MERLINI ANGLICI ERRATA. Or, The Errors, Mistakes, and misapplications of Master Lilly's New Ephemeris for the year 1647. Discovered, Refuted, and Corrected. By C. GEORGE WHARTON, Student in Astronomy. Printed in the year 1647. To the Reader. IT is a common Proverb: Dogs bark more for custom, than fierceness. And had I not assuredly known this Whelp lily, to be one of that bawling Litter; I should not have suffered his perpetual snarling with that Patience and temper I did: but before this, would have alighted from my Saddle, to hurl him one stone (at the least) to gnaw on. But, as he is now grown bolder, and blacker in the jaws; I must begin to have an eye over him, and a care to keep him at a distance, lest he bite me till I bleed, and thereby I become maniaque, or brainsick like himself, and so be more desirous of his Liver, than his Heart. I shall scorn to take notice of his former Grinnings; nor will I trouble myself, or the Reader, with any repetition of his by-past Fooleries, frantic expressions, and but a few, (if any) of his many Errors and Mistakes, so grossly committed, in every of his Lowzie-Pamphlets (for them (indeed) I have tied and twitched up together in a Pack-thread, as thinking them fitter for his Quondam Hell, than the meanest shelf in my study) but I will content myself only, with that dainty bit, this sweet brat of his own begetting, Merlini Anglici Ephemeris, the 4th (and perhaps the last) of that name: And examine I shall, and that strictly, of what mettle it is compounded, or whether it be simple (like the Dad of it) and the truth you have freely, as followeth. The Errors, mistakes, and misaplications of Mr. Lilly's New Ephemeris, &c. I Will not trouble myself, or the Reader in taking notice of any thing in his Long-winded-Preface, save only the reverend mention he hath made concerning him, whom he is pleased to term an A. B. C. fellow, viz. Naworth of Oxford, by whom (as he pretendeth) he found himself intolerably abused in Print, and could do no less, then vindicate himself in point of Art, As for the Name, Naworth, which William Lilly, and John Booker (to make their worship's merry) have so often, and as wisely, as wittily, inverted to No-worth, and Worth-nothing: it is well known, to be the Letters of my name long since transposed, purposely to avoid the scandal and obloquy, which both these Mounte-banks so greatly delight in, and endeavour so much to assume. For, whereas I observed, the Common people generally possessed of a confident belief, or rather a foolish conceit, that such as could write almanacs, were esteemed (with a Country-reverence) Wise-men (like lily and Booker) or (if I shall render it in their own Dialect) Conjurers, or such as can tell all things, past, present, and to come: And so were usually haunted (by the silly people) with a number of unlawful, unnecessary, and ridiculous questions by means whereof, many ingenious and honest Artists, have not only been branded with the titles of Conjurers, Necromancers, Wizards, Sorcerers, and Figure-Casters (in the worst sense) but have often been imprisoned, and Indicted and proceeded against upon the Statute, against Witchcraft, &c. and hardly escaped with their lives, (especially when they came before Judges, that were ignorant in, or disaffected to Astrology) after they had suffered several years' imprisonment, and thereby wasted and consumed their estates: I say, that I having resolved to write yearly, which was not usual without prefixing a name; (nor for the reasons abovementioned, would I then publish any thing of that nature, in my own name:) I therefore anagramatized my name to Naworth, and by that Name I writ an almanac for several years together, and continued unknown, unless to some two or three of my friends; whereby I seasonably prevented the beforenamed inconveniences and hazards, which otherwise I should inevitably have shared of: And I presume that in doing this, I neither wronged myself, nor abused the country where I lived: And what ever other witty construction may be made thereof, by these two trifling Gypsies; by this they may perceive, I took no delight (as they do) to be termed a Conjurer, a Magician, a Cabalist, a Merline, a trucking Mercury, or any thing else, whereby they desire, and endeavour so much to promote, and propagate their deceitful & unwarrantable dealings. And whereas lily, in the same Preface, chargeth me under the same name to have wrested many false judgements from astrology, against the Parliaments actions, intending thereby to prepossess the kingdom with a vain fear, that his majesty and his designs should take place, &c. I must tell him, that this his Accusation, is most maliciously false: And let him show me (if he can) but one aphorism, or Sentence that ever I delivered, for which I either quoted not my Authors, or gave a sufficient reason in Astrology: or that ever (of which I shall hereafter prove him apparently guilty) I wrested any part of Astrology from the Genuine sense thereof, either to make for his majesty, or against the Parliament? And if it hath pleased God, to suffer the loyal party thus to be trampled over, it is for their sins: and carries with it a supernatural Cause and Reason above the stars, which could not be discerned by the clearest mortal eye. No Symtome of such (our sufferings, could be read, or observed by any man in the great book of Heaven; but rather the quite contrary, as I could instance for many reasons in Astrology: And whatsoever I spoke, or writ, was (as your own sense implies) ever with submission to divine Providence. But I will not busy myself so much, as to examine and retort every Tatter of his ragged-Preface: nor shall I need to vindicate his majesty's Officers, (whom he is therein pleased to term Ravenous) from his polluted lips: I see no reason why they may not meet with a fitter occasion and opportunity to requite him: but the thing I have proposed to myself, is first, to ferret the poor Quack in point of Art, and afterwards in matter of Judgement. The first thing, and indeed the only thing that's worth my observation is, his Transcript of Eichstadius his Ephemerides, for the year 1647. wherein (indeed) he hath taken a great deal of pains, and deserves to be commended for this indifatigable Labour: but withal, I must tell him, that he hath therein greatly betrayed his own ignorance in Astronomy, or showed himself exceedingly negligent and careless, in that he hath not fitted the places of the sun, Venus, and Mercury, (but especially the moon,) to the Meridian of London, as he hath done (to his thinking) in the Lunations and aspects of the Planets, nor (which had been more easy, and sooner done) prescribed any Rule, or Direction, whereby to supputate their true places for that Meridian, or any other place of the kingdom: And this Error he hath been guilty of throughout the two former years: whereby our young tyroes are much deceived in the Merline, when they think they have the places of those Planets therein exactly Calculated to the noontide of every day at London: for, although in the higher Planets, whose motion is but slow, there be no sensible difference: yet, in the Sun, Venus and Mercury, there is an apparent error: For, when they are in their swift motion, their places at noon, as lily hath set them, will differ above 2. min. and often 3. min. from the truth: And in the moon (whose motion is far swifter than any other of the Planets) her Error is intolerable (especially when she is in her swift motion.) For example: the first of January 1647. the diurnal motion of the Moon is 12. degr. 24 min. (being then but in her slow motion.) The difference of Meridians, betwixt London & Uraniburge● to which place the Longitude of the Planets, (as Wil. Lily hath printed them) were Calculated by Eichstadius,) is 50 minutes, (by his own confession in his Anglicus 1645. Page 54.) that is, the Sun cometh later to the Meridian at London, than he does at Uraniburge, by 50 min. of time; so that how much soever the Moon moveth (according to longitude) in that space of time? by so much hath lily erred in the moon's true place at noon, for every day in the year: which, what it is for the said first of January; I examine thus: If the moon in 24 hours, move 12 