SVCHF is the nature of mankynde , carnestely desprous to haue knowledge of thynges to come , that in seekyng out & inuentyng of such artes as n●…ight seme to pertain to the certayn therof , she hath taken greate and laborous paines . For trauailyng to get out a science of Diuination , or foreseeyng , out of euery element , she hath broughte foorth vnto vs Pyromancy , whiche is to for shewe thyngs by the Fyre : Hydromanci●… , to declare of thynges to come by the water : Geomancie by the Earth : and diuers other artes of this kynde , promisyng the knowledge of hy●…de and secrete matters . And lest the practisers of these artes shoulde at any tyme beynge destitute of their bokes and instrumentes , not bee able to tel of thynges to happen : she hath found out that handlom art of foreshewyng by the hand ( which is an instrument , that euery man car●…eth about with hym ) so that by this science of Palmestry , at no tyme nor place , they shall be to seke of diuina●…ion or ( as they terme it ) Fortune tellyng ▪ Fynally , there is nothyng so vaine or of so lyt●…l importance , in w●…ich she hath not boulted o●…som cunnyng of forshewyng , seyng she hath alredy set forth . Capnomancy a●… Sciomancie , whereof the one teacheth to haue vnderstandynge of thynges to come by smoke , the other by shadow . These thinges peraduenture myght seeme somwhat tollerable , so long as mans witte is occupied in matters that are neare to hym ( I meane the elementes and such like ) if that those false diuinours would not drawe heuen it selfe and the starres , to their superfluous rules of Diuination , of whome a greate numbre doo not this modestly , and as it were dius●…yng or gessynge ; but arrogantly do pronounce their oracles as though they had ben giuen of Apollo Pithyus , the god of foreshewing . It were a smal matter if they told only of rayne , and wethers , but also they must ●…yl the whole world at their pleasure with warre , sycknesse , and rebellion . What shall we say that they ar not content to set out their oracles generally and vniuersally , but they must also thretten the lyfe of euery particular man , ( as it were the goddesses of destenie ) manifest●…ly against the order of all learnyng and philosophie . Neyther is it ynoughe for theim to haue lordshy●… and dominion ouer menne●… bodies , excepte they dyd also charge they●… myndes and soules wyth vertues or ●…es , according to their owne preceptes & rules . grosse errour to desect , vanite to open , & authoritie to eleuate & extenuate , I thought it worth the labour , bicause they so shameful ly now adais , do set forth their wares to sell among al men , partly because they so proudly with al their force inuey ageinst such men as contemne & despise these and suche lyke their predictions . Yea som are not ashamed to commend a necessary vse of their diuinations . But that onely is necessary ( if we beleue Cicero ) without the which we can not lyue . Then how many thousandes of men be there , which not only lyue , but also lyue wel , and yet neuer haue regarde or care so muche as ones to see prognostications . Other some there be , whiche call all men that be desirous of goodly arts and sciences , to their Almanach , as to a storehouse , replenyshed with all precious iewelles . Finally what signe of arrogance or boastyng can be named , whiche in the booke of these pro phecies may not easyly be perceiued ? Ther fore who soeuer dare be so bolde as ones to open his mouthe agaynste these oracles , streight way shall bee called an ignoraunt person , a detractour , and a sycophant . And this is the cause that so fewe haue taken vpon them to detect & open their trifling in pro gnostications , leste he shoulde incurre the reproches and contumelies of the prowde and arrogant rable of Prognosticatoures . For in our tyme ( as farre as I haue knowledge ) among al men , the most famous and excellent Doctour , Peter Dacquet onely hath both learnedly and playnely declared , that the vse of this fayned art is altogither vnprofitable for the woorkes and practises of phisike . But I beynge ( as I thinke ) sufficiently armed agaynste all the assaultes of all prognosticatours , hauynge also gotten conuenient leysure ( except my tonge or pen do faile me ) wil endeuour my self vtterly to ouerthrow this tower of Astrology , when 's they behold the signification of the planets & starres , that no pece nor parcel therof that remayn . Neyther am I so ignorant of that knowledge ( yf any suche knowledge be ) as they would goe about to perswade the common people , that all suche are , whiche despise their for shewyng and premōstratio●…s : neyther beyng moued with the desyre of euyl speakyng or enuy , do I addresse my self to writyng : ( for I am assured , that I do prouoke waspes ) but seeyng many whiche are desirous to learne the sciences , to haue also muche sette by this celestiall diuination , I thought good to admonishe them by this litle treatise , that they laboure not in vayue , hopyng for that , which the place it selfe wil not suffre them to haue . that when they haue throughely seene and considered the whole matter , they may leaue to haue in admiration these inuencions of the prognosticatours : and if they wyll nedes haue knowledge of secretes and thynges pertainynge to the future tyme , they may learne to seeke it out of suche thyngs as are more nere and better knowen vnto them . For as it is said and not withoute a cause : Those thynges that are aboue vs , perteyne nothyng vnto vs : and those thynges which are aboue our reache , ar not to be sought for , with muche curiositie . Neither let any man slaunder me , as though I went about to impugne or assaulte the moste beautyfull and certayne science of Astronomye , as the Prognosticatours themselues , ( suche is their malice ) crie out , yf any man speake boldly against the vanitie of Astrologie : But that science as of all humayn sciences it is the most diuine , so wolde I wishe that it shulde be embraced , learned , & perceyued of most men , especially of all suche as beare and professe the name of Philosophy . And let not them bee troubled wyth theyr prowde bragge , whiche say , that their calculation is thend●… and scope , where vnto the noble science of Astronomie dothe tende , seyng there is no communitie or felowshyp betwene certen●…y and vncertayntie , neyther can truth and fayned falshod , at any tyme be coupled and ioyned together . And as for the studious , they shall not be compelled in vayne to con sider the course of the stars ( although this diuination be cleane banished awaye ) seing the knowledge it self ( yf we trust Aristotle ) is an end and scope of it selfe . Moreouer be syde the most pleasant contemplacion of the whole workemashyp of the world , doth not the sciens it selfe bryng with it infinite profites and vtilities ? What neade I to speake of so many kind of Dialles , so many differences of tymes and yeares ? fynally so manye varietes and degrees of glystering lyghtes .

One starre ( whiche is the sonne ) as it were the ymage of one god , communicateth hys lyght to all the rest , whome so longe as the residews of the starres beholde , resplendishynge with most bright beames , they ●…hine ouer the whole worloe : But yf any of them by the enuious shadowe of the earthe , be dep●…ued of his syght , strayght way as it were mor●…yng , and without lyght , it is voyde of all beautye and glorye : Doth it nothyng auaile to know the cause of so diuers formes and shapes of the moone ? Suche varieties of dayes in length and shortnesse ? So manye differences of heate and colde by reson of the Sonnes commynge neare or departynge farre from vs ? They therfore whyche styffely affirme , that Astronomye cannot co●…siste wythoute Astrologie , and that the knowledge of the one is vnprofitable without the vse of the other , are here reproued of a manifest error , or rather conuicted of a shamefull lye . Lest therfore vnder the bewtifull and glorious cloke of this sciens of Astronomye , they should any longer proceade to commende their false and hyppocriticall art , I would wishe that thys little booke were but ones perused and red ouer of all suche as seme to fauour this deceyte : and except either their wilful and per uerse affection , or elles to grosse ignorance dyd lette them , I am assured they would vtterlye forsake and reiecte thys kynde of forshewynge by the starres . For longe tyme vnder the pretexte and colour of Astronomye , thys auguration or diuinotion hathe bene cloked , in so muche that the professoures thereof haue not doubted openlye for Astrologians , to call theym selues Astronomars . Other some confoundynge the names of Astrologie and Astronomy , bothe in teachyng and also in wrytyng , haue so mixed the one with thother , as though they were not distincie sciences , but the one of them dyd hange of an other , after the maner of relatiues . And herein they are ●…ot vnlyke to men of vngracious lyuynge , whiche to the intent they may with lesse daunger and suspition committe he ynous offences , will gladly vse and frequent the company of suche as be taken to be good and honest men : but the difference of those artes , I thynke is manifestly knowen to all men , so that I am certainely perswaded , it were but loste labour to stande longe in puttynge a diuer ●…e betwene them . Wherfore it shall suffise to admonisshe the symple sorte , leste when we speake agaynst the art of foreshewyng by the