ministers in astrology, would lend them whole
cloak-bags of books; protected them from harm and violence, by means of
his power with the Earl of Bolingbroke.[13] He would confess my master
Evans knew more than himself in some things: and some time before he
died, he got his cousin Sir Richard to set a figure to see when he
should die. Being brought him; 'Well,' he said, 'the old man will live
this winter, but in the spring he will die; welcome Lord Jesus, thy will
be done.' He had many enemies: Cotta, Doctor of physick in Northampton,
wrote a sharp book of witchcraft, wherein, obliquely, he bitterly
inveighed against the Doctor.

[Footnote 13: Lord Wentworth, after Earl of Cleveland.]

In 1646, I printed a collection of Prophecies, with the explanation and
verification of Aquila, or the _White King's Prophecy_; as also the
nativities of Bishop Laud and Thomas Earl of Strafford, and a most
learned speech by him intended to have been spoke upon the scaffold. In
this year 1646, after a great consideration, and many importunities, I
began to fix upon thoughts of an _Introduction unto Astrology_, which
was very much wanting, and as earnestly longed for by many persons of
quality. Something also much occasioned and hastened the impression,
viz. the malevolent barking of Presbyterian ministers in their weekly
sermons, reviling the professors thereof, and myself particularly by
name.

Secondly, I thought it a duty incumbent upon me, to satisfy the whole
kingdom of the lawfulness thereof, by framing a plain and easy method
for any person but of indifferent capacity to learn the art, and
instruct himself therein, without any other master than my
_Introduction_; by which means, when many understood it, I should have
more partners and assistants to contradict all and every antagonist.

Thirdly, I found it best as unto point of time, because many of the
soldiers were wholly for it, and many of the Independant party; and I
had abundance of worthy men in the House of Commons, my assured friends,
no lovers of Presbytery, which then were in great esteem, and able to
protect the art; for should the Presbyterian party have prevailed, as
they thought of nothing less than to be Lords of all, I knew well they
would have silenced my pen annually, and committed the _Introduction_
unto everlasting silence.

Fourthly, I had something of conscience touched my spirit, and much
elevated my conceptions, believing God had not bestowed those