SECT. 1. His Epistle Examined.

WIlliam Lilly in the beginning of his E­pistle, makes his Introduction to his Excuse, with a notorious Contradiction of himself, and a most high and injurious Scan­dal to Astrologie, and the ingenious Stu­dents thereof, in these words—The ma­ny turnings, and windings, and changes of Go­vernment in England in 1659. what Man or Angel could predict? — And a lit­tle further he saith, — They (meaning the Changes, &c.) were not in any way demon­strable, or to be found out by the sharpest Rules of Astrologie. Had Mr. L. been Friend, either to Himself, Astrologie, or Astrologers, he could never have made so Contradictious, Senseless and Ridiculous an Excuse: for (1.) herein, he gives the Lye to all that ever himself hath formerly, and now written: and (2.) he bespatters all those ingenious Artists that did predict [Page 6](and that from the known Rules of Astrolo­gie) those many Changes that happened in England 1659. And (3) he casts dirt in the beautiful Face of Astrologie it self, insinua­ting an incertainty, or deficiency of its Rules and Aphorisms, and a perfect im­possibility of any Man or Angel to predict those Changes mentioned thereby.

1. He giveth the Lye most broadly and shamefully to himself; for in all his party­works formerly, he rantingly (and ravingly also) argues against the Divines—That in the great Book of Heaven, are all Changes on Earth written; and that himself was born to predict them, sometimes more tacitely, at other times more largely. See his Alm. 1655. and his Epistle to his Alm. 1658. in particular, where he says,—There is no Emergency, good or bad, that happens on Earth, but hath a full manifestation from the Configurations of the Heavens. And that Italy, France, and his Holiness himself, have cause to remember how ominous his Predi­ctions have proved to them. Nay, he cracks more largely in his Worlds Catastrophe, — That what he cannot do by Common Rules of Astrologie, he can by Angels and Spirits: yea, so well is he acquainted with such [Page 7]Whimsies, and Vanities (as he proclaims it himself) that he shall go near (when time serves) to give every Nation of Europe a touch of its duration and continuance, from considering the Angel, or Genius of it. But now neither He, nor Man or Angel is able to predict any thing of Mundane Affairs, from the Rules of Astrologie: by which it conspicuously appears, that Mr. L. and his skill also is subject to a strange kind of Fluctuation.

But tell me, Mr. L. canst thou expect to pass thus to the world undiscovered, and still be thought an Astrologer? Dost thou think and believe, all men are as ignorant and contradictious as thy self? If not,—

2. He abusively bespatters all ingenious [Page 8]Artists too. For, doth it handsomly follow, because Mr. L. is ignorant in Astrology, and (by consequence) of predicting those eminent Changes which hapned in 1659. that therefore all Ingenious and true-born Artists are so too? If Mr L. like an unexpert traveller, misseth the way he is to go, and tumbleth into a Bog, or Quag­mire, Must he therefore be angry at those persons acquainted with the Road, that they do not tumble in with him for com­pany? What fault was it of Mr VVharton, Trigg, Tanner, Wing, Gadbury, &c. that Mr L. presented himself an Ideo [...] (instead of an Artist) to the World, in his botching, bungling Predictions? That he must thus traduce their skill, and impeach their Reputation in Astrology, as if they were as very ignorants therein as himself.

But Mr L. having proved himself a per­fect Ignorant in the Art he professeth, by his unclerklike and unwarrantable Predi­ctions, (and seeing R.L. P. gone, and his Northern Lion Rampant going,) is resol­ved, as much as in him lies, to down with Astrology also, that the honest Astrologers themselves may fall likewise: Whose ruine and destruction it is plain he thirsts [Page 9]after, for their presuming to detect him and his Ignorance, he being (it seems) capti­vated by that Ranting and Tyrannical Principle, described by the Poet,— ‘Pereant amici, dummodo una & inimici pereant.’

3. He casts dirt in the face of Astrolo­gy also: for if by the Aphorisms and Rules thereof, others were enabled to predict those Changes spoken of, then is not Astrology so incapacious or deficient, as Mr L. here renders it, but by the Rules thereof other persons (viz. those severall men before men­tioned) were enabled to predict those Chan­ges, &c. Ergo, &c. But Mr L. seeing plainly enough his own Reputation begin to sink, and his Writings every where hissed off the Stage with disparagement, is not con­tented to fall alone, but would fain give A­strology its fatall blow, that both might perish together. Not unlike the Devill, or Dra­gon, mentioned in the Revelations, who not well pleased to tumble headlong from [Page 10]Heaven singly, drew down a third part of the Stars with him. But how will Mr L. excuse his Gypsie-like Jugling (to say no worse of it) to the King of Sweden? Or, hath he promised him victory over the rising King of Denmarke by an Art more certain and indubitable than he believes Astrologie? If so be he hath so done, he can­not but suffer a cloud of sorrow to pass over his brazen brow, and Vermilion to distain his shameless cheeks, to hear of the success that hath answered his spurious presages. But of this more anon.

I proceed to some other passages. M.L. is now come to Apologize more particu­larly, and endeavours to excuse himself for flattering R.L.P. thus— Observing Ri­chard, by consent of the Council of State, and Officers of the Army, owned Protector— And seeing him courted by Embassadours and Agents in October, at what time we were writing our monthly Observations, for we write those first, in regard that the Ephe­meris and Table of Houses are difficult to Print, so that nothing seriously (as we ought to have done) we laid it as a positive foun­dation (without observing the punctum tem­poris of his first admittance, or birth, &c.) [Page 11]These are the wise words of William Lilly: Now, let but the Ingenious Reader behold the notable Non-sense and unconnexed­ness of them; and if he can (after a due and impartiall scanning thereof) make ei­ther head or tayl, truth or sence of them, I shall not in the least envy his happiness; but I must protest impartially my igno­rance of them. I have pointed them ex­actly, and truly related them, as I find them in his Book, that he may not com­plain of Abuse, or mis-representation.

But to run them over a little,—I would demand of Mr L. what stead this Apology stands him in, if I should admit he means something by it? What is it to us, or to the wiping off the ignorance and imposturism that sticks and clings as close as a Convul­sion to him, to say — That he writes his E­phemeris and table of Houses first? As if the World were any thing concerned which part of his fooleries first pollute the Press: but were there any kind or colour of excuse in this silly conceit, it is never­theless a meer forgery. — For he writes neither the Ephemeris, nor Tables of Houses himself; but honest J. Sponge transcribes the Ephemeris for him, and the Table of Houses [Page 12]hath been standing (ready composed) this ten years and upwards at Mrs Brudenels within Newgate; so that the edge of this pitifull Apology is perfectly blunted, and the difficulty of his Table of Houses to Print, clearly invalidated. (2.) I would demand of Lilly what he means by this strange Parenthesis — (as we ought to have done) — for it hath no manner of relation, nor is any way kin unto the pre­mises; unless we shall adjoyn it to — So that nothing seriously — This way, I con­fess, although we cannot make sence of it, we may Truth— For Lilly in his Almanack hath done nothing seriously, or like an Ar­tist, as he ought to have done. So that you see he is catch'd with a truth before he is aware. ‘Saepe quod insipiens finxerat esse, fuit.’

