And first, betwixt the dayes they make no little difference, For all be not of vertue like, nor like preheminence, But some of them Egyptian are and full of jeopardee, And some againe, beside the rest, both good and luckie bee, Like difference of the nights they make, as if the Almightie King, That made them all, not gracious were to them in everything.[415] John Gaule, in his “Magastromancer” (1652), remarks that, according to the teachings of the astrologers, Times can give a certain fortune to our business. The magicians likewise have observed, and all the antient verse men consent in this, that it is of very great concernment in what moment of time and disposition of the heavens everything, whether naturall or artificial, hath received its being in this world: for they have delivered that the first moment hath so great power that all the course of fortune dependeth thereon and may be foretold thereby. In the dark ages, and also in early modern times, the false doctrines of astrology, an inheritance from the ancients, dominated the actions of men. In all important enterprises, as well as in every-day labors, it was deemed essential to make a beginning under the influence of a favorable planet. Nor did these beliefs prevail exclusively among ignorant people, but were as well a part of the creed of scholars, and of the nobility and gentry. Modern astronomical discoveries, and especially the Copernican system, availed to banish a vast amount of superstition regarding the malevolent character of certain days. But neither science nor religion have yet been able wholly to eradicate it, as is evident from the ill-repute associated with the sixth day of the week even at the present time, a subject to be considered later. In the “Loseley Manuscripts,” edited by Alfred John Kempe, London, 1836, is to be found a letter, some extracts from which may serve to illustrate the paramount influence of astrology in England in the sixteenth century. The letter is addressed to Mr. George More, at Thorpe:— As for my comming to you upon Wensday next … I cannot possibly be wᵗʰ you till Thursday. On Fryday and Saterday the signe will be in the heart, on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in the stomake, during wᶜʰ tyme it wil be no good dealing wᵗʰ your ordinary phisicke until Wensday come Sevenight at the nearest, and from that tyme forwards for 15 or 16 days passing good. In w’ch time yf it will please you to let me understand of your convenient opportunity and season, I will not faill to come along presently wᵗʰ your messenger. Your worship’s assured lovinge fr(ie)nd SIMON TRIPPE, M. D. WINTON. Septemb. 18. 1581.