degrees, 24 minutes in Longitude, What moves she in 50 min. of time? Facit 26. min. ferè. And by so much hath lily erred from her true place the said first of January at Noon: So that whereas he hath placed her that day in 21 degrees, 10 min. of Pisces, she ought to have been in 21 degrees 36 min. of the same sign. And when she is in her swift motion, he commits a greater error: as the tenth of March 1647. (if you examine it according to the former rule) you shall find just half a degree (or 30 min.) error; and in stead of 26 degrees, 3 min. of Virgo, (wherein lily hath put her that day) she should be in 26. degree 33 min. of the same sign. The next thing which I mean to take notice of, is, his Scheme erected to the Apparent time of the Moons eclipse upon the tenth of January 1647. at 9 hours and 19 min. P. M. as he hath taken it from Eichstadius, by deducting 50 min. for the difference of Meridians betwixt London and Uraniburge: and to the same time I erect the Figure of Heaven, according to the Doctrine of Regiomontanus; and comparing his printed Scheme with that, which I had more curiously set, I find lily still bungling and botching, but without any result of truth: For, whereas he hath made the cusp of the tenth House 22. degrees 20 min. of Gemini, according to exact Calculation, it is no less than 23. degr. 30 minutes, whereby it appears, that Master Lily hath mistaken 1 degree, & 10 mi. in the cusp of the Medium Coeli. And in the Ascendent of the same figure, he hath mistaken above one whole degree, viz. 1 degr. 10 min. for he hath made the cusp thereof but 23 deg. and 51 min. of Virgo, which should have been 25 degrees, and 1 min. and the like Errors follow in the seventh house of the Figure; and proportionably in all the rest, which makes me wonder with what face this senseless botcher dares term me an A. B. C. fellow, when all men may perceive him so shamefully ignorant in the very fundamentals of the Art he pretends to, and that I am able to correct him in every point and particle of his Profession: For, I desire the Reader to consider but thus much with me, that if (as Sir Christopher Heydon hath said, in his unparalleled Treatise, written in defence of judicial astrology against Mr. Chambers) that Astrology is an Art which teacheth by the Motions, Configurations, and influences of the signs, Stars, and celestial Planets to Prognosticate of the natural effects, and mutations to come in the Elements, and these inferior and elementary bodies: How (I pray) is it possible, that this fellow can Prognosticate rightly of the natural effects and Mutations to come in the Elements, and these inferior and elementary bodies, before he be able to Calculate exactly the true motions and configurations, &c. of the signs, Stars and Planets, which you clearly see, he is not? And I marvel much that lily should be no more tender and cautilous of his credit, than thus foolishly and frequently to divulge his unskilfulness: for me thinks, as he knows that he cannot Calculate the houses exactly, either by the Doctrine of spherical Triangles, or (which is more ready, and built upon the same foundation) by the Tables of Directions in Regiomontanus) to the degree and minute of each cusp, yet he should have held it a safer way (if he purposed to palliate his defects) to have set down the cusps only in whole degrees, and not have published himself thus erroneously scrupulous, which he might have done very easily, by the Domifying tables, without further help. But I perceive him so impudent, and shameless, that he neither heeds, nor cares what he does, or otherwise he would have been more wary in supputating the places of the Planets: For (according to Eichstadius, whom he endeavours to follow) the Sun (at the middle of the Eclipse) should have been in 56 minutes of Aquarius, and the moon in 56. min. of the Opposite sign Leo, Venus in Capricorn, 24 degr. 29 min. and Mercury in Aquarius, 3 degr. 17 min. But this man's discretion hath put the Sun in 53 min. of Aquarius, and the moon in 53 min. of Leo, Venus in 24 degr. 39 min. of Capricorn, and Mercury in the 3 degr. 20 min. of Aquarius; So that he hath erred 3 min. in the places of the Luminaries, and Mercury; and 10 min. in Venus, as may appear to every man, that will take the pains to Calculate the true places of these Planets by Eichstadius his Tables, to the Mean, or equal time of the said Eclipse. And in like manner, hath he played the butcher in his Figure at the vernal ingress: for according to the time therein posited, the cusp of the tenth House ought to be 13 degr. 44 min. of Taurus, and the Ascendent 25 degr. 48 min. of Leo, yet he hath made the tenth House 14 degr. 0. min. of Taurus, and the Ascendent 26 degr. 0. min. of Leo: so that he hath committed 16 min. Error in the cusp of the tenth House, and 12 min. in the cusp of the Ascendent, nor is he less erroneous in collocating of the Planets here, then in the former Figure, but especially in the moon, whom he hath placed in 27 degree 48. min. of Virgo, whereas she ought to have been in 28 degr. 14 min. of that sign, wherein he hath mistaken no less than 26 minutes. And thus much I conceive sufficient to prove his ignorance, in point of Art: Now will I also unmask his Errors, defects, mistakes, and misapplications in matter of judgement. I will not meddle with, or question upon what grounds Prince Charles left his Native. Country of England, nor who were the original causers of this his so long absence; It is sufficient that Will. Lily confesses him to be enforced upon necessity, exiled, or banished, for the honour of the English Parliament. I will not inquire further, then of the Scottish Papers, whether the King be at present restrained of his liberty, as lily tells us he is; Nor dare I interrogate by what Law of God, or Man, the King of England's Person, aught to be imprisoned, or be disposed of, by either, or both of the two kingdoms, or by any, or all of his Subjects: Or whether His imprisonment, &c. be intended for the defence of his majesty's royal Person, &c. and the Liberty of the Subject? Or how it can consist with the Honour of the English Parliament to suffer his majesty's Honour thus to lie at the stake, and his Sacred Name to be traduced, by such Pamphlet-mongers as lily and Booker, and that Pillory-man Walker, without any restraint, or punishment. Neither do I care, whether the Eclipse in Aug. 1645. presignified the P. of the Earl of Essex, or whether he have merited so much Honour, as to have a Statua in crown Gold erected at the Charges of William Lilly, and an Epitaph made (and thereon engraven) by Martin Parker, or Mercer (the Scot;) These things are all beside my Text, my intention being only to examine Master Merlin's astrological discourse, and to show him, and all men wherein it is invalid, and no more. The judgement he hath given, is generally deduced from the position of the Heavens, at two distinct points of time, viz. From the Lunar Eclipse the 10 of January, 1647 Suns entrance into Aries, March 10. The Eclipse he makes the first general subject of his Discourse, the effects whereof of (as he tells us) may be somewhat put forward by reason of a non-apparent Eclipse in the 15th degree of Capricorn, December 26. 