est concepta erat cum nondum erant Abyssi did possess Wisdom in the beginning of his ways before he made any thing from Eternity was she ordained she was conceived where there was no Abyss Sapientia à Deo profecta est prior omnium Created Wisdom comes from God and was the first that Created all things I do imagine and my mind gives me that altho ' I be never so curious in my Indeavouring or Labour in this matter of my Expression yet will my best Endeavours appear faulty in the curious Eye-sight of some Men tho' perchance acceptable enough to others 1. In the Beginning the Word of the Eternal Spirit created the Heavens and the Earth 2. And the Earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Eternal Spirit moved upon the face of the Waters 3. The Word said Let there be Light and there was Light 4. The Word saw that the Light was good and the Word separated the Light from the Darkness 5. The Word called the Light Day and the Darkness he called Night 6. And the VVord said Let there be a Firmament in the midst of the Waters and divide the Waters from the Waters And the Firmament was called Heaven And the VVord said Let the Waters under the Heaven be gathered together and let the dry Land appear Seeing this Great Work of the Creation is not a matter of Faith I leave the literal Sence of the Book of Genesis and give you liberty to conjecture of mine of the Creation or the great Spagyrick VVork In Contemplating on the first of Genesis and then from the VVords of God himself I have a strong fancy that God made that wonderful Fabrick viz. the Whole Universe by a powerful Command or Word in a moment of time and not as Moses says in six days mind Job 38. v. 4. Ubinam eras quum fundarem Terram indica si novisti Intelligentiam Quum canerent simul Stellae Matutinae cum vociferati sunt omnes filii Dei ver 7. For what may we hence conjecture but that the Angels Coche Boker Stars of the Morning and Beni Elohim the Sons of God beholding so great a Miraculous Wonder together with their own as wonderful formerly commanded at such an instant into a glorious Being gave Shouts of Praise and Acclamations of Joy in Admiration of the great Creator's Omniporency And we find the Voice of God descending or delivering the Story of his incomprehensible Wonders with such a lofty Brevity that we may well believe he performed those Wonders with the same swiftness that he spake them Reason I. It is an absurdity to say That God created the World with distance of Time first for then the Act it self could not be properly said creare but facere to make If we do but consider that Creation is not only to raise a thing out of nothing but to make it also without time which is an infinite Omnipotency only to be attributed to God who acteth alâ— things in a Moment and cannot be bound to Time Reason II. It is an absurdity to assert that Time should be before Time it self for Time is the Measure of Motion begun but with the Motion of the Sun Moon and Stars Now according to the litteral sence in Genesis the Firmament which God called Heaven was created the second Day but the Sun Moon and Stars were not created till the fourth Day Now then could there be Days and Nights which are nothing but Time before Time it self Observation I. Philo Judeus upon this Point says It 's a simplicity too gross and rustick to believe that the World was created in six Days or in a certain time and what think you of the two places in Genesis First it 's said In the Beginning God created Heaven and the Earth Then in the second place it 's said That the Heavens were not created till the second Day and the Earth till the third Day Observation II. 'T is strange incoherence in the two verses concerning the Creation of Light there seem to have been two Days spent which is an Indecorum to imagin that after the Word it self had commanded Let there be Light do you not believe That that VVord or Command had not been sufficient to create Light c. Reason III. Seeing that Faith doth not bind us to believe otherwise it 's the most rational Conjecture that by the first Light was meant the Light of the Sun Moon and Stars c. Reason IV. Observe the Text it self which says In the beginning of the Work God created the Heavens and the Earth that is to say in giving Form to the dark Abyss or Lump and created the Light and in verse 3. it tells us That the Light was created before either Reason V. VVhich is from the contrariety of the litteral Description which allows four Days for the Creation of the Light the Heavens the Earth and Luminaries And in the next Chapter we have these words These are the Generations of the Heavens and the Earth when they were created in the day that the Lord God made the Heavens and the Earth Now you see it 's but one Day and before it 's said to be four days Reason VI. It 's said That the World shall have an end in a moment and in the twinkling of an Eye So sudden should be our Changes from the sleep of Death to Immortality there is the same likelyhood and the same probability that it was created in a moment Since it is created and its End depends both upon the same Cause which is God who still acts without circumstance or distinction of Time Observation VII Man was created in a moment with the rest c. but on the contrary by the Prophet Ezekiel speaking to the King of Tyrus Thou hast been in Eden says he in the Garden of God And now observe speedily after The Workmanship of thy Drums and thy Flutes was prepared in thee in the day that thou was created This may give you a strong belief that Man and the Creatures which were made for his sake were all created the same Day Then much more in compliance with our Belief than with the litteral Description of the first Chapter of Genesis Now I have a Question to answer and that is What is the meaning or reason that the first Chapter of Genesis is so expressed I shall in this point give you the opinion of Procopius he says That Author might accomodate himself to the feebleness and rudeness of humane Understanding which is so incapable of the Mystery of Generation being so high and difficult that the Hebrews antiâ—ntly would not permit it to be read but by aged Persons or such as were of a good Understanding and this same premeditated compliance of the Writer with means of human Capacity c. So we may conclude That the whole was no more than a conjectural Moral compiled by Moses or the Lawgiver the more deeper to
