fool-hardy, desirous of all secrets which he knew not, insomuch that he
would have given me two hundred pounds to have instructed him in some
curiosities he was persuaded I had knowledge of, but, _Artis est celare
artem_, especially to those who live not in the fear of God, or can be
masters of their own counsels: he was in person and condition such
another as that monster of ingratitude my _quondam_ taylor, John
Gadbury. After my refusal of teaching him, what he was not capable of,
we grew strange, though I afforded him many civilities whenever he
required it; for after the siege of Colchester he wrote a book against
me, called _Anti Merlinus-Anglicus_, married a second wife, his first
living in Cambridgeshire, then practised physick by a contrary name,
having intentions to practise in Ireland; he went to Bristol, but there
understanding the parliament's forces had reduced that kingdom, he came
back to London, but durst not abide therein; but turning from his second
wife, who also had another husband, he went to sea, with intention for
Barbadoes, but died by the way in his voyage. I had never seen John
Booker at that time; and telling him one day I had a desire to see him,
but first, ere I would speak with him, I would fit myself with my old
rules, and rub up my astrology; for at that time (and this was 1640) I
thought John Booker the greatest and most complete astrologer in the
world. My scholar Humphreys presently made answer, 'Tutor, you need not
pump for any of your former knowledge, John Booker is no such pumper; we
met,' saith he, 'the other day, and I was too hard for him myself, upon
judgment of three or four questions.' If all the transactions happening
unto that my scholar were in one volume, they would transcend either
_Guzman_, _Don Quixote_, _Lazarillo de Tormes_, or any other of the like
nature I ever did see.
Having now in part recovered my health, being weary of the country, and
perceiving there was money to be got in London, and thinking myself to
be as sufficiently enabled in astrology as any I could meet with, I made
it my business to repair thither; and so in September 1641 I did; where,
in the years 1642 and 1643, I had great leisure to better my former
knowledge: I then read over all my books of astrology, over and over;
had very little or no practice at all: and whereas formerly I could
never endure to read _Valentine Naibod's Commentary upon Alcabitius_,
now having seriously studied him, I found him to be the profoundest
author I ever met with; him I traversed over day and night, from whom I
must acknowledge to have advanced my judgment and knowledge unto that
height I soon after arrived at, or unto: a most rational author, and the
sharpest expositor of _Ptolemy_ that hath yet appeared. To exercise my
genius, I began to collect notes, and thought of writing some little
thing upon the [symbol: aspect "conjunction"] of [symbol: Saturn] and
[symbol: Jupiter] then approaching: I had not wrote above one sheet, and
that very meanly, but James Lord Galloway came to see me; and, by
chance, casting his eyes upon that rude collection, he read it over, and
so approved of it, yea, so encouraged me to proceed farther, that then,
and after that time, I spent most of my time in composing thereof, and
bringing it, in the end, into that method wherein it was printed 1644. I
do seriously now profess, I had not the assistance of any person living,
in the writing or composing thereof. Mr. Fiske sent me a small
manuscript, which had been Sir Christopher Heydon's, who had wrote
something of the conjunction of [symbol: Saturn] and [symbol: Jupiter],
1603; out of which, to bring my method in order, I transcribed, in the
beginning, five or six lines, and not any more, though that graceless
fellow Gadbury wrote the contrary: but, _Semel et semper nebulo et
mendax_. I did formerly write one treatise, in the year 1639, upon the
eclipse of the sun, in the eleventh degree of Gemini, May 22, 1639; it
consisted of six sheets of paper. But that manuscript I gave unto my
most munificent patron and ever bountiful friend, William Pennington, of
Muncaster in Cumberland, Esq., a wise and excellently learned person;
who, from the year 1634, even till he died, continued unto me the most
grateful person I ever was acquainted with. I became acquainted with him
by means of Davy Ramsey.
Oh! most noble Esquire, let me now beg your pardon, if I digress for
some small time, in commemorating his bounty unto me, and my requital of
his friendship, by performing many things successfully for his
advantage.