starres , they shoulde vnaduisedly thynke that wee dispute agaynste the course of the starres , their lawe , order , or learnyng . But wherof shall I take my beginnyng , or of what parte shall I chiefely goe about to publyshe and desorte so greate vanitie , whether of the vncertainte , therof ▪ 〈◊〉 of the vnprofitable , yea hurtfull obseruation thereof that so muche troubleth the common wealthe , or rather of the impossibilitie , shal I shewe that there is no suche science of diuination ? If that whiche is vncertayn deserue not to bee obserued , for what cause , I praye you , doo you cleaue to the do●…yng of Astrologie ? If that whiche deserueth not so muche as to be consydered is worthily called vayne , or of none effect , wherefore shall menne more truste the diuination of the starres , then they wyll credite the vnconstant waues of the sea ? It shall not be nedefull in this place to alledge Aristotles opinion of the future contingent , nether to vouche th auctoritie of other philosophers , concernyng the vncertayne and vnknowen procedyng of matters . For who doth not see clerer then the sonne at noone days , that not the fourth part of those presages or fortellyngs come to passe , as they before haue pronounced them ? Yea who is so forgetfull , or of lyttel memory , that can not recorde and remembre , that the moste parte of their predictions haue chaunced cleane contrary to their calculations . It is not therefore without a cause , yf we m●…uayle with what face they dare he so bol●… to propounde suche vayn and folyshe varicinatious , to be considered of wyse and discrete persons . Certainly euery science , of what sort soeuer it be , consisteth on thyngs that be true certayne and immouable : but Astrologie which standeth on thynges that most commonlye are false , but alwayes vncertayne and vnconstant : Tell me all you prognosticatours , by what reason it may●… be called a science ? but if this your methode & rule of prophesieng be not to bee noumbred among those sciences , which consist of thinges certayne and immutable , what other thyng is this your knowledge but folishnes so greate , that foly her selfe coulde not light lye inuent a thyng more fond and foolyshe . But peraduenture your predictions , be they neuer so vncertayne , yet they maye bee profitable to the publike welth , so that which your arte lacketh of certayntie , it recompenceth wyth vtilitie : Nay rather with how greate euyls do you burden the cytie ( I speake not of the horrible wonders that you threaten to fall on them ) but what a dearth of vitayles youcause in the commen welth , while the farmers of the countrye ( as I haue good vnderstandynge ) beleuyng your oracles of the imtēperaunce of wethers do so craftily dyspose their wares , that in abundaunce of al thynges , the common people suffer a greate and greuous scarcity . What ? is it to be kept in sylence , howe slowlye and coldly the people in the last yeare , seduced by the foolyshe prophesye of Nostrodamus addressed them selfe to sette vppe the true worshippynge of GOD and hys religion , good Lord what tremblynge was there ? What feare ?

What expectation ? What horror ? Leste all thynges sodenlye shoulde bee turned vpsydowne , so that none almost of them that gaue any credite to prognostications , durst be bolde to open their faythe and religion , whyche they bore in theyr hartes . Yea thys Nostrodamus reigned here so lyke a tyrant wyth hys south saiynges , that wythout the good lucke of hys prophesies it was thought that nothyng could be broughte to effecte . What shal I speake of the common peoples voyce ? Thys daye the Bishoppe of Rome must be driuen out of the parliament . To morow the Queene shal take vpon her the name of supreame head . After xx . dayes all thing shall ware worse . Such a day shall be the day of the last iudgement , that except the true prechers of Goddes holye woords hadde sharpelye rebuked the people for creditynge suche vayne prophesies , there shoulde haue bene none ende of feare and expectation . But oure craftye Nostrodamus , that coulde wrappe hys prophesyes in suche darke wryncles of obscur●…ye , that no man could pyke out of them , either sence or vnderstandyng certayn . Without double he hath herde of the oracles of Appollo , whiche the denyll at Delphos , gaue out of an ydoll to them that asked counsel , whiche were obscure , double , and suche as myght chance bothe waies , As that whiche was aunswered to kyng Pyrtus , demaundyng of hym :

I say that Aeacides the Romaynes maye ouercome .

Neyther is that vnlyke , whiche the ryche Cresus entendyng to make warre agaynst Cyrus , had gyuen hym , that is :

Croesus percyng through the citie Halis shall ouerthrowe great ryches .

