The Starry Messenger

THE STARRY MESSENGER; OR, An Interpretation of that ſtrange Apparition of three Suns ſeene in London, 19. Novemb. 1644. being the Birth Day of King CHARLES.

The effects of the Eclips of the Sun, which will be viſible in ENGLAND, 11. Auguſt. 1645. whoſe influence continues in force, from January, 1646 to Decemb. 1647. almoſt two whole yeares; and cannot but be the fore-runner of ſome extraordinary mutation in moſt Common-wealths of Europe, but principally in ENGLAND. With an Anſwer to an Aſtrologicall Judgement. Printed at Oxford, upon his Majeſties preſent Martch. By WILLIAM LILLY Student in Aſtrologie.

LONDON, Printed for John Partridge and Humphry Blunden, and are to be ſold at the Signe of the Cocke in Ludgate Streete, and the Caſtle in Cornehill, 1645.

To his truly Honoured Friend, Maſter JOHN THOMPSON, of the City of LONDON Merchant.

SIR,

AS in thoſe more painfull imployments you formerly underwent in Tranſmarine parts you did with great fidelitie, courage, and induſtry for ſundry yeers, mannage the affaires of our Engliſh Merchants intruſted to your care and diſcretion: So now in this your preſent retirement, your continuall Study makes it manifeſt, you act not the part of a young man (though your yeeres ſpeake you not aged) but like a wiſe man (that ever husbands Time with advantage) You enrich your minde with Knowledge, Converſe amongſt Studies, and with Authors of wiſedome, that hereafter you may be more ſerviceable to your Country as opportunitie ſhall preſent you with a fit occaſion: I ſhall not neede acquaint the World, that you have (as we ſay changed heaven) and lived not further then five degrees from the Aequinoctiall; yet have you ſtill remained your ſelfe, and twice returned Statu quo, bettered by your travells.

This little Treatiſe (of leſſe worth then I wiſh it) I preſent unto you, and deſire your peruſall by way of Recreation, (I am not ſingular in Dedicating a ſmall thing to a worthy Friend: Iohn Dee a moſt Learned man Dedicated his Aphoriſmes to Gerard Mercator a man famous, and they conſiſted of leſſe then ſixe ſheets.)

Wearied I ſay with more weighty Studies, run over this, and the rather, becauſe its the firſt in this kinde ever wrote by any: and you can judge whether 'tis well or ill done, and few elſe: Your ſelfe have ſeene it in looſe papers, from the beginning, middle, and to the end of it, are able to teſtifie its my owne, I borrowed it from no man, (that impertinent Traveller ſpoake by Authority, who hoodwinked in judgement, bleated openly that others performed my Worke, yet he never ſaw me.)

Sir, Favour me with as much love in Receiving it humanely, as I in Affection tender it unto You, and You engage me to reſt,

Your Reall Friend, WILLIAM LILLY.

To the Reader.

BEfore I ſpeake any thing of that prodigious Apparition of the three Suns in the Elements, I will acquaint thee with as rare a Progedy which happened in Cheſhire.

When firſt our unnaturall Wars began, and that it was apparent, Warre would be betwixt King and Parliament, Sir George Booth Knight and Barronet of a Noble Family in Cheſhire, and one excellently deſerving of the whole Kingdome for his fidelity to the Parliament, and without whoſe countenance our affaires in thoſe parts could not ſo happily have ſucceeded: this gallant old Knight perceiving, that many of his Tennants were neceſſarily to engage their perſons, for better incouragement of them, he ſeriouſly profeſſed unto them, that if any Tennant or Tennants ſonne of his, ſervant or any other that was any of the lives in any the Leaſes made by him or any of his Family, ſhould caſually be ſlaine in this unnaturall warre in defence of the Parliament, Religion and Subjects Liberties, that then he would make a new Leaſe Gratis, and inſert any younger life in Liew thereof, which thing he hath conſtantly and freely performed ever ſince to his eternall fame and honour, and if this be not worthy of eſpeciall taking notice of, I know nothing; Nor let us forget the ſingular valour of his Noble Grandchilde Collonell Booth during the ſiege of Nantwich againſt the Engliſh Iriſh.

But to our owne Diſcourſe.

If there be any of ſo preuaricate a judgement, as to thinke that the apparition of theſe three Suns doth intimate no Novell thing to happen in our owne Climate, where they were manifeſtly viſible, I ſhall lament their indiſpoſition and conceiue their braines to be ſhallow, and voyde of underſtanding, humanity, or notice of common Hiſtory: For full ſatisfaction of ſuch unbeleeuing Saints, I haue produced preſidents, not one or two, but many, and thoſe recorded by men of unqueſtionable Credit. When was it knowne, that ſuch like unuſuall ſights appeared, and were not the fore-runners of things to come, yet ſeldome regarded before the things they ſignifyed came to paſſe.

I am of this opinion, the Heauens neuer ſend forth any great ſignes, which haue not a particular relation to ſome great perſonages: for doubtleſſe they are the Vniuerſall cauſe (God permitting) of all things; and whileſt they produce effects; which ſeeme to haue relation to one onely: if he be a Prince, it hath an Vniuerſall operation, for people are partakers with their Princes, in their gaines, loſſes, vertues and vices, and this is the reaſon why many times our predictions doe not jumpe in that meaſure of time by us limited; for actions are not done by their Agents in an inſtant, diſpoſitions precede them, &c. Beſides, great alterations require great influences, which when they cauſe great diuerſity in their working, happen nor becauſe the influences are diuers, but becauſe they are diuerſe that receiue them.

Read me with indifferency, and poyſe me with an equall judgement, I write with no prepared gall, no not againſt Maſter Noworth of Oxford, who borrowes the groſſe of his judgement in his laſt Almanack from my Prophetick Merlin, nor am I angrie, but pitty that woodden Doctour whether Atheiſt or Papiſt I know not, that ſwells with his owne ignorant fancy, and ſayth, he can make it appeare, what I ſpeake in behalfe of the Parliament, in point of Art ought to happen to their enemies; this is one of thoſe purblind Prophets, that in corners villifie the Parliaments Freinds, and yet they uncontrolled harbour amidſt us, &c. but this thing called a Galeniſt I let paſſe, untill his capacity can erect a figure, &c. Many and great are the judgements ready to fall downe upon ſome great Families of England and Europe, but unleſſe an Angell, nay if an Angell from Heaven ſhould report it, nothing will be beleeved: an Achan and an Achitophell, or faction equivalent, both covetous and irreligious, and countenancing for byereſpects, unworthy men have wearied my Pen, diſheartned the Gentry to our inevitable loſſe, and impoveriſhment of the poore Commonallty, and deſtruction of thoſe townes ſo unluckely committed to their charge: Let the towne of Leiceſter be hereof an unlucky preſident, which hath beene theſe three yeares fortifying, and now on the ſuddain tranſmitted to his Majeſties forces. What became of the vaſt ſummes of money there rayſed? why the valiant Gentlemen diſplaced? and men of inferiour ranke exalted? who gives any reaſon? unleſſe it was purpoſely done to betray the Towne to our enemies, or by loſſe of that to prolong the warres another yeare. You ſhall ſee if his Majeſties Providence fortifie not that towne in leſſe monthes then we in years; It muſt be diſcovered who, or whom have played the plaine knaves with us, or elſe we ſhall never be at quiet. Many complaine the taxes of that County have exceeded the Incombes of Rent. Thus Diviſion, willfull Faction, a ſcabbie Sect of covetous Sectaries undoe us, and diſparage our Parliaments proceedings; but let it be remembred, his Majeſties Preſſures firſt begot courage in us to reſiſt him: I hope thoſe Divells that undo us will ſhortly be found out, till then, if we thrive its miraculous. God grant our Parliament in time may purge the Counties of all Schiſmaticall, who alone doe them more miſchiefe then his Majeſties Army: Diſcontented that the Gentry are no more reſpected, I will ingage no further at this time.

