Bellum Hybernicale: OR, IRELAND'S war Astrologically demonstrated, from the late celestial-congress of the two Malevolent Planets, Saturn and Mars, in Taurus, the Ascendent of that kingdom. Wherein likewise, their future opposition in the Signs Sagittary and Gemini, (most ominous to London, and many other of the South and West parts of England) is Mathematically handled. The ignorance, Malice, Mistakes, Errors, insolences, and Impertinencies, of John Booker, (in his astrological Observations upon the said Conjunction, in a late Pamphlet of his, styled, A Bloody Irish almanac, &c.) discovered, corrected, refuted, and retorted: AND The Author further vindicated, from his, and Master Lilly's former frivolous, false, and malicious Aspersions, throughout the whole Discourse. By Capt. GEO: WHARTON, Student in Astronomy. — Ego 〈◊〉 tumultum, Nec mori per vim metuam, tenente Caesare terras. Printed in the year▪ 1647. TO THE impartial, AND judicious Reader. IT is high time, now, after so many affronts, and such multiplicity of railing, and scornful Language, uttered against me, in several silly Pamphlets, by that professed mountebank in Astrology, (John books,) to vindicate myself from the Calumnies, scandals, and false Accusations, which his unsatiable Ambition, and implacable malice, hath most wickedly accused me of: And thereby I shall discover, how much his Envy, (to my pen and Person) hath transported him beyond the bound of modesty, and rendered him incapable both of Reason and Knowledge, in the Art, whereof be professes himself to be a Master. I have in part answered M. Lilly, in my Prognostication for the ensuing year 1647. And here, (according to my promise) I shall Catechise John Booker, and both of them, as occasion serves. The subject or matter, here intended, is, the notable Conjunction of the 2. Malevolent Planets in the sign Taurus, upon the 12. of June this year, 1646. the effects whereby will be in great force, until the 21. day of October 1647. Which Conjunction hath lately been most ignorantly treated of, by John Booker in a certain Pamphlet of his styled A Bloody Irish almanac, &c. and many false observations he hath drawn thence, and published; not upon any real grounds in Astrology, but merely out of his inveterate malice, and hatred to the kingdom of Ireland; whereby both that and this kingdom have been deluded, and Astrology shamefully perverted and defamed. In which respect (as likewise (upon this occasion) to free myself, from his former aspersions) I have published the following discourse, wherein the same Conjunction of Saturn, and Mars, is more Artificially handled: and also their future Opposition; (with a touch concerning their next Conjunction, which will happen in the sign Gemini, (the Ascendent of London) which will be far more terrible, and of greater concernment to London, and other parts of this kingdom; then the Conjunction in Taurus can be to Ireland: I have palpably unmasked his malice, discovered his ignorance, divulged and corrected his errors, and misapplications of the Effects of this celestial meeting: If his immodest Language, hath anywhere incited me to too much freedom of speech; I shall crave his excuse, when he begs my Pardon, for his former insolences: I hate not his (or any man's) person, but his sin. The method is Rough cast, (like myself) if the matter be better polished, I care not: I know, I shall not please all (neither would I) some for want of judgement, and some for want of Love, and others for lack of Loyalty will condemn me; but none of these do I regard: It is to the impartial, and judicious I appeal, and to their judgement (Only) will I submit. And if they please to adventure but their Patience, as I have done my pains, (which is not a little) I doubt not of the issue: I have no ungodly ends, in this, or any other of my writings, my Wishes are full as good, as John Booker's: I wish all happiness to the King and Queen's Majesty, and the royal Progeny, and an end to the Miseries of this languishing kingdom. I love, and wish for the book of commonprayer again, that was Sealed with the Blood of so many Martyrs, till which be, I expect not to see Religion in its Pristine purity. I delight not in War, not can I pray for an unjust or Dishonourable Peace. From my Study in an honest Cavaliers house in Yorkshire, the 10. of Septemb. 1646. So saith a true, and freeborn Englishman, an abhorrer of all manner of Treasons, and Rebellions, one that loveth all manner of Christians, and us a great honourer of True and lawful Parliaments, Geo: Wharton. Bellum Hybernicale, &c. NOt many days, before the famous and sometimes flourishing university, and City of Oxford was sacrificed as a Peace-offering (by some of the more pacifical Lords) and accordingly surrendered (upon Articles) otherwise honourable) into the sacrilegious hands of the Sectaries and schismatics of this kingdom: (viz.) in this year 1646. (which is from the Creation of the world, 5595. (to omit all other frivolous and fruitless computations and Chronologies, wherewith Booker hath foolishly stuffed, & crammed up a malicious lying Pamphlet, by him styled A Bloody Irish almanac, &c.) upon Friday the twelfe day of June, there happened a notable Conjunction of the two malevolent Planets, Saturn and Mars: Which Conjunction, notwithstanding it did not manifest itself, with any storms, thunder or lightning, as John Booker prognosticated in his un-sainted state-lying-Kalender: nor hath been the Prodromus of such loss, ruin, destruction, and desolation to the kingdom of Ireland, as is mentioned in the said Pamphlet; yet questionless the effects of that malicious meeting, have already been notably showed both in Ireland, and in many other kingdom and Countries, Cities, and towns, and upon particular Persons who had any congruency therewith in the Radix or Revolution of their Nativities: But to the intent that this barking mongrel may not delude the ignorant with his peddling trash, nor detract from, or otherwise abuse a whole Nation, with his nauceous, and menacing expressions: I have assumed a liberty of publishing this following Discourse, which is void of all envy, malice, or partiality, but freely, modestly, and sincerely, relating whatsoever concerns this celestial meeting, according to the rules of Art, and the judgement of the most approved Astrologers, ancient, and modern: wherein the judicious and indifferent Readers may plainly and orderly perceive the ignorance and malice of this trifling parasite: and rightly understand, the nature and quality of the effects of this celestial congress, when they shall begin to operate, how long continue, what Nations, or Countries are therein principally concerned, and how far the kingdom of Ireland in particular; concluding, whether or no, that (so long) oppressed kingdom, be ordained for the stage, whereon such bloody-minded hellhounds (as himself) are to perpetrate their cruelty. I will not trouble the judicious Reader with any examples of such events, as have formerly happened in England or elsewhere, upon the like Conjunctions: For that I acknowledge him to have collect●d in part. But I will first examine the foundation, whereupon he hath raised this so deformed a structure, and accordingly proceed, either by adhering to him where he hath stumbled on any truth, or in dissenting from, and correcting him, where I meet with his mistakes, ignorance and malice. And first, I will artificially erect the Figure of heaven, according to the doctrine of Regio montanus, to the true, or apparent time of this Conjunction, and afterwards compare it with that, which Booker hath published (for I dare not take this (or any other) upon trust either from him or M. Lily) whereby, I shall presume, not not only to discover his want of skill, in this ordinary piece of Astronomy, but likewise to benefit some others as ignorant as himself, (if any such can be) who desire to learn the exact manner of erecting the Figure of heaven (by this one example) for any moment of time, out of the Tables of Directions. First then, we are to inquire, at what time these two Planets are conjoined. I perceive that Booker hath endeavoured to follow Eichstadius, and so shall I do (his tables being the most exact of any extant.) deg. min. June the 12 Saturn is direct in Taurus 14. 