卷一·第十九至二十章　会议不禁此学；占星学的力量、对象与界限

CHAP. XIX. Proving Astrology to be warranted by Councels, in spight of their Rabble.

第十九章　证明占星学有教会会议为凭据，不管他们那堆乌合之言怎么说。

EVen in that same 4. Sect. having thus (as you have heard) shewed the legality of Astrology, and validity of the study thereof, not being prohibited by God, &c. I conclude then, that whatever Doctor Homes alledgeth was the Law of the Romans against it, was of no validity; since of necessity (if warranted by the Word of God) it must be allowed by the Councels, especially the godlier sort of Conncels, whose Acts and determinations will be grounded on piety and the Word of God; and if otherwise, I value not what their censure is; for they are but men and (guided by their own reasons and opinions) fraile, subject to infirmities and errours; Humanum est errare.

就在那同一第四节里，（如你所听到的）我这样说明了占星学的合法、研究它的有效，说明它不为神所禁止，如此等等之后，我就断定：霍姆斯博士所举出的罗马人反对它的法律，不论是什么，都没有效力；因为（若有神的话为凭据）它必然为教会会议所容许，尤其是那些较敬虔的会议，它们的议决与裁定会建立在敬虔与神的话之上；若不是这样，我就不看重它们的谴责；因为它们不过是人，（受他们自己的理由与意见引导）是软弱的，会有缺点与错误；（拉丁文）“人皆会犯错。”

To which in their 39 pag. they Reply, that as I prove Astrology not to be condemned by the Word of God, just so (and no wiselier) do I prove it not impugned by Councels, namely by bare facing it down with a bold forehead.

对此，他们在第三十九页答复说：我怎样证明占星学不为神的话所谴责，就怎样（而且并不更明智地）证明它不为教会会议所攻击，即单凭厚着脸皮硬顶。

Now I desire no better proof that it is not condemned by Councels then this; for if their wisdomes will admit this to be proved as wisely, and just as I have the other, which all their wit you see, could not in the least and weakest point silence, my Argument will be good and firm enough, and evident to the Reader, that they remain as yet by them unshaken, and that they have no other refuge but barely to face it down with a bold and impudent forehead, especially being in the former so shamefully bafled.

那么，要证明它不为教会会议所谴责，我再不要比这更好的证据了；因为，如果他们的高明肯承认，这一点我证明得与另一点一样明智、一样恰当——而你看，他们的全部机智连另一点最小最弱的一处也不能使之哑口——那么我的论证就足够好、足够稳固了，读者也看得明白：这些论证至今未被他们动摇，他们没有别的退路，只能厚着无耻的脸皮硬顶，尤其是在前一点上已经那样可耻地被驳倒了。

Wherefore now it resteth I snew you the full power and subject of Astrology, and how far I maintain or allow of the Art, and here desist, referring you for further satisfaction to that discourse of mine, which is able to justifie these my words, since for all that the Replyers thereunto can say, the Art remains still unshaken, and it unanswered; wherefore they had but small reason to title that weak piece, Judicial Astrology Judicially condemned, when alas there is hardly a judicious sentence to be found between the beginning and end thereof, unless borrowed of some other Author, neither are they or it able to shew their faces before the judicious and impartial Judges of the matter, without suffering condign condemnation themselves.

所以现在只剩下：我向你说明占星学全部的力量与对象，以及我在多大程度上主张、容许这门技艺，然后就此打住，请你到我的那篇论文里去求进一步的满足，它足以为我这些话作证；因为不管那些答复者说什么，这门技艺仍未被动摇，那篇论文也未被答复；所以，他们把那篇软弱的作品题为《判断占星学被判断地定罪》，实在没有多少理由，因为唉，从头到尾几乎找不到一句有判断力的话，除非是从别的作者那里借来的；他们和它都不能在有见识、公正的裁判者面前露脸，而不自己受到应得的定罪。

CHAP. XX. Containing the power and subject of Astrology, and how far the Author vindicateth it.

