ΝΕΟ'ΦΥΤΟ-'ΑΣΤΡΟ'ΛΟΓΟΣ: The Novice-Aſtrologer INSTRUCTED: IN A NEW-YEARS-GIFT TO Mr. William Lilly.
NO ſooner came the Merlin of Lilly (that Arch-Paraſite) from the Preſs, flying about into the world, after its wonted rate; but being informed that he had brought his Legs to the Stocks, and his Stiff Neck to the Halter of Confeſſion, I was deſirous to ſee whether he had acquitted himſelf like a true Penitent, ſouſing his ſear'd Conſcience in the briniſh tears of Contrition; acknowledging (with ſorrow) his Miſtakes committed, and all thoſe Errors and Ignorances charged upon2 him, in the King of Swedes Nativity, and the Spurious Prognoſticator.
But behold! upon a due Examination of this his pretended Recantation Almanack, I finde him lyſping and jabbering after his wonted nonſenſical manner, as if he were every way uncapable of rendring one wiſe Sentence or Word in his own defence. And although he hath been ſo notably baited, even to the looſing the Noſe of his Reputation and Credit in the Art he profeſſeth, he paſſeth his Hunters like a ſlye Deer, and gives all their Checques, and Counter-Checques a fair go-by, even as he were none of their game, or any thing at all concerned in their chaſing him. Onely thus — (that you may adjudge him ſufficiently heated and affrighted) he frisks up his dirty tayl in a fury, and like the Scythian Beaſt, ſquirts out his filth (thereby hoping the better to eſcape) in the Faces of his Purſuers. — Complaining of his being hard dealt with by Stitching Pens, and by Botchers, not Artiſts; and that it is beneath him to anſwer a Boy, or impudent ranting Fool, that dares not own his name to be G. J. or J. G. ſays he ſhould render himſelf ridiculous (being an Eagle, an Owl rather)3 to catch at a Flye; and inſinuates to his Readers, That he hath no Antagoniſts but Ranters and Atheists, (both which Epithets the beſt befit himſelf of any that I know.) After all which Billings-gate Language, (inſtead of a ſolid Vindication) with a company of Ignorant, Contradictory, Groundleſs Quacks for the Swede, and a Bundle of Abuſes to Aſtrologers, and Aſtrologie beſide, — Exit Merlinus Anglicus.
Of all which Barbarous and Ridiculous Stuff, I need in ſtrictneſs, take no further notice then this — LILLY WRIT IT! A Fellow that cannot tell how to reaſon, but to raile onely! That knows nothing of Aſtrologie, but the name; which he makes uſe of, as a Cloak to cover his Ignorance! That knows neither how to take, or to make an Argument! That complies with any Government, ſo that he may be thought the State-Aſtrologer! In which reſpects, I account him beneath the revenge of the Pen of any ingenious Perſon or Scholar; and would have him therefore to know, that the grand reaſon why I ſet not my name at length in my Books againſt him, is, the probability of my purchaſing the cenſure4 of the ingenious and learned Artiſts, for entering the Liſts per Nominem, with ſo baſe and low-orb'd a Fellow; unfitting for a Man to Cope with, much leſs an Artiſt.
Nevertheleſs, in regard of my promiſe to the world in my laſt Laſh of this Quack, entituled,〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; or, The Spurious Prognoſticator; and leſt that he ſhould cry Victory before he be harneſſed for the Battel, and ſo in his own conceit paſs for a Conqueror; — I will rip him up, and ſhew his Nakedneſs and Folly to the world, ſomewhat more largely then he hath done, although his own Pen hath been a ſufficient Index thereof, in his idle and addle Fictions for the enſuing year. Wherein (as briefly as I may) I will prove him to be the greatest Enemy to Aſtrologie that this age hath brought forth; a meer Ignorant in it, though he quack ſo much under the Canopy of it; an Illiterate, Abuſive, Pragmatical Fellow, void of Civility, Ingenuity and Learning.
And that I may not looſe him in my Chaſe, I will obſerve the ſame Method as in my laſt, viz. Firſt, to begin with his Epiſtle; Secondly, his general Prog; Thirdly, his Monethly Fictions. And then I ſhall5 appeal to the world, whether he be not an Owl, rather then an Eagle in Aſtrologie.
SECT. 1. His Epistle Examined.
WIlliam Lilly in the beginning of his Epiſtle, makes his Introduction to his Excuſe, with a notorious Contradiction of himſelf, and a moſt high and injurious Scandal to Aſtrologie, and the ingenious Students thereof, in theſe words — The many turnings, and windings, and changes of Government in England in 1659. what Man or Angel could predict? — And a little further he ſaith, — They (meaning the Changes, &c.) were not in any way demonstrable, or to be found out by the ſharpeſt Rules of Aſtrologie. Had Mr. L. been Friend, either to Himſelf, Aſtrologie, or Aſtrologers, he could never have made ſo Contradictious, Senſeleſs and Ridiculous an Excuſe: for (1.) herein, he gives the Lye to all that ever himſelf hath formerly, and now written: and (2.) he beſpatters all thoſe ingenious Artiſts that did predict6 (and that from the known Rules of Aſtrologie) thoſe many Changes that happened in England 1659. And (3) he caſts dirt in the beautiful Face of Aſtrologie it ſelf, inſinuating an incertainty, or deficiency of its Rules and Aphoriſms, and a perfect impoſſibility of any Man or Angel to predict thoſe Changes mentioned thereby.
1. He giveth the Lye most broadly and ſhamefully to himſelf; for in all his partyworks formerly, he rantingly (and ravingly alſo) argues againſt the Divines — That in the great Book of Heaven, are all Changes on Earth written; and that himſelf was born to predict them, ſometimes more tacitely, at other times more largely. See his Alm. 1655. and his Epiſtle to his Alm. 1658. in particular, where he ſays, — There is no Emergency, good or bad, that happens on Earth, but hath a full manifeſtation from the Configurations of the Heavens. And that Italy, France, and his Holineſs himſelf, have cauſe to remember how ominous his Predictions have proved to them. Nay, he cracks more largely in his Worlds Cataſtrophe, — That what he cannot do by Common Rules of Aſtrologie, he can by Angels and Spirits: yea, ſo well is he acquainted with ſuch7 Whimſies, and Vanities (as he proclaims it himſelf) that he ſhall go near (when time ſerves) to give every Nation of Europe a touch of its duration and continuance, from conſidering the Angel, or Genius of it. But now neither He, nor Man or Angel is able to predict any thing of Mundane Affairs, from the Rules of Aſtrologie: by which it conſpicuouſly appears, that Mr. L. and his skill alſo is ſubject to a ſtrange kind of Fluctuation.
But tell me, Mr. L. canſt thou expect to paſs thus to the world undiſcovered, and ſtill be thought an Aſtrologer? Doſt thou think and believe, all men are as ignorant and contradictious as thy ſelf? If not, —
2. He abuſively beſpatters all ingenious8 Artiſts too. For, doth it handſomly follow, becauſe Mr. L. is ignorant in Aſtrology, and (by conſequence) of predicting thoſe eminent Changes which hapned in 1659. that therefore all Ingenious and true-born Artiſts are ſo too? If Mr L. like an unexpert traveller, miſſeth the way he is to go, and tumbleth into a Bog, or Quagmire, Muſt he therefore be angry at thoſe perſons acquainted with the Road, that they do not tumble in with him for company? What fault was it of Mr VVharton, Trigg, Tanner, Wing, Gadbury, &c. that Mr L. preſented himſelf an Ideo•(inſtead of an Artiſt) to the World, in his botching, bungling Predictions? That he muſt thus traduce their skill, and impeach their Reputation in Aſtrology, as if they were as very ignorants therein as himſelf.
But Mr L. having proved himſelf a perfect Ignorant in the Art he profeſſeth, by his unclerklike and unwarrantable Predictions, (and ſeeing R.L. P. gone, and his Northern Lion Rampant going,) is reſolved, as much as in him lies, to down with Aſtrology alſo, that the honest Aſtrologers themſelves may fall likewiſe: Whoſe ruine and deſtruction it is plain he thirſts9 after, for their preſuming to detect him and his Ignorance, he being (it ſeems) captivated by that Ranting and Tyrannical Principle, deſcribed by the Poet, —Pereant amici, dummodo una & inimici pereant.