Or, if his — so that nothing seriously, &c. can bear any other interpretation, it must be this — That he writes altogether in jest! (3.) I would fain be informed by [Page 13]Mr L. what he intends his Reader should understand by these words — We laid IT as a positive foundation? If the Re­lative IT have any Antecedent, it must then be, either his Ephemeris, and Table of Houses, or else, the Addresses made to Richard L.P. The Ephemeris and Tables of Houses cannot be the Antecedent, be­cause they are no foundations of Astrolo­gicall Predictions; but a time truly proposed or known, with the figure of hea­ven set thereunto, is the true Radix of them. Nor can the Addresses to R.L.P. &c. be the Antecedent, unless we conclude, that Lilly writes altogether by Ghess: It must therefore follow, — That Lilly is guilty of gross Non-sence in the passage urged before us. Thus we see that Lilly, by endeavouring to excuse himself, contracts greater Errors; making his writings the only pattern of Penelope's Web: Just as if he were either besides himself, or haunted with that evill Spirit mentioned by the Poer.— ‘Diruit, aedificat, mutat quadrata rotundis.’

[Page 14]A little after Mr L. comes to confession in earnest, and thinks he explains himself to purpose, when he acknowledgeth,—Our too much credulity upon the many addres­ses, — led us into an errour. Did it so? Do you not therefore deserve to be lashed for the same? What had you to do to mind the Addresses? You pretend to Astrology: Unless by this you implicitely confess your self a States-Mountebanke, and one that Quacks under pretence thereof; and ac­knowledge your self thereby to be (as in truth you are) only the Astrological News-monger. May not any man, perfect­ly ignorant in Astrology, predict prejudice or happiness to Protectors, Kings, and Nations, as well as wise VVilliam Lilly, that ghesses thereat (as he confesses to have done) by the Addresses and Complexions of the times? Is this to be the most faith­full propagator of an Art? Or, an Eagle in Christian Astrology? Is it not rather to be an Impudent-ignorant Quack? Oh, the sordid Ignorance and quackism of VVilliam Lilly!

After he hath made himself thus ridicu­lous, as you have heard; to prove himself (yet) more sottish and vain, he cracks of [Page 15]his predicting the change of Government in England to some of the Protectors friends privately: telling them, that the Government was too heavy for his shoul­ders. — And then makes an Appeal to the Court of Equity in the indifferent Reader, (concluding himself cast at the Common Law of Sence and Reason). VVhether, if he had discovered his dissolution, it had been either wisdome or discretion to have been publikely free in his Judgement unto the Pro­tector or the World, &c. To which I answer:

If you had known any thing thereof, it had been your duty to have acquainted the World therewith; or else to what pur­pose, or under what pretence, do you in­vade the World with your Spurious Ora­cles? Besides, VVilliam Lilly, if my memo­ry fail me not, you were of another opini­on, when you ignorantly scribled against Captain George VVharton; the Example of Gauricus could no way startle your stubborn spirit then, although you hope to creep out at that hole now. But why not tell the Protector, or the world thereof, as well as some of his private friends, I pray Sir? Surely, surely, Mr Merlin, if you had had but the least knowledge or informa­tion [Page 16]of the downfall of Richard, you would have presented him (as you did the long Parliament in 1652. when you were truly told what the Souldiery would do with them) with an Epistle, thereby premo­nishing him of what he should expect: And made the world to have heard of the Change from your Parasitical Pen, Battus-like, on both sides;

Yea, and although you had received the same, as you did the news of the long Par­liaments dissolution, you would have pre­tended to have read poor Richard's down­fall in the book of Heaven, as then you did theirs. But neither these confident Cracks, nor yet the two first sheets you as vainly refer us to, as tattle or boast of, your self, do any way make it appear that you had the least knowledge thereof, by infor­mation, or that you understood so much of [Page 17]Art as to direct you thereunto: Only you boast and brag of things that are not, ho­ping by such silly shifts and sleights to re­deem your (near) shipwrack'd Reputation. And it is every way as unlikely, and strange to the truth — That Lilly should acquaint any of his (that is, Ri­chards) private friends therewith; for he durst not lay or adventure a wager thereof himself with a Gentleman that desired the same of him, for satisfaction in that particu­lar. Oh! William, William, all the world are not such Ideots, as to be wrought upon so easily, as A Chalk-Jury. But suppose we should admit that you had known any thing thereof, and had said something of it in your two first sheets, (which were an affront to sence to conclude:) I would then fain know, how you came to repent for your folly and ignorance therein? Surely, Mr Lilly, the morning before he writ this Epistle, made some such like supplication at the Altar of the Goddess Laverna— as this—

Certainly, William Lilly, your great Pa­trons cannot but shake their heads at you, when they seriously consider what a silly Jack-daw, instead of Eagle, they have for many years protected. Would any man think, by these your contradictions and ig­norances, that you were the Person, whose Pen formerly was accounted of equall va­lue to a Regiment of Horse? May we not more rationally believe rather, that a Par­rot may prove as good an Astrologer as simple W. Lilly? Oh! but William was mind­full of his Commitment in 1652. where he lay 13. daies together, labouring to be bayled (in no sad condition sure, for he was feasted at Serjeant Birkhead's Table all that time, and paid no fees at last) and what was his fault forsooth! he said in effect, that the Parliament stood upon a tottering foundation, and that the Army would dissolve them. By which words he would needs insinuate himself to have been a Quondam true Prophet in Astro­logy. [Page 19]But I pray, M. Merlin, deal fairly with the world, and then tell them truly, That your commitment was not for what you said in effect, but for the sawciness which you used plainly to that Power you had a protection from, and a quondam Salary too; as I have heard your self confess. But Lilly was then in hopes of a better Master of old Oliver; therefore (when every man else as well as he, saw plainly that the Soul­diery would dissolve the Parliament) out peeps wise William like a Positical Parasite, and pretends Astrologically to predict it. An admirable Piece of Art to be boasted of!

Mr. Lilly not forgetting his usual can­ting clawing humour, is come to flatter the present Power; and in his Quacking-strain, pre [...]ends to demonstrate the Armies Declarations satisfactory to the whole English Nation; and mentions some of the heads thereof, the better to insinuate himself into their Favours and Affections. For Lilly cannot fill an Almanack of six [Page 20]sheets of Paper, (although he have three of them done to his hand, as I have before proved) without relating a packet of News. But Lilly! I would fain know what you have to do with any thing of News, or the humour of the times at all? Doth Guido Bonatus, Haly, Junctine, Ori­gen, Ptolomy, or any other Astrologer war­rant any such course? I am confident, Mr. Merlin, they do not: and you prove your self but an impudent indigent Quack in A­strologie, and make that also to be looked upon, but as a higher degree of Lieger-de­maine, by doing it. But Mr. Lilly goes on, saying, That no mortal man could have con­ceived that R. L. P. should have lost his Go­vernment, without one or two broken heads. But I beseech you, Sir, what is this to A­strologie, whether he lost his Government by force of blood, or peaceably? I am sure, notwithstanding your insulting over that modest Gentleman thus basely, you your self are like to loose your Credit in Astro­logie at a far easier rate; and if you consi­der every thing, you cannot but see it plain­ly. For whereas you thought to be famous in after-Ages for your skill therein, you are now like to dye basely, ignominiously, and [Page 21]un-bemoaned; and (that which is worst of all) will always be esteemed of, as a Quack and Impostor in Astrologie, and a notori­ous Incendiary among Nations. However, it is some Credit to Astrologie, and Com­fort, (yea, and Honour also) to Astrolo­gers, that this Arch-pretender is unmask­ed and discovered in his life time, to be what he is; and that he dare not, or can­not, answer for himself.

