COMPENDIOSA.

and heralds of the future are accustomed to portend the causes of the variety of times and changes in the sky. From this also they draw presages of heat, cold, rain, storms, sterility, diseases, and other future things. These would seem to deserve some faith, if they did not envelop these things in their own delusions and force upon us those things which are by no means to be referred to the impressions of the stars.

But this part, which they commonly name judicial original: "iudiciarią"; referring to judicial astrology, which demands an absolutely accurate calculation of degrees, hours, and moments, we grant not unwillingly to others as being not at all suitable for men of high station or those who are occupied with more serious matters, whose ephemerides original: "Ephemeridibus"; tables of daily planetary positions, indeed, we shall be content to use with careful work.

For us, the contemplation of the causes by which the Sun, driven around in the Zodiac by his circuit and return, produces for us the four distinct seasons of the year, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, will satisfy us abundantly in admiring the works of God. Then, in what manner the Moon, having entered the same path, is said to grow and wane. Next, whence the eclipse of either planet primarily occurs. And indeed, Moses, in describing the history of the Creation of the world, remembers only these two planets, which he calls the Greater or Lesser light.