25. 13 14. 31. The difference, which is Satur's diurn. motion, is 00. 06. June the 12 Mars is direct in Taurus 14. 11. 13 14. 54. The difference which is Mars his dium. motion, is 00. 43. The excess, or difference of their diurn. motion, is 00. 37. The interval, or distance in long twixt Sat. and Mars, is 00. 14. Then I say, If the excess 37. min. give 24. hours, what shall 14. min. the interval? Facit her. 9 min. 5 which is the mean●, or equal time of this Conjunction in the Meridian of Vraniburge, for which Eichstadius hath calculated his ephemerides. At which time, the Planets are thus in longitude and latitude. deg. min. Long. Sol in Canc. 01. 16. Lun. in Scor. 03. 12. Sat. in Tau. 14. 27. Mar. Iup. in Canc. 13. 38. Ven. in Tau. 16. 27. Mer. in Gem. 14. 47. Drag. in Leo. 04. 0. deg. min. Lat. Lun. 5. 11. MD. Sat. 2. 15. M. A. Iup. 0. 12. S. A. Mar. 0. 46. M. D. Ven. 2. 17. M. A. Mer. 3. 28. M. A. Now to know the difference of Meridians betwixt the City of Vraniburge and Dublin (in Ireland, for which place Booker pretendeth to have erected his Scheme) I seek out the longitude of Vraniburge, which (according to the observation of Long●m●ntanm) was found to be 36. deg. 45. min. as may be seen, in his Astronomia Danica. The longitude of Dublin (as our Countryman (M. Hues) hath it, (in his treatise of Globes, most excellently translated out of Latin into English, by M. John Chilmead of Christ-Church in Oxford) is 16. deg. 40. min. But I shall take it as Booker hath done, 17. degrees and a half, because it is not much above 3. min. difference in time:) And I find 19 deg. 15. min. difference in longitude, answering, to one hour and 17. min. of time; which being subtracted from 9 hours and 5. min. (because Vraniburge lieth so much more Eastward than Dublin) there remaineth 7. ho. 48. min. for the mean, or equal time of this Conjunction in the Meridian of Dublin. The {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or equation of time, (to be added) is 6. min. 41. sec. So, the true, or apparent time of this Conjunction of Saturn and Mars, in the Meridian of Dublin, is 7. ho. 54. min. and 41. seconds. And to this moment of time, we are to erect the Figure of heaven, according to the doctrine of Regiomontanus; which is done as followeth: viz. deg. min. The true place of the Sun is, in Cancer 001. 16. His right ascension, is, 091. 24. The right ascension of time, is, 118. 41. The right ascension of the Mid-heaven, is, 210. 04. deg. min. The Oblique ascension of the 11. House is 240. 04. 12 270. 04. 1. 300. 04. 2. 330. 04. 3. 000. 04. The Elevation of the Pole at Dublin, according to M. Hues, is 53. deg. 10. min. but I shall take it as Booker hath done 53. deg. and a half, (for he does all by halves) and according to this latitude, we must find out the elevation of the 11. 3. 12. and 2d. Houses, by the rational table of Houses, in Regiomontanus. deg. deg. min. The elevation of the Pole of the 11. and 3. houses Lat. 53. is 33. 34. 54. is 34. 32. 12. and 2. houses, Lat. 53. is 48. 59 54. is 50. 01. The First Difference, is, 00. 58. min. Second 01. 02. min. 1. Then I say, (by the rule of Proportion) If 1. deg. (or 60. min of Latitude) give 58. min. difference, what shall 30. minutes? Facit 29. min. which being added to 33. deg. 34. min. giveth 34. deg. 3. min. for the elevation of the 11. and 3. houses. 2. Again, I say, If 1. deg. of latitude, give 1. deg. 2. min. difference, what shall 30. minutes? Facit 31. min. which being added to 48. deg. 59 min. maketh 59 deg. 30. min. for the elevatton of the 12. and 2. houses. So that now we have the Elevation of deg. min. The 11. and 3. Houses 34. 03. 12. and 2. 49. 30. whereby we shall quickly find the deg. and min. of the ecliptic, answerable to the ascensions of the respective houses, before mentioned; in this following manner. Pro cuspide X. deg. min. Ascentio recta M. C. est 210. 04. deg. min. Scorp. deg. min. Proxime major 210. 46. 3 210. 04. Proxime minor 209. 49. 2 209. 49. Different. 0. 57 1. 0. 15. 57 60. 15. 900. (1. 60. 57 900. 330. (5. Gradus Zodiaci est 2. Scorp. 57 P. P. est 16. min. ferè A. 285 45. Vera cuspis X. M 2. 2. 16. ferè Pro cuspide XI. Ascens. 240. 4. Lat. 34. 3. Vora Cuspis XI. est Scorp. 19 59 Pro Cuspide XII. Ascen. 270. 4. Lat. 49. 30. Vera Cuspis XII. est Sagit. 5. 1. Pro●●sp. 1. Ascon. 300. 4. Lat. 53. 30. Vera Cu●pis I. est Sagit. 24. 45. Pro Cuspis II. Ascen. 330. 4. Lat. 49. 30. Vera Cuspis ii est Aquar. 3. 17. Pro cusp. III. Ascen. 0. 4. Lat. 34. 3. Thoema coeleste, ex tabulis Directionum Regiomontani ad tempas Apparens Con●junctionis Saturni et Martis; Anno Domini 1646 What think you now (M. Booker) have I not just cause to distrust, and diligently to examine your work: and to call call your judgement in question, which is grounded upon a wrong Basis? Do you not blush to see your ignorance, your errors, your impudence, your malice, thus palp●bly discovered? Have you not most grossly mistaken 2. deg 25. min. in the twelve and sixth Houses; 2. deg. 35. min. in the Ascend. and seventh house; 2. deg. 59 min. in the eleventh and fi●● houses; 3. deg. 46. min. in the tenth and fourth; four degrees 47. min. in the eighth and second: and no less than 6. dee. and 10. mm. in the third and ninth houses? Is any ma●, so much beside himself, as to give credit to any of your Progno●●●ques, when not one scruple of certainty, can be found in your Calculations? And are not you and M. Lillis alike ashamed, to account yourselves Masters in Astrology; when I have made it appear, that neither of you have yet attained so much skill, as to set a Figure of Heaven exactly? Will any man of understanding think you fit to Prognosticate the effects of the Planets and stars, who are not of yourselves able to calculate their true places, motions, and aspects; but are forced to take them upon trust from others? For so M. Lilly himself confesseth, in his England's prophetical Merline, pag. 23. in these words: viz. Having entreated my loving friend M. Matthew Fiske, to give me the true Scheme, of the great conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in 1603. (for it was so) he gave me the positure aforesaid (exactly done) by the Rodolphine Tables, &c. And Page 76. of the same book; I conceive it possible, and do believe, I have the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in 164●. exquisitely done by the same learned hand; and that either he, or any as able as himself, may compass the true moment of any Conjunction. This is a modest and ingenious acknowledgement of M. lilies want of skill in Astronomy, for you see, he was fain to be beholden to M. Fiske for calculating the Conjunctions of Saturn and Jupiter, in 1603. and 164●. or else he knew not where to have had them: And he confesses that he doth but believe the last of them to be exquisitely done: he cannot tell how to determine whether it be so, or not, of his own knowledge. And by this I see, 'tis no wonder, that M. Lilly should mistake so grossly of late, in all the Schemes which he hath published; having lost no less than his right hand with the death of M. Fiske: Since which, he hath done all things sinisterly, and Annually perplexed us with a hotchpotch of his own left-handed-work, to his perpetual shame, and the discredit of better-handed Ar●ists, in this curious knowledge. For be it from me to conceive otherwise, but that M. Matthew F●ske (whose memory I honour) was a most excellent Artist, (for the Gen. I have been with several times, and conversed with him before these unh●ppy differences were) and I am ●ble (though M. Lilly be not) to calculate the Motions of the Rudolphine (or any other) Tables, and therefore am confident (I had said sure if I would have taken the pains) that he hath calculated the places of the Planets truly, (if M. Lilly have so printed them:) but I believe M. Fiske left the setting of the Figure to M. Lilly: For I am very sure the latter of them, is very erroneous, as will appear to every man, that will take the pains to examine the cusps of each house according to the time set down: For examine i● but thus far. deg. min. The place of the Sun there, is in Sagittary. 26. 2. (For the seconds can make no sensible difference.) His right ascension, is 265. 40. The right ascen. of the time there posited, is, 290. 