fix in the mind of his People a Veneration of his intended Sabbath so Divinity necessitated for a separate Day of Holy Worship and so particularly necessary for the reparation of human Nature spent with continual Toil and Labour It 's not to be thought on that he which made the whole Universe by a Word could want rest from his Labour St. Jerome and Masius were the greatest Interpreters of the Bible and 't was never found in the Pentateuch of the Bible that God did ever dictate to Moses the Creation of the World but the Ten Commandments God created Man in his own Image Male and Female At that time Eve was not made nor no News of her till the next Chapter and she must have the Command of not eating the forbidden Fruit before she had a Being or not at all Now we have given you as it were the Speculum of the whole Work I will give you a glance of the whole Universe In the first place lift up your Eyes and behold the Glory at the upper part of the Figure where you may see the Hebrew Letters which is in our English Letters Jehovah which is that Word or Spirit which made all things and spake the Word and it was finished He rules all and is above all and gave himself a Name and revealed himself to us and said I am the Lord thy God c. else we should never have known what Name or Title to have given him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jehovah in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theos in Greek Deus God in Latin Dduw or Duw in Welsh or British Godd in Old English and Scotch Dodd in Saxon and Teutonick Ndja or Dhja in Mancks and Irish Dieu in French Dios in Spanish Idio in Italian Godt or Gott in High and Low Dutch Adad in Assyria Syre by the Persians Alla by the Arabians Doyd Thoyth by the Egyptians Boeg by the Esclavonians Eloi by the Chaldeans Mark 15. 34. Abdi by the Turks and Mahumetans Zimi by the Indians Kong by them of China Aesar by the Etruscians Manu by the Molucca Islands in the Indies Abba in the Syriac Tongue Mar. 14. 36. Deinde dixit sum Patris tui Deus Abrahami Deus Iitzchaki Deus Jahakobi And in another place God said I am what I am So much concerning God or the Word or him that made all things out of the Abyss and as for any further Demonstration or Knowledge I must leave it till longer time or until I can understand or am informed how long the Chaos or Abyss was before the Great Spagyrick Powers made so great a Fabrick as the Heavens and the Earth The next thing to Admiration is the dark Lump unshaped which is called the Chaos or Abyss from whence all proceeded By way of Resemblance behold how the Sun Moon and Stars leap out with their Streams from the deformed Lump when the Word was given it made a Separation in distinct Natures just as the Chymist doth separate the spirital part from the Caput Mortuam Now you must know that the 7 Planets are the 7 Rulers of the World by their different Natures and are God's Instruments as you shall be informed in another place Now out of those 7 God hath chosen one of them to put his Tabernacle in that is the Sun Behold one Wonder more viz. The Lines or Streams which are drawn or come from the Abyss or Chaos to the 7 Properties of Nature You will find two Ranks of Stars getting out of the Streams except ☉ and ☽ and they but one which signifies and tells you That they are the Stars or Houses as the Astrologers call them wherein the Planets delight being made or generated out of the same Metal or Foeces c. Example Behold the Line of ♂ you will see one Ra k of Stars in one side of the Stream and so on the other side which may be called ♈ and â™ the Houses of ♂ and so of the rest the ☉ and ☽ but one House c. The Blewness or that we call Sky was condensed with Fumes or Spiritual Parts of the Abyss and kept up by the 4 Winds as will appear by Reason in another place The last Wonder is The World finely adorned and beautified and also Adam in Paradise all made and created by one Word or Command of God and here the Philosopher calls Man the Little World and the other the Great World viz. Microcosmus Macrocosmus and also they say That the World hath three Divisions viz. Sublunary Celestial and super-Celestial Now to define unto you what the World is called viz. Mundus or the World in the Hebrew Tongue Holam which implies thus much Quoniam per aliquot secula subsistat in quo rerum â—rtus interitus sit Which is to subsist and continue for certain Ages in which shall be the Death and Destruction of all things The Greek calls it Cosmos which imports Ornament which the Latin for perfect and absolute Elegancy call Mundus because there is nothing mere neatly polished and beautified with all Creatures So says Plin. Possidonius in Metr That Mundus or the World which consisteth of Heaven Earth Celestial and Terrestrial Natures or of Gods and Men and those Things which were created to their use some call the World Munaus quasi Ornatus Mulieris A Womans Ornament But in short the World is a fine thing CHAP. II. The Beginning in