Of Astrology; what it is.

ASTROLOGY is the Art that teach­es us the influence and effects of the Celestial Planets upon the bodies of men, women and children, which by their various aspects, positions and configurations, do foreshew the changes and mutations both of par­ticular bodies, and also of kingdoms and states.

Some would confound Astronomy and Astrology together, which are in truth different things: And both have their particular use and excellence. Astron­omy teaches the various and different motions of the planets, and astrology shews their influences and effects; but now that of the signs and planets more distinctly. And first the twelve signs of the Zodiac, which gov­ern the several parts of man's body, and are summed up in verse.

A Description of the twelve Signs in Verse, shewing wha [...] Part of the Body each rules.

The Names and Characters of the twelve Signs.

THE first is Aries ♈. This sign gov­erns the head and face, and is by nature cold and dry.

The second is Taurus ♉. This Sign governs the neck and throat, and is by nature cold and dry.

The third is Gemini ♊. This sign governs the hands and arms, and is hot and moist.

The fourth is Cancer ♋. This sign governs the breast and stomach, and is cold and moist.

The fifth is Leo ♌. This sign governs the heart and back, and is hot and dry.

The sixth is Virgo ♍ This sign governs the bow­els and belly, and is cold and dry

The seventh is Libra ♎. This sign governs the reins and loins, and is hot and moist.

The eighth is Scorpio ♏. This sign governs the secret members, and is cold and dry.

The ninth is Sagittary ♐. This sign governs the thighs and hips, and is hot and dry.

The tenth is Capricorn ♑. This sign governs the knees and hams, and is cold and dry.

The eleventh is Aquarius ♒. This sign governs the legs, and is by nature hot and moist.

The twelfth is Pisces ♓. This sign governs the feet, and is cold and moist.

Besides the names and characters of the twelve signs, they have other names and characters also by which they are described and called. As Aries is call­ed the Ram, Taurus the Bull, Gemini the Twins, Can­cer the Crab, Leo the Lion, Virgo the Virgin or Maid, Libra the Balance, Scorpio the Scorpion, Sagittary the Centaur or half horsed Bowman, or the Archer, his character being half man half horse, with bow and ar­rows, Capricorn the Kid or Goat, and Pisces the Fish.

Of the Triplicity of the Twelve Signs.

THESE signs are also divided by as­trologers in their several triplicities according to their several natures; thus Aries, Leo and Sagittary, being all hot and dry, are called the fiery triplicity; Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, being all cold and dry, are called the earthly triplicity; Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, being all hot and moist, are called the airy triplicity; and Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, being all cold and moist, are called the watry triplicity.

Of the Twelve Houses.

THE knowledge and the nature of the houses is reckoned by the ancients a great mystery, and that which requires great study; for there is nothing relating to man's life but it is foreshewn by the nature of one of the twelve houses, whose significations are briefly summed up in the following verse.

The first house is called the ascendant; because there the sun ascends the horizon, let it be in what climate it will; and in astrological judgment is called the house of life.

The second house is the succedent to the ascendant, and is the signification of riches and wealth.

The third house is the signification of bretheren, kindred and alliance.

[Page 11]The fourth house signifies the parents of the native, and all possessions, and lands of inheritance.

The fifth house is the succedent of the angel of the earth, which is the fourth house and, therefore signifies mirth and jollity, which is usually the effect of the birth of children, which is also signified by this house.

The sixth house is cadent from the north angle, and is significant of sickness and diseases.

The seventh house is the angel of the west, and is significator of wedlock, and also of lawsuits and quar­rels.

The eighth house is succedent from the angel of the west, and signifies death.

The ninth house is cadent, and signifies religion and learning.

The tenth house signifies dignity, honour, and pre­ferment.

The eleventh house hath significations of friendship, amity, and hope.

The twelfth house signifies misery, poverty, private enemies, imprisonments and disgrace.

How many Persons may know under which of the twelve Signs they are born.

HE that is born under Aries is of a nature hot and dry, and of a loud voice, inclined to choler; and if a woman, subject to barrenness, or at least will have but few children, and those sickly and perhaps wanting in some of their members; very desirous of command, and loving to be above others: Such have also black eyebrows, thick shoulders, and are of a dark swarthy complexion, and of a middle stature.

Those born under Taurus are of a cold and dry con­stitution, inclined to melancholy, one that is sickly, and loves pleasure, yet is very chaste, honest and religious; seldom angry, but once peovoked seldom reconciled; [Page 12] of short stature, but well set; short legs, big buttocks, a bull's neck, wide mouth, and black hair.

Persons born under Gemini are hot and moist, of fair and sanguine complexions, and affable and cour­teous in their behaviour, endued with wisdom and un­derstanding, and accomplished with elegance of speech and a good delivery, having brown hair, brisk and quick eyes, a large breast, long arms, hands and legs; and a tall, straight and well set body.

Those born under Cancer, which is a watery sign, are cold and moist, and of a phlegmatic constitution; of a low stature, blackish hair, and a great belly. If it be a woman, it shews she shall have many children.

Those that are born under Leo (which is hot and dry, and a sign of the fiery triplicity) are very choleric, of a shrill voice, and viciously inclined; m [...]h addict­ed to anger, and very subtile; if a woman, barren, of a generous and free temper, very valiant and cour­ageous, of yellowish or flaxen hair, broad shouldered, great head and eyes, of middle stature, but lusty body.

Persons born under Virgo, which is a sign of the earthly triplicity, are cold and dry, of a melancholy constitution, but of a free countenance, very courteous of behaviour, and yet very self opinioned, the body somewhat spare, but of a good proportion, of a brown complexion, but black hair, and large eyes.

Those born under Libra, which is a sign of the airy triplicity, are hot and moist, and of a sanguine com­plexion, fair, and of a good proportion, of homely vis­age, well favoured, light brown hair, pleasant and cour­teous, rosy cheeks, and amiable countenance, some­what inclining to tallness, and very slender. But if a woman she will have but few children.

Persons born under Scorpio, which is the sign of the watery Triplicity, are by nature cold and moist, and consequently phlegmatic, and of a sickly constitution, yet very fruitful, and withal vicious, fair of counte­nance, but of an angry disposition, and many times crooked in their bodies as well as in their tempers; [Page 13] they are also of a sad coloured hair, and of a serious and grave countenance, very much reserved, but at the same time false and deceitful; the stature is com­monly small, but the body is pretty well set.

Those that are born under Sagittary which is a sign of the fiery Triplicity, are hot and dry, choleric, tall of stature, hard favoured, but fair; brown hair, which will shed betimes. If a woman, she will have but few chil­dren, and those very weak, but ingenious and exceed­ing crafty.

Persons born under Capricorn, which is a sign of the earthly Triplicity, are cold and dry, and of a melan­choly constitution, and of a savage and cruel nature; and much inclined to lechery; the body deformed, of a swarthy complexion, short of stature, dry and lean; the face also lean and thin, the colour pale and wan, and generally broad favoured.

Those born under Aquarius, which is a sign of the watery Triplicity, are hot and moist, and of a sanguine complexion, and of a sweet and affable condition, with a countenance very amiable and lovely; of a free and pleasant temper, and of a chaste, honest, and religious nature, of a fair visage, middle stature, well shapen body, and bright hair, virtuously inclined, and always conceited.

Those born under Pisces, which is a sign of the wa­tery Triplicity, are cold, moist, and phlegmatic; of a short stature, often crooked, deformed, and ill compos­ed both in body and mind, having a great face, pale and wan complexion, thick shouldered, short necked, and stooping.

By these things persons may know under what sign they were born, if they will compare themselves with what is here written.

Of the seven Planets, their characters, names, natures; and in what times they make their Revolutions.

HAVING spoke of the several signs, with the twelve houses, and of their natures and sig­nifications, I come now to speak of the seven planets, or erratic stars, who in their several orbs or circles, pass through the twelve houses of the Zodiack in more or less time, according to the largeness or smallness of their several orbs; and as these planets pass through the twelve signs, so they are said to be in such and such houses; thus the complement of one year, for on the tenth of March, at which time the spring and most properly the year begins, the sun enters in Aries, and having passed through that, in April he enters into Taurus, in May into Gemini, and so of the rest. And according to the houses or signs in which any of the planets are, so they are said to be dignified or debilita­ted; for when a planet is in a sign of its own nature, it is dignified; but if in a sign of a contrary nature to its own, it is then debilitated, or made weaker; and according to their position, their effects and operations are wonderful upon the bodies of men and women; but I shall give you their characters, names, and na­ture.

The first is ♄ Saturn, who is by nature cold and dry, of a swarthy, dull, obscure colour, like unto lead; he makes his revolution through the twelve signs in thir­ty years.

The second is ♃ Jupiter, who is by nature hot, moist, and temperate, he appears very bright and shin­ing, and is of a warm nature; he makes his revolution in twelve years.

The third is ♂ Mars, of nature hot and dry, he ap­peareth of a fiery colour, and maketh his revolution in twenty three months.

[Page 15]The fourth is ☉ Sol, whose nature is hot, dry, and temperate; his glorious brightness is sufficiently known to all. He makes his revolution in three hun­dred and sixty five days, six hours and twentyfour minutes.

The fifth is ♀ Venus, of nature cold and moist, the most bright and splendent star in all the firmament, she moveth equally with the Sun, though her motion seems to be very irregular, and makes her revolution at the same time.

The sixth is ☿ Mercury, whose nature is cold and dry, variable, he is situated very near the Sun, and is rarely seen; he makes his revolution at the same time as the Sun and Venus.

The seventh is ☽ Luna, or the Moon, which is the last or lowest, and whose nature is cold and moist, ev­ery one knows she is of a pale colour, and she maketh her revolution in twentyseven days and eight hours.

Having given you a brief account of the names and nature of the seven planets, I here add an account of the five aspects also, which are these:

Of the five Aspects.

1. ☌ CONJUNCTION, which is when two planets are in one sign, or thirty degrees.