3. He casts dirt in the face of Aſtrology alſo: for if by the Aphoriſms and Rules thereof, others were enabled to predict thoſe Changes ſpoken of, then is not Aſtrology ſo incapacious or deficient, as Mr L. here renders it, but by the Rules thereof other perſons (viz. thoſe ſeverall men before mentioned) were enabled to predict thoſe Changes, &c. Ergo, &c. But Mr L. ſeeing plainly enough his own Reputation begin to ſink, and his Writings every where hiſſed off the Stage with diſparagement, is not contented to fall alone, but would fain give Aſtrology its fatall blow, that both might periſh together. Not unlike the Devill, or Dragon, mentioned in the Revelations, who not well pleaſed to tumble headlong from10 Heaven ſingly, drew down a third part of the Stars with him. But how will Mr L. excuſe his Gypſie-like Jugling (to ſay no worſe of it) to the King of Sweden? Or, hath he promiſed him victory over the riſing King of Denmarke by an Art more certain and indubitable than he believes Aſtrologie? If ſo be he hath ſo done, he cannot but ſuffer a cloud of ſorrow to paſs over his brazen brow, and Vermilion to diſtain his ſhameleſs cheeks, to hear of the ſucceſs that hath anſwered his ſpurious preſages. But of this more anon.
I proceed to ſome other paſſages. M.L. is now come to Apologize more particularly, and endeavours to excuſe himſelf for flattering R.L.P. thus — Obſerving Richard, by conſent of the Council of State, and Officers of the Army, owned Protector — And ſeeing him courted by Embaſſadours and Agents in October, at what time we were writing our monthly Obſervations, for we write thoſe first, in regard that the Ephemeris and Table of Houſes are difficult to Print, ſo that nothing ſeriouſly (as we ought to have done) we laid it as a poſitive foundation (without obſerving the punctum temporis of his firſt admittance, or birth, &c.) 11Theſe are the wiſe words of William Lilly: Now, let but the Ingenious Reader behold the notable Non-ſenſe and unconnexedneſs of them; and if he can (after a due and impartiall ſcanning thereof) make either head or tayl, truth or ſence of them, I ſhall not in the leaſt envy his happineſs; but I muſt proteſt impartially my ignorance of them. I have pointed them exactly, and truly related them, as I find them in his Book, that he may not complain of Abuſe, or miſ-repreſentation.
But to run them over a little, — I would demand of Mr L. what ſtead this Apology ſtands him in, if I ſhould admit he means ſomething by it? What is it to us, or to the wiping off the ignorance and impoſturiſm that ſticks and clings as cloſe as a Convulſion to him, to ſay — That he writes his Ephemeris and table of Houſes first? As if the World were any thing concerned which part of his fooleries firſt pollute the Preſs: but were there any kind or colour of excuſe in this ſilly conceit, it is nevertheleſs a meer forgery. — For he writes neither the Ephemeris, nor Tables of Houſes himſelf; but honeſt J. Sponge tranſcribes the Ephemeris for him, and the Table of Houſes12 hath been ſtanding (ready compoſed) this ten years and upwards at Mrs Brudenels within Newgate; ſo that the edge of this pitifull Apology is perfectly blunted, and the difficulty of his Table of Houſes to Print, clearly invalidated. (2.) I would demand of Lilly what he means by this ſtrange Parentheſis — (as we ought to have done) — for it hath no manner of relation, nor is any way kin unto the premiſes; unleſs we ſhall adjoyn it to — So that nothing ſeriouſly — This way, I confeſs, although we cannot make ſence of it, we may Truth — For Lilly in his Almanack hath done nothing ſeriouſly, or like an Artiſt, as he ought to have done. So that you ſee he is catch'd with a truth before he is aware. Saepe quod inſipiens finxerat eſſe, fuit.
Or, if his — ſo that nothing ſeriouſly, &c. can bear any other interpretation, it muſt be this — That he writes altogether in jeſt! (3.) I would fain be informed by13 Mr L. what he intends his Reader ſhould underſtand by theſe words — We laid IT as a poſitive foundation? If the Relative IT have any Antecedent, it muſt then be, either his Ephemeris, and Table of Houſes, or elſe, the Addreſſes made to Richard L.P. The Ephemeris and Tables of Houſes cannot be the Antecedent, becauſe they are no foundations of Aſtrologicall Predictions; but a time truly propoſed or known, with the figure of heaven ſet thereunto, is the true Radix of them. Nor can the Addreſſes to R.L.P. &c. be the Antecedent, unleſs we conclude, that Lilly writes altogether by Gheſs: It muſt therefore follow, — That Lilly is guilty of groſs Non-ſence in the paſſage urged before us. Thus we ſee that Lilly, by endeavouring to excuſe himſelf, contracts greater Errors; making his writings the only pattern of Penelope's Web: Juſt as if he were either beſides himſelf, or haunted with that evill Spirit mentioned by the Poer. —Diruit, aedificat, mutat quadrata rotundis.
14A little after Mr L. comes to confeſſion in earneſt, and thinks he explains himſelf to purpoſe, when he acknowledgeth, — Our too much credulity upon the many addreſſes, — led us into an errour. Did it ſo? Do you not therefore deſerve to be laſhed for the ſame? What had you to do to mind the Addreſſes? You pretend to Aſtrology: Unleſs by this you implicitely confeſs your ſelf a States-Mountebanke, and one that Quacks under pretence thereof; and acknowledge your ſelf thereby to be (as in truth you are) only the Aſtrological News-monger. May not any man, perfectly ignorant in Aſtrology, predict prejudice or happineſs to Protectors, Kings, and Nations, as well as wiſe VVilliam Lilly, that gheſſes thereat (as he confeſſes to have done) by the Addreſſes and Complexions of the times? Is this to be the moſt faithfull propagator of an Art? Or, an Eagle in Chriſtian Aſtrology? Is it not rather to be an Impudent-ignorant Quack? Oh, the ſordid Ignorance and quackiſm of VVilliam Lilly!
After he hath made himſelf thus ridiculous, as you have heard; to prove himſelf (yet) more ſottiſh and vain, he cracks of15 his predicting the change of Government in England to ſome of the Protectors friends privately: telling them, that the Government was too heavy for his ſhoulders. — And then makes an Appeal to the Court of Equity in the indifferent Reader, (concluding himſelf caſt at the Common Law of Sence and Reaſon). VVhether, if he had diſcovered his diſſolution, it had been either wiſdome or diſcretion to have been publikely free in his Judgement unto the Protector or the World, &c. To which I anſwer:
If you had known any thing thereof, it had been your duty to have acquainted the World therewith; or elſe to what purpoſe, or under what pretence, do you invade the World with your Spurious Oracles? Beſides, VVilliam Lilly, if my memory fail me not, you were of another opinion, when you ignorantly ſcribled againſt Captain George VVharton; the Example of Gauricus could no way ſtartle your ſtubborn ſpirit then, although you hope to creep out at that hole now. But why not tell the Protector, or the world thereof, as well as ſome of his private friends, I pray Sir? Surely, ſurely, Mr Merlin, if you had had but the leaſt knowledge or information16 of the downfall of Richard, you would have preſented him (as you did the long Parliament in 1652. when you were truly told what the Souldiery would do with them) with an Epiſtle, thereby premoniſhing him of what he ſhould expect: And made the world to have heard of the Change from your Paraſitical Pen, Battus-like, on both ſides;
Yea, and although you had received the ſame, as you did the news of the long Parliaments diſſolution, you would have pretended to have read poor Richard's downfall in the book of Heaven, as then you did theirs. But neither theſe confident Cracks, nor yet the two firſt ſheets you as vainly refer us to, as tattle or boaſt of, your ſelf, do any way make it appear that you had the leaſt knowledge thereof, by information, or that you underſtood ſo much of17 Art as to direct you thereunto: Only you boaſt and brag of things that are not, hoping by ſuch ſilly ſhifts and ſleights to redeem your (near) ſhipwrack'd Reputation. And it is every way as unlikely, and ſtrange to the truth — That Lilly ſhould acquaint any of his (that is, Richards) private friends therewith; for he durſt not lay or adventure a wager thereof himſelf with a Gentleman that deſired the ſame of him, for ſatisfaction in that particular. Oh! William, William, all the world are not ſuch Ideots, as to be wrought upon ſo eaſily, as A Chalk-Jury. But ſuppoſe we ſhould admit that you had known any thing thereof, and had ſaid ſomething of it in your two firſt ſheets, (which were an affront to ſence to conclude:) I would then fain know, how you came to repent for your folly and ignorance therein? Surely, Mr Lilly, the morning before he writ this Epiſtle, made ſome ſuch like ſupplication at the Altar of the Goddeſs Laverna — as this —
Certainly, William Lilly, your great Patrons cannot but ſhake their heads at you, when they ſeriouſly conſider what a ſilly Jack-daw, inſtead of Eagle, they have for many years protected. Would any man think, by theſe your contradictions and ignorances, that you were the Perſon, whoſe Pen formerly was accounted of equall value to a Regiment of Horſe? May we not more rationally believe rather, that a Parrot may prove as good an Aſtrologer as ſimple W. Lilly? Oh! but William was mindfull of his Commitment in 1652. where he lay 13. daies together, labouring to be bayled (in no ſad condition ſure, for he was feaſted at Serjeant Birkhead's Table all that time, and paid no fees at laſt) and what was his fault forſooth! he ſaid in effect, that the Parliament ſtood upon a tottering foundation, and that the Army would diſſolve them. By which words he would needs inſinuate himſelf to have been a Quondam true Prophet in Aſtrology. 19But I pray, M. Merlin, deal fairly with the world, and then tell them truly, That your commitment was not for what you ſaid in effect, but for the ſawcineſs which you uſed plainly to that Power you had a protection from, and a quondam Salary too; as I have heard your ſelf confeſs. But Lilly was then in hopes of a better Maſter of old Oliver; therefore (when every man elſe as well as he, ſaw plainly that the Souldiery would diſſolve the Parliament) out peeps wiſe William like a Poſitical Paraſite, and pretends Aſtrologically to predict it. An admirable Piece of Art to be boaſted of!