general how they were produced and extracted out of Nothing according to the Mosaical Philosophy and what is meant by the word Nothing then the first Principle which is the dark Abyss or Chaos without Form 1. OBserve the Words of the most Excellent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 paration of the Divine Spirit Elohim was effected in the 6 days work of the Creation it 's expressed there That Darkness was upon the face of the Abyss 2. And that Terra erat inanis vacuum the Earth was without shape and form a plain demonstration that the Heavens and the Earth were not as yet made or in no Form were one deformed Lump or rude and indigested Mass and all comprehended in one dark Abyss 3. St. Augustin compares this Nothing unto a Speech for while it 's in the mind of the Speaker it 's nothing to him that is spoken to before it 's spoken Plato compares it to a Dream when a Man awakes 't is nothing but Imagination But consider well there are none unless on Presumption or Ignorance will be of the opinion that in those words God made all things of nothing ex Nihilo of nothing it ought not to be interpreted Nothing 4. For the first Essence and Matter of all Things was from all Eternity in God and with God one and the same thing and this we prove by â—â—â—ipture says Moses In principio creavit Deus Coelum Terram 5. Principium is not to be taken as a negative Nothing for in plain Terms that ex ipso per ipsum
2 sheweth the actual emanation of the increased Light out of the potential Unity at the presence whereof the humid Nature did appear out of the dark Abyss 10. in the shape of Waters so that the Light and Waters as active and passive are ranked next after Unities Unity thus â—‹ Light â—‹ Water 2. Then by the Firy Spirit of Eternal Love and Unity those two opposite Natures are joined together into the nature of Heaven by a spiritual Union or Composition which is termed by the Platonicks the Soul of the World which the Philosopher calls by the name of Quinta Essentia the Quintessence so also are the Heavens said to animate the Elements no otherwise than the Soul doth the Body so that this degree of Progression in the Creation standeth Thus â—‹ Light The last of the Worlds Creation is this â—‹ Fire â—‹ Air â—‹ Air â—‹ Water â—‹ Water 3 â—‹ Earth Which importeth the four-fold alteration of the Catholick Element by the four Winds which was and is effected by the Word the third day of the Creation and this was nothing else but the general sublunary or lower Waters This therefore was the State of the VVorlds Creation and in this very State say many will continue till it be Resined by the Firey Tryal This the wise Hermes according to Moses described unto us thus Erat umbra infinita in Abysso Aqua insuper Spiritus tenuis Intellectualis per divinam potentiam in Chaos inerant storuit autem Splendor Sanctus qui sub arena humida natura Elementa deducit cumque indistincta fuissent levia post Mundum in excelsam regionem provolarunt gravia sub arena humida residerunt distinctis libratisque rebus quae Igneo Spiritus vehebantur emicuit Coelum septem in Circulos c. An infinite Shadow of Darkness was in the Abyss moreover VVater and a subtil intellectual Spirit was by the divine Puissance in the Chaos and a holy Brightness or Splendor did flourish which did reduce the Elements under the Heaven and humid Nature and as they were undistinguished and afterwards that Portion which was Light did fly up into the highest Region The weightier part did reside and take its place under the Heaven These things being thus distinguished and ballanced were sustained by 〈◊〉 fiery Spirit the Heavens did shine forth in Seveâ— Circles as in the Table or Speculum on the other side In the first place Behold the Circles and the Motions of the seven Properties of Nature But as for the Angelical Circle and the work and nature of Angels the Throne and the Heavens of Glory which you see in the highest Circles I shall pass by and hasten on to my intended Business CHAP. III. The Centre and Circle of the Elementary Life of Man shewing what Power the Elements have over our Bodies BUT by the way it may not be amiss to consider what our Forefathers did call this Canopy or Heavens which has so neatly composed round us and left us as it were in a Box. Coelum potius Coelum Coelorum suprema Mundi pars à Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à concavitate the Heavens Firmament or Sky Now we will endeavour to prove out of Scripture and leave Philosophy that the ignorant may be satisfied in my intended Matter viz. Predictions The Heavens have been called by the Holy Ghost a Book then doubtless we may conclude that there are in this Book Letters or Characters which may be understood by some or other tâ— read them Now that it is called a Book appears out of Isaiah who speaks of the last Day wherein all things shall cease he saith Compliâ—cabuntur sicut Coeli where the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Caph in Hebrew which the Latins translate siâ—ut signifieth in the Original quia so that the Heavenâ— shall be rolled together and He at the same time gives the reason of it also because they are aâ— Book As for a more larger Definition of the Word I leave it to the Divines c. They may say as a Book To this it may be answered That it doth elsewhere fully decide this Controversy Seeing that we speak of the Heavens it makes mention of Lines and Letters which are Words that are most properly and essentially spoken of a Book and make no use of the word sicut which is an infallible Argument that those words in the Passages before cited Complicabuntur sicut Liber Coeli are not Expressions of Similitude Now that the Scripture