I know not whether to disallow or discommend the curious observation used by our elders, who conjectured upon nativities: so as, if _Saturne_ and _Mercurie_ were opposite in anie brute signe, a man then borne should be dumbe or stammer much; whereas it is dailie seene, that children naturallie imitate their parents conditions in that behalfe. Also they have noted, that one borne in the spring of the moone, shalbe healthie; in that time of the wane, when the moone is utterlie decaied, the child then borne cannot live; and in the conjunction, it cannot long continue. ♦The ridiculous art of nativitie-casting.♦ But I am sure the opinion of _Julius Maternus_ is most impious, who writeth, that he which is borne when _Saturne_ is in _Leone_, shall live long, and after his death shall go to heaven presentlie. And so is this of _Albumazar_, who saith, that whosoever praieth to God, when the moone is in _Capite draconis_, shalbe heard, and obteine his praier. Furthermore, to plaie the cold prophet, as to recount it good or bad lucke, when salt or wine falleth on the table, or is shed, &c: or to prognosticate that ghests approch to your house, upon the chattering of pies or haggisters, wherof there can be yeelded no probable reason, is altogither vanitie and superstition: as hereafter shalbe more largelie shewed. But to make simple people beleeve, that a man or woman can foretell good or evill fortune, is meere witchcraft or cousenage. For God is the onlie searcher of the heart, and delivereth not his counsell to so lewd reprobates. I know diverse writers affirme, that witches foretell things, as prompted by a reall divell; and that he againe learneth it out of the prophesies written in the scriptures, and by other nimble sleights, wherein he passeth anie other creature earthlie; and that the same divell, or some of his fellowes runnes or flies as farre as _Rochester_, to mother _Bungie_; or to _Canturburie_ to M. _T_; or to _Delphos_, to _Apollo_; or to _Aesculapius_, in _Pargamo_; or to some other idoll or witch, and there by waie of oracle answers all questions, through his understanding of the prophesies conteined in the old testament, especiallie in _Daniel_ and _Esaie_: whereby the divell knew of the translation of the monarchie from _Babylon_ to _Græcia_, &c. But either they have learned this of some oracle or witch; or else I know not where the divell they find it. Marrie certeine it is, that herein they shew themselves to be witches and fond divinors: for they find no such thing written in Gods word. ♦Julius Maternus his most impious opinion.♦ ♦_Bodinus. Danæus. Erastus. Hemingius. Mal. malef. Thom. Aquinas, &c._♦