Mr. Lilly not forgetting his uſual canting clawing humour, is come to flatter the preſent Power; and in his Quacking-ſtrain, pre•ends to demonſtrate the Armies Declarations ſatisfactory to the whole Engliſh Nation; and mentions ſome of the heads thereof, the better to inſinuate himſelf into their Favours and Affections. For Lilly cannot fill an Almanack of ſix20 ſheets of Paper, (although he have three of them done to his hand, as I have before proved) without relating a packet of News. But Lilly! I would fain know what you have to do with any thing of News, or the humour of the times at all? Doth Guido Bonatus, Haly, Junctine, Origen, Ptolomy, or any other Aſtrologer warrant any ſuch courſe? I am confident, Mr. Merlin, they do not: and you prove your ſelf but an impudent indigent Quack in Aſtrologie, and make that alſo to be looked upon, but as a higher degree of Lieger-demaine, by doing it. But Mr. Lilly goes on, ſaying, That no mortal man could have conceived that R. L. P. ſhould have loſt his Government, without one or two broken heads. But I beſeech you, Sir, what is this to Aſtrologie, whether he loſt his Government by force of blood, or peaceably? I am ſure, notwithſtanding your inſulting over that modeſt Gentleman thus baſely, you your ſelf are like to looſe your Credit in Aſtrologie at a far eaſier rate; and if you conſider every thing, you cannot but ſee it plainly. For whereas you thought to be famous in after-Ages for your skill therein, you are now like to dye baſely, ignominiouſly, and21 un-bemoaned; and (that which is worſt of all) will always be eſteemed of, as a Quack and Impoſtor in Aſtrologie, and a notorious Incendiary among Nations. However, it is ſome Credit to Aſtrologie, and Comfort, (yea, and Honour alſo) to Aſtrologers, that this Arch-pretender is unmasked and diſcovered in his life time, to be what he is; and that he dare not, or cannot, anſwer for himſelf.
Notwithſtanding all this, William Lilly thinks he hath dealt by his Reader like a good Chriſtian Aſtrologer, when he ſaies, We ſolemnly profeſs our miſtake concerning R. L. P. yet it is not ſo great, as to blaſt us perpetually; if our Writings ſince 1644. be civilly peruſed by Artiſts, not Botchers. What this Addle-headed Fellow means by his civilly peruſed, I underſtand not, except it be this, — That for him to be read with applauſe, whether he deſerve it or not, is to be civilly peruſed: or to read him, without taking Cognizance of his Ignorance; or if we take notice thereof, yet not to tell the world of it: this ſurely is to read him civilly. But Sir I although I have avoided all theſe Paraſitical ways, (which, as your Trade is to flatter, ſo you love to be22 flattered, yet) I have civilly peruſed all your writings ſince 1644. (i. e. I was not, I dare aver, ſo drunk with Wine, when I read them, as you with Ignorance, when you writ them:) and really, I find them every way ſo empty and idle, that it is a ſhame for any but William Lilly to own them. But to particularize ſome of them: — Take from your Introduction (which is the beſt you dare to boaſt of) what you have ſtolen from Haly, Origanus, and Albubater, concealing their better names, to make the world eſteem it yours; and then it will prove the exact Emblem of your ignorant ſelf. As for Example: Who but a Botcher in Art, would have printed a Nativity with Directions no leſs then ſeven or eight years falſe; as you have done the Moons in your Introduction? Or would any but a Novice in Aſtrologie have given the Sun, and Midheaven two different Right Aſcentions apiece, as you have? And is not he a ſilly Stitcher, and moſt notorious Botcher in Art, that knows not Apogeon, from Perigeon? Theſe with a hundred more, are to be found in Lillies Introduction. And all his other Pamphlets are exactly of the ſame Complexion.
And as they may call each other Brethren, by reaſon of their exact ſimilitudes; ſo they may truly call him Dad, it being impoſſible for them to be begotten by any other. But è diverticulo viam. I ſhall return to his ſolemn profeſſion concerning Richard L. P.
Since you are come to the Stool of Repentance, (though moſt unwillingly) why do not you (to make but one work of all) ſolemnly profeſs all your other miſtakes, which are at large charged upon you in〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; or, Spurious Prognoſticator, and in the King of Swedes Nativity? This you ought to have done, if you had any hopes of being received into mercy, or expected to eſcape blaſting perpetually. Can the accurſed Murtherer, any way reaſonably hope to be reprieved from the Gallows, by confeſſing a petty Fact of Theft he hath committed? Sir! it is not your acknowledging24 your Errour concerning R. L. P. that any way excuſes you from the unpardonable Crime of betraying the King of Sweden, under pretence of telling him, you read what you writ for him, in the Heavens: Neither doth this ſimple Blind, you caſt before the eyes of the world, any ways protect your ignorance all along in Art; viz. in ſetting Figures forty one minutes of time falſe; and in raiſing your Whimſical Judgements (under pretence of judging according to Art) upon ſuch deformed and erronious foundations. Nor is it leſs then an ignorant and effeminate ſleight, and juggle of you, to inſinuate to the world that your Antagoniſts are Botchers, not Artists. If they are Botchers in Art, is it not the eaſier work for you to anſwer them? And would it not more and better become you to invalidate their skill therein, and weaken their many charges againſt you, then for to rail thus upon either their Perſons or Parts? Or, are they Botchers in Art becauſe they write againſt ſo worthy a Work-man as they have proved you to be? Surely, ſurely, Lilly, it is more evident then your knowledge in Aſtrologie, that you have proved your ſelf a Botcher25 and Bungler alſo, in the Art you pretend to ſteer the Affairs of Kings and Kingdomes by, in not vindicating your own Repute, but ſuffering it to be trampled upon at pleaſure; even by the ignorant ſort, as well as the ingenious and skillful. The Tongue of each Child, is now become a Trumpet of William Lillies ignorance.
