卷一·第九章　各国的法律习俗随所属星座而异

CHAP. IX. Shewing that the Influences of the Heavens and predominancy of the stars in every Climate, is the cause of the several Laws and Customs of the People therein.

第九章　说明诸天的影响与各气候带中诸星的主宰，是其中人民各种法律与习俗的原因。

Object. VAin and weak then are they who object and imagine (since it is clear that the stars have influence, and that as well general as particular) that Countreys and Kingdoms and Nations are ruled by Laws and Customs only, and not by the power of the influence of the triangle or triplicity they are under, which Ptolomy, in the aforesaid place, abundantly sheweth to the contrary, and also confirmeth by reason; look Ptol. lib. 2. cap. 3. whither I shall (at this time) refer thee; since natural reason will shew us, that through diversity of Manners, which is caused through the diversity of situations of the places or parts of the World, divers Laws and Customs according to the Natural inclination of the Constellations they are under, are apparent in each Nation, being far different from others; otherways I would fain know, why all Nations do not, or cannot subject themselves to one Law or manner of Custom.

反驳：既然诸星有影响，而且既有普遍的也有个别的，这是明白的，那么有人反驳、设想说，各国家、王国、民族只受法律与习俗统治，而不受它们所属的三角即三方之影响力统治，这些人就是空洞而软弱的；托勒密在前面所说的地方已充分说明相反的道理，并用理由加以证实，请看托勒密卷二第三章，我这次就请你到那里去看；因为自然的理性会向我们显明：由于世界上各地各部分位置不同，造成风尚不同，于是按照各自所属星群的天然倾向，各民族显出各种法律与习俗，彼此大不相同；不然的话，我倒很想知道，为什么天下各民族不肯、或者不能服从同一种法律或同一种习俗。

I could out of Livie, Plinie and others, shew thee the Authority of some Nations in these matters; but for that I desire to draw to an end, I shall here content my self with this one testimony of Bodin (before mentioned) who in his fifth Book de Repub. affirmeth, that the Low-Countreys shook off the Government of the King of Spain, by reason their manners are so far different from theirs, insomuch that hardly can there be any thing more; for Laws, all Rational men know, ought to be agreeable, and be applyed to the manners of a Nation, and not the inclinations and manners to the Laws; for what is repugnant to the Natural inclination of the People, cannot be of any long continuance.

我本可以从李维、普林尼等人的书里给你举出某些民族在这些事上的成例，但因我想快些收尾，这里只以博丹（前面提过）的一条证言为满足；他在《国家论》第五卷断言：低地诸国之所以摆脱西班牙国王的统治，是因为他们的风尚与西班牙人的大不相同，几乎不可能更不相同了；因为凡讲理的人都知道，法律应当合乎一个民族的风尚，应用于这风尚，而不是让倾向与风尚去合乎法律；凡违背人民天然倾向的东西，都不能长久。

And here I may also affirm, that by reason of the Antipathy between the signe ruling England, and that under which Scotland is, the English out of this consideration, together with some others, as &c. have shaken off the Government of Monarchy, being before under Scottish Kings for above forty yeers; the reason is, because Aries (the proper Ascendant of England) is hot and dry, and Cancer (the Ascendant of Scotland) is cold and moist; again Aries is a fiery sign, and of the fiery trigon;

这里我也可以断言：由于主宰英格兰的星座与苏格兰所属的星座之间的相斥，英格兰人出于这层考虑，连同另外一些考虑（如此等等），已经摆脱了君主制的统治，而他们此前在苏格兰国王之下已有四十多年；理由在于：白羊（英格兰本有的上升星座）热而干，巨蟹（苏格兰的上升星座）冷而湿；再者，白羊是火象星座，属火象三方；

Cancer is a sign watry, and of the watry trigon: so that since there is as much difference between the natural inclinations of those two, as there is between fire and water; so is it as much impossible to unite them and make them of one inclination and minde, as to make the water and fire so agree, as that the one being thrown into the other, they shall so unite, as not to make a noise or thundring bustle; for they are Nations that do naturally abhor and detest each other; and this I can aver, by what I have by observation found in their inclinations &c.

