The Magical-Astrological-Diviner Posed and Puzzled, Treatise · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
16. From the Curſedneſs of Conſequents.
1. WHo dares deny, but that as all manner of impieties, and iniquities, are the vile adjuncts and attendants; ſo all manner of Plagues, and judgments, are the juſt conſequents, and iſſues, not only upon thoſe that profeſs and practiſe Divination; but thoſe alſo that aſſent▪ and attend thereto? Levit. 19. 31. Deut. 13. 12, …. & 18. 12. Levit. 20. 6. Iſa 19. 34. Jer. 27 15. & 50. 35, 36. Ezek. 13. 8. 9.
2. Whether (through Magick and Aſtrologie) the ſtars became not the firſt objects of Idolatry? and conſequently, whether Idolatrous worſhip came not to be terminated upon other inferior creatures (at firſt) by the means of their conſtellated fabrication? Nay whether Aſtrologicall Divination, and Magicall Fabrication, be not guilty of cauſing a double Idolatry: both in making ſtars Idols, and making Idols ſtars?
3. Whether it was not the main end (upon often record in profane Authors) that the vaticinators, and Soothſayers, took upon them (as it were a Religious office) of interpreting prodigies and portents (found, or feigned, in heaven, or earth) on purpoſe to injoyn, and promote Idolatrous Sacrifices, and Supplications?
4. Whether the Mythologie, or fabulous fictions of Poets (the Paganiſh Theologie) aroſe not meerly by the means of Magick and Aſtrologie; and mens fanaticall opinions, and commentations thereupon? As of Saturn devouring his own children, &c. Of Atlas bearing the heavens with, his ſhoulders, &c. It were long to inſtance particularly in all the fables of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Apollo, Mercury, Venus, Diana, Orion, Orpheus, Tyreſias, Atreus, Thyeſtes, Daedalus, Icarus, Phaeton, Endymion, Paſiphae, Caſtor, Pollux, Caliſto, Arcas, Andromeda, Aquila, Ganymedes, &c. How numberleſs are the Poeticall fables that have riſen from Aſtrologie? or elſe Aſtrologie from thoſe fables: yea and the Aſtrologers ſtars themſelves. Elſe beſides thoſe of Aries, Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius, &c. Let them ſay if thoſe be not moſt egregious ones of Orion, Caſſiope, the Pleiades, Hyades, the Dolphin, Eagle, Swan, the Goat that nouriſht Jupiter, Aridne's Crown, Orpheus his harp, Phrixus his fleece, the Argonautes ſhip, Silenus Aſs, and the Aſſes Crib, all taken up to be ſtars.
5. Whether more and greater ſuperſtitions have been begotten in mens minds by any things elſe than by Magick, and Aſtrologie? Making men ſo ſuperſtitious in marrying, eating drinking, buying, ſelling▪ ſleeping riſing, riding▪ giving comming: beſides believing aſſenting, hoping, preſuming, conſulting, fearing, diſtruſting, deſparing, &c.
6. Whether Mag…ck and Aſtrologie tend not utterly to rob and ſpoyl men of all Chriſtian Liberty? Rendring their very conſciences ſcrupulous, in the free and moderate uſe of the creature; perplexed in naturall, morall, civill, prudentiall, and artificiall actions; and timorous of fate, deſtiny, fortune, caſualty and the like.
7. Whether fatidicall Aſtrologie work not to impugn free grace from God, free will in men, divine providence in governing, religious conſcience in exhorting, or diſſwading, humane prudence in conſulting and juſtice (divine, and humane) in puniſhing; and ſo mercy, in rewarding?
8. Whether the audacious uſurpation, and proud intruſion of Magicians and Aſtrologers, in Chriſtian Churches, and ſtates, have not ſigned them for the horns or (at leaſt) the tayl of Anti-Chriſt? ſc. either forerunning, or following him; whoſe comming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and ſigns, and lying wonders.