15. which being added to the right ascension of the Sun, and the whole Circle deducted, leaveth the right ascension of the tenth house, 195. 55. To which agreeth the 17. deg. and 17. min. of Libra, for the cusp of the tenth house: whereby it appeareth that M. Lily hath erred 13. minutes in the cusps of the tenth and fourth houses. deg. min Now add 9 deg. to the right ascension of the tenth house, and you have the Oblique ascension of the Horoscope 285. 55. To which agreeth in the Latitude of 51. deg. 32. min. which is generally received for the Latitude of London libr. 15. 24. Which is the true degree and minute, ascending at that time, so that M. Lilly hath likewise mistaken eight minutes in the cusps of the first and fourth houses. And yet for all this, I will not blame M. Lilly, so much as this ignor●nt Puppy Booker: bec●use he freely 〈◊〉 his own insufficiency, and to whom he was beholden for his helps: whereas this impudent Clown, will neither acknowledge, nor amend his errors, nor make use of any learned Artist to rectify and assist him. And this is the right way, to continue in the wrong,— march on Jack— But why do I discourage the poor Snap, for alas! If he should not be doing something (though to never so little purpose) he would quickly be undone; for, writing of un-Sainted almanacs, and Figur●-casting, for stolen goods, and such like Q●estions, is all the trade he hath to live by; wherein commonly his judgement, is as certain, as his Figures are true: yet thus much I could willingly allow the silly fellow, would he but forbear thus frequently, and ridiculously to befool himself in Print: I will not deny, but that many things of that nature, may be performed by Astrology, with an able Artist: but far be it from me to be so idle, as to think such things can be possibly done by lack Booker. I myself have had experience of many Queries of this n●ture, which I have answered (at the request of some particular friends) to my own, and the Querents admiration: but I ev●r abhorred (like him) to make a profession and living of it: indeed for Nativities (wherein I have been most conversant) I commonly followed Cardanu● his rule; I never wrought without a reward, Non sine pretio, nec cum ●x●guo pretio: And I condemn any knowing man that 〈◊〉 otherwise; for he that truly labours in the tediousness of a Nativity, d●s●●ves no small reward: and whosoever bargains with the Artist, (like a niggard) defaces his own stamps: It is none of the least blessings bestowed upon man (by the Providence of God) that he may be forewarned of a mischief impending: in that he hath the benefit of time offered him, wherein he may possibly divers, or at leastwise mitigate any evil, or otherwise with joy and thankfulness expect and receive any blessing portended by the Planets and stars. But it is a curse to run blind-sold, and headlong into any mischance or misery, being neither sensible or mindful thereof. I pity those Cowards, who (like some that use to wink●, when they fight) are afraid to foresee any evil of themselves, as though their nescience (or non-visibility) of the evil, were sufficient to divert, or secure them from the danger. But I have deviated to ●●far f●om the matter I intend, being fi●st to handle the effects of this Conjunction, and therein to show John Booker his errors, and the world his (●nd M. lilies) unpar●lleld malic●: to which limit, I shall now confine myself, with all candour and impartiality. This Conjunction (whereof we are now to treat) falls out in the 14. deg. and 27. min. of Taurus (as you may see by the Scheme) the first Sign of the second Quadrangle of the Zodiaque; a Cold and Dry, melancholy, Feminine and Meridional Sign: which is within 5. degrees opposite to that point of Scorpio, wherein the Come● that appeared Anno 1618. was first observed. The Ascendent is the 24 degree 45. min. of Sagitary, the 2. deg. and 16. min. of Scorpio colminates, and the whole Scheme not much diff●ring from that of the last great Conjunction of Saturn & Jupiter, Anno 164●. And in the sign which beholds the dodecatemory of that great Conjunction, with a Sextile Aspect. Messahalah (the Arabian) to whom we are much beholden for this kind of learning) a most excellent and ancient ginger) in the eleventh Chapter of his book, entitled, De ratione circuli, ot stellarum, et qualiter operantur in hoc seculo; delivers us this general rule: Conjunctio (saith he) Saturni et Martis, significat accidentia Bellorum, atque guerrarum contrarietates: cumque volueris scire eadem accidentia, scit● dominantem in figura corum Conjunctionis, qui si fuerit fortuna, significabit bonum, et aptationem esse, Et si fuerit malus, significat malum, et ejus impedimentum. Scias etiam, quod Conjunctio eorum in signis hominum, significat multitudinem infirmit atum eorum et conjunctio eorum in alique angulorum anni, significet contrarietatem divitum, vel regum, et guerrarum multitudinem, et durabit res, donec jungantur alia vice, et conjunctio eorum in igneis significat siccitatem, et terrae sterilitatem, et in aereis ventos, in aquaticis vero multitudinem pluviarum, et in terreis gelu et vivem, et frigoris multitudinem. Scias etiam quod fortunae cum aspexerint, minuent malum, et mali angebunt. Proba, quemadmodum narravi tibi: et invenies, si Deus voluerit. To which purpose (if we follow this approved rule) it will be necessary, that we first collect the particular Fortitudes, and debilities of the Planets, according to their situation and places in the Figure: whereby we may know, which of them is strongest, and which w●akest, and accordingly pronounce judgement, good or bad, as the Rule enjoyne●. The dignities and debilities of the Planets, in the Figure of this Conjunction. Saturn's Fortitudes. Being in the fourth house 4. Free from combustion 5. Direct in motion 4 Swift 2. Oriental 2 Conjunction with Venus 5. Sextile with Jupiter 3. 25. Saturn's Debilities. Peregrine 5. Conjunction with Mars 5. 10. Jupiter's Fortitudes. Exaltation 5. Being in the 7. house 4. In Sextile with Venus 3. Swift in motion 2. Direction motion 4. 18. Jupiter's Debilities. Subradiis 4. Occidental 2. 6. Mars his Fortitudes. Being in the 4. house 4 Free from Combustion 5 Direct in motion 4 Swift in motion 2. Oriental 2. Conjunction with Venus 5. Sextile with Jupiter 3. 25 Mars his Debilities. Peregrine 5. In his detriment 5. Conjunction with Saturn 5. 15. Sun's Fortitude. Being in the 7. House 4 Sun's Debilities. Peregrin● 5. Slow motion 2. Terms of Mars. 2. 9 Venus' her Fortitudes. Being in the 5. house 3. Triplicity 3. Free from Combustion 5. Direct in motion 4. Sextile with Jupiter 3. In her house 5. In Gaudio 1. In terms of Jupiter 2. 26. Venus' her Debilities. Orientality 2. Conjunction with Saturn. & Mars. 5. Slow in motion. 2. 9 Mercury's Fortitudes. Being in his House 5. Triplicity 3. Free from combustion 5. Direct in motion 4. In terms of Venus 2. 19 Mercury's Debilities. Being in the 6. House 4. Slow in motion 2. Oriental 2. 8. The moon her Fortitudes. Being in the tenth house 5. Free from Combustion 5. Increasing in light 2. 12. The Moon her Debilities. Peregrine 5. In her fall 4. Slow motion ●. In the terms of Mars 2. 