Notwithstanding all this, William Lilly thinks he hath dealt by his Reader like a good Christian Astrologer, when he saies, We solemnly profess our mistake concerning R. L. P. yet it is not so great, as to blast us perpetually; if our Writings since 1644. be civilly perused by Artists, not Botchers. What this Addle-headed Fellow means by his civilly perused, I understand not, except it be this,—That for him to be read with applause, whether he deserve it or not, is to be civilly perused: or to read him, with­out taking Cognizance of his Ignorance; or if we take notice thereof, yet not to tell the world of it: this surely is to read him civilly. But Sir I although I have avoi­ded all these Parasitical ways, (which, as your Trade is to flatter, so you love to be [Page 22]flattered, yet) I have civilly perused all your writings since 1644. (i. e. I was not, I dare aver, so drunk with Wine, when I read them, as you with Ignorance, when you writ them:) and really, I find them every way so empty and idle, that it is a shame for any but William Lilly to own them. But to particularize some of them:—Take from your Introduction (which is the best you dare to boast of) what you have stolen from Haly, Origanus, and Albubater, con­cealing their better names, to make the world esteem it yours; and then it will prove the exact Emblem of your ignorant self. As for Example: Who but a Botcher in Art, would have printed a Nativity with Directions no less then seven or eight years false; as you have done the Moons in your Introduction? Or would any but a Novice in Astrologie have given the Sun, and Mid­heaven two different Right Ascentions a­piece, as you have? And is not he a silly Stit­cher, and most notorious Botcher in Art, that knows not Apogeon, from Perigeon? These with a hundred more, are to be found in Lillies Introduction. And all his other Pamphlets are exactly of the same Com­plexion.

And as they may call each other Bre­thren, by reason of their exact similitudes; so they may truly call him Dad, it being impossible for them to be begotten by any other. But è diverticulo viam. I shall re­turn to his solemn profession concerning Richard L. P.

Since you are come to the Stool of Re­pentance, (though most unwillingly) why do not you (to make but one work of all) solemnly profess all your other mistakes, which are at large charged upon you in [...]; or, Spurious Prognosticator, and in the King of Swedes Nativity? This you ought to have done, if you had any hopes of being received into mercy, or ex­pected to escape blasting perpetually. Can the accursed Murtherer, any way reasonably hope to be reprieved from the Gallows, by confessing a petty Fact of Theft he hath committed? Sir! it is not your acknow­ledging [Page 24]your Errour concerning R. L. P. that any way excuses you from the unpar­donable Crime of betraying the King of Sweden, under pretence of telling him, you read what you writ for him, in the Hea­vens: Neither doth this simple Blind, you cast before the eyes of the world, any ways protect your ignorance all along in Art; viz. in setting Figures forty one minutes of time false; and in raising your Whim­sical Judgements (under pretence of judg­ing according to Art) upon such deformed and erronious foundations. Nor is it less then an ignorant and effeminate sleight, and juggle of you, to insinuate to the world that your Antagonists are Botchers, not Ar­tists. If they are Botchers in Art, is it not the easier work for you to answer them? And would it not more and better become you to invalidate their skill there­in, and weaken their many charges against you, then for to rail thus upon either their Persons or Parts? Or, are they Botchers in Art because they write against so wor­thy a Work-man as they have proved you to be? Surely, surely, Lilly, it is more evi­dent then your knowledge in Astrologie, that you have proved your self a Botcher [Page 25]and Bungler also, in the Art you pretend to steer the Affairs of Kings and Kingdomes by, in not vindicating your own Repute, but suffering it to be trampled upon at pleasure; even by the ignorant sort, as well as the ingenious and skillful. The Tongue of each Child, is now become a Trumpet of William Lillies ignorance.

But wise William Lilly comes here, sim­ply endeavouring to answer that which is urged against him concerning the Swedes, thus: —We were not obliged to give an account of any thing which might prejudice him; (the Swede) or give encouragement to his many enemies. And why not, I pray Sir? Were you bribed to secrecy, that you might the better betray him, by puffing him up with false hopes? Or did you flatter him with the weak Winde of your Cathedral Cunning; thinking thereby his Enemies were so Pusillanimous as to be affrighted at your Quacking Skill? If the first, have you not shewn your self a plain Ambo­dexter? If the latter, what Ideot (besides Merlinus Anglicus) would have been guil­ty of so gross a piece of Pride? But that you may adjudge Lilly to be in earnest, he interrogates—Is Pomerania quite lost? [Page 26]or is he beaten out of Prussia? &c. And behold! at the same time that he wrote those Boasts and Cracks, (as if Providence intended to stigmatize him for a notorious Lyar) the K. of Swedes leaves his Leaguer, and flees to Cronenburgh Castle, having lost all his Army in Fuenen. Which News is still fresh in memory, and cannot but make Lillies Ears to tingle, and Cheeks to blush, unless he hath sold himself an abso­lute Vassal to Impudence and Quackism. But Lilly like a Lyar of the first Magni­tude, goes on, interrogating further: Is not the King of Swede still strongly encamped before Copenhagen? which City we hope God will give him. Indeed, Mr. L he is not be­fore Copenhagen, but in Cronenburgh, possibly blocked up himself by this time: And what reason (I pray) had you to hope God would give him Copenhagen? None in Astrologie, I am sure; although you ignorantly report­ed that it should be taken in Novem. 1658. Besides, hath it not been in print resolved according to the Rules of Art, that the K. of Swede shall never gain Copenhagen? You should have rendered the Author of that, a person mistaken, or a Botcher in Art (as you say all your Antagonists are) before [Page 27]you had promoted your own simple hopes in the room of Astrology; which if you know any thing therein, you cannot but confess plainly, denies Copenhagen, and in­deed any part of the Danish Territories, to be long curbed by the King of Swede.

Well, but what of all this? saith this Pa­rasite, the King of Swedes condition is not so bad as rendred by some stitching Pens. If by stitching Pens he mean the Pen of Mer­linus Verax for one, who hath published this Princes Nativity, I shall tell him, that that Person hath so Art-like whipt and stitcht him up, that he appears to the world a meer bundle or lump of Nonsence and flattery, instead of an Artist. And hath in­deed given that King more and better ad­vise for nothing (as is to be seen by the Book, to be sold at William Larnar's upon Ludgate Hill) touching his present affairs, than ever Lilly did, or indeed was able to do, for the Gold Chain he received from him. And he hath shewn more Art, and done Astrology greater honour, in that small Tract, than Lilly ever did in all his Idle and Addle Stories, which he nick­names his works, since 1644. But if by stitching Pens, he means some Taylors [Page 28]Pens, that have been active to discover his ignorance in Art; Is it not a shame that he can answer for himself no better? But were there any such thing, doth not Lilly appear to be an Impudent, Proud, Pragma­ticall, Domineering fellow, so to forget his own Original as to complain of stitching Pens? What was Lilly at first himself? was he not a Taylors boy, viz. an Apprentice to old Pawlin in the Strand? Ask the Wa­ter-men that ply at Strand-bridge, and they will affirm it: Or if you are loath to take that pains, read Captain Wharton's Merlini Anglici Errata; who proves him not only a Taylor, but a womans-taylor, in which re­gard he might perhaps have proved a bet­ter Astrologer for Queen Christina, than Carolus Gustavus King of Sweden. Come William Lilly, I would have you hereafter to knit your knots better in Astrology, to prevent the being marked for an Ideot therein by stitching Pens; that is, to keep your self within compass, and not give such large opportunities to men of your own Trade to stitch you up, as you have done. And do not hereafter bewray your own Nest; for had not your own Pen been the Index of your Pride and Folly, the world [Page 29]had willingly rocked your Taylorship a­sleep; and were indifferently well conten­ted that you should pass for a Quack in Astrology among them, without any re­gard had to the Botching you prove your self guilty of, in translating Ptolomies A­phorismes. But William, William, if you are so Lord-like grown, as to forget the stayers of your Taylorship, by which you have cli­med (as you think) to your Eagleship in Astrology, can you be angry, if those whom you (scurrilously) term botchers, (not Artists) in a just recompence, press down the Plumes of your Pride with your own Taylors Goose? Oh, William, William, re­member Talion's Law.

