The second thing that was in Nostradamus is, that he had naturally a Genius for the knowing of future things, as himself confesseth in two Epistles to King Henry the II. and to Cæsar his own Son, and besides that Genius, the knowledge of Astrology, did smooth him the way to discover many future events. Having those two things, he had a greater disposition then others to receive those Supernatural Lights; and as God is pleased to work sweetly in his Creatures, and to give some forerunning dispositions to those Graces he intendeth to bestow, it seemeth that to that purpose he did chuse our Author to reveal him so many wonderful secrets.
We see every day that God in the distributing of his Graces carrieth himself towards us, according to our humours and natural inclinations, he employeth those that have a generous and Martial heart for the defence of his Church, and the destruction of Tyrants; he leadeth those of a melancholick humour into Colledges and Cloisters, and cherisheth tenderly, those that are of meek and mild disposition; even so, seeing Nostradamus inclined to this kind of knowledge, he gave him in a great measure the grace of it.
CHAP. VIII.
Answer to the second Objection, which would have him pass for a Doctor.
We shall not have much to say to these more moderate persons, seeing that we have already given the reason of it, viz. the covetousness of the Booksellers and Printers, who made use of the Authors name, for the better sale of their false Almanacks, therefore if Jodelle the Poet grounded upon this opinion, made that Satyrical Distick.
Nostra damus cum falsa damus, nam fallere nostrum est,
Et cum falsa damus, nil nisi Nostra damus.
We answer him,
Nostra damus cum verba damus quæ Nostradamus dat,
Nam quæcunque dedit nil nisi vera dedit.
Or thus