13. Saturn hath Fortitudes 15 Jupiter hath Fortitudes 12 Mars hath Fortitudes 10 Sol hath Debilities 5 Venus hath Fortitudes 17 Mercury hath Fortitudes 11 Luna hath Debilities 1 By which it appeareth, that the benign and bountiful Planet Venus, is Almuten, or chief dominatrix in this Conjunction; in that she exceedeth all the rest of the Planets, in number of Fortitudes: Saturn is next, as having 15. testimonies of strength: Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury, are likewise all very powerful. The moon is very infortunate, and the Sun is the weakest in the Figure, being out of all his essential dignities, slow in motion, and in the terms of Mars, having no other considerable testimony of strength, but only his accidental position, in the West Angle. Thus much being rightly known, and understood, it will be no difficult matter to foresee, what (in all probability) may be the natural quality of the effects of this Conjunction, if we stick but close to the known rules of Art, (whence both M. Lilly and Booker do ordinarily deviate) and avoid the vain and tedious loquacity, wherewith they so often, and much torment us: you see (M. Lilly) I have followed Origanus in not making Venus and Mercury fortified by their Orientality; (as I did, Anno 1645. upon my astrological judgement, 7. May, according to Pez●lius, (who maketh no distinction, as you may see, Pag. 47.) because I would avoid all future cavils upon this occasion: But (by the way) I shall exhort you and John Booker to suspend your usual snarling, touching the fallibility of that Discourse; for your opprobrious speeches cannot injure me with men of moderate judgement; nor can the frequent and eager reiterating thereof, cloak or excuse your ignorance in point of Art: what I then writ, was according to a supposed time taken, and delivered me (by a * Capt. E. A; Gentleman of quality.) And you know, in this case, the Tempus aestimatum is not to be rectified as in Nativities: I know no true Trutina for that (Sirs.) And a few minute's error in time, will alter the whole face of heaven; which must needs vary the judgement, being derived from a different position; I was requested to deliver my opinion according to the time given me, which was as you saw: yet I never intended it for the press, had not the importunity of some friends prevailed with me. And I am able to maintain the same opinion (in point of Art) according to the time supposed, against the proudest State-pleaser that date oppose me. But admit what what you would have the world to believe, That it had been an error of judgement, without relation had to any mistake in time; why (I pray Sirs) is not an error in the ginger, as tolerable as in the Divine, physician, or Lawyer, or in men of any other profession? Is the Divines judgement always Gospel? Does the physician always cure? Is the lawyer's opinion ever infallible? Does the L●gician still prove? O● the Rhetorician always persuade? So long as we are men, we must be subject to infirmities, oversights, and errors; Humanum est errare. And (which is more) it is the pleasure of God, many times, to frustrate the portents of heaven, for the sins of the people; who otherwise might partake of their natural sweetness and benignity. It was a wise saying of a learned Divine, yet living, That When God will have a people beaten, he ties their hands behind them. And this (I am sure) hath been the unhappiness of the loyal party: But shall therefore the ginger be blamed for adhering to the Rules and Principles of his Art? I wonder with what truth M. lily in July last, prognosticated of loss to the Parliament, and of any Motion of their Army Westward; and of so much action there, when all men know their party prevailed in every place of the kingdom by one means or other; and that they had no need of sending any Forces into the West. And in the same month of July, what intended he, think you, where he tatled of an Army wandering near Oxford? You see by the course of Heaven, he conceived Oxford should have been holden still by the King's Forces, when (notwithstanding) it was surrendered in June before. I could instance many hundreds more of his errors in the rest of his foolish Pamphlets, as his Merlinus Augli●us junior, the Starry Messenger, and especially in his fabulous, and most ridiculous Prophecy of the White King and dreadful deadman; which me think he should not think of without a blush, there being not so much as one sentence in it, derived from lawful Art; nor which hath answered one jot of his expectation: I shall pass by his supernatural sights and Appariti●ns, (so much laughed at) because it hath Imprimatur John Booker in the front of it: I shall not meddle with his Mother Shipton, nor his story of the dumb woman, because they are all of them foolish, frivolous, and false, and cannot become a Scholar. Do but compare Booker's bloody Prognostiques against the kingdom of Ireland upon this Conjunction of Saturn and Mars in Taurus, with the wonderful success the Irish have had against their enemies (whether English or Scots) ever since; and you shall find, that John Booker hath been grossly mistaken in his astrology: But this his error, is, merely in the rules of Art, which is no way excusable: for whatsoever I delivered, was rightly grounded upon Art: and I duly cited my Authors for it, for the Readers better satisfaction, which I conceive sufficient for any Artist, whether the event be answerable or not: For as it is not enough for an Artist to content himself alone with the Rules and Observations of his Predecessors, but that he ought to add something of his own, whereby to propagate the Learning which he studies: No more is it lawful for any man to delude the world with the foolishness of his own deluded fancy, and idle conceptions alone, as both Master Lily and Booker have frequently done, without any Reason given, or Authority quoted for their Opinions. As for the mistake (I will not say malice) of that practitioner in the mathematics, M. Henry Harflete, in his Vox coelorum, or Predictions defended, &c. who in the 49. page of that book, doth wrongfully intimate (to my disparagement) as if I should say, that a Fixed Star might properly be said to be Aspected with any Planet: I must tell him, that accusation of his is very untrue: and whether it proceeded from his misguided and incon●iderate zeal to Master Lily, or out of any disaffection to me, deserves a gentle lash, in that I am most certain, he cannot produce any such assertion of mine, either in word or writing. It is true, that Master Lily taxed me for saying that Mars was in a Sextile Aspect with Caput Draconis, in my almanac 1645. which was an error of the press: (the Character of Caput Draconis being mistaken for the Character of Leo, as I have sufficiently proved in my Answer to M. Lilly, printed with my Prognostication for 1647.) but that I ever mentioned any Fixed Star to be aspected by any Planet, in that, or any other of my Writings, (Unless M. Harflete will say that the dragon's head is a fixed star) is both frivolous and false: And therefore I shall desire that critical Gentleman to examine the words of my Prognostication for that year, and my aforesaid Answers to M. Lilly's Objections, and I presume he will show me so much civility as to revoke that his unadvised censure, and excuse me of ignorance in that particular: And yet I could have stopped Master Lilly's mouth with these words of Leapoldus, Tract. 5. de annorum revolutionibus, viz. Mali aspectus ad Caud. Drac. significant famem, frigus, & pestilentiam. Nor is this Author an Utopian, or single in that expression: But I am of a different opinion, and therefore shall not insist longer on these trivialties, which are fitter for M. Booker to instruct his daughter * A child of his so named in memory of the victory near York. Victoria in, then to be thought on by men of riper judgements. But to return to the matter in hand: I shall requite John Booker with a more honest & accurate examination of some special passages in his Bloody Irish almanac, whereupon he raises this fond and false judgement of his, and so proceed. The first I meet with, is, the first of his Observations, Pag. 36. where he saith, That Saturn and Mars are Culminating with that fatal star Caput Algol, or the head of Medusa, &c. This (Jack) is both an improper, and a False expression of yours. For any man may see, that (in the precedent Scheme) the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars happens near the end of the 4. House of the Heavens, from the Ascendent; In imo coeli, the lowest part, or bottom of Heaven: Now (Sir) how any Planet or Star in this part of the Heavens, can be said properly to be in Culmine coeli, in the top, or highest part of Heaven in respect of Dublin in Ireland, is far beyond my reading, and requires John Booker's further explication: For my part, I cannot devise, how he can avoid or excuse this improper Phrase of his, unless he tell me, The Worlds turned up-side-down, and in that sense he chokes me, and I am bound to credit him, and cry him mercy. It is most false, contradicting a general received Rule of Astrologers, because you instance the proximity of Saturn and Mars to Caput Algol (in the word With) to annex a Debilitie more, to each of them, then really they have: For, and so far are they from that Fixed and violent star, that it is not to be accounted for any