In 1639 he was made captain, and served his Majesty in his then wars
against the Scots; during which time a farmer's daughter being delivered
of a bastard, and hearing, by report, that he was slain, fathered the
child upon him. Shortly after he returned, most woefully vexed to be
thus abused, when absent. The woman was countenanced by some gentlemen
of Cumberland, in this her villany against him; so that, notwithstanding
he had warrants to attach her body, he could never discover her: but
yet, hunting her from one place to another, her friends thought it most
convenient to send her to London, where she might be in most safety. She
came up to the city, and immediately I had notice thereof, and the care
of that matter was left unto me. I procured the Lord Chief Justice
Bramston's warrant, and had it lying dormant by me. She had not been in
the city above one fortnight, but that I, going casually to the clerk of
the assizes' office for Cumberland, saw there an handsome woman; and
hearing of her speak the northern tone, I concluded she was the party I
did so want. I rounded the clerk in his ear, and told him I would give
him five shillings to hold the woman in chat till I came again, for I
had a writing concerned her. I hasted for my warrant, and a constable,
and returned into the office, seized her person before the clerk of the
assizes, who was very angry with me: it was then sessions at Old-Bayley,
and neither Judge nor Justice to be found. At night we carried her
before the Recorder, Gardner. It being Saturday at night, she, having no
bail, was sent to Bridewell, where she remained till Monday. On Monday
morning, at the Old-Bayley, she produced bail; but I desiring of the
Recorder some time to enquire after the bail, whether they were
sufficient, returned presently, and told him one of the bail was a
prisoner in Ludgate, the other a very poor man. At which he was so
vexed, that he sent her to Newgate, where she lay all that week, until
she could please me with good sureties; which then she did, and so was
bound over to appear at the next assizes in Cumberland; which she did,
and was there sentenced to be whipped, and imprisoned one whole year.
This action infinitely pleased Mr. Pennington, who thought I could do
wonders; and I was most thankfully requited for it. All the while of
this scandalous business, do what he could, he could not discover what
persons they were that supported her; but the woman's father coming to
town, I became acquainted with him, by the name of Mr. Sute, merchant;
invited him to a dinner; got George Farmer with me; when we so plied him
with wine, he could neither see or feel. I paid the reckoning,
twenty-two shillings. But next morning the poor man had never a writing
or letter in his pocket. I sent them down to my friend, who thereby
discovered the plots of several gentlemen in the business; after which,
Mr. Sute returned to his old name again.
Mr. Pennington was a true royalist, whom Charles the Second made one of
his Commissioners of Array for Cumberland. Having directions from me
continually how matters did and would go betwixt the King and
Parliament, he acted warily, and did but sign one only warrant of that
nature, and then gave over. When the times of sequestrations came, one
John Musgrave, the most bold and impudent fellow, and most active of all
the north of England, and most malicious against my friend, had got this
warrant under Mr. Pennington's hand into his custody; which affrighted
my friend, and so it might, for it was cause enough of sequestration,
and would have done it. Musgrave intending himself great matters out of
his estate, I was made acquainted herewith. Musgrave being in London, by
much ado, I got acquainted with him, pretending myself a bitter enemy
against Pennington, whereat he very heartily rejoiced; and so we
appointed one night to meet at the Five Bells, to compare notes; for I
pretended much. We did meet, and he very suddenly produced upon the
table all his papers, and withal, the warrant of array unto which my
friend had set his hand; which when I saw, 'I marry,' said I, 'this is
his hand I will swear; now have at all come, the other cup, this warrant
shall pay for all.' I observed where the warrant lay upon the table,
and, after some time took occasion ignorantly to let the candle fall
out, which whilst he went to light again at the fire, I made sure of the
warrant, and put it into my boot; he never missing it of eight or ten
days; about which time, I believe, it was above half way towards
Cumberland, for I instantly sent it by the post, with this friendly
caveat, '_Sin no more_.' Musgrave durst not challenge me in those times,
and so the business was ended very satisfactory to his friend, and no
less to myself.
He was, besides, extremely abused by one Isaac Antrobus, parson of
Egremond, a most evil liver, bold, and very rich; at last he procured a
minister of that country, in hope of the parsonage, to article against
him in London, before the committee of plundered ministers. I was once
more invited to solicit against Antrobus, which I did upon three or more
articles.
I. That Antrobus baptized a cock, and called him Peter.
II. He had knowledge of such a woman and of her daughter, _viz._ of both
their bodies, in as large a manner as ever of his own wife.
III. Being drunk, a woman took a cord and tied it about his privy
members unto a manger in a stable.
