Most fruitful [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martyr Vermil Florentine, professor of divinity,…Most fruitfull [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martir Vermil Florentine, professor of deuinitie,…

¹There is an other kind of dreams, which proceedeth of an outward cause, namely from the power of heaven, or (as it is commonly called) the influence, which altereth the air. For this air touching our bodies, affecteth them with a new quality: Whereby sundry images and dreams are stirred up unto those which are on sleep. Wherefore there are many effects wrought of heaven, of which it bringeth forth some in the fantasy, and power or faculty of imagination: and other some in deed. And that may easily be showed by an example. In deed in the air or clouds there are rain: and in the imagination of the Crow there is such an alteration before the rain, that he beginneth to croak. Wherefore the effects in the fantasy of those which are on sleep, and also in deed, come undoubtedly of the self same cause: Yet have they great diversity by reason of the subjects in which they are made. And it is not to be doubted, but that there is a certain slender and hidden similitude between these effects. But it is very hard to understand the reason of this proportion or analogy. And if we say, that the stars are the cause of such effects or affections, who can refer these signs unto his own proper cause,² that is, to some certain stars more then to other, Assuredly I suppose that there are very few (I will not say none) which can do it. Farther if they should also be referred unto proper stars, what can we judge to come to pass by them, especially as touching things coming by hap, when as judicial Astrology is evermore counted most uncertain? In fine, images & & similitudes which are said to portend things to come, are so doubtful, uncertain & ambiguous, that we can affirm nothing for certain of them. Wherefore this is to be added, that forasmuch as dreams cannot be brought to pass of one only cause, but of many (as we have declared) we shall easily fall into an error, if we of those many causes choose only one certain cause. Therefore let us hold this, that is, not easily to foretell any thing by dreams, for that they may easlier de judged by the events, then the events can by them be foretold. Wherefore there remaineth of dreams but only a certain suspicion, which also of necessity is very slender.

¹There is an other kinde of dreames, whiche procedeth of an outward cause, namely from the power of heauen, or (as it is commonlye called) the influence, which altereth the ayre. For this ayre touching our bodies, affecteth them with a new quality: Wherby sundrye images and dreames are stirred vp vnto those which are on sleepe. Wherfore there are manye effectes wroughte of heauen, of whych it bringeth forth some in the phantasy, and power or faculty of imagination: and other some in deede. And that may easely be shewed by an example. In dede in the ayre or cloudes there are raine: and in the imaginacion of the Crow there is such an alteration before the rayne, that he beginneth to croke. Wherfore the effects in the phantasy of those which ar on slepe, and also in dede, come vndoubtedly of the self same cause: Yet haue they great diuersity by reasō of the subiectes in which they are made. And it is not to be doubted, but that there is a certayne slender and hidden similitude betweene these effectes. But it is verye hard to vnderstand the reason of this proporcion or analogy. And if we say, that the starres are the cause of such effectes or affections, who can refer these signes vnto his own propre cause,