D●bilitie by the opinion of any ginger that ever I read, they being above 7. degrees distant from it: for Saturn and Mars (as before we noted) are in 14. degrees 27. min. And (according to Copernicus) Caput Algol is in 21. degr. 39 m. of Taurus, which is 7. degr. and 13. min. difference: And according to Origanus, Pag. 540. Garcaeus Pag. 249. Pezelius Pag. 48. And all other Astrologers both ancient and modern, the Planets are never truly said to be debilitated by Caput Algol, unless they be Intra distantiam quinque graduum A. vel P. which you see these planets are not. The next thing I shall desire the indifferent Reader to take notice of, is, his own Scheme of this Conjunction, and in it the cusp of the 5. house, as he hath made it; and you may observe that Saturn and Mars, are but 2. degrees 33. min. distant from the same: Yet yeverthelesse in the 37. page of his Pamphlet, he taketh his judgement from the 4. House, which is contrary to Origanus, and divers other Authors, and to M. Lilly likewise, who allow 5. deg. preceding, and 5. deg. subsequent for the cusp of each House: according to which Rule, he ought to have given judgement from the 5. House, and not from the 4. You remember (Jack) how M. Lilly spit his venom at me, in the 35. page of his Anglicus for 1645. for giving judgement of Jupiter's being in the 4. and Mars in the 6. (according to the opinion of Rhemetius) when they were within less than 5. deg. of the cusps of the 5. and 7. House. Now, I wonder much, how you dare dissent from your loving friend M. Lilly, especially in this particular, considering what you said in your last page of your Epistle to the Reader, viz. That M. Lilly and you have the same principles in Art, and that your judgements in the general will have answerable success. And, that M. Lilly may see, it is no mistake in you, but mere opinion, let him peruse your Prog. for this year 1646. and in the Spring-Quarter he shall find you giving judgement upon Mercury's being in the 10. House; when in M. Lilly's own Scheme (erected for the same Latitude, Meridian, and moment of time) he wanteth but 2. deg. and 9 min. of the 11. House. And now (lack) do you think M. Lilly will not shake his head at you, for this gross contradiction? would he have thought it possible that his fellow-champion (in state-astrology) John Booker, would have contradicted him, and joined in opinion with those two Malignants, Naworth and Wharton at Oxford? O tempora, O mores! I cannot pretermit another of his errors in the same Quarter and page of his Prog. where he says that Jupiter is free from all impediments, save only his Detriment: And yet Jupiter is there both Per●grine, and occidental of the sun. I wonder (M. Lilly) that you will suffer this idiot in astrology, to profess himself joint-purchaser with you, in your Principles, that hath not yet learned the A. B. C. of Astronomy. But have your judgements answerable success? I will examine that also. If M. Lilly had handled the Scheme of this Conjunction, or if you (Jack) had followed his Principles, it is evident by what I have said, that the judgement should have been deduced from the 5. house and not from the 4. which (according to Haly, Part. 8. c. 7.) would have afforded thus much for the Irish. viz. Si quando Saturnus fuerit in domo quinta fortunatus significat quod homines gaudebunt suis filiis, & quod senes multo●um dierum, & praepositi villarum habebunt bonum & utilitatem, ex parte altertus gentis, & ex parte filiorum. Which is (in effect) That when Saturn shall be fortunate in the 5. house, he signifieth, that men shall rejoice in their Children; And that Aged men, and Head-Officers (or Magistrates) of towns shall reap much good and commodity by the help of another nation, and by means of their Children. And this is the judgement which should have been given upon that position, if you had followed M. Lilly's Principles. Here (by the way) I beseech the indifferent Reader to take notice of Booker's inveterate hatred and malice to the distressed kingdom of Ireland: For, as he neither will, nor dare speak or write one jot of truth, which may seem any whit fatal to the States: so he is fully resolved to smother all things that tend to the good and safety of Ireland. For, if he had taken his judgement from the 5. House (as Master Lily will acknowledge he ought to have done) he must of necessity have delivered us the precedent judgement; but that, he conceived to be too good for that kingdom: For (thought John Booker) that aphorism says, they shall take pleasure in their children, and intimates much joy and assistance to them: as though some Nation were resolved to come in to their help, and engage in the War against the States: which I must not mention; for by that means, I may disanimate the States-Soldiers, which are to be sent thither, if they should perceive Ireland to be so powerful: And on the other side, I should encourage Ireland to pursue their design with greater Policy, Courage and Resolution. No, No, the thing which I am to endeavour, is to tumble out Victory upon Victory to the States, and make mention of nothing but utter ruin, desolation, and confusion to that barbarous Nation, And assure such of the Brethren as have contributed towards the ma●agerie of the Godly and blessed war against Ireland, shall have Land by the Belly: And therefore, though it be never so repugnant to my Rules, He rather take my judgement from the unfortunate position of Saturn in the fourth house; and so I shall have matter enough, and meet for the purpose: For, Saturnus in quarta demo, & ibi malificus significat quodres, & adificia cadent, minuentur plantationes, & abscindentur aquae, &c. He there signifieth, that Houses and Buildings shall fall, come to decay and perish, planting or setting shall be diminished, waters cut off, the people shall be lessened, or abated, there shall be poverty to them, and the people of that Country shall be obsessed, or besieged, they shall not dare to go out of their town, (Cities, Castles, or Countries) by reason of the fear they shall have of their enemies: and this shall be more certain, if the 4. house shall be a fixed sign, and the hurt (Damage) or loss shall be more strong or durable. And this is the scope of Booker's business, and agrees verbatim with the sense of the House. And he further saith, this (last) aphorism agrees exactly with the position of the malignant Planet Saturn in every respect: Which is an apparent falsehood: For the aphorism takes no place, unless Saturn were virtually in the Fourth house, which he is not according to M. lilies principles in this figure of his; Or if he were, yet is it not in force, except (likewise) that Saturn were found infortunate in the fourth house: Neither of which he is, by his Position in Booker's figure, for (as I have formerly demonstrated) Saturn is the strongest save one, of all the Planets in the figure, having fifteen testimonies of strength, whereby he is very much fortified and powerful. Now the genuine signification of Saturn's being Locally, virtually and fortunately placed in the 4. house, (as he now is in the Figure, which I have exactly corrected) according to the opinion of Haly Part. 8. c. 7. is this, Si quando Saturnus fuerit quarta d●mo, & fuerit potens, significat aedificare, et propagare agriculturam, & quod homines hoc diligent, & de eo mult●●m erunt soliciti: that is, when Saturn shall be in the fourth House, and strong, (or powerful) he signifieth that men shall betake themselves to building of houses, & till●ge, (or husbandry) and that they shall be much in love therewith, and very careful thereof: And moreover Haly tells us, Part. 8. Cap 25. Quando Mars junctus fuerit cum Saturn●, struet quilibet alteri frauds, & deceptiones, & erunt inter homines percussiones, & vulnera, maxime si fuerit in signo humaeno, &c. In brief, both Haly, Guido, Messahalah, and all other sound Astrologers tell us, that this meeting of the two Malevolents, hath signification of wars, Contentions, and strifes, fraudulent dealing, &c. And that there shall be much banging and slashing amongst men, especially if the Conjunction happen in a human sign (Human signs Gemini, Libra, Virgo, Aquarius, and the first half of Sagittari) that the King shall receive hindrance and trouble, by means of