prevailed with any man, that he will attribute no virtue at all to the
heavens, or to sun, or moon, more than he doth to their signs at an
innkeeper's post, or tradesman's shop, or generally condemn all such
astrological aphorisms approved by experience: I refer him to Bellantius,
Pirovanus, Marascallerus, Goclenius, Sir Christopher Heidon, &c. If thou
shalt ask me what I think, I must answer, _nam et doctis hisce erroribus
versatus sum_, (for I am conversant with these learned errors,) they do
incline, but not compel; no necessity at all: [1278]_agunt non cogunt_: and
so gently incline, that a wise man may resist them; _sapiens dominabitur
astris_: they rule us, but God rules them. All this (methinks) [1279]Joh.
de Indagine hath comprised in brief, _Quaeris a me quantum in nobis
operantur astra_? &c. "Wilt thou know how far the stars work upon us? I say
they do but incline, and that so gently, that if we will be ruled by
reason, they have no power over us; but if we follow our own nature, and be
led by sense, they do as much in us as in brute beasts, and we are no
better." So that, I hope, I may justly conclude with [1280]Cajetan, _Coelum
est vehiculum divinae virtutis_, &c., that the heaven is God's instrument,
by mediation of which he governs and disposeth these elementary bodies; or
a great book, whose letters are the stars, (as one calls it,) wherein are
written many strange things for such as can read, [1281]"or an excellent
harp, made by an eminent workman, on which, he that can but play, will make
most admirable music." But to the purpose.

[1282]Paracelsus is of opinion, "that a physician without the knowledge of
stars can neither understand the cause or cure of any disease, either of
this or gout, not so much as toothache; except he see the peculiar geniture
and scheme of the party effected." And for this proper malady, he will have
the principal and primary cause of it proceed from the heaven, ascribing
more to stars than humours, [1283]"and that the constellation alone many
times produceth melancholy, all other causes set apart." He gives instance