But wiſe William Lilly comes here, ſimply endeavouring to anſwer that which is urged againſt him concerning the Swedes, thus: — We were not obliged to give an account of any thing which might prejudice him; (the Swede) or give encouragement to his many enemies. And why not, I pray Sir? Were you bribed to ſecrecy, that you might the better betray him, by puffing him up with falſe hopes? Or did you flatter him with the weak Winde of your Cathedral Cunning; thinking thereby his Enemies were ſo Puſillanimous as to be affrighted at your Quacking Skill? If the firſt, have you not ſhewn your ſelf a plain Ambodexter? If the latter, what Ideot (beſides Merlinus Anglicus) would have been guilty of ſo groſs a piece of Pride? But that you may adjudge Lilly to be in earneſt, he interrogates — Is Pomerania quite loſt?26 or is he beaten out of Pruſſia? &c. And behold! at the ſame time that he wrote thoſe Boaſts and Cracks, (as if Providence intended to ſtigmatize him for a notorious Lyar) the K. of Swedes leaves his Leaguer, and flees to Cronenburgh Caſtle, having loſt all his Army in Fuenen. Which News is ſtill freſh in memory, and cannot but make Lillies Ears to tingle, and Cheeks to bluſh, unleſs he hath ſold himſelf an abſolute Vaſſal to Impudence and Quackiſm. But Lilly like a Lyar of the firſt Magnitude, goes on, interrogating further: Is not the King of Swede still strongly encamped before Copenhagen? which City we hope God will give him. Indeed, Mr. L he is not before Copenhagen, but in Cronenburgh, poſſibly blocked up himſelf by this time: And what reaſon (I pray) had you to hope God would give him Copenhagen? None in Aſtrologie, I am ſure; although you ignorantly reported that it ſhould be taken in Novem. 1658. Beſides, hath it not been in print reſolved according to the Rules of Art, that the K. of Swede ſhall never gain Copenhagen? You ſhould have rendered the Author of that, a perſon miſtaken, or a Botcher in Art (as you ſay all your Antagoniſts are) before27 you had promoted your own ſimple hopes in the room of Aſtrology; which if you know any thing therein, you cannot but confeſs plainly, denies Copenhagen, and indeed any part of the Daniſh Territories, to be long curbed by the King of Swede.
Well, but what of all this? ſaith this Paraſite, the King of Swedes condition is not ſo bad as rendred by ſome ſtitching Pens. If by ſtitching Pens he mean the Pen of Merlinus Verax for one, who hath publiſhed this Princes Nativity, I ſhall tell him, that that Perſon hath ſo Art-like whipt and ſtitcht him up, that he appears to the world a meer bundle or lump of Nonſence and flattery, inſtead of an Artiſt. And hath indeed given that King more and better adviſe for nothing (as is to be ſeen by the Book, to be ſold at William Larnar's upon Ludgate Hill) touching his preſent affairs, than ever Lilly did, or indeed was able to do, for the Gold Chain he received from him. And he hath ſhewn more Art, and done Aſtrology greater honour, in that ſmall Tract, than Lilly ever did in all his Idle and Addle Stories, which he nicknames his works, ſince 1644. But if by ſtitching Pens, he means ſome Taylors28 Pens, that have been active to diſcover his ignorance in Art; Is it not a ſhame that he can anſwer for himſelf no better? But were there any ſuch thing, doth not Lilly appear to be an Impudent, Proud, Pragmaticall, Domineering fellow, ſo to forget his own Original as to complain of ſtitching Pens? What was Lilly at firſt himſelf? was he not a Taylors boy, viz. an Apprentice to old Pawlin in the Strand? Ask the Water-men that ply at Strand-bridge, and they will affirm it: Or if you are loath to take that pains, read Captain Wharton's Merlini Anglici Errata; who proves him not only a Taylor, but a womans-taylor, in which regard he might perhaps have proved a better Aſtrologer for Queen Chriſtina, than Carolus Guſtavus King of Sweden. Come William Lilly, I would have you hereafter to knit your knots better in Aſtrology, to prevent the being marked for an Ideot therein by ſtitching Pens; that is, to keep your ſelf within compaſs, and not give ſuch large opportunities to men of your own Trade to ſtitch you up, as you have done. And do not hereafter bewray your own Neſt; for had not your own Pen been the Index of your Pride and Folly, the world29 had willingly rocked your Taylorſhip aſleep; and were indifferently well contented that you ſhould paſs for a Quack in Aſtrology among them, without any regard had to the Botching you prove your ſelf guilty of, in tranſlating Ptolomies Aphoriſmes. But William, William, if you are ſo Lord-like grown, as to forget the ſtayers of your Taylorſhip, by which you have climed (as you think) to your Eagleſhip in Aſtrology, can you be angry, if thoſe whom you (ſcurrilouſly) term botchers, (not Artiſts) in a juſt recompence, preſs down the Plumes of your Pride with your own Taylors Gooſe? Oh, William, William, remember Talion's Law.
But Mr Lilly telleth us, he writes this year in great perplexity of ſpirit. I am content to believe you Mr Lilly; It appeareth ſo indeed, by what you have preſented us with! And what either Art or ſence can we expect from a diſtempered man?
To conclude his Epiſtle, he ſaies — Many will expect that he ſhould ſay ſomething touching the Northern Quarrel. Do they ſo Sir! Who are thoſe many you mean, I wonder? I am certain they cannot be of the number of the Learned and Ingenious. 30But 'tis no matter; be they who they will this I can tell them, they are like to looſe their longing: for Lilly hath not yet had intelligence ſufficient to officiate their deſires. And that which is more conſiderable, he is not engaged (yet) to Pimp for either of thoſe two able Engliſh Generals, as he flatteringly ſtiles them, in hopes (perhaps) he may be entertained to Quack for one of them under pretence of Aſtrology. But I ſhall adviſe them both, rather to implore the Duſt of Mother Shipton for Counſell, than either the Addle Pate, or Yeilding Pen of this Proditorious Paraſite. And ſo I paſs from his Epiſtle to his Book, which the ingenious Reader, as well as I, ſhall find as empty and void of Art, as this his Epiſtle is of good Apology, Ingenuity, Sence, or Learning.
SECT. 2. His Generall Judgements examined.
MR. L. being a little entred into his General Judgments, lets glide from his Pen a truth before he is aware — telling us — That he will deliver his WEAK31 CONCEPTIONS upon the two Eclipſes, which hapned in October, and November, 1659. Certainly Sir, you are not in earneſt now; you were wont to ſet a better value upon your own Commodities. What? Is our Eagle-like-skill in Aſtrology, and our deep knowledge in the Doctrine of Angels, and our ſharp underſtanding in Theurgie and the Chriſtall, all on a ſudden departed! Never a Dick-Mye left to ſtrengthen us? Nothing left us but weak Conceptions? This is hard indeed! but poſſibly Sir! by this your humble ſtile, you expect that others ſhould deem your Conceptions ſtrenuous; which (Sine dubio) they will have little reaſon to do, when they have once read you over. But by the Complexion and Temperature of your Conceptions, we ſhall (I hope) ere we make an end, be able to paſs a Judgement upon their weakneſs, or worth.
To proceed — Mr L. tels us — That the Lunar Eclipſe on Octob. 19. portends, that as Venus, Ruler of it, leaves her own houſe for a worſe, approaching Saturn's preſence; ſo near theſe Months (he names none, unleſs we muſt underſtand October in the Plurall!) do many unhappy perſons (made32 ſo) either by an uncomfortable Miniſtry, or the Rigor of the Law of Nations, leave good and large poſſeſſions, &c. Why Venus her propinquity to Saturn ſhould undoe people by Miniſters, either comfortable or uncomfortable, I underſtand not; neither doth Mr Lilly I ſuppoſe; for his Art takes no knowledge of any ſuch thing; what his diſaffection to the Miniſtry may, I trouble not my ſelf to enquire. But that he may diſcover his unparallel'd hatred to Miniſters, he runs over his old ſong again in a higher ſtrain, thus, — As Venus is haſtening to a Conjunction of Saturn, he much queſtions whether the meer illiterate man will not get ground of many of thoſe LAZY MEN, whom we call Goſpell-Ministers, Church-Divines, or Preaching Divines. Although Venus (as I ſaid before) and Saturn have nothing to do with the Miniſtry, yet Lilly (the better to ſpit his venome at the perſons of that Sacred Order) wreſts his Art from the true meaning thereof, to bring that within the verge of his Sawcy Pen. But the main reaſon why this Envious-inſolent-fellow cannot Print a fooliſh Pamphlet without diſhonouring that Heavenly Function, is, becauſe the Moon33 is in ſquare to Jupiter in his Swiniſh Geniture. But pray Sir! What is the reaſon that you tell us not when this Eclipſe begins and ends by your Calculation; that we may ſee what reaſon you have (by the figure thereof) to predict at ſo malicious a rate of Miniſters? but you (I preſume) underſtand the Doctrine of Eclipſes, and that of Angels, a like.
