Fulke, William - Antiprognosticon Against The Vain and Unprofitable Predictions of The Astrologians As Nostradamus (1560)

Antiprognosticon that is to saye, an inuectiue agaynst the vayne and
vnprofitable predictions of the astrologians as Nostrodame, [et]c. Translated

out of Latine into Englishe. Whervnto is added by the author a shorte treatise
in Englyshe, as well for the vtter subuersion of that fained arte, as also for the
better vnderstandynge of the common people, vnto whom the fyrst labour
seemeth not sufficient — Antiprognosticon contra inutiles astrologorum
prædictiones Nostradami, Cuninghami, Lovi, Hilli, Vaghami, & reliquorum
omnium. English
Antiprognosticon that is to saye, an
inuectiue agaynst the vayne and
vnprofitable predictions of the astrologians
as Nostrodame, [et]c. Translated out of
Latine into Englishe. Whervnto is added by
the author a shorte treatise in Englyshe, as
well for the vtter subuersion of that fained
arte, as also for the better vnderstandynge
of the common people, vnto whom the fyrst
labour seemeth not sufficient —
Antiprognosticon contra inutiles
astrologorum prædictiones Nostradami,
Cuninghami, Lovi, Hilli, Vaghami, &
reliquorum omnium. English
Table of contents
Title page
Henry Bennet Calesian. Sonnet.
Willyam Painter.
¶ To his louyng frende W. F.
§
The preface to the Reader.
§
§
§
§
ANTIPROGNOSTICON that is to saye, an [Page][Page]
Inuectiue agaynst the vayne and vnprofitable predictions of
the Astrologians as Nostrodame. &c. Translated out of Latine
into Englishe.
Whervnto is added by the author a shorte Treatise in

Englyshe, as well for the vtter subuersion of that fained arte,
as also for the better vnderstandynge of the common people,
vnto whom the fyrst labour seemeth not sufficient.
Habet & musca splenem & formicae suabilis inest.
1560.
Henry Bennet Calesian. Sonnet.
THe Poets write, that Atlas did sustein [Page]
e
On shulders huge y massy heuēs frame
So feigne they not, that Saturns heauenly reygne,
And state he knew, or could expresse ye same
Thastrologers, that neuer crept so hye,
Do [...] vaunt they knowe, what God doothe woorke in
throne.
Affyrmyng that to knowe this mystery,
None can atteyne, but onely they alone,
Whose fansies Fulce with booke of perfecte skyll,
Confutes with suche as vaynly do professe
Thēselues to know, of god the secrete will,
But yf I myght to these rewarde addresse,
I rede the rout, that eies vnlerned bleares,
Shuld for their cunnynge weare kinge Midas eares.
Willyam Painter.
A Foule fall dontles Fulce doth geue thastrologers [Page]
eche one:
Bycause no firme foundation they buylde their arte vpon.
Who doo surmyse and fondly fayne, mens fortunes to
foreshewe.
And make the symple forte beleue, that they their fates
can knowe.
But al thos [...] bragges this boke doth breake and make
them seeme full colde,
With argumentes atchieued by arte with reasons
manyfolde.
Though Cunyngham the same doo carpe or Uaghan vayne
it iudge,
Or other suche, with scornefull scoffe thereat doo beare
some grudge:
Sith Grindall graue the grist hath ground and Molens
molendine,
The meale hath made, whence bulted was and brought this
flower fyne,
The lesse we nede theyr force to feare, we haue suche
stuffe in store,
Comparisons are odyous, therefore I adde no more.
Comparatio omnis odiosa.
¶ To his louyng frende W. F.
O
[Page]
VR familiaritie is suche,
that neyther we haue neede of
preoccupation, nor yet of many
wordes in vtteryng our
requeste. These circumstances
therfore being cutte of, I shall euen at one
woorde, desyre you, that this translation of
your Antiprogno [...] may be publisshed
and made cōmon for all men, that either
haue nede therof to vnderstande their
errour, orels shall haue pleasure therin to
see the vanitie wherwith they haue ben
blynded. The rather thus trā slated, bicause
a great numbre of the busiest and most
curious Astrologians in Englād vnderstand
no latin at all, orels so symply, that they
can not perceiue the mynde of a Latin writ
[...]r, and also that the cōmon sorte of wel
disposed men, may hereby take, some
profite. But if you thynk good to adde som
what in this edition for the vnderstandyng
of the common people you shall doo well in
my opinion. Thus fare you well.
From Seuenoke xxii. of Octobre.

Your familiar frende Willyam Paynter.
§
S
VCHF is the nature of mankynde, [Page]
carnestely desprous to haue knowledge of
thynges to come, that in seekyng out & inuētyng
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 sciēce 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, [Page]
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 arrogātly do pronoūce 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 philo-
sophie. 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 [Page]
errour to desect, vanite to open, & au thoritie 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 mē, partly because they so proudly with al their force
inuey ageinst such mē as contemne & despise these and
suche lyke their predictiōs. Yea som are not ashamed to
cōmend a necessary vse of their diuinati ons. 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 thē to detect & opē
their trifling in pro gnostications, leste he shoulde incurre the
reproches and contumelies of the prowde and arrogant [Page]
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 pro uoke 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 [Page]
place it selfe wil not suffre them to haue. that whē 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 [Page]
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 cōtemplacion of the whole
workemashyp of the world, doth not ye sciens it selfe bryng
wt 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 [Page]
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 [Page]
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 [Page]
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 contingēt, nether to vouche thauctoritie
of other philosophers, concernyng the vncertayne and
vnknowē 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 [Page]
standeth on thynges that most commonlye are false, but
alwayes vn certayne and vnconstant: Tell me all you
prognosticatours, by what reason it may [...] be called a
sciēce? but if this your methode & rule of prophesieng be not
to bee noumbred among those sciences, which consist of thin
ges 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 predictiōs, be they neuer so vncertayne,
yet they maye bee profitable to the publike welth, so yt 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
commē 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,
yt 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 [Page]
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 vp sydowne, 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
parliamēt. 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 [Page]
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 ouerthrovve

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 thoracle, 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 [Page]
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
calculatiōs 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: [Page]
but Mercurius, with his eloquence dooth pacifie theim.
Likewise Mars this yeare shall saue Englād 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 impedimēts which
cause yt 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 surgeōs, 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 [Page]
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 men cion 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 argumēt,