IV. Being a continual drunkard.
V. He never preached, &c.
* * * * *
Antrobus was now become a great champion for the Parliament; but, at the
day of hearing, I had procured abundance of my friends to be there; for
the godly, as they termed themselves, sided with him; the present Master
of the Rolls was Chairman that day, Sir Harbottle Grimston.
Who, hearing the foulness of the cause, was very much ashamed thereof. I
remember Antrobus, being there, pleaded he was in his natural condition
when he acted so ungraciously.
'What condition were you in,' said the Chairman, 'when you lay with
mother and daughter?'
'There is no proof of that,' saith he.
'None but your own confession,' said the Chairman, 'nor could any tell
so well.'
'I am not given to drunkenness,' quoth he. 'He was so drunk within this
fortnight,' quoth I, 'he reeled from one side of the street to the
other; here is the witness to prove it:' who, presently, before the
committee, being sworn, made it good, and named the place and street
where he was drunk. So he was adjudged scandalous, and outed of his
benefice, and our minister had the parsonage.
You cannot imagine how much the routing of this drunken parson pleased
Mr. Pennington, who paid all charges munificently and thankfully.
But now follows the last and greatest kindness I ever did him.
Notwithstanding the committee for sequestrations in Cumberland were his
very good friends, yet the sub-sequestrators, of their own heads, and
without order, and by strength of arms, secured his irons, his wood, and
so much of his personal estate as was valued at seven thousand pounds.
Now had I complaint upon complaint: would I suffer my old friend to be
thus abused? it was in my power to free him from these villains.
I hereupon advised what was best to do, and was counselled to get Mr.
Speaker Lenthall's letter to the sub-sequestrators, and command them to
be obedient to the committee of the county.
Whereupon, I framed a letter myself, unto the sub-sequestrators
directed, and with it, myself and Mr. Laurence Maydwell (whom yourself
well knew) went to Mr. Speaker, unto whom we sufficiently related the
stubbornness of the officers of Cumberland; their disobedience to the
committee; and then shewed him the letter, which when he had read over,
he most courteously signed, adding withal, that if they proceeded
further in sequestring Mr. Pennington, he would command a Serjeant at
Arms to bring them up to answer their contempts: I immediately posted
that letter to my friend, which when the absurd fellows received, they
delivered him possession of his goods again; and, for my pains, when he
came to London, gave me one hundred pounds; he died in 1652, of a
violent fever. I did carefully, in 1642 and 1643, take notice of every
grand action which happened betwixt King and Parliament, and did first
then incline to believe, that as all sublunary affairs did depend upon
superior causes, so there was a possibility of discovering them by the
configurations of the superior bodies; in which way making some essays
in those two years, I found encouragement to proceed further, which I
did; I perused the writings of the ancients, but therein they were
silent, or gave no satisfaction; at last, I framed unto myself that
method, which then and since I follow, which, I hope, in time may be
more perfected by a more penetrating person than myself.
In 1643, I became familiarly known to Sir Bulstrode Whitlocke, a member
of the House of Commons; he being sick, his urine was brought unto me by
Mrs. Lisle,[11] wife to John Lisle, afterwards one of the keepers of the
Great Seal; having set my figure, I returned answer, the sick for that
time would recover, but by means of a surfeit would dangerously relapse
within one month; which he did, by eating of trouts at Mr. Sand's house,
near Leatherhead in Surrey. Then I went daily to visit him, Dr. Prideau
despairing of his life; but I said there was no danger thereof, and that
he would be sufficiently well in five or six weeks; and so he was.
[Footnote 11: She was afterwards beheaded at Winchester, for
harbouring one Nelthrop, a rebel in the Duke of Monmouth's army
1685. She had made herself remarkable, by saying at the
martyrdom of King Charles I, 1648, 'that her blood leaped within
her to see the tyrant fall;' for this, when she fell into the
state trap, she neither did nor could expect favour from any of
that martyr's family.]