2. ⚹ Sextile, which is when two planets are distant two signs or sixty degrees.

3. □ Quartile, which is when two planets are dis­tant three signs, or ninety degrees.

4. △ Trine, which is when two planets are distant four signs, or one hundred and twenty degrees.

5. ☍ Opposition, which is when two planets are dis­tant six signs, or one hundred and eighty degrees.

These are also two opposite points in the ecliptic line, called Nodes, which we commonly call the Drag­ons [Page 16] head and tail, thus characterised, ☊ Dragon's Head, ☋ Dragon's Tail.

I would now shew you the various effects and op­erations of the seven planets, as they are posited in the several houses, but I think it most necessary to give you an explanation of several terms used in the astronom­ical and astrological science.

An explanation of the Circle of the Sphere, and some other Terms in Astronomy, for the easier understanding of this Book, and for further information of the reader.

THE Equinoctial Circle, Equator, or E­quinox, is a great circle or line equally distant from the two poles of the world, dividing the sphere in the midst.

Zodiack, is a broad oblique circle crossing the Equinoctial in two opposite places, viz. in the beginning of Aries and the beginning of Libra, so that half declining towards the north, the other towards the south; and in this circle is comprehended the twelve constellations of signs, every sign containing thirty degrees in length, and twelve in breadth. Note also, That the first are northern signs, and the six last are southern signs.

The Ecliptic Line, is a line imagined to go along the midst of the Zodiack, as a girdle out of which the sun never goeth; but the moon and other planets are sometimes on one side, and sometimes on the other side, which is called their latitudes, only the fixed stars alter not their latitude, whether great or small; but the longitude of a star is in the arch or part of the Ecliptic in degrees, between the beginning of Aries, and the cir­cle which passeth through the body of the star; where note, that all circles of the sphere or heavens, whether they are large or small, have three hundred and sixty degrees allowed to each of them.

[Page 17] Colures are said to be two great moveable circles crossing each other at the poles of the world, one cut­ting the Equinox at the beginning of Aries and at the beginning of Libra, and the other cutting the Ecliptic at the beginning of Cancer and at the beginning of Ca­pricorn; and so dividing the globe into four equal parts.

Horizon is a great circle which divideth the upper hemisphere, that is the upper hall of the world from the lower, we being always supposed to be in the midst.

Meridian is a great circle passing through the poles of the world, and the poles of the horizon, called Ze­nith and the Nadir (which are two points, one di­rectly over our heads the other directly under our feet) on which the sun is always just at noon; and to go di­rectly north and south, the meridian is changed; but to go east and west it is changed to sixty miles either way, and make one degree, of four minutes of time dif­ference under the Equinox, viz. sixty miles eastward, it is noon four minutes sooner, and sixty miles west­ward four minutes later.

Tropicks are supposed to be two lesser circles, paral­lel with the Equinoctial, and distant from it on either side, twenty three degrees, thirty one minutes each; the ecliptic line touches the Tropick of Cancer on the north side of the equinoctial, and it touches the Tropic of Capricorn on the south side thereof, so that the sun hath its motion between these two circles.

The Artick Circle is equally distant from the north pole, as the Tropicks are distant from the Equinox twen­ty three degrees, thirty one minutes.

The Antarctic Circle is the same distance from the south pole.

Zones, so called are five in number, two cold, two temperate and one hot, which are divided by the two Tropicks and polar circles from each other; the hot [Page 18] Zone is counted between the two Tropicks that is ex­tended from one to the other, being about forty seven degrees two minutes broad; the temperate Zones are extended from the Tropicks on either side, to about fortytwo degrees sixtyeight minutes, that is northward to the Artick circle and southward to the antarctick cir­cle and the two cold Zones are each within those two small circles having the poles for their center.

The poles of the Worlds, are two points exactly oppo­site to each other in the heavens, one in the north, the other in the south, the earth being in the midst, so that it seems to turn about, as if it were borne up by them; wherefore by some it is termed the axletree of the world, as if there was a line supposed to be drawn from one pole through the center of the earth to the other, and the earth turning thereon, though holy writ tells us, The Lord hangeth the earth upon nothing, it being upholden by his mighty power. The pole artick, or north pole, is elevated above our horizon above fiftyone degrees; and those stars within that distance from it, never set with us, but keep their course round it daily; so likewise those that are at that distance from the south pole, never rise with us, but perform their course in the like order.

Azimuths are supposed lines or circles of distance from the meridian, drawn from the zenith to any de­gree, or two degrees of the horizon, or according to the thirty two points of the mariner's compass, so that in travelling or sailing any way supposing a circle to go from our zenith directly before us to the horizon, is the Azimuth, called the verticle point as well as the ze­nith.

Almicantharats, or Almadarats, or circles of altitude, are imagined circles passing through the meridian, parallel with the horizon.

The Sphere is a round body, presenting the frame of the whole world, as the circles of the heaven and the [Page 19] earth; this is sometimes called a martial sphere, for the orbs of the planets are called their spheres, that is the circles in which they move.

Ascension is the rising of any star, or of any part of the ecliptic above the horizon, Descension is its going down.

Right ascension of a star, is that part of the equinox that riseth or setteth with a star in a right sphere, but in an oblique sphere, it is that part of the equinoctial in degrees, containing between the first point of Aries, and that place of the equinoctial which passeth by the meridian with the center of the star.

Oblique Ascention is a part of the equinoctial in de­grees, contained betwixt the beginning of Aries, and that of the equinox, which riseth with any star, or part of the ecliptic, in an oblique sphere.

Assential difference, is the difference betwixt the right and oblique ascention, or the number of degrees con­tained between that place and the equinox that riseth with the center of a star, and that place of the equinox that cometh to the meridian with the same star.

Solstice is in the summer, when the sun is in the be­ginning of Cancer; and in the winter when the sun en­ters into Capricorn; because then the days seem to stand still, and seem neither to increase nor decrease above two minutes in ten or twelve days.

Constellation is a certain number of stars, supposed to be limited within some form or likeness, as Aries the ram, is said to have thirteen stars; Taurus the bull thirtythree: Arcturus, Orion and the Pleiades, mention­ed in Job. ix. 9. are said to be Constellations.

Perihelium is the point wherein the earth, or any planet, is nearest the sun.

Aphelium is a point wherein the earth, or any planet, is farther from the sun.

Planets, are the seven eratique or wandering stars, called, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sol, or the Sun, Venus, [Page 20] Mercury and Luna, or the Moon, whose characters, names and nature, we have mentioned before, and whose influences we shall by and by give you a farther account of. Those planets have also their several mo­tions. As,

Direct. Is a planet's moving in its natural course, which is forward.

Retrogade. Is their moving backward contrary to their direct motion.

Combust. Is their being under the sun beams, or within eight degrees of him.

Oriental. Is when a planet riseth before the sun, Occidental, after him.

Latitude of the Earth, is the distance of breadth on either side of the equinox, towards the pole, and they that are under the equinox have no latitude, but the poles of the world are in the horizon: This is a right sphere, and every sixty miles directly north or south, are said to make no degree of latitude, and the height of either pole above the horizon, is answerable to the degree of latitude in an oblique sphere; as London is counted to be in latitude fiftyone degrees, thirtytwo minutes, the pole thereof being elevated as much. The like is to be observed in any other place or region.

Longitude of the Earth, is the outside thereof extend­ed from west to east, crossing the latitude at right an­gles, the beginning thereof (according to some astrono­mers) is the Canary Isles, so going eastward quite round the world, unto the same place again, which is three hundred and sixty degrees; and under the equinoctial is reputed to be two millions one thousand six hundred miles, reckoning sixty miles to a degree; but then further off the equinoctial, the fewer miles are in a de­gree; for at London about thirtyseven makes a degree of longitude: so these degrees grow less and less, until they are met in the latitude of ninety, that is under the poles.

[Page 21] Parallels, are lines straight and circular, equally dis­tant from each other, as the Equinox, Tropicks, and degrees of latitude, &c.

Climate, or Clime, is such a space of earth compre­hending between two parallels, in which space there is half an hour's difference in the sun dials, and length of the days.

Antipodes, are those whose feet are directly against ours, as if a line was drawn from one through the cen­ter of the earth to the other.

And these shall suffice for an explanation of things, which I have done as briefly as I could, for he ad­vantage of the reader, to whom possibly these things (so necessary to be known) may have hitherto been concealed.

Of the Sun's Revolution through the 12 Sings of the Zo­diac; with an Astrological Judgment of those that shall be born, when the Sun is in any of these Signs.

THOUGH there be seven planets (as we have before shewed) yet the sun and moon being the two great luminaries of the world, have greater influ­ence upon our bodies than all the rest, and the sun shining by his ow light, and being the fountain of both light and life, has greater power than the moon, and his influence is more in any of the twelve houses. I therefore here (because I affect brevity) give the reader an astrologic judgment of the sun's power and influence, being in any of the twelve houses; after I have first ac­quainted my reader what a house is, and signifies in astrology.

A house is a certain space in the firmament, which is parted and separated by several degrees, by which the planets have their motion metaphorically, called houses. [Page 22] For as in a house there may be many mansions, for eve­ry planet has a peculiar or proper place in the firmament, in which it moves and in which it is resident, contain­ing thirty degrees, by which one house is differenced from another, and these are thus placed by Astrologers, viz.

The sun being in Aries, makes a person born under it of a toward and peevish disposition, quickly angry, but as soon pleased; given to study and very eloquent, but proud, living luxurious, promising all things, but performing nothing; not beloved among his kindred, and obnoxious to danger among his enemies; he shall be in danger of receiving harm from four footed beasts, or being thrown from a horse, and the like; so that he ought to avoid all hawking, hunting, and oth­er exercise to be performed on horsecback, which are like to be fatal to him, but in other things he may be more fortunate. If the person born be a female, though she may be fair and fruitful in children, yet she will be given to lying, and of so bad a temper and disposition that her husband will live but uneasy with her. Note, this also, that those born in the day time, the sun being in Aries, will be fortunate aad happy, but those that are born in the night, will be unfortunate and come to disgrace.

