riggs, went purposely into Scotland to visit
him; _Tempora nunc mutantur_.

These two persons were worthy men in their time; and yet the one, viz.
Lord Marchiston, was a great lover of astrology, but Briggs the most
satirical man against it that hath been known: but the reason hereof I
conceive was, that Briggs was a severe Presbyterian, and wholly
conversant with persons of that judgment; whereas the Lord Marchiston
was a general scholar, and deeply read in all divine and human
histories: it is the same Marchiston who made that most serious and
learned exposition upon the _Revelation of St. John_; which is the best
that ever yet appeared in the world.

* * * * *

Thus far proceeded Mr. William Lilly in setting down the account of his
life, with some other things of note. Now shall be added something more
which afterwards happened during his retirement at his house at Hersham,
until his death.

He left London in the year 1665, (as he hath before noted) and betook
himself to the study of physick; in which, having arrived at a competent
degree of knowledge, assisted by diligent observation and practice, he
desired his old friend, Mr. Ashmole, to obtain of his Grace Dr. Sheldon,
then Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, a license for the practice of
physick; which upon application to his Grace, and producing a
testimonial (October 8, 1670,) under the hands of two physicians of the
college in London, on Mr. Lilly's behalf, he most readily granted, in
the manner following, viz.

'GILBERTUS providentia divina Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus totius Angliae
Primas & Metropolitanus, dilecto nobis in Christo GULIELMO LILLY in
Medicinis Professori, salutem, gratiam, & benedictionem. Cum ex fide
digna relatione acceperimus Te in arte sive facultate Medicinae per non
modicum tempus versatum fuisse, multisque de salute & sanitate corporis
vere desperatis (Deo Omnipotente adjuvante) subvenisse, eosque sanasse,
nec non in arte predicta multorum peritorum laudabili testimonio pro
experientia, fidelitate, diligentia & industria tuis circa curas quas
susceperis peragendas in hujusmodi Arte Medicinae merito commendatum
esse, ad practicandum igitur & exercendum dictam Artem Medicinae in, &
per totam Provinciam nostram Cant' (Civitate Lond' & circuitu septem
milliarum eidem prox' adjacen' tantummodo exceptis) ex causis praedictis
& aliis nos in hac per te juste moventibus, praestito primitus per te
juramento de ag