1646. What the Simpleton meaneth by Putting forward, I know not, 'tis no term in astrology: but surely I have Put him out of doubt in my Prognostication 1647. that Eclipses are not hurtful at all to those Regions, or Cities, where they are not visible; yet lest the testimony of that learned author therein mentioned should not be enough to convince him of his Folly, I shall further recommend unto him the words of Cardanus upon Ptolemy, lib. 2. cap. 5. Text 26. (if he can translate them any better than he hath done the first 50 aphorisms of the centiloquy) they sound thus; Ut igitur locus a deliquio affici● debeat in Luna, duo sunt necessaria: unum quod Luna tunc temporis in hemisphaerio superiore illius loci sit, & cum provincia illa concordet signo, vel trigono saltem: secund● cum civitate in solis loco, vel Lunae, vel Ascendentis, vel cum medio coeli illius qu● regit civitatem ipsam. In sole vero necessarium est, praeterid quo● fit supra terram, & conveniat locus ejus provinciae vel civitati Eclipsis ipsa appareat. Whereby it is clear, that unless (in a Lunar Eclipse) the moon be above the Earth, and likewise on the sign, or at least in the triplicity of that sign, whereunto the kingdom (in whose Hemisphere the Defect happeneth) is subject: And unless that the Sun, or Moon place, or the sign ascending or Culminating, be also the horoscopical sign of the city, or town (you live in, or inquire after) the effects of such a Lunar Eclipse, shall not any way concern that kingdom or city. But in a Solar Eclipse it is necessary, (besides that the Sun be above the Earth, and that his place agree to the kingdom, or city,) that the Eclipse be also visible to the kingdom or city, or otherwise the effects shall in no wise concern the one, or the other. Now the Solar Eclipse, here (by him) mentioned, is not visible at all to us, for it appears in the Islands de S. Pedro, Barbados, de Don Alfonso, de Praxaros, and to such as sail beyond the Equator, and under the tropic of Capricorn through the Persian Sea: and (indeed) in 13. and 14. deg. of North latitude, it will be a very great Eclipse but of what concernment is this to England; or why should it put forward this Lunar Eclipse in January, seeing it is neither visible to us (for at London it happeneth at their 11. aclock at night, & so the Luminaries are both under the Horizon,) nor yet is the degree Eclipsed in the sign, or triplicity of that sign whereunto either England or Scotland are thought to be subject, which is required (by Cardanus his Rule) before the effects can concern either. Whereby it appears that this Non-apparent Solar Eclipse can no way help or harm us, nor augment, or put forward the effects of the Lunar Eclipse, and that William Lily in thus preferring his own idle fancy, beyond the experience, and more solid Reasons and Rules of Campanella, Cardanus, and of all other Authors that ever I read, or heard of, hath very much abused the Reader, and rendered himself a very Novice and fondling in Astrology. As touching the Lunar eclipse in January 1647. I have writ of it already in my Prognostication, wherein you may see what the effects of it are; and those that desire further satisfaction, may have recourse to Origanus, page 460. upon Mercury's being Lord of an Eclipse, as he is of this. But although this Lunar Eclipse be visible, and fall out in a sign of the Fiery triplicity, and in that respect doth generally concern England: yet in regard it is so small, viz. but 4. digits, 47 min. 42 sect. its effects will scarcely be felt, or observed by anybody; For, as, Eclipses nihil nocent illis Regionibus in quibus non videntur; So, parvae Eclipses parum nocent, & in pauca operantur. It is true, as both (lily in his Anglicus, and I in my Prog.) have in effect observed, that, in caeremoniis, religione (to which he adds in reditibus regiis) ac legibus mutationes affert: A likelihood (as he saith) of some change, or alteration in Church affairs, in the Revenues of Kings, or more properly, in such matters as at present the Parliament make use of, for maintenance of their Wars and affairs: and of altering or abolishing many laws formerly in use. All this I grant him, and why may it not admit of thus much malignancy in the application thereof, viz. That the kingdom are weary of the Presbireriall Government, and will not endure the smell of Elders, for Gentlemen are (commonly) scholars, and do naturally affect freedom in the Exercise of their Religion, and scorn to be constrained to give an account of their belief to Broom-men, cobblers, tailors, and Tinkers, or to any such illiterate, mechanic and profane fellows, or to subject their understandings to the sense and interpretation of so unsanctified a society, and shall therefore wish for, and (most justly) endeavour a change of Government in the Church. So likewise may his majesty's Revenue (so long detained from him) be in a better possibility of regaining, or in some part restored to him, or at least great means used to persuade those that have usurped the Possession and profits thereof to resign and account. And that many Ordinances, Orders, and Votes that have passed and been formerly enjoined, and observed, as laws must admit of alteration and abolishment: but (as I have formerly noted) these things will not be done effectually this year, in regard of the smallness of the Defect, so that we shall be scarce sensible of its operation. Yet without all doubt the dragon's head in the tenth House (in the intercepted sign Cancer) bodes very much good to his majesty to be begun and wrought by the Scottish Nation, who shall partake of that influence. And whereas lily adds, that C●lerem Regis, Principis, vel nobilissimi viri alicujus infirmitatem, vel praeclari viri cujuspiam mortem adducit: That this small Eclipse portends some sudden infirmity, or casualty to a King, Prince, or worthy man, perhaps some eminent and famous Man's death, &c. he had done well to have cited his Author, or given his Reasons for what he says here, for I cannot pick out any such signification from this Eclipse, as Mercury is truly and really Lord thereof: nor as he hath made Mars and Saturn to be sharers with him: Indeed Mars stirs up Wars, intestine Seditions, tumultuous uproars, the wrath of Princes, and by that means some unexpected slaughter: And Saturn premonstrates perturbation of the Humours, Fluxes, and Quarten fevers, Poverty and Banishment, Dearth Penury, &c. but I find no such sudden infirmity, or casualty to befall any King or Prince, &c. as he chattles of, yet I'll undertake for him, that if prince Griffith should but this year fall asunder of the Pocks; the next year after, lily will tell you that this Prediction was verified in him. Nor know I any reason why Scotland should be at all concerned in it, seeing the Eclipse happeneth in the Fiery Trigon, and that the Ascendent of Scotland, which is Cancer, is of another, viz. the Watery triplicity, nor at all aspected by the sign, wherein the Eclipse happeneth, nor afflicted by either of the Malevolents, but rather fortified by the presence of the dragon's Head in it (as before I noted) in the Mid-heaven; and although the Eclipsed Body be Dispositrix of the sign Cancer, yet for the reasons formerly given, the effects of the Eclipse cannot be at all discerned in Scotland, or scarce in any part of England, and therefore it is but a foolery in William Lily to make such a fluttering and a noise about nothing: But I am well pleased to hear him scatter that one truth (if so it prove) that the Scots will stand like Okes unshaken to their first Principles, &c. It behooves some body else to remember their Covenant, &c. And truly the Scots do owe William Lily a great many thanks for his confiding epithets: but I fear, I fear I shall hear him ere long, lash out of his open Sepulchre as much and as vildly as ever he did against the King and the Cavaliers, though now he Court them, with the Titles of Prudent and Wise People. I hope they'll be wise enough, for those they are to deal with. What he says against the Irish is not material: the more the Fox is cursed, the better he thrives. But I suspect lily to be one of those London Adventurers, who were dividing the bear's skin, before he was taken, (as his majesty once told them) If he were, I presume a man might purchase Lilly's share of the Land in Ireland, at an easy rate: And although out of his Malice he tell them their ruins approaching, and threaten them with cups, and even brimmers of vengeance; I believe he may drink them their off himself, before they once pledge him. And although Booker (in his bloody Irish almanac) hath disgorged a filthy and confused heap, and mass of misery, ruin and vengeance to befall that kingdom, yet you have not heard of any considerable loss that they have sustained since first that malicious lying Pamphlet peeped out into the world, which bears date on Tuesday the 17th of March, 1645/6. But on the contrary have been exceeding victorious, and successful beyond expectation, and at this present have all, or the most part of the Garrisons and strong Holds in that kingdom under their subjection; But I shall not (at present) take any more notice of that notorious piece of nonsense of John Booker's, because I have reserved the