Its true, we gained Shrewesbury, and when the eyes of all Well-wiſhers looked upon Colonell Mitton; a moſt beloved, active, and deſerving Gentleman to be Governour thereof, En & Ecce, no ſuch thing;

Sic vos non vobis.

Sic vos non vobis.

Time will make us ſee how we abuſe and are abuſed, many can preach that connot fight;

WILLIAM LILLY.

An Interpretation, or Declaration, what manner of Accidents may enſue upon the three Suns which appeared in England the 19 of November, 1644, (it being his Majeſties Birth-day) by William Lilly.

IT's far from my intention, to make the ſignification of this extraordinary Prodigie more ominous, becauſe it had its appearance with us on the ſame day 44 yeer that his Majeſtie was born, and uſhers in, as it were, the actions of his 45 yeer. I humbly deſire his Majeſtie would be pleaſed to take ſome notice hereof; for I conceive he may be hereby much concerned; and the rather, as he is one of the prime Monarchs of Europe, and alſo in regard it was viſible in England, a Kingdom of his own, and of which he is rightfull Inheritor: For doubtleſſe, over what City or Countrey theſe unuſuall Apparitions are verticall, or where they do more manifeſtly ſhew themſelves, thoſe Countreys, in a more ſenſible and perceptible manner, ſhall be capable of the effects attending thoſe Apparitions. Nor am I clearly of that opinion many very judicious men, both of forepaſt and preſent times, are, That ſuch like Prodigies, Comets, &c. do never ſhew themſelves, but as precurſors of miſchief. What greater benefit did ever happen to mankinde, then the birth of our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt? and yet was his coming manifeſted to us by a Star or Comet, &c. the like whereof we have never read or heard of. And beſides, we have ſeen in our Age, that if that Comet in 1618 did deſigne out ill to the Auſtrian Family, as indeed it did; yet the Swedes did thereupon thrive; and, before them, Bethlem Gabor Prince of Tranſilvania, attained to great eſteem in the world, and enlarged his Patrimony. I do willingly conſent to thoſe words of that learned Phyſitian of our times, Dr Brown, in the ſmall, but unparallel'd Piece of his, Relig. Med. fol. 70. That thoſe noble eſſences in heaven, bear a friendly regard to their fellow-natures on earth; and that ſuch like Prodigies as theſe, are the charitable Premonitions of good Angels, which more careleſſe Enquiries term but the effects of Chance and Nature.

There be many now living, can hardly believe there was any ſuch thing as three Suns appeared: and why? Becauſe themſelves had not the ſight of them. Others will conſent ſuch like things might be ſeen; but what ſhould be thereby ſignified, they conceive is beyond Humane Capacity.

To the firſt ſort of men, I ſay, That, as Chriſtians, we ought to believe the report of one another, eſpecially in a matter wherein there's no danger or prejudice can come either by crediting or not crediting the report, or wherein neither Religion or our neighbour ſuffer ſcandall or harm, &c. But I ſay, Many hundreds, of uncontradictible credit, did behold this: We have it alſo mentioned in many mens printed Pamphlets; amongſt the reſt, I hear the witty Aulicus hath gloſſed thereon. Sure I am, Britannicus promiſed ſome Conceptions, which yet are not come to publike view, upon that very ſubject.

I here repreſent the form of it, as it appeared in the Element, and was carefully taken and obſerved by one Maſter Heylet, who courteouſly communicated it unto me.

I will endeavour to give a generall ſatisfaction, and firſt will produce the yeers wherein formerly, long before our time, ſuch Prodigies have been ſeen and recorded, and alſo what materiall Occurrences did immediately, or within one or two yeers, ſucceed: Which being performed, I ſhall, God willing, fall upon what effects I conceive ſhall be inſtantly ſubſequent to theſe three Suns, the now-ſubject of my Diſcourſe.

IT is recorded, that in the One and fiftieth yeer after Chriſt, there appeared three Suns at once, and forthwith they joyned in one, &c. In that yeer, Clodomire King of France began to recover what his predeceſſors had loſt. Saint Paul was converted. Luke writes the Goſpel. Caractacus the valiant was led in triumph to Rome, where a great Famine was the ſame yeer.

Anno 66. A Comet was ſeen, and alſo three Suns: In which yeer, Florus Preſident of the Jews was by them ſlain. Paul writes to Timothy. The Chriſtians are warned by a divine Oracle, and depart out of Jeruſalem. Boadice a Britiſh Queen, killeth Seventy thouſand Romanes. The Nazareni, a ſcurvie Sect, begun, that boaſted much of Revelations and Viſions. About a yeer after, Nero was proclaimed enemy to the State of Rome.

Anno 69. In the Eaſt and in the Weſt two ſons were ſeen, of the which one ſeemed weak and pale, the other ſtrong and clear. In this yeer Jeruſalem was taken by Titus, and Eleven hundred thouſand Jews ſlain and made away in the Siege. Linus was this yeer firſt Biſhop of Rome; where we may carefully note, a Prodigie was the forerunner of Epiſcopacie at Rome. This yeer Galba is ſlain by Otho, having reigned but three moneths. And men ſuppoſe, that in this yeer the Goſpel of Saint John was written at Epheſus.

From hence I paſſe untill ſome later Genturies of yeers: for from the yeer 69, to 1103, I finde none recorded in thoſe Authors I have read.

In the yeer 1103, a Comet appeared in Normandy; and not long after, two full Moons, one in the Eaſt, the other in the Weſt. The Effects that followed inſtantly, were theſe: The ſon of Henry the Emperour rebelleth againſt his father: A Councell was held in London for reformation of the Clergie. (I think that Tribe is out of order in all Ages.) All married Prieſts were excommunicated by Anſelme: (this was a ſtrict Prieſt, certainly.) Lewis of France forceth a Reſtitution of Church-goods ſacrilegiouſly taken. This yeer began the long and cruell War betwixt the Polonian and Ruſſian. The Venetians obtain large Priviledges of the Emperour.

Anno 1156, the firſt of October, for three hours, there was ſeen three Circles about the Sun; which at length vaniſhing, there was ſeen two Suns. The Pope, being an Engliſh-man, is taken Priſoner. The Kingdom of Denmark is divided: And in the next yeer, the Pope and Emperour fall at variance.

Anno 1157, in September, there were ſeen three Suns together, in as clear weather as could be: And a few days after, in the ſame moneth, three Moons, and, in the Moon that ſtood in the middle, a white Croſſe. Sueno King of Denmark, at a great Feaſt, killeth Canutus: Sueno is himſelf ſlain, in purſuit of Waldemar. The Order of Eremites, according to the rule of Saint Auguſtine, begun this yeer; and in the next, the Pope ſubmits to the Emperour: (was not this miraculous?) Lumbardy was alſo adjudged to the Emperour.

Anno 1168, the firſt of September, there was ſeen at once in the Weſt, three Suns: Two hours after, when two were gone, he in the middle went down alone. By mediation of the French King, Becket is reſtored to his Archbiſhoprick. Almaricus King of Jeruſalem, calleth in the Turks to his aid, which was the ruine of that Kingdom; and, contrary to his Faith given, aids the Greeks againſt the Egyptians. A Conſpiracy aroſe in Bohemia againſt the King.

