A42469:130
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.
One question yet more I would propound to Mr. L. whether ⟨p. 65⟩these Eclipses do foreshow only, or effect also such things as he is pleased to ascribe to them. For in this point he seems somewhat various. One while telling us,1 that when Astrologers speak of the virtue and influence of the heavenly bodies, they rarely, I say, never, (saith he) affirm, they act or do such a thing, but frequently that they signify such or such a thing: and Ficinus that excellent learned Priest saith, that many things are foretold by means of the heavenly bodies, as signs, not as causes; whose opinion (he saith) he esteems more of then a thousand of our own Priests, who blame Astrology because it is above their capacity. and in his New come out Ephemeris; We say not, 2(as some ridiculous Divines affirm) the Configurations to be the only immediate causes (here is another manner of qualification then was in the former assertion: for an efficient may act or do, tho neither immediately, nor alone) but we say, that they only in a natural way signify, or are the forerunners of such and such things: as by a distempered pulse, or irregular diet the Physician doth safely and infallibly conclude, that the party must needs be near to a sickness. And yet a little after, What tumults and seditions all over the world did the effects of this Eclipse stir up?3 how great quarrels did these Eclipses sow the seeds of? what horrid wars did they produce? and again, The Eclipses of the Luminaries operate by their influences upon Cities, Provinces and Kingdoms: and,4 5Those Eclipses do most terribly manifest their effects, which fall to be in the heart of heaven. and, The greatest Eclipses produce the greatest Effects.6
One qestion yet more I would propound to Mr. L. whether ⟨p. 65⟩