So that you may wrest them to what sence you lyst . For Pyrrus while he did promise hymselfe victory ouer the Romains , might haue also vnderstode ( as it came to passe in deede ) that he hymselfe shulde be ouercome of the Romans . Lykewyse Cresus , while he turstyng th oracle , perswaded hymselfe , that he shuld ouercome Cyrus ryches , that were so great and abundant , brought his owne kyngdome , ryches , and what soeuer he possessed into vtter ruin and destructon The same trade of fortelling Sibylla Cumana dyd also depe , of whom Uergile reporteth , that the recorded fearefull circum stances and doubtes , resowndynge in her caue . Finally , all they whiche inflamed with the diuelles sprighte , tolde of thynges to come , gaue either darke or doubteful answers to them that required their oracles . The same maner of foreshewyng in darke and double riddles our prognost●… catours , as it were receiued of the heathenyshe prophets do obserue and keepe vnto this day fornot only Nost rodamus telleth thyngs darkly and doubtfully , but diuers others : yea many of our countreymen , an Cunyngham , a man otherwise bothe lerned and honest , Hyll , Lou , Uaghan , and not longe ago Askham , with sixe hundred more of that sort , among whiche , the afore named , maye chalenge the chiefe place , not that they prophecie truer then other , but that they haue more exactely ( as they say them selues ) formed their calculations to the course of the starres . And leste any man shuld thynke that I sclander them , I entende to reherse certayne things out of their bookes , in whyche we wyll playnly note a double doubtfull forshewynge . By reson of Saturn in Cauro ( say they ) and the eclipse in Aprill , there shall folow mur muryng amonge the common people : but Mercurius , with his eloquence dooth pacifie theim . Likewise Mars this yeare shall saue England harmlesse from many euils , except the Eclipse of the Moone do somewhat abate his courage . After the some maner doo they pronounce of wheate , bar ley , and otes , that they shall prosper well , except the heate , moysture , or other vnsea sonable weather doo endamage them . Finally this almoste is generall , yf they foreshewe a thyng to come without exception , it is false : if they pronounce it with exception , howe soeuer the game go , their error is without daunger of reprouyng . Moreouer they them selues confesse , that there bediuers impediments which cause that many things to come not to passe , not only about in the heuens , but also here beneth . O good ly science , O diuine knowledge , whiche so many causes doo frustrate , and brynge to none effecte . To what purpose then serue so many prohibitions against the surgeons , that they take nothyng in hande , but in a a prescripte tyme ? Shall they tary seuen dayes before they lette a man bloudde that is sycke of the Pleuresie : Why doo you not by the same reason forbydde them that be poysoned to take any medicine , before the signe apt to comfort the vertue expulsiue . But these matters by doctor Da●…quet are so playnly sette before mens eies , that onelesse these Prognosticatours euen yet dydde geue suche cautions , it were but 〈◊〉 vayne for me asmuchas ones to make mencion of that super●…tious abuse .

Hytherto as ( as I suppose ) we haue sufficiently spoken of the inconstancy and vn certaintie of these pred●…ons , yea and ynough also of the vn●…rositable obseruation and credityng of the same .

Nowe therfore let vs prepare our selues to that argument , which is al the prognostitators , what soeuer thei be , & where soeuer thei be , ar able without al couin or deceipt to remoue : they shal not only defend their are , which otherwise must nedes fal down and vtterly decay , but also they shall hau●… the writer hereof , with shame ynoughe , to retract and recant al that he hath hytherto against Astrologie sayd or written .

And that we may by lytle and litle procede to the effect of our matter , we dare bebolde to affirme , That this is common to all sciences , that they may bee demonstrated . For although the principles and grounds in euery arte , be of suche nature , that they canne not bee shewed and confyrmed by things more general , and therfore it is said , that they can not be proued , yet by demonstration or induction they maye be so playnly sette before our eies , that no man neede to doubte , but that they are moste true and certain . For eyther they are shewed by a manifest figure that they muste nedes be true , and that it were impossible to thinke otherwise of them then so , or els by recitall of all the particulers , one vniuersall is euermore concluded . Therfore of suche foundations euery art is grounded , which beyng surely layd , meruallous workes are builded vpon them . But if the soundations which ought to be most stronge and sure , in any poynt doo fayle , streighte way that whole buildyng with great weight falleth downe and is destroied . For dately experience teacheth vs , that no structure can be firme and of continuance , excepte the foundations therof be first surely laide . And reason teacheth the same lesson , whiche with open mouthe crieth , and biddeth alway to beware of the beginnings . Whiche thynge although we see dayly in buyldyng of houses , yet may we see it also , yf we wyll vse a little diligence in euery arte and science . As in Geometry , it to a principle , that from one poynt to an other , you may alwaies drawe a streighte lyne , this nowe by exaumple maye be demonstrated very easily . Likewise it is an other grounde that all the three angles or corners of a triangle , howe soeuer they be taken , are equal vnto . ii . rectangles . If this be shewed in euery particular kinde of triangle , as Orthogonius Oxygonius , Aequilaterus Scàlenus , and suche lyke , we shall plainly vnderstand that whiche is required . And that we haue here sayde briefely in a fewe , the same to be true in al other propositions , he that hath but meanly trauayled in the sciences can beare witnesse . But perchance some prognosticatour will start vp & say , that although this is easy to be shewed in suche thynges as almost we may perceiue by our sences yet the same in thynges farther of ; can scarsly be declared , As that greatnes of the starres , or their distance from theearth , or from themselues one from an other : Doo not learned men teache , that the Sunne is an hundreth sixty and six tymes greatter then the earth ? and that the Moone is thirty and nine tymes lesser than the earthe ? We graunt that these matters be difficult , and suche as hardly can be per swaded to the common sort : yet as difficulte as they be , and harde to knowe , there is a meane wherby men maye come to the science and vnderstandyng of them . We haue the shadowe of the earthe as it were a ladder , whereby we ascende into heauen , and beholde many thynges , wherevnto grosse wittes can not frame . But by no waie is it possible , that the principles of this arte of Astrologie , may be either demonstra●…d or proued . Ther is no mean wherby mans witte may atteyne to so greate knowlege , ther is no methode , no induction , that can maintayn truth of th●…se propositions , whyche they take for their principles .