speaking of the Heavens nameth expresly the word LETTER will appear out of the First of Genesis there the Hebrew Text runs thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bereshith bara Elâ—â—im Haschamaim that is to say In the Beginning God created the Letters or Characters of the Heavens for this is the meaning of the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aat which is a Letter and as for the word Line we find in Psal 19. v. 4. In omnem terram exivit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kâ—vam Linea corum understanding it 's spoken of the Stars which are ranked in the Heavens after the manner of Letters in a Book or upon a Sheet of Parchment for God is said in the Holy Scriptures to have strâ—tchâ—d out the Heavens as a Skin calling this extension 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rachia from whence the Greek might take the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a Skin or Hidâ— a Skin to be extended or stretched forth God disposed and rankt the Stars in the manner of Characters whereby as a Book Observe and read them Coeli enarrant gloriam Dei The Prophets of old called the Heavens a Sacred Book as among the Jews R Sâ—meon Ben Jarâ—hay in the Zohar on the Section Temâ—…ti Exodus Câ—fr 305. where he spâ—…s very â—earnedly of this Celestial Writing tho' very â—bscurely R. Abraham also in his Jetsira a Book of the Creation and many more Authors may be named to this purpose But this may â—atisfy the Reader that the Heavens are Books wherein all things are Registred of those under â—he Elements either their good or ill Actions Now in this particular we will endeavour to give you some account of the Primum Mobile â—r the moving Circles of the Elements which is â—y intended Business or material Subject how â—ur Bodies are captivated by the Elements and â—ave the Angâ—… Circle and the Glory of the â—ost High to the Divines and follow the lower â—egions You see the Primum Mobile a round â—ircle with 12 Characters called 12 Signs â—ow in our days and by those Signs thus characteriz'd divides the Heavens in 12 parts as every Sign into 30 dgrees also you see the 7 Planets in their Circles in another place You shall have a full demonstration by an Instrument But I am willing to inform you that in the beginning those Signs and Planets were put in form of Letters by the Hebrews and by the Jews and others in the form of Living
Figure from the middle thereof shines forth a Rise and Governour over many Vegetables Seventhly ☽ and her Angel Elements Earth and Water of the Sea and Rivers and all moist things in the midst of Trees and Animals and they which are white as Whites of Eggs sweet Flegm Metals Silver as for Stones those that are white and green as also Pearl she hath power over many Vegetables Here you have but a glance of the Power of those Properties of Nature over the three Kingdoms and as for the full Scope and Power at large it would make a large Volume for my intended Business is to shew you what Power those 7 Properties and Elements have over the Bodies and Minds of Mankind I shall only iâ— form you that those Planets and Angels Râ—… gradually and in order and take their turns every one hath a particular Day and also certain Hours as shall be shewn in another place CHAP. IX The Scituation of the Heavens and Earth at the Creation of the Sun Moon and Stars THE Sun Moon and Stars were created on Wednesday April 22 18. h. p. m. about 4002 Years before Christ this I understand by the â—…ews and many Authors of this matter 〈◊〉 some difference is amongst them but beâ—…â—ere are some Philosophers in these our dâ—…l vâ—â—ture to give the World this Form Sun Moon and stars Created â—ednesday April 22th years Before Christ 4002. This we may perceive that the Body of the â—… was created in its Sphere yet it could not â—ave Light till the Sun arose and was created â—ith ☋ or the South-Node as it was rising out â—f an Eternal Eclipse out of which the Sunâ—â—â—e awakened her By this Form or Out-Birth you may perceive â—â—e whole Creation and that the Earth or World which is the black Circle in the Figure â—epresents the Earth in which we live so we â—ay plainly see and understand that the whole World is composed round with the Starry Heaven and Elements the use of which is the Sun â—o give Light by Day and the Moon by Night So the Earth is as a round Ball or Apple hanging 〈◊〉 the midst of a Glass in the Form of a Globe Then observe how the two Points are opposite to one another viz. the Head of the Dragon and Tail ☊ in the Ascendant and ☋ in the Seventh Now the Learned Astrologers tell us that the Heavens or Starry Firmament is divided into 360 Degrees as you may see in the Circle as â—hall be demonstrated to you at large when we come to that Art called Astrology Now we have demonstrated to you the Out-Birth viz. the Forms of the Heavens and Earth I shall proceed in order to the fifth Work or Day of Creation for we could not properly call Time Night or Day before the Sun and Moon was created so on the fourth day by the Powâ— of the Word the great Sol of the World opeâ— it self in the Essence viz. the Life of the 〈◊〉 and watery wherein God created all Bâ— Fish Fowls and Worms every one accordiâ— to its Species and Forms viz. from its peâ— liar Qualites of the Divine Mercury Thus 〈◊〉 Eternal Qualities have moved themselves aâ—cording to Evil and Good as you may perceâ— by the foregoing Instrument or Bosom of Nâ—ture where you may see the 7 Qualities wiâ— their Essences and Mixture for there are 〈◊〉 and good Creatures created every thing aâ—cording to the Scripture Original in 〈◊〉 light of Nature from which it is that all Creâ—tures in their Kind or