The sun being in Taurus, makes the native bold and fortunate in attempting hard and difficult affairs; it shews him also victorious over his enemies, and a great traveller, but banished from his native country. It also shews one servile, familiar and angry, but in his old age only; for in his youth he shall obtain rich­es by marriage, which shall make him better honored. But when age comes, it brings sickness with it, and that makes men peevish.

It makes females wanton, yet painful and obedient, but full of Tittle Tattle; it also shews them inclined to whoredom, which will wear off by degrees; she shall have many husbands and divers children.

[Page 23]The sun being in Gemini, denotes a fair child, also one that is wise, liberal and merciful, also a boaster, and one that runs up and down without any regard to his business, whereby he shall obtain but little riches of his own, but shall be of that fidelity and truth, that he shall have the command of the public treasure: It also denotes one to be of a complaisant behaviour, a good understanding, and acceptable to those with whom he has to do. It shews him also to be well vers­ed in the mathematical science and arithmetic; and that he shall be in great danger about three and twen­ty years of age, either to be hurt by fire, or bitten by a mad dog.

The sun being in Cancer, shews a person to be of a good wit, humility and wisdom, but one inclined to pleasure, and the love of women. It also shews one attempting many things, and especially on seas, and thereby often in danger, and vexed with many incom­modities, and with much poverty and misery, and that though he may get much, yet he may be never the richer; he shall dig for treasure, and shall find that which he looked not for: But if it be a maid, she shall be witty, shamefaced, evil, wise, diligent, nimble and beautiful, soon pleased, yet deceitful and crafty, saying one thing, and doing another, subject to many dangers by water, by falling, by childbearing and chol­ic; and after the age of twentysix, whether the native, male or female, it promiseth good success. It denotes also a person to be painful, faithful, acquainted with great men, and fortunate in husbandry.

The sun being in Leo, denotes a man proud and ar­rogant, bold and stout; a mocker, scorner, unmerciful, cruel, and hard to be entreated; beset with many ene­mies, and subject to many miseries; also a captain or other commander, looking for promotion from great men, unfortunate children, and meeting with many af­flictions by their means, putting himself into many dangers; he shall be also in danger by fire or sword, and [Page 24] violence of beasts, by whom he shall be in danger of death; but with prudence may escape all threatened dangers.

But if the native be of the female sex, she shall be bold, have great and large breasts, and slender legs, which are tokens of stoutness, angers, slanders, and bab­bling; though the softness natural to women do allevi­ate the excess thereof. She ought however to be es­pecially careful of hot waters, and fire, by which she will be in great danger; she shall also be much inclined to sickness, or gnawing of the stomach. But after the age of twentyone years, she shall be fortunate in riches, which she shall obtain by the help of great men, and the use of other men's goods: also by housekeeping, beauty and love.

The sun being in Virgo, makes the men fortunate and successful in houshold affairs, wise and fruitful, stout and ambitious: his wife shall die suddenly in his absence; he shall have many things stolen from him, but shall be revenged on his enemies. He shall be so much given to talk, that he cannot keep his own se­crets.— It also shews one fairfaced, of a genteel beha­viour, a lover of women, and delightful to be in the courts of princes and noblemen. It also denotes one wise, just, and honorable, a patron and defender of his friends, also religious and temperate, of a comely per­sonage, and well featured. If the native be a maiden, she will be witty, honest and modest; of a willing mind diligent and circumspect; and shall be married about the age of fifteen years. But whether male or female, they shall be liable to meet with many afflictions.

The sun being in Libra, denotes the person to be for­tunate in all maritime affairs, and that he gains by trad­ing in spices and precious stones. It also shews a come­ly body, and a valuable pleasant tongue, a good fame, and one curious to understand secrets, but not very careful to perform what he promises, how much soever he may pretend to it. It shews also that he shall [Page 25] have several wives, and that he shall quickly bury the first. He may also be a gainer by dead men, who will leave him large legacies. He shall be a lover of wom­en and entertain unlawful familiararities with them. He shall be also a good interpreter of dreams, whether he be born by day or night. If the native be of the female sex, she shall be free and debonair, and of a jo­cund humour, taking much delight in herbs, loving the fields, and wandering into strange places. About 23 years of age she shall have a husband, and be happy, married for her beauty; pleasantness of conversation, and good behaviour, shall much promote her. Like­wise the children of Libra are such as are studious and lovers of learning; but without special care be taken, they may receive prejudice by fire or scalding water.

The sun being in Scorpio increases the natives in­heritence, and give them a boldness and stoutness, in­clining them likewise to flattery, by which means those they deal with are often deceived; and when they ex­pect bread may meet with nothing but a scorpion. It likewise denotes a person full of mirth, given to jest­ing and easy of belief, at the same time a conquerer of his enemies. It makes a woman to be full of craft and wit, and yet her husband shall deceive her. She shall likewise be subject to pain and the spleen, and have some extraordinary mark, either in the head, shoulder, or brawn of the arm.

It makes both sexes bold and rash, given to thiev­ing, and to search out hidden things, also it makes them wanton fornicators, and full of evil thoughts, and given to too much talking.

The sun being in Sagittary, gives fortune and bold­ness to take in hand an enterprise, inclining a person to travel, and take vovages at sea and journies by land, and not without considerable advantage; it also gives access into courts of princes, where the native shall be advanced to some honourable post. It also shews a per­son given to riding, hunting, hawking, leaping, fight­ing [Page 26] and such manly exercises, at which he always comes off with honor, by which means he is envied and has many enemies, whom yet he shall vanquish and and overcome. It also shews he shall possess the inher­itence of his father, and that he shall be just, ingenious, faithful, hearty, a sure friend, and a generous en­emy. If the native be a woman, it likewise betokens the same; she shall be industrious, of an excellent temper; she shall be envied by her enemies, but shall overcome them; she shall be married about seventeen, and have many children.

The sun being in Capricorn, shews the native shall meet with many afflictions and adversities, which he shall sustain with many resolutions: Yet it always shews him angry and fretful, and one that keeps bad com­pany. It also makes him merry and cheerful; yet he may fall in love to that degree, that he may be ready to die for his mistress; but if the nativity be by night, he shall be inconstant; it also shews in age he shall be covetous. He shall thrive in navigation, especially in the trade towards the east, for from thence his fortune shall arise. If the native be a woman, she will be modest and bashful, of a fearful disposition, and very much addicted to travel.

The sun being in Aquarius, maketh the native of a friendly disposition, fearful of waters, and in danger of receiving prejudice thereby; he shall be subject to sickness and quartidian agues until about the fifteenth year of his age, after which he shall be more fortunate, for by travelling through divers countries, he shall gath­er riches, which with a liberal hand he shall distri­bute; he shall meet with sundry losses and afflictions, especially by means of his wife and other women; and shall live for a long time without the enjoyment of her. But she being dead, his affairs will be more fortunate. If the native be a woman, she shall be comely [...] body, and of a faithful and canstant mind: she shall be en­riched with other men's goods, but her children shall [Page 27] be a great affliction to her, and she shall receive much damage by them. She shall not attain to any great fortune until the two and twentieth year of her age, and then she shall arrive to a competent estate.

The sun being in Pisces denotes a man to be quick, of a valuable and ready tongue, bold and conceited, but fortunate in finding out hidden treasure: for this is peculiar to those who are born when the sun is in Pisces, that they shall find something unlooked for, and shall be also enriched with other men's goods; it also shews them to be merry and jocose, of a good disposition, and loving the company of good men; they seldom live very long, but if they reach to thirtyfive years they may live to a good old age. They shall never be very rich, except in their own opinions; they are al­ways full of uneasy thoughts, and are in danger of be­ing brought into captivity by means of women; they have commonly some mark in the elbow or foot, and their fortune will come from the mouth. If the na­tive be a woman, she will be bold, contumelious, scold, and something worse, for she will forsake her own hus­band, and cleave to an adulterer.

Thus I have given an account of the influences of the sun, being in any of the celestial signs, by which any person may know in what sign the sun was at the time of his birth.

Of the evil or particular Days in every Month in the Year.

THERE are certain days in the years which concerns all persons to know, because they are so perilous and dangerous; for on these days if any man or woman shall be let blood, they shall die with­in 21 days following, or whoso falleth sick on any of these days shall certainly die: And whoso beginneth a journey on any of these days, he shall be in danger of death before he returns: Also he that marrieth a wife [Page 28] on any of these days, they shall either be quickly part­ed, or live together in sorrow and discontent. And lastly, whosoever on one of those days beginning any grea [...]ousiness it will never prosper, nor come to the de­sired perfection. Now since these days are so unfor­tunate it highly concerns every one both to know, and take notice of them; which that the reader may do, I have here set down in the following order:

In January are eight days; that is to say, the 1st, 2d, 4th, 5th, 10th, 15th, 17th, and 19th. In February are three days; that is the 8th, 10th, and 19th. In March are three days; that is the 15th, 16th, and 21st. In April are two days, the 15th, and 21st. In May are three days, 15th, 17th, and 20th. In June are two days, the 4th, and 17th. In July are two days, the 15th, and 20th. In August are two days, the 20th, and 25th. In September are two days, the 6th, and 7th. In October is one day, the 6th. In November are two days, the 5th, and 19th, In December are three days, the 6th, 7th, and 11th; and others say, 15th, and 19th.

Of the Planetary Days and Hours, and how to know un­der what Planet a Man is born.

THE planatary hours are those [...]ours in which each planet reigns, and has their chief dominion; of which the ancients gave the following account:

Saturn is Lord on Saturday; Jupiter is Lord on Thursday; Mars is Lord on Tuesday; Sol is Lord on Sunday, and Luna on Monday.