But why Lazy men, which we have called Goſpell-Miniſters, & c? Really, I judge it impoſſible for any of them you mean to be ſo lazy in Divinity as you are in Aſtrology. And why (I pray) ſuch as we have called Goſpell-Miniſters? &c. Do you believe them to be perſons not deſerving that Title? Or, are you turn'd Anabaptiſt or Quaker all of a ſudden, that you thus grudgingly give them the Epithets that are their proper due? But your love and affection to the Miniſtry, is ſufficiently known; your ſcurrilous Pen hath been the Conveyer of your Gall towards them for many years together. Which very thing ſhould, me thinks, make you more civill toward your Antagoniſts (or your ſelf rather) than to brand them as Ranters and Atheiſts; when you cannot but be ſenſible,34 that there are none ſuch notorious Ranters and Atheiſts as thoſe that ſcandalouſly abuſe God's deareſt Meſſengers. But Lillie's Religion and Aſtrology are known to be of a ſtamp.
After many Tautologies and impertinencies, Lilly is paſſed from the Moons Eclipſe to that of the Sun, on Novemb. 4. but gives us neither the time of beginning or end; only preſents us with the middle, and duration, and Digits eclipſed, though not truly. The middle (he ſaith) is at 9. min. paſt 3. in the Evening. But he is ſtrangely out in this; for Mr Wing hath calculated it, and my ſelf hath proved it, the middle thereof was at 4. min. 30. ſec. paſt 3. So that obſerve what difference there is between 4. min. 30. ſec. and 9. min. for ſo much is M. L. diſtant from the truth. The Duration, he falſely ſaith, was 2. h. 3. m. But the true Duration was 2. h. 21. m. 19. ſec. as is demonſtable by Aſtron. Inſtaur. So that Mr Lilly is no leſs than 18. mi. diſtant from the truth in this alſo. Then he ſaith the Digits eclipſed were 7. deg. 32. ſec. but the true Digits, &c. eclipſed, were 8. deg. 48. min. 1. ſec. So that ignorant William Lilly is out no leſs than one whole35 digit, 47 min. 29 ſec. in the quantity of the Eclipſe. Now from all theſe Errors in Calculation, is not Lilly likely to make excellent Predictions? But as are his Calculations, ſo are his Judgements, without either Art or Order. Nevertheleſs, hence Lilly can take opportunity to abuſe Scorpio, and call it a rugged treacherous, violent Signe, accounted ſo by all wiſe men. But, I pray Sir! how prove you that? except you conclude, what your ſelf agrees to, all wiſe men muſt needs conſent to. Certainly, Mr. Lilly, you cannot have ſo ſhort a head, as to think that the fortieth part of wiſe men underſtand any thing at all of Scorpio. And I ſuppoſe you would not be ſo underſtood, as to cenſure all men for Fools, that underſtand nothing thereof. This therefore muſt paſs for one of your wooden〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉(i.e.) ranting boasts.
But why, I intreat you, Sir, is Scorpio grown ſo odious in your eyes? Is it becauſe Saturn is therein, in your Nativity, and in Oppoſition to your Sol? Or is it becauſe you have an ignorant (undeſerved) hatred to any, that have it Horoſcopical at Birth? If ſo, were I a Scorpioniſt, I ſhould tell you, You have foamed out your filth in ſcandalizing36 and abuſing a noble, fixed, immoveable Signe of the Zodiack, as violent, &c. whiſe you are compelled to draw your poiſonous breath under a more treacherous, diſſembling, and double-bodied ſigne of your own, viz. Piſces; perhaps a main reaſon of your forked tongue and actions. Scorpio ſcorns the ignorant, cold, effeminate, reaſonleſs Evaſions, and low-orbed ſilly comeoff's, of Piſces; and that galls mutable, and turn-about William Lilly, ſo that he muſt needs wreak his weak and worthleſs revenge in Print againſt it.
But what will Lilly ſay, if I prove he hath beſpattered Piſces in as baſe a manner as he hath Scorpio? and that in this very Almanack of his too? Will he not confeſs himſelf more rigling and uncertain in his Judgement than an Eele? Let him be pleaſed to peruſe what in page two he hath written, viz. — When the Angles of the Figure of any Eclipſe are of double-bodyed Signes, as thoſe of the Lunar defect are, the Councels of the then times are uncertain, various and mutable, treacherous, carryed on with abundance of Fraud, Violence and Jugling, &c. But perhaps Lilly will ſay, — Th••Piſces is no double-bodied Signe:37 Indeed it is no matter what he ſaies; for by this notorious Contradiction, We may eſtimate his Conſcience to be as large, as his Pen liberal. But paſſing theſe things, let us hear him in his Pontificalibus of Language, threatning the poor City of London: Mars in Gemini, gives us great cauſe to fear LONDON will be the place, and Plague or Peſtilence the devouring Diſeaſe, &c. — God defend it from more, &c. for it was here, here, here, that — and it muſt be here, here, here, that —
What this Frenzie-Fellow ſhould mean by his three Couple of HERES, unleſs it ſhould be to hear an ignorant Quack ſimply prate, I underſtand not. Is it not a ſigne by this, that he writes not onely in perplexity of ſpirit, as he complains of, but in diſtraction of minde alſo? Howbeit, he can (in this diſtracted temper) ignorantly threaten London with a Plague, although Aſtrologie doth not (yet) this three years. He hath indeed done ſo ten years together, and miſſed; poſſibly he may hit it at laſt; if the M.C. ad □ Saiurn & Solis give him leave to preſent himſelf a ſcribbling Fool in print to the world a little longer.
But he advances, ſaying, — The38 Clergie run high, — and ſtir up Tumults: a thing very frequent with men of that Order, theſe ſix or ſevenſcore years last paſt; yea, in all ages, &c. Still you ſee this Fellow muſt be abuſing the Miniſtry, and make that the main burthen of his bungling Predictions. Had his Antagoniſt been guilty of any ſuch Crime, he muſt have been rendered a Ranter, Atheiſt, and what not? And doth Lilly think that we ſhall eſteem him any other then a Ranting-raving Atheiſt, that thus beſpatters thoſe worthy Lights of the Church, that conſtantly ſpend their Lamps of Life, to diſpel the dark Clouds of Ignorance, that ſuch Atheiſts and Scoffers endeavour to bring upon the Sun of our Religion? Or can he take himſelf to be leſs then a perſon of a foul ſurfeited Soul, that thus licentiouſly traduces the whole Body of Chriſts Miniſtry with the Poyſon of his polluted Pen? But he thinks he can come off from all this, by colloguing thus: — Still we retain all Civility both in Heart and Soul for the godly Miniſters. Here you may behold the true Emblem of this Hypocrites diſſembling Aſcendent, viz. Piſces. Firſt, he moſt baſely and undeſervedly abuſes the whole Miniſtry,39 and exhibits an impious and unjuſt Charge againſt them, viz. of ſix or ſevenſcore years long; nay, as long as the age of the world; and almoſt in the ſame breath, — He retains all Civility of Heart for them. Oh, the notorious Hypocriſie and Diſſimulation of this Clovenhearted Fellow! If this be your Civility, pray Sir, let me partake of your Moroſity.
To render himſelf as weak in parts, as hypocritical and diſſembling in Spirit, in the ſame Page he writes thus: — But if he ſhall judge according to the genuine Rules of the MORE PƲRER Aſtrologie, &c. Can Mr. Lilly tell (I wonder) what himſelf means by the Rules of the MORE PURER Aſtrologie? Had that Perſon whom Mr. Lilly ſo wiſely terms Atheiſt, or Ranting, Impudent Fool, been guilty of jumbling Comparatives (unlawfully) thus together, we ſhould have heard of him in ſome ſuch like Language: — Behold the ignorance of this impudent ranting Boy, that cannot write ſence! a ridiculous Fool, that hath need to go to School again; and not preſent himſelf to the world in print, until he underſtand true Engliſh! All which Epithets, I ſhall in modeſty ſpare Mr. Lilly, becauſe he is, in40 viridi Senectute, his green old age. Yet nevertheleſs I may be bold to tell the world, — That by this paſſage of his MORE PURER, it appears, he underſtands true Engliſh, as much as he doth Aſtrologie, and no more. And ſo I paſs his idle Diſcourſe of Eclipſes, and come to his Vernal Figure. Which he ſet to 6 h. 9 m. p. m. March 9. but by his own Ephemeris is conſpicuouſly falſe. Examine it thus elſe. —
- March 1660. 9. D. ☉ 's place. ♓ 29 d. 43 m.
- March 1660. 10. D. ☉ 's place. ♈ 0 d. 42. m.
- Difference in Longit. 0. d. 59 m.
- Diſtance of ☉ from firſt point of ♈, 17 m.