第二十章　含占星学的力量与对象，以及作者为它辩护到什么程度。

YOu are now to receive The power and subject of Astrology, which by all what you have heard, dealeth with such things as are performed by Art and Nature, with the will of man indirectly and accidentally, and his inclinations temperature, and dispositions; as also with his affections and body, and with natural and secondary causes, and general accidents and contingencies:

现在你要领受占星学的力量与对象：照你所听到的一切，它所涉及的是由技艺与自然所成就的事，间接地、偶然地涉及人的意志，以及人的倾向、气质与禀性；也涉及他的情感与身体，涉及自然的与第二因，以及普遍的事件与偶然之事：

But not with rare contingencies or such as have an indifferent respect to the opposites, as depending upon unknown and indeterminate causes, which may happen one way or other: neither with mans will doth Astrology meddle, but accidentally, so far as the Soul with the faculties thereof follows the temperature of the body; neither with the Providence of God or shew a cause of miracles; or with the secrets of God; for they are (saith the Scripture) past finding out.

但不涉及罕见的偶然之事，或者对正反两面不偏不倚的事，因为那些事取决于未知、未定的原因，可能这样发生，也可能那样发生：占星学也不过问人的意志，除非是偶然地，即就灵魂及其诸能力随从身体的气质而言；也不涉及神的护理，不说明神迹的原因；也不涉及神的奥秘；因为它们（圣经说）是无法测透的。

Ergo, Astrologers, that are men that contemplate but natural causes, are falsly and most scandalously abused when thus impeached, neither hath the influence of the stars any fatality as inevitable, except some contigency be mixed therewith; for this were to deny the Providence of God.

（拉丁文）“所以”，星占家既然只是观照自然原因的人，被这样指控，就是受了虚妄而极可耻的诬蔑；诸星的影响也没有什么不可避免的宿命，除非其中掺入了某种偶然性；因为那就等于否认神的护理了。

Now as touching the parts of Astrology, I shall here according to Ptolomy, in the beginning of his second Book of his Quadripartite, chap. 1. divide into two, the first and chief part being general, as having relation to Countries, Kingdoms, Provinces, and Cities, alterations of Kingdoms, Laws, Customs, death, plenty, wars, peace, health, sickness, and mutations in the Air, &c. The second particular, viz. To mens Nativities, as to know the particular constitution, temperature and natural inclination of any man or woman, but not other accidents, as whether a man shall live long, the time when he shall die, and what manner of death, whether he shall be rich, and how attain it, &c. which are, as also Horary questions depending thereon, not certain.

至于占星学的各部分，我在这里照托勒密《四书》第二卷开头第一章，分为两部分：第一部分、也是主要的部分是普遍的，关乎各国、王国、省份与城市，王国、法律、习俗的变更，死亡、丰收、战争、和平、健康、疾病与空气的变化等等。第二部分是个别的，即关乎人的本命，比如知道任何男人或女人个别的体质、气质与天然倾向，但不包括别的事，比如一个人是否长寿、何时死、怎样死，是否会富、怎样得富等等；这些事，连同取决于它们的卜卦问事，都是不确定的。

The first is judged by the position of the Heavens and the Planets, and their Natures and significations at the time of any Revolution of the yeers of the world, the appearance of Eclipses, Comets, Blazing-stars, or great Conjunctions; The latter, at the time of the parties birth: and so far and no farther do I any wise allow of the Art; for, what is called Astrology more then this, is not ASTROLOGY, but the meer abuse of the Art;

第一部分凭世界任何年份回归之时、交食、彗星、扫帚星或大会合出现之时，诸天与行星的位置、它们的本性与象征来判断；后一部分凭当事人出生之时来判断：我容许这门技艺，就到此为止，绝不更多；因为凡比这更多而被称为占星学的，都不是占星学，只是对这门技艺的滥用；

I meand Charactery-Astrology, and other superstitions of the Arabians, and Chaldeans, also horary questions, and elections, if not depending or grounded on the Radix of the parties Nativitie, or rather on that part which teacheth of the general accidents of the world, are neither countenanced or vidicated by me in the least; for I have studied and know sufficiently the experience thereof, neither do I wholly relie on the setting of any mans Nativity, though it hath been approved of by some of the learned; fer, since the stars have no power on such as are ruled either by Reason or Grace, (as you have heard where I say, Astra agunt, not cogunt, are sapiens dominabitur astris) to what end then is it for a man to busie his head about such uncertainties, when except the native be a man meerly natural, no Prediction shall fall out true, as to accidents and disposition? sure is worse then madness then, to spend time on this part of the Art.