Anno 1169, three Moons appeared. The yeer ſucceeding, Becket the ſtiff Prieſt was ſlain in a Church in England, Catana a City in Sicily, is deſtroyed, with fifteen thouſand people, as alſo the Biſhop and Clergie, by an Earthquake. A Smiths ſon raiſed great troubles in Norway, pretending himſelf to be Harolds Grandchilde. The Romanes raze the City of Alba: And in the next yeer, a great Inundation was in Freezland.

Anno 1314, three Moons appeared. Lewis was Crowned Emperour by ſome Electors, Frederick by the reſt. A Councell was at Ravenna for Reformation, &c. Note the inſtability of the Clergie. The Pope dieth, and the See is void two yeers and four moneths. The Engliſh, under a ſimple and wilfull King, Edward the ſecond, are overthrown by the Scots, and to purpoſe. Lewis Hutine comes to the Crown of France, hangs his Treaſurer, &c. The Queen of Caſtile dieth. The Genowayes rob the Venetian Merchants, and invade their Territories.

Anno 1372, the firſt of July, and ſome days after, a ſtrange Circle was ſeen about the Sun, over which appeared two Croſſes of a red colour, neer Baſill. The French beſiege Rochell, and the Engliſh defend it. The yeer after, the Order of Nuns of Saint Katharine was founded. Robert Stuart King of Scotland marrieth his Concubine; and John Duke of Lancaſter the King of Caſtiles daughter. The King of Portingall refuſeth a Match in Caſtile, and takes a Noble-mans wife from him, having baniſhed her husband; at which his people are diſcontented. Shortly after, the Venetians reſtore Paleologus, being expelled by his ſon Andronicus.

Anno 1460, the ſecond of February, three Suns appeared, every one ſhewing a ſeverall light, which again cloſed all together in one. The Duke of York is attainted of Treaſon. Henry the ſixth is taken Priſoner at Northampton. Civill War in France, called, The Weal-publike, cauſed by the Kings Covetouſneſſe. The King of France dieth, having, upon a fooliſh Conceit, forborn his meat ſo long, that when after he would eat, he could not. A Rebellion in Spain againſt the Queen, for death of the Prince. James the third came to the Crown of Scotland. The Duke of York is ſlain in York-ſhire. David Emperour of Trapezond, and his two ſons, taken and ſlain by Mahomet the Turk, In the next yeer after, Edward the fourth came to the Crown of England, and poor innocent Henry the ſixth ſent to the Tower, &c.

Anno 1466, three Suns were ſeen at Rome; in which yeer Eraſmus was born. The King of Denmark is excommunicated by the Pope. Warwick and Edward the fourth fall out. John King of Spain is depoſed, and Alfonſus crowned. The King of Hungaria's brother is taken by the Turks, and beheaded at Conſtantinople. Gerard the King of Denmark's brother, is impriſoned for aſpiring. Matthias of Hungaria is ſet up againſt the lawfull King thereof. Scanderbeg a moſt valiant Captain againſt the Turk, dieth. The French King takes from his brother the Dutchy of Normandy.

Anno 1492, the fifteenth of December, three Suns were ſeen in Poland at noon. The Jews are expelled Spain. Alexander the ſixth plays the ungratefull fellow with his Gardinalls. Towards the later end of the yeer, the Emperour of Germany dies; and John Albert ſucceeds Caſimire in the Kingdom of Polonia. The Ganthois in Flanders rebell.

Anno 1514, in January, three Suns were ſeen in the Dutchy of Wittenberge, the middlemoſt ſurpaſſed the reſt in greatneſſe: In every of theſe, there appeared the form of a bloody and fiery ſword. The ſame yeer, in March, three Moons were ſeen. It was in that yeer ſome parts of Suſſex were burned and ſpoiled by the Rhodians, in behalf of the French. An Interview follows, betwixt the Emperour, King of Polonia, and Bohemia. The French King and Pope meet. The Queen of Scotland fleeth into England. The French King dieth, and Francis the firſt ſucceeds, and recovers Millan.

Anno 1515, Queen Mary, the ſcourge of Proteſtants, is born in England. Wolſey a proud Prieſt begins to riſe at Court. The Pope falls out with the Venetians.

Anno 1520, the fifth of January, about Sun-riſing, three Suns appeared, with a Rainbowe of divers colours, at Vienna. The ſeventh of January, there were three Suns alſo ſeen. After Charles the fifth was Crowned, there was ſeen a circle about the Sun, with a Rainbowe. The Pope, he ſpues out his Excommunications againſt Luther, who as ſtoutly burns his fooliſh Bulls. The Pope executes the Tyrant of Perugia. The Duke of Buckingham is in England beheaded for Treaſon. The French detain our Merchants goods: we impriſon the French. Solyman the Magnificent comes to be Emperour of Turkie. The Geldrois rebell. The next yeer after the French War began, which continued thirty and eight yeers, troubles ariſe in Scotland. Many rich Cities taken by the Turk in Hungary.

Anno 1523, in Switzerland, there was ſeen three Suns at once, and alſo divers Circles in the Element. At Norimberge, in a Diet there held, grievances are exhibited againſt the Pope. The Peaſants rebell againſt the Nobles in Germany. Both the French and Swedes are defeated by the Imperialls. The Earl of Surrey burns thirty ſeven Towns in Scotland. The Duke of Holſten is choſen King of Denmark, and the former King expelled for his Cruelty. The Janizaries mutiny at Conſtantinople.

Anno 1525, there was ſeen in Hungaria five Suns, two on either ſide the right Sun. The Duke of Luneburg becomes Lutherane. The Order of Capuchines is erected. The French King is releaſed out of priſon. Fifty thouſand Clowns are ſlain. Henry the eighth falls off from the Emperour. The women of Hague riſe againſt their Cuſtomers, upon their exactions: and the Swedes become Lutheranes.

Anno 1526, in Sweden three Suns were ſeen, with divers circles in the Elements. The Emperour aboliſheth the Popes Authority in Spain. The Tartarian invades the Polonian, and is defeated and taken. Rome is waſted by the Columnenſes, and beſiege the Pope in S. Angelo. A Sedition aroſe in Suffolk. The holy League made by the French King, Pope, Duke of Millan, and Venetian, againſt the Emperour. Now was the Battel of Mohatz, where the whole Nobility of Hungary was ſlain, and the King in flight drowned in a ditch. Bud[•] a chief Citie of Hungary, is yeelded to Solyman. The next yeer, the Duke of Burbon takes Rome, ſacks it ten moneths. Sweating ſickneſſe in London, continuing two yeers.

Anno 1528, in Switzerland, and moneth of June, many Suns were ſeen at once, and about them three circles. A Councell was then held at Sena for Reformation. Images and Popiſh trumperies aboliſhed at Perne and Strasburg. A Rebellion at Dansk. Some mutinous Ʋtrechters executed by the Biſhop. Sharp Differences betwixt Henry the eighth and Queen Katharine. The next yeer, Solyman invades Hungary with One hundred and fifty thouſand men. Vienna is beſieged, but not taken. The Ranſome of the French King is paid.

Anno 1532, the eleventh of April, at Venice, Cardanus ſaw three fair and bright Suns, with two Rainbowes, not with points deſcending, but oppoſite to the Sun. Vienna is relieved by the Emperour. Henry the eighth is divorced from Queen Katherine. 1533, Qveen Elizabeth was born. Sedition raiſed by the Anabaptiſts and ſtrange Factions in Hungary.

Anno 1541, there appeared three Suns; the uſuall Sun ſtood in the Centre, and two bright Circles did environ it. Katherine Queen of England is beheaded. The Rochellers rebell. Charles the fifth maketh an unfortunate Voyage to Algiers. The Germane Forces are foiled by the Turks, onely by the cowardiſe of the Leaders. The yeer after, the Scots were beat at Solwy Moſſ: and their King dies of Melancholly. Tranſilvania is ſubdued by Solyman, and given to John. Popery rejected in the Palatinate.