Nowe therefore ( as I haue saide ) the foundation of this tower , beeyng shaken , the whole weyghte of Astrologye , muste needes haue a greate and saubdeyne falle . And as Capitaynes experte 〈◊〉 feactes of warre , whenne they determyne vtterlye to subuerte and ouerthrowe a tower , castell , or other fortresse of their ennemies , with vnderminyng they loose the foundations of it , orels setting vnder it a quantitie of gunpowder , blowe away the whole substance : So we autendyng not onely to proue , that youre arte is vnproufytable , but also to condempne it to perpetuall prison of Oblinion and forgetfulnesse , goe aboute to shewe , that there neyther is nor can bee any suche arte of diuynation or forshewynge . For by what reason are ye able to demonstrate or shewe , that Saturne is so hurtefull , malicious , and pestilent ? By Induction ? What if he haue do mynyon as you tearme it ) in the Natiuitie of a Prynce , a warryoure , or a Sanguyne ? Naye , there is nothyng dothe oftener fayle , then Predictions of natiuities : Howe thenne are you able to proue , that this Planette dooeth so muche , and so greate euylle amongest menne . I for my parte , coulde rather proue by probable reason thei contrarye . For it is nothynge lyke , that Saturne whiche is farthest frome the earthe , shoulde haue the mooste earthely nature . Besyde this , he that is farre hygher thenne Uenus , and nearer to the immense and large . Fyrmamente , whyche the Hebrewes doo call , A stretchynge abroade , by no meanes can bee counted woorse . Wherefore is the Planette Iupyter , more wholsome than Saturne ? In whose tyme ( whyle that he reygned or ruled on the earthe , the same antiquytie wytnessethe , that the golden worlde was , the whyche flatterynge their king Iupiter , oscribeth to him better effectes then to his father . But how vnjust a thynge is it , and agaynst all reason , that the Sonne it selfe , without whom thother planettes haue no more beautie then the earthe , can searcely of them bee compted among the good ●…holsome starres : where as he , whiche with his heate geueth lyfe , with his ●…hynynge lyght , and with his beholdyng , gladnes to all liuyng creatures . ( If an arre of astrologie were to be inuented accordyng to reason ) shoulde haue the thiese rule among all starres , as well planettes as fixed . Lykewise the Moone whi the gouerneth humours , shuld be seconde to the Sonne , specially in dominion of lynyng creatures , for as muche as by these two , that is , Heate and Moisture , wherof the Sonne ruleth heate , & the Moon moistnes , all lyfe is proserued and nourished . By what argument are you persuaded to preferre a trine aspecte before a quartile , where as the numbre of foure among the Pytha●…rsens , which had the exact know Iudge of numbres , and to theym referred all thynges , was more reuerentely obserued then the rest : in so much that by foure they were wonte to sweare . But you wyll say●… , that for the holye ●…rinities sake the numbre of . iii. is preferred . Than grantyng the numbre of thre is good , booth it folow that the numbre of foure , in whiche God concluded the elementes , their qualities and all perfecte essences to be eu●…l ? What persuadeth you to thynk , that the. xii . signs of the Zodsake haue so dyuers qualities , and accordyng to resons iudgement , contrary to nature . For you will haue Aries to be fyery , which is the beginnyng of the spryng : more ouer you teach , that Taurus which is a sygne of the spryng , shuld be of earthly nature . Which thyng how muche it striueth agaynst reason euery man may perceyue , that knoweth aptly howe to referre the spryng tyme to the element ayre . Cancer also the beginnynge of Sommer is safed to bee a watrie signe . Howe fonde therfore 〈◊〉 vaine are your principles , whiche you are not able by any reason to demonstrate or proue , euvn fooles may easily vnderstande , seyng you so foolyshly referre fyer to water , and ayre to earth . Besydes this , it is no smalle matter in youre cunnyng , to attribute to euery plnner his propre sygnes . But here also howe much you diffre from your owne doctrine euen Chor●…bus hymselfe if he were present , woulde perceyue , When you ●…iuide the. xii . lignes of the Zodiake into sowed orders or bandes . To some you ascribe a nature erthy , to some watry , to some ayry , and to somme fyery . Lykewyse when you giue to euerye housholder ( as you call the planettes ) theyr seruynge signes : you grant sem to Saturn som to Iupiter , and so forth to euery one their propre signes . But this I can not passe ouer with silence that almost euery housholder wyll mayntayne