Catastrophe Mundi, or Merlin Revived

Cataſtrophe Mundi: OR, MERLIN REVIV'D, In a DISCOURSE of PROPHECIES & PREDICTIONS, And their Remarkable Accompliſhment.

With Mr. LILLY's Hieroglyphicks EXACTLY CUT; And Notes and Obſervations thereon.

AS ALSO A COLLECTION Of all the Antient (Reputed) PROPHECIES That are Extant, Touching the Grand Revolutions like to happen in theſe Latter Ages.

By a Learned Pen.

LONDON: Printed and are to be Sold by John How at the Seven Stars at the South weſt Corner of the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, and Thomas Malthus at the Sun in the Poultrey. 1683.

The PREFACE.

IT has been (Scandalouſly) reflected hy Forreigners, That Engliſhmen alwayes carry an old Prophecy in their Pockets (ſee Fullers Church-Hiſtory, Lib. 16.) yet to do our Nation Right, we may modeſtly a[•…]ow, That we are no more Addicted to thoſe Cu[•…]oſities than our Neighbours. Tis well known [•…]w fond the French are of their Noſtradamus; [•]he Prediction touching a Red-hair'd Aſſaſſi[•…]te hath not wanted its Impreſſions on one of the [•]reateſt Spirits in Europe; Nor is there ſcarce Cardinal at Rome, but is in Fee with an A[•…]rologer to advertiſe him of his Fate, and when [•…]e luckly Hitt of the Infallible Chair will fall his ſhare. It muſt not he denyed, That many [•]ve rendred themſelves Ridiculous in Publiſh[•…]g, and more been Befool'd in Crediting the [•]anciful or Knaviſh Prognoſticks of ſome En[•…]uſiaſtical or Deſigning Heads; whence the [•]iſdom of our Anceſtors has thought fit to re[•…]ain and chaſtize with Penalties, ſuch as pre[•…]me to publiſh falſe and Phantaſtical Prophe[•…]s, to the Intent thereby to make any Rebel[•…]on, Inſurrection, Diſſention, loſs of life, or other Diſturbance in the Realm, Stat. 5. Eliz Cap. 15.

This ſmall Treatiſe is Chaſte from any ſuch lewd Deſign, rather aiming at the direct contrary; For underſtanding that certain Pictures formerly Emitted by Mr. William Lilly have much been talkt of and admired, (perhaps for their being ſcarce and unknown (Omne enim Ignotum habetur pro Magnifico) and that the ſame have lately been Republiſht by one, That not only pretends ſo ſhrewdly to underſtand them, That he ha[•] adventur'd to place them in a new Order, bu[•] alſo has added others of his own Invention, and fathers the former (though we think without any grounds) on Noſtradamus; adding likewiſe ſeveral further odd Prognoſtications, wherein 'ti[•] probable preſent Confidence is all the Hope of future Verity: we conceived it could be no offence to gratify the Curious, truly with thoſ[•] Emblems, juſt as they were ſet forth by Mr. Lilly now ſix and twenty years ago; Which as Ariſtotle ſaid of ſome of his works, are ſo publiſht, [•…] not to be publick; Becauſe I think, ſcarce Intelligible to any, till Time (the beſt Expoſiter [〈◊〉] Oracles) ſhall unlock the Myſtery. At leaſt, tho[•…] that expect the fulfilling of them All in this o[•…] Age, (nay, or in that of our Grand-Children) m[•…] find themſelves as groſly miſtaken as thoſe w[•…] were ſo confident of the final Deſtruction of Rom[•] and the Papacy in 66; ſince Mr. Lilly himſe[•…] tells us, That therein is Repreſented the fu,+ture Condition of this Nation, For many hundred of years yet to come.

As for the reſt of the Prophecies (for we uſe [•]he vulgar stile) hereunto annexed, all the Learned World knows they are none of our Deviſing, but have long ſince been vouch'd by many Learn[•]d Authors; And as we undertake not to Juſtify [•]heir Authority, ſo neither do we preſume to give [•]heir Interpretation. All we had to do, was to [•]ecite them Faithfully, and give the Reader [•]he moſt certain Account we could of their Original, withal rectifying diverſe groſs miſtakes, [•]ith which (through the Negligence of Tranſcri[•]ers, Ignorance of Tranſlators, or Errors of the [•]reſs) moſt Copies of them formerly did abound; and ſo they are left to the Cenſure of the Reader, [•]nd Poſterity, which more juſtly by the Event [•]ill know, what Value to put upon them.

What ever ſucceſs they ſhall have, or whether [•]orthy of Regnard or Contempt, we ſhall here [•]nclude with an Infallible Prophecy, that for [•]er concerns all the Nations of the World in [•]eneral, and each perſon in particular, and which we are certain ſhall come to paſs, for the Youth of Eternal Truth hath ſpoken it: —If thou ſhalt hearken diligently unto the [•]ice of the Lord thy God, to obſerve and to all his Commandments, That then the [••]rd will ſet thee on high above all Nations of the Earth. Bleſſed ſhalt thou be in the City, and Bleſſed ſhalt thou be in the Field.—The Lord ſhall cauſe thine Enemies that riſe up againſt thee to be ſmitten before thy face, and all that thou ſetteſt thine hand unto ſhall proſper.— But if thou wilt not hearken to the Lord thy God, to obſerve and do his Commanments and his Statutes, Curſes ſhall come upon thee and overtake thee: The Lord ſhall ſend upon thee Vexation and Rebuke, until thou be deſtroyed: And ſhall ſmite the with Madneſs and Blindneſs, and Aſtoniſhment of Heart, and thou ſhalt grope at Noon days as the Blin[•] gropeth in darkneſs, and thou ſhalt not proſper, but be oppreſſed and ſpoiled, and no ma[•] ſhall ſave thee. Deut. 28.

Dicamus bona verba; Deus regit Aſtra; ferunt[•]

Illius Arbitrio Sydera, Terra, fretum.

Sed Heu, quam noſtra malis deliret moribus Aeta[•]

Ipſa etiam videas Sydera moeſt a queri.

God moves the Heavens, and his Mighty Ha[•]

Both Planets, Earth, and Ocean doth Comman[•]

But we alas! are now ſo wicked grown

That Threatning Stars our vileneſs does bemoa[•]

And with our weighty ſins both Heav'n an[•] Earth do groan.

Of Prophecies, Predictions, and Divinations in General.

And many Remarkable Inſtances of Things foretold, that came to paſs.

AS 'tis not our purpoſe to ſpeak of Sacred Prophecies or thoſe Divine Revelations Contained in the Holy Scriptures, which alone are [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] and of infallible Credit and Authority; ſo neither ſhall we run through all thoſe Follies and wicked Extravagancies whereby the Heathen pretended to diſcover things to come. As their Auguries, Aruſpicies, Sortileges, &c. But only to raiſe ſome few Remarks on ſome of the Celebrated Methods whereby things are thought to be predicted or foreknown, and frequently come to paſs accordingly. Of this ſort are,

I. That of Wiſe Prudent and Learned men, who from their Obſervations out of Hiſtory, Their knowledge of the Nature of men, and the Conſtitutions of Governments, and comparing times paſs'd, with the preſent, and concluding from like Cauſes, like Effects, when they ſee the ſame things come again upon the ſtage of the World, as have formerly been, and then conſidering all Circumſtances of Agreement and difference, are able to give a very probable Conjecture, which ſeldom fails, of what is like to come to paſs. Which ſort of Predictions are not only lawful, but worthy of much Commendation, being oftimes conducible to the good of Kingdomes, by Premoniſhing and Preventing Inconveniences like to come upon them.

II. Aſtrological Predictions, when the Artiſt undertakes from the Poſitions of the Heavens, the Configurations of the Planets, Eclipſes, Conjunctions, Comets &c. to foretell future Accidents, or as one very ſignificantly defines it.—Aſtrologia eſt Doctrina quae oſtendit vires Stellarum cognitas Perpetua Experientia, et Qualitates, Temperamenta et Inclinationes in Elementis et Corporibus Hominum, ortas a Luce, Motu, et Influentiis Stellarum; Quibus Qualitatibus, Temperamentis et Inclinationibus, Reſpondent ſuae quaedam Actiones, niſi aut Divinitus, aut aliis Cauſis Fortioribus Impediantur.— Aſtrology is a ſort of Learning which ſhews the Force and Vertues of the Stars, known by perpetual Experience, and the Qualities, Temperaments and Inclinations ariſing from the Light, Motion and Influencies of the Stars, in the Elements and Bodies of men; Anſwerable to which Qualities Temperaments and Inclinations are their Actions, unleſs hindred by Divine power, or ſome other ſtronger Cauſes.

This Art I cannot ſay is unlawful, but I take it to be but Conjectural, and by Ignonorant Pretenders much abuſed: ſtrange things have been, and frequently are thereby foretold, and prove true, when a skillful Artiſt hath the handling of the matter; but many times fall out otherwiſe: ſometimes from the Ignorance of him that undertakes the Judgment, otherwhile from the Influence of ſome of the fixed Stars; which being ſeldom taken notice of, may croſs or hinder what may otherwiſe be ſignifyed; Or 3dly, from the want of a ſufficient Treaſure of Obſervations, by which Judgment ought to be given; The ſame poſture of the Heavens having never twice hapen'd alike in every circumſtance ſince the Creation, and by that means leaving the World deſtitute of ſtable means whereon to build their Judgment; ſince what can be rationally ſaid in that kind muſt proceed from the Comparing of Events which have happened under ſuch and ſuch Configurations, with what are like to be when the ſame fall out again; Or laſtly, by reaſon of the care of the party himſelf, who may by his own Induſtry prevent what from the Influence of the Stars would have been his Deſtiny, for they at moſt do not Neceſſitate, but Incline, and by the Providence and over-ruling Power of God, and the Wiſdom of Man, are ſometimes diverted.

III. A Third ſort is a Geomantical or Terreſtrial Divination, in which from certain voluntary Pricks or Points made by the hand at Adventure, certain Figures are raiſed; From the firſt four of which, called Fathers, are produced other four, called Daughters; Theſe Eight bring forth four Grand Children, from them come out Two Witneſſes, from thoſe a Judge; and the Judgment upon this ſort of Divination is not much unlike that of Aſtrology. But the Foundation of all this ſeems to be laid upon a falſe Suppoſition, That the Soul of man knoweth things to come, but is hindred by the dulneſs of the Organs of the Body. And therefore in the practice of it, a great ſedateneſs of mind is required, a freedom from all noiſe that may diſturb it, and ſuch like Circumſtances; Which he that hath a mind to fool a way time, may find in Cattan, Flood, and H. de Piſis. But this kind of Divination I take to be idle, vain and ſuperſtitious, as not built upon any ſtable Foundation of Reaſon, or ſupported by any thing but Fancy.

IV. A Fourth ſort is by framing certain Figures of Stone or Metal underneath ſuch Conſtellations, and placing them either in ſome Conſpicuous Place or Town, or ſometimes Under-Ground, by which ſome have pretended to do ſtrange Feats; Theſe are called Taliſmans, of which, (as alſo the Language of the Stars, with an Alphabetical Table, and how from That, words are framed which ſhall declare the Event of things to come, according to the Nature of the Queſtion) Gaffarel, a Learned French-man, hath largly written in his Book of Ʋnheard-of Curioſities; and ſuch no doubt they will prove to him that ſpends much time in the ſtudy of them.

V. A Fifth ſort (if indeed there be any ſuch thing) may be by Communication with Angels and Spirits; For many have pretended to ſuch a Converſe; I do not mean by the Black-Art, Conjuring, Negromancy or having to do with Devils; but with good Angels, who out of Charity, Love and Compaſſion to their Fellow Creatures, are ſaid often to be willing to forewarn them of impending dangers, and diſcover to good men what may be of advantage. Thus the Learned Brown in his Religio Medici ſticks not to declare his opinion to be, That Mankind owes the Invention of many of our excellent and profitable Arts to the Courteous Revelation of Spirits.

VI. Laſtly, There is Enthuſiaſm, or Illumination, an Enlightning of the whole Soul, either from a certain unuſual Craſis, or an over-poize of Complexion, or ſtrength of purer Spirits, or elſe by ſome unknown ſupernatural means, as the Poſſeſſion or Inſpiration of ſome Spirit, either good or bad. Ariſtotle tells of one Maracus of Siracuſe, a Poet, who never made ſo good Verſes as when he was mad; and immediately before that Story hath theſe words, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] &c. Many becauſe that Heat is near the ſeat of the mind, are taken with ſundry Frantick and Enthuſiaſtick Fits, from whence they become Sybills, Bachides, or inſpired, not from any Diſeaſe, but a Natural Temperament —So that it ſeems in the ſenſe, of Ariſtotle much of this kind of Illumination proceeds from an Exaltation of the mind by ſome Ecſtatick operation of the Soul; and great Examples in all Ages, might be produced out of the Obſervations of Phyſitians to this purpoſe; ſome whereof have been meer Cheats to gain Credit to ſuch as ſhould Cure or Exorciſe them; Others true and natural, where ſome Melancholy Heat, or ſtrong Imagination, or laſtly, through Cuſtom and uſe, the perſons affected have brought upon themſelves ſuch an Habit, that fancy prevailing over their Judgment and Underſtanding, they have pretended to Propheſy; and ſometimes what they have ſpoken, hath proved true.