Examination and confutation thereof, to a particular discourse coming out shortly, wherein I discover his gross Errors and mistakes in point of Art, and plainly prove that his Pamphlet to be stuffed with nothing but inveterate malice, and unparalleled ignorance. Lilly. i will add no distempered conceptions to this Discourse ensuing, lest i be thought an Incendiary, i can break out at what time i shall see my Pen may be useful, and profitable for the cause i so much honour, &c. Wharton. No (Sir) you must first have your ink tempered, before you can counterfeit without suspicion: those things you call your conceptions so natural Rough, must be first polished, before they can advantage the Cause, and run smother, and with more show of truth ere they shall deceive me. You dare not, you will not candidly, and impartially relate what you find recorded in the Register of Heaven, lest you should be taken for an Incendiary: that is, one that moves not by the wire of the great Engine, one that speaks the truth without fear, or flattery; and 'twere your utter undoing, should the least scruple of ingenuousness be observed in your Lines. Therefore (say you) I can break out at what time I shall see my Pen may be useful and profitable for the cause; That is to say, when I perceive the Scots and the Parliament fall asunder, and disjointed in their opinions and affections, then will I make the stars every minute pick quarrels with the Scots, I shall then break out of a sudden, and prophesy nothing but loss, ruin, and destruction, and beggary, to that perfidious Nation: And that the States of England shall be victorious over them: I shall encourage our soldiers, and disanimate the Enemy, &c. whereby I hope to be useful and profitable for the Cause I so much honour, and be rewarded well for my pains. Lilly. The English wearied with the sad attendants of war, seem at this present sun's ingress into Aries, to be desirous of Peace, yet not willing to be baffled, or curbed by any neighbour Nation, kingdom, or People, or to have laws imposed on them, contrary to their native humours and customs, &c. Wharton. Great cause have the English, and especially the poor Inhabitants of the North to groan under, and to be weary on, and to shake the intolerable burden from off their shoulders, which so long they have been forced to trudge under like so many Asses: but where is the man that sometimes so much hugged himself with the very name of Liberty, that endeavours now but to ease, though not to free the poor country from that bondage and slavery? who was the cause of their present misery? who was is that hired, and brought your dear brethren (the Scots) first into the bowels of this kingdom? and where lies the fault now they are not sent home again? Have the Scots baffled and outwitted your wise and grave Senators? Have they put you in mind of your Covenant, and thereby blasted the fruit of your four years—? What pity it is you must not enjoy your Humours; what grief it is you must yet be troubled with a King? Lilly I do still confide in the Integrity of the Scottish Nobility and Clergy, and hope there may be unity betwixt the two Nations, &c. Wharton. You Confide, and you Hope, but what is that to the Portents of Heaven? It is expected that you should Astrologically, and thereby impartially relate, what the signs, Planets, and stars do premonstrate to happen in these kingdoms, what signs they have of War, or what of Peace. Or in plain terms, whether the former unity and League, betwixt the Scots and the Parliament is likely to be broken, or continued: and of this it is that people would be satisfied, and not of your hopes, and your confidence, and yet any man that warily reads you, shall find you very dubious in your expressions, and to carry yourself so cunningly, and in so equal a poise, that (for aught I have observed, the Reader may be as well satisfied (in that point) from Erra Pater, as from your Anglicus, as hereafter shall appear. And now we have done with the Prologue, the play begins. Lilly. Come we now to the matter, and let us believe this will be a year of admiration, if we do credit Bonatus, fol. 514. Aspice etiam in revolutione Anni, utrum Jupiter ingrediatur in ●, vel sit in eo quoniam tunc augmentatur ejus virtus, & majorificantur ejus significata, significat enim res magnas & mutationes mirandas, & nominatas & durabiles, ad bonum tamen, &c. Behold, saith he, if Jupiter in the Revolution of a year be in Cancer, or enter that year into that sign, then shall his influence, virtue, and such actions as he naturally signifies, be exceedingly augmented, and take place to purpose, then are matters designed by him exalted and magnified, then shall be wonderful alterations, and eminent changes upon the Earth, matters durable and tending to the benefit of mankind, or all things inclining to Peace and tranquillity, &c. Wharton. Having already discovered his decrepitness in point of Art, I come now to rip him up in matter of judgement, and shall begin with this his first aphorism, wherein the Reader may observe himself sufficiently abused, in the very quotation thereof: for, whosoever will pursue that place of Guido, Colum. 514. may observe, that lily (to fit the words for his turn) hath left out at least two lines of the aphorism. For, thus the words are in Guido: Aspice etiam in revolutione anni, utrum Jupiter ingrediatur in ●, vel sit in eo maxime in 15. grad. ejus, quoniam tunc augmentatur ejus virtus, & majorificantur ejus significata, Et eò fortius si receperit dispositionem alicujus fortunarum significabit enim res magnas, & mutationes mirandas & nominatas, & durabiles, ad bonum tamen, &c. So that the words here marked (by a different Letter) he hath quite expunged, whereby it is plain, that this aphorism hath but little force, unless that Jupiter were in the 15 degree of Cancer (which now he is not) or that he received the disposition of the Fortunes, which in this Revolution he doth not, for Jupiter is in the 28 degr. 25 min. of Cancer, and within 3 degrees of Malevolent Mars, whereby he is much afflicted and weakened: and although he be in the sign of his Exaltation, yet he is there slow in motion, occidental of the Sun, and Retrograde, and Planeta Retrogradus nihil boni significat, donec dirigatur, A retrograde Planet hath no signification of that which is good, until he be direct. It is true, that within five days, he begins to move slowly forward, yet, that brings him to a perfect Conjunction with Mars the 23 day of March, and they will not be fully separated from each others beams of a sudden, by which Jupiter is very much debilitated: And notwithstanding that Mars is in his Fall, yet he is the strongest save one in the Figure; so that I cannot perceive upon what ground in Astrology he should Prognosticate of Peace and tranquillity from the Position of Jupiter in the latter part of Cancer, considering him so weak and unhappy, by reason of his Conjunction with Mars, &c. and that he stays no longer in that sign than the 15 of April. Besides, let him consider what Messahalack tells him: Conjunctio Jovis & Martis significat accidentia quae fiunt ex pluviis, & nivibus, & corruptionem aëris atque bellum: Si autem vincit in eorum Conjunctione fortuna, significat fortunam, & si malus malum: Scito etiam quia quotiescunque juncta fuerit fortuna cum malo, apparebit natura fortioris eorum, &c. The Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars hath signification of such Events as are caused of rain and Snow: It foretells corruption of the air and war: And if a Fortune predominate at the time of their Conjunction, he signifieth that which is wholesome and good, but if a Malevolent, the contrary: understand also, that so often as a fortunate Planet shall be joined with a Malevolent, the natural Effects of that which is strongest shall appear. Now if William Lilly could but have set a Figure rightly to the Apparent time of this Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars, which happens (by the Rudolphine Tables) upon the 23 day of March, at seven a clock and 14 min. P. M. in the Meridian of London, & would but have taken the pains to collect the several Fortitudes and Debilities of Each Planet at the time of their meeting, he might