ASTROLOGIA MUNDA - Classical Astrologer Weblog

My Lord,
Book IV – Astrologia Munda
Introduction
Did not your Honours merits claim this fourth and chief part of my labours as
your due, I durst not have assumed that audacity as to implore your Honours
patronage; for as I have humbly made choice of the three preceding most noble
heroes, So (my Lord) left yet notwithstanding my fabric should at length fall to
the ground, (which it must inevitably do, unless Your Honour pass by the
presumption and unworthiness of the writer) I humbly presumed to crave Your
Honours patronage and support thereof (craving pardon for this my simile)
being the main pillar on which I desire it should be build and upheld) not
questioning then, but Your Honours virtues and most excellent endowments
will add such a lustre to the whole, that the beholders will not question the
insufficiency or unworthiness of me, the author, nor further call the thing itself
in question, but with all assured confidence accept thereof as most worthy and
immaculate, which in itself I presume to conclude it is, however my weakness
and insufficiency has expressed it to the World, the which as I question not but
your Honours’ piercing judgement will discover, so I hope your Honours’
munificent goodness will pass over and pardon.
I must confess (my Lord) the ridiculous and base mercenary practices of some
that have pretended to the knowledge of this sublime science has brought the
whole Art into contempt, and in question with the ignorant therein, and such as
are not able to distinguish between the use and the abuse of a thing, or the
purity of the thing studied, and the corruption of the student; whereby the very
word ASTROLOGY, under which this most heavenly science and peace of
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY is expressed, is become both odious and ridiculous
to most of the rural now living; but such is your Honours’ magnanimity, that
the traduced shall not without diligent examination and evident witness be
condemned, nor abolished your Honours’ presence, not making tradition, but
truth and experience the guide and ground of your judgement.
I shall not need there to speak ought in the behalf of the whole science, which I
have endeavoured in these my labours to purify from its dross and feculence,
since in the preceding epistles, and the first book, I have hinted both at its
verity, excellence and validity; but only of this subsequent discourse, which
now after my great care and indefatigable pains being produced, I am by an
happy gust drawn to this anchorage, and crave your Honours’ acceptance and
patronage. It is an instruction to the whole general part of that liberal science
which is called ASTRONOMY or ASTROLOGY, which together with
PHYSICS, make according to Aristotle, 2. Phys. 2. Cap. but one entire science;
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