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 cōmon 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 [Page]
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 soūdatiōs which ought to be
most stronge and sure, in any poynt doo fayle, streighte way
yt 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
foundatiōs 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, [Page]
this nowe by exaumple maye be demonstrated very easily.
Likewise it is an other groūde 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 Oxygoniꝰ, 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 yt 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 thā the earthe? We graunt that these matters be
difficult, and suche as hardly can be per swaded to the
cōmon sort: yet as difficulte as they be, and harde to knowe,
there is a meane wherby men maye come to the sci- [Page]
ence and vnderstādyng 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 mās witte may atteyne to so greate
knowlege, ther is no methode, no inductiō, yt cā main tayn
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, ca-
stell, 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, [Page]
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 of-
tener 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 no-
thynge 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 [Page]
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 inuen sed 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 moist nes, 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 [Page]
preferred. Thā 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 [Page]
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 [Page]
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
whi che 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 bold- [Page]
nesse 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) shalbe yours. In the meane [Page]
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 mē whē by reson of cōten tion they [Page]
wer cōpelled to bring forth what they could for their defēce,
wold sain haue cōcluded their vaticination out of the first
chap. of Genesis. For whē God the most excellēt wise
workman, of nature had crea ted heauē & orth, with his
almighty word, had put also a difference betwene the light
which he had made, & darknes: more ouer had placed the
firmamēt in the midst of the waters: Furthermore gathered
ye waters, yt before couered ye whole face of ye erth for
preseruatiō of liuing cretures that he entē ded 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 soūdeth) vnto dais & vnto yeres, & the lightes shalbe in
heuen to geue light vpō ye erth, whose eternal wil theffect
streight way folowed. For god made two great lights, a
greater light to rule ye day, & a lesser light to rule yt night, &
also ye stars. Here the prognosticators take no smal cou
rage, ye god ordened the lights, ye thei shuld be vnto signes.
But how litle these signes make for yt purpose of their
predictiōs, he ye [...]rarketh yc order & discours of yt [Page]
words shal easily [...]cesue. For yt which foloweth of ap-
pointed sesons, likewise yt which foloweth of dais & yeres,
these seme to me to expon̄d what maner of signes thei
shalbe, ye is, thei shalbe tokēs of sprig, sōmer, au [...]ūne, &
win ter, of dais natural & artificial, lōg or short of yeres,
according to ye sons course, or to ye moones course, & so of
yt rest. And wheras here is chiefly mētion made of ye sonne &
ye moon, if we wil nedes by signs, vnderstad for shewing,
thei shalbe vnto signes of he [...] whē yt son oraweth nere to
vs, of cold wh [...] ̄ [...]h departeth, of abūdāce of humors
whē yt moon encreaseth, & ye cōtrary whē she is in the wane
or decreasing. But vf of necessitie you wold haue vs to
vnderstand fatall [...]dictions, notwe standing the argument
is in force, seing you know not what ye stars do signify, you
can not by their aspects tell of thyngs to come. But there be
som, whi che as they thinke wil defend their science we much
more strength, requiring that we shuld grant them yt al
things in erth ar ruled & gouerned by the power of ye heuēly
signes. Truly I am not so hard to be entre [...] ted, ye. I wold
deny the Astrologiās being oppressed we such calamite so
litle a matter but rather I wil geue thē more thē they de mād,
& such thigs as I wold beni thē if thei [...] [...] [Page][Page]
were obstinate and stubburn, now flying to their [Page]
shoote an [...]re and last helpe, I wyll gentilly graunt them.
All higher thynges saith Aristotle, woorketh in the lower be-
bies. 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 [Page]
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 estimatiō 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
heathē men as Porphyrius, whiche to Iamblicus [Page]
saythe, That it is impossible that a manu [...] shuld knowe
the signification of the celestiall reuolutions. Iamblicus
hymself whi che denyeth, that any vertue or power de-
scendeth 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 thapostle
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 [Page]
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 (ye saist) by thy natiuity thou wilte [Page]
endeuour thy selfe to seeke for good thynges, and auoyde
euyll thynges. Why wouldest thou not haue doon so, al-
though 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 mākynd, 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 Chaldeā. 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 [Page]
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.
Nowe therfore which way wil ye turne the saile of youre

safetie? The Patriarke Noah dooth renounce you, Hieremie
and Paule doth hate you: Porphy [...]ius & Iambli cus, dothe
contemne you. Who shall then be your standard bearer? or
who the trompettour to blowe out your praise? Ptholomeus
ascribeth as much certaintie to you as to the wynde: For he
affirmeth, That your prediction [...] doo not bynde any man,
but onely drawe them that be wyllyng. Then by this reason
their will shoulde be cause of those thynges that chaunce,
and not the starres. For against them that wil not, the starres
can do nothyng: and them that hee wyllynge they [Page]
canne not lette to [...]oo what they wyll. If this bee true, as
it is moste true what power is left to the influence of the
starres: We grant, say they that of those accions whiche a
man doth, his wylle is the nexte cause: But of those actions
whyche be not in a mans power, that is suche, as he can not
bryng to passe as he woulde, the starres be gouernours. But
then to what purpose or end dryueth that notable sayeng,
whych beyng sprong from anercellent learned manne, all
men by their consente do [...]e allowe, that is, (A wise man
shal rule the starres) Is not this ment, that the signification
of the starres althoughe they were knowen, haue not so
greatte power in mennes mattiers, but that a wyse mannes
prouydence is of muche greatter force, so that not without a
cause, A wyse manne is sayde to re [...]ls the startes, that is
to saye, the Iufluence and signification of the starres.
Yet sommetyme it commeth to passe, that in castynge a

mannes natiuitie, you doo hyt [...]e ryghte of his lyse or
maners. And we wyll not greately str [...]ue agaynst you, but
seeyng you doo so often and so dyuers thynges foretell to
euery mann [...]e by his natiuitie, yt were impossible, but
that som what muste nedes chaunce accordyng to [Page]
youre predictions: yet this is by chaunce and not by arte: for
he that wysely and [...] ly gently reuolueth in his mynde,
that hen uenly reuolution, can not be certainly per suaded,
that so momentaneous and shorte face of the heuens shuld
worke any thyng strongly so long tyme after: for in the mo-
ment of an howre it is continually chau [...] ged frome one to
an other: and this is the cause, that Iamblicus thynkethe,
that the differences of tyme, whyche the Astrologiaus
obserue, auayleth lyttell or nothyng to the effecte of stronge
and meruaylous woorkes. Besydes this a certayne Astro-
logian or Palmester, Iohannes Indagine affirmeth, that this
shorte and momentaneous reuolution of the heuēs is of lesse
effecte and power then that, whyche he [...]l leth naturall
astrologie, reducyng all fortes of menne what saeuer they be
[...], vnto xii. horoscopes, accordynge to the numbre of the
twelue signes. Therfore as well he as the other dooe ascribe
so manye and so dyuers qualities to euerye manne by hys
natiuitie, that of necessitie some of theim muste bee in
euerye manne, As he whythe saythe, That a manne shall bee
apte to anger, Pryde, Loue, Pytye, and [...] [...] [Page][Page]
suche lyke: where as there is no man but he shall fynd [Page]
these & suche like qualities in himself, yf he enter into his
owne mynde.
But to procede, howe euery starre hath a name, whiche