Anno 1550, neer Brunſwick, three Suns appeared. Now great troubles ariſe at Antwerp, and the Inquiſition oppoſed in the Netherlands. Difference betwixt the Emperour and Ferdinand, about ſucceſſion in the Empire: Some of the Electors arm againſt the Emperour. The Thames ebbed and flowed three times in nine hours. Peace with Scotland.

Anno 1551, in March, at Magdeburg, about ſeven in the morning, ſeven Rainbowes were ſeen; and in the evening, three Moons. In April, at Wittenberg, three Suns were ſeen, with various Circles in the Element. There was ſeen the ſame yeer at Antwerp, three Suns, with divers Circles. The ſame yeer there was ſeen two mock-Moons twice. In England, the Duke of Somerſet is beheaded. A world of Diſputes in Germany, about Religion. The French make War with the Emperour.

Anno 1553, three Suns appeared; the middle of a bright colour, but the Parclii or mock-Suns red and bloody. The ſame day, after Sun-ſet, three Moons appeared. The Papiſt and Proteſtant in England diſpute. The King of England dieth. A tumult in Bruſſels, between the inſolent Spaniard and the townsmen. Now Perſecution in England for being Proteſtants. Queen Mary comes to the Crown; uſher'd into the world by a Prodigie, and to the Crown with the like ominous Portent.

Anno 1554, in Bavaria divers kindes of Suns were ſeen; but eſpecially the ſixth of March, two Suns were ſeen, with a Rainbowe. In May the ſame yeer, two more Suns were ſeen, the Sun as it were environed all about with a Rainbowe. Wyat riſeth in Kent. Philip and Mary married. Sena betrayed to the Emperour by the Pope. Henalt in Arthoys waſted by the French.

Anno 1556, in Saxony two mock-Suns appeared. Charles the Emperour entreth the Monaſtery of S. Juſtus, in the confines of Caſtile. The Lord Sturton is hanged in England for a Murder. Tranſilvania revolts. Nineteen thouſand people at Bruſſels, die of Cold and Famine. The next yeer, the War is begun betwixt the King of Spain and the Pope. A generall Peſtilence happens in England. Calais is loſt to the French: and the Scots invade the Engliſh. Treaſons and Uproars are frequent in Turkie.

Anno 1622, three Suns appeared at Heidelberg. The wofull Calamities that have ever ſince fallen upon the Palatinate, we are all ſenſible of, and of the loſſe of it, for any thing I ſee, for ever, from the right Heir. Oſman the great Turk is ſtrangled that yeer: and Spinola beſiegeth Bergen up Zoom, &c.

I have heard it credibly reported, that there were ſeen, about twelve yeers ſince, many Suns at one time in Cornwall: and in March 1639, towards Sun-ſet, three Suns were ſeen in the Weſt, not far from Oxford.

I have not ſeen any of theſe Suns I mention, my ſelf; onely in thoſe ſix yeers in which I lived in the Countrey, viz. 1636, 1637, 1638, 1639, 1640, &c. many evenings I obſerved a ſtrange fiery skie, and unuſuall forms in the Elements, towards that part of the heaven where Oxford ſtands, and towards Bark-ſhire, Hamp-ſhire, and ſo alſo towards Buckingham-ſhire, &c.

I have the rather repeated theſe things, that the incredulous of the times might not be wavering, or a party now upon earth too confident that theſe prodigious Sights have no ſignification upon Mundane affairs. The Hiſtoricall part is now ended, and my own Judgement upon thoſe three Suns apparent the nineteenth of November, 1644, followeth: Wherein, if oft repetitions of the ſame thing trouble thee, with modeſty or courteſie paſſe them by; for in Aſtrologie it cannot be avoided: Nor do thou expect an exact Method from me, ſith it was no part of my meaning, or could I conveniently do it: Onely this I muſt tell thee, that the Interpretation I write, is, I conceive, grounded upon probable foundations; and who lives to ſee a few yeers over his head, will eaſily perceive I have unfolded as much as was fit to diſcover, and that my Judgement is not a mile and a half from truth.

A Figure erected for the middle time of the three Suns appearance the 19 of November, 1644. 9 hor. 45 min. A. M.

Londinum Angliae.

MAny Philoſophers are of opinion, that theſe falſe Suns, amongſt the learned called Parelii, do eſpecially appear, when many ſubtill moiſt clouds are betwixt us and the Sun. Others, that they are round clouds ſhining like the Sun; or that they are images of the Sun in a thick and neighbouring cloud in the form of a Mirror. But if that collected clouds, or multitude of vapours, or any Naturall cauſe, produced ſuch rare and unuſuall Apparitions; Why have we not ſuch Sights oft? Its well known, ſuch are not uſually ſeen, although once in a moneth we do not want plenty of Vapours, which, if they were ſo produced, might cauſe monethly, or oftner, ſuch like Apparitions. And beſides, when theſe three Suns were ſeen, it was a very fair Sunſhine-day, a very clear day, no Clouds, Vapours, Foggs or Miſts appearing. Indeed for ſeven or eight days before, we at London had extreme ſtormy Weather, cloudy, windy, rainy, and what not? I did not obſerve, for a long time, ſuch variety of bluſtring and unnaturall Weather, which I conceive was occaſioned by the late Oppoſition of Saturn and Venus, and the matutine ſetting of the Virgiliae, and other moſt violent fixed Stars, which, according to Stadius, Hiemem pluvioſam denuntiant. It is alſo the opinion of Plinie, Succularum & Pleiadum, occaſus Terra Marique turbidum eſſe. Nor may we forget the acceſſe of the Sun to Cor Scorpii, to leſſen any ill Weather the days precedent, &c.

Here's Naturall cauſes for the ill Weather preceding, ſo many days together; but no cauſe in Natvre to induce a belief that the three Suns were occaſioned from Nature.

I am clearly of opinion, Theſe Sights, as well as many others, were cauſed by thoſe tutelary Angels, who, by Gods permiſſion, and under him, have the Government of the Engliſh Common-wealth. They are ſenſible of thoſe many impending Miſeries now too plentifully amongſt us. Their conference with man now, as in the days of old, very few attain unto, it being a bleſſing ſought after by many, attained unto by few: And yet there are ſome of opinion, There lives in the world ſome, and of thoſe ſome, a ſmall Party in England, that know more then they utter, and, either by Viſion, or verball Colloquie, have the knowledge of future events, yea, even from the bleſſed Angels.

But alas, theſe are Riddles; I muſt adhere unto my Aſtrologie; and yet wiſh all happineſſe to thoſe good ſouls that either confer with their own Genius, whom ſome call, A good Angel; or with ſuch other of thoſe heavenly Miniſters whom God in mercy affordeth them. And herein let no Reader miſtake me; for I abhor Witches, or thoſe Necromancers that raiſe the deceaſed out of their graves, or thoſe Circular Prieſts now almoſt worn out of the world: My meaning is this, That I do believe there are many now living, to whom God, by his Angels, gives Revelation of things to come: And where and to whom God gives ſuch a bleſſing, I believe that Saint may lawfully uſe the Talent God hath enabled him with.

But I leave this obſolete, though excellent Learning, to another Diſcourſe, and come to the Text it ſelf.