巨蟹是水象星座，属水象三方：所以，既然这两者天然倾向的差别有如火与水的差别，那么要使它们合一、成为同一倾向同一心意，就与要使水与火相合一样不可能——把一个投进另一个里，它们不发出响声或雷鸣般的骚动就合在一起，那是办不到的；因为这两个民族天然彼此憎恶厌弃；这一点我可以凭我对他们倾向的观察所得来证实，如此等等。

But if any say, this is not the reason, and affirm that the English do absolutely detest the Monarchical Government, and therefore have setled another kinde of rule; I answer, that for the removing this Objection, I shall not say any thing but this, Object. that the stars Agunt sed non cogunt, they incline, but compel not, as to inforce the will of man, (this is more cleared anon;) besides, all rational and knowing men can tell, Answ. that a desperate disease must have a desperate cure; verbum sapienti sat est, or erit, since I am not permitted to speak all I either could or would; but thus much I shall affirm, that the natural inclination of the people of England, (according to the influences of the Heavens and constellations they are under,) are inclined to be subject to Monarchy; from whence I do positively affirm, that before many yeers be expired, there will be a Catastrophe mundi; we must be content, and not repine at the hand and will of God; who (according to his divine pleasure,) hath ordered all things, so as to work according to his will, even from the first creation, till the subversion of all Kingdoms and Nations, and the earth it self, nay and those coelestial constellations who then shall fall from heaven, as being longer of no use.

但若有人说这不是原因，而断言英格兰人完全憎恶君主制的统治，所以才确立了另一种统治；我回答：为了消除这条反驳，我不说别的，只说这一句——反驳——诸星（拉丁文）“推动而不强迫”，即它们使人倾向，却不强迫，以致强制人的意志（这一点下文还会讲清楚）；此外，凡讲理而有见识的人都能说出——回答——绝症须用猛药；（拉丁文）“对智者一言足矣”，或者将来就足够了，因为我不能把我能说的、想说的都说出来；但我要断言这么多：英格兰人民的天然倾向（照他们所属的诸天与星群的影响）是倾向于服从君主制的；由此我确切断言：不出许多年，就会有一场世界的大变局；我们必须知足，不要抱怨神的手与旨意；他照自己神圣的美意安排万事，使之按他的旨意运行，从最初的创造，直到一切王国、民族乃至大地本身的倾覆，甚至那时将从天上坠落的天上星群也一样，因为它们到那时已不再有用了。

Wherefore, I say that not onely vain and silly are they who object and talk of the custome of Countries, and yet refer all things to mans own Consultation and opinion. Nota. but also most weak and childish; as if any Discipline, Law or Custom were sufficient, without respect to the natural disposition of the people depending on the constellation of the Heaven under which they live, or that (since they would have it to depend on their own inclination) any people will constitute Laws contrary to their own nature; for we have Laws here against Adultery and Incest; and Diodorus and others testifie that the Persians and the rulers of Africa do not onely maintain Incest, but also whole Legions of Concubines: it had been most preposterous therefore for these people to have created laws against what they are so naturally inclined to.

所以我说，那些反驳说、谈论各国的习俗、却又把一切都归于人自己的商议与意见的人，不但空洞愚拙，（请注意）而且最为软弱幼稚；好像任何教化、法律或习俗都足以成事，而不必顾及人民的天然禀性——这禀性取决于他们所居之天的星群；又好像（既然他们要让法律取决于人自己的倾向）有哪个民族会订立违背自己本性的法律似的；因为我们这里有禁止通奸与乱伦的法律；而狄奥多罗斯等人作证说，波斯人与非洲的统治者不但容许乱伦，还养着成群的姬妾：所以这些民族若订立法律去禁止他们天然所倾向的事，那就最为颠倒了。

The reason why they are so addicted to Venery, Ptolomie in the aforesaid 2. de Quadri. cap. 3. will shew thee who saith, in coeundo superabundant, ita quòd eorum conjugia fiunt vi atque rapina; multoties etiam eorum rex cum alienis sponsis, priusquam earum sponsi, venereos actus exercet; & quorundam eorum sunt uxores communes inter ipsos; ipsi quoque picturas & ornatus concupiscunt, & se more foeminino adornant propter Venerem.