But Mr Lilly telleth us, he writes this year in great perplexity of spirit. I am content to believe you Mr Lilly; It appeareth so in­deed, by what you have presented us with! And what either Art or sence can we ex­pect from a distempered man?

To conclude his Epistle, he saies— Ma­ny will expect that he should say something touching the Northern Quarrel. Do they so Sir! Who are those many you mean, I wonder? I am certain they cannot be of the number of the Learned and Ingenious. [Page 30]But 'tis no matter; be they who they will this I can tell them, they are like to loose their longing: for Lilly hath not yet had intelligence sufficient to officiate their de­sires. And that which is more considera­ble, he is not engaged (yet) to Pimp for either of those two able English Generals, as he flatteringly stiles them, in hopes (per­haps) he may be entertained to Quack for one of them under pretence of Astrology. But I shall advise them both, rather to implore the Dust of Mother Shipton for Counsell, than either the Addle Pate, or Yeilding Pen of this Proditorious Para­site. And so I pass from his Epistle to his Book, which the ingenious Reader, as well as I, shall find as empty and void of Art, as this his Epistle is of good Apology, Inge­nuity, Sence, or Learning.

SECT. 2. His Generall Judgements examined.

MR. L. being a little entred into his General Judgments, lets glide from his Pen a truth before he is aware—telling us — That he will deliver his WEAK [Page 31]CONCEPTIONS upon the two E­clipses, which hapned in October, and No­vember, 1659. Certainly Sir, you are not in earnest now; you were wont to set a better value upon your own Commodi­ties. What? Is our Eagle-like-skill in Astrology, and our deep knowledge in the Doctrine of Angels, and our sharp under­standing in Theurgie and the Christall, all on a sudden departed! Never a Dick-Mye left to strengthen us? Nothing left us but weak Conceptions? This is hard indeed! but possibly Sir! by this your humble stile, you expect that others should deem your Conceptions strenuous; which (Sine dubio) they will have little reason to do, when they have once read you over. But by the Complexion and Temperature of your Conceptions, we shall (I hope) ere we make an end, be able to pass a Judgement upon their weakness, or worth.

To proceed — Mr L. tels us—That the Lunar Eclipse on Octob. 19. portends, that as Venus, Ruler of it, leaves her own house for a worse, approaching Saturn's pre­sence; so near these Months (he names none, unless we must understand October in the Plurall!) do many unhappy persons (made [Page 32]so) either by an uncomfortable Ministry, or the Rigor of the Law of Nations, leave good and large possessions, &c. Why Venus her propinquity to Saturn should undoe peo­ple by Ministers, either comfortable or un­comfortable, I understand not; neither doth Mr Lilly I suppose; for his Art takes no knowledge of any such thing; what his disaffection to the Ministry may, I trouble not my self to enquire. But that he may discover his unparallel'd hatred to Mini­sters, he runs over his old song again in a higher strain, thus, — As Venus is hastening to a Conjunction of Saturn, he much questions whether the meer illiterate man will not get ground of many of those LAZY MEN, whom we call Gospell-Ministers, Church-Divines, or Preaching Divines. Al­though Venus (as I said before) and Saturn have nothing to do with the Ministry, yet Lilly (the better to spit his venome at the persons of that Sacred Order) wrests his Art from the true meaning thereof, to bring that within the verge of his Sawcy Pen. But the main reason why this Envi­ous-insolent-fellow cannot Print a foo­lish Pamphlet without dishonouring that Heavenly Function, is, because the Moon [Page 33]is in square to Jupiter in his Swinish Ge­niture. But pray Sir! What is the reason that you tell us not when this Eclipse be­gins and ends by your Calculation; that we may see what reason you have (by the figure thereof) to predict at so malicious a rate of Ministers? but you (I presume) understand the Doctrine of Eclipses, and that of Angels, a like.

But why Lazy men, which we have cal­led Gospell-Ministers, &c? Really, I judge it impossible for any of them you mean to be so lazy in Divinity as you are in Astro­logy. And why (I pray) such as we have called Gospell-Ministers? &c. Do you be­lieve them to be persons not deserving that Title? Or, are you turn'd Anabap­tist or Quaker all of a sudden, that you thus grudgingly give them the Epithets that are their proper due? But your love and affection to the Ministry, is sufficiently known; your scurrilous Pen hath been the Conveyer of your Gall towards them for many years together. Which very thing should, me thinks, make you more civill toward your Antagonists (or your self ra­ther) than to brand them as Ranters and Atheists; when you cannot but be sensi­ble, [Page 34]that there are none such notorious Ranters and Atheists as those that scanda­lously abuse God's dearest Messengers. But Lillie's Religion and Astrology are known to be of a stamp.

After many Tautologies and imperti­nencies, Lilly is passed from the Moons Eclipse to that of the Sun, on Novemb. 4. but gives us neither the time of beginning or end; only presents us with the middle, and duration, and Digits eclipsed, though not truly. The middle (he saith) is at 9. min. past 3. in the Evening. But he is strangely out in this; for Mr Wing hath calculated it, and my self hath proved it, the middle thereof was at 4. min. 30. sec. past 3. So that observe what difference there is between 4. min. 30. sec. and 9. min. for so much is M. L. distant from the truth. The Duration, he falsely saith, was 2. h. 3. m. But the true Duration was 2. h. 21. m. 19. sec. as is demonstable by Astron. Instaur. So that Mr Lilly is no less than 18. mi. di­stant from the truth in this also. Then he saith the Digits eclipsed were 7. deg. 32. sec. but the true Digits, &c. eclipsed, were 8. deg. 48. min. 1. sec. So that ignorant Wil­liam Lilly is out no less than one whole [Page 35]digit, 47 min. 29 sec. in the quantity of the Eclipse. Now from all these Errors in Calculation, is not Lilly likely to make ex­cellent Predictions? But as are his Calcu­lations, so are his Judgements, without either Art or Order. Nevertheless, hence Lilly can take opportunity to abuse Scorpio, and call it a rugged treacherous, violent Signe, ac­counted so by all wise men. But, I pray Sir! how prove you that? except you con­clude, what your self agrees to, all wise men must needs consent to. Certainly, Mr. Lilly, you cannot have so short a head, as to think that the fortieth part of wise men under­stand any thing at all of Scorpio. And I suppose you would not be so understood, as to censure all men for Fools, that under­stand nothing thereof. This therefore must pass for one of your wooden [...] (i.e.) ranting boasts.