In 1644, I published _Merlinus Anglicus Junior_ about April. I had given
one day the copy thereof unto the then Mr. Whitlocke, who by accident
was reading thereof in the House of Commons: ere the Speaker took the
chair, one looked upon it, and so did many, and got copies thereof;
which when I heard, I applied myself to John Booker to license it, for
then he was licenser of all mathematical books; I had, to my knowledge,
never seen him before; he wondered at the book, made many impertinent
obliterations, framed many objections, swore it was not possible to
distinguish betwixt King and Parliament; at last licensed it according
to his own fancy; I delivered it unto the printer, who being an arch
Presbyterian, had five of the ministry to inspect it, who could make
nothing of it, but said it might be printed, for in that I meddled not
with their Dagon. The first impression was sold in less than one week;
when I presented some to the members of Parliament, I complained of John
Booker the licenser, who had defaced my book; they gave me order
forthwith to reprint it as I would, and let them know if any durst
resist me in the reprinting, or adding what I thought fit; so the second
time it came forth as I would have it.
I must confess, I now found my scholar Humphreys's words to be true
concerning John Booker, whom at that time I found but moderately versed
in astrology; nor could he take the circles of position of the planets,
until in that year I instructed him. After my _Introduction_ in 1647
became publick, he amended beyond measure, by study partly, and partly
upon emulation to keep up his fame and reputation; so that since 1647, I
have seen some nativities by him very judiciously performed. When the
printer presented him with an _Introduction_ of mine, as soon as they
were forth of the press; 'I wish,' saith he, 'there was never another
but this in England, conditionally I gave one hundred pounds for this.'
After that time we were very great friends to his dying day.
In June, 1644, I published _Supernatural Sight_; and, indeed, if I could
have procured the dull stationer to have been at charges to have cut the
_icon_ or form of that prodigious apparition, as I had drawn it forth,
it would have given great satisfaction; however, the astrological
judgment thereupon had its full event in every particular.
That year also I published the _White King's Prophecy_, of which there
were sold in three days eighteen hundred, so that it was oft reprinted:
I then made no commentary upon it.
In that year I printed the _Prophetical Merlin_, and had eight pounds
for the copy.
I had then no farther intention to trouble the press any more, but Sir
Richard Napper having received one of Captain Wharton's _Almanacks_ for
1645, under the name Naworth, he came unto me: 'Now, Lilly, you are met
withal, see here what Naworth writes.' The words were, he called me 'an
impudent senseless fellow, and by name William Lilly.'
Before that time, I was more Cavalier than Roundhead, and so taken
notice of; but after that I engaged body and soul in the cause of
Parliament, but still with much affection to his Majesty's person and
unto monarchy, which I ever loved and approved beyond any government
whatsoever; and you will find in this story many passages of civility
which I did, and endeavoured to do, with the hazard of my life, for his
Majesty: but God had ordered all his affairs and counsels to have no
successes; as in the sequel will appear.
To vindicate my reputation, and to cry quittance with Naworth, against
whom I was highly incensed, to work I went again for _Anglicus_, 1645;
which as soon as finished I got to the press, thinking every day one
month till it was publick: I therein made use of the King's nativity,
and finding that his ascendant was approaching to the quadrature of
Mars, about June, 1645, I gave this unlucky judgment; 'If now we fight,
a victory stealeth upon us;' and so it did in June, 1645, at Naseby, the
most fatal overthrow he ever had.
In this year, 1645, I published a treatise called the _Starry
Messenger_, with an interpretation of three suns seen in London, 29th
May, 1644, being Charles the Second's birthday: in that book I also put
forth an astrological judgment concerning the effects of a solar
eclipse, visible the 11th of August, 1645. Two days before its
publishing, my antagonist, Captain Wharton, having given his
astronomical judgment upon his Majesty's present march from Oxford;
therein again fell foul against me and John Booker: Sir Samuel Luke,
Governor of Newportpagnel, had the thing came to his garrison from
Oxford, which presently was presented unto my view. I had but twelve
hours, or thereabout, to answer it, which I did with such success as is
incredible; and the printer printed both the _March_ and my answer unto
it, and produced it to sight, with my _Starry Messenger_, which came
forth and was made publick the very day of the Parliament's great
victory obtained against his Majesty in person at Naseby, under the
conduct of the Lord Thomas Fairfax.
That book no sooner appeared, but within fourteen days complaint was
made to the committee of examinations, Miles Corbet then being Chairman,
my mortal enemy, he who after was hanged, drawn, and quartered, for
being one of the King's Judges; he grants his warrant, and a messenger
to the Serjeant at Arms seizeth my person. As I was going to Westminster
with the messenger, I met Sir Philip Stapleton, Sir Christopher Wray,
Mr. Denzil Hollis, Mr. Robert Reynolds, who, by great fortune, had the
_Starry Messenger_ sheet by sheet from me as it came from the press.