oftentymes seemeth to be geuen by the signification therof.
Wherefore it shall not be out of the way, somme thyng to
tary in resonyng of their names, left perchaunce the
Astrologians of them (as of a gnatte) woulde seeme to make
an Elephant. Fyrst therfore that the names whereby the
starres are called, are not of their owne nature, but geuen to
theim by men. Iohannes de sacro Bosco, sufficiently heareth
wytnes, with whom Uer [...]ll agreeth in his first booke of
Georgikes, saying
The shipman fyrste then gaue to starres their nomber,

and their name:
The Pleiades, Hyades, and Lycaons, heare of worthy
fame.
Neuertheles all the starres had not their names geuen theym
of the same occasiōs yet they were al deuised for difference
that they myght be one knowen from another, as Bernardus
Syluestris sayth very pretily.
Leste that without [...] distinction the cōmmon worde

shulde go,
The names wherby the starres be cald, by men were
termed so.
But of the names some were attributed vnto them for [Page]
the forme whiche they seme to beare in heauen to theym
that beholde them: Of that sort ar the wain, the crown, the
shippe, the serpent, the harpe, and such lyke. Some beare
their name of their propre place, in whiche they bee sette: As
Aries the ramme fyrste of the stocke, and firste of the signes.
Cancer the crabbe, [...] beast that goeth backewarde, gaue
name to that signe, in whiche the sonne retourneth to the
lower hemispher. Libra, the ba lance, that maketh euē
weight, so being the name of a signe, it maketh nightes &
daies of equal lēgth. Aquarius, the water he arer and Pisees
the fishes, for the abūdance of water, that is, when the sonne
keepeth his course in those places, gaue name to those
signes. Caper the goate, whiche in fedyng lifteth vp himselfe,
and semeth to hang on the rocks, was thought a mete name
to be geuen that signe, in whiche when the Son is, he daily
riseth vp toward vs frome the Antipodes, or men that go with
their feete right against our feete. A greate number also of
the names whereby the starres are called, were geuen of the
Eth [...]kes, partly flattetyng their princes, and partly be-
leuyng that theyr sowles beyng translated after their [Page]
death into heuen, had the do [...] mon of certayne starres,
and therof from ancient tyme came the names of Saturne,
Jupiter, Mars, Mercurie, O [...]ion, & such like. The men of
later tyme perchance thynke that they eyther haue changed
or reteyned certayn names, by reason of the qualities which
they ascribe to the starres them selues. But this is specially
worthe the markyng, that they are accustomed not of the
qualities to geue the names, but of the names to derine theyr
qualyties: as to the Crabbe, which is a fyshe by the water
side (although he be a signe of the sommer, yet beyng in
heauen, they ascribe a wa [...]ry nature. Likwise to the Bull,
whiche is a melancolike beast euen amōg the signes, they
attribute an earthy dispolition: The rāme in deuē also they
wil haue to beare domini on of the pe in erth, like as the bull
of oxen. So also to Saturne whiche of the poetes was feigned
to be a lur kynge god, they ascribe melancolike qualities, but
Iupiter which in the Fables is found a gentil & fauorable God,
is also iudged to bee a well willyng planet. Venus which was
gentyl and amiable, euen amonge the starres is said to keye
ye same nature still. Mereurius which is reported of the poets
to be a these and a crafty felow, being translated to the
numbre of gods, is also vnstable & inconstant, [Page]
applying himself to euery company, for with the good, he is
also good, and with the euill, agreable in qualitie with theim.
And now by this means we haue veriued the significations of
moste part of the planets, from the very fountain out of
which they are drawen, wherby euery man may se vpon what
reason their principles both consist, out of which they feine
themselues as it were gods, to haue knowledge of thin ges
past, thinges present, & things to com. But abide for, bid not
the. iij. wise men by aspect of a starre in the east,
vnderstande, that Christ was borne, and by leadyng of the
same, come to the place of his birth, to worship him, how
then do you cry that the predictions of the starres are to be
cōtemned? If you entend to wrest this to the con firmatiō of
your art, by ye same reason you shall cōclude ye inumerable
wōders which at yt time chā [...]ed in al places were done by
ye order of nature. But at ye time al thyngs ministred vnto
god: & ye his power might appere, Nature her self went our
of her ac customed place. For at that time great & wondrous
meruaile hapned, in so much ye the diuinors, soothsaiers,
magitians, and all they that were wonte to tell the signifi-
cations of such matters, beyng demanded what these [Page]
wonders ment, answerd, That Nature was in trauail with the
LORDE of all thynges created. There testeth no more nowe,
but to dissolue Cunynghams confutatione (set forth by hym
iwa certain Epistle, whiche he calleth his Inuectiue) by lyke
force as we haue doon the test. Master Cunynghā thinketh yt
he hath reduced al aduersaries calūniations vnto ij. poyntes:
The fyrst is, that yt knowlege of Astrologie, is enemy to the
most laudable sciēce of phisike: The other, That the
Astrologiā can not foreshewe thynges to come by his starres.
Concernynge the former parte he sendeth us ouer to
Hipocrates the prince of phisike, in his boke De aëre, aqua, &
locis. Seyng therfore it was nedefull for me to reade ouer
that booke (although not agreable with my study and
profession) yet hauyng one lent me, according to the smal
leisure that I had, and the litle capacitie of my poore wytte, I
redde hym ouer bothe in Greke and latin. And truely as farre
as I remembre the notes of the margent in the latin
translation proclaimed open war betwene Hipocrates and me:
but when I looked nerer to hym selfe, I found no man so
frendly to me, whiche prescribed so profytable necessary vse
of astronomy (not ones dreaming of fatal signs, as [Page]
they wold seme to haue hym. But seing peraduēture I shal
seme to dispute on these matters beyonde my cunnyng, I
wolde sayne learne of doctour Cunyngham what argumentt
to confirme Astrologie he can gather out of that booke. In the
meane tyme suche thynges as I redde and vnderstode, I wil
briefely recite. Hipocrates speaketh muche of the risyng of
certayne signes and stars, as of the Pleiades, Arcturus, Canis,
and suche other, all the which sayenges are most plainly to
be referred to the state of Tyme that is, when those signes
rise or go down. And not here onely, but also in his Apho-
rismes, Hipocrates dryuethe to the same ende. Wherefore he
concludeth, That the knowledge of Astronomye, not of Astro-