I do ſomewhat adhere to Cardan, Seg. 4. Apho. 94. Signa circa Solem, in Luna vel Stellis, aut circa eas, tum in Coelo valdè aliena a naturali curſu; ſi locum ubi apparent, & figuram Coeli cum hoc, ea hora ab initio in finem obſervabis, intellegere poſſis quid ſignificent: Viz. If you obſerve any ſtrange forms or ſignes about the Sun, or in the Moon or Stars, or neer unto them, and thoſe unuſuall ſignes are ſtrange, or contrary to a naturall courſe; conſider the place where they appear, and compare the Figure of heaven with it, ſet to the beginning of their appearance, and conſidered untill its end, and then you may underſtand the ſignification thereof.

The better to direct me in my Judgement, I have erected three Scheams of heaven, and, according to my mean Capacity, judged thereupon of the effects of theſe three Suns.

Neither indeed is Cardanus ſingle in his Judgement; for Ludovicus de Rigiis, Apho. 88. lib. 2. ſaith, Monſtruoſa corpora & portenta, quando ultra modum acciderint, hora ipſorum conſideranda eſt, nihil accidit, quin a corporibus ſupercoeleſtibus deſignetur effectus. Monſtrous bodies, and ſeldome ſeen, when beyond nature they chance to ſhew themſelves; the hour of their firſt being is to be conſidered: there's no ſuch things happen; but the effects thereof are deſigned from the ſuperceleſtiall bodies.

And though this may ſeem ſtrange to moſt men that ſhall read this Diſcourſe; yet I hope the Judgement following ſhall, in ſome meaſure, better ſatisfie them, if they will have patience firſt to read it warily, and then to obſerve the generall Affairs of England, and all or the moſt part of Chriſtendom, preſently, or within a little compaſſe of time ſubſequent. Nor let any humoriſt preſſe me too hard for reaſon in every thing falls from my Pen: Multa res ſunt quae non videntur ratione naturali eſſe, effectus quidem earum per formas ſuperiorum corporum conſiderare poſſumus habereque eas, ſi in tempore proprio inveſtigatae quaeſitaeque ſunt. Rigel. Lib. 2. Apho. 77. Many things do come to paſſe, for which we can give no naturall reaſon: we may attain to diſcern the effects by the forms of ſuperiour Bodies, and exactly▪ to know them, if we ſearch and look after them in their proper times. By which this learned Grecian intends, that the true notion of what may be ſignified by theſe late diſaſtrous three Suns, or any other unnaturall Apparition, is moſt eaſily attained, by taking the exact time of their firſt appearance, and then the erection of a Scheam of heaven.

And this I finde further confirmed by Cardanus, Apho. 95. Seg. 40. Monſtra verò & portenta clades & mortes hominum, ſed non eodem modo neque ſtatim ſignificant, oportet autem & exortus eorum conſiderare, ſed illorum caſus▪ & vis non eſt praeſentis contemplationis. The meaning whereof is to inform you, that upon any generall Misfortune happening, or any ſudden Calamity chancing amongſt men, you are to obſerve the firſt time of its motion, and thereby frame your Aſtrologicall Judgement upon the Accidents ſubſequent.

Its firſt conſiderable, in what nature, kinde, or thing, this prodigious Appearance ſhall manifeſt it ſelf in, and upon what kindes of▪ Men, People, Kingdoms, or Countreys; and laſtly, its Determination, &c.

Of all which I will treat, but not methodically, for ſome reaſons beſt known to my ſelf, &c. For let it be conſidered, how dangerous it is to ſpeak truth in ſignificant Language, in this Age, and at this time, when Opinion is more prevalent then ſober Judgement, and when a word modeſtly miſplaced, may more puzzle me by information of ſome ſeeming-Saint Coxcomb, then either reall Treaſon againſt my Prince, or Blaſphemy in Religion, &c. But I ſlight theſe pedantick Informers.

BE it known then unto all men by theſe Preſents, That Hujuſmodi imagines & figurae multa minantur, frequenter enim aut Civitati ali[•]ui, aut Regioni, aut Regno, vel Principi, Regi, Caeſarivè, quae expreſſis alias verbis ſibi dici non tolerarent. Such Sights as theſe three Suns, or other Images or terrible Figures appearing in the heavens, do threaten many things frequently either to ſome City, Region, Kingdom, Prince, or Emperour: and further, theſe are manifeſted in ſuch extraordinary manner in the heaven by Signes, becauſe ſuch perſons as above named, will never ſuffer any man in plain words to acquaint them with ſo much.

The Apparition being viſible in England, the whole Kingdom is concerned more or leſſe.

The Lord of the tenth in the ſeventh Houſe, Retrograde: our prime men, of all Qualities, are intended to ſhare in the Miſchief hereby portended.

Kings, Princes, Nobility, &c. of which anon.

I particular out no one; Quis enim prudens id periculi ſubiret? What man would run ſuch a hazard of danger? Licet Aſtronomiae & Magiae pertiſſimus, ut Principi alicui aut Regi Caeſarivè in os diceret▪ tibi hoc accidet, tu occideris, glande trajicieris, ſubditi tui te Regno exuunt, & ejicient, in exilium agent, ſubditi tui dat[•] fide violata & rebellione facta te repudiabunt, & Domino alio jurabunt? What an Aſſe were the Aſtrologian, or skilfull Magician, ſaith Paracelſus, if upon the appearance of a Prodigious Sight in the Elements, he ſhould ſay, to the face of a Prince, King, or Emperour▪ Such a thing ſhall happen unto thee, Thou ſhalt be ſlain, knockt in the head with a Bullet, Thy Subjects ſhall ſpoil thee, and caſt thee out of thy Kingdom, Thou ſhalt live a baniſhed man in another Countrey, Thy own Subjects or People, notwithſtanding their Fealty or Homage done, ſhall violate their Faith given, raiſe Rebellion, repudiate and ſcorn thy Acts and Perſon, and perform Service to ſome other Lord. This is a pretty piece of Stuff.

If we believe the ſayings of the wiſe, that were curious in ſearch after ſuch like Prodigies; you that are Emperours, Kings, Princes, Dukes, or the principall Rulers of all Common-wealths in Europe, have reaſon to be carefull of your ſelves, and to thank me for putting you in minde of ſuch things as theſe: Be angry, and you pleaſe, I care not; I muſt diſcharge my Conſcience.

Its not unknown to the Learned, that Europe is now at this time under the laſt Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, in the Watry Trygon, and ſigne of Piſces. Its not unknown, as I may ſay, how prepoſterouſly and irregularly that Conjunction ſlips in betwixt two Conjunctions of the Fiery Triplicity, the firſt entrance whereof was in 1603, and their Conjunction in the eighth degree of Sagittarius, the very ſelf-ſame ſigne, degree, and quarter of heaven the Sun and Moon are in upon this preſent Apparition.

King James came to be our Engliſh King that yeer.

In the full-Moon poſtventionall to the Comet, 1618, the Sun was in the tenth degree of Sagittarius. In the ſecond Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, 1623, the almoſt degree of this preſent Lunation did mediate heaven. King Charles went into Spain that yeer.

In the yeer 1642/3, when Saturn and Jupiter made their laſt Conjunction, the place of the Luminaries at this time was then the Cuſp of the tenth houſe: and the Sun now in Partill ſquare to his then-place, the Moon at this preſent, her Latitude conſidered, is in almoſt Partill Oppoſition to the place of Mars then: The Scheam of heaven then and now, differ very little or nothing at all. This is written, to ſatisfie Artiſts: He that would know more, let him repair to the Tract I wrote, called Englands propheticall Merlin.

Theſe are all Arguments, and not mean ones, of premonition to a Family, and that no mean one, That a ſtorm, and that alſo a furious one, is ready to ruſh down upon their heads. Doubtleſſe this Prodigie is a more neer and ſignificant Interpreter then any hath been this half Century of yeers, of that fatall Doom hanging at this time as it were in the Air by a twine threed, over ſome obſtinate and ſinking Progenies in Europe. Theſe three Suns ſhew acceleration of what hath mercifully a long time been forborn, and that now, after ſo many Warnings, divine Providence will not be deluded by the ſtrugling or frail and brittle policie of man.