But why, I intreat you, Sir, is Scorpio grown so odious in your eyes? Is it because Saturn is therein, in your Nativity, and in Opposition to your Sol? Or is it because you have an ignorant (undeserved) hatred to any, that have it Horoscopical at Birth? If so, were I a Scorpionist, I should tell you, You have foamed out your filth in scanda­lizing [Page 36]and abusing a noble, fixed, immove­able Signe of the Zodiack, as violent, &c. whise you are compelled to draw your poisonous breath under a more treache­rous, dissembling, and double-bodied signe of your own, viz. Pisces; perhaps a main reason of your forked tongue and actions. Scorpio scorns the ignorant, cold, effeminate, reasonless Evasions, and low-orbed silly come­off's, of Pisces; and that galls mutable, and turn-about William Lilly, so that he must needs wreak his weak and worthless re­venge in Print against it.

But what will Lilly say, if I prove he hath bespattered Pisces in as base a manner as he hath Scorpio? and that in this very Al­manack of his too? Will he not confess himself more rigling and uncertain in his Judgement than an Eele? Let him be pleased to peruse what in page two he hath written, viz. — When the Angles of the Figure of any Eclipse are of double-bo­dyed Signes, as those of the Lunar defect are, the Councels of the then times are uncertain, various and mutable, treacherous, carryed on with abundance of Fraud, Violence and Jugling, &c. But perhaps Lilly will say,— Th [...] Pisces is no double-bodied Signe: [Page 37]Indeed it is no matter what he saies; for by this notorious Contradiction, We may e­stimate his Conscience to be as large, as his Pen liberal. But passing these things, let us hear him in his Pontificalibus of Lan­guage, threatning the poor City of London: Mars in Gemini, gives us great cause to fear LONDON will be the place, and Plague or Pestilence the devouring Disease, &c. — God defend it from more, &c. for it was here, here, here, that — and it must be here, here, here, that—

What this Frenzie-Fellow should mean by his three Couple of HERES, unless it should be to hear an ignorant Quack simply prate, I understand not. Is it not a signe by this, that he writes not onely in per­plexity of spirit, as he complains of, but in distraction of minde also? Howbeit, he can (in this distracted temper) ignorantly threaten London with a Plague, although Astrologie doth not (yet) this three years. He hath indeed done so ten years toge­ther, and missed; possibly he may hit it at last; if the M.C. ad □ Saiurn & Solis give him leave to present himself a scribbling Fool in print to the world a little longer.

But he advances, saying, — The [Page 38]Clergie run high, — and stir up Tu­mults: a thing very frequent with men of that Order, these six or sevenscore years last past; yea, in all ages, &c. Still you see this Fellow must be abusing the Ministry, and make that the main burthen of his bung­ling Predictions. Had his Antagonist been guilty of any such Crime, he must have been rendered a Ranter, Atheist, and what not? And doth Lilly think that we shall esteem him any other then a Ranting-raving A­theist, that thus bespatters those worthy Lights of the Church, that constantly spend their Lamps of Life, to dispel the dark Clouds of Ignorance, that such Atheists and Scoffers endeavour to bring upon the Sun of our Religion? Or can he take him­self to be less then a person of a foul sur­feited Soul, that thus licentiously traduces the whole Body of Christs Ministry with the Poyson of his polluted Pen? But he thinks he can come off from all this, by colloguing thus: — Still we retain all Civility both in Heart and Soul for the godly Ministers. Here you may behold the true Emblem of this Hypocrites dissembling As­cendent, viz. Pisces. First, he most basely and undeservedly abuses the whole Mini­stry, [Page 39]and exhibits an impious and unjust Charge against them, viz. of six or seven­score years long; nay, as long as the age of the world; and almost in the same breath, — He retains all Civility of Heart for them. Oh, the notorious Hy­pocrisie and Dissimulation of this Cloven­hearted Fellow! If this be your Civility, pray Sir, let me partake of your Morosity.

To render himself as weak in parts, as hypocritical and dissembling in Spirit, in the same Page he writes thus: — But if he shall judge according to the genuine Rules of the MORE PƲRER Astrologie, &c. Can Mr. Lilly tell (I wonder) what himself means by the Rules of the MORE PU­RER Astrologie? Had that Person whom Mr. Lilly so wisely terms Atheist, or Ran­ting, Impudent Fool, been guilty of jumbling Comparatives (unlawfully) thus together, we should have heard of him in some such like Language:—Behold the ignorance of this impudent ranting Boy, that cannot write sence! a ridiculous Fool, that hath need to go to School again; and not present him­self to the world in print, until he understand true English! All which Epithets, I shall in modesty spare Mr. Lilly, because he is, in [Page 40] viridi Senectute, his green old age. Yet nevertheless I may be bold to tell the world, — That by this passage of his MORE PURER, it appears, he understands true English, as much as he doth Astrolo­gie, and no more. And so I pass his idle Discourse of Eclipses, and come to his Ver­nal Figure. Which he set to 6 h. 9 m. p. m. March 9. but by his own Ephemeris is con­spicuously false. Examine it thus else.—

• March 1660. 9. D. ☉'s place. ♓ 29 d. 43 m.
• March 1660. 10. D. ☉'s place. ♈ 0 d. 42. m.
• Difference in Longit. 0. d. 59 m.
• Distance of ☉ from first point of ♈, 17 m.

Wherefore I work by this Rule:—If 59 m. give 24 h. what shall 17 m. give? Facit 6 h. 54 m. So that Mr. L. is out no less then 45 m. in time, if we make his own Book the Judge. But the true time is at 6 h. 51 m. 24 sec. So that had Mr. L. been true to his own Ephemerides, I should have spared him here. But I admire how Lilly stumbled so near upon the truth in his E­phemeris, and yet his Figure so false. Surely he hath been pilfering from V. Wing, for reduce Eichstade he cannot, unless Mr. Sponge help him. But 'tis no matter, be his Figures true or false, he proceeds to judge­ment,—and [Page 41]tells us, Libra ascends, and the Significatrix of the people (which must be Venus, if the Ascendent signifie them) is well dignified, and in Aspect of the two Su­periour Planets, &c. but Venus Sir, is in de­triment; and by your Figure in Octava Domo, and beholds neither Saturn nor Ju­piter; are not you therefore a notorious Ignorant in Art? Who is the Botcher now? Sure I am, if William Lilly understood his Taylors Needle no better then his Astro­logers Pen, we may justly conclude him a ve­ry botching and bungling Fellow at both. Are not those Kings and States in a sad condition, that are necessitated to take ad­vice about their most emergent Affairs, from so indigent a Fellow?

But William Lilly hath learned to talk big, and to utter high-swelling words of va­nity, that the common people may believe his head is periwig'd with the Clouds; and tells us—That toward the latter end of May, or beginning of June or July (some time or another, 'tis no matter when) the Conglomeration of no less then five Planets in the Signe Scorpio, a fruitful Signe (here Scorpio is grown into favour again with this two-tongued Ideot) may justly import [Page 42]a meeting together of many people, &c. But Sir, there is no such Conglomeration of the Planets in any of the moneths menti­oned, nor in many moneths after; (what Conglomeration of Impudence, Ignorance and Folly, &c. there may be in your brain, I know not;) your Judgement therefore is as idle, as your insinuation false.