Quality do love one aâ—ther Thus we may see how the Creatures aâ— in the Centre before they are in themselvâ— and that he knows willeth foreseeth and foâ— ordaineth all things and every thing together once Now we are come to the last Creature whiâ— is Man the little World and a wonderful Piâ— of Wisdom Master and Ruler over all tâ— Works of the Creatures or Creation Therefore I have given you as it were Demonstration of the great World or Maâ—cosm and I shall speak of Microcosmos as yâ— shall find in the following Book THE Centre and Creation OF MAN Astrologically Theologically Philosophically and Astronomically handled BOOK II. CHAP. I. The true Knowledge of Man consisting of External and Internal Nature in the Elementary World POsteà dixit faciamus Hominem ad imaginem nostram secundum similitudinem nostram qui dominentur in Pisces maris in Volucreis Coeli in Pecudes in universam Terram que in omnia reptilia reptantia super Terrâ—… Itaque creavit Deus Hominem ad imaginem quam Dei creavit eum marem foeminam 〈◊〉 vit eos God said Let us make Man according tâ—… Image and God created Man according to his Image And Moses says That God made 〈◊〉 with Clay meaning with the Composition the Elementary Powers for tho' Adam was 〈◊〉 first Man yet we read that he had his Fall tâ—… he had his longing and eager Desires after mâ—… Fancies which brought himself to a great Mâ—… demeanor But of this Man Adam I 'll say 〈◊〉 more and let the first Species alone We read in Genesis that God on the fifth dâ—… created all living Creatures at one Revolutiâ—… of the Earth so likewise you may observeâ—… one Revolution more Adam was made Now we will present you with the Opinion of Learned Philosopher with the Paradisial â—ound and Turning of the Heavens from its â—…st Primum Mobile viz. two days after the ☉ â—…d ☽ were created adam in paradice Thus Adam was created in that pleasant place â—…radise about the year before Christ 4. 002. â—…z on April 24. at 12 a Clock or Midnight â—…ow this place Paradise is in Mesopotamia where â—…e Pole is elevated 34 deg 30 min. and the ☉ â—…eth 4 Hours sooner than under the elevation the Pole of London Now our curious Reaâ—…r may be inquisitive concerning this matter If you will not credit these Reasons laid dâ—… pray read Josephus there you will see someâ—… of this matter viz. of the first Primum Mâ—… or moving Posture of the World and placâ—… Paradise and Elevation of its Pole Many â—…troversies have been about the Time and Seâ—… of the Year therefore I shall not trouble Reader any further with them Let the Sâ—…pture be our Guide in this Matter Let theâ—… saith the Word and there was and also 〈◊〉 fifth days Work of the Creation when the Gâ—… hoppers were and the Trees sprang out this 〈◊〉 give us to understand that the Time of Creation must have its beginning in the Spriâ—… Now for the place or Centre of the Eaâ—… from whence we may observe the Poles as aâ—…mentioned in Mesopotamia where God plâ—… Adam So the Spring is two months sooâ—… there than here with us under the Elevatioâ—… the Pole at London But for the Ages of the World many hâ—… endeavoured to satisfie Dr. Butler for one CHAP. II. The Egg of Generation or 〈◊〉 Centre of Man IN the last Chapter you have an accouâ—… the first Man
ejus fortificatur appetitque exire de tenebris sed nondum est tempus Si ipse fuerit ascendens in Circulo suo fortis benè dispofit us variis exornatur donis secundum varias irradiationes bonorum Planetarum sin vero contra contraria accident ☽ Luna mense septimo tunc Foetus formam completum adipiscitur in utero materno habebit tunc fiduciam vitae gubernationis si isto mense nascatur puer erit bona spes de vita nati propter complementum significationum Planetarum Now to begin again first to Saturn then Jupiter Saturnus secundario Foetum mense octavo dirigit cujus virtute ipse infrigidatur in Matrice vis seminum ita quod vix in ea apparent motus si puer eo mense exibit eo quod siccus congelatus quasi est sepissimé moritur Jupiter sequitur dirigitque Foetus nono in mense qui facit ventum motum tunc exit puer de tenebris angustia ventris in hunc Mundum erigitque tum Oculos ad lumen Solis si est de die vel ad lumen Candelae si fuerit de nocte miraturque de non visis propter loci angustiam per quem exit quoniam constringitur coarctatur Incipit flere percipiens miseriam hujus Terrestris Seculi in quo hic filius universi sit omiumque miseriarum subictum ut Xenocrates in libro de morte Axiocho recte dixerat Quid autem de illo inquit tibi videtur qui Nascentem jubet miseriam sua vitae lugere Atque haec de Mundi Principiis Creatione deque hominis principiis vertutibus siderum actionibusque in ejus procreatione longe aliter quam à Paracelso aut ejusdem farinae Philosophis tradita sunt persecuti sumus in hac itaque via persistentes ad veriora progrediendum est So much for the Creation of the great and and little Worlds But to go gradually along as I have begun I ought to speak something of the Nature of Man De Natura Hominis but I find it 's a large Field insomuch that I shall forbear and make it a Subject of it self which will be ready for the Press very speedily Seeing Man by Nature is prone to Ambition and of a lofty Mind and apt to dive into Knowledge and secret Mysteries it might be very proper in this place to give you a word or two as an Introduction towards my present Task in Hand viz. We have observed in this our Elementary Life many certain and true Rules by which we have foretold Events to come c. by the Canopy of Heaven and Stars according to their Situation Now finding many Fools and Self-will'd People that will not believe what is true or â—ational or what has been experienced from the beginning of the World