Cardan hath ſuch words as theſe, Seg. 5. Apho. 67. Cumque tres Soles eodem modo, & in ambitu medii Circulus completus ac permanens ad modum Iridis, eo anno in Civitate libera naſcetur ex Civibus Rex, quod ſi cum hoc, Stella apparuerit in die lucida, erit in eadem hora. When three Suns appear, and in the compaſſing round of the middle one a complete Circle is permanent, in manner of a Rainbowe; in that yeer, in a free Citie (or Common-wealth) there's born of ſome Citizen one that ſhall be a King: But if upon the time of ſuch an appearance, ſome glorious Star ſhew it ſelf in the day-time, the Infant is born the ſame hour, mutatis mutandis. The words of this learned Philoſopher ſtretch to this ſenſe, That when ſuch a Prodigie as he ſpeaks of appears, it ſhews, or is the antecedent of ſome new Principality, or ſome notable Priviledges to be obtained, or the birth or riſe of ſome man or Common-wealth to Sovereignty, and to that ſupreme Command which was not before. Believe me, O all you great ones, there's ſome ſuch Monſter in hatching, as the depriving of many of you of that Freedom your Anceſtours left you, &c.

If we take ſignification from the predominant Planet, we ſhall acquaint you in plain Engliſh, That Religion ſhall be a ſtrong Pretender, and a painfull Stickler in moſt Common-wealths, for ſome yeers. Venus, as now poſited, tells you how much ſome ſober and modeſt Judgements endeavour to ſettle things purely, ſoberly, and legally: But if you look into the third houſe, you ſhall finde Saturn Retrograde, and in oppoſition to her. Maſter Booker ſaith, Saturn ſignifies Tom Jew and Jack Jeſuite: Bona fide, I ſay, That we are hereby premoniſhed of men in our Common-wealth that are as ſuperſtitious as the Jew, and malicious as the Jeſuite; and that theſe hodge-podge mixture of ſhallow-brains ſhall diſturb all our proceedings. Good God! that ſo much deceit and hypocriſie ſhould be veiled, and we continue ignorant of the Plot thereby intended.

What incongruous and inconſiſtent Opinions, even to reaſon it ſelf, do I foreſee by this froward and malicious Aſpect of Saturn, ſhall appear in the world, vex all or moſt Nations, undo almoſt every State and Common-wealth.

Methinks here's to be plenty of Ambaſſadours ſeverally employed: What Concluſion they ſhall make, the Retrogradation of Jupiter in the fifth tells you, Worſe and worſe, Tinker-like, mend one hole, and make two; or, if you will, Salve up a little Breach, and not long after make one five times greater.

Mutuall Aſſiſtance ſhall be pretended, and one Nation or Common-wealth leagues with another; but to what purpoſe? That Policie which in the conception of the wiſeſt Statiſt is held moſt convenient for his Prince and Countrey, even in that very point ſhall his King or State ſuffer moſt detriment. Can we delude God? or have the Stars no Influence? or can we by Art or Nature make the two unneceſſary invironing Suns, which are no better then Scar-crows or outward appearances, to be reall, proper and materiall ones? I muſt deal plainly, that we in England, (for Saturn is in Aries, the Aſcendant of England) under pretence of a glorious ſhew for Reformation in divine matters, intend deceitfully; and that miſchievous Intentions, under religious Pretenſions, are moſt viperouſly cloked.

But upon maturer Conſideration, while I ſee the hand of the Almighty deading and dulling our underſtandings, I apprehend the Stars as directory-Meſſengers of ſome ſuch things, but in my ſolid Judgement conclude it the All-ſeeing providence of God. God is angry we will ſee nothing; but more angry, becauſe, though ſome do ſee and perceive, and know to what Ruine we are haſtening; yet, like mute Statu's, they are ſilent in this great neceſſity of the State, and cloſe up their mouthes, leſt they ſhould utter Verity.

My Genius, if it be lawfull to ſay ſo, dictates unto me nothing but Fraud, Cozenage, Diſſimulation, Hypocriſie, will be uſed amongſt ſome pretended-Reformers both of Church and Common-wealth.

If I underſtand any thing, ſcandalous aſperſions ſhall, without number or juſt cauſe, be fathered upon our Parliament and their Proceedings: hainous and formidable Informations againſt the Nobility and Gentry. Seurrilous Reproaches from all parts ſhall fall upon our Senior and Orthodox Clergie-men, from a Junior ſort of Rabbies, a Serpentine people not heretofore viſible or known in the world, lately elapſed by chance, not from heaven, (where Goodneſſe it ſelf dwells) but from the Moon, (which Galileus ſaith is habitable) in ſome terrible Thunderclap: for I believe they were ſo terrified and ſtupified in their hearings, by their ſo violent deſcent in that ſtorm, that not any ſenſe could ever ſince pop into their Noddles.

Reaſon in Aſtrologie muſt be given, and ſo it ſhall. Mercury generally ſignifieth in Man, Youth: his Orientality of the Sun, and in the Figure, addes more Youth: But now in the ſenſe I ſpeak it, it tells the whole World, the Novelty of what now moſt afflicts us. Jupiter is generally a Significator of Nobility, and by poſition of the Clergie, he is under the earth, and in the deſcending part of heaven: we hear of things now, that did not appear before, &c. From whence I frame this Judgement, That Youth, or young novell Opinions or Diſputations, ſhall deceitfully prejudice maturer Judgements, with Lyes, Hypocriſie, Calumny, Impudence, &c. And I ſay again, Becauſe Mars that is Lord of the tenth Houſe, diſpoſeth of Mercury, and he is Retrograde in the ſeventh Houſe, and manſion of the Moon, and oppoſite to the Aſcendant; I deliver ingeniouſly this freehearted Judgement, That if his Majeſtie give protection to ſuch upſtart pretended-Saints, he ſhall run Retrograde, that is, he ſhall receive infinite Diſhonour by it. And to our Parliament I ſay, If Connivance be had, under their Protection, with theſe ſuperlative aſſuming Zelotes, (for my heart will not ſuffer me to abuſe Religion ſo much, as to call them Religious) the Parliament ſhall more ſuffer in the concluſion, even by them, then either by the Turk, were he armed againſt us, or all the Forces of any potent Enemy. I cannot call them by any certain name, that ſo they might be diſtinguiſhed: do but obſerve their actions, and it beſt informs you: they abſolutely ſtudie nothing but Diviſion, &c. and ſuppreſſion of Monarchy.

The very true meaning of theſe three Suns, is to inform every Common-wealth of Europe, that they are haſtening to either their Confuſions, or unavoidable Dangers: The Counſels of the moſt aged ſhall be deſpicable, the Projections of the younger men ſhall cauſe Inſurrections, Slaughters, Murders; the Advice of the moſt wiſe ſhall be innocently ſlighted. A great Work is in hand.

Both Sun and Moon are ill placed. Both Kings and People, and all Common-wealths, are in their Councels now to ſeek. They have cunningly, as long as they could, carried their Devices ſecretly: This Prodigie ſpeaks, as if we ſhall diſcover more then is wiſhed, and yet conceal enough to undo us.