Of theſe ſeveral ſorts of foretelling, as touching the Aſtrological Predictions, or ſuch as are gtounded on that Art, we have briefly ſhewn whence they may pretend to Credit, having in themſelves a natural ground, as Effects are foreſeen in their Cauſes. But as touching the Common Abſtruſe Indications of great Accidents, Wars, death of particular men, Caſualties to Cities, &c. uſually ſtiled Prophecies, from what ſpring to derive them, or to what Cauſe they ought to be attributed, is difficult to be determined.

To deny that any things have been ſo foretold, or that becauſe ſome pretending thereunto, were either Cheats, or Hypochondraique, That therefore all were ſo, is to give the Lie to the experiences of all Ages, and in many of them the very great time between the Predictions, and the fulfilling of them, doth ſufficiently Evince that they came from an higher Cauſe than a Melancholy Heat: For where that is predominant, I have ever obſerved, that between the Propheſie, and the time alotted for the Accompliſhment, there is rarely or never more than a ſcore of years, ſometimes not ſo many Moneths.

I. Concerning the Sybils, not only the Heathen paid a great veneration to their Verſes, but the moſt Eminent Antient Doctors of the Chriſtian Church have made great and good uſe of them (in that kind of way which Logicians call Argumentum ad hominem) to Convince their Pagan oppoſers of the verity of our Religion, ſince they gave ſo clear a Teſtimony to the Birth and other Circumſtances of the Bleſſed Jeſus, long before his Incarnation. But whether all or any of them were indued with the Holy Spirit of God, I dare not affirm. This difference I obſerve to be between them and the true Prophets, that the later were never during their Prophecy deprived of their Witts, Senſes or Underſtanding; For if at any time they have been ſurpriſed with Conſternation or Aſtoniſhment upon the Appearance of an Angel, or the like, they have been by the Power of God ſoon reſtored to a Temper fit to underſtand and deliver the Meſſage wherewith they were Intruſted. Nay they have generally been further able to Confirm by a Miracle, that they were really ſent from God, when it ſtood with his Glory to have it ſo, and the diſtruſt of the people required it; whereas theſe Sybils are never reputed to have done any other Miracle, ſave that of truly foretelling things to come. 'Tis indeed in the 18th of Deutrenomy, made the Mark of a Prophet, not ſent by God, if the things foretold come not to paſs, and this is undoubtedly true. But it follows not Convertibly, that whatever things foretold come to paſs, the perſon foretelling them muſt needs be ſent by God; except meant permiſſively; For we know the Oracles of the Heathen Idols, gave often true Anſwers, ſuffered ſo to do indeed by God, but inſpired by the Devil. And Balaam though he were a Magitan and wicked perſon, yet he foretold ſeveral excellent Truths.

I am not Ignorant, That many times, as appears from Hiſtory, falſe Prophecies and Predictions have been promoted by crafty Knaves to deceive credulous Fools, and advance their own Deſigns, and many that have vainly truſted in them, have been deceived and brought to Deſtruction by their overfondneſs. At ſuch time as Brittanicus waited for the great Lot of the Roman Empire, by the Encouragement of a vain Aſtrologer, [•]e loſt both Hopes and Life by the Rigour of a Bloody Tyrant. Seneca by a pretty fan[•]y, brings in Mercury perſwading with the Gods that they would abridge the Life of Claudius, if not for any other Cauſe, yet out of very Pity and Compaſſion to the poor Aſtrologers, who had already been taken with ſo many Lies about it. That Wily Fox, Trajanus (as Dion tells us) by the practiſe and Aſſiſtance of Aſtrologers convey'd a pannick fear into the Head of Tiberius, That Germanicus aſpired to the Empire, whereas in the mean time he only puſht forwards his own Deſign: Exiſtimans ſe cum Juvenem ſuſtuliſſet, Facile in Manu Senem Habiturum; Concluding it would be eaſy to get the old man into his Clutches, if he could but get rid of the Young One. So Richard Duke of Gloceſter finding that ſo long as his Brother George of Clarence ſtood between him and the Gole, he could never win the Prize on which he had fixt his Ambitious Thoughts, cauſed a certain Prophecy to be ſuggeſted to the King his elder Brother, That G. ſhould one day wear the Crown. During the Civil Wars between Caeſar and Pompey, neither party wanted Prophets, which both gave them Encouragement to Proceed, and hope to prevail. And in like manner in our Domeſtick Broiles between York and Lancaſter, The Books of Beaſts and Babies were exceeding rife and currant in every Corner of the Realm, either Party Applying and Interpreting as they were Affected to the Title. Don John de Barbuda, a Nobleman of Caſtilé, of greater Courage [•]han Judgment, being perſwaded by the Predictions of an old ſilly Hermite, that without the loſs of one mans Life, he ſhould recover the Kingdom of Granada from the Moors, undertook the Enterpriſe againſt the Advice and Perſwaſions of the King of Castile, with no greater force than 1000 Foot and 300 horſe, who were together with himſelf all Cut in pieces.

Remarkable is that Story of Baſſianus Cavacala, who during his War in Meſopotamia, ordered one of his Counſellors at Rome call'd Maternianus to procure a Meeting of all the Prophets, Aſtrologers and Conjurers, to diſcover if any Plot or Deſigns were in hand againſt his perſon or Authority; and Maternianus finding by their Univerſal Verdict that one Macrinus a Colonel, who had a charge in the Field at that very inſtant, under rhe Emperour, ſhould bereave him of his Life, ſent Advertiſement thereof by the next diſpatch; which Poſt happening to arrive at a time when the Emperour was exceeding earneſt and attentive at his Sport, he commanded this very Macrinus, who (as Fate would have it) was next at hand, to break up the Pacquet and inform him of the contents at the time of Councel. By this means Macrinus perceiving the drift and his own danger (though before never no thought of Diſloyalty, much leſs murder of his Prince, came into his head) finding there was no middle Courſe to be taken, but that either Caracalla, before he ſhould receive further Advertiſement thereof, or to be ſure he himſelf ſoon after, muſt dye for it, made Choice of a deſperate Ruſſian that Commanded a Company of foot under him, To Stabb his Maſter, as he withdrew from Company to Eaſe Nature; and ſo ſtrangely ſolv'd the Credit of the South-Sayers.

In the time whilſt Popery and Monkery bore ſway in England, There was a great Loobily Image in Wales called Darvel Gathern, of which an old Prophecy went, That it ſhould burn a Forreſt, and on that Account was beheld by the Ignorant with much Veneration. But the Event was thus: At the time of the Diſſolution of Abbeys under K. Hen. 8 it was brought up to London, and burnt at the Gallows in Smithfield with the Bowels of one Friar Forreſt, executed for a Traitor.

Another Prophecy was current in the Abbey of Glaſſenbury, That a Whiting ſhould Swim on the Topp of the Torr thereof, (which is a ſteep Hill hard by,) and the Credulous Countrey People underſtood it of an Inruption of the Sea, which they ſuſpected accordingly. But it hapen'd, that Abbot Whiting, the laſt of that Character at Glaſſenbury, was hanged thereon for his Recuſancy to ſurrender the Abbey and denying the Kings Supremacy, ſo ſwimming in Air and not Water, and waved with the wind in the place, made good the Prophecy, though very unexpectedly.

Did not Anaximander of old foretell the Lacedemonians of a dangerous and greivous Earth-quake imminent, adviſing to prevent the Peril and Terror thereof by forſaking their Houſes and avoiding the City, to remain till its fury was over in the open Field[•]? which Earth-quake ſhortly after burſt out in ſo violent manner That the whole City was utterly ruinated, and a great part of the Mountain Tagetus horribly overwhelm'd? did not the Prince of Phyſitians, Hippocrates, forſee a dreadful plague, or mortal Contagion amongſt the Greeks, a conſiderable time before it began to rage? Did not Thales Mileſius inrich himſelf by foreſeeing a Scarcity of Olives in the Mileſian Fields, and buying up a great quantity before hand? Did not Socrates foretell the death of Crito? Sulla the Death of Caligula? The Caldeans the Death and Parricide of Aggripina the Empreſs by her own Son Nero, when he ſhould come to be Emperour? and yet ſo poſſeſs'd ſhe was with the Devil of Ambition, that ſhe cry'd out Occidat modo Imperet — I ſay with all my Heart, Let him kill mee, provided he may but Raign.

Alexander the Great was foretold his Fate by Calanits and Indian, and that if he Entred Babylon it would prove fatal, and he would dye there; which came to paſs accordingly. Caeſar had fair notice given him by Spurina to beware of the Ides of March, and fell a ſacrifice to his own Incredulity or Negligence, in not obſerving that Caution.

Aſcletarion the Mathematician, being accuſed that he had predicted the Death of the Emperour Domitian; The Emperor demanded of him whether he had ſo done, or not? And confeſſing that he had, Then (quoth the Emperor) Pray Sir, you that are ſo Skillful in finding out other Peoples Fate, tell me what ſhall be your own: To which he anſwered, That he ſhould very ſhortly be torn to pieces by Doggs. Dominitian reſolves (as he thought) utterly to ſpoil this Prediction, and therefore having order'd him forthwith to be put to Death, Cauſes his body to be laid in a very deep ditch and a great heap of Earth to be laid thereon, that no Dogs ſhould come near it; But mighty Rains happening, waſht away the new unſetled Earth, and Dogs did accordingly tear his Body; And ſoon after Domitian's Death confirmed the reſidue of his Prediction.

Rantzovivus a Noble and Learned Dame, p. 99. tells us, That the Aſtrologer of the Emperour Frederiek the Second, being queſtion'd by him, why he paid ſo much reſpect to Rodolphus Earl of Haſpurgh, than but a poor Retainer to the Court, Anſwered; Becauſe all thy Sons being Dead, (and the Emperour at that time had no fewer than 10 alive) He and his Poſterity ſhall come to and Enjoy thoſe Kingdomes whieh now your Majeſty does poſſeſs; Which was anſwered with a punctual Succeſs, Rodolphus being Elected King of the Romans by the Germans, Anno 1273. And page 97. he Relates, That one Maſter Chriſtian an Aſtrologer of Prague, Admoniſhed Ladiſlaus Jagello King of Poland by a Prieſt that belonged to him, Anno 1434. That he ſhould beware of Death that year, for that many Planets were then Conjoin'd, and there would be an Ecclipſe of the Moon under the Earth, and accordingly the ſame year he was Lodg'd in his Grave.

In the ſame page, he gives that Remarkable Inſtance of the Incomparably Learned Johannes Picus Mirandula, having written and Publiſhed a very ſmart Treatiſe againſt Aſtrology, ſeveral Artiſts, viz. Bellantius of Sena, Antonius Sirigatus a Florentine, and Angelus de Cataſtiris a Carmelite, That they might demonſtrate the Truth of their Art and Convince him of his Miſtake, poſitively told him in their publick Writings, That he himſelf ſhould not Eſcape or Survive the 33d year of his Age, by reaſon of the Direction of the Aſcendant in his Nativity to the Body of Mars; who flattering himſelf with a falſe Conceit, As if he could wrangle away Death, or elude the Significations of his Stars by Writing againſt Aſtrology, indeavouring to prove the Art vain, his Death concurring exactly which the Time predicted, Confirmed the ſame Art to be true, and more actually Confuted all that he had written againſt it, Than if all the World beſides had Conſpired to Anſwer him.

Fulgoſius, Lib. 8. Ca. 11. Records the wondrous exploits perform'd by Guido Bonatus the Aſtrologer at Forly in Italy, at what time that City was cloſe Beſiedg'd; For he Elected or fortold a Lucky Day, for Guido Earl of Montferrat, wherein if he would make a Sally he ſhould rout his Enemies and obtain over them a Compleat Victory, but not without receiving a ſlight wound in the Knee. And that the Earl might be more aſſured of what he ſo foretold, Bonatus would needs march out along with him, and carryed Towe and Eggs and other Neceſſaries for dreſſing his wound. And in the Engagement the Enemy was vanquiſht, and the Earl wounded punctually in the place foretold.

Regiomontanus, a little before his death at Rome, viz. in the year 1475. (One hundred and Thirteen yares before it came) pointed out the year 1588. as a time of moſt ſignal Revolutions and grand Tranſactions in the world. And to the ſame purpoſe there was a Prophecy publiſht in High Dutch, as followeth.

Tanſen funfhundert achtzitchtacht

Das iſt das iar, das ich betracht

Geth in dem de weltnixt under

Geſchicht doth groz merklich wunder.

Which I have found thus paraphras'd into Latine.

Poſt mille expletos a partu Virginis Annos

Et poſt Quingentos rurſus ab Orbe datos

Octogeſimus Octavus mirabilis Annus

Ingruet, is ſecum triſtia Fata feret

Si non hoc Anno, totus malus occidet Orbis

Si non in Nihilum terra, fretumque ruet:

Cuncta tamen mundi Surſum ibunt atque retrorſum

Imperia: & Luctus undique grandis erit.

And may bee thus Engliſh.

From Chriſto Birth count a Thouſand Years compleat,

And add five hundred more with Eighty Eight

That year approaching, all men will affright

With wofull Terrors, which on them will light

If the whole world to ruin do not run,

Or into nothing Land and Seas bee done:

At leaſt moſt Realms ſhall Topſy Turvy turn,

And men on all ſides Lamentably mourn.