But Lilly fearing some Change of Go­vernment, I suppose (for you must know, that he would have the world believe, that Revolutions as are signally pointed at by his Pen, as the Vicissitude of the Air is foretold by his rotten Carcase) begins to tell his Readers—That as some Pratlers abuse Oliver Protector,—Thus do other vi­perous Tongues and Pens deprave even the whole line of the Stuarts Family, and call it accursed; whilst their own is owned more abominable. All that I shall return to this passage, is this:—That if he can finde any man in Europe that hath dealt more vipe­rously with that Family then himself, both in Tongue & Pen, let him bring them with­in his Lash; if not, let him pass under his own Censure, for a fellow of a viperous Tongue and Pen, and consider what he hath written in his Monarchy, and his Al­manacks [Page 43]for the years 1649, 1650, 1651, 1652, 1653, 1654. and other his foolish Pamphlets: But perhaps he thinks, to write against an honourable Family, is not to a­buse it.

So from his Vernal, I follow him to his Aestival Ingress; where he asserts that Sol enters Cancer, June 10 d. 9 h. 12 m. P. M. but this is as true as the former, as I shall make appear by his own Book. Which (setting aside his Printers errors) I exa­mine thus.

• June 1660. 10 ☉'s place. ♊ 29 d. 36 m.
• June 1660. 11 ☉'s place. ♋ 0. d. 33. m.
• ☉'s Diurnal Motion. 0. d. 57. m.
• His distance from the first point of ♋ is 24 m

Then I say, If 57 m. give 24 h. what 24 m? Facit 10 h. 6 m. So that here you see, he is mistaken no less then 54 m. in time, as his own Book proves against him. Oh! Mon­strum horrendum! An Astrologer, and cannot set a true Figure!

However, Mr. L. adventures upon this Scheme also, to deliver his WEAK CON­CEPTIONS, and says—The Heavens do not at all smile upon the Actions of Kings, [Page 44]Princes, Supreme Magistrates and Autho­rities. For which passage I shall account with him anon. But although Mr. Lillies Astrologie fail him, yet his good Tutelary or Presidentiary Angels do not sure, whom he saith,—Generated that very quick Comet in 1652. (not so quick neither as an ignis fatuus; for it lasted a whole moneth to­gether) as the Precursor of some eminent Person or Persons, or their rising unto honor in Europe, &c. Before Mr. Lilly had ad­ventured to predict ought to depend upon the Influences of Comets, he should have made his way clear, by removing the stum­bling block that lay in it. For I deny (and so doth learned Aristotle, and most Natu­ralists) that Comets are generated by his ‘Tutelary or Presidentiary Angels, but are engendred of Ignean Vapors, consisting of a viscous, sulphurous, and compacted mat­ter, attracted from the Earth by the E­nergie of the Coelestial Movers, into the highest Region of the Air, sometimes into the Starry Region, whence it is closely conglutinated into a great Lump, by rea­son of the continued supply it hath from below: and being thus compacted, is set on fire in time convenient, by the exces­sive [Page 45]heat of the place where it rests, and burns either long, or a little while, accor­ding to the paucity or plenty of the mat­ter of which it consists.’ This is the opi­nion of the learned generally. And surely Mr Lilly, it will be no ill-concluding Ar­gument, to say — He that is igno­rant in the Generation of Comets, must be so also in their effects. But Mr L. tattles of Comets, and Angels, to cover his igno­norance in Astrology only; he poor man! knows no more of the natures or effects of either, than the silliest Potter that trots about the Streets of an Errand, or his poor Sister (the Washer-woman) in Milford-Lane.

But whether he understand Comets, &c. or not, he boasts as if he understood all things; and quackingly tels us, — The Austrian forces seem to be threatned near this time, either with the loss of some battell, or town, &c. if any thing at all he be con­cerned in war or quarrel with the not conque­red Swede, whose forces now, where in Action, will make it appear they fight for a good King, and in a good honest cause. And how comes it about that the Austrians must be thus menaced? Is it meerly upon this sup­position [Page 46]grounded, if they fight against the not conquered Swede? But pray Mr Lilly, what Rule in Astrology have you to pre­dict the Swedish King to be good, and his Cause honest? Will you never leave your clawing Parasiticall Practises? But a little further good William! If the King of Swedes be assured victory over the Austri­ans,—How comes it to pass that Lilly pre­dicted that the heavens smile not upon the Actions of Kings, &c. as before you have heard him? Are Lillies Angels of no better use to him, than thus to suffer him to run into Errors and Contradictions? Or, hath his good Genius left him? But what will Lilly say, if the Swedes and Austrians ne­ver quarrell?—If they do not, then creeps he sneakingly out at his great IF! For his Predictions depend upon ifs and ands, although the Coelestial Edicts do not. All his presages are whimsical Ca­stles in the aire; and If the sky fals, Lilly and his Swedish King may catch Larks together.

But saith Lilly—The Swedes cannot be made subject to those misfortunes, as some scribling Pens would have them.—If the Comet in 1618. did first appear in 25. d. [Page 47]of ♏—Then we find the ☉ in that very degree at the King of Swedes birth, apply­ing to a △ ♃ in M. C. and ☽ applying to his ⚹. Remove these Configurations out of the Heavens, and then his enemies may rant and prate, as some very botchers, not workmen, impertinently have done, &c. But sith either he or they are men of no quality, but Name­less Botchers, he or they are below our Pen to take a full Cognizance thereof, their prating or persons — Aquila non capit Mus­cas; we should make our self ridiculous to answer a boy, or a ranting-impudent fool, that dare not own his Name to be G.I. or I.G.

If I do not prove this ambitious Para­site as botching a Fellow, and of as mean Quality, and a verier Boy in Art, than him whom he scurrilously stiles so, yea, though his Presidentiary Angels should take his part;— Let William Lilly again say, he hath but a Boy to deal with. First, his citing the Comet 1618. to favour the King of Swede, is both vain and foolish. And if it signifie any thing (It happening 4 years before he was an Embryo) it must be mischief: Yea, and such as those [...]ists (whom this Botcher terms Scriblers) have mentioned. Aristotle, Pliny, and Cicero [Page 48]say,—Comets are the Messengers of great Calamities, and of the death and destructi­on of Kings, &c. but never of any good to them. The Noble Historian Suetonius, wri­ting on Claudius, Cap. 26. hath these words — Presagia mortis ejus precipua fuerunt exortus stellae crinitae, quam Cometa vocant: The Principal presages of his death were arisings of the hairy star they call a Co­met. But suppose I should (for discourse sake) admit the Comet in 1618. to signi­fie good to the King of Swede, because his ☉ fell to be in the degree of its first appea­rance; yet his ☽ happening in the opposite point thereof, if the one portended any good, the other must evill; and William Lilly still appear a silly-shifting fellow, that would force that to speak for Kings, that in truth hath neither heart or face to do so.