他们何以如此沉溺于色欲，托勒密在前面所说的《四书》卷二第三章会告诉你，他说（拉丁文）：“他们在交合上过度，以致他们的婚姻借暴力与劫夺而成；他们的国王也常常在新郎之前与别人的新娘行房事；他们当中有些人的妻子是彼此共有的；他们也贪爱图画与装饰，为了金星的缘故，照女子的样式打扮自己。”

They exceed and abound in venery, so that their marriages are by force, and their Kings use oftener to accompany, or covet more other mens wives then their own; many have their wives common for one another, and for the most part they delight in pictures, and go drest much after the fashion of women; and all this by reason they are ruled and governed by Venus.

他们在色欲上过度泛滥，以致婚姻靠强力而成，他们的国王更常与别人的妻子同处，或者贪恋别人的妻子甚于自己的妻子；许多人彼此共有妻子；他们大多喜爱图画，穿着打扮很像女人；这一切都是因为他们受金星统治与管辖。

This point might be further amplified by many more examples; but since to the judicious and rational it is so cleer, it were vain longer to insist thereon. Thus then have you heard how the Heavens are rulers and disposers of Kingdoms, Nations, and Countries; and that by their influence, they do differ from each other, both in nature and temper;

这一点本可以用更多例子进一步展开；但既然对有见识、讲理的人来说这已如此明白，再坚持下去就是徒劳了。这样，你已经听到诸天怎样主宰、安排各王国、民族与国家；它们又怎样凭自己的影响，使各地在本性与气质上彼此不同；

Nota. and so consequently the inhabitants, as much vary in their natural inclinations and conditions, Laws, Customs and manners, as each Climate doth in its hearbs, beasts, and Birds; wherefore now it resteth, that we shew you the influence of the Heavens on the earth, causing health, sicknesses, plagues, plenty, scarcity, mutations of the ayre, innundations, wars, peace and all general and particular accidents in the whole world; but since we shall have occasion to treate of this more anon, when we come to handle the rules of the Antients touching the judgements of Eclipses, Comets, Blazing-Stars, Revolutions, and great Conjunctions in the fourth book, I shall here desist; since by all the learned it is an approved truth, that by the divers motions, aspects, and conjunctions of the stars and Planets, all particular and general events are signified and known; which caused Origen and all other good and learned writers, who have anywise had occasion in their works to speak of them, to compare the Heavens to a book in which God hath as it were writ all that should according to his pleasure come to pass in this world, even to the subversion thereof as also the actions of men, though some have exempted that; wherefore Origen for the confirmation thereof alleadgeth the Narration of Joseph, which was in his time extant and in great esteem; affirming therein, that Jacob told his sons, the twelve Patriarks, that he had read in the Tables of Heaven whatsoever should for the future befall them and their children:

（请注意）因此各地的居民在天然倾向与境况、法律、习俗与风尚上，也就彼此不同，正如每个气候带在草木、走兽与飞鸟上各不相同；所以现在剩下的，是向你说明诸天对大地的影响，它造成健康、疾病、瘟疫、丰收、歉收、空气的变化、洪水、战争、和平，以及全世界一切普遍与个别的事；但因为我们稍后到第四卷讲古人关于交食、彗星、扫帚星、回归与大会合之判断的规则时，还有机会论及这些，这里就打住；因为一切学者都公认这是真理：凭诸星与行星的各种运动、相位与会合，一切个别与普遍的事件都被预示、被知晓；这使得俄利根以及其他一切好学者，凡在著作中有机会谈到它们的，都把诸天比作一部书，神仿佛在其中写下了照他的美意将在这世上发生的一切，直到这世界的倾覆，还有人的行为，虽然有些人把这一项除外；所以俄利根为了证实这一点，引了《约瑟传》，这书在他的时代还存世，并且很受尊重；他在其中断言：雅各告诉他的儿子们即十二位族长，他已在天上的书版里读到将来要临到他们与他们子孙的一切事：

Nota. and there is none I am certain so stupid as to deny that the Sun is the cause of generation, life, motion, nutrition, growing and perfection of all visible and sensible bodies. Nihil enim visibile est, quod ille non penetret excellenti lucis suae magnitudine: sed ad ipsam quoque generationem sensibilem corporum confert, ipse que ad vitam movet, & nutrit, & agit, & perficit, purgat que & renovat.