9. Whether theſe Artiſts operate not artificially to the inducing of Popery? For as much as diverſe of the Popes uſurped the very Popedome, intruding into it by theſe very arts. And amongſt the Monaſticall crew, he was heretofore accounted no body in learning, that was not (with Simon Magus) ſome great one in theſe arts. And if it had not been for ſuch like preſtigious artifices, where had been all, or moſt of their vaunted miracles? And are not their Exorciſts an Eccleſiaſticall office among them at this day?
10. Whether it be not a thing greatly to be ſuſpected and feared, leſt the pretended ſcience, called Aſtrologie; may introduce a pretending ſect, called Aſtrologus; an heavenly ſociety, a celeſtiall fraternity, and ſuch like? Nay, whether the Art (ſo believed, and imbraced by Chriſtians) may not bring in the Religion, as it was held and uſed among Pagans? In as much (I ſpeak this ſadly) as the vulgar already are ſo effaſcinated, as to begin to account their Planetary preſages, for divine prophecies: and (which is more to be lamented) men, ſuch as would ſeem to have ſtept ſomewhat beyond the common ſort, ſtick not to accept them (at leaſt) as the preadmonitions of divine providence: yea, and we, of an order and calling above both theſe (I ſpeak it to our ſhame) are ſome of us not ſufficient to refute them; ſome of us negligent to reprove them; and ſome of us over eaſy to aſſent unto them?
11. Whether the Magicall operators, and Planetary predicters, their notorious malice and envy (in defaming, diſgracing, deriding, caluminating, contemning, oppoſing the true Miniſters of the Goſpell) be not indeed of the ſame root with that of Jannes and Jambres reſiſting Moſes; and of Elymas the Sorcerer withſtanding St. Paul? And whether ſuch their Diſciples (men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith, full of ſubtlety, and all miſchief, Children of the Devill, and enemies to all righteouſneſs) doe it not on purpoſe, that ſo they may (more eaſily, and uncontradictedly) reſiſt the truth, pervert the right wayes of the Lord; and ſo ſeek to turn away both Governours, and people, from the Faith?
12. Whether Aſtrologicall predictings, and preſagings, have not proved greatly to diſhonour, and diſadvantage both the promiſes, and thr…atnings in the word of God? In as much as a fortunate preſagition is (by many) more confidently expected, than a precious promiſe: and an unfortunate, more ſadly dreaded, than a divine commination. Yea▪ have not their Aſtrologicall falſehoods too often prevailed both to inſtigate over daringly, and diſhear…en too ſhamefully (in enterprizes politick, warlike, publick private) without, beyond againſt the Theologicall truth?
13 Whether the ſecure expectati on, or deſperate fear of Aſtrologicall predictions, doe not infinitly hinder mens Prayers? Making them to become dull, and ſlothfull in ſeeking after God in the way of his promiſes: while they are taught to reſt themſelves contented in waiting for the promiſes of the ſtars: or elſe forlornely to ſubmit themſelves unto the iſſue of their ſullen and inevitable fate; and ſeek no further?
14. Whether the aſcribing to the propitiouſneſs of the fortunate, and inauſpiciouſneſs of the unfortunate ſtars, hath not alwaies proved to rob God Almighty of the honour both of his Mercy, and Juſtice? While men have been thus wholly diverted both from being duly thankfull for bleſſings, and truly humbled under judgements. Nay is it not thus come to paſs, that the profane phraſe is grown to a profaner uſe, of bleſſing, and curſing their ſtars?
15. Whether the fatall neceſſitations ſuppoſed from ſydereall conjunctions, and conſtellations, have not brought people to this paſs, not only to excuſe their iniquities from an aſtrall neceſſity of ſinning, but to caſt the cauſe upon thoſe kind of creatures: and not only ſo, but even upon God himſelf; making him to be the author of evill, as they have done heretofore?