Wherefore I work by this Rule: — If 59 m. give 24 h. what ſhall 17 m. give? Facit 6 h. 54 m. So that Mr. L. is out no leſs then 45 m. in time, if we make his own Book the Judge. But the true time is at 6 h. 51 m. 24 ſec. So that had Mr. L. been true to his own Ephemerides, I ſhould have ſpared him here. But I admire how Lilly ſtumbled ſo near upon the truth in his Ephemeris, and yet his Figure ſo falſe. Surely he hath been pilfering from V. Wing, for reduce Eichſtade he cannot, unleſs Mr. Sponge help him. But 'tis no matter, be his Figures true or falſe, he proceeds to judgement, — and41 tells us, Libra aſcends, and the Significatrix of the people (which muſt be Venus, if the Aſcendent ſignifie them) is well dignified, and in Aſpect of the two Superiour Planets, &c. but Venus Sir, is in detriment; and by your Figure in Octava Domo, and beholds neither Saturn nor Jupiter; are not you therefore a notorious Ignorant in Art? Who is the Botcher now? Sure I am, if William Lilly underſtood his Taylors Needle no better then his Astrologers Pen, we may juſtly conclude him a very botching and bungling Fellow at both. Are not thoſe Kings and States in a ſad condition, that are neceſſitated to take advice about their moſt emergent Affairs, from ſo indigent a Fellow?
But William Lilly hath learned to talk big, and to utter high-ſwelling words of vanity, that the common people may believe his head is periwig'd with the Clouds; and tells us — That toward the latter end of May, or beginning of June or July (ſome time or another, 'tis no matter when) the Conglomeration of no leſs then five Planets in the Signe Scorpio, a fruitful Signe (here Scorpio is grown into favour again with this two-tongued Ideot) may juſtly import42 a meeting together of many people, &c. But Sir, there is no ſuch Conglomeration of the Planets in any of the moneths mentioned, nor in many moneths after; (what Conglomeration of Impudence, Ignorance and Folly, &c. there may be in your brain, I know not;) your Judgement therefore is as idle, as your inſinuation falſe.
But Lilly fearing ſome Change of Government, I ſuppoſe (for you muſt know, that he would have the world believe, that Revolutions as are ſignally pointed at by his Pen, as the Viciſſitude of the Air is foretold by his rotten Carcaſe) begins to tell his Readers — That as ſome Pratlers abuſe Oliver Protector, — Thus do other viperous Tongues and Pens deprave even the whole line of the Stuarts Family, and call it accurſed; whilſt their own is owned more abominable. All that I ſhall return to this paſſage, is this: — That if he can finde any man in Europe that hath dealt more viperouſly with that Family then himſelf, both in Tongue & Pen, let him bring them within his Laſh; if not, let him paſs under his own Cenſure, for a fellow of a viperous Tongue and Pen, and conſider what he hath written in his Monarchy, and his Almanacks43 for the years 1649, 1650, 1651, 1652, 1653, 1654. and other his fooliſh Pamphlets: But perhaps he thinks, to write againſt an honourable Family, is not to abuſe it.
So from his Vernal, I follow him to his Aeſtival Ingreſs; where he aſſerts that Sol enters Cancer, June 10 d. 9 h. 12 m. P. M. but this is as true as the former, as I ſhall make appear by his own Book. Which (ſetting aſide his Printers errors) I examine thus.
- June 1660. 10 ☉ 's place. ♊ 29 d. 36 m.
- June 1660. 11 ☉ 's place. ♋ 0. d. 33. m.
- ☉ 's Diurnal Motion. 0. d. 57. m.
- His diſtance from the firſt point of ♋ is 24 m
Then I ſay, If 57 m. give 24 h. what 24 m? Facit 10 h. 6 m. So that here you ſee, he is miſtaken no leſs then 54 m. in time, as his own Book proves againſt him. Oh! Monstrum horrendum! An Aſtrologer, and cannot ſet a true Figure!
However, Mr. L. adventures upon this Scheme alſo, to deliver his WEAK CONCEPTIONS, and ſays — The Heavens do not at all ſmile upon the Actions of Kings,44 Princes, Supreme Magiſtrates and Authorities. For which paſſage I ſhall account with him anon. But although Mr. Lillies Aſtrologie fail him, yet his good Tutelary or Preſidentiary Angels do not ſure, whom he ſaith, — Generated that very quick Comet in 1652. (not ſo quick neither as an ignis fatuus; for it laſted a whole moneth together) as the Precurſor of ſome eminent Perſon or Perſons, or their riſing unto honor in Europe, &c. Before Mr. Lilly had adventured to predict ought to depend upon the Influences of Comets, he ſhould have made his way clear, by removing the ſtumbling block that lay in it. For I deny (and ſo doth learned Ariſtotle, and moſt Naturaliſts) that Comets are generated by hisTutelary or Preſidentiary Angels, but are engendred of Ignean Vapors, conſiſting of a viſcous, ſulphurous, and compacted matter, attracted from the Earth by the Energie of the Coeleſtial Movers, into the higheſt Region of the Air, ſometimes into the Starry Region, whence it is cloſely conglutinated into a great Lump, by reaſon of the continued ſupply it hath from below: and being thus compacted, is ſet on fire in time convenient, by the exceſſive45 heat of the place where it reſts, and burns either long, or a little while, according to the paucity or plenty of the matter of which it conſiſts.This is the opinion of the learned generally. And ſurely Mr Lilly, it will be no ill-concluding Argument, to ſay — He that is ignorant in the Generation of Comets, muſt be ſo alſo in their effects. But Mr L. tattles of Comets, and Angels, to cover his ignonorance in Aſtrology only; he poor man! knows no more of the natures or effects of either, than the ſillieſt Potter that trots about the Streets of an Errand, or his poor Siſter (the Waſher-woman) in Milford-Lane.
But whether he underſtand Comets, &c. or not, he boaſts as if he underſtood all things; and quackingly tels us, — The Auſtrian forces ſeem to be threatned near this time, either with the loſs of ſome battell, or town, &c. if any thing at all he be concerned in war or quarrel with the not conquered Swede, whoſe forces now, where in Action, will make it appear they fight for a good King, and in a good honeſt cauſe. And how comes it about that the Auſtrians muſt be thus menaced? Is it meerly upon this ſuppoſition46 grounded, if they fight againſt the not conquered Swede? But pray Mr Lilly, what Rule in Aſtrology have you to predict the Swediſh King to be good, and his Cauſe honeſt? Will you never leave your clawing Paraſiticall Practiſes? But a little further good William! If the King of Swedes be aſſured victory over the Auſtrians, — How comes it to paſs that Lilly predicted that the heavens ſmile not upon the Actions of Kings, &c. as before you have heard him? Are Lillies Angels of no better uſe to him, than thus to ſuffer him to run into Errors and Contradictions? Or, hath his good Genius left him? But what will Lilly ſay, if the Swedes and Auſtrians never quarrell? — If they do not, then creeps he ſneakingly out at his great IF! For his Predictions depend upon ifs and ands, although the Coeleſtial Edicts do not. All his preſages are whimſical Caſtles in the aire; and If the sky fals, Lilly and his Swediſh King may catch Larks together.
But ſaith Lilly — The Swedes cannot be made ſubject to thoſe misfortunes, as ſome ſcribling Pens would have them. — If the Comet in 1618. did firſt appear in 25. d.47 of ♏ — Then we find the ☉ in that very degree at the King of Swedes birth, applying to a △ ♃ in M. C. and ☽ applying to his ⚹. Remove theſe Configurations out of the Heavens, and then his enemies may rant and prate, as ſome very botchers, not workmen, impertinently have done, &c. But ſith either he or they are men of no quality, but Nameleſs Botchers, he or they are below our Pen to take a full Cognizance thereof, their prating or perſons — Aquila non capit Muſcas; we ſhould make our ſelf ridiculous to anſwer a boy, or a ranting-impudent fool, that dare not own his Name to be G.I. or I.G.