Yea, but saith Lilly, the ☉ applies ad △ ♃ in M.C. and ☽ to his ⚹ also.—All which I grant; and Merlinus Verax hath made as much of those things for the Swede, as Astrologically they will bear. But Lilly, you appear very partiall in not relating the Bad, as well as the Good, as he hath done: for to balance those good Ar­guments [Page 49]you mention, he tels you that ♃ is retrograde in the tenth house, afflicted by the corporall presence of ♄, and both in □ ♀, Lady of his Ascendant; and that the Luminaries are in opposition from cruell and molicious places of the Heavens; Be­sides the most pernicious Direction of M. C. ad ♂ ♄. which he now groans and labours under, whose effects are these: — Maximas indignitates & odia Princi­pum aut Magnatum judicit; vario quoque malorum genere, dignitates, officia, honores atque favores subvertit: Negotia cum tar­ditate natum proficere facit, facinorosa vero scelere excitat, & nonnunquam mortem lata judicis sententia portendit. — But it may be William Lilly boggles thus at the King of Swedes Fate, hoping to baffle the ef­fects of such a like direction, that will shortly happen in his own Nativity. But William, I can assure you upon my honest word, that the M.C.ad ♂ & □ ♄ portends more than a fit of the stone; & this you will shortly find true, unless you can implore the assistance of some of those Angels you boast of, to remove malignant ♄ out of the Heavens. But Lilly confesses, that others have catechised him for this his folly; but [Page 50]saith, they are Nameless impertinent Botch­ers, and persons of no quality; and therefore they are beneath his Pen to take Cognizance of; Aquila non capit Muscas. All this Sir is but your ipse dixit; for the Fame of those that have dissected your Ignorance, is every whit as splendid as William Lillies, although they began to labour in the har­vest of Astrology long after him. It is true, they are not (as I hear of) famous for trepanning Kings; or for Star-gypsies, or Planet-Quackers, or Angel-Mongers, &c. And that perhaps is the reason why Lilly terms them persons of no quality. If by men of no quality, Lilly mean in respect of their birth, or parts; His poor leather-jacqueted Father of Diseworth, an obscure Village in Leicestershire, were he alive, could not but shed tears for grief that ever he should breed up a Son to so much Arrogancy, and vain-glory; as knowing it impossible for any man to come of a meaner stock than himself.

But why doth Lilly urge the Adage, A­quilo non capit muscas? Doth he hope to excuse his Credit, by insinuating his Anta­gonist a Flye? O doth he suppose there is as great a difference between the person [Page 51]he calls impudent Boy and himself, as is be­tween an Eagle and a Fly? Lilly, I know it is above an Eagle to catch at a Fly! But Bubo! it is not above a Buzzard to an­swer a Boy! But why should William esteem himself an Eagle? In knowledge it cannot be, I am sure; and I have heard some say, not in Estate neither. In the first, he can­not but see I have proved him an Owl ra­ther, and this all along: and would have him therefore, if his Almanack go any more to the Press, to correct his Errata, and remember for Aquila to insert Bubo. In the second, he cannot be an Eagle neither, if Vox Populi be true; for they say, As he hath gotten an Estate like a K—he hath parted with it like a F—and is become a poor Tenant for his life. But why make your self ridiculous to answer a Boy? ex­cept you suppose your self uncapable of excusing those errours the Boy chargeth upon you, without contracting as many more? That (I readily acknowledge) were the way to make your self ridiculous in­deed! But why must you childishly throw the Boy at your Adversary? I can tell you Sir! He is no such Boy, but that he is able [Page 52]to crack your crown, as he hath done your credit in Astrology. And perhaps he would too, were not the Amulet of AGE your protection and security. However, I shall return you in exchange for your Boy, the Adage, — [...]. But this is the despight of it, Lilly is such a Boy in Learning, he cannot English it.

But why Ranting-impudent Fool? If Fol­ly be a privation or defect of wisdome, or ingenuity, Lilly is the absurdest Fool that ever I either read or heard of. And for the concomitants of his Fool — Ranting and Impudence; I think it impossible for any man to surpass him. Well, but saith Lilly,— This Impudent, Ranting Fool, or Boy, dare not own his Name to be G.I. or I.G. Here, Mr Merlin, you do homage on­ly to the Father of lies, (whom it may be you are better acquainted with, than with the Angels you tattle and boast of.) For he hath owned G. I. as the initiall Letters of his Name in the spurious Prognosticator, to your sorrow: but Lilly hath little list to cope with either the Author, or the Book; the one being so repugnant to his Principles, the other to his skill. But be­sides, it is not for fear of Lillies Pen, that [Page 53]the Author forbears to set his name at length, but for the forementioned Rea­sons.

Mr. Lilly having fluttered and beat his Eagleship out of breath, in the Aestival Quarter, is now come to the Autumnal, and saith, ☉ enters ♎ Septemb. 12. at noon. Yet if you consult his own Ephemeris, you will find Sol's place that day at noon, in 29 d. 58 m. ♍. Could any Boy of a moneths reading in Astrologie be guilty of greater Impudence and Ignorance, then this? Or did ever any man rant so vainly under the Canopy of Astrologie, and know so little thereof, as doth this Owl Lilly? No more Eagle Sir! until your skill be mended.

Howbeit saith Lilly,—This Figure and Vernal Scheme agreeing with the King of Swedes Nativity,— Let his Majesties Enemies brag of this ill position of Heaven, which by Gods blessing may render him vi­ctorious in the Acquisition either of a Battel if he be in Campania; or a City or Town if in the Siege of one; or if at Sea, a Maritime Vi­ctory. If false Figures promise Victory, Lilly may prove a true Prophet in some of these things: but certainly from false Figures, fallacious Victories must be pre­saged. [Page 54]And such will those be, that the K. of Swede obtains about this time; not­withstanding Lillies Parasitical Pen. For Saturn is now in Quartile to the place of the dire Direction but lately mentioned; and to the Cusp of the King of Swedens hopes in his Radix and Revolution also. But Lilly is to be read backward, as men read Hebrew: when he promiseth Victory, let the King of Sweeden be sure to expect loss.

For conclusion, Lilly saith, It was his in­tention, had he not been prevented, to have delivered somewhat of the Tutelary and Presidentiary Angels. &c. and boasts of the Expositors that follow the Septuagint, and of the Fathers, viz. Dionysius, Origen, Basil, Nazianzen, Clemens Alexandrinus, Damascen, Hillary, &c. But he understands the Doctrine of Angels, and those learned Fathers, both alike: (i. e.) as much as he doth Astrologie, viz. onely to brag and boast with, that he may the better pass for a Scholar among the ignorant. And to this end, steals three or four sayings (which he understands not) out of Dingley of An­gels, (who cites those Authorities he im­pertinently mentions) and would needs enforce them upon the world as the fruits [Page 55]of his own Phlegmatick and Drowsie Con­templation and Studies: and for a farewel, triflingly concludes, — This learning will finde cold entertainment with Atheists, Ran­ters and Paddies. Certainly if Mr. Lilly be the Author of it, 'twill be fit onely for the reading of such kind of Fellows; and those (perhaps) are his principal Acquain­tance and Disciples. But what Mr. Lilly should mean by Paddies, I cannot devise, (for Rider and Thomas own no such word) unless he mean one that bestrides the King of Swedes Sumpture Horse; which if he do, now he hath crackt his Credit in Astrolo­gie, I would have him become Probationer for the place. So I descend from his general Prognostications, to his monethly Ficti­ons; which I shall but lightly examine, and so pass them, until the whole year shall more particularly inform me of his failings. For I question not, but his Predictions, and those of Montelion Knight of the Oracle, as they are calculated for one and the same Meridian of Truth, and have one and the same foundation in Art, so one and the same success will crown them.