On Saturday the first hour after midnight Saturn reigns, the second Jupiter, the third Mars, the fourth Sol reigns, the fifth Venus, the sixth Mercury, and the seventh Luna; and then again Saturn the eight, Ju­piter the ninth, Mars the tenth, Sol the eleventh, Venus the twelfth, Mercury the thirteenth, Luna the four­teenth; [Page 29] and then the third time, Saturn the fifteenth, Jupiter the sixteenth, Mars the seventeenth, Sol the eighteenth, Venus the nineteenth, Mercury the twen­tieth, and Luna the one and twentieth hour: Then in the fourth place, Saturn the two and twentieth, hour, Jupiter the three and twentieth, and Mars the four and twentieth: And then Sol begins the first hour af­ter midnight on Sunday, Venus the 2d hour, Mercury the 3d, and also the 24th, which is the hour of Mercu­ry, and then Luna begins the first hour after midnight on Monday, Saturn the 2d, Jupiter the 3, and so to the 24th, which is the hour of Jupiter, and then Mars begins the first hour after midnight on Tuesday, and Sol the second, and so forward hour by hour, and planet by planet, according to their order, by which every planet reigns the first hour of his own day; and so like­wise the 8th, 15th, and 22d. As for instance, Saturn reigns the first hour, the 8th, 15th, and the 22d on Sat­urday, Sol the same hours on Sunday, Luna the same on Monday, Mars the same on Tuesday, Mercury the same on Wednesday, Jupiter the same on Thursday, and so Venus on Friday; which for the readier and easier finding out, I have thus set down.

A TABLE of the Planetary Hours for every Day in the Week.

This Table is so easy, it needs little explanation.— Its use is to find what planet rules any hour of the day, every day in the week. As for example, I desire to know what planet rules on Wednesday, at 7 o'clock at night; under the title of Wednesday, I look for 9, which answers to 7 o'clock at night; for the natural day consists of 24 hours, beginning after midnight, so that from 12 at noon, you begin to reckon 13, 14 15, &c. you find that the 19th hour from midnight, an­swers to 7 o'clock at night, over against which you will find ☉ which shews that to be the hour of the [Page 31] sun. And if you would know what planet rules at 7 in the morning that day, you will find against ♀ 7, which shews that Venus rules that hour; and so of any other hour in the day.

But I shall now come to speak of the significations of the planetary hours of each planet, and what it por­tends to those that are born in them. The hour of Saturn is strong, and is good to do all things that re­quire strength: Such as fighting or bearing burdens, or the like; but for those things it is very evil. He that is born in the hour of Saturn, is slow, dull and melancholy, of a dogged temper and disposition, black and swarthy of complexion, being quarrelsome, wrath­ful, and very malicious.

The hour of Jupiter is in all things good, and de­notes peace, love and concord: He that is born in the hour of Jupiter, is of a ruddy and sandy complexion, fair hair, well proportioned body, and of a lovely coun­tenance, his face rather broad than long, well spoken and courteous, of a very affable carriage, sober, just and religious. The hour of Mars is evil, and denotes the person born in it, to be of a cholerick constitution, and of a robust strong body, soon angry, and hard to be reconciled; his face red, and his eyes sparkling and fiery, much addicted to fighting, and ready to quarrel with every man he meets, which often times brings him to an untimely end. The hour of the Sun signi­fies great strength, and is very unfortunate for kings and princes. He that is born in that hour, hath sharp eyes, brown hair, and a round face, denotes one that is a great projector, aims at high things, but is often dis­appointed, and seldom brings his designs to pass.

The hour of Venus is very propitious and fortunate, but is better by night than day, especially mid-day, for then the sun covers it. He that is born in this hour hath fair hair, soft eyes, a little forehead, and round beard; very complaisant in his carriage, mighty am­orous, and a great admirer of women; much addicted [Page 32] to singing and gaming, and spends his money in court­ing the female sex.

The hour of Mercury is very good, but chiefly from the beginning to the middle: He that is born in this hour, his situation inclining to tallness, a sharp long face, long eyes, and a long nose: His forehead narrow, long beard and thin hair, long arms and long fingers; of a good disposition, and an obliging temper, much given to reading, and very desirous of knowledge, de­lighting to be among books; very eloquent in his speech, and yet addicted to lying; and if he be poor, he is commonly light fingered.

The hour or the Moon is both good and evil, ac­cording to the day: For from the 4th to the 17th it is good to those that are born under it; but from the 17th to the 20th, it is counted unfortunate to be born under it; and from the 20th to the 27th, very unhap­py. He that is born in the hour of the Moon, especial­ly upon her own day, shall be pale faced, of a thin, meagre visage, with hollow eyes, and of a middle stat­ure, he appears very courteous and obliging, but is very crafty and deceitful, setting about many things, but so inconstant and variable in his humour, that he is pres­ently off of them again, and setting about something else; insomuch, that what he cries up in one hour, he shall as much cry down the next; he is also very ma­licious, and will never forget an affront once offered him, his constitution phlegmatic.

Thus have I given the reader the judgment of the ancients upon the planetary hours, and what they portend to those that are born under them, by which a person, comparing himself with what is here set down, may easily know under what planet he was born.

Of the Signification of the Seven Planets, with respect to Men's Bodies.

BEFORE I conclude my discourse of the seven planets, their nature and influences, I shall give you an account of the signification of them, as they respect the several parts of man's body, and the diseases that they govern, that proper remedies may be applied accordingly.

Saturn governs the right ear, the bladder and the bones; and the diseases he governs, are quartian agues, concerns, black choler, rheums, coughs, palsies, loose­ness of the blood, &c.

Jupiter governs the lungs, ribs, liver, seeds, arteries, and left ear; and the diseases incident to them, are pleuricies and apoplexies, and such as proceed from 100 great a quantity of blood, or from wind in any part of the body.

Mars governs the gall, the veins and the reigns, and their distempers; which are fevers, yellow jaun­dice, madness, choler carbuncles. Mars also governs the stones and privy members of man or woman in part.

The Sun governs the eyes, heart, and right side, and the diseases relating to them; such as colds, especially in the stomach and liver, fluxes in the eyes, cramp, headach, &c.

Venus governs the liver, loins, matrix, paps and throat: The diseases whereof are weakness in the body, and members, catarrhs, French pox, &c.

Mercury governs the brain, thought, memory, speech and tongue, and also the distempers incident thereto, are falling sickness, madness, coughs, hoarseness, stam­mering, phthysic, and rheums.

The Moon governs the left eye of a man, and the right eye of a woman, also the stomach, belly, and the [Page 34] left side; and the diseases proper to them, are dropsies, palsies, rotten coughs, surfeits, worms in children, king's evil, falling sickness, convulsion fits, dimness of sight, small pox, and measles. Here note, That in all distempers, before you apply any thing to the patient, it is proper and necessary to consult the motions and positions of the planets; and when by the table of planetary hours before recited, you know what plan­et rules; you must in the next place consider the na­ture of that planet, as whether it be fierce or cruel, as Mars; or friendly and benevolent, as Jupiter; also whether they be cold and moist, or hot and dry, and what is the predominent complexion, whether the sanguine choler, phlegm or melancholy; as also what member of the body it governs, and what disease is under its power. These things being diligently weigh­ed and considered, will furnish the ingenious physician with grounds sufficient to make a judgment of the true nature of the disease, whereby he may apply the suita­ble and proper remedies that shall best consist with, and the most prevalent against the destemper; where­as the want of a due consideration of the matter, cause the physicians oftentimes to administer those med­icines that rather kill than cure, though these very med­icines may be good against the same disease to a patient under other circumstances, and falling sick un­der a different position of the signs and planets.

I. Of the Disposition of the Humours in the Body of Man in the Winter Quarter, under the Signs of Copricorn, Aquarious and Pisces.

THAT humour or complexion that governs man's body in tht winter quarter, is phlegm, which is cold and moist, and is under the dominion of Capricorn, Aquarious and Pisces. This is predomi­nant from the 24th of December, till the 25th of March.

II. Of the Spring Quarter, and what Humour is predom­inant therein, which is governed by Aries, Taurus and Gemini.

THAT humour which is predominant in the second quarter, or spring, is black choler, and is hot and moist, and their signs are Aries, Taurus and Gemini, and have their chief rule over the breast. They initiate the 22d of March, and terminate the 3d of June.

III. Of the Disposition of the Humours in the third Quar­ter, under Cancer, Leo and Virgo.

THE third part is the summer quarter, and the complexion presiding therein, is yellow choler, is hot and dry, and the signs this quarter is under, are Cancer, Leo and Virgo; which commences the 24th of June, and continue to the 29th of September.

IV. Of the Disposition of the Humours in the fourth Quar­ter, under Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarious.

THE fourth part of the autumnal quar­ter, and the humour bearing rule therein, is melan­choly, cold and dry, whose signs are Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarious, and continue their reign from the 29th of September, till the 24th of December. By a due obser­vation of these several seasons, and take heed to keep to the rule of contraries, both as to cloathing, food, and physic, according to what is in this book related, and through the divine benediction, he may keep himself free from all distempers. Note. That Pillitory of Spain, chewing in the mouth, purges both head and body. And also commun seed and fennel seed, being eaten, is good to prevent phlegm, which is the cause of most of the distempers that annoy the body of man.

V. Of the Body of Man from the four Parts of the World.

MUCH also may be known of the bo­dy of man from any disposition of the four parts of the world; that is to say, east, west, north and south.

First. As to the east; this signifies the disposition to be fiery and juvenile, and betokens summer. In this part the water is thin and high coloured, the gross male very hard and ruddy, and the spirit somewhat thick and glutenous. The signs in this part or quar­ter, are Aries, Leo and Saggittarius; and the distem­pers signified hereby, are hot, dry, and subject to a choler: If a person be taken sick in those original signs, he is in danger, and cannot be cured but by medica­ments of a contrary nature, that is cold and moist, and his diet ought also to be of the same nature: Which advice, if he follows, he may, by God's grace and mer­cy, be recovered.

