Clarke - BV4500_C46_1659_v1

Chap. i 5, about Jl rolbgy,andSeeherr toAffíaologers. mon-wealth (hall he deflroyed. And we reade Ails tg. t9. of many who be- ing converted, brou hr their books aboutfuch curious Arts, and burnt them- Ike may reade more hereof in i'ereriue;Spanhemüii,ZAach", and others. Fou thly, if the Heavens were true, aridproper caufes, órneceffary fagnes, yet noman could certainlypro,nóflicate any chin:; by them ; becaufe no man knows the number, nor the vertue; and efficacie of the flats.. The Scripture makes is peculiar to God only tò know the Bars, and to call them by their names ; but if any man could certainly divineby the (tars, he :nufl know their number, aótivityand influence, yea, and the degreeof theiralitivity, without which they cannot bur;roffely erre. Fifthly, if the Heavens be caufes, yet they are only univerfal caufes : now from a univerfal indeterminate caufe, there cannot be any fpecial particular ef- fe& foretold : For betides univerfäl caufes, all particular inferiour caufes,which are many anduncertain, muttbe known alfa.. Sixthly, if Afltolo:ical Predielions were allowed, it would bring in a con- tempt of God, and flat Atheifine into the world. The Scripture carries us out to God in all thins, tohis Wifdom, Power, Juflice, &c. But the fe would binde us to the,Planets : yea, by this means alto the Scripture would be deft ifed, and laid afide, and all prophanenefle would be introduced thereby : yea, ande- very one would excufe his vices, with Howcould Mel? it, fee,ng 1 an. borne un- derfuck aftarre : As Saint Auguf ine tellsus of a fervant ofa certain Afirolo ret, who having robbed his Mailer, his Mailer went about to corre& him for ic;wher- upon he cried out that he Fould not help it, forthat he was borne under M. ; c.r- ry, ;and the Aflrolo, ers fay that fuch as areborne under that, Planet, are iven to (leafing) and thus he filenced' his Mailer by the Rules of his owne Art. Ob. But we fee that-many rinses theyforetelthe truth ? Anfw. Firfl, and Many more prove falle anduntrue : and if onething fall out true, its more oblerved then a hund red thins that prove falfe : Betides, when they foretel many thins, its hardif fomeone at leali prove not true. Ablinde ihari, that (hoots manyArrows, may chance with ' ne tohit the mark. Secondly, if fuch things as they foretel do come to paffe, its either from their expreile, or vertual contra& with the devil. And if not to, yet as Saint Aup-u- obferves,itsa juá jud,ment ofU;odupon thee,thatchou fhouldefi havewherwitK to Humble and fall, andundo thy felf, as Deuteron. , &c. Thus a wickedPro- phet may foretel that which comes to paffe.: and why ? God doth it re prove And tryy'ou ? -- See Mr. An. Burges on Sohnp. 396. Quell. What fife n- ay we make ofthis whichhath beenfeid ? Arfw. Fitt}, let all be perfwaded to flie the fludy, and tóabandon the pra6lice of this black Art. The Scripture condemns it asabomination to the Lo, d, Reafon Witnefesa::ainfl it asbeing irratióm I and uncertain. There is vanity in it,danger by it. Satan is a fubtile Serpent, and infinuates intomany this way before they beaware. Finde you pleafure in it ? Itsbut a fweet poifon. Thinkyou to stet honour by it ? you may be applauded by vain men, but are difallowed by God: Perkins reckons it up amongfl the kindes of witchcraft : Saint Auftin counts it ungodlydotage, and inconfrflent with Chriflianity. Doth profit entice you ? Its bit Balsams gain, the wages of iniquity, money that will perifh with you. Secondly, if notwithftanding allthat can be laid, Aârolo'ers will perfift in theirwicked pratkice, all (hould take heedof countenancin : them, left par- taking in their fins they partake in their pla'ues : Have 'therefore no fello- (hip with there unfruitful worksof darknefle : abhorre all commerce with, any re- fött to fuch perfons : Flie from them, as from the devil himfelf: Thou break- U eft 1 Iv. V. VI. I. II. I. fI,

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