16 Whether the fatidicall predictions of manners and fortunes, make not men ſlothfull, and careleſs under the means both of eſchewing evill, and doing good? For to endeavour, is to doe nothing, without the ſtars: and to performe, the thanks, or blame is nothing to them, but to the ſtars only.
17. Whether judiciary Aſtrologie mightily impugn not divine providence; implying God either careleſly to neglect all humane affairs; or elſe to be limited in the government of the world: as having committed all, either to inevitable fate, or valuable fortune?
18. Whether it be not much to be feared (if not already to be bewayled) that the encroching doctrine of Magick and Aſtrologie, is gotten into many mens faith, and affections, even above the heavenly doctrine of Divinity? And ſo not by ſuperſtitious creeping only, but by atheſticall daring, will Lord it over mens conſciences at laſt; Awing them ſo, as that they ſhall not dare to act in matters naturall, civill, or religious, without an Aſtrologicall prediction.
19. If manners, and Religion be admitted, ſhall we not then have predeſtination (in the acts of election, and reprobation) urged to depend upon the deſtinating ſtars? At leaſtwiſe, will not men be prying unto Gods ſecret Cabinet through ſtarry ſpectacles? What care or conſcience but to act as the ſtars are foretold to diſpoſe? what meditation of death, while the ſtars promiſe life? what fortunate preſumptions? what fatall deſpairs? And thence, what credulity, carnall ſecurity, pride, ambition, luſt, covetouſneſs, ſlothfulneſs, unthankfulneſs, &c? And hence what ſtupidity, forlornneſs, diſcontentedneſs, diſſoluteneſs, factions, inſurrections, diſtractions, &c?
20. If Aſtrologicall predictions have neither truth, nor power, but only over an…al men, and uncalled nations (as ſay ſome of their Apologiſts) what uſe then can there be of all ſuch among ſpirituall men, and Gods people? And moreover, whether it be not from the malice of the Star-gazers, rather than malignity of the ſtars, that our Aſtrologicall Predictions are altogether from aſpects and conjunctions, ſo greatly malevolent, ſo little benevolent, either to Chriſtian Church, or ſtate?
21. When did Magick and Aſtrologie ever confer any thing to true piety? It hath been an old queſtion, and was never yet anſwered. To which we may adde another on the contrary; what have not theſe conferred to all manner of impiety? and it might eaſily be reſolved, in all kinds, and degrees.
22. Whether the word of God, his Church, or true Religion, ever flouriſhed, or was eſtabliſhed in any Kingdom, or Nation, where Magicians, Diviners, Aſtrologers, Soothſayers, Canters, Gypſies, Juglers, &c. were countenanced, or connived at? Nay where they were not condemned and ſuppreſſed?
23. What good ends and uſes can there poſſibly be of this fatedictating and fortune predicting Aſtrologie? To teach men to glorify the Creator, in the contemplation of thoſe heavenly creatures? Surely that cannot be ordinarily, beſides their naturall ſubſtance, qualities, motion, order, and effects. And that may be done by a gift of devotion, without any art of ſpeculation. Doe their threatning (or rather threatned) prodigies ſerve indeed to move men to repentance, and to truſt in God? Certainly then we ſhould not only have examples, and uſe of them but alſo a precept and promiſe for them in the word: eſpecially if they were of ſpeciall inſtitution to that purpoſe. But how are they here more preciſe motives than are all other creatures rightly conſidered? They indeed (as all other creatures in which Gods dreadfull hand is extraordinarily appearing) may ſecondarily move to repentance and humiliation, from the… prodigious and menacing apparitions▪ but where is he that doth it? and where is he taught to doe it, from their occult and conjecturall Prognoſtications? Or doe the predictions of Aſtrologie help to prepare a man for all events: when as they will have them to deſtinate, and neceſſitate a man to this, or that particular event, and what preparation by ſuperſtitious hopes and fears? Or doe they indeed cheriſh our hope? How can that be by delays, and uncertainties? Or doe they promote our patience? How our patience? by an inevitability of fatall pre…agings? That patience is not ours, but Pagans: which teaches to indure that patiently, which neceſſity hath decreed and inforced paſt all remedy, or prevention. Or have their prefiguring, and impending portents a ſpeciall work in diſpoſing equanimouſly to all accidents? what if thoſe foreſeen and foretold things fail us; are we not deluded; be they good or evill? what if they fall out; are we not foreſtalled as well in hopes, as fears? If judiciall Aſtrologie cauſes equanimity; then it begets a child, that diſclaims the Parent. For an equall mind is neither elevated, nor depreſſed with reall fruition, nor perpeſſion: much leſs is it either ſoothed, or frighted with vain ſooth-ſaying hopes, or fears. Or ſerves it to make us more wiſe, and well experienc'd? what wiſdome is that, that makes a man no wiſer than a Beaſt; in preſaging ſome ſtorms? and that makes a man no wiſer than a Devill; in conjecturing, and prenuntiating ſome future accidents?