and kepe in his seruyce any seruan●…es that are so reyugnant from his owne nature and disposition . That ys they vse them as ministers in bringyng their workes to effect , I meruayle how they do not rather execute their owne wille , than the wyl of their maisters . As for example , Saturne whiche is sayd to be earthy , hath Aquarius to wayte vpon hym , which all togither consisteth of asry qualities . Iupiter reported to be ayry , hath two seruantes , Sagittarius and Pisces , of whome sagitarius is fyry , and pisces warry . Likewise Ma●… that is whose and drye , is contente with the seruice of Scorpio , that is colde and moyste . Uenus boyng full of cold and moysture , hath Taurus an earthy sygne , and Libra an ayry sygne , dooyng her service . I leaue here to speake offeigned the distinctions and difference of howses , angles , dignities , and other like of this kind : of all whiche yf they canne proue but one principle by good and sownds reason , the way shoulde be more easy for theim to depende the rest . But nowe seyng they haue nothynge that can testifie of the truthe of their principles , it remaynethe , that the arte it selfe beeyng grounded of falle propositions , and of them heaped to a huge and greate buildynge , this so selender and weake a foundation beeyng taken away , muste needes falle downe , and lye prostrate .

These thynges I doo the oftener repete , that all men may knowe what vayn bragges they make , whyles they take that whiche is no cause , in steade of a sure and certayne cause . For by what reason Saturnus shoulde sygnifie this or that , neyther they them selues , nor any man elles canne shewe , and that wee haue spoken of Saturne , the same also maye bee sayde of all the reste of portendynge sygnes . Excepte peraduenture they wyll boaste of somme reuelations to bee geuen vnto the snuen●…rs of theyr arte , whyche yf they bee not ashamed to confesse ( as is their mad boldnesse they shall turne the foly , which now a litle , repentance wold correct , into mer●… madnes . Let vs grant them their priuate reuelations , visions , and fantasies , for so we shall encreace their follisshenes , with pride and vaineglorie , yet we are sure they are not to bee trusted . And to declare that more p●…ninely , bicause all reuelations are not of one sorte , let vs deuyde theim into two kyndes : for some are geuen of good angels , and some of euyll : They that are geuen of good angels are suche , as the nature of good spirites is wont to be , that is to say true , profitable , and to be thorte , generally good . The oracles of ●…uyl spirites agree in qualitie with the geuers of them : that is , they be false , hurtful , & euyll . Now of whether sort this reuelation is , by whiche the principles of Astrologie at the first were reueled : let vs in few wordes consider . Now vncertayn these principles are , and to speake playnly , howe false , we may bothe see by daily experience , and also we haue sufficiently aboue declared . Seynge then it appeareth , that your science is not deriued from a good angel or spirite , whe ther you wyll haue it to come of an euyll spirite , or of neyther , the choyce at this ●…yme ( O Astrologians ) shal be yours . In the meane season either ceasse to boaste of your rotten and cancred art , orels by som●… waie perswade your principles to be true , to suche as without proofe can beleue nothyng . whether you entend to doo , we that shortly perceiue : for if you bold your peace wee haue ouercome , and wyll celebrate a triumph for ouerthrowyng your myghty gyant Atlas . But if any of you be so ●…ham les , that he dare enter into battail again●… truth , and vs , that maynteyn her quarell , yf he be found it ●…onger in armes then we are , we wyl geue place , and yelde , but if he be not able to abyde our strokes , we wyll take the castell of Astrologie , and destroy all thynges that maketh resistence , with weapon , fire , and famine . Nowe we haue cast our dartes bothe in numbre and fo●… sufficient among the thickest of our ●…mies , it remaineth that we beate backe the weapons throwen of them , or at the least take them clean away , that they beyng destitute of them , may run about as it were fightyng and beatyng the aire with vayne strokes . And to begin of that part , in w●…che they put no smalle confidence : I haue herd many which boasted , that they were able to proue their diuination out of holye scripture : which men when by reson of contention they wer compelled to bring forth what they could for their defence , wold sain haue concluded their vaticination out of the first chap. of Genesis . For when God the