R. Barley water a gallon, leaves of mallows, marsh­mallows, violets, of each a handful, roots of marsh­mallows, half a pound, liquorish four ounces; boil all to three quarters, strain, and drink it for a common drink. Purge once a week with extrasdum rudis.

Secondly, As to the west; this signifies the disposition to be airy, brisk and adolescent, and betokens the spring.

In this quarter, the water is high coloured, but yet thick withal, and the gross male very thick and ruddy, the spittle beings tenuous and of a sweetish taste, and the excrementious parts disordered. The signs that govern the west are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Ac­cidental distempers are such as proceed from sanguine complexions, being hot and moist; and therefore the medicines that best compose them, are cold and dry, and care must be taken that the diet of the patient be of the same kind.

[Page 40] R. Shavings of ivory, hartshorn, china, sarsaparilla, of each two ounces, raspings of box an ounce and a half, green twigs of the willow half a pound, quicklime water a gallon, boiled to three quarters, and drink as common drink; you may sweeten it with sugar or honey.

Thirdly, As to the north; this signifies the disposi­tion to be dull and earthly increasing in years, and be­tokens autumn.

In this quarter the water is thin and whitish; the gross male is thick, and of taste like vinegar, the excre­ments will tetulent. The signs that have nomination in the north, are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Sen­tentional distempers proceed from melancholy, and are cold and dry, which are best cured by medicines hot and moist, and the food that the patients eat, ought to b [...] of the same kind.

R. Crab's eyes, calcined hart's horn, eggshells fine­ly powdered, cream of tartar, of each two drams; of sage half a dram, three times a day, in a spoonful of good sack, drinking a glass after it.

Fourthly, As to the south; this signifies the disposi­tion to be cold, watry and weak, like to old age, and betokens winter.

In this quarter, the water is somewhat thick, pale, and white, the gross male pale and thick, and the spittle renuous and sweet, the excrementuous matter being weak. The signs that bear rule in the south, are Can­cer, Scorpio and Pisces. Meredian distempers proceed from phlegm, and are cold and moist, and by necessary consequence, those medicines that oppose it, must be hot and dry, and of the same nature must his diet also be, that would either prevent or cure such distempers. R. Lignum Vitae a pound, sassafrass a pound, root of master wort an ounce, angelica roots two ounces, shav­ings of ivory, liquorish, of each four ounces, sweet fennel seed bruised half an ounce; boiled in two gal­ons [Page 41] of water to six quarts, and drain it off for com­mon drinking.

VI. Directions for letting Blood in each of the twelve Months.

January] THIS month beware of letting blood on the 1st, 2d, 5th, 10th, 15th, 19th, 20th, and 25th days. because of these days it is very dangerous; but to drink good white wine fasting, will both clense the body, and procure an appetite, but if thou hast a de­sire to be let blood, and necessity urge it, see that the sign be good for that purpose, or else it is better letting it alone.

February.] I caution thee this month to beware of cutting any pottage made of ducks or mallows, for they are right perilous, and if thou hast occasion to let blood, whether it be on the wrist or arms, let it not be upon the 4th, 8th, 16th, or 18th days, unless the sign be very good, and the necessity very urgent.

March.] In this month take care how you eat figs or raisins; also sweet meats or drinks, but eat hot meat, and if thou hast occasion to be let blood, let it be on the right arm, and upon the 5th, 11th, or 17th days, for then thou may'st do it with advantage, it being good against all sorts of fevers, but take heed of bleeding on the 1st, 15th, 16th, 19th, or 28th days, if thou canst possibly avoid it; but if thou art under a necessity, see that the sign be favorable.

April.] In this month I would advise thee to be let blood in the left arm, and upon the 3d, 12th, or 15th days, for thereby thou shalt both prevent the headach and strengthen the eyesight all the year after.—In this month also eat fresh and hot meat; but take heed of bleeding on the 7th, 8th, 10th, and 20th days, for on those days it will be perilous.

[Page 42] May.] In this month it is good to walk abroad early in the morning, and to drink sage ale, and to eat sage and fresh butter, and other good meats and drink, but neither eat the head nor feet of any creature during this month. Letting blood may also be good for thee on the 1st, or the 8th day, on which arm thou pleaseth, as likewise on the 27th or 28th days, and thou shalt find it beneficial against all distempers; but take heed of the 2d, 6th, and 25th days, for then it will be hurtful.

June.] It is the opinion of some physicians, that in this month it is good to drink cold waters fasting, every morning, and to be temperate in thy meat and drink, and if thou hast occasion to bleed, do it on the 28th day, and it may be beneficial; but take heed that thou bleedest not on the 7th, 10th, 16th, 18th, nor 20th, for those are dangerous.

July.] In this month abstain from Venus, for now both the brain and humours are open, bleed not at all this month, except on very urgent necessity, and then he sure thou avoid bleeding on the 13th and 15th days, for they are perilous.

August.] In this month forbear eating any sort of worts, or any kind of hot meats, drink of spices, and avoid bleeding on the 1st, 20th, 29th, and 30th days, on the other days, if necessity urge, thou mayest, but without an absolute necessity, it is better to let it alone.

September.] In this month thou mayest eat fruit without danger, provided it be ripe, and not infected, out bleed not on the 4th, 16th, 21st, nor 22d, days; for then thou wilt find it prejudicial; but if thou bleedest on the 27th, or 28th days, either for the [...]all­ing sickness, frenzy, dropsy, or palsy, thou shalt not need to fear them that year.

October.] In this month if you drink wine, and other wholesome liquors, it will comfort thy heart:— but bleed not unless there be great occasion, and then [...]ee that the sign be good for thee: And yet let the oc­casion [Page 43] be what is will, I advise thee to forbear bleed­ing on the 3d, 4th, and 5th days.

November.] In this month bleed not at all, unless up­on great necessity; for now the blood lies in the head vein, neither is it convenient for thee to bathe, but thou mayest vent thee a little of grasing; for all the humous are now apt to bleed. But if urgent necessity requires thou be let blood, yet see that thou bleedest not on the 5th, 6th, 15th, 19th, 28th, nor 29th days.

December.] In this month bleed not at all, without it be absolutely necessary; and yet, even in such a case, be sure thou dost not on the 5th, 7th, 15th, 17th, nor 22d day; but on the 26th day, thou mayst bleed without danger. In this month also see that thou keep thy shins from the fire.

VII. Directions for the letting of Blood, shewing where Every Vein in the Body of Man may be readily found.

THOSE that are troubled with the me­grims, fevers lethargy, or pains in the head, must be let blood in the vein which is in the midst of the fore­head.

Those that are of a dull understanding, and are troubled with deafness and shortness of breath, also those that have the measles or leprosy, must be let blood in the arterial vein behind the ears. Those that are troubled with too much blood in the brain, which is bad for the sight, ought to be let blood in the arterial [Page 44] veins near the temples; which is also very good against the gout, megrim, and divers other distempers of the head.

For imposthumes, swelling in the throat, quinsey, and other such like distempers, let a man bleed in the two veins under the tongue.

When the leprosy proceeds from abundance of blood it will be proper to bleed in the two original veins in the neck; but not without the advice of a physician.

Those that are troubled with phthysic, and short-winded, and are given to spit blood, ought to bleed in the arm, and they will find ease.

Bleeding at the liver vein in the arm takes away the extraordinary heat of the body, and keeping it in a good state of health, and it is very available against the yellow jaundice, and imposthumes of the liver, and against the palsy.

The pains that come from the stomach and side, as blains, bletches, imposthumes, and divers other acci­dents that proceed from too much repletion of blood, are cured in letting blood in the vein between the mas­ter finger and the little finger.

For the dropsy, let blood on the right side, between the womb and the branch. And here, note, the party should bleed proportionable, according to their fatness, or leanness, and this ought not to be done without the advice of a doctor.

For blotches and imposthumes proceeding from the groin, let blood in the vein named Sophon, which is one of the three under the ankle of the foot. It is also of great advantage to courses to descend in men, and to prevent the Hemorrhoides in the secret parts.

When any person is taken by the pestilence, caused by repletion of humours, let them bleed in the vein that is between the wrist of the feet, and the great toe;— but let the patient be sure to bleed within twentyfour hours after he is first seized with this distemper, and let [Page 45] it be with respect to the patient's body whether it be fat or lean.

If the eyes run with water, or be red, or any other ill, proceeding from the overflowing of blood and hu­mours; let the patient bleed in two veins that are in the angle of the eyes.

If the nose be red and pimpled, and the face be red and pimpled in the like manner, and be troubled with red drops, scabs, pistules and other infections, that may proceed from too much blood; let the patient bleed in the vein which is at the end of the nose.

For the toothache, and the canker in the mouth, let the party troubled be let blood in the four veins that are in the gums in the mouth. Those that are taint­ed with a stinking breath, let them be let blood in the vein that is between the lip and the chin.

There are four veins in each arm, the biggest of the four is from the head, the heart challenges the second, and the third from the liver; the last is called the low­er liver vein, and comes from the melt. These differ­ent veins should be bled upon different occasions: As for instance, for pains in the head, eyes, brain, heart, sweeled faces, and those that are red; it is most proper to bleed that vein in the arm which has relation to the head. For fevers, either tertains or quartans, the low­er liver vein is the most proper to be blooded; but then care must be taken that the orifice be made wider, and not so deep as usual, lest thereby it not only gathers wind, but also damages a sinew that is underneath it, called the lizard.

There are three veins in each, and that above the thumb is proper to bleed, in order to remove the heat of the face, and to dissipate the thick blood, and hu­mours that are in the head, this vein being more proper than the arm.

Against all fevers, tertains and quartans, phlegms, and other obstructions about the paps and the melt, [Page 46] letting blood between the little finger and the leech finger, helps very much.

Against pain and humours in the groin and geni­tals, bleed a vein in the thigh.

Against pains in the flanks, and to dissipate all hu­mours that would gather therein, and to restrain too great a flux in the menstrues in women, it exceeding­ly helps to bleed the vein under the ankle of the foot, without, which is called the Sciot.