So I am not willing here to trouble my self about any Vindication of this great Work but direct you to that famous Sir Christopher Heydon's Vindication of Astrology which may be to your conâ—ent But for your further satisfaction I have in the following Chapter begun from the beginning by the first Man Adam down to this Day very short and brief shewing you first that Adam was the first Man that took notice of the Elements Power and Signification of the Seven Properties of Nature You may see in the next Chapter how they of Old did observe the Seven Properties of Nature in observing the ill Nature of Saturn and the good Nature of Jupiter because he was Author of Goodness the old Hebrews called some of their Children by that Name Jupiter Jacob's Wife called her Son Gad which is Jupiter because he is to give a good brisk share of Body and a good Principle this was observed in old time proved by Scripture In the third place we have taken notice of Eleven Particulars where we find by general Observations the Changes and Turnings in this Box of Elements of Preservation and Destruction c. Then fourthly We prove to you that the Starry Heavens are Books and they are to be rolled together in which you may read your future Hope and Fortune in the World thereby shewing you also that the Hebrews and others read the Heavens in their own Language making up their Letters by the motion of the Stars So the main reason why I thus trouble my self about the Hebrews and Old Matters is only to convince the Ignorant what the Truth is Many there be that will not believe that they are under the Power of the Canopies of Heaven Alas our Saviour Christ himself was as Man under the Jurisdiction of the Elements so your Bodies must be under subjection of those Powers But if you desire to know how to be above the Elements in your Mind Will and Understanding strive to be as Saul when he sought his Fathers Asses Sam. 10. 6. And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee and thou shalt Prophesie with them and shalt be turned into another Man viz. above the Elements Irruetque super te ut prophetes cum eis muterberis in virum alium CHAP. IV. Adam's Knowledge of the Stars proved by Seth and so carried down to the Time of Josephus ADam being the first Man knew well that he was placed under the Elements and he observed their Powers also This is prov'd by Josephus that Adam and Seth were the first that practised this Science or Power of the Elements and that Abraham when he fled into Egypt taught it the Egyptians this Truth hath so much the more force in it in that it proceedeth from a Man whose Authority is unquestionable so that we may perceive that Pliny was much mistaken when he affirmed that none but Atlas was the Author of it Besides we are very certain that Astrology was in use long before Atlas Some say that Bâ—lus was the first that invented Astrology and some assure us the Phaenicians were the Men. But suppose it be so as others will have it the Assyrians were the Inventers of it yet still will it be true that the Patriarchs were the Men forasmuch as Abraham was an Assyrian and his Predecessors were Phaenicians a Colony of Assyrians having gone into Phoenicia But if you will believe the Report of the two Pillars which were erected before the Flood upon one of which all the Rules of Astrology was Engraven by Seth and was preserved down to the very time that Josephus lived in who assirms himself to be an Eye-witness of it and by this we may see that the first Man had understanding in the Motions of the Heavens In my foregoing Chapters I have described to you what Instruments the ancient Hebrews figured out their Astrology by and the Table of Atlas discovered CHAP. V. The Astrology of the Ancients proved out of the Holy Scripture FOR consirmation then of what we have here proposed we read in Genesis that Leah Jacob's Wife called one of her Sons by the name of the Planet ♃
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vau very perfectly expressed and this was the reason say they that the Israelites wondering at this Character 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vau saying one to another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Manhâ—n viz. What meaneth this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vau and so on to a thousand Mysteries and raising strange kinds of Significations Exod. 6. When they saw this Letter which is numb 6 signifying that six days of the Week they were to gather their Manna This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vau signifies the Misery and Sorrow wherewith God threatned them for Murmuring they say it 's the Hieroglyphick of Labour Servitude appears out of Levit. 25. Exod. 21. and signifies Labour they were to work six days The Meteors or Signs in the Heavens have produced great things in these our Days but being frequent I shall not mention them But the Observation of the Jews is something pretty Eighthly Snow Hail and Froâ—t do sometimes bear strange Characters the Reading whereof we will not neglect There have been often seen strange Figures which have born a Cross a Buckler a Heart or a Death's Head It 's not many years since those Hieroglyphical Figures were seen in Provence and soon after a destruction of Beasts and a little while after that this miserable Country had their Fields covered with Souldiers and all their strong Places Besieged and Assaulted with so much Bloodshed that the very Memory of it will be always grievous unto them The Story of these Figures confirms that which Cornelius Gemma hath obobserved in these words Inventa est saepius Grando cui futurarum rerum manifest ê ut more Clypei aut Pugnae aut Crucis