Now if wee examine our Chronicles, wee ſhall find moſt memorable paſſages in diverſe parts of the world to have happend in that year. Was it not unuſual and ſtrange, That Poland this year ſhould have three Kings aſſuming the Title, whilſt the Fourth, viz. Stephen Battori was yet unburied? Namely, Sigiſmund the Swede, Maximilian the Emperors Brother, and Henry Valois of France. Of which three, Maximiliam in the begining of this year was taken priſoner, his Army Cut in pieces, and by means there of many thouſands of men women and Children carryed away Captives by the Tartars. That Suedeland in the mean tyme was all in a Combuſtion which Tumults, and loſt ſeverall ſtrong Places to the Muſcovite. The Muſcovite himſelf ran madd, and loſt his witts. The King of Denmark Frederick the Second dyed. In France there happend The Barricado of Paris, The flight of the King from thence, The ſlaughter of the great Duke of Guiſe, and his brother the Cardinal of Lorrain: The Death of the Queen Mother, The poiſoning of the Prince of Condee, and the Overthrow which the King of Navarre gave unto Duke Mercoeurs; All which gave that Kingdome ſufficient Cauſe to think 88. a year Extraordinary. At the ſame tyme the Duke of Savoy prepared his Army and ſurprized the French Kings cheif Magazine in Saluze. The Sophy of Perſia dyed, The Turks ſuffered great Defeats in Hungary. And in Conſtantinople by reaſon of falſe moneys paid to the Janizaries, they fell into a Mutiny, Compell'd the Grand Seignior to deliver up his cheifeſt Favourites to bee put to Death, ſet fire on the Jews Houſes, and ſpoiled their goods, by which means above 12 thouſand Houſes were burnt down to the Ground in that City.

And nearer home, did not the world with wonder behold the Spaniſh Armado (which they fooliſhly called Invincible) ſhatter'd to pieces by the valour, of the Engliſh; A loſs that the Spaniſh Monarchy has not recovered to this day. In a word, (ſaith Gallo Belgicus) Ortu ſolis uſque ad occaſum, nullus ferme remanſit locus in quo non miratu dignum aliquid hoc Anno contigerit. From the riſing of the Sun to the going down thereof, there was ſcarce any place, in which ſomething wonderful did not happen.

'Tis a very odd Story, which is credibly related of King James, how he was premoniſht of his death by a Dream, wherein his old Maſter Buchanan appeared unto him in his ſleep, and gave him theſe two Verſes:

Sexte verere Deum tibi vitae Terminus inſtat

Cum tua cadenti flagrat Carbunculus igne.

Sixth James! ſee thou to God do humbly turn

Thy Fate draws near, and men thy death ſhall mourn

When in the Fire thy Carbuncle ſhall Burn.

King James was the ſixth of that name of Scotland; and next morning he told his Bedchamber-men and ſeveral of the Lords, repeating the verſes, and averring that he did not make them. The ſucceſs was this: The King had a very large and fair Carbuncle Stone uſually ſet in his Hat, and ſitting by the Fire not long after, this great Carbuncle fell off into the Fire, and a Scotiſh Lord took it up, and 'twas obſerved the King ſickened and dyed very ſhortly after.

I ſhall conclude with that moſt poſitive prediction of Michael Noſtradamus of St. Remy in France, Phyſitian to the King, and a great Mathematician and Aſtrologer, who dyed the ſecond of July 1566. In his Book of Quadrins in French, Printed 1555. wherein he very plainly foretells the horrid and deteſtable Murther of King Charles the Firſt by his own Subjects before his own Palace. And in Quadrin 51. thus evidently foreſpeaks the Burning of London, and expreſſes the very year 66. in theſe words.

Le Langue du Juſte a Londres fera faut

Bruſlez par Foudres, de vingt trois, les ſix

La Dame Antique cherra de place haut

De meſme Seicle pluſieurs ſerront Occis.

Which may thus be Engliſht.

For th' Blood o'th Just a London ſpilt, the ſame

In Sixty Six ſhall all be in a Flame;

That Antient Dame ſhall in the Duſt complain

And many of the ſame Sect ſhall be ſlain.

But we are affraid we have already wearied the Reader with theſe paſt Stories; and therefore now proceed to gratify ſuch whoſe Curioſity delights in ſuch matters, with Mr. Lillies Hieroglyphicks as they were by him publiſht 1651. with (only) this following Preface.

Mr. Lillies Account of his Hieroglyphicks.

HAd the Courteſie of the preſent times deſerved it at my hands, thou hadſt ſeen an Explanation of the following Pages, which in Aenigmatical Types, Forms, Figures, Shapes, doth perfectly repreſent the future Condition of the Engliſh Nation for many hundred of years yet to come. I have borrowed ſo much time from my Morning-ſleep as hath brought forth theſe Conceptions. You that Read theſe Lines muſt know I do no new thing: I do herein but imitate the Antients, who ſo often as they reſolved to conceal their Intentions from prophane Hands, uſed Hieroglyphicks, Images, &c. The Egyptian Prieſts were herein excellent, and their Judgment commendable: Our Saviour alſo himſelf commendeth; Ne detur ſacrum Canibus. If Providence ſhall hereafter aſſign me a quiet life, and prolong my years, I may then perhaps leave unto the Sons of Art the ſeveral Changes of every Kingdom and Commonwealth in Europe▪ in ſuch-like Characters as theſe which now follow.

Notes or Obſervations on the foregoing Figures, and the Nature of Hieroglyphicks in General.

EGypt (the fruitful Parent of ſo many Miracles) has alwayes boaſted her ſelf one of the moſt Early Nurſes of Learning: The Grecians in the Days of Solon, Pythagoras, Herodotus and Plato, Travel'd [•]hither for the Knowledge of Nature, and the Acquiſition of thoſe Sciences, which rendred them ſo famous. But the Egyptian Prieſts, [•]nto whom it belonged to teach, did never [•]ivulge their Doctrines without a Shadow, or ſome dark Repreſentation ſufficient and very [•]pt in it ſelf to denote the matter they intend[•]d, many times more ſignificantly than many words could do, yet not ſo obvious to be underſtood by the vulgar; whereby they Imagined they kept their Myſteries from Pro[••]nation: Eſpecially thoſe which related to [••]eir Gods and Nature, were wrapt up in certain viſible Shapes and Forms of Creatures, thoſe Inclinations and Diſpoſitions did lead [•]o the knowledge of the Truths, intended or Inſtruction; and they by a peculiar name [•]ere called Hieroglyphicks, derived from the Two Greek words [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], Sacred; an [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] to Ingrave; as much as to ſay, a Holy Inſcription, or Sacred Engravement. Becauſe all their Divinity, Philoſophy, an[•] choiceſt Secrets, were comprehended in theſ[•] ingenious Characters.

Nor were they only Contriv'd to hinder the ſublime knowledge of Philoſophy fro[•] being profaned; But alſo that they mig[••] Abbreviate the diffuſed Notions of that Science, and fit them for a more eaſy Comprehenſion and better Retention in their Memories. Every Name is an Abreviation of a Thing, but it is not able to give ſuch a perfect Idea of the Properties and hidden Qualities of the things intimated, as the Picture of them in a witty Hieroglyphick. And further the Egyptians by theſe Inventions had a deſign to render their Knowledge Immortal[•] for which purpoſe they did Ingrave them upon Obelisks and Pillars of Marble, and thi[•] long before the uſe of Paper, (an Invention originally too of the ſame Country, being compoſed at firſt of the Flakes of certain Sedgie Reeds growing on the Banks of the Nilt[•] called Papyri, moiſtned with the glutinou[•] water of the River, then preſs'd together and afterwards dry'd in the Sun) as is Evident from thoſe Verſes of the lofty Luccan.

[•]ondum flumineos Memphis contexere Libros, [•]overat, in Saxis tantum Volucreſque feraeque,

[•]ulptaque Servabunt Magicas Animalia Linguas.

[•]emphis yet knew not how with Reeds to frame [•]or Books, but Birds and Beaſts Letters became, [•]nd Animals Engrav'd on laſting ſtone [•]ith Magick Tongues, Learning preſerv'd a[•]one.

Nor did they only expreſs particular [•]ngs and ſome Secret Knowledge by [•]eir Hieroglyphicks, but alſo whole Sentences, [•]riting all their Rules and Precepts rela[••]g to the Worſhip of their Gods, or to the [••]vernment of the Kingdom in this manner; [•]ich will not appear ſtrange or incredible ſuch as have Convers'd in the Eaſt-Indies, to tis known that there to this day, there three or four Nations whoſe Languages as remote and different as Hebrew and [•]ek, or Latine and Welch, who yet under[••] [•]nd one anothers Writings. So that what [••] writes in one Language, the other can [•]d their own, which could not be but by [•]ain Hieroglyphicks, or Univerſal Chara[••]s (an Art commendably attempted of late amongſt us, by the Reverend and Lea[•]ed Wilkins, in his Book on that Subject) R[•]preſenting the ſhapes of things, which a known to men of all Nations and Tong[•] A writing of which Nature was ſent to [•] Learned Bochartus from an Eminent per[•] of the Court of France, for him to Inte[•]pret.

But to give the Reader a Taſte of this ki[••] of Egyptian Myſtery, Take theſe few [••]ſtances.

They Repreſented the Providence of [•] by a Baſilisk, with an Hawks Head and Ey[•] becauſe there is no other Creatures fu[•] of Spirits and Vigour, or more quick-ſig[•]ed.

The Power of God they did expreſs by Body and three Heads, (by which one wo[••] almoſt have thought they had ſome notice the Trinity) but without either Hands Feet; becauſe Almighty God governs things only by his Wiſdom and good ple[•]ſure, and needs no viſible Members to p[••]duce his wonders.

To ſignify the Effects of Gods power Nature, they painted a man with a Mul[••]tude of Hands, ſtretching them out upon t[•…] World.

The World was ſometimes repreſented a round Temple, becauſe Divine Majeſty ha[••] Created it for his own Glory, to receive therein the Adoration and Homage of all Creatures; becauſe it appears like a large and Beautiful Edifice, excellently well adorned, ſupported by Gods Power, Covered with the Heavens, and diſtinguiſht into ſeveral Apartments. But its Ordinary Hieroglyphick was a Globe, in which were drawn the Circles of the Zodiack, with the Signs in it, and round about a Multitude of Stars. This Globe was ſupported on the back of a man upon his knees, which were Cover'd with his long Garment, to ſhew how the World is upheld by Gods Providence, which ſeems to be Cover'd to the lower Ranks of Creatures with divers Emblems and dark Shadows.

When they intended to point out the continual Mutation of Creatures, and the Change of one Being into another in the World, they uſed to put a Snake repreſenting an Orb, biting and devouring its Tail, becauſe the World feeds upon its ſelf, and receives from its ſelf a continual ſupply of thoſe things that Time Conſumes. The ſame was alſo an Embleme of the Year, becauſe it doth run round; and where the Old Year ends, the New one begins.

Wiſdom, was painted as a Beautiful Woman with four Ears and four Hands, but with one Tongue, which was hid within her Lips, that were ſhut Cloſe.

Unity was repreſented by the Sun and its Beautiful Beams; Peace and Worldly Felicity by the fruitful Olive-Tree; Liberty and Pleaſure by the Vine; Chaſtity by Beams; and a Plentiful Encreaſe, by Muſtard-Seed, which grows up into many and large Branches.

The Relation between Heaven and Earth was ſignifyed by a man, with hands tyed with a Chain, that was let down from the Clouds, for there is nothing here below either ſo great or powerful but it is held by a Secret Chain, by which the Divine Providence can turn and wind it at pleaſure.

A furious man, was intimated by a Lyon eating up his Prey; A Religious man by a Lion running from a Cock. A Whore by a Lion with a Womans head, becauſe her Countenance is fair, her Speech moſt pleaſant, and her Allurements powerful, but her Nature fierce and cruel, and ſhe intends only to prey upon both Body and Eſtate. A Merciful man, was painted having Compaſſion on a Lamb lying at his Feet.

A cunning Selfiſh Time-ſerver was expreſſed by an Hedg-hog, becauſe this Creature wraps himſelf up in his own Warm Down, and turns out Prickles to all the World beſides; and alſo becauſe it hath alwayes two or three holes where it retreats, and when the wind is cold and boiſterous at one hole, it creeps to the other, and thus it changeth its dwelling with the Weather.

A man proud of his Natural or acquired Abilities, was ſignified by a Peacock with beautiful Plumes, in a poſture of admiring them, and expoſing them to the Sun-Beams.

A Graſhopper was the Hieroglyphick of an Egyptian Prieſt learned in the Myſteries of Heaven: For as the Graſhopper deſerv'd their Admiration, becauſe it ſings ſo well without a Tongue; ſo theſe men that attained to ſuch excellent perfections as the knowledge of God and the Superiour Beings, by dark Hieroglyphicks and ſignificant Shadows, did no leſs require their Wonder and Eſteem.

The Chameleon denoted an Hypocrite that ſtudies to pleaſe the times in which he lives, and that can be of any Religion, and take any Impreſſion that will ſerve his preſent [•]orn; for it is reported of this Animal that [•]t can change it ſelf into any colour but White and Red.

A Prophet, or Prophecy was expreſſed by [•] Mole, a Creature that is without eyes, to [•]ew that man is naturally blind, and can have [•]o clear foreſight of the time to come, with[••]t a Divine Revelation, and then the intricate Events of the future, do appear unto us with many doubts and dark ſhadows, which hinder us from a perfect and clear Diſcovery.

Revenge, was intimated by a Tyger devouring an Horſe; a good Eye-ſight, by a Lynx, which is a Beaſt near of Kin to a Wolf.

A Lampray with an Eel was the Hieroglyphick of Adulterers, for the Lampray is a Fiſh that ſeeks the Company of other Fiſhes of the ſame ſhape, for which reaſon ſome ſay that they are venemous, becauſe they joyn themſelves with Snakes and other Water-Serpents.