some person, that is of the Country, or Nation subject to the sign, wherein the Conjunction happeneth. This I say, and no other, is the true signification of this Conjunction in the fourth house, and all men know, that a great part thereof hath already been fulfilled in that oppressed kingdom of Ireland, since the Conjunction happened: and much more will be there yet manifested: But what, shall it therefore follow, that the Wars there, must inevitably ruin and destroy that bleeding Nation? That they (of all People) must become a prey, and prize to the bloodthirsty, and be utterly extirpated? Truly, and verily, and sincerely, and forsooth Jack, I speak like a Brother, Sir, the Heavens display no such Banner: For I beseech you recollect yourself but a little, and upon examination you shall find, that the benign Planet, Venus, disposeth of this Conjunction; that she is Lady of the Figure, and likewise corporally there present: Vincunt enim semper plura testimonia, sive boni venturi, sive maliilla fuerint in Predictionibus Astrologicis. Moreover Mars, who is Lord of the tenth House, (which is the house that hath signification of Kings, Emperors, Princes, Generals of Armies, governors of Cities, Castles, and towns, and all other Commanders, &c.) is exceeding strong, and powerful, being very much assisted by the comfortable beams of the benign and bountiful Planets Jupiter, and Venus; and the Moon, (who naturally hath signification of the Commonalty) is in mutual reception with Mars: But the Ascendent and his Lord have principal signification of the People: Nota, quod asc●ndens, & Luna, & domini eorum sunt significatores Populi. Haly, Pag. 380. The Sign Sagittary ascends, and Jupiter Lord thereof, is in Cancer, the place of his Exaltation, very strong, beholding the Conjunctionall Degree, with a Sextile Aspect: Mars likewise disposeth of the place of the Moon, and a great part of the Ascendant, having there the dignities of Exaltation and term, in the intercepted Sign Capricorn. These several Positions and configurations, being carefully weighed, induce me to believe, that the kingdom of Ireland, shall never suffer that misery and ruin, which Booker (out of his gall) doth threaten them with: It is very true, that much strife, cottention, quarrelling, and bloodshed is portended unto them by this meeting of Saturn and Mars, and we know they have tasted of it already, and some body else have been sharers with them: But I tell you (Jack) it hath been, and is still likely (for the most part) to be with much advantage to the Catholic party: they will gain, and then you know (Jack) who must lose: The Figure tells me, that their Nobility, and prime Commanders, shall be very prudent, powerful, and prosperous in their actions: That they shall unanimously accord to repel the enemy, and work their own Freedom: That the People, (signified by the Ascendent (which is here free and safe from the Malevolents) and Jupiter Lord thereof, and the Moon) shall voluntarily, and freely assist, and contribute to the maintenance of the War: That thereby they shall be much impoverished in their estates, for the dragon's tail afflicts the house of Substance, & the Moon is approaching (though slowly) to opposition with the conjunctional-degree: Yet there is a Prohibition, for she comes first to the Trine of Jupiter, which will abate much of the evil threatened by her infortunate Positure: And it is evident, that they shall have liberty and leisure to raise themselves Houses, to till their ground, sow and reap, maugre all their enemy's malice, power, and Plots: in truth, (if any thing may be termed good that is gotten by the Sword) this Conjunction hath signification of much good generally to befall that kingdom by means of this war: I confess it would have been more terrible to them, if it had been in a human Sign, which now it is not: For Taurus is a bestial-sign, it may do harm to their Oxen and Sheep. Et multiplicatur mors in muli●ribus, & vincet cholera super eas: There shall be many falsehoods and terrible rumours spread abroad; the waters shall be increased, but not cut off, as Booker tells us: It foreshows the death of many excellent and eminent persons; that the inferior sort shall be somewhat oppressed and undervalued: That Women shall wax impudent and ●alacious: That Horses shall be dear: And there shall be a great destruction of Fruits and Trees, through the abundance of he●te: This is the 〈…〉 Albumasar: But I see not any reason why they should 〈◊〉 much pestered, either with Famine, or the Plague, only 〈…〉 & Mars in T●uro, infirmabuntur mulieres in 〈…〉, & viri in testiculis, & vesica. Aid they have 〈…〉 in abundance from foreign parts, whereby their 〈…〉 not been frustrated, as John Booker divineth, pag. 〈…〉 interposition of those friendly beams of the Sun, and 〈◊〉, doth promise much more unto them; You see Jack, they 〈…〉 in Cancer, the Ascendant of Scotland: You would think strange, if Ireland should have cause to thank Scotland for some such thing: And I dare aver upon good grounds of Art, that there is some such thing intended by the Heavens: I have some reasons for this my conjecture, which you M. John Booker, cannot apprehend, or judge of. But I know no reason why you should subject the kingdom of Ireland, to the ill influence of Saturn, more than any other Nation that is under the division of Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius, and Lev: for we know, Helvetia, Cyclades Islands, Russia, Asia, Cyprus' the lesser, Media, Parthia, a great part of Sweadland, Lor●ign, Campania, Rhetia, Franconia, Persia, and many more kingdoms, and particular towns and Cities are in the same division, and as much, or rather more concerned than Ireland: All that can be truly said, is only, that Ireland is like to participate with the rest of the kingdoms, &c. before mentioned, in the influence of this conjunction, whether it be for good or evil. For you to say, that in regard of the horrid murders that have been there committed upon the Protestants of that kingdom, it is likeliest to undergo the divine justice of God, more than the rest; it is no astrological reason, nor (for aught you know) may some of the other kingdoms before named, be less guilty of the same sins than Ireland: or deserve a less share of the ill influence of this Conjunction: I pray Jack, let you and I suspend our judgements from intermeddling, much more determining, things of that nature. It is more proper for Divines then Astrologers. That which we ought to do, ● to contain ourselves within the limits of nature: and it is questionable whether the English, Irish or Scots, have been the Authors of that barbarism, and bloodshed you mention: For he that will lay aside passion, and private interest, and rightly consider the real and radical causes of the Irish insurrection, may find others besides the Irish, as much, if not more guilty of the blood of those many thousands of Christians, which hath been shed since the beginning of that bloody war. But this is Wormwood to an Orange Scarfs and Feather: Yet for their better satisfaction, I would advise them to peruse that moderate and judicious Philaerenus, Mercurius Hybernicale, and there they shall have the naked truth clearly and impartially related: I have been intimate with many of that Nation of several qualities, yet could I never discover any more inherent cruelty or barbarism in them, then in ourselves, but for the most part, 〈…〉 them to be men of singular good education, and naturally averse to all inhumanity. The truth is, they hate to live in bondage, or to have their consciences enforced: and indeed, the settling religion by bloodshed, is none of the best State-policies: Such Divines as have tongues to their consciences will tell you so: or ought I know, every man's Religion ought to be dearer to him then his life, & I know no reason why the Irish may not challenge as much freedom and privilege in the enjoyment of their Religion, as is allowed the independents, Anabaptists, Brownists, and at the least a hundred more Sects, and schisms, within the Lines of Communication: who have liberty without any restraint or limitation, to exercise their Gifts, (as they term it) both publicly and privately: To preach and write what they please, and even to cloy the press