſtrology, in few words, hath told us, what his ſtrongeſt argument is, whereby he can prove Aſtrology a lawful and a mighty powerful art: now if this be a ſufficient warrant, to make a man confident in the validity of an art,^[76] becauſe he ſeeth the Predictions fall out true; then may theſe Aſtrologers be as confident, in the validity of Witchcraft, as they can be of the legality of Aſtrology by their own argument; for becauſe the greateſt and ſtrongeſt argument, which all of them uſe to plead the validity of Aſtrology by, is this, Becauſe they ſee their predictions fall out true.

Again, to this I anſwer, as I ſaid before, That this argument doth prove Aſtrology no more to be a lawful art, then it doth prove Witchcraft to be lawful; for all that which was foretold unto Saul by Witchcraft fell out true: Therefore Witchcraft is as lawful as Aſtrology, by the beſt argument of the Aſtrologers.

Now that this is the beſt and ſtrongeſt argument, which the Aſtrologers have to warrant the legality of Aſtrology by, this, I ſay, I will prove by their own words and confeſſions, as I ſaid afore; and I will fetch out him firſt into the light, unto whom they all run to hide themſelves in the dark.

He it is, whom I cited a little afore,^[77] Sir Chriſtopher Heydon in his Defence of Aſtrology, ſaith thus, viz. I, for my part (ſaith he) do freely confeſſe, that there is no one thing that hath made me ſo confident in the validity of this Art, as that which I have [〈◊〉] fall out true.

Now you having here underſtood what Sir Chriſtopher Heydon's great argument for Aſtrology is,^[78] in the next place you ſhall hear what Mr. William Lillie hath declared to be his great argument, for the verity or truth of Aſtrology; his words are thus, ſpeaking of the markes, moles, or ſcars of the querent, (ſaith he) I have many times admired at the verity hereof, and it hath been one main argument of my ingaging ſo far in all the parts of Aſtrologie, for very rarely you ſhall find theſe rules fail.

Thus Mr. Lillie, with his feeble argument for the verity of Aſtrologie, which argument of his, can prove Aſtrology to be no better then Witchcraft.

But I have another of our Engliſh Star-maſters,^[79] Mr. Booker, who writing of the conjunction of Saturn and Mars, ſaith thus, viz.

I am herein (ſaith he) much incouraged by thoſe labours of my friend Mr. Lillie, not onely printed in theſe times, but made more memorable in the ſucceſs, I have obſerved, hath followed his Astrological Predictions; a few of which I will repeat, that the miſguided infancy against Astrologie, may not be deſtitute of ſufficient testimony in his onely Writings of the verity of that Art; by which art, at this time, I write the enſuing Diſcourſe. Thus Mr. Booker.

Wherefore, my Reader, conſider what theſe aforeſaid Aſtrologers have ſaid for the verity of their art of Aſtrologie, and thou ſhalt ſee that their beſt and ſtrongeſt arguments that they can produce to warrant the legality and verity of A rologie by.

