right rules, yet I cannot in prudence so confidently assure the
events will follow exactly as I predict them.

I hope I have maturely considered this objection, which in some
cases is of no little weight. For example: A man may, by the
influence of an over-ruling planet, be disposed or inclined to
lust, rage, or avarice, and yet by the force of reason overcome
that bad influence; and this was the case of Socrates: But as the
great events of the world usually depend upon numbers of men, it
cannot be expected they should all unite to cross their
inclinations, from pursuing a general design, wherein they
unanimously agree. Besides the influence of the stars reaches to
many actions and events which are not any way in the power of
reason; as sickness, death, and what we commonly call accidents,
with many more, needless to repeat.

But now it is time to proceed to my predictions, which I have
begun to calculate from the time that the Sun enters into Aries.
And this I take to be properly the beginning of the natural year.
I pursue them to the time that he enters Libra, or somewhat more,
which is the busy period of the year. The remainder I have not
yet adjusted, upon account of several impediments needless here
to mention: Besides, I must remind the reader again, that this is
but a specimen of what I design in succeeding years to treat more
at large, if I may have liberty and encouragement.

My first prediction is but a trifle, yet I will mention it, to
show how ignorant those sottish pretenders to astrology are in
their own concerns: It relates to Partridge the almanack-maker; I
have consulted the stars of his nativity by my own rules, and