They presently fell a smiling at me; 'Miles Corbet, Lilly, will punish
thee soundly; but fear nothing, we will dine, and make haste to be at
the committee time enough to do the business;' and so they most
honourably performed; for they, as soon as they came, sat down, and put
Mr. Reynolds purposely into the chair, and I was called in; but Corbet
being not there, they bid me withdraw until he came; which when he did,
I was commanded to appear, and Corbet desired to give the cause of my
being in restraint, and of the committee's order. Mr. Reynolds was
purposely put into the chair, and continued till my business was over.
Corbet produced my _Anglicus_ of 1645, and said there were many
scandalous passages therein against the Commissioners of Excise in
London. He produced one passage, which being openly read by himself, the
whole committee adjudged it to signify the errors of sub-officers, but
had no relation to the Commissioners themselves, which I affirmatively
maintained to be the true meaning as the committee declared.
Then Corbet found out another dangerous place, as he thought, and the
words were thus in the printed book--'In the name of the Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost, will not the Excise pay the soldiers?'
Corbet very ignorantly read, 'will not the Eclipse pay soldiers?' at
which the Committee fell heartily to laugh at him, and so he became
silent.
There was a great many Parliament men there; the chamber was full. 'Have
you any more against Mr. Lilly?' cried the chairman.
'Yes,' saith the Sollicitor for the Excise, 'since his _Starry
Messenger_ came forth we had our house burnt, and the Commissioners
pulled by their cloaks in the Exchange.' 'Pray, sir, when was this,'
asked old Sir Robert Pye, 'that the house was burnt, and the Aldermen
abused?' 'It was in such a week,' saith he. 'Mr. Lilly, when came the
book forth?' 'The very day of Naseby fight,' answered Mr. Reynolds, 'nor
needs he be ashamed of writing it: I had it daily as it came forth of
the press: it was then found the house to be burnt, and the Aldermen
abused, twelve days before the _Starry Messenger_ came forth.' 'What a
lying fellow art thou,' saith Sir Robert Pye, 'to abuse us so!' This he
spoke to the Sollicitor. Then stood up one Bassell, a merchant: he
inveighed bitterly against me, being a Presbyterian, and would have had
my books burnt. 'You smell more of a citizen than a scholar,' replied
Mr. Francis Drake. I was ordered to withdraw, and by and by was called
in, and acquainted the committee did discharge me. But I cried with a
loud voice, 'I was under a messenger;' whereupon the committee ordered
him or the Serjeant at Arms not to take any fees; Mr. Reynolds saying,
'Literate men never pay any fees.'
But within one week after, I was likely to have had worse success, but
that the before-named gentlemen stoutly befriended me. In my Epistle of
the _Starry Messenger_, I had been a little too plain with the committee
of Leicestershire; who thereof made complaint unto Sir Arthur Hazelrigg,
Knight for that county; he was a furious person, and made a motion in
the House of Commons against me, and the business was committed to that
committee, whereof Baron Rigby was chairman. A day was assigned to hear
the matter; in the morning whereof, as I passed by Mr. Pullen's shop in
St. Paul's Church-yard, Pullen bad 'God be with you,' and named me by
name. Mr. Selden being there, and hearing my name, gave direction to
call me unto him, where he acquaints me with Hazelrigg's humour and
malice towards me, called for the _Starry Messenger_, and having read
over the words mentioning that committee, he asked me how I would answer
them? I related what I would have said, but he contradicted me, and
acquainted me what to say, and how to answer. In the afternoon I went to
appear, but there was no committee set, or would sit; for both Mr.
Reynolds and Sir Philip Stapleton, and my other friends, had fully
acquainted Baron Rigby with the business, and desired him not to call
upon me until they appeared; for the matter and charge intended against
me was very frivolous, and only presented by a cholerick person to
please a company of clowns, meaning the committee of Leicester. Baron
Rigby said, if it were so he would not meddle with the matter, but
exceedingly desired to see me. Not long after he met Sir Arthur, and
acquainting him what friends appeared for me, said, 'I will then
prosecute him no further.'