I ſay, thou Reader mayſt ſee, that by their own arguments the legality and verity of Aſtrologie is proved no more; then the legality and verity of Witch-craft, by their own aforeſaid argument of the event falling out, according to the Prediction. But ſeeing I have ſufficiently declared againſt this argument, in ſhewing the inſufficiency of the ſame to prove Aſtrologie any better then Witch-craft: therefore I here leave it, and ſo proceed on to the next poſition of the Aſtrologers, wherein they do affirm, that the World is governed by Stars and Angels. Now their ſaid poſition is this, viz. that from the beginning of the World there were 7. Spirits appointed as Rulers to the 7. Planets, and every one of theſe Spirits ruleth the World 354. years, and 4. months in order.^[80] Now then for as much as I am here to write of the Aſtrologers Planetary Angels or Spirits, therefore I will evidently ſet forth to the view of all men, what the ſaid Angels or Spirits are, that ſo all rational men may underſtand and ſee, how the Aſtrologers would delude others, as they themſelves are deluded, for that they believe a lye, in their affirming Gods governing of the World by planetary Angels, which ſaid planetary Angels are very Devils. Wherefore I ſay again, and again, I will affirm it as followeth, viz. That the Aſtrologers 7. planetary Angels, are no other Angels or Spirits, then thoſe 7. chief Angels or Spirits, which are the only Agents for the Magicians and Conjurers in their ſeveral operations of conjuration, that this is truth, I am able to prove by the writings of ſome of your Authours, and others. Alſo I can bear witneſs to the ſame, from my own experience;^[81] for you Aſtrologers ſay, that the names of your Planetary Angels are theſe, viz. 1 Caſſiel, 2. Zachariel. 3. Samael. 4. Michael. 5. Anael. 6. Raphael, 7. Gabriel. Thus they are alſo called by the Magicians, and Conjurers, as you ſee here ſet forth by the Aſtrologers; for the Magi[•]ians know them by theſe names, viz. 1. Caſſiel. ^[82] 2. Zachariel. 3. Samael. 4. Michael. 5. Anael. 6. Raphael. 7. Gabriel. Aga[•]n, theſe 7. Angels are thus by the Aſtrologers appropriate unto the 7. Planets, viz. unto Saturn, Caſſiel, unto Jupiter, Zachariel, unto Mars, Samael, unto the Sunne, Michael, unto Venus, Anael, unto Mercury, Raphael, unto the Moon, Gabriel: and as you ſee they are appropriate unto the 7. Planets by the Aſtrologers, even ſo in the very ſame manner, they are appropriate unto the [•]. Planets, by the Magicians. Alſo in like manner as the Aſtrologers do divide the days of the week amongſt the 7. Planets, and ſo from hence they call the 7. days of the week after the names of the Planets, by appropriating the days of the week unto the Planets as followeth, viz. unto the Planet Saturn, they give Saturday, unto Jupiter Thurſday, unto Mars Tueſday, unto the Sun Sunday, unto Venus Fryday, unto Mercury Wedneſday, unto the Moon Munday: even ſo do the Magicians. Moreover, the Aſtrologers do divide the day into 12. equal parts, whether the day be long or ſhort: theſe parts they call planetary hours, theſe planetary hours the Aſtrologers appropriate unto the 7. Planets for them to rule in: from hence it is, that they are called planetary hours. After this manner do the Magicians and Conjurers alſo, and as you here ſee, how Astrologie and Magick do begin together, even ſo do they end together; for there is ſuch a ſtrong tye between theſe 2. arts, that they cannot be ſeparated one from the other, without a renting of them both in peeces. But now here to return again to my former matter where I laid down this poſition, viz. That the 7. Planetary Angels of the Aſtrologers, are 7. Devils, &c. ^[83] Now whereas Mr. Booker ſaith, who dare or can deny Gods Government of the World by Angels and Stars: and whereas Dr. G[•]ll hath made a Sermon of Gods Government of the World by Stars and Angels, who in the ſame Sermon ſaith thus in the 2. page of his ſaid Sermon, viz And therefore before the times of reſtitution of all things, Act. 3.21. which are at hand, appear before the many oppreſſed divine truths be ſet free:^[84] the truths in nature, which together with thoſe other, have been long time decryed and trodden underfoot, muſt be revealed and publickly made known. Such is Gods Government of the World by Stars and Angels. Thus Dr. Gell in the ſaid Sermon, doth in divers places ſpeak of Gods Government of the World by Stars and Angels; and ſo he being deluded with a ſuperſtitious and heatheniſh opinion, of the Aſtrologers and Magicians, ſtriveth and laboureth with all the might and power he hath to delude others, as he and his Auditory are deluded, in that they be of a heatheniſh opinion concerning the Stars, and alſo have a good conceit of the Devils, as if God did govern the World by them.^[85] Now ſeeing Dr. Gell, and Mr. Booker ſay, who can deny, or who dare deny, Gods Government of the World by Stars and Angels? therefore I ſay, and hereby I give them to know, and ſo with them all other of the ſame ſociety to underſtand, that I dare and can deny their ſaid poſition, in which they do affirm the Rule and Government of the World by Stars and Angels; the which I do deny as followeth, viz. That for as much as the Aſtrologers do affirm, that the World is governed by ſecundarian Intelligences, which ſaid ſecundarian Intelligences, are Stars, Planets, Conſtellations and Spirits. Therefore I do deny the aforeſaid aſſertion of the Aſtrologers, for theſe reaſons following, viz. That whatſoever is immediately governed by the providence of God only, the ſame is not governed by ſecundarian Intelligences; but the whole life of Man is governed immediatly by the providence of God only: therefore I deny that Mans life is governed by the ſecundarian Intelligences, which are Stars and Angels: Now that the life of Man is governed by the providence of God only, I prove it thus,^[86] That he who provideth for the Raven his food, the ſame it is who only governeth the whole life of Man; but ſaith the Scripture, The Lord God, he giveth to the Beaſt his Food, and to the young Ravens which cry: therefore it is the living God that governeth the whole courſe of the life of Man, and not only man; but alſo the whole courſe of the World likewiſe; for, behold the Fowles of the Air,^[87] for they ſowe not, neither do they reap, nor gather into Barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Again,^[88] are not two Sparrows ſold for a Farthing? and one of them ſhall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbred; ſo that a Sparrow cannot fall, nor a hair of my head periſh, without the good will and pleaſure of my heavenly Father.

Wherefore we may ſee plainly, that God, the living God, doth govern all the World by his only wiſdom and providence: So that we ſee here is no place for the ſecundarian Intelligences of the Aſtrologians; whereupon it is evidently to be ſeen, that their ſecundarian Intelligences, are only pernitious and ſuperſtitious Fables, whereby the Aſtrologers are deluded by the Devil, in that they Idolize the Starres, and are deceived in their Planetary Angels, who they think are the good Angels of God; but the Aſtrologers and all other that think thoſe 7. Angels which the Aſtrologers call Planetary Angels, are good Angels. I ſay if any man ſay that the ſaid Angels are good, I ſay that all ſuch men are deluded; for whoſoever ſaith that evil is good, the ſame is deluded; but Aſtrologers do call evil good, in that they affirm the Planetary Angels to be good Angels, the which ſaid Angels, are Devils, as I ſaid afore; for becauſe that no man can by Conjurations cauſe the good Angels to appear in a viſible form at his will and pleaſure; But ſome man can cauſe the Planetary Angels to appear in a viſible form at his will and pleaſure, by Conjuration: therefore the Planetary Angels are not good Angels.