logie, is profitable to the science of phisike Bicause that by
the course of the starres the phisition may forsee many
thynges ne cessary to his science. Not that the starres [...]oo
foretell hym of any thynge, but that their risynge or fallyng is
coincident with suche state of tyme. Secondly, master Cu
nyngbam concludeth, that things to come may be forsene by
aspect of the starres, by this argument. If the Maryner by his
signes can forshe we the tempest to folowe, the [Page]
Phisition by his tokens, can forsee the increace or declination
of the liknes. The husband man by his argument can fortell
the state of the yeare to folowe, why may not the learned
Astrologian by his starres haue knowledge of thynges to
come? As for example, Mars is whotte and drye, nowe yt he
see many fyery thynges mete with hym, may he not boldely
pronounce that the yeare folowyng shalbe muche enclined to
heate. But of howe smalle force this argument is, we shal
vnderstande by the easy solution thereof. For grauntynge
that the maryner, phisition, and husbande man can forsee
thinges by his certayn sygnes and tokens: Yet what fatall
necessitie (in gods name) compelleth vs to think likewise of
thastrologians. For the example that is brought to confirm
the matter, is more doubtfull then the matter it selfe: for we
can not tell of what nature Mats is, nor thastrologians them
selues, so that is they wyl proue any thyng by this argument,
they must fyrst shew by what reson they call Mars whote, or
Saturne colde.
For except they bee sure of this, that they make their
priciples tru, thei may at their pleasure conclude what thei
list. But their propositions shall haue no more credite [Page]
then truth & certayntie. Wherfore not because the phisitiā or
the mariner can know any thing, therfore the astrologians
shall do the lyke, except they fetch theyr premō strations of
as sure groundes as the other do. But lest we should to
insolently inuey agaynste these false tellers (foretellets I
wold say, master Cunyngham hath geuen vs ensaumple of
two yeares that chaunced accordyng to the predictions of
moysture, 1524, and drynesse. 1540. But here I appeale to
Cuninghams wisedom, why he bryngeth exaumple of two
yeares onely, and them so longe agoe past? and why he dyd
not she we exaumple of thre yeares laste paste? yf he wyll
boaste that his arte is certayne and trewe, why doothe he
not declare, that the euent of euery yeare was suche, as
thastrologiās for shewed it shulde bee, whether because all
menne with one voyce wold say nay [...]or els because of
tyme longe paste he may feigne, and no manne reproue him.
but there shal nede no such cō tention we wil grant. xx.
yeres sens astrol. first began, whiche hapned accordyng as
the prognosticators fortold them: wylyon then boast that
your diuinatiō is true, be cause of. 2000. yeares onely,
twenty serus for youre pourpose. But these thynges [Page]
beyng so clere I omytte.
And that we may make haste to the had uen that is not nowe
farre of, seynge this ap [...]she arte is vnprofitable to the
woorkes of phisike, to the profite of the studentes, to the
state of the common wealth: and seyng that without
principles nothyng can be knowen: but astrology consisteth
either of no principles, or of false, in is softe labony that is
spent in thobseruation therof: in vayne it is to credite their
predictions, vnsust it is, that she is of the vnlerned people
reuerenced, more worthy to bee buried vnder the chanell of
Lethe, the ryuer of ob liuion, than that she shoulde enioyeng
the cleare lyght of men, be had in any estimation. But if
there be any Prognosticatour that will take vppon hym to de-
fende Astrologie thus battered in pieces, let hym make haste
to dooe it, before she vtterlye false to ruyne.
FINIS.
¶ Herafter foloweth a short Treatise, as well for the vtter
subuersion of this fained art, as also for the better vnder-
standyng of the cōmon people.
The preface to the Reader.
C
Onsyderyng with my selfe, (gentyl reader) [Page]
that so manynotable workmen at thys tyme,
hathe by theyr cunning, & also by their diligēt
laboure, haue layde the foundation of a moste
woorthy buildynge: & also brought the same a
good waye aboue the grounde, intendynge by gods helpe not
onely to finishe the playne worke thereof, but also to
garnishe it with suche ornamentes as myghte beseeme so
princely a palayce: I thoughte it not my parte for the good
affection that I heart to the woorke, to stande altogyther
ydell, yf by any meanes I myghte be profytable in the same.
And walkynge about to see the compasse and fasshion of it, I
perceyued that the great stones whiche pertayned to the
structure were suche as neither by my strengthe I was able
to lyste theym, nor yet by my cunnyng in that kynd of [Page]
mas [...] ry to place and ioyne theim: but as for hewyng or
fashionyng them, I sawe it was so farre aboue my knowledge
and vnderstandyng, that I dyd not ones applye my selfe to
haue any medlynge with them. At the last when I had
[...]ewed all other thynges sufficiently, I espied a lyttle heape
of rubbyshe whyche not only hyndered them that wente to
and fro o [...]er it, in specdynge their worke, but also semed
to be no small deformitie to the leuelled playnesse of the
statte forme, whereon the buyldyng should stande, I myghte
see also that some of the master masons them selues had
taken paines in remouynge the same vnprofytable Chaos:
which caused me to thynke, that I coulde not be better
occupied then to conney the same quight out of the way, that
it shoulde neyther be a lette nor an yll sight, in the
procedyng of so necessary busynes. Wherefore I prepared
and made for my selfe as it were a lyttell wicker baskette,
whiche I myght easily beare, so cary away this hyndryng
heape, where it shalbe confused and utterly dispersed
abroade. And although the substance of my bas kette be
symple and weake, yet it is good enoughe to cary tubb [...]
[...]he and suche lyght stuffe as I put therin. But as [Page]
soone as I beganne to tourne vp the vpper parte therof, I vn-
derstode, that because it had lyenge longe compacte
togyther, thers was bredde in it a great numbre of toades
and snakes that beganne to hysse and spewe out theyr poy-
son agaynst me, bycause I diseased theim of their nesle and
barrborowe. But God be thanked I come not naked among
them, I haue an armoure called Veritas, that is able to
withstande the malice euen of dragons, and crocodiles. Som
men perchāce wolde meruayle why I woulde not strike
[...]eim, that so furiousely haue gone about to stynge me. In
deede I haue prepared al redy moderate defence, but I staye
vppon certayne dóubtes that are these:
Fyrst, whether it be the poynte of al [...] ned manne to rayle