24. What ſatisfaction, benefit, or comfort, was ever to any by divination, or aſtrologicall prediction? were they not ſtill of mutations, wars, death, calamities, publike and private? were not their moſt fortunate promiſes ambiguous, equivocall, deluſory, not only to the generall; but even unto particulars? How have men been crucified betwixt inevitable ſatation, and undeterminate fortuitouſneſs? bewixt a ſuperſtition of hopes, and fears? when did all the good expected (this way) though certain, recompence the evill ſuſpected, although uncertain? How greatly have fears mingled with the beſt hopes? How little have all preſumptions abated deſpayrs? And therefore how ſafe and ſatisfied is a ſimple ignorance before the ſubtilty of ſuch a preſcience?
25. Of what uſe can the judiciary Aſtrologie bee either to Church, or Common-wealth: ſeeing God, and nature, have ſufficiently provided for all conditions, and neceſſities of men (yea and againſt all accidents and contingents) without it? As for Chriſtians, the word of the Teſtimony; not Aſtrologie. For morall men, Ethicks; not Aſtrologie. For Governours, Politicks; not Aſtrologie. For Subjects, Laws; not Aſtrologie. For ſober naturaliſts, Phyſicks; not Aſtrologie. For ſick men, medicine; not Aſtrologie. For peace, prudence; not Aſtrologie. For War, vigilance; not Aſtrologie. For commerce, juſtice; not Aſtrologie. For Students, good learning; not Aſtrologie. For mechanicks, honeſt artifices; not Aſtrologie. For actions, diligence; not Aſtrologie. For paſſions, patience; not Aſtrologie. For life, temperance; not Aſtrologie. For death, meditation; not Aſtrologie. And againſt all accidents, or caſuall events; faith in Gods promiſes, truſt in his providence, and ſubmiſſion to his will: as alſo prudent foreſight, diligent prevention, convenient redreſs, patient profeſſion, containing within proper calling, uſing lawfull means, &c. and not a predicting or premoniſhing Aſtrologie.
26. Whether (of all accidents, or events) Wars, and mutations of ſtates, ought to be imputed to the revolutions of the ſtars? ſeeing in theſe great things eſpecially God Almighty claims, and retains an immediate property, and aſcription to his own providence. And ſends them purpoſely, to be magnified in judgments, to puniſh wickedneſs, to urge to repentance, to work to reformation. Nay, and ſeeing theſe are contrived, and acted by the conſciences, wils, policies of men; over all which God alone hath the power, and direction; and not the ſtars.
27. How many Princes, States, Natures, perſons (publick, private) have credited, favoured Magicians, Aſtrologers, Diviners, Sooth-ſayers, &c. (both ſacred, and profane hiſtories abound with examples) to their u…ter infamy, and deſtruction?
28. Whether Empires, Kingdoms, Common-wealths, Provinces, Cities, &c. were not worſe governed (ſc. with more tyranny, and temerity) whilſt the Emperours, Kings, &c. were Augures, Magicians, Aſtrologers, &c. or favouring ſuch, and admitting them to meddle in publik affairs?