with their Heresies, and schisms. And if we look back upon the original ground of the Irish insurrection; was it not high time (Think you) for the Irish (after they were denied any reasonable answer to their Propositions, which were sent and delivered in an humble and peaceable manner to the Parliament, by Commissioners of that kingdom, who were dismissed hence without any hopes of having their grievances redressed, which (notwithstanding) were far greater, and more intolerable, than those which the Scots pretended: when they clearly perceived so many pernicious Plots, & damnable designs daily inventing against them, and with what Acrimony the Roman Catholics here were proceeded against after the third of November 1640. After so much swearing and forswearing to take off the Earl of Straford's head: And the Parliament electing a new Deputy of their own mould, & metal, to be sent over in his stead: And his majesty's Person in continual hazard, by the frequent tumults of the Sectarists, and schismatics: was it not time (I say) their Nation being thus neglected, and threatened, (his majesty's Person being not exempt from danger) and all this occasioned by their own fellow Subjects) to associate and unite themselves: and to stand upon their guard, for the preservation of their Religion, Lives and liberties? And was it more Rebellion in them, by the known laws of this or that Land, to raise Forces for the necessary defence of their kingdom: then in the English, or Scots, to raise so many great Armies, that have fought against his Majesty under the pretence of fighting for him: whilst yet there hath been nobody to oppose him, but themselves? I remember a few verses that were written (by some body) Anno 1641. they resemble the form of a Petition, directed to his Majesty, by the considerate Catholics of Ireland: they are pretty ones, and therefore I will here give you them, as I had them from a friend. MOst gracious sovereign, grant that we may have Our ancient Land and Faith: 'tis all we crave. Your English, and your Scots, (not so content) Claim all that's Yours, by Act of Parliament. Their tyranny we hate: confess your right: 'Tis not 'gainst you, 'tis against them we fight. Whilst you were King, we were your Subjects: scorn, To be their Slaves: we're Fellow-Subjects borne. Heavens bless your majesty, increase your Powers: You being your self again, we still are Yours. But to return again to John Booker, (for I will not lose him yet) I would gladly demand a Reason from him in Art, for his menacing of France, or Spain, with vengeance for assisting the Irish: or why the Pope should come in any danger of hazarding his triple-crown in the quarrel: unless the States intend to advance for Italy: If they do, they may do well to transmit the Directory to Rome, as the pre-cursor of a new Reformation there: but I am afraid Sir Thomas his courage will cool at the conceit. Nor is it pertinent to the handling of this Conjunction, for Booker to tell us an old story of the Spanish Armade in 88 or of the Gunpowder Treason 1605. The wickedness of those Devilish attempts are both thought on, and abhorred by every true English Christian. Or of what concernment is the Decollation of Mary, Queen of Scots, Anno 1587. to the kingdom of Ireland, because that when she was beheaded, Saturn was in Taurus, as now he is? Or of Saturn and Mars their being conjoined in the year 1588. a little before the Spanish Armado appeared upon the English Coast? Does not John Booker here most wretchedly confound himself? Instead of going about to prove Saturn's progress through Taurus ominous to Ireland, he contrarily produces examples, which prove that Position dangerous to England and Scotland. For (what ever his meaning be) he instances not any one thing hurtful to Ireland in either of those years: And then he robs Sir Christopher Heydon of more than a whole Page, concerning the general Occurrences in the world, which happened in 88 without any mention made of that most learned and judicious Knight. And so he proceeds (to fill up the remainder of his malicious Pamphlet) with railing at the Irish, telling them, how they have ever been most rebellious and treacherous to the English Nation, and have most barbarously and inhumanly murdered many thousand souls, &c. But we know of another kingdom that hath sometimes been more rebellious and treacherous than they, for less cause. But I never heard of any souls that ever either of them murdered. I speak not this to justify or maintain any inhuman action in Ireland, or elsewhere, (for my nature abhors all manner of cruelty to the worst of men; I think I could not harm either M. Lilly or John Booker in word or deed, if I had them in my power, but rather use them with all civil respect and courtesy, if they were worse than they be) nor to countenance Treason and Rebellion: that I need not, it hath been sufficiently done by a far greater power. But the thing I aim at, is, to unmask Booker's inveterate hatred to that distressed Nation; who if he were but half so charitable, as he is either unreasonable, or ignorant, he would not attempt to assassin the Honour of a whole Nation, with his invectives, but rather suspend these his rash censures, and wish a happy union, than the confusion of so many Christians. The remainder of his Pamphlet tends to the defence of Astrologis, (wherein he still plays the thief with Sir Chr: Heydon) and of the Planet Venus her appearance in the day time, at the birth of our most hopeful Prince Charles, which he saith (if she presignifieth any thing) was the miseries of this kingdom: Because (saith he) it is usual, and an ordinary thing, for Venus to be seen in the day time. I grant him, that it is both usual, and ordinary; but not always at the birth of Princes. It is both usual and ordinary for Saturn and Mars to be in Conjunction, and shall we therefore say it presignifies nothing? I confess I have not seen any Authors that handle such Appearances, nor hath Booker any other Authority, than his foolish fancy, for saying she was the Prodromus of these unhappy differences in England: But he that shall make inspection into the Positure of the Heavens, when Venus was in Apog. Eccentrici, or in her greatest distance from the Sun, shall find matter more than ordinary, whereon to fix his Contemplations. And I am of opinion, that her glorious appearance at the Nativity of our hopeful Prince Charles, did presignify things (not yet thought upon) that may ere long amaze the unjust usurpers of his royal father's birthright. But no more of that, this ye●re. I will not trouble myself much longer with this malicious fellow's errors and impertinencies, nor with his scurrilous language belched out against an Irish Gentleman, who writ an almanac Printed at Waterford in Ireland. I never saw the Book, and therefore I cannot judge of any thing in it, nor admit of any such thing as Booker pretends to have corrected him in. For I have it from good hands, that the Gentleman is so knowing a Scholar, that it is incredible he should be guilty of such gross errors, as Booker hath charged him with. And you have seen how able a man Booker is to correct anybody: But were I that Manapian he speaks of, I would reward him with another Scheme for the future Opposition of the same Planets, which happens upon the 21. day of October 1647. at half an hour past 6. a clock in the morning, Saturn being then in 0. deg. 27. min. of Gemini, (the Ascendent of London) and Mars in 0. deg. 27. min. of Sagit▪ as appeareth by the Figure, which I have calculated exactly for the Meridian of London, because it will much concern the South and West parts of England, and that in a higher measure than the Conjunction (before treated of) doth the kingdom of Ireland. See the Scheme▪ et ●abente Anno. 1647. Octobr. 20 Hor. min. sec. 18 4 18 Post meridiem. Latitud. 51. 