Three Suns have been ſeen many times, and ſeverall Circles, ſometimes over, ſometimes under the true and proper Sun: Seditiones inter mortales manifeſtas oſtendunt, & ab omni concenſu concordiaque alienationem: Junct. 312. Here's a ſtrange thing, that they do manifeſt publike and eminent Seditions amongſt mortall men, and a generall alienation or averſneſſe to any Peace, Agreement, or Unity. Infinite Diviſions theſe three Suns are the Forerunners of; of ſturdie Diſturbances to Emperours, Kings, Princes, and all manner of Principalities: and they do uſually ſhew a generall Calamity at hand; they declare Schiſms and Rents in the Church, Diſorder amongſt the Religious, the brooding or upſtarting of ſome cragged or rugged Tenents in Divinity, ſome admirable, miraculous, and unexpected paſſages amongſt men, a generall Delirium or madneſſe, or Confuſion in Opinions reigning and raging, and to domineer in moſt parts of thoſe Countreys adjacent to the place of appearance. All manner of inferiour people threatning their Superiours and Commanders, grumbling, repining, whiſpering out revenge againſt them: No union in Counſel, or conſtancy in Opinion: Nothing is thought on, but how to bring the whole Fabrick of every Common-wealth out of frame: Not a man appears, but he is more judicious in State-affairs then Ahithophel: Each Cobler in Divinity aſſures himſelf of more knowledge then Calvin, Luther or Melancton were acquainted with, poor Ideots: The acts of the moſt Reverend men preceding ſuch times, are called in queſtion, the validity of their Judgement undervalued, and a Rabble of Saturnine people fill the Times with Ignorance, the Church with Sects, the Common-wealth with Beggery, and their own Coffers, tantum quantum, with as much Money as they can theeviſhly cozen the King, Kingdom and State of.

Is there need of more Suns then one in the day? or of more then one Moon in the night? or of one King in a Kingdom? one entire Government in a Common-wealth? one uniformity in the Affairs of the Church? Verily I think that man out of his wits, that would affirm a poſitive neceſſity of more: and yet uſually, after the appearing of ſuch Prodigies, ſuch lawleſſe and and unaccuſtomed Monſters appear: and even ſuch moſt irregular Attempts are to be proſecuted by people of as great antiquity as the two mock-Suns, which appeared at an inſtant, but vaniſhed not away in a moment.

When God Almighty had drowned the world, in confirmation he would do ſo no more, he produced the Rainbowe, and made it appear at all times and ſeaſons in a conſtant and naturall form and manner, ever oppoſite to the Sun; and this was out of his great love to Mankinde: But while in anger he permits his miniſtring Angels (as now he did) to manifeſt to our eyes a Rainbowe (and that ſuch a one as no Age hath abſolutely recorded the like) to appear with the Bend of it downward, juſt over the naturall Sun. The Prognoſtick part hereof may gravell an aſſured Judgement. Reader, pity the weakneſſe of Humane underſtanding, and let thy love appear, in charitably paſſing by my failings.

The Portent of this Prodigie is very great: The Angels are willing we ſhould diſcern ſomething, elſe why was it made viſible? There was no neceſſity of it.

O All you Emperors, Kings, Princes, Rulers and Magiſtrates of Europe, this unaccuſtomed Apparition is like the Handwriting in Daniel to ſome of you; it premoniſheth you, above all other People, to make your peace with God in time: You ſhall every one of you ſmart, and every one of you taſte (none excepted) the heavie hand of God, who will ſtrengthen your Subjects with invincible Courage to ſuppreſſe your Miſgovernments and Oppreſſions in Church or Common-wealth: Nor ſhall War ceaſe, or the Sword of God leave perſecuting you and your Off-ſprings, untill this great Work is perfectly done. What will you ſay, if the Almighty is ready to let fall from heauen a new Government, quite contrary to any hath hitherto been in the world? Here's threatned an univerſall Inſurrection againſt you by your oppreſſed People. Here's either the Depoſing, Flight, or finall Extirpation of ſome of you, at hand: Your Viceroys, Lieutenant-Generalls, ſhall quake and tremble, and prove men of no Courage▪ ſhall ſhrink from you in your greatest neceſſity: Your Confederates ſhall fail in reall Performances, and do you more miſchief then a profeſſed enemy: Your Children ſhall wander as baniſhed People all over the world, die unlamented in ſtrange Countreys, while ſome of your own Generation, of ſet purpoſe, ſhall bring you in diſlike of your vaſſails.

Thoſe words are generall: A word to my own Countrey of England. Verily I am doubtfull there's now as great Treaſon in hatching againſt England, as either the Armado in 1588, or furious Gunpowder-Plot in 1605. I am ſcrupulous, for the love I bear to my native Soil, whileſt I conceive there's a ſecond Maſſacre in agitation; and yet I faithfully believe we ſhall really overcome it, and maturely, and in good ſadneſſe, take luſty Vengeance on the Contrivers, &c.

Are not both the Lights, in our Scheam, with or neer Cor Scorpii, a moſt violent fixed Star? which uſually (if we believe Antiquity or Experience) threatens ſudden and violent death; elſe why have we this Aphoriſm? Cor Scorpii cum Luminaribus cruentam mortem, aut ex veneno repentinam denuntiat. He or ſhe of any great Family, that hath either the Sun or Moon, or both, with this Star, in the Radix of their Nativities, are threatned hereby, either to die ſome violent death by caſualty, Sword, Gun, or Poiſon. Look to your ſelves; here's ſome monſtrous death towards you. But to whom? wilt thou ſay. Herein we conſider the Signe, Lord thereof, and the Houſe: The Sun ſignifies in that Royall Signe, great ones; the Houſe ſignifies Captivity, Poiſon, Treachery: From which is derived thus much, That ſome very great man, what King, Prince, Duke, or the like, I really affirm I perfectly know not, ſhall, I ſay, come to ſome ſuch untimely end.

What Magiſtrate ſoever of Europe hath the Sun or Moon in the place now afflicted, his perſon and eſtate will be in danger: Where the 6, 7 or 8 of Sagittarius do culminate, he loſes his Sovereignty: where the ſame degrees ariſe in the Horoſcope, it threatens his life; witneſſe the King of Sweden, &c.

Great men may, and I know will, deſpiſe theſe favourable Admonitions. Let them ſo do, and afterwards cry, Had I wiſt.

Here in our Figure we have all the ſuperiour Planets Retrograde, as if all the Grandees of the world, and every principall man in his kinde, ſhould finde vexation enough; or as if every State and Common-wealth, or Society of men, were declining, and ready to ſuffer in one kinde or other. Significat etiam morbos populares, & mortalitates & quod ibi morietur Rex: Haly▪ Popular Diſeaſes, that is, abundance of the common people ſhall die by the Sword, Mortality, &c. And where theſe afflictions are in moſt force, there, and in that Land, ſhall the King or principall Officer die.

What ſucceſſe ſhall follow of Treaties, or from or by means of Meſſengers, Commiſſioners, Ambaſſadours, Nuntio's, Generall or Provinciall Councels, you may read by the poſiture of Mercury in Scorpio, haſtening to Oppoſition of Jupiter. The Significator in fixed Signes, ſhew the tediouſneſſe of ſuch like matters, the length of time ſhall be ſpent in Embaſſages, Treaties, Counſels: but was there ever (without the immediate finger of God) any good Concluſion, when the Significators applied by oppoſition? Long, deceitfull and painfull Debates, ſlender and impertinent Concluſions.

Men are employed by ſome, to good intents and purpoſes; but one daſh of a Pen, one ſimple underhand-miſſive of or from a guilty Secretary, or male-contented States-man, or one ſcrupulous Tenent of or from an unſetled Separatiſt, hinders and makes void all concluſion of difference by Negotiations and Treaties. Whereas formerly Commiſſioners from Prince to Prince have determined the greateſt Controverſies ever happened; there's now in the Figure of heaven no apparance of ſuch bleſſings, the Sword being onely intended to decide theſe conſuming Plagues and inveterate Quarrels that either have or ſhall, for ſome yeers, riſe amongſt the European Common-wealths.