or no [...]
Secondely, whether the conclusion in Syllogismo litigiolo bee

good or no?
And thirdly whether there be a kynde of argument called

Syllogismus conuciatorius, or no? these doubtes resolued I
wold [...] procede. As for Uaughan I haue nothing to dooe
with hym, but to wysshe hym his tyghte wyttes and a good
tongue.
I haue taken vpō me to dissolue this masse at astrologie, and

that by goddes helpe I wyll doo to the vttermoste of [Page]
my power, so that my contention is agaynst no mā. But my
labour is to remoue this obstacle out of good menues waies,
and if any yll men hereafter exercise their malyce vpon me, I
must nedes say as Socrates sayde: Though an asse spurne
agaynst me, I wil not go to lawe with hym. Therefore they
that haue delyte in railyng, let them rayle and spare not:
They that haue pleasure in scoffyng, lette theim scoffe and
flowte tyll they haue proued theym selues cōmen parasites
and sycophantes in so dooynge, I wyll not ones be moued
with suche vnhoneste meanes. But yf any man shall pro-
pounde any probable argument to mayntayne this cause, I
wyll doo the best I can to answer it, and if I be not able (as I
haue always offered) I wyll yelde vnto hym. Wherefore
gentyll reader, if thou cansts fynde thy selfe eased with any
of these two small trauayles, I haue my request.
§
T
O begyn playnly as we entende to procede,[Page]
we must fyrst calle to remembraunce, what
matter we haue in hāde and then with like
plainnesse declare, what playne order we ent
[...]nde to take in discussyng of the same.
Therfore omyttynge all colours of rhetor [...]ke, and all
impediments of paynted speache, our pur pose is (to speake
it at one breathe) vtterly to ouerthrowe the science of
astrologie. Astrologie (leste any man shoulde doubte,
bycause it is no Englishe worde) is sayd to be a knowledge,
wherby the practisers of it saye, that they can tell of all
thyng that are not come to passe, before they come to
passe, by the course & mouyng of the starres, or els to
describe it more plainely, is yt knowledge by whiche the
prognosticatiōs be made, that tell of rayne and fayre weather,
sickenes and health, warre & peace, plentie and dearthe,
with suche lyke: By whiche also they cast your natiuities, tell
you [...]oure fortunes, pretende to gyue you knowledge of
thinges that be lost: and last of all appoynt you dayes and
tymes good or euyll, for all thynges that you haue to doo. As,
for workes of phisike, to let bloud to take purgations, and al
other medicins for other cōmon matters, to sow, to [Page]
plant, to iourney by lande, to iourney by water, to bye and
sell, to marye, to begynne anye woorke, and fynally to
attempt any thyng that men vse cōmonly in their lyfe to doo.
Our intent is therfore in this shorte Trea tise to persuade all
such as he therto beyng deceiued by a false opinion of
learnynge, haue gyuen credite vnto them: that herafter (yf
they see that all is not onely vayne, but also vngodlye) they
cleane forsake them and theyr prophesie [...] as thyngs that
lette them to prosper well in theyr busines and also hynder
theim to put theyr truste in God and his promyses. For what
confidence hathe be in god or his worde, that dare not take
in hande any honest and ver [...]ous affaires (in which God
hath promised to ayde and set forwarde all theim that loue
hym) except [...]e must fyrste aske counsayle of a blynde
southsayer and Astrologiā? And let them not be offended
though I call theim blynde, for accordynge to the prouerbe,
Who is so blynde as, he that wil not see? But perchaunce so
[...]me will say [...], that bycause I am blynde and ignoraunt
in so goodlye a science, therefore I [...] dysprayse it. As
towchynge that matter, they haue no cause to say so, [Page]
for be it spoken withoute diswoorshyp of any of theym, and
with smalle pryde in my self, I knowe what the arte is as well
as they, and so muche the rather doo I condemne it, leste
seynge the vanitie and vncertaintie thereof, I shoulde bee
counted as they are, wylfully blynde, and not seyng when
theyr eyes bee open.
Thus much for oure entente, our order shall be suche, as

best maye be perceyued. For wee wylle fyrste speak [...]
agaynste the wholle knowledge generally, and thenne
particularly agaynste euery membre and parcell thereof. And
because wee wylle spende no paper in superfluous
sentences, we must remembre what was sayd in the former
booke, that it was impossible for any man to haue any
knowledge of thynge [...] to comme [...]y the course of the
starres. Wherevnto wee wyll adde for playnner
[...]nderstandynge this that foloweth. As towchyng t [...]
mouynge and course of th [...] hea [...]ens, bycause menne
may see th [...]ym, they myghte also (as they haue doo
[...]) by longe and dilygent obseruation fynd out a learnyng,
that shuld [...]each the truth of thē, but seing the starres be
all of one forme or facion, yt is sphericall or rounde like a
ball, [...] [...] (although some be greatter [Page][Page][Page]
then some also some hygher then some) it can not be, that a
man beholdyng or lookyng vpon them, shoulde vnderstande
of what qualities or significations they are. As for the coloure
of them (although to speake exquisitely by the rules of
natural philosophie they haue no colour) is [...]o lyke in
moste (exceptynge the sonne and the moone) that in so
smalle varietie of colours, a man can not discern so dyuers
and manye qualities. And not withstandynge that they
ymagine the planette Saturne to bee blacke or blewe, and
Mars to be redde or fyery, they can if they were disposed (I
meane the learned sorte) gyue an other reason of theyr
colour, nothynge seruynge for the auauncement of theyr
pretende [...] knowledge. By this it is manyfest, that by
seeyng, lookynge, or beholdyng the starres, no man can
knowe what they signifye, forasmuche as by the syght
nothyng can properly be perceyued but colour and fashion.
Then what waye is it possible, that a man shuld vnderstand
what those hygh bodies all of one colour [...] and fashion
shoulde betoken? Some wyll say peraduenture, that as the
course of the starres was founde out by diligent obseruation,
so lykewyse theyr sygnifications were learned by [Page]
earneste markyng wha [...] chaunced alwayes vnder euery
sygne or planet. Howe vntrue this is, we shal part ly nowe
declare, and partly leaue tyll we come to the particulars.
Fyrst therfore that their significations coulde not so be