insculpta imagines spectarentur Kepler hath observed that the Snow is not without its Wonders but no more of this Ninthly The Rainbow one of the most Noble Meteors that is formed in the Clouds namely that the Figure of it as R. Capel says represents the Letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Caph which the Jews writes in this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which might be the reason why God placed it in the Heavens to be a sorrowful Memorial of the Deluge for this Letter stands for 20 which is the number of Sorrow Jacob served in Laban's House 20 Years Joseph was sold for 20 Pieces of Silver the flying Roll wherein was written the Sins of all Men and was 20 Cubits long and at 20 years of Age the Israelites began to serve in the Wars Helena in Homer complain'd of her own Misfortune takes notice of this number 20. Quatuor hic jam lustra moror quò tempore nunquam Iratus misera mihi verba indigna dedisti Also the Poets when they expressed any thing of Sorrow in this Number 20. Thus Ulysses is reported to have undergone 20 years Misfortune Quosque tuli post tot Terrae Pelagique labores In patriam veni jam nunc labentibus annis Vicenis Many more of the like nature are produced by Bungus Tenthly Comets are the chiefest which are in use in the Discovery of such Secrets which is usually the Death of Princes Julius Caesar died shortly after the appearance of a Comet this is no News But we may take an Example of this present Time where effects of a Comet is fresh in mind I saw my self with many others a strange Comet but two days before the Duke of Monmouth was taken in the West and a Blazing Star over all Europe before the Death of K. Charles II. These are the true Signs which God is pleased to foretell of great Troubles to come I will give you the words of Virgil. Non alià s Coelo toties cecidere sereno Fulgura nec diri toties arsere Cometae They do not only respect Death of Kings and Princes but also of great and mortal Diseases Drought and Barrenness of Fruit a strange Heat in the Air. Eleventhly Here is another sort of Reading which might be perform'd in the Air first it may be taken from the flying of Cranes of which St. Jerom saith Grues viam sequuntur â—â—dine literato flying in order and keeping their Ranks at an instant that the Wind turns by this means they defend themselves from Assaults for on which side the Eagle comes he encounters with nothing but Bills just as a Body of Horse setting upon a Body of Foot meets with â—othing but Points and Pricks Now the Letters and Forms shews us only the diversity of the Winds or else their manner of ordering themselves in Battel the History of Birds and Fowls of the Air is wonderful in knowledge and Apprehension too large for â—is Place But meeting with a Verse of Ovid touching this matter I must go on further Many call Ovid a Heathen if so he was a witty one Os Homini sublime dedit Coelumque videre Jussit erectos ad sidera tollere Vultus God with a lofty Look did Man endue Commanding him the Heavens and Stars to view Observation hath been taken from the meeting together of the two Superior Properties of Nature viz. ♄ and ♃ in matters of the Church Laws and Governments which may well be the Alteration of Kings Princes 〈◊〉 Governments c. being Seven in number The first meeting of ♄ and ♃ from the beginning of Times was in 600 years of the world viz. 3200 before Christ The second was in the year of the World 1600. The third did fall out 2400 which was 1600 years before Christ The fourth in the year 3200 of the World The fifth the coming of Christ 4000 years of the World The sixth falls out in 800 years after Christ which was 4800 years of the World And the seventh was 1600 years after Christ Now the Effects or Wonders of them are 〈◊〉 First Under Enoch his name signifies Catechised as Gen. 14. 14. Chanikan Catechised or Trained up in Religion as well as Warfareâ—… he was taught of God to walk with God he â—…ved 360 years before his Translation after good pleasing Life he was as the Patriarâ—… were viz. as a chief Bishop in his time and 〈◊〉 his Labours the Church was preserved in 〈◊〉 Age. The second Meeting of ♄ and ♃ This fell in the time of Noah 1600 years of the World in which Century the Universe Deluge destroyed the wicked World whiâ—… then was drowned in Wickedness before it was drowned in Water Noah was in his Ark a whoâ—e year with all his Provisions from November to November again The third Meeting of ♄ and ♃ in ♌ Falls in the year of the World 2400 under Moses when the Church had again another Sabbath of Rest from her long and grievous Slavery in the Brick Bondage of Egypt Read the Scripture of the place and you will find that they were to make Brick without Straw The fourth Meeting of ♄ and ♃ Falls in the 3200 years of the World this Meeting came under Solomon and the King of Israel according to the famous Tycho Brahe the Church had a resting time from