VIII. Choice Receipts both in Physic and Surgery.

Of Physiognomy, and the Judgment made therby.

PHYSIOGNOMY is an ingenuous science of knowledge of nature, by which the inclina­tions and dispositions of every creature are understood; and because some of the members are uncompounded, and enrire of themselves, as the tongue, the ears, &c. and some of a mixed nature, the eye, the nose, and others; we therefore say, that there are many signs which agree and live together, which inform a wise man how to make his judgment, before he be too rash to deliver it to the world.

Nor is it to be esteemed a foolish and idle art, see­ing it is derived from the superior bodies. For there is no part of the face of the man, but what is under the [Page 54] peculiar influence or government, not only of the seven planets, but also of the twelve signs of the Zodiack, and from each governing part is the nature and incli­nation of a man or woman plainly foretold, if the per­sons undertaking this province, or pretending to it, be an artist. Which, that my reader may attain to, I shall set these things in a clearer light by the following figure.

By this the reader may see, at the first glance, that the forehead is governed by ♂ Mars; the right eye is under the dominion of ☉ Sol; the left eye is ruled by the ☽ Moon, or Luna; the right ear is the care of ♃ Jupiter, the left of ♄ Saturn; the ruling of the nose is claimed by ♀ Venus (which by the way is one reason that in all unlawful veneral encounters, the nose is so subject to bear the scars which are gotten in those wars) and the nimble ☿ Mercury, the significator of eloquence, claims the dominion of the mouth, and that very justly.

[Page 55]Thus have the seven planets divided the face among them, but not with so absolute a sway, but that the twelve signs of the Zodiac come in for a part; and therefore the sign of ♋ Cancer presides in the upper­most part of the forehead, and ♌ Leo attending upon the right eyebrow, ♐ Sagittary does upon the right eye, and ♎ Libra upo the right ear; upon the left eye and eyebrow, you will find ♒ Aquarius and ♊ Gemini and ♈ Aries taking care of the left ear; ♉ Taurus rules in the forehead, and ♑ Capricorn the chin; ♍ Scorpio takes upon him the protection of the nose; ♏ Virgo claims the precedence of the right cheek, and ♓ Pisces of the left. And thus the face of man is cantoned out among the signs and planets, which be­ing carefully attended to, will sufficiently inform the artist how to pass a judgment. For according to the nature of the sign or planet ruling, so also is the judg­ment to be of the part ruled; which all those that have understanding know easily how to apply.

I shall now proceed to give a particular judgment of the several parts of the body: And first. Of the head. A large head shews a person stupid and of a dull ap­prehension, also a very small head signifies the same; but the head of a man being neither great nor small, is the prognostic of a wise man; for all extremes are irregular, and a deviation from nature; and experience has made it manifest, that a great head and small mem­bers, do always produce much indiscretion and folly, both in man or woman; but we must also consider the several parts of the head: And first,

Of the Hair.] The hair is only the excresence of a moist brain; yet the ancients observe several things from it; as, if the hair be thin, it shews a man to be of a weak constitution; but if curled and thick, it shews the person to be of a hot complexion: If the hair be stiff, and stand upright, either upon the head, or any other part of the body, it shews the person extreme­ly [Page 56] subject to fear, and very apt to be frighted. If the hair be thick and lank, it shews the person to be meek and humble, and his constitution inclined to cold.

Of the Forehead.] A large forehead shews a liberal man; but the forehead narrow, denotes a foolish per­son: A long forehead shews one apt to learn, and a high forehead, swelling and round, is a sign of a crafty man, and a coward; a forehead full of wrinkles, shews a man to be envious and crafty.

Of the Eyes.] The eyes being moist and clear, shews mirth, good manners, and an honest life, but if the eyes be declining and looking downward, or red and very great, they betoken fleshy lust; small hallow eyes signify covetousness; grey eyes an evil man, hollow eyes a crafty man, rolling eyes a wicked and vicious man, black eyes denote a sharp and piercing wit, but one lustful and incontinent; great eyes denote sloth; trembling eyes sluggishness; glittering eyes betokens drunkenness; smilling eyes shew a merry life; eyes of divers colours,, and small, denote one crafty and flat­tering; eyes turned towards the nose, shew a man given to women; great drooping eyes, with an unsta­ble countenance, shew a man mad; the circle of the ball green, declares a crafty wicked man, and a thief; moist eyes denote stoutness of stomach, perfect speech gluttonous and mad; high eyes, large, clear, pure and moist, are tokens of circumspection, diligent persons, and lovers; eyes always running, without sickness cause it, shew foolishness; small and hollow eyes, the cove­tous, deceitful, and angry man; cheerful eyes betoken just men, of pleasant disposition, kind and holy; twink­ling eyes, shew a thief and one that lays wait to catch and ensnare men; blear eyes signify a whoremas­ter.

Of the Eyebrows.] Upright eyebrows are amiable, but the eyebrows hanging over, shew an effeminate person. The brows very hairy, denote an impediment [Page 57] in his speech, and the brows being extended to the temples, shew a man to be a sloven, and uncleanly.

Of the Ears.] Open ears shew a man to be without reason and understanding; great ears an unwise man, and small ears a fool; square ears, and of a middle size, shew a learned and wise man.

Of the Nose.] A great nose shews a good man; a little nose a deceitful person. A sharp nose denotes an angry person, and a scold; thick and low, a person of bad manners. The nose stretching to the mouth, de­notes honesty, strength, and aptness to learning. A nose like an ape, betokens a libidinous and riotous person; a long crooked nose, magnanimity and gener­osity.

Of the Mouth.] A very big mouth, with the upper lip hanging over, signifies a man foolish and unsteady, also a rash man, a babbler, a glutton, and an ungodly man. An indifferent large mouth, sheweth a bold and courageous man, a warrior.

Of the Lips.] Thin lips with a little mouth, shews an effeminate person. Slender, thin and fine lips, be­tokens eloquence; fleshy and great lips, a fool; and those whose teeth bear up their lips, are generally con­tumelious, slanderers, unfaithful, also addicted to the love of women.

Of the face.] A lean face is a token of a wise man; the face plain and flat, denotes a man of strife: The face without any rising or swelling, denotes a person injurious and unclean; a fleshy face shews a man apt to learn; a sad face sometimes denotes foolishness, and sometimes wisdom. A fat face shews a man to be a liar, and foolish; a round face signifies folly; a great face shews a man dull and slow about business; a well proportioned face shews a person to have virtuous qual­ities, and to live a commendable life, whether they be rich or poor.

[Page 58] Of the Voice.] A shrill voice denotes a person to be choleric and hasty. A great and hoarse voice shews a person to be injurious, and of a merciless temper. A weak and low voice shews a man to be fearful and cow­ardly. A grave and slow voice shews a man to be of a sedate and quiet temper, and one of great strength.

Of the Neck.] A neck inclining to the right side, shews a temperate man; but turning to the left side, a fool, and a man given to unlawful love. A crooked neck shews a covetous man. A thick neck denotes a rude, barbarous, ill natured man. A long slender neck shews a man to be a coward. A thick and long neck, a furious and stubborn person. A mean neck, a strong and virtuous man, and one inclined to learning.

Of the Breast.] A broad breast is always good, and presents magnanimity, boldness, honesty and courage. A narrow breast denotes imbecility, or weakness, both of body and mind. A pursy or gross breast, shews a man to be moross, cross and void of pity. The pap [...] or dugs hanging down from the breast, shews a violent choleric man.

Of the Back.] A broad back is a sign of strength; but the mean proportion of both back and breast is always commendable. A crooked or hunch back, is generally a token of a nigardly and covetous person.

Of the Belly.] A lank belly, with a high breast, de­notes a man of understanding, courage, counsel; but a great belly shews an indiscreet, foolish, proud man, and given to luxury.

Of the Arms.] Very long arms are a sign of boldness, strength and honesty. Short arms denote a fomenter of discord and strife among friends.

Of the Hands.] The hands very short, denote a clownish, rude, ill bread person; and if fat and fleshy, with the fingers so also, it shews they are inclined to theft. Small hands and long fingers denote a person of a genteel carriage, but crafty.

[Page 59] Of the Legs.] Large and well set legs denote bold­ness; large legs and full of sinews, shew fortitude and strength. Slender legs denote ignorance; short and fat legs cruelty. Legs crooked and hollowed inward­ly is a sign of very ill men. Soft and swelling legs shew a man to be of very ill manners. The skin cross and short, with a sharp heel, and fat thighs, denotes madness to happen to that party.

Of the feet.] Small and slender feet denote hardness, but the feet full of flesh declare foolishness.

II. Of Palmestry, shewing the various Judgments drawn from the Hand.

ISAALL next say something of Palmes­try, which is a judgment made of the conditions incli­nations, and fortunes of men and women, from the various lines and characters which nature has imprint­ed in the hand, which are almost as various as the hands that have them. And to render what I shall say more plain, I will in the first place present the scheme or fig­ure of a hand, and explain the various lines therein.

By this figure the reader will see that one of the lines, and which indeed is reckoned the principal, is called the line of life; this line incloses the thumb, separating it from the hollow of the hand. The next to it, which is called the natural line, takes its beginning from the [Page 60] rising of the fore finger, near the line of life, and reach­es to the table line, and generally makes a triangle, thus △. The table line, commonly called the line of fortune, begins under the little finger, and ends near the middle finger. The girdle of Venus, which in another line so called, begins near the joint of the little finger, and ends between the fore finger and the middle finger.