The Head of a man ſignifies ſound Judgment and Wiſdom: His Hair cut off, violent Grief or Bondage; If growing, Liberty. The Forehead is the ſeat of Pride and Impudence. The Eye wide open, the token of Wiſdom and Juſtice, the ſeat of Contempt, the Throne of Love, and diſcoverer of other paſſions of the Soul. The Noſe being large, a Mark of quickneſs of Apprehenſion, and the Excellency of our Underſtanding. The Mouth was the Hieroglyphick of Modeſty; The Heart of Sincerity; Shoulders, of Strength; The waſhe[•] Hands, of Innocency; The Right-hand, of Power, Fidelity, and Favour. The Knee expreſs Humility and Compaſſion; The Ha[•] Freedom; a Crown, Dignity; a Scepter Power; a Buckler, Defence; an Arrow, Speed; a Spear, War or Valour; a pair of Ballances, Equity; a Sword, Revenge or Cruelty; A ſitting poſture intimates Security; an Anſwer, Hope; The Palm and Laurel, Emblems of Victory and Honour; The Myrtle, of Pleaſure; The Cedar, of Eternity; The Oak, of Strength; the Olive, of Fruitfulneſs; the Lilly, of Beauty, &c.

But to come nearer our preſent ſubject— 'Tis not infrequent in the Holy Scriptures to expreſs Perſons, Kingdoms, Judgments, and other things to come, after this manner, Hieroglyphically, by the names of Beaſts, Birds, &c. So Judah was propheſied of, by the name of a Lion: Iſſachar, of an Aſs: Dan, of a Serpent: Napthali, of an Hind: and Benjamin, of a Wolf, Gen. 49. from the 3d to the 28th verſe. And the Babylonian Monarchy, both Heatheniſh and Myſtical Babylon, was Propheſied of by the name of an Eagle, by ſeveral of the Prophets, as Jer. 48.40. and 49. Hoſ. 8.1. Obad. 4. and Hab. 1. and Eſdras did Propheſie of it by that name, about 300 years before ever the Eagle was portrayed in the Roman Enſigns, and became the Badge or Arms of that Empire. Which was firſt given by Marius, becauſe being a Child, he found an Eagles Neſt and ſeven young ones therein; whereupon in his ſecond Conſulſhip, going againſt the Cinbri (the Antient Inhabitants of Denmark and Hoſtein) he cauſed an Eagle to be pictured in his Standard; Which was afterwards peculiarly affirm'd by the Roman Legions, to ſhew that they would with as great Courage fall upon and engage the Enemy, as the Eagle on his Prey.

The Holy Books of Daniel, and the Apocalyps, or Revelations of St. John the Divine, do alſo afford us ſeveral Inſtances of Monarchies, Kingdoms, and Calamities, repreſented by ſeveral Beaſts, Vials, Seals Trumpets.

We mention not theſe Sacred Authors, as intending to compare or Rank theſe Hieroglyphicks here before ſet down in the ſeveral Figures, with thoſe Divine Prophecies: far be it from us to advance any ſuch bold and irreverent Blaſphemies; we recite them only to ſhew, that the ſhadowing out of future Events in ſuch a way, and under ſuch myſterious Figures, is no novel or upſtart Invention, but has long been uſed in the world.

As to theſe preſent Hieroglyphicks, we call them Mr. Lillies, becauſe by him they were firſt made publick in the year 1651. But whether by him originally deviſed, we cannot determine; for as I remember, Mr. Lilly himſelf about 10 years ago, told me, he borrowed them, and was not the firſt Inventer, but ſaid he knew the right Key or Signification of them, and that he doubted not but Poſterity, when Fate ſhould think fit to diſcloſe its Myſtick Book, and reduce the matters thereby intended to be prefigured, into Act, would be well aſſured of their Verity. But that they are, or ever were, or ought to be accoun[••] [•] the Hieroglyphicks of Noſtradamus, I ſaid no Authority or proof, though it had pleas'd a late Author ſo to call them.

Nor ſhall I undertake to decip[••] [•] th[••] obſcure Hieroglyphicks, or pretend to acquaint the world with the meaning thereof or when each particular is to be fullfilled. The Burning of London ſeems very plainly to [〈◊〉] been one of thoſe Accidents here inter[•…] and indeed there are two figures that may ſeem to have reſpect hereunto; but I am apt to believe one of them, viz. that where the Twins (Londons Celeſtial Aſcendent, according to Aſtrologers) are tumbling down headlong into the Flames, ought to be underſtood Metaphorically, as of Heats and Animoſities induſtriouſly ſpread amongſt her [•]nhabitants by ill men, to put them into a Combuſtion, and this I am the rather inclined [•]o judge, obſerving two Perſons pictured powring in Jars of Oyl to encreaſe the Flames.

As touching the Moles which you will find in many of the Figures very buſy; the common opinion is, that they ſignifie the Jeſuites, Popiſh Prieſts, and other Emiſſaries of the See of Rome, aptly Emblem'd by the Mole, as being carryed on with a blind Zeal, and mannaging their miſcheivous Intrigues under-Ground, in Maſquerade, and without owning publickly their helliſh Deſigns.

I have heard, that Mr. Lilly, the more to obſcure the Signification, Tranſpos'd ſeveral of the Figures, and did not ſet them in that Order of place, as they were to fall out in reſpect of Time. However we thought fit, punctually to obſerve his Copy: And ſo thou haſt them juſt as he firſt publiſht them, without Addition, Diminution, or Alteration.

In the next place, we ſhall ſubjoin ſeveral antient Predictions, which ſo long have obtain'd the name of PROPHECIES, that they may now ſeem to plead Preſcription for that Title; Which be pleaſs'd to take as follows.

The Prophecy of Rabbi Elias, touching the End of the World.

THe words in the Original, as they are deliver'd in the Talmudical Books, and and particularly in the Treatiſe or Section intituled Havoda Zara, Cap. 1. are theſe in Hebrew:

Tana abe Elihau ſeſeth Alaphim ſana have Haolam: Sene Alaphim Tohu: Vſne Alaphim Thora: Vſne Alaphim Iemoth hamas ſihi uba Havenothema Serabu Iaſhu meon Maſcias.

In Engliſh thus, verbatim.

Thus ſaid the Sons (or Diſciples) of Elias: The World conſiſteth of Six Thouſand Years; Two Thouſand years Void, Two Thouſand the Law, Two Thouſand the Meſſias: But for our ſins, which are many, thoſe years of that number are over-paſſed, which are over-paſſed.

Whether by this Elias they would have us underſtand the Divine Tiſhbite of that Name, who after ſo many Miracles, recorded in Sacred Scripture, done on Earth, was taken up viſibly into Heaven; or whether they intend by it ſome Latter Rabbin, may be queſtion'd, but I the rather think the laſt: Though 'tis certain this Prophecy, or if you pleaſe Declaration, or Diviſion of the Continuance and ſeveral Ages of the World, has been all along of great eſteem not only amongſt the Jews, but alſo with the moſt Learned and Famous Doctors of the Chriſtian Church; For both Lactantius, Hierom, Hillary, Ambroſe, and St. Auguſtine of the Antient Fathers, and alſo Melancthon, Peucer, Poſtellus, Reſlyn, and many other Modern Learned Men, mention it with reſpect.

The meaning of the firſt part of the words ſeem very plain, That the Duration of the World ſhall be the Term of Six Thouſand years, which ſhould be divided into three Grand, Intervals, Spaces, Periods, viz. Two Thouſand years from the Creation to the giving of the Law, (which ſpace of time is here called Tohu, void, becauſe the World was then without the written Law, and without the External Ceremonies, which were afterwards Enjoin'd.) Two Thouſand years more, under the Law; and the other Two Thouſand under the Meſſias. Not that this is to be underſtood exactly to a year, in each, but 2000, a round Number, is uſed for the Number punctual and Certain; and indeed agrees very well with the Truth of Chronology; For from the Creation, to the time of the Inſtitution of Circumciſion, (from whence we may properly enough Date the time of the Law, though not fully delivered till diverſe years after) there were 2047 years, as may be made appear from Scripture-Calculation. And from thence to our Saviours Incarnation above 19 hundred years, or very near 2000. But ſince this Prophecy is Jewiſh, and in ſo high an Eſteem with that Nation, and does ſo clearly point out the coming of the Meſſiah to be about the year of the World 4000, and that 'tis notorious, the ſame is ſo many ages ſince paſt, it may be wondred, why even from hence they ſhould not be Convinced both that the Meſſias is long ſince come, and that our Lord Chriſt muſt needs be He. But ſuch is the obſtinate Blindneſs of that People, that they reſolve to perſiſt in their Error and Infidelity, and will rather invent any Evaſions than acknowledge the Evident Truth, as appears in this very Caſe, and will help us to fiſh out the meaning of thoſe laſt words of this Prophecy—But for our Sins, which are many, the years of that Number are over-paſs'd which are over-paſs'd. Which words ſeem to be added to the Prophecy it ſelf, by ſome latter Rabbins; for you muſt note, That the Hieruſalem-Talmud being compoſed above 200 years after Chriſt, and the Babylonian-Talmud 400 years after Chriſt, in both which this Prophecy is mentioned, The Authors thereof, finding the Term limited already expired, added this Clauſe to ſolve the buſineſs, and perſwade their People that the reaſon why the Meſſias was not yet come according to this Prediction, was the Multitude of their Sins which retarded his appearance, and this they give out to be the Cauſe thereof to this day. Note that Talmud ſignifies as much as Doctrinale, The Book of Doctrine; and the Books ſo called, do contain, Traditions and Obſervations, which they pretend to have been delivered by God to Moſes, beſides the Law written, and from him to have been brought down from hand to hand amongſt the Rabbins, juſt as the Papiſts ſet up their Traditions as of equal Authority with the Scriptures.

Agreeable to this Cabbaliſtical Prophecy or Tradition, ſome Learned men, ſuppoſing that by the ſix days of Creation, mentioned in the firſt of Geneſis, The whole Age of the World containing 6000 years, was Myſtically and Allegorically ſhadowed out, To be Interpreted or Deciphered in ſuch ſort, that the firſt days work ſhould import or prefigure a certain Reſemblance or Type of ſuch future matters and Events, as were performed in the firſt Thouſand years of the World; The ſecond days work of ſuch as ſhould conſequently happen in the Second Thouſand years, and ſo forth of the reſidue, even to the Accompliſhment of 6000 years, At which period the Eternal Requies, or Sabbath of the Lord ſhould finally enſue, and gloriouſly appear; even as after ſix days Work God ſtayed or reſted at the firſt, and as now our weekly Sabbath (which is a reverend figure of that great Everlaſting Sabbath) doth after every 6 days ſucceſſively approach. Purſuant, I ſay, hereunto, they have diſtributed the ſeveral Millenaries, as in this Table.

If therefore this Rabbinical Reckoning be to be regarded, let us ſee about what Year of the World we are in at this preſent, and how much may be wanting of this Sum Total 6000.

The Birth of our Lord Chriſt, is placed

• By Chryteaeus In the Year of the World—3962.
• By Mich. Butherus In the Year of the World—3962.
• By Reniholdus In the Year of the World—3962.
• By Schubertus In the Year of the World—3962.
• By & Cunmannus In the Year of the World—3962.

• By Funccius In the Year of the World 3963
• By Luther In the Year of the World 3960
• By Beroaldus In the Year of the World 3928
• By Mereator In the Year of the World 3966
• By Bucholzer In the Year of the World 3970
• By Bibliander In the Year of the World 3979
• By Card. Bellarmine In the Year of the World 3984

So that there is not above 22 years difference amongſt them all, except Beroaldus: Let us therefore ſuppoſe it to be with Beucholzer, Anno Mundi 3970, adding thereunto 1683, makes 5653 years from the Creation; ſo that according to this Compute, there ſhould remain but 347 years to the final Conflagration; viz. in the year of our Lord 2030.— But—That day and hour knoweth no man. And For the Elects ſake thoſe days ſhall be ſhortned.

To this we think it not improper to add, That Prophecy or remarkable Deſcription of the End of the World, ſome Thouſands of years ſince delivered in Greek Acroſtick Verſes, the Initial Letters making up theſe words, JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD THE SAVIOUR, delivered by Sibylla Erythrea, and recited by St. Auguſtine in the 4th Book, and 23d. Chapter of his Treatiſe de Civitate Dei, which I ſhall give you in the words of Him who many years ſince Tranſlated that excellent Book into Engliſh, as followeth.

Jn Sign of Doomſday the whole Earth ſhall ſweat,

Ever to Reign a King in Heavenly Seat

Shall come to judge all Fleſh: The Faithful and

Unfaithful too before this God ſhall ſtand.

Corporal ſhall he ſit, and thence extend

His Doom in Souls, The Earth ſhall quite lye waſt

Ruin'd, oregrown with Thorns, and men ſhall caſt

Idols away, and Treaſure; Searching Fire

Shall burn the ground, and rage with fatal Ire

Through Seas and Skyes, and break Hells blackeſt Gate;

So ſhall free Light Salute the Bleſſed State

Of Saints; The Guilty laſting Flames ſhall burn;

No Act ſo hid but thence to Light ſhall turn;

Nor breaſt ſo cloſe, but God ſhall open wide;

Each where ſhall Cries be heard, and noiſe betide

Of gnaſhing Teeth, The Sun ſhall from the Sky

Fly forth, and Stars no more move orderly.