most excellent wise workman , of nature had created heauen & orth , with his almighty word , had put also a difference betwene the light which he had made , & darknes : more ouer had placed the firmament in the midst of the waters : Furthermore gathered the waters , that before couered the whole face of the erth for preseruation of liuing cretures that he entended to create into one place , & fynally had garnished the earth with a moste pleasant ve●…ure of trees & grene herbes , the fourth day determinyng to create lights , to make distinction betwene day & night , apointed then their propre vse , saying : The●… shal be vnto signes vnto appointed seasons ( for so the Hebru word soundeth ) vnto dais & vnto yeres , & the lightes shal be in heuen to geue light vpon the erth , whose eternal wil th effect streight way folowed . For god made two great lights , a greater light to rule the day , & a lesser light to rule that night , & also the stars . Here the prognosticators take no smal cou rage , the god ordened the lights , the thei shuld be vnto signes . But how litle these signes make for that purpose of their predictions , he the ●…rarketh yc order & discours of that words shal easily ●…cesue . For that which foloweth of appointed sesons , likewise that which foloweth of dais & yeres , these seme to me to expon̄d what maner of signes thei shal be , the is , thei shal be tokens of sprig , sommer , au●…ūne , & winter , of dais natural & artificial , long or short of yeres , according to the sons course , or to the moones course , & so of that rest . And wheras here is chiefly mention made of the sonne & the moon , if we wil nedes by signs , vnderstad for shewing , thei shal be vnto signes of he●… when that son oraweth nere to vs , of cold wh●…̄●…h departeth , of abundance of humors when that moon encreaseth , & the contrary when she is in the wane or decreasing . But vf of necessitie you wold haue vs to vnderstand fatall ●…dictions , notwithstanding argument is in force , seing you know not what the stars do signify , you can not by their aspects tell of thyngs to come . But there be som , whiche as they thinke wil defend their science with much more strength , requiring that we shuld grant them that al things in erth ar ruled & gouerned by the power of the heuenly signes . Truly I am not so hard to be entre●… ted , thee I wold deny the Astrologians being oppressed with such calamite so litle a matter but rather I wil geue than more than they de mand , & such thigs as I wold beni them if thei were obstinate and stubburn , now flying to their shoote an●…re and last helpe , I wyll gentilly graunt them . All higher thynges saith Aristotle , woorketh in the lower bebies . Let al the power in these lower thinges be confessed to come from aboue . Nei ther wyll we greatly at this tyme striue against that deriuation of causes ( deuysed by M●…rcutius Trismegistus ) from God to the angels , from them to the heuens , that it perteyneth to Fortune or fate , which he calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , neither doo I see how it shoulde hurt oure cause that we haue in hande , if we graunted theim that whiche they moste desire , and moste earnestly require , that is , that the starres haue dominion & exercise their power on mens matters contingently , that is , as it were a certaine inclination or some secrete motion , ( for yf destenye consisted of the starres it coulde not be chaunged ) but as for the signification of the starres bothe we learne by experience , neither doo the Prognosticators denye , but that they may , by diuers meanes be auerted or tourned to some other effect . Therfore seyng we haue granted this , that coulde not bee compelled , I long to see what helpe you can from thens transferre to youre selues . And nowe me thynketh I heare an Astrologian triumphyng on this maner : If the course of the starres , their reuolutions and aspectes do so strongly woorke in these lower bodies , that they shuld be causes of many effectes in the earth : what felowe is this , that will denye a proposition bearynge witnes to so many learned mens writynges beyng allowed by so many authorities of all ages , That the cause beeyng graunted , the effect must needes folowe , by what reason dare he affirme the cause , and denye the effect●… ? But these so thretnyng wordes , what are they at the length but very words in dede ? For geuynge to euery cause her propre effecte , yet wyll I not graunt effecte to that whiche is no cause : or if it be a cause , I wil not graunt that to be the offect which they wyll haue . For they knowe not what the starres