The line of death is that which plainly appears in a counter line to that of life, and by some is called the sister line, ending usually at the other end; for when the line of life is ending, death comes, and it can go no farther. There are also lines in the fleshy parts as in the ball of the thumb, which is called the mount of Venus; under each of the fingers are called mounts, which are each one governed by a several planet, and the hollow of the hand is called the plain of Mars. I now proceed to give judgment of these several lines. And in the first place take notice, that in Palmestry the left hand is chiefly to be regarded; because therein the lines are most visible, and have the strictest com­munication with the heart and brains. Now having promised these, in the next place observe the line of life, and if it be fair, extended to its full length, and not broken with an intermixture of cross lines, it shews long life and health; and it is the same if a double line of life appears, as there sometimes does. When the Stars appear in this line, it is a significator of great lossess and calamities: if on it there be the figure of two O's, or a Y, it threatens the person with blindness. If it wraps itself about the table line, then does it promise wealth and honor to be attained by prudence and industry; if the line be cut or rugged at the upper end, it denotes much sickness. If this line be cut by any line coming from the mount of Venus, i [...] declares the person to be unfortunate in love, and business also, and threatens him with sudden death. A cross be­tween [Page 61] the line of life and the table line, shews the person to be very liberal and charitable, and of a noble spirit. Let us now see the signification of the table line.

The table line, when broad, and of a lovely colour, shews a healthful constitution, and a quiet and con­tented mind, and courageous spirit: But if it have crosses towards the little finger, it threatens the party with much affliction by sickness. If the line be dou­ble, or divided in three parts in any of the extremi­ties, it shews the party to be of a generous temper, and of a good fortune to support it; but if this line be forked at the end, it threatens the person shall suffer by jealousies, fears, and doubts, and with the loss of riches got by deceit. If three points such as these ... are found in it, they denote the person prudent and liberal, a lover of learning, and of a good temper. If it spreads itself towards the fore and middle fingers, and ends blunt, it denotes preferment. Let us now see what is signified by

The middle Finger.] The line has in it sometimes (for there is scarce one hand in which it varies not) divers significant characters. Many small lines between this and the table line threatens the party with sick­ness, and also gives him hopes of recovery. A half cross branching into this line, declares the person shall have honor, riches, and good success in all his under­takings. A half moon denotes cold and watery dis­tempers, but a sun or star upon this line promiseth pros­perity and riches. This line doubled in a woman shews she will have several husbands, but without any children by them.

The line of Venus, if it happens to be cut or divid­ed near the fore finger, threatens ruin to the party, and that it shall befal him by means of a lascivious woman, and bad company. Two crosses upon this line, one being on the forefinger, and the other bend­ing [Page 62] towards the little finger, shews the party to be weak, and inclined to modesty and virtue; and indeed, it gen­erally denotes modesty in women; and therefore those who desire such wives, usually choose them by this standard.

The liver line, if it be strait and crossed by other lines, shews the person to be of a sound judgment, and a piercing understanding; but if it be winding crooked, and bending outward, it shews deceit and flattery, and that the person is not to be trusted. If it makes a tri­angle △, or a quadrangle □, it shews the person to be of a noble descent, and ambitious of honour and pro­motion.

If it happens that this line and the middle line be­gin near each other, it denotes a person to be weak in his judgment, but if a woman, danger by hard labor.

The plain of Mars being in the hollow of the hand, or if the line passes through it, which renders it very plain, is fortune: This plain being hollowed, and the lines be crooked and distorted, threaten the party to fall by his ill conduct. When the lines begin at the wrist, long within the plain, reaching the brawn of the hand, they shew the person to be one given to quarreling, often in broils, and of a hot and fiery spirit, by which he shall suffer much damage. If deep large crosses in the middle of the plain, it shews the party shall obtain honor by martial exploits; but if it be a woman, that she shall have several husbands, and easy labour with her children.

The line of death is fatal, when any crosses or broken lines appear in it; for they threaten the person with sickness and a short life. A clouded moon appearing therein, threatens a child bed woman with death. A bloody spot in the line, denotes a violent death. A star like a comet threatens ruin by war, and death by pes­tilence; but if a bright sun appear therein, it promises long life and prosperity.

[Page 63]As for the lines in the wrist being fair, they denote good fortune; but if crossed and broken, the contrary.

Thus much with respect to the several lines in the hand. Now as to the judgment to be made from the hand itself: If the hand be soft and long, and lean withal, it denotes the person of a good understanding, a lover of peace and honesty, discreet, serviceable, a good neighbour, and a lover of learning. He whose hands are very thick and very short, is thereby signifi­ed to be faithful, strong and laborious, and one that cannot long retain his anger [...] ▪ He whose hands are full of hairs, and those hairs thick; and great ones, and his fingers withal crooked, he is thereby noted to be lux­urious, vain, false, of a dull understanding and dispo­sition, and more foolish than wise. He whose hands and fingers do bend upwards, is commonly a liberal man, serviceable, a keeper of secrecy, and apt (to be poor for he is seldom fortunate) to do any man cour­tesy. He whose hand is stiff and will not bend at the upper joint near his finger, is always a wretched miser­able person, covetous, obstinate, incredulous, and one that will believe nothing that contradicts his own pri­vate interest. And thus much shall suffice to be said of judgment made by Palmestry.

III. Of the signification of Moles in any Part of the Body.

A MOLE on the forehead of a man o [...] woman, denotes they will grow rich, and attain to great possessions, being beloved of their friends and neighbours.

A mole on the eyebrow shews a man to be inconti­nent, and given to the love of women; but if it be a woman, it signifies a good husband.

He or she that has a mole on the nose, signifies they love their pleasure more than any thing else.

[Page 64]A mole on the chin, shews the party shall never stand in need of his kin, but shall get money and grow very rich.

A mole on the neck, denotes him honorable and prudent in all his actions; but if a woman, it shews her a weak judgment, and apt to believe the worst of her husband.

A mole on a man's shoulder signifies adversity, and threatens him with an unhappy end; but a woman having a mole in the same place, shews she shall a­bound in honor and riches.

A man or woman having a mole on the wrist or hand denotes increase of children, but affliction in old age.

A man or woman having a mole near the heart up­on the breast, shews them irregular, wicked, and mali­cious.

A mole on the belly shews the person shall be ad­dicted to gluttony and laciviousness.

A mole on the knee shews a man shall be fortunate in marrying, and that his wife shall be beautiful, vir­tuous, and very wealthy; a woman having one in the same place shews she shall be virtuous, happy, and fruitful in children.

A mole on the foot shews a man shall get riches and be happy in his children; if a woman hath the same it also betokens her the same happiness.

IV. Of the Interpretation of Dreams as they relate in good or bad Fortune, &c.

TO dream you are bit by a serpent signi­fies some danger will befal you by secret and subtil enemies. To dream you fly in the air, signifies a speedy journey, or some hasty news. To dream you fight and overcome, signifies you will get the better in lawsuits or other controversies. To dream a lion [Page 65] fawns upon you, denotes the favor of great persons. To dream of black coffins and mourners denotes the death of some loving friend or relation. To dream you see a friend dead, denotes the person to be in good health. To dream you are in a field of standing corn, betokens prosperity and love. To dream of gathering up small pieces of money, betokens loss and disappointment, but receiving of money profit and advantage. To dream you are on horseback, and that he runs away with you, denotes you shall speedily be called away from some business contrary to your liking. A wom­an dreaming she kisses another woman denotes dis­appointment in love and barrenness. To dream you are pleasantly sailing on calm water denotes a peace­able and quiet life; but if a storm, it denotes trouble. For a woman to dream a ring is put on her finger, de­notes success in love and marriage; but if it be sud­denly took off, or near off, it signifies disappointment in love, and the breaking off the match. To dream of fire denotes anger and loss. To dream you see a sow with pigs denotes fruitfulness. To dream you are hunting a hare, and she escapes; denotes disappointment in business. To dream a louse falls from your neck, betokens the sign of friends. To dream you are courting a beautiful woman, betokens flattery. To dream you are sailing against your will, to descend from a pleasant hill, betokens falling from promotion, and disappointment in preferment. To dream of a sudden fit of joy at the fight of any thing, betokens the arriv­al of friends. To dream you are at banquets, but do not eat, betokens scarcity. To dream you put on a new glove, and it remains so, betokens new friendship or marriage. To dream you fall into a deep pit, de­notes some sudden surprise or danger. A woman to dream she is with child, betokens sorrow and heavi­ness. To dream that you can quench fire, denotes over-coming anger, and recovery from sickness. To dream [Page 66] you hear a voice, but see not what utters it, denotes you shall be deluded by feigned pretenders. To dream you are walking in a garden of flowers, and among groves of trees, denotes much pleasure and delight to ensue from virtuous conversation. To dream of moons contending in the firmament, donotes division among friends and relations. To dream your teeth are drawn or drop out, denotes the loss of children or other relations. To dream of drinking unmercifully, denotes displeasure, crosses and sickness. To dream you are pursued by furious wild beasts, but cannot a­void them, denotes danger from enemies. To dream you see your deceased brothers or sisters, signifies long life. To dream you are shooting with a bow, signifies honor and preferment. To dream you are making candles, denotes great rejoicing. To dream you are going to hear divine service, signifies consolation. To dream you build a church or erect an altar, signifies some of thy family will become a priest. To dream you see a person sitting or lying in a church, signifies change of apparel. To dream you are playing with cards is a very good sign.

V. Pleasant Questions in Arithmetick.

1. A THIEF breaking into an orchard, stole a certain number of pears, and at his coming out he met three men, one after another, who threaten­ed to accuse him of theft, and for to appease them he gave unto the first man half the pears that he had stole, who returned him back 12 of them; then he gave un­to the second half of the pears he had remaining, who returned him back 7; and upon the third man he gave half his residue, who returned him back 4; and in the end he had still remaining 36 pears. Now I do demand how many pears he stole in all? To answer this question you must work backwards; for if you take 4 from 20 there will remain 16, which being doub­led [Page 67] makes 32, from which abate 7, and there will re­main 25, whic [...] being doubled makes 50, from which subtract 12, and [...]here will remain 38, which again be­ing doubled, makes 76, the true number he gathered.