Great Heav'n ſhall be diſſolv'd; The Moon depriv'd

Of all her Light: places at Height arriv'd

Depreſs'd, and Vallies mounted to their Seat,

There ſhall be Nought to Mortals High or great

Hills ſhall be Level'd with the Plains; The Sea

Endure no Burthen; and the Earth as They

Shall periſh, cleft with Lightning, every ſpring

And River burn: The fatal Trump ſhall bring

Vnto the world from Heav'n a diſmal Blaſt,

Including plagues to come for ill deeds paſt.

Old Chaos through the Scatter'd Maſs appears

Unto this Barr all Kings come Priſoners

Rivers of flaming Brimſtone drown their Tears.

The Learned ALSTEDIUS, his SPECULUM MUNDI, and CHRONOLIGY of the Prophetick Numbers.

1. God alone hath reſerv'd to himſelf the exact knowledge of future Things; as the incommunicable Prerogative of his Divine Majeſty: Therefore, 'tis impoſſible any man though never ſo clear-ſighted, ſhould compile an accurate Chronology for Time to come, or define the punctual Moments of Futurity; yet is not therefore the Explanation of Prophetick Numbers to be omitted, for ſince God hath expreſſed certain Numbers in the Hiſtories and Prophecies of his Word, it would be too great both Sloth and Ingratitude not to weigh, and with reverence and the fear of the Lor, denquire into them.

2. In obſerving the great Conjunctions or Revolutions of the Planets, as Superſtition and over-ſcrupulous Diligence is not to be approved, ſo neither is Negligence or Contempt thereof to be allow'd.

3. The Twelfth Chapter of Daniel ought to be our Pole-Star in explaining Prophetick Numbers, for there we are led, as by the hand, from the building of the ſecond Temple, to its Deſtruction: And from the Deſtruction thereof, which was Anno Chriſti 69. by a term of Days he numbers firſt 1290, and then 1335; that is in all (with the 69 years which were elaps'd from Chriſt's Birth, to the overthrow of the Temple) 2694 years: From which if we deduct the 1000 years, Rev. 20.2. we ſhall be brought to the year of our Lord 1694. whence we may gather, that the ſeven Vials are to be poured forth at or before that time, or their ſignifications to continue no longer.

4. The moſt eminent Mutations from the year 1600 to 1700, may be gathered from the Planetary Conjuctions, compared with the Apocalyptical Numbers, which point out the years—1622, 1625, 1636, 1642, 1683, and 1694.

5. The Comparing of Hiſtories one with another, the obſervation of the Stars, and a diligent Inſpection into the manners of men, do much conduce towards our predicting of the Cataſtrophe's of humane things.

6. Thoſe Philoſophers that are more skilfull in Aſtronomy, reckon four Monarchies, not according to the Prevalency of Kingdoms, but according to the four Coaſts of the World. The firſt was of the Eaſt, being the Aſſyrians: The ſecond Southern, that of the Perſians and Greeks: The third Weſtern, of the Romans: The fourth of the North, which God ſhall ſhortly ſet up in the Norrhern-parts by the Lion of the North, to the great Amazement of thoſe who ſlight the Divine Apocalypſe, and that Harmony which here we are pointing at.

7. The 1000 years mentioned in the Twentieth Chapter of the Revelations, ſhall begin about the year 1694, and end 2694; during which time Satan ſhall be bound, but afterward being let looſe for a ſmall time, he ſhall ſtir up Gog and Magog; that is, the profeſſed Enemies of the Church, againſt the Saints; But ſhall be ſuddenly overcome, and then our Lord Chriſt ſhall come in Glory to put an end to this World.

Annus Mundi Mirabilis; Or, A Prediction of the laſt Ages of the World: Aenigmatically delivered in 12 Months, repreſenting ſo many notable Periods, or Cataſtrophe's, which ſhall certainly happen in thoſe times. Publiſht many Years ago, by LILLY.

JANƲARY.
• A ſhower of Blood ſhall rain continually for one hours ſpace, in a certain Land of Europe; That Region, or the People thereof, ſhall firſt come to deſtruction.
FEBRƲARY.
• All Nations troubled with rumours of Wars, every Region preparing Armies, and Muſtering Men, Traffique generally prohibited or obſtructed, by Land and Sea, each Country being inforced to live of their own ſtock and commodities.
MARCH.
• The main Sea ſhall hugely ſwell with mighty Tempeſts and Winds, ſo that the Banks being overthrown, the Waves ſhall in many places overflow their accuſtom'd bounds, and cauſe Univerſal Innundations. One Iſland ſhall be quite overflown with the Sea, where the double Croſs hath Government, the ſins of the Prince or Rulers thereof being ſo extream high againſt the Majeſty of God.
APRIL.
• A terrible Sea-fight, ſuch as hath not been before, occaſioning the water to look more red than the Red Sea, the water all turned to Blood. England! thou wilt have a ſhare in this Fight, God of his great goodneſs make thee victorious; After a hard Fight thou ſhalt overcome.
MAY.
• Warr and Bloodſhed over all the Earth: A certain Nation ſhall ſend ſo many Men to the Warrs, that it ſhall for a time be even deſolate of Men, ſo that twelve Women ſhall be glad of one Man: Nay, hardly procure one Young-man for them all.
JƲNE.
• In the Eaſtern parts of the World, a whole Nation ſhall Fight a great Battel in a wrong cauſe, and defend an Evil Man; but the vengeance of God will rain down a ſhower of Fire from the Throne of Heaven, and conſume that Army wholly with all their Wealth and Treaſures, even as they lie in their Tents, &c.
JƲLY.
• So great a drought, ſo great a want of water will appear, that multitudes of People ſhall dye in many places for meer want of water, Souldiers ſhall not be able for heat to carry their Arms; The Earth ſhall be ſo dry and ſo parched with the Suns hot beams, that it ſhall yield no fruit to feed Cattle.
AƲGƲST.
• Great Plagues and Mortality will cover the whole Face of the Earth, and ſo deſtroy Mankind, that there will not be ſufficient Labourers to get in Harveſt, or the Fruits of the Earth. In this Month ſuch ſwarms of noyſome Fowls and Flies ſhall come from the Eaſt, as they ſhall devour the Corn on the Ground, the Fruit on Trees, that all ſhall be barren: Men living in thoſe times and in this Month, ſhall have more ſorrow, and more woes, and more famine, and diſtreſs, than was in Jeruſalem, when Titus beſieged it.
SEPTEMBER.
• The ſeaſon of this Month will be ſo unnatural and the Earth ſo unfit for Tillage, that all manner of Cattle will rot on the ground, which will breed ſuch ſtore of Flies and Vermin, that the Earth will be empoyſoned, and receive no fruit to encreaſe.
OCTOBER.
• A great Famine and Dearth of Corn will over-ſpread moſt Nations of Europe, ſo that the Child ſhall ſtarve at the Mothers Breaſts, the Mother having no food to nouriſh her ſelf or Child.
NOVEMBER.
• One appears ſuddenly and unexpectedly a great Conquerour, the World filled with the Fame of this Man, who ſuddenly like Auguſtus, gives Peace unto the whole Earth.
DECEMBER.
• All Warrs end, Religion truely Preached Univerſally over the World, a General Peace, no more Treaſon or Rebellion. Not long after the Trumpet Sounds, and Chriſt appears.

An Antient Prophecy of Sybella Tiburtina, found in the Year 1520. in the Bowels of the Mountain Taurus in Switzerland, after a great Inundation of waters which broke down part of that Mountain, and left diſcovered in the Ruins, the following words, fairly Engraven upon a large Marble Stone, in very Old Latin Characters and Stile, as follows:

ORietour ſydous in Europa ſoupra Iberos, ad magnam ſeptentrionis Domum; cojus Radij orbem terrarum ex improviſo illouſtrabunt.

Hoc vero erit tempore deſideratiſſimo, quo Mortalis poſitis Armeis pacem Onanimeis complectantor. Certabitor quidem varieis per dioutourni Interregni occaſionem ſtudies, cui Imperii habenae tradantor. Sed vincet tandem aviti ſanguinas propago, quae eouſque Armorumvi progredietor, donec fata contraria fatis obſtiterint. Nam eodem fere tempore hoc demorſo Sydere, covum quoddam ejous Loumen longe ardentioribus mavortis ignibous exardeſcens, Antepodum finibus occludet Imperium.

At prius houic Soumittet cervices Gallia. Ad ejous genoua Soupplex adnatabit claſſibus Britannia; Italia egre ad ardua Sceptra reſpirans, [•]lli languentem portendet dexteram. Verum bocce joubar ante diem ingenti mortalium deſiderio ſe divum non bibous condet.

Quo extincto, poſt deiras & ſanguinolentas, Cometas, ignivomaſque caeli facies, nihil amplious toutum, Saloutareue erit, Oſque animantibous coeli Firmamentum pugnantibuſque planetieis, & contrarieis corſibous labefactabitor; concurrent orbibous orbeis, Fixae curſu antevertent erratitas, aequabunt aequora montes; Hec omnia denique erunt Nox, Interitus, Rouina, Dampnatio, ac ceternai Tenebrai.

In Engliſh, Thus:

A Star ſhall ariſe in Europe over the Iberians, towards the great Houſe of the North, whoſe Beams ſhall unexpectedly enlighten the whole World.

This ſhall be in a moſt deſired time, when Mortals wearied with Wars ſhall Unanimouſly deſire Peace. They ſhall ſtrive indeed by occaſion of a Long-laſting Interregnum, with various ſtudies which ſhall obtain the Reignes of Empire. But at laſt, the Offſpring of the Antient Blood ſhall overcome, and proceed victoriouſly by force of Arms, until reſiſted by contrary Fates. For about the ſame time, this Star being ſet, another Coeval Light blazing with more Ardent Flames of War, ſhall ſpread his Empire even to the Coaſts of the Antipodes.

But firſt, France ſhall ſubmit her Neck to his Yoak, and Brittany ſuppliant in Ships, ſhall caſt her ſelf at his Feet; Italy faintly breathing towards Scepters ſo high, ſhall ſtretch out to him her Languiſhing Hand. But this bright Beam before his time, ſhall, with the vaſt deſire of men abſcond himſelf in the Clouds of the Gods.

Who being extinct, after direful and bloody Comets, and flaſhings of Fire ſeen in the Heavens, there ſhall remain nothing for the future ſafe or healthy amongſt Men: The Firmament of Heaven ſhall be diſſolved, and the Planets be oppoſed in contrary courſes, the Sphears ſhall juſtle one amongſt another, and the fixed Stars move faſter than the Planets; The Seas ſwell as high as the Mountains, and nothing remain but Night, Deſtruction, Ruine, Damnation, and Eternal Miſery.

This antient Prophecy is recited by Cornelius Gemma, in his Treatiſe of Supernatural Apparitions, and taken notice of by ſeveral other good Authors; As particularly by the Imcomparably-Learned Tycho Brahe, in his diſcourſe on the New Star that appeared Anno 1572. who thus expreſſes his Judgment of it.—There were (ſaith he) divers Expoſitions of this Prophecy, at the time when it was firſt found out, ſome interpreting it of Charles the Fifth, others drew the meaning of it to Philip King of Spain, and ſome thought the King of France was meant thereby; but I think that it doth rather point out thoſe Iberi, who inhabit Northward toward Muſcovia. So that this Oracle of Sybilla Tiburtina, did not denote the Spaniards, but thoſe Iberians, which are near unto the Muſcovites; eſpecially when ſhe uſeth theſe words, Supra Iberos ad Magnam Septentrionis Domum; Over the Iberi towards the great Houſe of the North. And truely Muſcovia, Scythia, and Tartaria, do make a great part of Europe, ſo that it may well be called the great Houſe of the North; And therefore, ſince this unuſual Star did caſt is Perpendicular Beams and Influences on the Country of Muſcovia, it is not to be doubted [〈1 page duplicate〉] [〈1 page duplicate〉] [〈1 page duplicate〉] [〈1 page duplicate〉] [〈1 page duplicate〉] [〈1 page duplicate〉] [〈1 page duplicate〉] [〈1 page duplicate〉] but that this Star, together with that Tract of Land, doth agree with the Sybilline Oracle.

Thus that Noble Dane, a Perſon ſo Famous, that our King James at his Being in Denmark, went to his Caſtle of Ʋraniberg, to viſit him, and made theſe Verſes in his Commendation.

Quod temere eſt auſus Phaeton, vel praeſtat Apollo

qui regit Ignivomus Aethere anhelus equos:

Plus Tycho, cuncta Aſtra regis, tibi cedit Apollo,

Charus & Uraniae es Hoſpes, Alumnus, Amor.

JACOBƲS REX.

What Phaeton dar'd, or what's by Phaebus done,

to Rule the Fiery Horſes of the Sun?

More Tycho doth, he Rules the Stars above;

and is Ʋrania's Favourite and Love.

This ſame Tycho in the Treatiſe before cited, hath alſo ſome Expreſſions, which we may call Prophetick; As having ſpoken of a Glorious and Happy Age to be in the end portended by that Star, and having ſtarted an Objection, that ſome might ſay, That the Light of the Goſpel and Purity of Religion, doth now ſhine out clearly, having already overcome the darkneſs of (Papal) Error. He ſhapes an Anſwer thereunto, in theſe words,—

If it were ſo, whence then are thoſe Controverſies, and varieties of Opinions defended by Learned Men, inſomuch that the War of Pens, is more dangerous than that of Swords? Truly (ſaith he) it is rather to be feared, leſt we take this Dawning and Break of Day, to be the clear Noon-light. Therefore, I ſuppoſe that this Star doth ſignifie, that there ſhall be a new change, both in Religion, and the Eſtate of Humane Affairs; of which we may ſay,—Ventum ad ſupremum eſt, patiuntur ſumma Ruinam; Qui Deus in Coelis regit, & reget omnia Terris.