If I do not prove this ambitious Paraſite as botching a Fellow, and of as mean Quality, and a verier Boy in Art, than him whom he ſcurrilouſly ſtiles ſo, yea, though his Preſidentiary Angels ſhould take his part; — Let William Lilly again ſay, he hath but a Boy to deal with. Firſt, his citing the Comet 1618. to favour the King of Swede, is both vain and fooliſh. And if it ſignifie any thing (It happening 4 years before he was an Embryo) it muſt be miſchief: Yea, and ſuch as thoſe•••iſts (whom this Botcher terms Scriblers) have mentioned. Ariſtotle, Pliny, and Cicero48 ſay, — Comets are the Meſſengers of great Calamities, and of the death and destruction of Kings, &c. but never of any good to them. The Noble Hiſtorian Suetonius, writing on Claudius, Cap. 26. hath theſe words — Preſagia mortis ejus precipua fuerunt exortus ſtellae crinitae, quam Cometa vocant: The Principal preſages of his death were ariſings of the hairy ſtar they call a Comet. But ſuppoſe I ſhould (for diſcourſe ſake) admit the Comet in 1618. to ſignifie good to the King of Swede, becauſe his ☉ fell to be in the degree of its firſt appearance; yet his ☽ happening in the oppoſite point thereof, if the one portended any good, the other muſt evill; and William Lilly ſtill appear a ſilly-ſhifting fellow, that would force that to ſpeak for Kings, that in truth hath neither heart or face to do ſo.
Yea, but ſaith Lilly, the ☉ applies ad △ ♃ in M.C. and ☽ to his ⚹ alſo. — All which I grant; and Merlinus Verax hath made as much of thoſe things for the Swede, as Aſtrologically they will bear. But Lilly, you appear very partiall in not relating the Bad, as well as the Good, as he hath done: for to balance thoſe good Arguments49 you mention, he tels you that ♃ is retrograde in the tenth houſe, afflicted by the corporall preſence of ♄, and both in □ ♀, Lady of his Aſcendant; and that the Luminaries are in oppoſition from cruell and molicious places of the Heavens; Beſides the moſt pernicious Direction of M. C. ad ♂ ♄. which he now groans and labours under, whoſe effects are theſe: — Maximas indignitates & odia Principum aut Magnatum judicit; vario quoque malorum genere, dignitates, officia, honores atque favores ſubvertit: Negotia cum tarditate natum proficere facit, facinoroſa vero ſcelere excitat, & nonnunquam mortem lata judicis ſententia portendit. — But it may be William Lilly boggles thus at the King of Swedes Fate, hoping to baffle the effects of ſuch a like direction, that will ſhortly happen in his own Nativity. But William, I can aſſure you upon my honeſt word, that the M. C.ad ♂ & □ ♄ portends more than a fit of the ſtone; & this you will ſhortly find true, unleſs you can implore the aſſiſtance of ſome of thoſe Angels you boaſt of, to remove malignant ♄ out of the Heavens. But Lilly confeſſes, that others have catechiſed him for this his folly; but50 ſaith, they are Nameleſs impertinent Botchers, and perſons of no quality; and therefore they are beneath his Pen to take Cognizance of; Aquila non capit Muſcas. All this Sir is but your ipſe dixit; for the Fame of thoſe that have diſſected your Ignorance, is every whit as ſplendid as William Lillies, although they began to labour in the harveſt of Aſtrology long after him. It is true, they are not (as I hear of) famous for trepanning Kings; or for Star-gypſies, or Planet-Quackers, or Angel-Mongers, &c. And that perhaps is the reaſon why Lilly terms them perſons of no quality. If by men of no quality, Lilly mean in reſpect of their birth, or parts; His poor leather-jacqueted Father of Diſeworth, an obſcure Village in Leiceſterſhire, were he alive, could not but ſhed tears for grief that ever he ſhould breed up a Son to ſo much Arrogancy, and vain-glory; as knowing it impoſſible for any man to come of a meaner ſtock than himſelf.
But why doth Lilly urge the Adage, Aquilo non capit muſcas? Doth he hope to excuſe his Credit, by inſinuating his Antagoniſt a Flye? O doth he ſuppoſe there is as great a difference between the perſon51 he calls impudent Boy and himſelf, as is between an Eagle and a Fly? Lilly, I know it is above an Eagle to catch at a Fly! But Bubo! it is not above a Buzzard to anſwer a Boy! But why ſhould William eſteem himſelf an Eagle? In knowledge it cannot be, I am ſure; and I have heard ſome ſay, not in Eſtate neither. In the firſt, he cannot but ſee I have proved him an Owl rather, and this all along: and would have him therefore, if his Almanack go any more to the Preſs, to correct his Errata, and remember for Aquila to inſert Bubo. In the ſecond, he cannot be an Eagle neither, if Vox Populi be true; for they ſay, As he hath gotten an Eſtate like a K — he hath parted with it like a F — and is become a poor Tenant for his life. But why make your ſelf ridiculous to anſwer a Boy? except you ſuppoſe your ſelf uncapable of excuſing thoſe errours the Boy chargeth upon you, without contracting as many more? That (I readily acknowledge) were the way to make your ſelf ridiculous indeed! But why muſt you childiſhly throw the Boy at your Adverſary? I can tell you Sir! He is no ſuch Boy, but that he is able52 to crack your crown, as he hath done your credit in Aſtrology. And perhaps he would too, were not the Amulet of AGE your protection and ſecurity. However, I ſhall return you in exchange for your Boy, the Adage, —〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. But this is the deſpight of it, Lilly is ſuch a Boy in Learning, he cannot Engliſh it.
But why Ranting-impudent Fool? If Folly be a privation or defect of wiſdome, or ingenuity, Lilly is the abſurdeſt Fool that ever I either read or heard of. And for the concomitants of his Fool — Ranting and Impudence; I think it impoſſible for any man to ſurpaſs him. Well, but ſaith Lilly, — This Impudent, Ranting Fool, or Boy, dare not own his Name to be G.I. or I.G. Here, Mr Merlin, you do homage only to the Father of lies, (whom it may be you are better acquainted with, than with the Angels you tattle and boaſt of.) For he hath owned G. I. as the initiall Letters of his Name in the ſpurious Prognoſticator, to your ſorrow: but Lilly hath little liſt to cope with either the Author, or the Book; the one being ſo repugnant to his Principles, the other to his skill. But beſides, it is not for fear of Lillies Pen, that53 the Author forbears to ſet his name at length, but for the forementioned Reaſons.
Mr. Lilly having fluttered and beat his Eagleſhip out of breath, in the Aeſtival Quarter, is now come to the Autumnal, and ſaith, ☉ enters ♎ Septemb. 12. at noon. Yet if you conſult his own Ephemeris, you will find Sol's place that day at noon, in 29 d. 58 m. ♍. Could any Boy of a moneths reading in Aſtrologie be guilty of greater Impudence and Ignorance, then this? Or did ever any man rant ſo vainly under the Canopy of Aſtrologie, and know ſo little thereof, as doth this Owl Lilly? No more Eagle Sir! until your skill be mended.
Howbeit ſaith Lilly, — This Figure and Vernal Scheme agreeing with the King of Swedes Nativity, — Let his Majeſties Enemies brag of this ill poſition of Heaven, which by Gods bleſſing may render him victorious in the Acquiſition either of a Battel if he be in Campania; or a City or Town if in the Siege of one; or if at Sea, a Maritime Victory. If falſe Figures promiſe Victory, Lilly may prove a true Prophet in ſome of theſe things: but certainly from falſe Figures, fallacious Victories muſt be preſaged. 54And ſuch will thoſe be, that the K. of Swede obtains about this time; notwithſtanding Lillies Paraſitical Pen. For Saturn is now in Quartile to the place of the dire Direction but lately mentioned; and to the Cuſp of the King of Swedens hopes in his Radix and Revolution alſo. But Lilly is to be read backward, as men read Hebrew: when he promiſeth Victory, let the King of Sweeden be ſure to expect loſs.
For concluſion, Lilly ſaith, It was his intention, had he not been prevented, to have delivered ſomewhat of the Tutelary and Preſidentiary Angels. &c. and boaſts of the Expoſitors that follow the Septuagint, and of the Fathers, viz. Dionyſius, Origen, Baſil, Nazianzen, Clemens Alexandrinus, Damaſcen, Hillary, &c. But he underſtands the Doctrine of Angels, and thoſe learned Fathers, both alike: (i. e. ) as much as he doth Aſtrologie, viz. onely to brag and boaſt with, that he may the better paſs for a Scholar among the ignorant. And to this end, ſteals three or four ſayings (which he underſtands not) out of Dingley of Angels, (who cites thoſe Authorities he impertinently mentions) and would needs enforce them upon the world as the fruits55 of his own Phlegmatick and Drowſie Contemplation and Studies: and for a farewel, triflingly concludes, — This learning will finde cold entertainment with Atheiſts, Ranters and Paddies. Certainly if Mr. Lilly be the Author of it, 'twill be fit onely for the reading of ſuch kind of Fellows; and thoſe (perhaps) are his principal Acquaintance and Diſciples. But what Mr. Lilly ſhould mean by Paddies, I cannot deviſe, (for Rider and Thomas own no ſuch word) unleſs he mean one that beſtrides the King of Swedes Sumpture Horſe; which if he do, now he hath crackt his Credit in Aſtrologie, I would have him become Probationer for the place. So I deſcend from his general Prognoſtications, to his monethly Fictions; which I ſhall but lightly examine, and ſo paſs them, until the whole year ſhall more particularly inform me of his failings. For I queſtion not, but his Predictions, and thoſe of Montelion Knight of the Oracle, as they are calculated for one and the ſame Meridian of Truth, and have one and the ſame foundation in Art, ſo one and the ſame ſucceſs will crown them.