Moreover I ſay, that theſe 7. Planetary Angels of the Astrologers, are the chief agents for Conjurors.

Reader, to the end that thou in this place mayſt have ſeen how that the ſaid Planetary Angels of the Aſtrologers, are as I have aforeſaid told thee, viz. Seven Devils which are alſo the Magicians chief agents in all Magical operations.

I ſay, I did purpoſe with my ſelf at the firſt, when I begun this work againſt Aſtrologie, to have ſhewed how Aſtrologie is the foundation of Magick: as alſo I thought to have ſet forth how theſe Planetary Angels are the chief agents for the Magicians, in their ſeveral operations of Conjuration.

Likewiſe, I could here have ſet forth unto thy view, their Figures, Circles, and many ſuch things not fitting to be mentioned.

Alſo I could have ſhewed unto thee, how theſe 7. Planetary Angels are to be called upon by the Magician. To ſpeak briefly of the matter, I could have here ſhewen unto thee, the whole body of Magick, the which if I had done, when thou hadſt ſeen it,^[89] thou wouldeſt have told me that Magick is as lawful as Aſtrologie; for the difference that is between Magick and Aſtrologie, is only in the practiſe; for whereas the Aſtrologer doth work by his Houſes, and from the poſitions of the Stars in them, he doth from thence with his ſuperſtitious regarding of times, conjecture of the events of things: but the Magician doth work after this manner, for the Magician having by Conjuration, called upon the Aſtrologers Planetary Angels, and many other. The ſaid Angels do appear in many forms, but at the length, they appearing only which ſhould, and in their proper forms, they will ſay unto the Magician, Pete quid vis. &c. which the Magician having made known, then the ſaid Spirits will reſolve him of his doubts, and if the Magician hath any thing for the ſaid Angels to perform and do, then will they (if God permit) accompliſh the ſame according to the deſire of the Magician.

Here I could have declared more of the myſtery of this wicked art; but why I will ſay no more of the ſame at this time, this is my reaſon, becauſe if I ſhould here unfold and lay open the Rules of this art, men of corrupt hearts who are now ignorant of that wicked art, when they ſaw the Rules of the ſame made manifeſt, although they are as unclean, and as wicked as the very Devil: yet I ſay, thoſe men would take the Rules of the ſaid art, and joyn them together again, and ſo I ſhould contrary to my own deſire, help to build up that which I am appointed to deſtroy: wherefore it is ſufficient, that I have declared the illegality of the aforeſaid arts. But one word more, and then I have done, whereas I ſaid a little before, viz. That the Aſtrologer doth work by his Houſes, and from the poſitions of the Star in them, he doth from thence with his ſuperſtitious regarding of times, conjecture of the events of things; that is to ſay, viz. that whereas the Magician doth in his practiſe work, and underſtand plainly from the Planetary Angels, by conferring with them, I ſay the Magician is herein fully reſolved, by this way of conference, what ſhall be the event of any thing he deſires to know, (if the Devils know it; But for as much as Aſtrologers do not work in this way of conference with the Planetary Angels: therefore the Aſtrologers have another way whereby they work: now in the way the Aſtrologers go, they know things but only by conjecture; and the reaſon why they cannot determine poſitively in things, as can the Magicians, is this, becauſe the Magicians have the help of the Devils, by having conference with them. Now the Devil maketh out himſelf unto the Aſtrologer in a dark hidden way, that the Aſtrologer cannot ſee him, although he work continually by him. Now then the way by which the Devil and the Aſtrologer do work together, is briefly thus, viz. That the Aſtrologers ſuperſtitious regarding of times, and their erecting of a figure, with their obſerving the poſition of the Stars in their ſaid figure; to this end, that ſo they might know the events of particular things: I ſay that this regarding of time, and erecting of a figure, with the obſerving of the Stars therein, to the end aforeſaid: I ſay it is nothing elſe but vain Ceremonies, whereby the Planetary Angels do come to underſtand and know, what it is the Aſtrologer would foretel, or what the thing is, of which the Aſtrologer would predict and foretel the event thereof. So then the Aſtrologers Figure being erected, he doth from thence conjecture what ſhall be the event of the thing, for which the figure was erected. Now the Aſtrologer having thus delivered his Oracle, from thence forth the Planetary Angels do all that they are able (God permitting them) to bring to paſſe that which the Aſtrologer did foretel: Now why the Devil doth all this, it is to this end, that ſo he may uphold and maintain his Kingdom of darkneſs.

Thus Reader, I will here make an end, and if thou haſt any thing to ſay againſt me, becauſe I have denied Aſtrologie to be a lawful Art, thou knoweſt where I have my abiding place.

FINIS.