（请注意）我确信没有人愚钝到否认太阳是一切可见可感之物的生成、生命、运动、营养、生长与完成的原因。（拉丁文）“因为没有一样可见之物是它那光的卓越伟大所不能穿透的；它也有助于可感之物本身的生成，它推动它们走向生命，滋养它们，作用于它们，成全它们，洁净它们，更新它们。”

And now this doth give me here a fit opporrunity to prove unto thee by the sacred word of God that the stars are both signs and causes: but (as hath been already said) since we are anon to cleer that, when we come to answer what the pretended Replyer to my Lux veritatis, hath or can say against it, we shall not in this place touch thereon; but refer thee thereunto.

现在这正好给了我一个合适的机会，用神神圣的话向你证明诸星既是征兆，也是原因；但（如前所说）既然我们稍后答复那位所谓答复我《真理之光》的人对此已说或能说的话时，就要澄清这一点，我们在这里就不谈，只请你到那里去看。

Wherefore now all this being considered which hath been said, let the most malicious against Astrology stand up and say if the study of the stars be unlawful, or anywise in the least derogating from the Word of God or Religion; nay whether it be not a great means of drawing men to acknowledge a God, who if they saw him not in his creatures, perhaps would deny him; for what hindreth but a man may as safely study the natural influences and motions of the stars without offence to God as the use of Herbs, Drugs, and Minerals for Physick, or the cure of such and such diseases, which at the first was by the influence of the Coelestial bodies (by which they are ruled) found out; for if it be a sin to study and know nature, there is no study lawful; and if not, Astrology must then not onely be accounted lawful and good, but the most beneficiall and best of all studies.

所以，把上面所说的一切都考虑过之后，让最仇视占星学的人站出来说一说：研究诸星是否不合法，是否在最小的程度上有损于神的话或宗教；不但如此，它岂不是引人承认有一位神的大助力吗？因为有些人若不在神的造物中看见他，或许就会否认他；一个人研究诸星的自然影响与运动而不冒犯神，与研究草药、药物、矿物用于医药或治疗某某疾病，又有什么妨碍呢？——而后者起初正是借着天体的影响（它们受天体主宰）才被发现的；因为如果研究、认识自然是罪，那就没有一样研究是合法的；如果不是罪，那么占星学就不但应被算作合法、良善，而且是一切研究中最有益、最好的。

Yet doth the rashness and ignorance of some men so abound, that they are not only (contrary to any sense or reason) averse thereunto, but also together with Sextus Empericus, Heminga, and others, not knowing what to say against it, or what it is indeed they so desire to cry down, they raise idle and foolish questions, making Objections more worthy the laughing at then the answering, or rehearsing; yet by reason of late, some of the same have been by the Ignorant objected to me, I shall in this place touch or hint at one or two of them for the satisfaction of the well-willers to Astrology, that they may not by the idle and shallow brains of these men be discouraged from their study in this most divine and heavenly Science.

然而有些人的鲁莽与无知竟如此泛滥，他们不但（违背一切常识与理性）厌恶它，而且同塞克斯都·恩披里柯、赫明加等人一样，不知道该说什么来反对它，也不知道自己如此想要贬倒的究竟是什么，就提出些无聊愚蠢的问题，所作的反驳与其说值得回答或复述，不如说更值得一笑；但因为近来这些反驳中有一些被无知的人拿来反驳我，我就在这里略提一两条，好让占星学的好心人满意，不致因这些人空洞浅薄的头脑而在这最神圣、最属天的学问上灰心。