or Delivery from confinement of a Prison I have given you an Example of this in my Angelical Figure Via in the 12th h. a speedy Delivery Quest Has the Querent any present Enemies Answ Still mind if you find the 12th House with ill Lotts and â–¡ or 8 and the worse if if from ill Houses And I have before shewn that Moderation or Mollification is to be understood by the good Company of â™ to cool the violent Spirits As for an Example if ♃ or ♀ are in ill or Cadent Houses their lustre of Glory will not shine so bright as in good Houses so likewise the malice or ill Beams of ♄ are something eclipsed being placed in a good House so be not rash in your Judgment but be ruled by Reason We have found by many Tryals that if ☋ be in the 11th House which is that which we call Company let thy Friends pretend to never so much Honesty they will be false to thee If the Querent comes to thee about a Horse or great Cattel take the same Rules by this 12th House as you are taught by the 6th House If the Querent desires to know the Shape of Body and Disposition of his Enemies or Friends it 's all one turn to my Table of Shapes of Body and you will have your desire with a little varying your Judgment according to Reason If the Querent desires to know the very exact time of coming to his Friends or meeting with his Enemies search for your Direction into the Numbers which your Lott gives you in this Book The End of the Third Book Experimental Knowledge OF THE Life of Man Govern'd by the Heavens Above in all Actions and Transactions BOOK IV. CHAP. I. The First Experiment interpreting of Somnium or a Dream for a certain Person of great Note and Reputation I Told this Gentleman exactly what would befall him in a Months time or thereabouts This Gentleman came to me in a distracted Condition saying Tuli multa mala in Vita mea I have had says he much Trouble and have suffer'd much Wrong in my life-time and am fearful of much more to come for a considerable time together I have dream'd wonderfully of Distraction and Consuming But the last night I had a terrible Dream indeed of such a Bloody Nature that I am besides my self or quite distracted in consideration of what may become of me my Spirits are cast down and overwhelmed with Grief I look'd sharply on him perceiving him to be disturbed in his Spirits and thinking some ill had hapned to him and to abate something of his Fury I said thus Homo natus Muliere brevis est aetatis satur commotione ut Flos egressus est succiditur fugit velut umbra neque consistit This Gentleman reply'd I know that a Man born of a Woman is full of Misery and his time short c. I have much Dissatisfaction within my self by reason of a terrible Vision in my Sleep or a Dream which you please insomuch that it puts me a thinking what may happen to me for this Vision appearing so dreadful before my Eyes makes me fear is a token of some Judgment which the great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 awakens me withal to consider my latter End or some great Work to pass through Further says the Querent or the Gentleman I am now come to you hearing of your Angelical Art by way of Lotts or Angelical Enquiry to make a Discovery or to give me a litâ—le insight of the meaning of this dreadful Vision pray give me the best of your Opinion Resp I believe that this Vision or frightful â—ream of yours is a sign of some great Alteratiâ—â— in matters of your Body or Estate Dreams â—e of great consequence for our Saviour Christ â—as carried into Egypt by reason of a Dream â—â—seph by a Dream told his Brethren That they â—â—ould Worship and fall down and give Obeâ—â—ience to him I shall not in this place trouble by Reader with the Scripture but follow my â—resent Task SIR I will do to the uttermost for you in â—his my Angelical Enquiry which are the Rules that I have follow'd these many Years and find â—â—em true in most things So that I will not â—sk you kind Sir what the Vision was or the Nature thereof for I will endeavour to find it â—ut my self and give you an Answer two days â—â—ence Kind Reader this is of great moment â—nd worth Observation and will open to you â—he Secrets of Nature or hidden Mysteries In the first place I entred into my Closeâ— deâ—ring the Powers of Heaven and good Angels â—â—â—ide my Hand putting all things else out of my â—ind and Raised my Lotts as you may see in â—â—g 115. cap. 4. where you are plainly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—he manner and ways of making the 16 Lottâ— Now follows the whole Work in this Form Now for your further understanding I will place it in an Astrological Form as I have shewn you in the Table pag. 110. in Signs and Planets that those of a slender Apprehension may know that this Work is not Conjuration but the Lotts Planets and Signs are united into one Body As for Example Acquisitio is in the First â—ouse turned into ♃ dir in ♈ as you may see 〈◊〉 this Figure following Because we will be very curious in this great Work of Enquiry after the State and Condition â—f Man's Elementary Life and to satisfy the Curiosity of the Reader we will place before your â—yes a Figure of this Angelical Work and also â—he Astrological Work together or in one Figure containing 24 Parts Behold the Figure of this Angeli cal Work Sortitium in singulis In this Form you have 24 Houses so called in 12 of the outwardmost are placed the 1â— Angelical Lotts with the nature of them represented by the Astrological Signs and Planet The two Witnesses are of our Angelical Work and also the Judge the Houses of the 12 Lottâ— are marked out by common Figures as 1 2 3 4 and so on to 12. The next 12 Houses are of Astrology which I erected at this Querent's coming to me with that horrible Noise being willing to try both ways The time of this Astrological Figure was Jan. 30. 1696 7. at 10 of the Clock in the Morning And for distinction sake I have pointed the Astrological Figures as the Lotts by 1 2 3 4 and so on to 12 as you may see at the top of the Houses but they of the Lotts are at the bottom The inner Circle tells you that every House is divided into 30 degrees and by the Round under the Black Line is represented to your View the Globe of the World A Philosophical Figure deduced by an Angelical Hand Astrologically CHAP. II. The Misery threatning this our Querent or the Vision or Evil to come unfolded IN the first place the main Point is to be drawn from the 9th House but because it 's of a â—rge Consequence and the Querent's