SECT. 3. His Monethly Fictions examined.
IN January Mr. Lilly predicts, — Notſtanding the ranting and ryming Pamphlets of illiterate Fellows, we hope ſome conſiderable victory will be gained by the Swedes, &c. Indeed Sir, the M. C. ad ♂ ♄, comes on too faſt for this to be true. But if the King of Swede had no ſuch Direction operating, what Reaſon or Authority hath Lilly, to prefer his own ignorant hopes in the room of Art? or doth all his skill in Aſtrologie depend upon hopes and expectations, without any ſolid demonſtration? Doth this ignorant fellow think, that Mars his now ſquaring ♃ in the King of Swedes Nativity, and at the ſame time tranſiting the tenth houſe thereof; (together with a Quartile of Sol and Saturn from the third and fifth Houſes both of his Radical and Revolutional Figures) do any way augment or encourage his hopes? Lilly! theſe57 Arguments will prove you an abſolute Lyer. I confeſs, had the Swede only ranting and riming Pamphlets to oppoſe him, he might eſcape the better, although he never conſulted Lillies lying-Almanack.
In March he ſcramblingly writes, — If the ſeaſon permit, the ſcrambling Pens of Ideots will prove falſe Prophets. Did ever any man, that pretended to underſtand ſence, render himſelf a more ſcrambling Ideot than Lilly doth here? Prethee, Mr Lilly, tell me what ſeaſon that is, which the ſcrambling Pens of Ideots (or others) prove Prophets in; let them be either true or falſe. Is it Spring, Winter, Summer, Autumne? I proteſt for this conceit, I could afford to Chronicle thee, WISE WILLIAM LILLY in the next Impreſſion of Erra Pater; but that were to abuſe thee more than this book is deſigned to do; for 'tis the office and duty of this to ſpeak truth. But (ſaith he) ſome happy ſucceſs near this time is deſigned for his Majesty of Swede. If any ſuch thing be deſigned, it muſt be either by the energy of the Heavens, or ſome other power: by the Heavens there is no ſuch thing deſigned,58 but the contrary; as M. C. ad ♂ ♄, (nearly touching now) denotes, it being attended on by an ♂ of ♃ and ☿, celebrated in the Twelfth and Sixth Houſes of his Radix and Revolution alſo; preſaging much Treachery and Infortunacie, in the room of the happy ſucceſs Lilly boaſts of. If it be promiſed by any other power, Lilly ſhould have told us ſo: but a Golden Bribe can bend a Buzzards Pen any way.
In April he rantingly writes — Let men and devils, or all earthly devils do their worſt, the Noble Swede will now again be ſucceſsful, according to his preſent condition, even by Sea or Land, or near it. This good Chriſtian Aſtrologer, complained of Atheiſts and Ranters, &c. that were his Antagoniſts; but could any Atheiſtical or Ranting Fellow in the world, write more Rantingly and Atheiſtically, then himſelf hath here? Let Men and Devils, and all earthly Devils, &c. Sure this ranting-raving Fellow ſuppoſes, that the Swede hath, not men, but devils to encounter with; or elſe what doth he mean, by ſuch ranting helliſt, expreſſions? But why earthly Devils? Doth he believe there are any Devils in Heaven? But (ſaith he) Let thoſe59 Devils do their worſt, the K. of Swede will be ſucceſsful. If the Swedes Enemies, (which this malicious Fellow terms Devils) do but their worſt, the Swede may then be ſucceſsful, as he groundleſly writes: But Sir! they are like to do their beſt, and not their worſt; and ſo will leave you a devilliſh Lyar to Poſterity. But he will be ſucceſsful by Sea or Land, or near it; ſaith this Barbarian in Art and Learning. Certain I am, the ☍ of ☉ and ♄, and ♂ 's tranſiting the radical place of ♃, conſidered, together with his ſad Revolutional Figure, denies him ſucceſs at Sea or Land. What he may (by Mr. Lillies Ptedictions) expect near it, I know not: perhaps he dream't of ſome airy happineſs and ſucceſs, when he writ this ventoſitous Fancie.
In May this Impoſtor predicts, — The Heavens ſhew much hope for ſettlement of France and Spain, in league and amity. This he perfectly reads in the Heavens too, (O rare Monthly Obſervator!) although the peace betwixt thoſe Princes was concluded ſix Months before, as the News-Books had acquainted him: for you muſt know, he ſtudies them more then he doth old Ptolomy.
60Lilly skips from April to September without mentioning the leaſt particle o the Swediſh King. And then (too late) tells him — The Heavens give caution to him, &c. For then his game (in deſpite of Lillie's flattery) is near at an end. This counſel (Lilly) you ſhould have given him at the beginning of the year, if you had dealt as fairly by him, as he hath nobly by you.
In October this pedantick Paraſite cants — That the K. of Swede, in deſpite of all oppoſition, cannot fail of many ſucceſſes in or near this month: Surely Sir! ſpiteful ſucceſſes, will do the Victor no durable ſervice. But what muſt theſe ſucceſſes be, I wonder? why ſaith Lilly, Such as his preſent occaſion requires. Now if the K. of Swede (being a Souldier) ſhould happen (for want of conveniency) to be invaded with a Souldiers Fortune, viz. to be ſtronger within, then without; and in this condition obtain the happineſs (or ſucceſs) of a clean ſhirt, Lilly ſhall have the honour of predicting it Aſtrologically. But one pretty piece of Policy I meet with in wiſe Williams Octobers Obſervations, that makes me ſmile at the writing thereof: 'tis this: It61 then being about Almanack time, and Lilly believing that he ſhall be laſh'd, as the laſt year, (for he knows he hath notoriouſly deſerved it) and that you may think he reads the ſame in the Heavens, he learnedly (by this his ſharp Praeſcience) predicts — Some botching Atheiſt now beſpatters him.
In November he again temporizes with the Swede, thus: — Either with full peace, or much happineſs, the Swedes are bleſſed according to their preſent condition. Prethee, Lilly, tell me, how thou cameſt to be ſo baſe a Flatterer? Doſt thou ſee ♂ upon the place of ☉, and ☉, ♂ and ☿ in ♂, and all in ☍ to ☽ 's Radical place, in the King of Swedes Geniture? I am perſwaded, thou makeſt thy ſelf a Paraſite on purpoſe, or elſe thou knoweſt not ♂ from thy Taylors Bodkin.
62But to conclude all his wiſe work, In Decembers right-hand-page he writes, — The guilty find friends. And in the left, verifies it in himſelf, thus — If Jupiter were not in Libra, (his Printer hath made it June, but I ſcorn as much to retort that upon him, as he thinks it beneath him to anſwer a Boy) Saturn would afflict poor Anglicus. Providence ſtill provides for him friends. Go on William! Confeſs all your ſins, and guiltineſs of all kinds; and conſider that your end draweth on, and the M. C. ad □ ♄ & ☉ is coming apace; and flatter not your ſelf as you have done the King of Swede. You will begin to claim the Title of an aged Paraſite in Aſtrology: Flatter not your ſelf therefore. For it is not ♃ in ♎ that can any way ſtead you. Is not ♄ returned to his own place, and the oppoſite place of the Sun? Is not your Revolution notoriouſly cruel, and miſchievous alſo? And how ſhould ♃ in ♎ help you? Doth ♃ behold either the Aſcendant, or ☉ in your Nativity? Is he not in □ of Luna? Flatter not your ſelf, I ſay: Learn Aſtrology (for once) from a Boy; And if at laſt ♃ in ♎ fail you, ſay you had an enemy dealt63 more faithfully with you, without a Gold Chaine, than you did with the King of Sweden for one. So I leave William Lilly in the midſt of his Flatteries and Ignorance, as I found him.