我是指符形占星学，以及阿拉伯人与迦勒底人的其他迷信，还有卜卦问事与择日，若不取决于、不建立在当事人本命的根盘之上，或者毋宁说不建立在讲世界普遍之事的那一部分之上，我都丝毫不支持、不辩护；因为我研究过它们，也充分知道它们的经验；我也不完全依赖为任何人起的本命盘，虽然一些有学问的人认可过它；因为，既然诸星对受理性或恩典统治的人没有力量（如你听到我说的，（拉丁文）“诸星推动，而不强迫”，又“智者将主宰诸星”），那么一个人为这样不确定的事费心劳神，又有什么用呢？因为除非本命者纯然是一个只凭本性的人，否则就事件与禀性而言，没有一个预言会应验；那么在这一部分技艺上花时间，必定比疯狂还糟。

Wherefore it must needs follow then, that the resolutions of questions and elections thereon depending, are more uncertain; yet I must confess the Astrologer may undertake in some sense to answer the demands of the Querent by his Art, without regard to the Radix or ought else, since he may be confidently assured that such inquirers are nowise either rational or religious, and so consequently are easily carried on to the temptations and delusions of the devil, or according to the natural inclination and influence of the Heavens.

所以必然推出：取决于本命的问事解答与择日就更不确定了；不过我必须承认，星占家在某种意义上可以凭他的技艺答复问卜者的询问，而不顾根盘或别的什么，因为他可以确信，这样的询问者绝不是讲理或虔诚的人，因而很容易被带去受魔鬼的试探与迷惑，或者随从诸天的天然倾向与影响。

Yet know, that Elections touching the administration of Physicke, Phlebotomy, using of Husbandry and Navigation, I do allow of, as also all other elections if they depend on this matter; but what is more then this, doth (in my opinion) subject mans will to the power of the stars, and all his voluntary actions; which to affirm, were most ridiculous.

不过你要知道，关于施药、放血、务农与航海的择日，我是容许的，还有凡取决于这类事的其他一切择日也都容许；但比这更多的，（依我看）就是使人的意志与他一切自愿的行为都服从星辰的力量；这样断言就最可笑了。

And thus far is the glory of God made cleerly manifest in his creatures; and to deny this which is indeed the pure Art of Astrology, is to deny the most heavenly and chiefest study (next to Divinity) under the Sun, and also that which of all studies else most conduceth to the praise and glory of the omnipotent and omniscient creator, for which they and all things else were first created; and then consequently must the treducers thereof be most impious and ignorant.

神的荣耀就这样在他的造物中清楚地显明出来；否认这一点——这其实就是纯正的占星之术——就是否认日光之下最属天、最首要的研究（仅次于神学），也是否认在一切研究中最能使人赞美、荣耀那全能全知的造物主的研究，诸星与万物起初正是为此而造的；因此，诋毁它的人必定是最不敬、最无知的。

Reader, I shall here for conclusion say no more then this, that thou first seek thy Creator and serve him, before thou apply thy minde unto this subsequent or any other study, for that so thou shalt be made the more excellent and perfect therein; yet particularly as for this heavenly contemplation, let me tell thee, wert thou an Heathen before thou wert seen therein, yet wilt thou cleerly be made thereby (when thou art acquainted therewith) to see thy Creator and his unspeakable wisdom therein; wherefore in all thy study give him the whole praise and glory, who hath disposed and ordered all things according to his divine will, and inevitable decree; and that thou mayest be the better inabled thereunto, thou shalt never want my prayers nor service.

读者啊，我在这里作结，只说这一句：你在把心思用于后面这门研究或任何别的研究之前，先要寻求你的造物主、事奉他，因为这样你就会在其中更加卓越、更加完善；但单就这属天的观照而言，让我告诉你：即使你在精通它之前是个异教徒，等你熟悉了它，你也必会借着它清楚地看见你的造物主以及他在其中那说不尽的智慧；所以在你的一切研究中，要把全部的赞美与荣耀都归给他，是他照自己神圣的旨意与不可违的定命安排、规定了万事；为了使你更能做到这一点，我的祈祷与效劳必不会缺少你的。

Die ♄ 31. Januarii 1651.

土星日，一六五一年一月三十一日。

FINIS.

终。