28. Whether Augurs, Diviners, Sooth-ſayers, Magicians, Aſtrologers, &c. have not been alwaies the greateſt fomenters of Wars (domeſtick and forrain) in the world? Elſe, how is it, that ſtory tels ſo little of them or their arts, in peaceable: and ſo much of them and their acts, in turbulent and diſtracted times? were not thoſe the times, to broach and vent their fanataciſms, and impoſtures with more licentiouſneſs, and impunity: and then to take advantage in working upon mens diſcompoſed minds, and affections, with more peremptorineſs, and credulity? Wherefore aſſemble they ſtill and ſet up themſelves for a ſociety; amidſt all others diſcociations, and diſtractions? Certainly, there can be no greater preſage of ill, than ſuch night-birds, that never appear but before; nor flock together but during the ſtorm.
29. Whether predicting Aſtrologie be not an utter enemy to all humane ſociety, and prudentiall policie? as ſubverting the Laws of nature, and of men; diſtracting the conſultations, and deliberations of wiſdom and reaſon; provoking to the application of unlawfull, and neglect of lawfull means, either altering or elſe deteining men from truſt, duty, care, diligence: and inſtigating to ambition, innovation, malecontentedneſs, mutiny, ſedition, diſobedience, &c.
30. Whether fatidicall Aſtrologie tend not to be the overthrow of all Laws? For why ſhould there be either commanding or forbidding; inviting or detetring; prayſing or diſprayſing; promoting or ſuppreſſing; puniſhing or rewarding for all ſuch things as muſt be done out of a fatall neceſſity?
31. Whether judiciall Aſtrologie works not to confound all authorities, degrees, orders, callings, and offices of men? For why ſhould any men be inferior, or ſubject; that may preſume his ſtars have ordained him to ſuperiority? Why ſhould he not take riches whereſoever he finds them, ſince his ſtars have promiſed him wealth upon all adventures? Will he not take it to be againſt the dignity, and privilege of his ſtars, to petition, pray, wait, ſerve, labour, travell, toyl, plow, ſow, obey ſubmit, &c?
32. Whether the prediction, or prenotion of things future, makes not men more careleſs and ſlothfull, both in publick affairs, and in the works of private callings? For if they be evill, does not the fear of them make men ſaint? and if they be good, does not the preſumption of them make men ſecure? How many have let goe the preſent ſubſtance, with looking after the future ſhadow?
33. Whether Phyſick or Medicine (the ordinary means of health, being applyed according to art) hath not been greatly diſhonoured, yea and infected by the charming cures of words, ſyllables, ſounds, numbers, characters, configurations, ligatures, ſuſpenſions, &c? And whether theſe have not provoked God to ſuſpend his bleſſing and the naturall vertues of vegetables, and minerals? And what Magicall practitioner in Phyſick, but tempted God, tyred nature, deluded minds, bewitched bodies, and endangered ſouls?
34. What Husbandmen (that regarded the Aſtrologicall Ephemerides in his rurall occupation of plowing, ſowing, &c.) ever reapt the inward ſatisfaction of his conſcience; or an outward harveſt anſwerable to his expectation? but in ſtead of filling either his hand, or his boſome; ſat down empty of them both.
35. Whether the Magicall, Aſtrologicall, Daemoniacall, Atheiſticall abuſe of the ſtars, againſt nature, and providence; be not the moſt fearfull ſign and prognoſtication, that div…ne providence is putting an end even to the naturall uſe of the ſtars? And that he is near about to ſhake the powers of heaven, to make the ſtars fall from heaven, to cauſe the Sun to be darkned, and the Moon no more to give her light; and to ſhorten theſe dayes, and to bring to appearance the ſign of the Son of man: that the elect may not be deceived (as the world hath been) with the lying ſigns of the Sons of men.