Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

But it may be demanded whether he utterly condemns the Astrology of the Chaldeans, Quest. or only the abuse and corruption of it.

But it may be demanded whether he vtterly condemnes the Astrologie of the Chaldeans, Quest. or only the abuse and corruption of it.

I answer, Ans. he here only condemns the signs whereby the Chaldeans conjectured, as if ⟨p. 473⟩they could judge of things to come:¹ for the Lord pronounceth that all such things are merely vain. It is not without cause then that he forbids his people to ask counsel of Astrologers, Soothsayers, Prognosticators, & such like Magicians, and that no man should have to deal with men of such professions under pain of death, Deut. 18.10.11. But if any could have gathered certain conjectures from the situation and aspect of the stars, no doubt the Lord would never have condemned such sciences. Seeing then without exception he forbids them, it clearly shows they contain nothing but mere illusions, and therefore that all his people should esteem them as abominations. Object. But those that plead for this vanity, allege, that the Lord hath given the planets and stars for signs, Ans. Gen. 1.14. Be it that I grant them this principle, yet we must consider whereof they be signs. For we condemn not that Astrology which contemplates the course of the stars,² wherein Gods wonderful Majesty is to be seen: but we reject as vain such curious heads as will thence conclude how long kingdoms and common-wealths shall stand; ³what accident shall befall this City, or nation: that man, or such a woman, for herein they pass their bounds, and abuse these signs, which were never ordained to foretell things to come.