have found Mars much stronger than Jupiter, and likewise elevated above him (secundum Latitudinem:) he might also have observed the Conjunction to be in Scotland's horoscopical sign, and near the cusp of the 10. House, Saturn (their Senators Significator) unfortunately posited in the house of Death, &c. And the moon (his Majesties as being Lady of the tenth House, and Dispositria of the Conjunction in the fifth in a mutual Reception with Jupiter, beholding Saturn with a Sextile aspect, and the sign Cancer with a Trine: and Venus yet in her Detriment, and applying to the Quartile Aspect of Jupiter and Mars: and the Sun the other Significator of his majesty in his Exaltation, &c. with Mercury in the 6. House from the Ascendent: Which several Positions being deliberately considered, and rightly applied, could have afforded him but small ground of pronouncing Peace and tranquillity. Moreover, Conjunctio Jovis & Martis, significat mortem divitis & magnae famae, idque eo fortius, si fuerit in Signo fixo: The Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars, portends the death of a rich and famous Man, and so much the rather if it happen in a fixed sign: but Cancer is a movable sign, and by so much the less fear there is of the death of such a person: I rather conceive that this aphorism presages only that some such person shall have his Honour, (and may be his life) questioned, and be thereby in some peril of being deprived of both. However, you may perceive by what hath been said, that William Lily hath greatly deceived the Reader, by this false quotation out of Bonatus, and that all things considered, he had no cause or ground in Astrology to delude the world with a vain hope of Peace and tranquillity, when nothing but Contention, Warring, & Bloodshed is threatened by the great dominion of Mars, and the infortunate positure of Jupiter in the Revolution. And if lily would learn when this shall happen Lupoldus will tell him; Belli tempus est cum fuerit Mars in opposito, vel Quartili aspectu Jovis, vel Saturni: When Mars shall be in an Opposite, or Quartile Aspect of Jupiter or Saturn: And when's that? Let but our Ephemeris-master look in May 1647. and against the 22. day he shall find a hateful Square between Saturn and Mars; and in October following upon the 21 day will be a most terrible Opposition of Saturn and Mars, which will be very dreadful and ominous to many parts of England and Scotland; and upon the 28. day of the same October, is another Square betwixt Jupiter and Mars: and no doubt but we shall hear of much Contention and Bloodshed about those times. I have noted every of these Aspects beforementioned in my calendar for 1647. against the day of the month whereon they happen, to which I refer you. Lilly. In the interim let those whom it may concern (and many are herein concerned) receive from me this astrological cabal judgement, either in jest, or in earnest, as they please, &c. He or they, King or Kings, Prince or Princes, Nobles, Gentlemen, or of any Quality soever, shall endeavour the advance of a foreign Army or State amongst us (as it is certainly determined) to yoke us, and destroy this present Parliament, he or they shall never attain his or their desires, shall perish in the design, shall never again make his or their peace with this kingdom of England. I know we are threatened, it must be so, but woe to the invader; Invaders, or procurers of our Invasion; the Invaded shall prevail, viz. the Parliament and Commonalty of England; and although we shall be in danger of betraying, yet shall we behold another providence contradicting that treachery, even in the nick of time, for this kingdom ofEngland, is not ordained until the world's end, to be any more conquered, we shall give, but not receive laws, &c. Wharton. All the ambition & aim of this trifling fellow is to be thought a Necromancer, a Conjurer, another Lullius, Trithemius, or the Ghost of Agrippa, or what ever you will have him to be, so he may but obtain a popular esteem, and by that means more easily cozen and cheat the poor people of their money, for otherwise why should he monster such a confured heap of riddling trash without giving any reason, or naming any Author for what he saith: and if you peruse it seriously, and compare it with the 4. last lines of the 4th following Page, you will find him plainly contradicting himself, for whereas in his cabal judgement, he saith that the Advance of a foreign Army or State is certainly determined to yoke us and destroy the Parliament, &c. yet there he affirmeth that we shall not be oppressed with any invasive, or domestic War: And if Invasion were but attempted, I believe it would puzzle us, and more than oppress us: But were Astrology the ground of this judgement of his, he might have told us a more probable, though not so pleasant a story as he concludes with. For, let this Cabalist but look into Lupoldus de Revolutionibus, and he shall find these words, Victor erit qui invadit, si dominus 4tae, vel 7ae in prima fuerit, vel in 10ae. If the Lord of the fourth House, or the Lord of the seventh House shall be in the Ascendent or Mid-heaven, it signifies that the Invader (or Invaders) shall prevail against, and overcome the Invaded. And now (Goodman Merline) is not Saturn Lord of the seventh House, and posited almost in the very cusp of the Tenth? If this aphorism prove true (as possibly it may, if the Scots and Parliament fall to pieces) you must invent other epithets for the Scots, then Prudent, Wise, and Religious people, or else I know what will become of you. I will not urge this aphorism any further, as how far it may concern Ireland, or France, &c. lest I be counted an Incendiary; but a few months longer will produce a Miracle, &c. And for this cabal judgement, be it in jest, or be it in earnest, I hold it for no better than a mere scarecrow purposely devised to deter his majesty's friends from any longer adhering to him; but it is in vain, for so much true Policy have that Party, that if any design were a foot, whereby to restore his majesty to the Rights of his crown, &c. and to regain their own, they would not be discouraged in the prosecution thereof, upon the reading of your fooleries, and this (sir) you may believe upon the reputation of a cavalier. Lilly. If we consider the profectionall Figure of the last Conjunction of Saturn andJupiter, we shall find Aries ascending, and the Sun, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mercuryall in Cancer, both the one figure and the other, as also that of the annual return of the Sun to his place at the Parliaments beginning promise us exceeding fair this year, &c. Wharton. I have considered the Profectionall Figure of the last Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, and find the Sun, Saturn Jupiter and Mercury, as you say all in Cancer; yes, and more than that I observed Aries ascending, and Pisces Culminating, Venus in Gemini, and Luna in Libra: and I have made inspection into the sixth Revolution of the Sun, to his place at the Parliaments beginning, and there I meet with the seventh degree of Virgo ascending, and the last degree of Taurus Culminating, and that Mercury Lord of the Ascendent is in 12 degr. 45 min. of Scorpio & subradiis solis: and the Moon is in 5 degr. 20 min. of Aquarius in opposition to Jupiter and Mars, who are near unto a perfect Conjunction in the eleventh House of the Figure in Leo, and she is also hastening to a Quartile with Saturn in the ninth. And I think (sir) you'll not deny but that Mercury and the Moon are your Senators significators: so that how fair soever you imagine these positions to promise you: I am assured they will perform but slowly, you had done well to have shown us some testimony of the Peace you mention, but as you have denied us that favour, let me instance you one testimony to cross your conceit. You may see (sir) that Jupiter and Mars are there also in Conjunction, and that in Leo, a sign of the Fiery triplicity, which is far worse than their Conjunction in Cancer; for, Mars in Leone significat bella & contentiones, & paucitatem annonae in partibus orientalibus, & erit Mars in hominibus, & maxim in juvenibus 40. Annorum usque ad 50. in pueris tamen erit hoc fortius. It signifies Wars and wranglings, and scarcity of corn, in the Eastern parts, and Mortality amongst men, but especially to such as are betwixt 40. and 50. years old. Notwithstanding, this shall be most operative amongst children. And thus fair (and no fairer) are you promised by the annual return of the Sun to his place at the Parliaments Commencement, if you will credit Bonat. Colum. 