2. Let the party that thinketh double the number that he thought, which done, bid him multiply the sum of them both by 5, and give you the product, which they will never refuse to do (it being so far above the number thought) from which if you abate the last figure of the product (which will always be a cypher of 5) the number thought will remain.

Example. Let the number thought be 53, which doubled makes 106, and multiply by 5, makes 530; then if you take away the cypher which is the last place, there will 53, the number thought.

3. A certain man having three daughters, to the eldest he gave 21 apples, to the second he gave 16 ap­ples, and to the third he gave ten apples, and sent them to market to sell them, and gave them command to sell one as many a penny as the other (namely seven a penny) and every one to bring home so much money as the other, and neither change apples nor money's one with another. How could that be?

This to some may seem impossible, but to the arith­meticians very easy. For whereas the eldest had three pence worth and one apple over, the second two pence worth and two apples over, and the youngest had one penny's worth and three apples over; so that the youngest had so many single apples and one penny's worth, as the eldest had penny worths and one apple over. So consequently to the second proportionable t [...] them both. They made their market thus, —a steward coming to buy fruit for his lady, bought all the apples they had at seven a penny, leaving the odd ones behind; then had the eldest sister three pence and one apple, the middle sister two pence and two apples, and the youngest one penny and three apples. The [Page 68] steward brought the fruit to his lady, she liked it so well that she sent him for the rest, who replied there were but a few remaining.

She, notwithstanding, sent him for them at any rate. The steward coming to the market again, could not buy the odd apples under a penny a piece, he was fain to give it, then had the youngest sister three pence worth, the middle sister two pence worth, and the eld­est one-penny's worth, and so they had all four pence a piece, and yet sold as many for a penny one as an­other, and neither changed apples nor monies one with another, as they were commanded.

4. A man bought 120 eggs at three a penny, having 120 to the hundred, also he bought 100 more at two a penny, having likewise 120 to his hundred; these eggs being mingled, he sold them 5 for two pence, and 120 to the hundred as he bought them: The question is, whether he gained or lost in the bargain?

If you work by the rule of three direct, you shall find that his 120 eggs, at three for a penny, came to three shillings and four pence, and his 120, at two for a penny, came to five shillings, which being added, makes eight shillings and four pence. Then again, to see what they come to at five for two pence, work likewise by the rule of three direct, and you shall find that 240 at 5 for two pence, comes to but eight shil­lings, whereby the seller loseth four pence of the money that they first cost him.

I. Of Months.

THE months by which we measure the year, are of two sorts, viz. astronomical, and political, and each hath several divisions; astronomical or nat­ural, are according to the motion of the sun and moon; and be either Solar or Lunar; the Solar are the space of time in which the sun runs through a twelfth part of the Zodiac, of which there are two sorts, mean or e­qual, true or unequal; an equal solar month, is the time in which the sun by his mean motion, goeth a twelfth part of the Zodiac, and is always 30 days, 10 hours, 26 minutes, 6 seconds, &c. But the true or apparent, is according to the true motion of the sun through the Zodiac; for when he is in, or near his apogaeon, the months are longer, but when he is in, or near his perigaeon, they are shorter. Lunar months are referred to the moon's motion, and are chiefly three fold, viz.—First, periodical, which is the space of time in which the moon, by her motion, goes through the Zodiac, and is about 27 days, 8 hours; secondly, synodical, which is the space of time from one con­junction to another, being performed according to the moon's mean motion, in 29 days, 22 hours, 44 minutes, and about 4 seconds: But according to the moon's true motion, it is sometimes greater or lesser, by about 12 hours.—Thirdly, the month of illumination, or ap­parition, is said to be 28 days, or four weeks, it being the longest time that the moon is to be seen between the change and change: Lastly, the political months are evil and usual: As every nation best please; which differ both in proportion and name.

II. Of Days and Hours.

DAYS are either natural or artificial [...]. A day natural is one entire revolution of the sun about the earth, which is performed in 24 hours, containing both day and night: And this day the English begin at midnight; but the astrologers begin at midday, or noon. An artificial day is from sunrising to sunsetting: differs in length of sequal hours, according to the sun's place in the Zodiac, and latitude of the region; but in unequal hours (called planetary hours) are 22, so that one hour is the 12th part of the day, be it long or short, and the hours that make an artificial, are from [...] to 6; that is, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

I shall now give some brief directions for the know­ledge of the weather.

III. Signs of Fair Weather.

THE sun rising bright and clear, if he drive the clouds before him into the west. If at the rising there appears a circle about him, and it vanishes equally away. If the sun be red. If the moon be clear three days after the change, or three days before the full. If the clouds appear with yellow edges. A clou­dy sky, clearing against the wind. The rainbow after the rain appearing meanly red. Mists coming down from the hills, and setting in the vallies; or white mists rising from the waters in the evening. Crows or ravens gaping against the sun. Beetles flying in the evening. Bats flying abroad sooner than ordinary. Many flies or grots playing in the sunshine at evening.

IV. Signs of Rain.

IF the sun be fiery red at his rising. If he shews pale and wan. If the moon, three or four days after the change, is blunt at both ends, the thick­er, [Page 73] the more. A circle about the moon. If the great stars be only seen, and they look only dim. The rain­bow appearing in a fair day, the greater it is, the more rain. Birds washing themselves. The chattering of a pye, peacocks and ducks often crying. The owl cry­ing chewit often; swallows flying low; the working of an insect called a spinner. Many worms appearing above ground. The beasts eating greedily, and licking their hoofs. The biting of fleas, gnats, &c. The soot falling much from chimnies. The sweating of stones. A circle round a candle. Aches in ancient people's limbs or corns. Bells heard at a farther distance than usual. Sparks gathering together in the fire. No dew morning nor evening, &c. All these are sure signs of rain.

V. Signs of Wind or Tempest.

RED clouds appearing in the morning. Much shooting of stars. The rainbow red. Black circles with red streakes about the moon, stars dim and fiery. Autumnal fair, a windy winter. Cloulds flying swift in the air. Fire burning pale or buzzing. Ra­vens clapping themselves with their wings. The high flying of the hern. Crying of swine. The herb tre­foil looking very rough.

VI. Of the Rainbow.

THE rainbow is that bow which the Almighty was pleased to place in the firmament, as a token for Noah, that he would drown the earth no more. As to the natural cause of it; it is caused by many beams striking upon a hollow cloud, with which it is soon repelled and driven back against the sun; and this ariseth variety of colours, by the mixing of clouds, air and fiery light together: There it is soon in oppo­sitjon to the sun, for the most part in the evening.

VII. Of Rain.

THE ancients describe rain to be cold and earthly vapours or humour, is exhaled from the earth and waters by the beams of the sun, and carried into the middle region of the air, where, by the extrem­ity of the cold, it is thickened in the body of a cloud; and afterwards being dissolved through an accession of heat, it falleth upon the earth; and this is done by GOD's power, and at his appointment, as the prophet Amos witnesseth. Amos iv. 6. and ix. 6.

VIII. Of Hail.

HAIL is nothing but rain congealed in­to ice by the coldness of the air freezing the drops af­ter the dissolving or the cloud; and the higer it comes, and the longer it tarries in the air, the rounder and less­er it is; we have sometimes great showers of hail in the heat of summer after a thunder clap; which doth manifest, that the air at the same time is extreme cold, thus to congeal the water therein, notwithstanding the heat then upon the earth.

IX. Of Snow.

SNOW (as say the ancients) is of the [...]ame [...]umour that hail is, but only looser parts; and therefore in the summer time is melted into rain before it cometh down.

X. Of Frost and Dew.

IN the day time, through the heat of the sun, there is a cold and moist vapour drawn up a little [Page 75] from the earth; which, after the setting of the sun, de­scends on the earth again, and is called dew; but if by the coldness of the air it be congealed, it is called frost; and therefore in hot seasons, and in windy weath­er, dews are not so frequent, nor so much, as after a calm and a clear night; for when frosts happen, they dry up wet and moisture; for the ice being melted, the water is proportionably less.

XI. Of Wind.

WIND is said to be an exalation hot and dry, engendered in the bowels of the earth: and being gotten out, is carried side long upon the face of the earth, and cannot mount upwards above the mid­dle region of the air, which, by reason of its coldness, doth beat it back, so as by much strife, and by meet­ing other exhalations, its motion is forced to be rather round than right in its falling; and this makes it a wristpost or whirlwind, which oftentimes, by its vio­lence, carrieth many things with it from place to place.

XII. Of Earthquakes.

THE ancients affirm that the cause of earthquakes is plenty of winds gotten, and confined within the bowels of the earth which is striving to break forth, causing a shaking, or sometimes a cleav­ing of the earth, and thereby the distruction of many people, and ruin of whole towns and cities, as the fate of Sicily has but lately shewn us▪ by sinking of moun­tains, and rising of vallies. But though what I have said may be the natural cause of earthquakes, yet doubt­less, the final cause is God's anger against provoking sinful people; which ought to make our fears to tremble, lest God for our sins should cause the earth under us to do so.

XIII. Of Thunder and Lightning.

THUNDER and lightning is occasioned by an exhalation hot and dry, and being carried up in­to the middle region of the air, and there into the body of a cloud: Now these two contrarieties being thus shut or inclosed into one place together, they fall at variance, whereby the water and fire agree not, till they have broken through, so that fire and water fly out of the clouds, the breaking whereof, makes that noise which we call thunder, and the fire is lightning; which is first seen, though the thunder crack be first given, because our sight is quicker than our hearing; for sooner the thunder is heard, after the lightning is seen, the nearer it is to us.

XIV. Of the Eclipses and Causes.

XV. Of the four Quarters of the Year; and first of the Spring.

XVI. The experienced Husbandman; shewing how to Manure, Plough, Sow and Weed, &c.

XVII. The experienced Farrier and Cowleech, &c. con­taining above an Hundred approved Receipts and Med­icines for the cure of all Distempers in Cattle, as Hors­es, Kine, Sheep and Hogs; with Directions how to find and know what their Diseases and Infirmities are.