SECT. 3. His Monethly Fictions examined.

IN January Mr. Lilly predicts, —Not­standing the ranting and ryming Pam­phlets of illiterate Fellows, we hope some con­siderable victory will be gained by the Swedes, &c. Indeed Sir, the M. C. ad ♂ ♄, comes on too fast for this to be true. But if the King of Swede had no such Direction ope­rating, what Reason or Authority hath Lilly, to prefer his own ignorant hopes in the room of Art? or doth all his skill in Astrologie depend upon hopes and expe­ctations, without any solid demonstration? Doth this ignorant fellow think, that Mars his now squaring ♃ in the King of Swedes Nativity, and at the same time transiting the tenth house thereof; (together with a Quartile of Sol and Saturn from the third and fifth Houses both of his Radical and Revolutional Figures) do any way aug­ment or encourage his hopes? Lilly! these [Page 57]Arguments will prove you an absolute Lyer. I confess, had the Swede only rant­ing and riming Pamphlets to oppose him, he might escape the better, although he never consulted Lillies lying-Alma­nack.

In March he scramblingly writes, — If the season permit, the scrambling Pens of Ideots will prove false Prophets. Did ever any man, that pretended to un­derstand sence, render himself a more scrambling Ideot than Lilly doth here? Prethee, Mr Lilly, tell me what season that is, which the scrambling Pens of Ideots (or others) prove Prophets in; let them be either true or false. Is it Spring, Win­ter, Summer, Autumne? I protest for this conceit, I could afford to Chronicle thee, WISE WILLIAM LILLY in the next Impression of Erra Pater; but that were to abuse thee more than this book is designed to do; for 'tis the office and duty of this to speak truth. But (saith he) some happy success near this time is designed for his Majesty of Swede. If any such thing be designed, it must be either by the energy of the Heavens, or some other power: by the Heavens there is no such thing design­ed, [Page 58]but the contrary; as M. C. ad ♂ ♄, (nearly touching now) denotes, it being attended on by an ♂ of ♃ and ☿, celebra­ted in the Twelfth and Sixth Houses of his Radix and Revolution also; presaging much Treachery and Infortunacie, in the room of the happy success Lilly boasts of. If it be promised by any other power, Lil­ly should have told us so: but a Golden Bribe can bend a Buzzards Pen any way.

In April he rantingly writes— Let men and devils, or all earthly devils do their worst, the Noble Swede will now again be successful, according to his present condition, even by Sea or Land, or near it. This good Christian Astrologer, complained of A­theists and Ranters, &c. that were his An­tagonists; but could any Atheistical or Ranting Fellow in the world, write more Rantingly and Atheistically, then himself hath here? Let Men and Devils, and all earthly Devils, &c. Sure this ranting-ra­ving Fellow supposes, that the Swede hath, not men, but devils to encounter with; or else what doth he mean, by such ranting hellist, expressions? But why earthly De­vils? Doth he believe there are any De­vils in Heaven? But (saith he) Let those [Page 59]Devils do their worst, the K. of Swede will be successful. If the Swedes Enemies, (which this malicious Fellow terms De­vils) do but their worst, the Swede may then be successful, as he groundlesly writes: But Sir! they are like to do their best, and not their worst; and so will leave you a devillish Lyar to Posterity. But he will be successful by Sea or Land, or near it; saith this Barbarian in Art and Learning. Cer­tain I am, the ☍ of ☉ and ♄, and ♂'s tran­siting the radical place of ♃, considered, together with his sad Revolutional Fi­gure, denies him success at Sea or Land. What he may (by Mr. Lillies Ptedictions) expect near it, I know not: perhaps he dream't of some airy happiness and success, when he writ this ventositous Fancie.

In May this Impostor predicts, — The Heavens shew much hope for settlement of France and Spain, in league and amity. This he perfectly reads in the Heavens too, (O rare Monthly Observator!) although the peace betwixt those Princes was con­cluded six Months before, as the News-Books had acquainted him: for you must know, he studies them more then he doth old Ptolomy.

Lilly skips from April to September without mentioning the least particle o the Swedish King. And then (too late) tells him — The Heavens give cau­tion to him, &c. For then his game (in de­spite of Lillie's flattery) is near at an end. This counsel (Lilly) you should have given him at the beginning of the year, if you had dealt as fairly by him, as he hath nobly by you.

In October this pedantick Parasite cants — That the K. of Swede, in despite of all opposition, cannot fail of many successes in or near this month: Surely Sir! spiteful suc­cesses, will do the Victor no durable ser­vice. But what must these successes be, I wonder? why saith Lilly, Such as his pre­sent occasion requires. Now if the K. of Swede (being a Souldier) should happen (for want of conveniency) to be invaded with a Souldiers Fortune, viz. to be strong­er within, then without; and in this con­dition obtain the happiness (or success) of a clean shirt, Lilly shall have the honour of predicting it Astrologically. But one pret­ty piece of Policy I meet with in wise Wil­liams Octobers Observations, that makes me smile at the writing thereof: 'tis this: It [Page 61]then being about Almanack time, and Lil­ly believing that he shall be lash'd, as the last year, (for he knows he hath notorious­ly deserved it) and that you may think he reads the same in the Heavens, he learned­ly (by this his sharp Praescience) predicts — Some botching Atheist now bespat­ters him.

In November he again temporizes with the Swede, thus: — Either with full peace, or much happiness, the Swedes are blessed according to their present condition. Prethee, Lilly, tell me, how thou camest to be so base a Flatterer? Dost thou see ♂ upon the place of ☉, and ☉, ♂ and ☿ in ♂, and all in ☍ to ☽'s Radical place, in the King of Swedes Geniture? I am perswaded, thou makest thy self a Parasite on purpose, or else thou knowest not ♂ from thy Tay­lors Bodkin.

But to conclude all his wise work, In Decembers right-hand-page he writes, — The guilty find friends. And in the left, verifies it in himself, thus — If Ju­piter were not in Libra, (his Printer hath made it June, but I scorn as much to retort that upon him, as he thinks it be­neath him to answer a Boy) Saturn would afflict poor Anglicus. Providence still pro­vides for him friends. Go on William! Con­fess all your sins, and guiltiness of all kinds; and consider that your end draw­eth on, and the M. C. ad □ ♄ & ☉ is com­ing apace; and flatter not your self as you have done the King of Swede. You will begin to claim the Title of an aged Para­site in Astrology: Flatter not your self therefore. For it is not ♃ in ♎ that can any way stead you. Is not ♄ returned to his own place, and the opposite place of the Sun? Is not your Revolution notori­ously cruel, and mischievous also? And how should ♃ in ♎ help you? Doth ♃ be­hold either the Ascendant, or ☉ in your Nativity? Is he not in □ of Luna? Flat­ter not your self, I say: Learn Astrology (for once) from a Boy; And if at last ♃ in ♎ fail you, say you had an enemy dealt [Page 63]more faithfully with you, without a Gold Chaine, than you did with the King of Sweden for one. So I leave William Lilly in the midst of his Flatteries and Igno­rance, as I found him.