doo cause or sygnifie , but embracyng an art delyuered of their ancestors , without any sure grounde or foundation , haue it in estimation as a diuine knowlege whiche conteineth in it no more diuinitie and truthe then the rest of the Chaldeans superstitions that yet remayne : of whome this science was receyued : whiche learned & wise philosophers in all ages contemned and vtterly despised . And not only heathen men as Porphyrius , whiche to Iamblicus saythe , That it is impossible that a manu●… shuld knowe the signification of the celestiall reuolutions . Iamblicus hymself whiche denyeth , that any vertue or power descendeth frome the starres , & dyuers other contemned the vayne ostentation of this art : But the prophete Hieremye himselfe with lowde voyce forbyddeth the Israelites to feare the influence of the starres , as the heathen doo . But therfore ( say you ) do they signifie nothyng ? Wherfore I pray●… you , are they not to be feared ? eyther bycause they signify nothyng , or bycause the signification of them to men is vncertain and vnknowen ? What , doothe not Paule th apostle of the Gentiles exhort his scolar Titus , that he regard not foolyshe and su perfluous questions of Genealogies and natiuities ? F●…r what cause then dothe Ieremie forbydde to feare , and Paule to regarde Predi●…ions of Astrologye , yf in theym were any thynge eyther to be feared or regarded ? Go youre wayes nowe , and make the people afrayd with horrible threatnynges , proclayme great calamitie to follow●… : Of pestilence , bat tayle , and famyne : or yf any thynge bee more greuous then these ? Warne them of a sodayn destruction that shall falle vppon theym . As two yeares ago Cunyngham threatned to Egypte , Babylon , Constantinople , and the Cities of Italye a mooste lamentable and vtter subuersion . Had not the Italyans , Egyptians , Grecian●… , and Chaldeans greate cause to feare , consyderyng that by the iudgemente of astrologians so great ruine hanged ouer their heades ? Who wolde not in this case haue be●… afrayde , except it were such as ( I can not tell howe preposterously ) woulde preferre Hieremies pro●…hecie before Cunynghā●… prognostication ? Lykewyse he that had rather gyue credyte to the Prognosticatours thenne to sainct Paule , shoulde he not hauynge his natiuitie caste , forsee by it , what good thynges , and what euyll●… thynges he shoulde in all his lyfe attayne ? so shall he deuyse to auoyde the euylle , and brynge the good thynges to effecte . O blockeheade , that must haue thy Natiuitie caste , howe dooest thou determyne to leade thy lyfe , lyke a bruite beaste , that thou wylle suffer all thynges to woorke vpon thee . Wherefore serueth thy reason which thou dost not vse ? nay rather which thou dooste abuse in suche vanities . ●…wynge thy fortune ( the saist ) by thy natiuity thou wilte endeuour thy selfe to seeke for good thynges , and auoyde euyll thynges . Why wouldest thou not haue doon so , although thou haddest neuer asked counsell of the 〈◊〉 ? Alas , when wyl the world leaue to haue in admiration suche curious vanities . But now an other obiection . Berosus the Chaldean , a most auncient histo riographer reporteth , that the holy Patriarke Noah dyd forsee the vniuersall floud by the aspect of the starres : and to the intent that he myght auoyd the danger therof , he made the arke to preserue the life of hymselfe , his sonnes , and their wiues , and beasts of euery kynde . Then is not so auncient a science muche profitable ●…omans ▪ lyfe , whiche the holye patriarke dyd practise , and by helpe of which mankynd , beasts and what soeuer in al the worlde was plesant or profitable in tyme past was preserued from vtter destruction ? This no lyght or contemptible author hath reported , but euen Be●…osus the Chaldean . But Moses the Hebrue , beyng also a most iust lawe geuer and historye writer , as moste auncient , so moste faithe worthy , witnesseth , That the Lorde God spake vnto Noah , and foreshewed the vniuersall ●…loude , commandynge hym to make the Arke . And lest the Astrologians shulde dreame of a reuelation by the starres , prescribed vnto hym a determinate forme and measure of the ship that he willed to be made . Then where is your boastyng of the antiquitie and necessarys vse of Astrologie ? where be your bragges of the patriarke Noah , whom you would haue to be a patron of your foly ? Shal we beleeue Moses , whiche write that , whiche was reueled by God ? orels Berosus whic●… studieng to aduance an art inuented of the superstitious Chaldeans , imagyned and fained , that the floude was foreseen by the practise of that arte .