We are come now to the higheſt perfection, the power of Antichriſt and the Pope ſhall decay, and be brought to ruin; And God who ruleth in Heaven, ſhall alſo rule all things on Earth.

But if any do object, That the end of the World is at hand, and that therefore there will not be ſufficient time to bring about a new change. I Anſwer, That St. Paul doth aſſure us, That the Jews ſhall again be ingrafted into the Church before the final Conſummation of the World, which (by Humane Conjecture) muſt needs require ſome time before, they being ſcattered over the whole Face of the Earth, ſhall be gathered into one Nation. And impoſſible it is, to limit and ſet forth a certain time for the Conſummation of the World, which only dependeth upon the good will and pleaſure of God, and is not revealed to the Angels: and therefore, cannot be known by any Humane Preſcience.

But if ſome do ſuppoſe, that the Tract of Land to which this Star was Vertical, is Ominous above the reſt, as if from thence the occaſion and Author of ſo great Mutations are to be expected, we muſt then chuſe out thoſe parts of the Earth, which had the New Star in their Meridian at the time of the New Moon, next following; which fell out (accounting the time by our Meridian) upon the 15th. of November, 7 hour 13 minutes, poſt meridiem. To which, i[•] we apply the Latitude or diſtance from the Equinoctial agreeable to the declination o[•] the Star, which was in 61¾ the place on the Earth anſwerable thereunto, muſt needs be Ruſſia or Muſcovia, eſpecially that part there of, which is joyned unto Finland; For i[•] that Tract of Earth, this New Star in th[•] New Moon following, was in their Zenith juſt over their Heads, where it ſtood equally diſtant from the Horrizon, and with Right-Angled Aſpect, beheld this Country Therefore, if this Poſition of the Sta[•] do point out the place of the Earth, from whence theſe events ſhall ariſe, Muſcov[•] ſeems eſpecially to be deſign'd, before an[•] other Regions, which are ſcituated toward the North, to whom this New Star was every day Vertical; whether therefore, the firſt occaſions of ſo great diſturbances and mutations ſhall ariſe from hence, which afterward ſhall be ſowed and diſperſed into other parts of the World, I leave to be peremptorily decided by others. But verily, that Gogus, whereof mention is made in the 38 Chap. of Ezekiel, and to whom Iſaiah Ca. 17.56. and Chap. 5. doth allude, and with whom Magog is named in the Revelations Ca. 20. may be rightly underſtood of the Muſcovite, as Caſtellio hath interpreted it on the 38 and 39 of Ezekiel; That Gog ſhould be the Leader of the Muſcovites and Iberians, becauſe the Old Tranſlation reads it, That he ſhould be the Prince of Moſoch and Thubal, for ſeeing the Hebrews read it Meſech, and the Greeks and Latin Interpreters do read it Moſoch, it is probable that the Muſcovites are ſignified hereby, or elſe by this name, the whole Northern Tract of Land is included.

So that 'tis very likely, that Muſcovia is Principally denoted by this Star, and Gogus their Leader, of whom it is foretold by the Sacred Prophets, and the Revelation, That having made great ſlaughter in Europe, he, at laſt with his whole Army ſhall be overthrown, and ſo the Earth disburthen'd of her wicked Inhabitants; For it is probable, That there muſt be a great cleanſing and extirpation of all Earthly Impurities, before that peaceable and happy Age (whereof the Prophets have ſpoken) ſhall happen.

Thus far the words of that Great and Judicious Aſtronomer.

The Propheſie of Paul Grebnar of Snebergh in Miſnia, delivered by him with other things in Manuſcript, to Queen Elizabeth, in the Year 1582. Obtained from her by Dr. Nevil, Clerk of the Cloſet, and preſented to Trinity College Library, where to this day it remains. This being an Atteſted Copy out of that Original.

ROmano Sceptro & diademate ab Auſtriaca, Domo Fatali Neceſſitate depoſito & ablato, eaque a Germanis & exteris Gallis, Anglis, Danis, & Suecis, hinc inde confluentibus oppreſſa, horribilis inde cruenta ac aterrima pugna exorietur, qua Ʋniverſa Europa graviſſime concuſſa contremiſcet, & varie dilaterata, & vaſtata inſignibus mutationibus obnoxia erit.

Ad eam pugnam & ad faciendas Irruptiones in Pomeranorum, Megapolenſium, & Danorum, Provincias hujus temporis Rex Sueciae invitabitur, Scriptis atrocium Romanae ſedis Legatorum, quibus ſi ille obtemparaverit, ſocius belli ſed male & inauſpicate fit, ipſi propinquitate conjunctiſſimus. Quamobrem Suadeo Suetiam in eo ſtatu quo eam acceperit, relinquat; Sic ipſe, ſtirps, & poſteri ejus tranquille pace & quiete fruentur, ſuis contenti quibus imperant ditionibus, gentem & ſubditos ſuos reſervabunt, & ſibi divinctos in Officio retinebunt. Si vero ſecum corde ſuo conſtituet populum ſuum perſuadere, ac in devia abducere, Dominus eum e medio tollet. Et ſic e Carolo Magnus, Carolus Regnans fit, qui Magno Succeſſu & Fortuna, Septentrionalibus Populis dominabitur. Et feliciter Claſſe ſua contra Hiſpanicam potentiam & Tyrannidem, ac eorum Claſſem ſeu Armadam, ut Hoſtis pugnabit. Et una cum Christianis junctibus viribus fortiter & acriter dimicabit; Deus autem Regis conjugem poſitam ex hac vita evocat, unde pontifex Romanus Magnum concipit, terrorem, qui poſtea Magis in gra[•]eſcet cum Carolus Rex ipſe Antichriſto ſeſe opponit, eique adverſatur, Et Germanorum ac Vicinorum manui & Robori ſuas copias conjungit, & oppugnat Hiſpanicum Diadema. Et tunc Suecus feleciſſimo Succeſſu, Claſſe & ſuo Populo terra marique in Hostem utitur.

The Engliſh.

A Fatal Neceſſity having taken or torn away from the Houſe Auſtria, The Roman Scepter and Diadem, and after an Oppreſſion of the ſame Auſtrian Houſe, as well by the Germans, as by Forraigners, French, Engliſh, Danes, and Sweeds, making their Incurſions on every ſide; there ſhall ariſe an horrid bloody and ſharp Conteſt, wherewith all Europe ſhall ſhake and tremble, and being ſeveral ways divided, torn in pieces, and laid waſte, ſhall be Obnoxious to many Signal Mutations.

A Sweediſh King then Reigning, ſhall, by the Writings of the Wicked Emiſſaries of the See of Rome, be invited and ſtirred up to that quarrel, and to break in upon Pomerane, Mechlenburg, and ſome Provinces belonging to Denmarke; Whereunto if he harken, he unſeaſonably and very unfortunately becomes involv'd as an Allie or Confederate in a War with one that is very nearly related to him. And therefore, I adviſe him to leave Sweeden in the ſame State he found it; So ſhall He, and his Family, and Poſterity, in peace and quietneſs enjoy thoſe Dominions, over which contented they Reign, and preſerve in good Order the Kingdom, and retain his Subjects devoted to his Intereſts in due Obedience. But if he ſhall imagin in his mind to pervert his People, and lead them aſide out of the way, the Lord ſhall cut him off by Death. And then Charles of Charles, or from a Charles, a great Charles comes to Raign; who with great Succeſs and Proſperity, ſhall govern the Northern parts of the World. And ſhall, with his Fleet, happily oppoſe the Power and Tyranny of the Spaniard, and engage their Navy or Armado; And after a Conjuction of his Forces with the States of Chriſtendome, he ſhall win a difficult cruel Battel.

But God doth take out of this Life, the Popiſh Wife of the King, whence the Pope of Rome ſhall be much troubled; whoſe Terror ſhall afterwards increaſe, when King Charles himſelf ſhall ſet himſelf againſt Antichriſt, and prove a profeſt Adverſary unto him, and joyning his forces with the German Troops, and others of his Neighbours, ſhall pull down the Spaniſh Diadem. In thoſe days ſhall the Sweed be very ſucceſsful againſt the Enemy, both by Sea and Land.

Another Propheſie of the ſame Author, Vexillum. 238.

BOhemia doth feel Tumults and Warlike noiſes, with a great falling away of her People; and at that time the laſt Caeſar of the Houſe of Auſtria, ſhall put on the Noſe of the Elector of Saxony, Spaniſh deceitful and treacherous Spectacles; The Nature of which at laſt he knows, and by experience is taught, That theſe Spectacles of the Houſe of Auſtria are vain encouragments, or flattering glozing words, wicked and treacherous practiſes. If he goes on further to give credit to them, he ſhall caſt headlong himſelf, wife, and children, and all Chriſtendom, into pernitious deſtruction, whence the People of Rome ſhall rejoyce, and fall into a loud laughter.

But the Lord doth raiſe up an Elector, which ſhall throw down and root out the Roman Antichriſt in his Dominions, with all her Members and Abbetters: In this violent, precipitate, tumult raging, like the Sea in a tempeſt, and in the deſpair of the Roman Caeſar, the Exiles of all the Kings and Princes of Europe, the Bavarians, Bohemians, Burgundians, the French, and the Portugals, ſhall be reſtored to their former Eſtates and Liberties, and a Noble ſtout Bohemian Lord doth poſſeſs and recover his Juriſdictions, by the meeting together of Armies, and their Diſſipation; Theſe being expell'd ſhall ſeek their recovery, and their Heirs contend and labour, that by the bounty of the new Emperour of Germany, they may be ſet again in the place of their Anceſtors.

There ariſes a new Fortunate Bohemian Ziſca, who ſhall break the Heads of the Jeſuits in Germany, and drive them out of Auſtria; who ſhall ſubdue to himſelf the Bohemians, & all the Tract through Auſtria, and Pannonia, even as far as Conſtantinople it ſelf. Therefore, 'tis meet and requiſite, that a glittering precious Diadem be ſet upon the head of this Teutonik Ziſca; who is the head of the ſtock, a great and valiant Warriour, that comes of the ſtock of Mars the Sixth. He ſhall rule victoriouſly, and do theſe famous things, happily finiſhing them with his other Tribunes and Captains.

After theſe Revolutions, a ſubtile exerciſed Interpreter of the Revelation of St. John, may more eaſily be underſtood, and better decipher the ſame; The Nineties being paſt by little and little, between the Six Hundred and Six Years. Then ſhall be a moſt lively Explanation of thoſe things which Ezekiel and Daniel have Propheſied of the laſt Act of the Old Age of the World.

A Prophecy recited by Mr. LILLY, in the Year 1651. relating to the French Nation.

A Certain Prince, as Religious as a Turk, ſhall overſpread that Peoples moſt fruitful Territories, and Wars and Diſſolations will be occaſioned by the unruly Nobility, who by their Civil Diſſentions, ſhall occaſion the ruin of the French Monarchy. And if you will know near the time of this great Mutation, It ſhall be when a certain King, call'd Henry, is twice made a King, and a Duke of Florence turned Proteſtant.

Rex Franciae depelleter a ſuis finibus, a propriis ſubditis, exercebit enim in eos Tyrannidem in Gentem, & contra Eccleſiam Chriſti, inſtigatus ab Epiſcopis & Pontificibus, qui proditorie aperta pecuma oppugnati, eum ſeducent & tradent: Ipſe vero videbitur hoc facere ingratiam Affinium. Verum cum fuerit amotus & falſus ſolus relinquetur in auxilio, ab his in quibus erat confiſus, Infine autem. Secundi Incurſus hoc fiet, ſic Pendet Clipeus in ſtipite.

The French King ſhall be driven out by his own People, For he will exerciſe very great Tyranny both againſt his Subjects, and the Church of Chriſt, being inſtigated or ſtirred up thereunto by the Biſhops and Romaniſts: who being bribed with mony, ſhall Trayterouſly ſeduce and betray him. This he ſhall ſeem to do in favour of his Kingdom or Allies, but when he ſhall be removed and deceived, he ſhall be left all alone in baniſhment, abandon'd by thoſe that he confided in; This ſhall happen towards the end of the ſecond Incurſe, ſo the Shield hangs on [•]he Fire-brand.

The Mahumetans very near that time [•…]hall poſſeſs Venice, and the Northern Eagle [•]luck down the Neſts of Monks and Fryars in Germany, and the Hollander be brought to Re[•]entance, their Country at once drowned with Water, Blood, and Tears.

A Prophecy of the Downfall of the Turkiſh Empire, delivered by ſome of their own Diviners, in the Perſian Language, as followeth:

PAtiſſahomoz ghelur: ciaferum memleketi alur, kenzul almai alur; Kapzeiler jediy ladeigh giaur keleci eſikmaſſe, on ikiyladegh ou[•]aron. Beghlig eder, euſi japar, baghi dikers, bahuſai baghlur, oglikezi olur. Onichi yldenſora Hriſtrianon keleci oſichar, ol Yurchi gheredine tus chure.

The Engliſh.

