and write base matters in a loftie stile, and with y^e cloke of a text do hide their own forgeries. But as for Characters, they are either words vnder the forme of some letters, containing in them the matter of a prayer, or else they are made for the seruice and worship of certaine Stars at speciall times. Of Characters, in the first sence, we are to iudge in the same sort, as we did of prayers: but as for these latter figures and Characters, it is well knowne that they haue no vertue nor efficacie at all, vnlesse they be framed in their proper seasõs. For which cause he that maketh them as he findeth them, in the books, obseruing only the figure wherein he followeth his sampler, is judged by al wise men to do iust nothing. But contrariwise, he that worketh according to the aspect of the heauens, in due constellations is able not onely to dispose of his Characters, but euen of all his works, as well artificiall as natural, agreeable to the influence of the heauen. Neuerthelesse, for so much as it is very difficult to perceiue the certainty of heauenly bodies, many are ouertaken with grosse errors, & few there are that can truly & profitably order any thing. And hence it is that the common Mathematicians iudging and working by Magick Starres, and by workes, as it were iudgements at choyse times, become nothing famous, although they bee right cunning, and throughly acquainted with the Arte, and are able to bring many things to passe. But it must not bee forgotten that the skilfull Phisition and any other, of what profession soeuer may to good purpose vse Charmes and Characters, though they bee fained after the opinion of _Constantinus_ the Phisition: not as though Charmes and Characters coulde worke any thing, but that the Medicine might bee the more willingly and readily receyued, and that the minde of the patient might bee excited to become more confident, and bee filled with ioye: for the Soule thus affected, is able to renue many things in his owne bodie, insomuch that it may recouer his former health, through the ioy and hope it hath conceiued. If therefore the Physition for the magnifying of his worke, doo administer any such thing, that his patient may not dispayre of his health, it is not to bee abhorred if wee will credite the sayde _Constantinus_. For hee in his Epistle of those things which may be hanged about the necke, graunteth that Charmes and Characters may thus bee vsed, and in this cause defendeth them: for the soule hath great power ouer the body through his strong and forcible operations, as _Auicenna_ sayth in his Bookes of the Soule, and in his eight booke of liuing Creatures, and in this poynt all wise men agree: and for this cause sicke folkes are suffered to see playes, and pleasaunt thinges are brought vnto them: yea, oftentimes following theyr humour, wee giue them many contrary thinges, because the affection and appetite of the soule ouercommeth sicknesse. [Sidenote: The quantitie is called by