A42469:127
Thomas Gataker B.D. his vindication of the annotations by him published upon these words,…
Thomas Gataker B.D. his vindication of the annotations by him published upon these words, Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them, Jer. 10. 2 against the scurrilous aspersions of that grand impostor Mr. William Lillie : as also against the various expositions of two of his advocates, Mr. John Swan, and another by him cited, but not named : together with the annotations themselves : wherein the pretended grounds of judiciary astrology, and the Scripture-proofs produced for it are discussed and refuted.Thomas Gataker B.D. his vindication of the annotations by him published upon these words, Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signes of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them, Jer. 10. 2 against the scurrilous aspersions of that grand imposter Mr. William Lillie : as also against the various expositions of two of his advocates, Mr. John Swan, and another by him cited, but not named : together with the annotations themselvs : wherein the pretended grounds of judiciary astrologie, and the Scripture-proofes produced for it are discussed and refuted.
London: printed by J.L. for Richard Thrayle, 1653
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But, that he may not wholly desert his fellow Wizard, and yet put us in hope of much good hereafter, I know not when, towards us, he tells us, that tho according to the right intention of his Author, this Malicious Man, or Malignant Cavalier, Man or State be it, shall acquire Dominion and Sovereignty by fraud and blood, as before▪ yet,1 because the third face of the Ram is Venus hers, which represents subtlety, mildness, plays, (a very comfortable prophecy for the poor Players, that they shall come to be in request again) joyfulness, clearness; therefore the government, albeit so gotten as before, shall be ordered with sweetness, by subtlety, mercy, affability, &c. and this, he saith, you may observ in the Type en•uing. whether one of his own framing, or fitted to his hand by some other, he says not. but it is of a Gentlewoman, sitting cross-legged, barefoot and barelegged, strumpet-wise, fingering a lute, as the manner is, they say, in ⟨p. 64⟩some places, where such are allowed, to invite customers to them. now he tells us withal, that this picture seems to promise a cessation of all taxes, (as those of the levelling party promised, when they were up in arms) and all things governed by love. You see what a lucky presage it is, when Aries and Venus meet, when a beautiful harlot is lodged in the sign of the Ram. and from what manner of Deities we must expect the peace and prosperity of our present Government, by the doctrine of these figure-casters and figure-drawers. Oh but when, trow we, may some loose people say, will these Halcyon, or Venerean days rather appear? for there is good hope given us by the moral of the type, or the tale, that Stage-Plays and Stews may then come in again: for Venus sure is as well president and patroness of the one as of the other. Or others better affected; When shall all things be settled in peace and love with us? Herein he gives us but cold comfort, such as my self especially, that are going out of the world, and can not look or hope to live long in it. for he tells us, that this new Sovereignty or manner of Government (so gotten as ye heard before) shall continue in somewhat a rigid posture, but in much Majesty and austerity, until almost 1663. at which time all sharpness and bitterness will be laid aside, and matters ruled mildly. the Levellers with Mr.