learned, it is manyfest by this reason: That those thynges
whyche chaunce or come to passe bee infinite, that is
innumerable to men, howe then coulde a certayn numbre of
men know or learne whether all those thynges came to
effecte as they had marked in a few? for although they had
taken their obseruation in as ma ny as they coulde, yet were
there manye mo, yea tenne thousande tymes as manye
whiche they knew not of, that myght happen clean [...]
contrary to theyr deuise. Dothe it not then playnly appeare,
that by obseruation no man coulde discerne what those
sygnes and heauenly bodies dyd forshew? Then if neither by
beholdyng thē, nor yet by marking or obseruatiō of thē, it
might be that mans witte coulde fynde out their signification:
there remayneth no waye howe to knowe them, but that
fonde fantasy of reuelation by some spirite or aungelle.
Whiche I haue not without a cause before touched (although
some wold think that I ymagin that obiection of my [Page]
selfe) because that of some it is so obiected, not onely in
woordes, but also in writynge.
Concernynge reuelation we haue some [...]ynge sayde all

readye, wherevnto we wyll ioyne this, that God vse [...] not
by his mynysters to reueale any knowledge vnto menne, but
suche as is to his glory and theyr profyte. Nowe what
auayleth it to Goddes glorye, that mortall men shoulde haue
vnderstandynge of all thynges that he purposeth to doo, as
who shoulde saye, he woulde haue men as cunnynge as hym
selfe, or as thowghe he shoulde rule the world by theyr
prognostications. And no profyte canne it bee to menne, to
haue suche knowledge, whyche yf it were true, (as it is
moste [...]alse) they were not able to preuente. If, God
therefore dooeth not reueals any thynge whiche is not to his
glorye, and the proufyte of his creatures, me thynke that
vayne obiection is cleane put out of the waye. Lette this
suffise for our purpose of inueyenge generally. Therefore
proceede we to the particulars, whiche althoughe there bee
as many as there bee dyuers actions, yet we wyll intreate
onely of two [...] sortes: the one of foreshewynge the states
of thynges and tymes, that other of chusyng dayes [Page]
and oportunyties. And to begyn with that whyche semeth
chieffest amonge theym, to prognosticate of warre and
peace, I meruayle that menne are so madde, as to looke for
warre oute of theyr predictions, knowing that the cause
therof proceedeth not of the starres, but of the deuyll,
whyche alwaye labourethe to breake the bondes of vnitie and
concorde, that shoulde be among christian men. And where
doothe he plant the cause therof, but in the kyng, whose
heart the scripture witnesseth, that as the diuisions of
waters, so is it in the lordes hande, and whether he will, he
moueth it. Seyng therfore that the kyng is not subiect to the
influence of the starres, neyther is anye thing that procedeth
from hym, gouerned by theim, and thenne consequentlye
and necessarilye it folowethe, that all matters concernynge
the commune wealthe, as warre and peace, discorde and
rebellyon, lawes, and suche lyke, can neyther bee forshewen
nor foreseene by Astrologie: dearthe and plentye bee caused
by reasone of seasonable weather, or vnseasonable: Then yf
the starres haue nothyng to doo with wether, they haue lesse
to dooe with plentie or scarcity, which ar caused therby As
for clowdes wherof rayne commeth, they are drawen [Page]
vp in thynne vapours, by the heate of the sonne, into the
myddle region of the ayre, and there, by colde, are made
grosse, then by some wyndes they ar dissipated and dryuen
abroade, or elles by some resolued and drop downe. And
thys is the cause for the moste part, of rayne & fayre wether,
so ye except the vncertayntie of the wynd may be knowen by
the stars, rayne and fayre wether can neuer be foreshewed.
But wherof commeth the wynd▪ I am sure they wyll not
denye the Philosophers definition gathered oute of the se-
conde booke of his Meteors, which is, that the wynde is an
exhalation whot and dry, drawen vp by the heate of the
Sonne, and for the weight of it selfe fallyng downe, is
laterally or sydelonges caried aboute the earthe. By this
definition all power of signifying starres is cleane excluded.
And as towchynge the place frome whens the wynd bloweth,
the same philosopher doth also declare, that as it hapneth
the matter thereof to be caried, so frome that place it
moueth. And here by the way where as I vse the wordes of
Happen and Chaunce, you muste not take me, that I meane
the thynge shoulde come by blynde fortune or case: [Page]
For I am of opinion, that nothyng commeth to passe without
a cause, but my meanyng is, that by the causes and occa-
sions therof, so it came to effect. But to returne into the way
agayn, seyng the cause of the wynde is not forsene by the
starres, no more can the wether that is partly caused by it,
nor yet the dearthe or plentie whiche chaunceth by occasion
of the weather, bee by Astrologie foreshewed. Then wi [...] al
those [...]ut of your Prognostications, for what shoulde they
doo there, of whiche it is impossible that you shoulde
prognosticate. Sycknesse and healthe depende vpon dyuers
causes, but nothyng at al vpon the course of the starres. for
what way soeuer the starres runne their race, yf there be in
the body abundance or defect, or from outward by corruption
of the ayre infection it must nedes be sycke: and it none of
these bee, though all the starres in heauen with all their
oppositions and euil tokens shuld meete in the howse of
sicknesse, yet the body shoulde bee whole, and in good
healthe. But you wyl say, that those causes of sicknesse are
wroughte by the constellation of the starres. Wel ones we
haue a good con fort of Hieremy the prophet, that those are
not to be feared. And to aunswere this obiection [...] [Page]
[...] I woulde haue taken paynes, [...] that the [Page][Page]
moste parte of Astrologians ar by profession phisitions,
whiche yf they be in dede as they professe, and haue
learnyng accordyng to their degree (which I doubt not but
they haue) they knowe assuredly, that the causes of sycknes
and helth hang nothynge vppon mouyng of the celestiall
bodies. The more shame is it for theym, yf they stiffely and
stoutely maynteyn and defende that which they know to be
moste vayne and false. But leaue sycknesse and healthe to
theym that haue chiefely to doo with theym, and comme to
Natiuytyes or Fortune tellynges.
If I hadde not beene my selfe seduced by suche a vayne