OUr Monarch ſhall come, He ſhall diſpoſſeſs the Unbelieving Prince of his Kingdom: He ſhall ſubdue the Red Apple, and make it yield to his Government. And if happily the Chriſtian Sword prevail not unto the Seventh Year, he ſhall over-rule them unto the Twelfth Year: He ſhall build Caſtles, plant Vineyards, and fortify his Gardens with Walls: He ſhall increaſe in iſſue: But after the aforeſaid Twelfth Year, the Sword of the Chriſtians ſhall approach, which ſhall put the Turks to flight, utterly vanquiſhing and deſtroying them.

This Prophecy I find recited in a Treatiſe, Intituled, A diſcourſive Problem concerning Prophecies, by John Harvey, Phyſitian of Kings-Lyn in Norfolk, (who appears by that work to have been a very Learned and Great-read Man) Publiſhed in the Year 1588. But when or by whom, the ſame was Originally Communicated to the World, I have not been able to learn.

Truſwell's Prophecy.

THe following Prophecy is ancient, but who was the certain Author, I am no more able to aſſure, than what will be the certain event. However, let this ſuffice, That 'tis credibly reported to have been found in the Ruins of a Religious Houſe, at or near Lincoln, and given to one Mr. Truſwell, at that time Recorder of that City, from whom it now borrows the Name, and goes under the Title of Mr. Truſwells Prophecy, [•]he Recorder of Lincoln. It was Writ in an Obſcure and Barbarous Latin, which does in [•]ome meaſure ſhew the Antiquity of it, and [•]hat it was penn'd in thoſe Ages, when Learn[•]ng was at ſo low an Ebb, that the High Wa[•]er-mark of it did not run above a ſor[•] of [•]othiſh Latin; All beyond which was the Hercules Pillars, as they thought, with the [•]e plus ultra Inſcribed upon them, of Graecum [••]t non poteſt legi.

LIlium manebit in meliori parte, & movebitur contra Semen Leonis. Et ſtabit ex [••]a parte inter ſpinas Regni ſui, cujus Regnum [•] in Terra Lunae, per totum Orbem tremendum. Et veniet Filius hominis, ferens feras in Bra[•…]iis, cum multitudine Populi, tranſibit multas [•…]quas, & veniet in Terram Leonis, auxilium [•…]arens a Beſtiis terrae ſuae. Veniet Aquila ex Oriente, aliis expanſis Radiis filii hominis. Et hoc anno Caſtra ſuper Thameſin peribunt, & magnus erit Timor in toto Orbe, & in quadam parte Terrae. Magna praelia erunt inter multos Reges. Et in illo die erit pugna cruenta in qua [•]ilium per det Coronam ſuam; de qua Coronabi[•]ur filius hominis. Et quarto anno multa erunt to Fide certamina; Caput mundi erit ad Ter[•]am. Filius hominis & Aquila elevabuntur: Et tunc erit pax in Terris Ʋniverſalis. Et acc[•]piet filius hominis mirabile ſignum. Et e[•] magna frugum abundantia, & ibi in terram Cr[•]cis.

THe Lilly ſhall remain in the better par[•] and he ſhall be moved againſt the Se[•] of the Lyon. And he ſhall ſtand on one pa[•] amongſt the Thorns of his Kingdom, who Kingdom is the Land of the Moon, which is be dreaded throughout the World. An[•] there ſhall come the Son of Man, bearing th[•] Wild Beaſts in his Arms, with a Multitude People. He ſhall paſs many Waters, a[•] ſhall come to the Land of the Lyon, lookin[•] for help from the Beaſts of his own Countr[•] Then ſhall there come an Eagle out of [〈◊〉] the Eaſt, and his Wings ſpread with t[•…] Beams of the Son of Man. And in that Ye[•] ſhall be deſtroyed Caſtles upon the Tham[•…] and there ſhall be great fear over all the wor[•] and eſpecially in one part of the Land. The[•] ſhall be great Battels amongſt many Kin[•] In that day ſhall be the Bloody Field, in wh[•] the Lilly ſhall loſe his Crown, wherewith [•] Son of Man ſhall be Crown'd, and in the 14 Year, many Battles ſhall be fought for [•] Faith. The Head of the World ſhall brought down to the Duſt. And the Son Man with the Eagle ſhall be exalted. And there ſhall be an Univerſal Peace over all the World. And the Son of Man ſhall receive a wonderful ſign. And there ſhall be great plenty of all Fruits of the Earth. And he ſhall go into the Land of the Croſs.

The Prophecy of Malachy (a Popiſh Saint) declaring the Number, and ſome marks of all the Popes that ſhall be hereafter, together with the final deſtruction both of Popery, and the City of Rome.

THis Malachy was Archbiſhop of Dublin in Ireland, and of the Ciſtertian Order of Monks, a Contemporary with St. Bernard, and very intimate with him about the year 1140: He pretending to the gift of Foreſight, undertook by certain Hieroglyphical deſcriptions, to give an account of all and every the Popes that ſhould be from his time to the Worlds end: or at leaſt until the utter ſubverſion of the Papacy. All which I find both recited, and as far as then was accompliſht, explained, and by application found to be very true and ſignificant, in an Appendix to a Book, Intituled, Flores Hiſtorici, written by Johannes de Buſſieres, a French Jeſuit, abbout the year 1655.

To recite all the old Ones from the year 1143, would be both tedious and impertinent, being ſo long paſt; thoſe that are curious may find them in the Author juſt now cited: Only to give the Reader a Taſte, that he may the better apprehend the Humour of this Iriſh Pope-fortune-teller, I ſhall give you his Symbols, and their Explications, for above One hundred years paſt, and alſo all thoſe that are to come; and I will begin at the year 1550.

The Symbols or Hieroglyphicks of all the Popes in order that ſhall be hereafter.

• POenitentia glorioſa, A glorious Penitent.
• Raſtrum in Porta, A rake in the Gate.
• Flores circumdati, Flowers encompaſſing
• De bona Religione, Of a good Religion. [I wiſh we might ſee ſuch a Pope once!]
• Miles in Bello, A Souldier in War.
• Cobumna excelſa, A lofty Pillar.
• Animal rurale, A rural Animal.
• Roſa Ʋmbriae, A Roſe of Ʋmbria.
• Viſus velox, A quick ſight.
• Peregrinus Apoſtolicus, An Apoſtolical Pilgrim.
• Aquila rapax, A ravenous Eagle.
• Canis & Coluber, A Dog and a Snake.
• Vir Religioſus, A Religious man.
• De Balneis Hetruria, From the Baths of Tuſcany.
• Crux de Cruce, Croſs of Croſs.
• Lumen de Coelo, A light from Heaven.
• Ignis ardens, A flaming fire.
• Religio depopulata, Religion laid waſte.
• Fides intrepida, Faith fearleſs.
• Paſtor Angelicus, An Angelick Paſtor.
• Paſtor & Nauta, Both Shepherd and Sailer.
• Flos florum, The Flower of Flowers.
• De mediteate Lunae, Half the Moon.
• De labore Solis, The labour of the Sun, or an eclipſe.
• Gloria Olivae, The Glory of the Olive.

After which our Iriſh Prophet concludes with this ſad O hone! hone! —In perſecutione extrema Sacrae Romanae Eccleſiae ſedebit Petrus Romanus, qui paſcet Oves in multis Tribulationibus quibus tranſactis Civitas Sep[•…]icollis diruetur, & judex tremendus judicabit populum.

In Engliſh thus.

In the laſt Perſecution of the Holy Roman Church, one Peter a Roman ſhall poſſeſs the Chair, and feed the Sheep in many Tribulations; which being accompliſhed, the Seven-hill'd City ſhall be deſtroyed, and the dreadful Judge ſhall call the people to Judgment. Hitherto the words tranſlated out of the before-mentioned Jeſuite's Floſculi Hiſtorici.

There being according to this man's reckoning, Twenty ſix of their Ʋnholineſſes behind, if we ſhall allow (according to our uſual Eſtimate of a man's life) ſeven years to each, it will amount to 182 years, that is, to the year of our Lord 1865, before the final deſtruction of the Papacy, and that bloody City ſhall be compleated: But the Prayers of the faithful, and the Cries of the Martyrs from under the Altar, may, 'tis like, ſooner draw down and accelerate the juſt Judgments threatned to this Babylon and ſpiritual Sodom; Quod faxit Deus.

A very ancient Prophecy of Gildas the Scot, recited by Archbiſhop Ʋſher, in his Book, Intituled, De Britanicarum Eccleſiarum Primoraiis, Page 680.

FAta ducis celebris ſuper omnia Scotia flebit,

Qui loca Septa Salo junget ubique ſibi.

Principe magnifico Tellus viduata vacabit

Annis bis Ternis, menſibus atque novem.

Antiquos Reges, juſtos, fortes, Locupletes

Largos, Famoſos, Scotia maeſta luget;

Ʋt Merlinus ait, poſt Reges victorioſus

Regis more carens Regia Sceptra Reget.

Vae canet Albaniae tantis praeſaga Ruims

Totaque Gens propria fraude perempta jacet,

Quod reſpirabit, poſt funus Regis avari

Verſibus antiquis priſca ſibylla canit.

Candidus Albanus Patriotis cauſa Ruinae

Traditione ſua Scotica Regna teret;

Rex borealis enim numeroſa Claſſe potitus

Affliget Scotos enſe, furore, fame.

Extera gens tandem Sociorum fraude peribit

In bello Princeps Noricus enſe cadet.

Gallica quem gignet, qui Gazis Regna replebit,

O dolor! O Gemitus! Fratris ab enſe cadet.

Triſtia ceſſabunt, quae proſpera fine ſequuntur

Pacis & adveniat Tempore grata quies

Hiſtoriae veteris Gildas luculentus Amator

Haec retulit parvo Carmine, plura notans.

Which as near the Senſe as I can, to make i[•] Verſe, I thus Engliſh; Thoſe that can Tranſlate it more exactly, let them.

SCotland 'bove all ſhall her brave Chief bemoan,

Who all the Sea-girt places Rules alone;

The Widdowed Land of bounteous Prince bereſt,

Shall Twice Three Years, and Nine long Months be left.

Sad Scotland mourns her Old Juſt valiant Kings,

But Merlin ſays, after them up their Springs

One that ſhall not in Kingly manner ſway

The Royal Scepter, yet makes them obey.

To Albany preſaging Ruin flows,

By their own fraud undone, more than their Foes.

Yet Old Sybil in Ancient Rhimes has told

She ſhall revive, when one that dotes on Gold

Is laid to reſt. The White Albanion then

By Treachery, undoes his Countrymen:

A Northern Prince with numerous Ships ſhall vex

The Scot; whom Fury, Sword, and Death perplex.

The Forraigner by fraud of his Allies

Is loſt, and in diſaſtrous Battle Dies.

Th' French-Womans Bearn, who ſhall his Kingdoms fill

With Wealth; Alas! A Brother's Sword ſhall kill.

Soon after, ſorrows ceaſe, and joys appear,

And Welcome Peace ſalutes our Hemiſphere,

This Gildas in ſtory well-read foreſhows,

Whoſe Verſe, thouth brief, much matter may diſcloſe.

The words of Mr. Lilly (Printed with Licence) in his Almanack, 1677.

AS to the time of Manifeſtation when theſe ſo wonderful Mutations or Revolutions ſhall be effected or viſibly declared, or put into Action; We ſay, That although in part ſome breakings out there are in eſſe at preſent, yet the moſt violent Actions, or dreadful Concerments, ſhall not have full Manifeſtation, or perfect appearance, until Three times Ten Years added to 1669. do come, which will be 1699.— Weighty matters require many Years for their performances, yet in the mean time the powerful Configurations of the Superior Planets, the remaining Influences of the Comet, or Comets in 1664, 1665. and alſo of that 1673. have in ſome meaſure begun thoſe Effects which will in convenient time be more apparent, long before the Year 1699.

In the Year 1682. and Month of October, (Viz.) the Twentieth Day, there will be a Conjunction of the two Superior Planets, Saturn and Jupiter, in the Twentieth degree of that Regal Sign Leo, which is the Terms of Jupiter, and wherein he and the Sun have their Triplicity. It will be the Fifth time of their meeting in the Fiery Triplicity, ſince their Conjunction in 1603. at what time they changed one Triplicity, and entred into another: which uſually (if we may credit Antiquity, Experience, or Hiſtory,) hath not happened without conſiderable Revolutions and Changes in the World; (Viz.) according to the Nature and Sign of the Planet moſt Eſſentially fortified.—We have obſerved, That thoſe Conjunctions which have happened in the Year 1603. and ſince ſucceeded in the Fiety Trygon, have not been accompanyed with Propitious Succeſſes unto England, or the City of London. At the entrance of thoſe Planets into the Fiery Trygon, Queen Elizabeth dyed. In 1603. a great Plague was in London, and in the Year 1623. the Second Conjunction of the Superior Planets fell in the Seventh Degree of Leo. Not long after King James (a Peaceable and Wiſe Prince) dyed; Again, in the Year 1625. at leaſt 50000 Perſons dyed of the Plague in London. In ſhort time after follows the unfortunate buſineſs or attempt of the Iſle of Rhee in France, the Murther of Buckingham, &c. and during all that time a general murmuring and repining of the Common People, eſpecially amongſt thoſe of different Judgments, which gave encouragment to and occaſion of our late unhappy Troubles and Inteſtine Wars.