365. so that you see what ever our Merline hath endeavoured to gull the people with, yet the Heavens speak no such Language, they tell us of nothing but war and strife, &c. What the Position of Saturn in the 10. signifies in the vernal ingress, I have published in my Prognostication: And if I should grant him what so much he desires and urgeth, viz. that Saturn's being in the mid-heaven should portend some sorrow and affliction to the King: yet Albumazar (a man of better credit) affords us this comfort; Si fuerit dominae decimae domus Venus (as she is in this Revolution) significat quod sequetur ex hac tribulatione prosperitatem atque sublimitatem & gaudium atque profectum. If Venus be Lady of the tenth House, it showeth that his affliction and sorrow, shall be turned into joy, prosperity, sublimity, and advantage, the sight whereof, will even break the malicious heart of this proditorious peasant. Lilly. And for the signification of Venus, who is under the Sun beams, and thereby much impedited and descending into the eighth, though now locally in the ninth, it portends a disturbed fancy, and a person not free, or much enlarged, for the Sun Lord of the 12. and Venus are within orbs: her debilities promise him no great good: significat enim, quod eveniat Regi in revolutione illa ira, & tristitia, & contentio, similiter atque timor: she as posited, is the signifier of much anger, malcontentedness, and controversy, and the Conclusion which is worst of all, saith, that he shall be in great fear, &c. of what, I am silent? Wharton. I have told you in my Prognostication, that Venus her fortitudes, exceeds the number of her Debilities by 8, and is therefore to be accounted strong and powerful in the Figure, so that what detriment soever her debilities might promise, her fortitudes (being so many more in number) do utterly extinguish and annihilate, whereby is clearly signified good fortune and authority to Officials, and other of the King's head Officers, and that the King shall prosper in his affairs. So that the Reader may perceive your own Fancy so disturbed, and clouded, as that you cannot fancy, or discern any sentence or aphorism that hath any show in it of good towards his majesty, but endeavour to conceal all things that tend thereunto against your own conscience, and the Principles of Art. Nor can (in my opinion) the Sun and Venus their being within orbs, portend any kind of restraint to his Majesty, but rather absolute freedom, in regard they are both his majesty's significators, and behold the cusp of the twelfth House with an Aspect of true and perfect Amity. Lilly. But let me examine Astrologically, whether there be any affection, or unity, betwixt his Majesty and Subjects, which you may discern saith Bonatus, Fol. 526. Per Conjunctionem significationem ad invicem, viz. by the Conjunction of each significator to other, or with other; vel per eorum aspectum cum receptione, quia ille ex significatoribus qui recipit alium, committit illi dispositionem, or by the mutual aspect of the Significators with Reception; for observe whose Significators receives the other, commits his disposition, or virtue to the Planet received, or more properly may be said to be ruled or directed by him. Here do I find the Sun Significator of our Honourable Patriots at Westminster, in his Exaltation, receivingVenus (his Majesties) in her detriment, viz. in a low condition, &c. Wharton. If the Conjunction of the Sun and Venus had seen by Application, or a perfect conjunction, you had said something to the purpose, but (Mr. Wisdom) you see Venus is separated from him, and the moon, who is Significatrix of your Honourable Patriots is hasting to an Opposition with them both, which are signs of small Affection, or unity betwixt them; and as for that Reception you mention to be betwixt them; I will not grant any, for I learned when I was in my A. B. C. of Astrology, that Receptio est duplex, una ex domicilio, altera ex exaltatione: It is either from House, or Exaltation, which you cannot find here betwixt the Sun and Venus; for, althought the Sun be in his Exaltation, yet Venus is not in hers, so that there is no Reception in respect of Exaltation, and for matter of House you'll grant there can be none. Yet I remember Zael admits of this, and one more, as a kind of Reception; and Origanus takes notice of them in him and Schonerus, and calls them Receptiones minores but he does not commend, or allow them, but rather sets a mark upon them for invalid and superstitious, for saith he, posteriores receptiones non nisi in particulari et ad superstitionem inclinante judicio locum habent. Pag. 427. So that if the Commonalty, or Kingdom be no more obedient and kind to the King, than this reception inclines them to, I shall despair of any Peace or tranquillity this year, nor expect better success of their formal addresses, then formerly. Lilly. If we run a strain above Astrology, the hermetical Learning will tell us, that the angels Samael, and Malchidael are the Intelligences, or presiding angels of the English commonwealth and Kingdom, and Generally every ginger is satisfied, that Marsis the Planet, and Aries the sign to which Great Britain is Subject. If the greater angel and his Minister stand firm for us, as its thought they do, and if the Planet be well fortified and the Ascending sign of this kingdom not afflicted, I see no cause in nature to mistrust any gewerall misfortune to happen within this kingdom to the Inhabitants thereof in this present year 1647. For though we find Mars our English astrological, Planet in his Fall, yet we have him very potently placed in the Heavens, in Conjunction withIupiter and Caput Draconis, in the 11. house, and what Authors deliver upon such a Position as this, you shall be your own Judges that read the discourse: Si Iupiter fuerit in undecima, significat lucra et merces in omnibus rebus, Haly 378. When Jupiter is in the 11. House he intimates much trade and merchandizing, and great wealth obtained thereby. Si quidem Iupiter fuerit in undecima significat laudem et bonam famam ex parte amicorum, et quod gaudebant homines, et erunt in alacritate, et bonus effectus, et profectus in rebus de quibus habebunt homines fiduciam, et de quibus sperant bonum Bonat. 567. Jupiter as new posited portends great comfort from friends, and that they shall merit honour and a good name, that men shall rejoice and be cheerful, and have good effect and encouragement in the actions they seek after, and of which matters they themselves expected good. If we would dilate, or exemplify, why from hence may we not expect all faithfulness and honourable correspondency from the Scottish Nation; contrary to the expectation of some, and those not a few that divine otherways. Wharton. If William Lilly run out quite from his wits, I shall here make him understand (if not acknowledge an other very gross Error of his, notwithstanding the angels Samael and Malchidael do both of them take his part: for though I grant him that Mars is more powerful than he speaks of, yet is the sign Ascending of this kingdom sufficiently afflicted, by the Platique Square of Mars unto it, (who is also within 3. degrees of Conjunction with the Lord of the eight House, which is the House of death, labour sadness, and heaviness, heritage of dead men, and the end of life, and the Ascendent of the revolution is no less afflicted by the Quartile of Saturn unto it: and the moon, who is Lady of the hour (although he hath here forgot to mention her, is separate from the Sextile of Mars and in a partile Sextile with Jupiter, but comes immediately to a diametrical configuration with Aries England's horoscopical sign; whereby you might have seen (if you had not been worse than purblind) cause too much to mistrust some general misfortune to befall the Inhabitants of this kingdom: I do not love to create new jealousies