32 And until the time of this Opposition, do the effects of the Conjunction vigorously extend themselves, and then they have lasted 496. days, which wants but 8. days of a year and an half, a●ter which time the effects of this Opposition shall begin and forceably operate, until their next Conjunction, which will happen again upon the 28. day of June, 1643. in the 11. deg. of Gemini, which will be very ominous to some parts of England, and especially the City of London: for I cannot say, the effects of the Opposition shall cease, when the mathematical circuit of their Conjunction finishes, because that next Conjunction doth likewise happen in the sign Gemini, wherein Saturn is at the time of his Opposition to Mars, which will not much differ in signification: Although it be a received Truth, that the effects of the Opposition of these two Planets do commonly work more violently and quick. Nam diametrae radiationes (quemadmodum & Tetragonismi) mortes repentinas, & violentas mutationes faciunt, congressus vero generalia accidentia. And Haly (the Arabian) in his 8. Part. Cap. 6. saith, Quod Oppositio Saturni & Martis, est deterior eorum conjunctione, & deteriores, ac maligniores significationes demonstrant: And indeed this is very malicious, in that they are both unhappily affectted and afflicted, Saturn being infortunate, and Mars out of all his essential-dignities, and otherwise but meanly fortified: Haec oppositio significat quod homines in se invicem discordabunt, & prosequentur se mutuo odio; & cessabunt se familiariter invisere, & detrahet quilibet alteri. Haly Part. 8. cap. 25. This Opposition signifieth that Men shall wrangle one with another, and shall prosecute themselves mutually with hatred: And they shall forbear to visit one another familiarly: And every one shall backbite, or speak evil of another. It further praemonstrates great Pestilence and mortality, especially amongst Old men: many Thefts and robberies, much deceitful dealing: and that (generally) men shall betray their Trust. That many unjust and unreasonable Taxes shall be imposed, under several specious pretences, to the undoing of many: far worse than that of ship-money: I have taken the pains to set Booker the Scheme rightly for London: and if he do not too much play the fool, or the Knave, he needs must exceedingly terrify the people, subject to the sign Gemini: wherein Saturn is at the time of this Opposition, in the 8. House, (the House of Death) and Venus who is Lady of the 8. House, is with the moon in the latter end of the 2. House, where likewise Mars afflicteth. The 4. deg. of Leo culminates: Jupiter is in the latter end of the 10. House: But Saturn and Mars do strongly besiege him: he is miserably afflicted by their hateful square: and is also in his Detriment. look now to yourselves you of the Presbyterian-Cut: the people are weary of your extemporary nonsense: You judges, Officers, and Magistrates, who have betrayed or forsaken your Master, and perverted the Law to serve your own wills, expect to render an account of your actions. I unfeignedly protest, you are all strongly threatened. From the sun and Mercury expect your comfort, or none: They cast a friendly Sextile to Jupiter, and they are free from the Malevolents, though in the most viperous sign of the Zodiaque. The sun ne'er represents his Majesty of England as being both Lord of the 10. house, and natural Significator of Kings. Mercury, as he is with the Sun, hath signification of the Masters of the Houses of Princes, and great Lords, and their Secretaries and Stewards. And they are both (if not only) Angular in the Figure. This promises well to His Majesty and his Servants▪ and not one jot of ill to Ireland. By this time a Man may call a Spade, a Spade. Let me see the face of him dare call the Queen's Majesty a Traitor. But the States have voted her so, for her Love so exemplarily showed to the King her Husband: Is there not one Lord, nor Ten Commoners yet ashamed of it? Yes, some Blush, others are bold, and impudent, some stupidly senseless, others wrangling away their lives by strange and Noisome diseases, some are threatened by Prodigious Births, (and those too of their own begetting:) And what not to render a People palpably accursed, miserably and fully wretched? Ireland now demands a reason for the— Ordnance of the 24 of October 1644. And asks if you'll buy any Land there? Scotland tells you, they have as great an Interest in the King as England, and will in some of the Lands, too if you will needs.— In a word, we all look back, and say, Lord▪ what have we done, and been a doing, for 7. years? Some make question, whether they be awake, or in a dream: All men are at a stand, yet still in Action▪ The besotted Crew do quake and murmur, say little, but think mischievously. Furorna 〈◊〉, an rapit vis acrior? An culpa? Responsum 〈◊〉. Tacent: & or a pallor albus inf●cit: Mentesque perculsa stupent. Doth fury blind? or greater power command? Is sin the cause? Oh let me understand. They silent are: their checks are paler made, And fears their horror-strucken minds invade. But it is the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars upon the 28. of June, 1648. (before mentioned) will be assuredly fatal to London, and many other places of England: I pray God avert the judgements thereby threatened, and incline the hearts of his majesty's Subjects; that as they are (or aught to be) all Christians, so to be of one mind, and cordially to unite in obedience to God, and loyalty to him, their Pious sovereign. I have set the Scheme here that (in case John Booker have occasion to write of it) he may have it exactly done, ready to his hand, for the Meridian of London, and publish it, without fear of further correction. Thema Coelicum eoc tabulis Directionum. Regiomontani ad tempus. Apparens ☌ ♄ et ♂ die Mercurij, Junij 28 1648 Hor. min. Sec▪ 1 58 7 Latitud. P. M 51 32. You see Sir, the regal sign Leo culminates, the Sun, who is Lord thereof, and Venus and Mercury are in the ninth house of the Figure, and Jupiter possesseth the mid-heaven. The Conjunction happens in the eleventh deg. and eight min. of Gemini, (the Ascen. of London) and in the eight house, which is the house of death, labours, sadness, and heritage of dead men: and Mars is Lord of the Ascend. for the 3. deg. and 29. min. of Scorpio ascends at the time of this meeting: And he likewise disposeth of the second House, where the dragon's tail also miserably afflicteth: I shall leave the judgement to John Booker: only I shall tell him thus much, that I think the Cavaliers will (by this time) challenge a better esteem from the City of London, then now they dare, and perhaps enjoy their own without Composition. I shall say no more, but conclude with an Application of that pertinent and pious complaint of the Acquitaines, (occasioned upon the Deposing of King Richard the second) to the present condition of this wretched kingdom. O good God Where is the world become? Saints are turned to Serpents, and Doves into Devils: The English Nation which hath been accounted fierce, only against their Foes, and always faithful to their Friends, are now become both fierce and faithless against their lawful and loving Prince, and have most barbarously betrayed him. Who would ever have thought that Christians, that civil People, that any men would thus have violated all Religion, all laws, and all honest and civil demeanour? And although the Heavens blush at the view, and the earth sweats at the burden of so vile a villainy, and all men proclaim, and exclaim upon shame and confusion against them; yet they neither feel the horror, nor shrink at the shame, nor fear the revenge; but stand upon terms, some of defence for the lawfulness of their dealing, and some of excuse for the necessity. Well, let them be able to blind the world, and to resist man's revenge; yet shall they never be able to escape either the fight, or vengeance of Almighty God, which we daily expect, and earnestly desire to be poured upon them: Alas good King Charles, thy nature was too gentle, and thy government too mild for so stiff and stubborn a People: what King will ever repose any trust in such unnaturall-Subjects, but fetter them with laws, as thieves are with Irons? What carriage hereafter can recover their credit? What time will be sufficient to blot out this blemish? What other action could they have done, more joyful to their enemies, more woeful to their friends, and more shameful to themselves? O corruption of times▪ O conditions of men! Hor. lib. 1. Ode 3▪ 5. Eheu, cicatricum, & sceleri● pudet, Fratrumque Quid nos dura refugimus Aetas? quid i●tactum nefasti Linquimus? unde manus juventus Metu Deorum continuit? quibus Pepercit ar●●?— FINIS.