credyte that I gaue to the wrytyngs of Astrologians, I would
neuer beleeue, that any manne endewed with common sence
and reasone, shoulde haue respecte to castynge of
Natiuityes, or Fortune tellynges. For what madnesse ys yt to
thynke, that beeynge but twelue sygnes and seuen planettes,
euery syngular manne hath of theym his singular
constellation. I confesse that euery syngular manne by the
prouidence of God is guyded and preserued, but that euery
man that is borne hath his syngular influence, it is to [Page]
muche incredyble. For I dare be bolde to saye (and if I were
dryuen to it by good reasone proue it) that at one instant or
Nunc, there is somtyme borne a kynge and a sclaue, a
warryour and a cowarde, a wyse man and a foole, a learned
manne, an vnlearned persone, a true man and a thefe, a
ryche man and a poore, a Christian and a Pagan, a manne
and a beaste. Howe thenne shall the Astrologian telle all
these theyr Fortune, by one constellation? Furthermore what
a straunge matter is it, that one constellation should woorke
to so sundrye effectes? as yf an Astrologian hadde erected a
fygure for one mannes natiuytie, a nother commeth to knowe
of a thynge loste, at the same instant, the thyrde commeth
to heare yf a sycke man shall dye or recouer, All these muste
haue theyr aunsweres shapen theym oute of one fygure. But
they wylle say perchaunce, that all these canne not happen
at ones, then lette theym answere me to this question: Is
there but one kynde of thyng done in the whole worlde, or
vnder one meridian at one instāt or moment? And be allother
ydle for that tyme▪ As for exāple, when one stealeth, is there
nothyng done at that tyme but [...]alynge: When a [Page]
kyng is borne, is none borne el [...] but kynges? Or when a
sclaue is brought forth, is thir none els that season brought
foorth but sclaues? Therefore yf they can not auoyde the
mischefe of this answere, let them bee ashamed to practise
any more suche vayne predictions, yea let them be astayde
to vse tellyng of fortunes, lest they be counted in that poynte
as yll as wicked Ma [...]asses, of whome the scripture repor-
teth, that amonge other his synnes he had also regarde to
soothsayenge and fortune tellynge. As for Consurynge, I wyll
not charge them, bycause theyr predictions ar not so sure as
they are wonte to make.
But perchaunce they wyll say that al that I haue yet sayde,
eyther agaynst their arte generally, or against these
particulars, y [...] of no more strength then stubble or straw.
Wherfore to shut vp the gappe, I entende to laye a greate
blocke in their waye. And I shall desyre, theym when they
make answere, (if they make any at all) that accor [...]ynge
to the prouerbe, They wylle not stoumble at a strawe, and
leape ouer a blocke. And the blocke that I wyll laye is of the
heauy burthen that the Lord by the prophere Esays 47.
Chapter threatneth vnto Babylon the inuentresse of this art,
where h [...] sayth: Nowe let the heauen g [...] sers [Page]
and beholders of starres, the moone prophetes come and
delyuer thee, yea and lette theym shewe thee, whan these
thynges shall come vpon thee: Beholde, (sayth he) they shall
be as strawe, whyche yf it be kyndled with syre, no manne
maye rydde it from the [...]hamence of the flame.
Doo you not heare, O you Astrologians, that the prophets

saythe, that you canne haue no knowledge of thynges to
came, as of warre, syckenesse, dearthe, vnseasonable
weather, destruction, and suche other, whiche he threatneth
vnto Babylon. For it is manyfests, that this phrase or maner
of speakynge, which the Prophete vseth, Lette them shewe
when these thynges shall come to passe, is a stronger
[...]gation or denyall, thenne yf in playne woordes he hadde
sayde: They can not shew [...] the [...], when these thynges
shall comme to passe. Marke also what rewarde is promised
to the vsers of this foreshewynge, that they shal be [...] in
Goddes wrathe as straw [...] kyndeled with syre.
But I leaue this to theyr wysedom and discretion to consyder,

and wyll proce [...]ede to the second kynde of particulars,
that is Elections or chusynges of dayes. And here haue [Page]
I nothyng to do with Galeues ( [...]) for it is meruayle yf that
it be not obiected against me, but I begynne with good dayes
to let bloude. And what is the cause of bloudde lettynge?
surely I thynke eyther to dyminishe humors in the body, or
els to abate heate, or at least some suche cause in the body.
whiche if it be vrgent, wyl not sticke to kyll the body, without
consideration of signe or planet, orels if it be not so
vehement wyl hurt the body, without respect of good days or
yll. Therfore seyng this abundance of bloude wyll not tarie for
good dais or yll, but wyll procede to annoy the body:
wherfore shuld the body tarye for good sygnes to bee rydde
of it? And lykewise of purgations, what sort soeuer they be:
If any thynge bee nedefull to be pourged, yt wyll not ceasse
from annoyeng vpon good dayes, and woorke his malice
onely vpon tuyll dayes: but who so euer is troubled with any
suche thynge, shall feele that his disease lyttle regardeth the
course of the starres, and he, yf he bee wyse, wyll as little
regard them in sekyng for remedy. Who so shuld narowly
marke this geare, should fynde out among them greuous
absurdities, but wee entende to make but shorte [Page]
woorke. Nowe therefore must we leape from phisike to
husbandry.
Good days to sowe and plante, I thinke be whan the earth is
moderatly moystned, and gentilly warmed with the heat of
the sonne, whyche must bryng vp these seedes or plantes
nourished with humours, and pleasauntly resolued with the
southweste wynde, or other of lyke nature, As for the sygne
or constellation yf the aforesayde lacke shall neuer prosper
or encrease, the seedes sowen or plantes planted, nor enda-
mage them, yf these causes d [...]o not sayle, and although
bothe mete togyther, it is as muche healpe vnto the sedes as
it was ease for the Camell whenns the Flye leapt of from his
backe.
To iourney by lande is good when so euer a manne hath

honest and necessary affayres, the better yf the weather be
faire, & the way cleane, specially yf he be a foote manne. But
he, that hauynge vrgent busynes wyll tary vntyll he haue a
good day, is worthy to come to late, or as they say, A daye
after the fayre. For he that wyll not take hold of occasions
heare that is before him, when she hath ones tourned her
back may clawe on her bare skulle, and fynde [...] [...][Page]
neuer an heare to take holde of. [Page][Page]
Good dayes to iourneye by water, are partly as they are to

iourney by lande, and also it is required, that they haue a
good [...] and prosperous wynde. With which i [...] they
begynne theyr course, it is a greate [...] that they shall haue
good successe. If any manne hauyng wynde and weather, ty
[...] and tyde conuenient, wyll tarye for [...]erre or planette,
sygne, or constellation, [...] leese those former oportunities,
thoughe he hadde all the fauourable starres in heauen an his
syde, shall haue a troublesome voyage.
Good dayes to bye and selle, bee market dayes, and all other
whensoeuer a manne canne gette a good bargayne with
honestie. I thynke but sewe marchantes wyll leese their mart
in waightyng for heauenly healpe frome the starres.
Euyll dayes to bye and sell be holydais, and suche tymes as