and fears, but I presume Will. Lily will not (upon second thoughts) deny what I have said, nor that he hath played the fool in giving judgement of Jupiter's positure in the eleventh only, without mixing the nature of Mars with him, who is there likewise so powerful, and near unto Conjunction with him. But I have elsewhere told you what their accidental Scite there doth signify, and therefore shall not need to give him any further answer in this particular, since what he here reiterares, is, only to clear his Brethren the Scots, lest they become unruly, & kick out that small proportion of his idle brains. Lilly. And surely were not Mars overswayed by the presence of Jupiter in that Nations ascending sign, I should somewhat doubt of them myself, but I do not, for the truth is Religion and Faith, overmasters their natural Policy, Really; Mars in undecima inimicitias amicorum praenotat: Mars in the 11. destroys the Leagues and friendships of People, &c. Wharton. And surely William Lilly a horn-book-blade, he would not divulge so much of his ignorance at one clap, as to say that Mars is overswayed by the presence of Jupiter, cujus contrarium verum est; for as before I have proved, Mars is the strongest save only the moon: and Jupitar the weakest but Mercury in all the Figure, as will appear to any man that will take the pains to collect the Dignities and Debilities of the Planets respectively in the Figure. And therefore he hath good reason to doubt of himself, and to suspect the Scottish Nation will become Converts: which if they did not, we (Malignants) should have questioned, whether they had any Religion, or Faith at all? But to the matter: Mars in the 11. House presages something else than amicorum inimicitias, if you had not abused Guido Bonatus Colum. 571. and in him the whole kingdom: whose words (if he had not been interrupted by this unmannerly clown) had been thus; Mars in 11● domo, significat paucitatem lucri, seu profectus in rebus de quibus spaeratur utilitas; & quoth cadent in inimicitias amicorum, & significat diminutionem substantiae, & desperabant homines derebus in quibus habebatur siducia, & quibus spaerebatur: That is, Mars in the eleventh House foretells but little profit, or gain in those things by which profit was expected, and that they shall fall at enmity with their friends. Also, the diminution of their substance, and that men shall utterly despair of ever obtaining what they most trusted to, and expected. This aphorism carries a great deal of matter in sit, in relation it hath to the differences depending and impending betwixt the Scots and the Parliament: and therefore it was not held fitting to be published, or communicated (by our mysterious Merline) without a Fee. The plain English of it is, that (according to natural causes) it is most evident that the Parliament, &c. shall be frustrated in their expectation; that they shall be much deceived, and deprived of the profit and commodity, which might have accrued unto them, by having the King at their own disposal: and that for this cause they shall fall fall at difference with, and incur the dislike and enmity of those that were formerly their friends and confederates, who shall account them no otherwise then such as have forgot and neglected their Covenant with God and man, &c. And hereupon they despair of the Scottish Religion, because it is come nearer the Kings, and of their Faith, because they have not so much credulity as to interest them alone in the disposal of his majesty's Person: and hence arise new discords and contentions, and greater taxes are imposed then ever upon the poor kingdom, whereby men's Estates are exhausted and consumed, and fresh miseries daily approaching, if not timously prevented. What he citys out of Haly concerning Jupiter's positure in the 11 House, I have sufficiently answered and explained before, upon the words which he quoted from Bonatus, for the same thing. And thus far hath Mr. Lilly made his progress in preaching Peace and tranquillity to the People, to what purpose I have sufficiently declared? and now he comes to the quality of the year, wherein I scorn to detract the least scruple from him of what's his due, but shall agree with him in every thing which he performs but any thing like an Artist, (though he stumble of it against his will) his quotation of Bonatus Pag. 55. (by great fortune) is very true and pertinent, whereby is proved a year of scarcity of corn and other Provision for the use of man: But the application of his next aphorism out of Haly is very illicite, and ignorant, for although he affirm it shall assuredly come to pass in those parts of this kingdom, which lie southeast, and full South from London, but nothing so violently as in the Kingdom of Ireland: I shall prove him here and errand Bo●cher: For, if he had understood the aphorism; Saturn ought to both infortunate in alto loco, and elevated above all the other Planets, or otherwise it hath no signification, which he is not in this Figure; For although he be weak in his essential Dignities, yet considering his other accidental fortitudes, he is indifferent strong and powerful, so that the aphorism will not serve for this Position. And if you will know the principal ways by which a Planet may be said to be elevated above another, they are three, viz. In respect of their Latitude from the ecliptic. Nearness to their Auges, Position in the Figure. A Planet is said to be elevated above another (according to Ganivetus (cap. 1. differ. 3. of his book entitled Amicus medicorum) who hath greatest Northern Latitude from the ecliptic: now if we Calculate rightly, we shall find Mars elevated above all the rest of the Planets, the moon expected, for he hath 3. degrees of North Latitude, and Saturn's Latitude is meridional no less than 2. degrees 6. min. So Jupiter hath 0. degree 47. min. of North Latitude, Venus, 1 degree. 10. min. and Mercury 2 degree 5. min. both South, and the ● indeed hath 4. degree 47. min. of N. Latitude so that in respect of Latitude, Saturn is the most depressed of all the Planets in the Figure, and the moon most elevated next Mars, and then Jupiter. The next way is in respect of a Planets propinquity to his Auge, according to Altohazen Haly in his Comment upon Ptolemy: So that the Planet which is nearest the summity of his Epicyle, is elevated above another, which is further removed thence, and if we consider here which of the Planets is most elevated secundum Augem, we shall find that Mercury is in Apog. Epicicli. 12. March Mars is in Apog. Eccentr. the 14. of March, and Saturn is not in Apog. Epicicli until the 4. of May following: so that this way Mercury and Mars are both elevated above Saturn. And hereby the way will I put Mr. Merline in mind of one mistake in this kind committed in his England's prophetical Merline Pag. 78. Where he hath put Saturn transire Apoge. on 20. Martii & Jupiter Epicicli sui superiorem partem 23. Martii, whereas Saturn is in Apog. Epicili the 10. of March and Jupiter the 13. so but only 10. days' Error in each committed. The 3. way by which a Planet may be said to be elevated is in respect of their places in the Figure; as he that is above the earth is more elevated than he that under is the Horizon, he that is in the 12. House is elevated above an other Planet in the Ascendent, he that is in the 11. above any i● the 12. and he that is in the 10. above any other in the Figure as indeed Saturn is now: And if all the Planets were under the Horizon, then that which is nearest to the Ascendent is said to be most Elevated; but this is not so much considedered by Astrologers as their elevation in respect of Latitude, and of their proximity to their Auges, or if it were, yet you see there is two to one against Wil. Lily: For Saturn is neither elevated above all the other Planets in respect of Latitude, nor in respect of his Auge, and therefore that aphorism of Halyes hath no signification here, Saturn being neither infortunatus in alto loco, nec sublevatus super omnes alios planetas as William Lilly supposes him: So that the South, and southeast parts of this kingdom need not fear this positure at all. Next I desire the reader to observe that he hath cut off▪ corrupted, and misunderstood that aphorism