In the Year 1642/3;. the Third Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, was celebrated in Twenty Six Degrees of Piſces; but the Effects moſt concerned thoſe People ſubject to the Sign Aries. Upon this Conjunction our late unhappy Calamities began, which more or leſs continued until the Year 1652. In that Inteſtine and Bloody War, many Thouſand Perſons of all Degrees and Qualities miſerably ſuffered, and the City of London eſpecially in her Trade and Commerce. What is moſt remarkable after the Year 1663; was, That in 1665, (Viz.) the greateſt Plague that ever happened in London, wherein 'tis credibly reported, that near One Hundred Thouſand People periſhed. And beſides, in the Year 1666. that terrible and never to be forgotten Fire, which deſtroyed the greateſt part of that Famous and Flouriſhing City: and theſe Calamities followed the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, in the Sign Sagittary, of the Fiery Trygon, Anno. 1663.—But what manner of accidents ſhall precede or follow this next Conjunction of the Superiors in the Kingly Sign Leo, Anno 1682. which will be One Hundred Years and Ten, after the Mock-ſtar of 1572. and Seventy Nine Years after the great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, 1603. and Seventeen Years after the appearance of the Comet in 1665, whoſe tail extended Fiery and large towards the Eaſt part of Heaven, The Effects whereof we Judge are not yet in being, but will in part be put forward in or about the Year 1682. or ſomething later: with an heavy vengeance or judgment on thoſe People and Nations, Providence ſhall diſpoſe the Effects to fall upon; by Wars, Famine, Death of Cattle, ſeveral Mortalities, barrenneſs of the Earth, and cruel deſtruction of Mankind.—It portends great Rents and Schiſms amongſt the Religious Odrers of Monks, Fryars, Jeſuits, as alſo amongſt thoſe of different Judgments, call them by what Name you pleaſe; And this Judgment is the more aggravated, in reguard theſe Two Superior Planets, Saturn and Jupiter, do alſo meet again in the Sign Leo, in May 1683. (as appears by Calculation, and alſo by the Ephemerides of Argol.) And hence I conclude this Conjunction to be the Prodromus of every Prodigious Effects, —which we may not live to ſee tranſacted.

There will be ſome preceding differences (perhaps Verbal) which will begin to break forth at firſt clandeſtinely before thoſe great Deluges of Affairs are tranſacted. For we find, that upon the Fifth Day of September, 1682. there will firſt be a Conjunction of Mars and Jupiter, and upon the Twelfth Day of the ſame Month in the aforeſaid Year, there will be another Conjunction of Tory Mars with Saturn, in the Seventeenth Degree of the ſame Sign; and again, in December following, there happens a Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter alſo, in or near Twenty Degrees thereof, and both ſwift motion. Then matters, Treaſons, Conſultations, Treachery of Subjects againſt their Superiors, are Plotting, Contriving, or Agitating, ſome Years before this Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter is Celebrated.

Thoſe pretending to Religion, or ſuch as are Famous for Schiſms, Haereſies, or of different Judgments from the Profeſſion of that Religion which is eſtabliſht by Authority, will for ſome Years grumble and repine for Reſtriction of their Conſciences (as the will term it) and the nearer the time of the Conjunction it ſelf, or a little after, we fear greater diſturbances of thoſe Nations, and the Princes they live under, diſquieting their Governours: and this for Conſcience-ſake, as they pretend. But in ſome Nations, Breach of the Peoples juſt Priviledges, Ancient Cuſtoms and former enjoy'd Rights, will animate the Generality to a ſtrong and ſturdy Rebellion and countenance that Tranſlation of Monarchy, mentioned by Trithemius.—Certainly you Princes of Italy, as alſo the Roman Pontiſex, or Conclave of Cardinals of the See of Rome, will all of you find great and moſt grievous diſtempers in your Governments, near the time limited: So will many People and Nations ſubject to the Fiery Triplicity, and this Evil will be the more aggravated to thoſe Kingdoms or Governments ſubject to the Signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquary.

Many believe the laſt Age of the World is at hand, we verily conjecture that a troubleſome and vexatious time is approaching upon moſt Nations of Europe, wherein thoſe pretending to Religion, whether Papiſts or Proteſtants, will ſhew little mercy or compaſſion to thoſe perſons whoſe unhappineſs it will be to fall under their ſubjection.—The Coadunation of ſo many Planets in the Sign Leo, in the Year 1682. gives very rational grounds to predict the appearance of another Comet, very ſtrange Apparitions in the Air, or ſome Prodigious Meteors, either preceding that Conjunction, or ſubſequent in a ſhort time after: And we alſo are fearful that ſome more than ordinary Fire or Fires may afflict or do conſiderable damage to many Cities of Europe; God keep this Judgment [•]om the City of London, and Bleſs her Inhabitants with much Health and Proſperity, and [•]eliver her from another Plague or Peſtilen[•]al diſtemper in thoſe Years.

Thus Lilly divers Years ſince, wherein his [•]rediction of a Comet in 82. which exactly [•]appened in Auguſt laſt, being viſible both morning and evening for many Nights; his mentioning the Word Tory, which when he wrote was not in uſe, though ſince the occaſion of many Animoſities, his Menaces of more miſchief by Fire, ſadly felt by the poor Inhabitants of Wapping near London, on the Nineteenth of November, this preſent Year 1682. whereby about 1000 houſes were conſumed, are very remarkable, and how far the reſt may anſwer Truth, time may ſhew.

A Prophecy found in the Library of Salizarius of Heidelburg in Germany, almoſt 200 years ſince.

THere ſhall a King ariſe out of the Nation of the moſt Illuſtrious Lilly, having a long Forehead, high Brows, great Eyes, and an Eagles Noſe; He ſhall gather a great Army, and deſtroy all the Tyrants of his Kingdom, and [•]ay all that fly into Mountains and Caves from his Face; for Righteouſneſs ſhall be joyned unto him, as the Bridegroom unto the Bride. With them he ſhall wage War even unto the Fortieth year, bringing into ſubjection the [•]landers, Spaniards and Italians; Rome and Florence he ſhall deſtroy and burn with fire, ſo as Salt may be ſowed [•]n that Land. The greateſt Clergy-men who have Invaded Peter's Seat, he ſhall put to death, and in the ſame year obtain a double Crown. At laſt, going over-Sea with A great Army, he ſhall enter Greece, and be named King of the Greeks. The Turks and Barbarians he ſhall ſubdue making an Edict, That every one ſhall die the Death, that worſhippeth not the crucified One, and none ſhall be found able to reſiſt him, becauſe an Holy Arm from the Lord ſhall alway[•] be with him, and he ſhall be with him, and he ſhall poſſeſs the Dominions of the Earth. Theſe things being done, h[•] ſhall be called, The Reſt of the Holy Chriſtians.

The Apocalyptical Interpreters adventuring to ſail in the vaſt Ocean of Futurity, have moſt-timeS ſhip-wrackt their judgment and credit do the Rocks of Preſumption; ye[•] I ſhall preſume here to add the words of that Reverend French Divine Peter du Moulin, in his Book Intituled, The Accompliſhment of Prophecies, (Tranſlated into Engliſh, Anno 1613 Page 411. as follows:

As for the time of three days and an half, during which the Bodies of the faithful Witneſſes ſhall be caſt out through all the Quarters of the Roman Church: It is manifeſt, that S. John doth hereby ſhew us how long the Perſecution of the Church under the Roman Hierarchy, muſt continue. For to know how long this time ſhall endure, and to how much the Three Days and an half will amount unto; we are to note, that Three Days and an half, make half a Week, which gives us to underſtand, that the Holy Ghoſt here under the name of a Week, doth comprehend the whole time of the Beaſt's Reign, and doth advertiſe us, that the Perſecution ſhall laſt half the time of this Reign. Since therefore he ſhall Reign 1260 years (as we have ſhewed before) it followeth that the Roman Hierarchy ſhall perſecute the Faithful 630 years. Now I do not find, that the Church of Rome did begin to perſecute and is uſe cruelty in general againſt all that did withſtand her Doctrine till the time of Berengarius whom Pope Nicholas the Second compelled to Recant by force, in the year 1059; and ever ſince the Popes have perſecuted ſuch as have maintained the ſame Doctrine. If then you add the 630 years to 1059 years, you ſhall find that the perſecution of the Church under the Pope, ſhall have an end in the year of our Lord 1689. This Term once expired, the Truth that was oppreſſed ſhall lift up her head afreſh, and the faithful Witneſſes ſhall be ſeen to ſtand up again, who ſhall aſtoniſh the Church of Rome.

The Prediction of the moſt Learned and pious Archbiſhop Ʋſher, is very remarkable, as it was printed above a years ago with Licence, and the Truth of the matter of Fact therein delivered, never that I know of denied, out confirmed by many, which in ſhort was thus.—That the year before this holy Primate died (who was buried in the Abbey at Weſtminiſter 17 of April, 1656. The Ʋſurper Cromwel allowing 200 l. towards his Funeral, ſo great his Worth, that it even charmed that Tyrant, otherwiſe far from being a Friend to any of his Profe[•]ſſon:) An intimate Friend of the Archbiſhop's asking him (amongſt other diſcourſe) what his preſent Apprehenſions were concerning a very great Perſe[•]ution which ſhould fall upon the Church of God in theſe Nations of England, Scotland and Ireland, (of which he had [•]eard him ſpeak with great confidence many years before, when [•]e were in the higheſt and fulleſt ſtate of outward peace and ſettlement) and whether he did believe thoſe ſad Times to be paſt, or that they were yet to come? —He anſwered,—That they were yet to come, and that he did as confidently expect it as ever he had done. Adding, That this ſad Perſecution would fall upon all the Proteſtant Churches of Europe. His Friend arguing, that he hoped the Affliction might now be over, and be intended of our late calamitous Civil Wars. The reverend Prelate turning towards him, and fixing his Eyes upon him with that ſerious and ſevere Look which he uſually had when he ſpake God's Word, and not his own, and when the power of God ſeemed to be upon him, and to conſtrain him to ſpeak, ſaid thus: Fool not your ſelf with ſuch hopes, for I tell you, all you have yet ſeen, hath been but the beginning of ſorrows to what is yet to come upon the Proteſtant Churches of Chriſt, who will ere long fall under a ſharper Perſecution than ever yet has been upon them; and therefore (ſaid he to him) Look you be not found in the Outward Court, but a Worſhipper in the Trmple before the Altar, for Chriſt will meaſure all thoſe that profeſs his Name, and call themſelves his People; and the Outward Worſhippers he will leave out, to be trodden down by the Gentiles. The outward Court (ſays he) is the formal Chriſtian, whoſe Religion lies in performing the outſide duties of Chriſtianity, without having an inward Life and Power of Faith and Love, uniting them to Chriſt, and theſe God will leave to be trodden down, and ſwept away by the Gentiles: But the Worſhippers within the Temple, and before the Altar, are thoſe who do indeed worſhip God to Spirit and Truth, whoſe Souls are made his Temples, and he is honoured and adored in the moſt inward thoughts of their hearts, and they ſacrifice their Luſts and vile Affections, yea, and their own Wills to him; and theſe God will hide in the hollow of his Hand, and under the ſhadow of his Wings; and this ſhall be one great difference between this laſt, and all the other preceding Perſecutions; For in the former, the moſt eminent and ſpiritual Miniſters and Chriſtians did generally ſuffer moſt, and were most violently fallen upon, but in this laſt Perſecution, theſe ſhall be preſerved by God as a Seed to partake of that Glory which ſhall immediately follow and come upon the Church, as ſoon as ever this ſtorm ſhall be over; for as it ſhall be the ſharpeſt, ſo it ſhall be the ſhorteſt Perſecution of them all; and ſhall only take away the groſs Hypocrites and formal Profeſſors, but the true Spiritual Believers ſhall be preſerved till the Calamity be over-paſt.

His Friend then asked him, By what means or Inſtruments this great Tryal ſhould be brought on. He anſwered, By the Papiſts. His Friend replyed, That it ſeemed very improbable they ſhould be able to do it, ſince they were now little countenanced, and but few in theſe Nations, and that the hearts of the People were more ſet againſt them than ever ſince the Reformation. He anſwered again, That it would be by the hands of Papiſts, and in the way of a ſuddain Maſſacre, and that the then Pope ſhould be the chief Inſtrument of it.

He alſo added, That the Papiſts were in his Opinion the Gentiles ſpoken of, Rev. 11. to whom the Outward Court ſhould be left, that they might tread it under foot; they having received the Gentiles worſhip in their adoring Images, and Saints departed, and in taking to themſelves many Mediators: And this (ſaid he) the Papiſts are now deſigning among themſelves, and therefore be ſure you be ready.

This gracious man repeated the ſame things in Subſtance to his only daughter the Lady Tyrril, and that with many tears, and much about the ſame time.

We the rather have mention'd this, becauſe we find: many other of our moſt Reverend Divines have foretold or intimated a Return of Popery—As appears by the Book Intituled Fair warning, the Second part, publiſht with the Licenſe of Dr. Stradling, wherein are recited Twenty Prophecies by Archbiſhop Whitgift, Arch-Biſhop Bancroft, Biſhop Sanderſon, Biſhop Gauden, Mr. Hooker, and others to the ſame purpoſe,

But if God in Judgment for our Sins ſhould ſuffer it ſo to be, yet 'Tis certain, the Joy of the Wicked ſhall be but for a moment, for We have a moſt ſure word of Prophecy, that in due time Rome ſhall finally fall, And the Kings of the Earth ſhall hate the Whore, and make her deſolate and naked, and burn her with Fire, Rev. 17.16.

Rome tottering long, laden with Errors ſtore,

At laſt ſhall fall, and Head the World no more.

FINIS.