Four great liars, striving who shall win the silver whetstone Also, a resolution to…Foure great lyers, striuing who shall win the siluer whetstone Also, a resolution to…

Thus much of Civill affairs. They make mention also yearly of the diseases which shall reign: but the way which they follow, is taken forth of the barren and uncertain rules of of the old Astrologers, who do so ascribe unto every Planet certain diseases, that if need shall require, they may refer the same disease unto many significators as in the plague, the putrefaction of humours is attributed unto Jupiter, the sharp fever unto Mars, the madness which followeth unto Mercury, the whole plague unto Mars. In the pleurisy the inflammation of the blood between the skin called Pleuritis, and the ribs is attributed ⟨image 45⟩unto Jupiter, the suppuration of the blood unto Saturn, and the whole pleurisy unto Jupiter. In the Jaundice the inflammation and corruption of humours, unto Jupiter, the yellow humour in the gall, unto Mars, the obstruction of the parts unto Saturn, the whole Jaundice being white unto Mars, black, unto Saturn. And so in every disease, they use this inconstancy and ambiguity in Prognosticating. It is a rule among the Astrologers that if the Planets signifiers of diseases be well affected, then there shall be no diseases but health: if they be evilly affected then diseases follow. Our Prognosticators never mark this rule, but howsoever the Planets be affected, they straightways pronounce that such diseases shall reign. For example the last winter quarter, it was said by one of them, that the diseases which should afflict mens bodies were rheums, coughs, cold laskes, swelling of the face & throat, falling of the Colmel sore eyes, deafness, the stone, gout, dropsy, greensickness, madness, quartern fevers. &c. And all the Planets ⟨image 45⟩signifiers of diseases in that quarter were indifferent well affected: wherefore thou hast not one cause to fear their threatenings, but rather to be sorry for their continual deceits, wishing them minds that they may one day see their own folly.

Thus muche of Ciuill affaires. They make mentiō also yearely of the diseases whiche shall reigne: but the way which they follow, is taken forth of the barren and vncertaine rules of of the old Astrologers, who do so ascribe vnto euery Planet certaine diseases, that if neede shall require, they may referre the same disease vnto many significatours as in the plague, the putrefaction of humors is attributed vnto Iupiter, the sharpe feuer vnto Mars, the madnesse whiche followeth vnto Mercurie, the whole plague vnto Mars. In the plurecie the inflammation of the bloud betwene the skinne called Pluritis, and the ribbs is attributed