in Bonatus 574 viz significat naufragia repente, &c. For that aphorism is not deduced from the dominion of Mars in the 4 and 9 houses of the figure, but (as you may see in Guido) from the situation of Mars in Cancer and his triplicity, and the words of Bonat: are these, Et si fuerit Mars in Revolutione anni in Cancro, vel elus triplicitate: & maxim in Cancto, erit apparitio eorum, quae significaverit in partibus Septentrionalibus: and thus much of that aphorism Master Merline hath quite left out, which is thus much in English: if Mars in the years' revolution shall be in Cancer or his triplicity, but especially in Cancer, the visibility of his effects shall be in the Northern parts of the kingdom: Further In Cancro significat naufragia repente venientia ex forti atque subito flatu ventorum, & significat rixam atque contentionem, & bellum, &c. Mars in Cancer hath signification of unexpected shipwrecks, happening by fierce and sudden gales of wind; he also portends strife, contention, and war, &c. Lilly Gaudebunt Reges, & habebunt laetitiam, & securitatem, that our principal governors and officers that have with such industry these many years steered the affairs of our kingdom shall in this year rejoice. Wharton (indeed) lily) you steer by a false Chart, for there is no such thing absolutely signified to the governors you speak of from the sun as he is Lord of the ascendant, for he that will look into Guido Pag. 575 whence he takes this judgement, shall find the words to carry another sense, viz. Et si fuerit Sol Dominus, Anni, ac Dominus ascendentis fueritque liber a malis, dixit Albumazar, gaudebunt Reges, & habebunt letitiam & securitatem, so that if you expect to have benefit by this aphorism the sun must not only be Lord of the ascendent, but free from the Malevolents, but he must also be Lord of the year, which he is not in this revolution; and how far soever this aphorism may be in force, the King will have the best share thereof, if the sun be the natural significator of Kings as all author's accord: nor shall those governors he talks of want their part of what the sun's accidental position in the 8 house doth signify. viz. depressionem Divitum & Magnatum, seu Nobilium atque potentum, eorumque diminutionem, & mortem, ac improperium Bonat. 577. I'll lay my life this aphorism belongs to the roundheads. What Venus portendeth in the 9 as she is significatrix of his Majesty, I have told you in my Prog. and what Mr. lily hath added out of Bonat 579 is not amiss; only his application is like all the rest, as idle and foolish as may be, in that it concerns all the Clergy in general, and not the prick-eared Divines only, as every Artist can testify. Now, for that William Lily seems to be very much offended with one Master Gear, who (as he saith) was sometimes a priest of Tewksbury, and hath lately writ a Pamphlet called Astrologo-mastrix, (which indeed is as full of old idle Sophistry, as Master Lilly is of Malice, and Ignorance) yet I hold it no sufficient answer to tell him a story of a Weathercock, or a Cock and Bull, in stead of denying and avoiding his Arguments by better Reason: nor is it scholar like, or favours at all of Common Civility, to fall upon scandalising of a man's Reputation, when he hath not wit enough to require him otherwise. I think (lily) you would scarce accept of it as a sufficient answer from me, if in stead of correcting your errors, I should tell the world that you were but a tailor's Boy in Saint Clement's Parish, and that the summity of all your honour was to be afterwards a scrivener's Man, and that he ding your Mrs taught you first to write Secretary, in which respect I account you not worthy of the just revenge of my Pen: This (though it be true) were but mean logic, but the truth is, you are lame of that leg, and therefore you may do well to borrow a crutch of Master Thomas Challoner, that precise logician, &c. Nor does it grieve me at all that I suffer so much for the justness of the Cause which I have undertaken and sworn to, as to be traduced by you, with the terms of an obscure footman, ungownd, and unbooted, &c. the time was when I have been on Horseback, where neither lily, nor Booker durst have shown their faces, and 'tis no matter whether I wear Boots or Shoes, either shall content me: I have both, and if I want a college Gown, I believe (Sir) you're not in so much credit as to take one up for me till my nex years almanac may defray your engagement, however you are not so much Master of your trade, as to make it for me, for (to say the truth) I was told you Master was a woman's tailor. I find nothing left now worthy my notice, save only the Quadrate Aspect of Saturn to Jupiter, which hapeneth this year, which (Master Merline) saith only signifieth mutationes. & res multas 〈◊〉 in Negotiis Regis, similiter & in lege, very great aterations, and many things concerning his majesty's affairs and the Law: but you see Master Merline dare not tell us his author, and (indeed) he either will not, or dare not; yet nevertheless I have traced him, and found Haly to be the author of those words, and of some other proceedings, which you may guess he was unwilling to publish, by the tenor of them, Haly pag. 391 they run thus: Significat (saith Haly) quoth existent Rebelles qui adversabuntur Regi, & qui querunt regnum, &c. The plain English is this, it signifieth that there shall be Rebels (and traitors, who shall rise and oppose themselves against the King, who shall endeavour to deprive him of his kingdom, &c. and this together with the former, is the genuine signification of the square of Saturn, and Jupiter; and these very words I had noted in my almanac, but the Printer maliciously expunged and altered them and divers more, whereby he hath unworthily abused me, and made my almanac look weatherbeat like himself. As for the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars in Taurus, which Master Merline, saith, hath been so learnedly handled by John Booker; I have sufficiently laid him open in that discourse I formerly mentioned; and no doubt, but it will serve both their turns: yet I cannot pass by one gross error (above all the rest) committed by this wooden prick-ear John Booker, in his new almanac for 1647 (which may be easily known, by the sign of the loggerhead in the front of it) upon his judgements of the year at the vernal ingress, where he saith that Jupiter is in Ascendente hora revolutionis, and accordingly draws fine Peaceable judgement from Jupiter, being in the Ascendent, when notwithstanding, Jupiter is above 30 degrees (or a whole sign) distant from thence, and so in the 11 house, as you may see in William lilies Figura mundi, in his Anglicus, erected, for the same time and place, by which the Reader may perceive what certainty can be in this dull fellows prognostics, who is thus palpably & intolerably erroneous, as to miss no less than a whole sign in the place of one Planet? And thus have I diligently and carefully examined William lilies Discourse, wherein I find him very foolishly rash, and even brim full of malice and ignorance; and do now assuredly know him unworthy the name of an Artist. I could have taken notice of a great many more errors, &c. and particularly in his Translation of those first 50 aphorisms of Ptolomi●s Centil●qui, wherein he shows himself ignorant in the original, so hath he infected some of them with his own foolish Commentaries, and (amongst the rest) a ridiculous story of a suit of clothes, that he tore many holes in, in going a nutting, when the Moon was ill dignified in Lea, which suit he says did never do him any service after: whereby you see that lily is as bad a tailor, as he is an Astronomer, that could mend his own clothes no better. The truth is, he was not born to be a workman. But I shall reserve my other more serious observations till I hear further from him, which if ever I do, I promise to lash him without mercy, in the interim I should advise such Gentlemen as desire to be instructed in this kind of Learning, to shake off these ignorant fellows, and apply themselves to Doctor Nicholas, Fisk Doctor Scarborough, Master Ionas, Moor, or Master, Holland, who are all of them singular Artists, and men of honest and clear intentions. FJNIS.