menne shoulde be occupied in prayer, and hearyng gods
word. Ill places to bye and selle, bee Churches, and other
places appoynted for praier and preachynge. Other days and
places be indifferent, if the bargayns he good.
Good daies to mary are all the dayes in the yeare of theyr
nature, in as muche as to doo a good thyng it is good [Page]
at al tymes: The mariage it selfe taketh not effecte (as these
superstitious diuinours saye) of the daye or tyme but of the
cause and circumstaunce in whiche it is contracted. For yf
those bee nought, not Uenus nor Iupiter nor all the louynge
sygnes can make that mariage good: And yf thou marry in
the feare of God, though Mars and Saturne satte ouer thee,
and thoughe it were on the moste dismall daye that euer
Egyptian or Chaldean obserued, thou shalte be sure of the
Lordes blessynge, whyche he promiseth to all them that in
his feare and loue entreth into that honourable estate. So
muche the more is theyr vnholsome harmonie to be hissed
oute, that appoynts certayne days, in whyche yf a man shuld
marry, the parties shoulde neuer agree or loue one the other.
But I leaue the rest vntyl such tyme as I shall bee dryuen to
answer them, where yf they keepe not modestie, as I thynke
I haue doone, I wyl yet vtter more to the confusion of theym,
and theyr arte.
But to close thys parte of Elections as we dyd the other with

a sure barre, wherwith God woulde barre the Israelites, in
the, xviii. chapter of Deuteronomie, sayeng by Moyses,[Page]
Chere shall not be amonge you any choser of dayes or
soothsayer. For those nations whithe the Lord casteth out
before you among other abhominatiōs haue regarde to
choosers of dayes, and sorcerers. Therfore yf this seeme not
inough to keepe oute the Astrologians, but they wyll needes
enter with theyr predictions and Elections, at the leaste lette
all theym that nowe euen with theyr handes feele and handle
the truthe, hereafter suffer them, as they are false
prophetes, so to prophecie to them, whiche in the myddest of
lyght and truth, wil peruersely embrace falsehod errour and
darkenesse.
FINIS.
§
§
¶ Imprinted at London by Henry Sutton dwellyng in [Page]
Pater noster row at the signe of the blacke Boy. The. 23. day
of December. And are there to be solde.
Perused and allovved according to the Quenes maiesties

iniunctions.
[figure]
Information about this book
Title statement
Antiprognosticon that is to saye, an inuectiue agaynst the vayne

and vnprofitable predictions of the astrologians as Nostrodame,
[et]c. Translated out of Latine into Englishe. Whervnto is added by
the author a shorte treatise in Englyshe, as well for the vtter
subuersion of that fained arte, as also for the better
vnderstandynge of the common people, vnto whom the fyrst labour
seemeth not sufficientAntiprognosticon contra inutiles
astrologorum prædictiones Nostradami, Cuninghami, Lovi, Hilli,
Vaghami, & reliquorum omnium. English
Fulke, William, 1538-1589.
Edition statement
1560
Publication
Publisher
Text Creation Partnership,
Place of publication
Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :
Date
2003-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).
ID [DLPS]
A01297
ID [STC]
STC 11420
ID [STC]
ESTC S116544
ID [EEBO-CITATION]
99851760
ID [PROQUEST]
99851760
ID [VID]
17051
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Notes
(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A01297)
Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 17051)

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Source
— Antiprognosticon that is to saye, an inuectiue agaynst the vayne

and vnprofitable predictions of the astrologians as Nostrodame,
[et]c. Translated out of Latine into Englishe. Whervnto is added by
the author a shorte treatise in Englyshe, as well for the vtter
subuersion of that fained arte, as also for the better vnderstandynge
of the common people, vnto whom the fyrst labour seemeth not
sufficient, Antiprognosticon contra inutiles astrologorum
prædictiones Nostradami, Cuninghami, Lovi, Hilli, Vaghami, &
reliquorum omnium. English, Fulke, William, 1538-1589., Painter,
William, 1540?-1594..
Extent
[72] p.
By Henry Sutton dwellyng in Pater noster row at the signe of the

blacke boy,. [Imprinted at London :: the. 23. day of December. And
are there to be solde. Perused and allovved according to the Quenes
maiesties iniunctions.] 1560.. (A translation, by William Painter,
of: Fulke, William. Antiprognosticon contra inutiles astrologorum
prædictiones Nostradami, Cuninghami, Lovi, Hilli, Vaghami, &
reliquorum omnium.) (Place of publication and printer's and
publisher's names from colophon.) (Against alamanack writers
Nostradamus, Cuningham, Low, Hill and Vaughan.--STC.)
(Running title reads: An inuectiue agaynst astrologie.) (Signatures:
A-D E⁴.) (Some print show-through.) (Reproduction of the original
in the British Library.)
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Fulke, William - Antiprognosticon Against The Vain and Unprofitable Predictions of The Astrologians As Nostradamus (1560)

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Antiprognosticon that is to saye, an inuectiue agaynst the vayne and

vnprofitable predictions of the astrologians as Nostrodame, [et]c. Translated

Whervnto is added by the author a shorte Treatise in

Habet & musca splenem & formicae suabilis inest.

From Seuenoke xxii. of Octobre.

One starre (whiche is the sonne) as it were the ymage of one

What expectation? What horror? Leste all thynges sodenlye

I say that Aeacides the Romaynes maye ouercome.

Neyther is that vnlyke, whiche the ryche Cresus entendyng to

Croesus percyng through the citie Halis shall ouerthrovve

Hytherto as (as I suppose) we haue sufficiently spoken of the

Nowe therfore let vs prepare our selues to that argumēt,

Nowe therefore (as I haue saide) the foundation of this

Nowe therfore which way wil ye turne the saile of youre

Yet sommetyme it commeth to passe, that in castynge a

But to procede, howe euery starre hath a name, whiche

The shipman fyrste then gaue to starres their nomber,

Leste that without [...] distinction the cōmmon worde

Fyrst, whether it be the poynte of al [...] ned manne to rayle

Secondely, whether the conclusion in Syllogismo litigiolo bee

And thirdly whether there be a kynde of argument called

I haue taken vpō me to dissolue this masse at astrologie, and

Thus much for oure entente, our order shall be suche, as

Fyrst therfore that their significations coulde not so be

Concernynge reuelation we haue some [...]ynge sayde all

If I hadde not beene my selfe seduced by suche a vayne

Doo you not heare, O you Astrologians, that the prophets

But I leaue this to theyr wysedom and discretion to consyder,

To iourney by lande is good when so euer a manne hath

Good dayes to iourneye by water, are partly as they are to

Euyll dayes to bye and sell be holydais, and suche tymes as

But to close thys parte of Elections as we dyd the other with

Perused and allovved according to the Quenes maiesties

Antiprognosticon that is to saye, an inuectiue agaynst the vayne

Fulke, William, 1538-1589.

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A01297)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 17051)

— Antiprognosticon that is to saye, an inuectiue agaynst the vayne

By Henry Sutton dwellyng in Pater noster row at the signe of the

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation

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