Blinded ſhall be the eyes of the wiſeſt diſcerning men, curbed and diſheartned ſhall be the intentions of the cordiall, ſlandered ſhall be the well-wiſhes of innocent and harmleſſe ſouls, who are not ſo verball, to no purpoſe, as ſome airy ſpirits.

Wars ſhall be prolonged, beyond either the reaſon or judgement of the wiſeſt States-man now living, nay, untill the furious Souldier himſelf is weary.

The Rainbowe ſeemed occularly to be amongſt the Northern Conſtellations, above the Aequator, in that ſpace of heaven where the learned place Serpentarius, or the form of a Serpent, his mouth gaping wide open, and a Crown ready to fall into the Serpents mouth.

This is the ſecond time, within one yeers ſpace, that ſome Princes of Europe have been threatned with Ruine and Deſtruction; (if they repent not) for the laſt of June, 1644, there were ſtrange Apparitions in the heavens, in this very Conſtellation; and now again this unuſuall Rainbowe extending it ſelf over the proper Sun, and quite thorow the body of the Serpent. Let me adde to this, The ſubſequent Eclipſe I ſhall write of, hath no little ſignification in the fortune and perſons of Kings and great men.

Was not our mother Eve deceived by ill counſel given unto her by the devil in form of a Serpent? and was not Adam thereby himſelf miſtaken, and ſo his whole Poſterity made capable of that puniſhment he for that ſuffered, and we all by his act?

It was not Adam, it was not Eve, but the Serpent: Its not Kings or Princes, its not their Queens or Ladies, that invent thoſe execrable Counſels ſo totally deſtructive; no, it's the Serpent, it's, in plain language, ſuch deſtructive Counſel as is put into them by Serpents, that is, ill Counſellors. Its Mercury in Scorpio, its religious men in habit, but devils in conditions; its men of great Conformity outwardly, that deceitfully hatch theſe helliſh Advices.

I wiſh, in time, great men to become themſelves; for if ſome good Angel hath hitherto ſeemed to keep their Crowns, their Dominions, their Authority, from dropping into the Serpents mouth, that is, from Ruine, Approach of forreign Power, or Incurſion, &c. yet now, as in a little time this Rainbowe vaniſhed, and ſo left the true Sun naked, and to recive any impreſſion; ſo queſtionleſſe, in a ſhort time, ſhall Princes, after an unwonted manner, be deprived of Friends, Rule and Dominion, by people formerly contemptible, ſcarce dreamed of, and which themſelves, within leſſe then a few yeers, aimed at no ſuch thing.

The moſt Ancient and Noble Families of Europe are declining; but eſpecially here not far remote, or in England: And this Saturn by Retrogradation doth eaſily declare.

The Nobility and Gentry who have continued many Generations are now ſinking▪ and an inferiour ſort of people, by plain Legerdemain, are aſcending; but whether to heaven, or worldly preferment, ſub judice lis est.

The Souldier, whom I moſt honour, ſhall tremble, and yet fight for he knows not whom or what: as Mars in the ſeventh Houſe doth manifeſtly declare.

Germany that part thereof

Some parts of France, and my own dear Countrey of England, and therein eſpecially Kent, Suſſex, Surrey, part of Eſſex, Suffolk and Lincoln, and parts adjacent.

Oxford ſhall ſuffer both with Sword, Sickneſſe, Famine, Plague, if not finall Subverſion.

Shall the City of Rome eſcape? No, nor Pamfilio the now preſent Pope ſhall continue ſcarce ſix yeers, without Poiſon, or Oppoſition; I will not ſay, Depoſition.

I omit ſome Countreys purpoſely; for Infidelity and Ingratitude is to be requited with Blood; the ſword, and not words. Some ſhall, notwithſtanding their prudence, be enſnared, without caution.

I wiſh cordially all happineſſe to the Kingdom of Scotland: Nor ſhall ſome waſpiſh Antagoniſts of that Nation againſt Aſtrologie, cauſe me to love the Kingdom the worſe. There's not yet any probability of a conſtant Settlement in that Common-wealth.

Let us expect to hear of ſome mutiny amongſt the Turks, and in Conſtantinople: and Faction amongſt the Nobles in Polonia.

I cannot predicate good to the barbarous Iriſh.

I am doubtfull Denmark is appointed for a Patern either of Vengeance or Mercy: it is, it muſt ſuffer more and more.

This prodigious Apparition foreſhews to all England a generall Infelicity, perhaps to all Europe, I mean, to the North-Eaſt part thereof, ſo ſituate from London in England.

A Famine, Scarcity of bread and proviſion for Man, is like to be ſubſequent; the Murrain of Cattel, infectious and peſtiferous Diſeaſes, as well in man as in beaſt; and full Plague and half a Plague, this yeer and the next, not in Villages onely, but almoſt in every great Town of England. Horrible perſecution of the Nobility and Gentry; and indeed the Runaways from our Parliament deſerve no leſſe, and ſome beſides. Some ſuperlative Diſcord with and concerning Religion, and Controverſies therein.

Incurſions of forreign Princes into their Neighbours Territories, Friends and Allies. No belief upon earth amongſt men.

Surely the world is not yet at an end: But whoſoever ſhall ſee, or have the unhappineſſe to ſurvive the two or three yeers next ſucceeding, will wonder at the ſtrange Metamorphoſis and Cataſtrophe of Humane Chances in Chriſtian Common-wealths, where Jeſus Chriſt is profeſſed with ſo much pretended-Zeal, but his Doctrine practiſed with ſo ſlender Devotion.

Nor ſhall many, and thoſe not the leaſt Cities and Towns of England, ſuffer in their private Common-wealths, leſſe then a new moulding of their preſent Government.

Did the wit of man of ſet purpoſe ſtudie it, he could not finde out ſo many unneceſſary Inventions for preſent and future deſtruction, as we our ſelves, with premeditated wiſedom, finde out, with intention to ſalve up all our ſores.

We begger our ſelves with Wit, and deſtroy Mankinde with Diſcretion.

In good truth, the City of London is like to be afflicted (and now ſimple George at Oxford holds his mouth wide open) with the Plague, and ſome other Peſtilentiall or Purſe-Diſeaſes, &c. Do not I ſee both the Sun and Moon in Oppoſition to Gemini? Their Ships are like to ſuffer by Fire and Pyracie, &c. Is not Gemini the Signe deſcending on the Cuſp of the ſixth and ſeventh? God bleſſe their Ships from Sea-fights and Shipwracks.

And yet methinks there's one in the world looks high, born, and in being, that would, but ſhall not, exalt himſelf to a Crown. Quicunque fuerit ex ſtirpe Regali, ſi in ejus Radice Nativitatis fuerint duo Soles, erit Regibus contrarius, &c.

My friend, be quiet, thou art not the man, thy time is ſhort; the Chicken of the Weſt ſhall prevail: Return in peace, if thou canſt, to the Sepulchre of thy not-Kingly Anceſtours, &c.

This is part of the little I am able at preſent to put forth, concerning the Signification of the three Suns; whoſe Effects cooperating with the immediate ſubſequent Eclipſe in Auguſt, ſhall not determine in leſſe time then three whole yeers. Dixi.

An Aſtrologicall-Judgement concerning the Effects probably like to ſucceed the Eclipſe of the Sun upon the eleventh day of Auguſt, 1645, being Munday.

THe Eclipſe is in 28 d. 28 m. Leo.

Its beginning is at 10 ho. 17 min. before noon.

Its Middle is at 11 ho. 14 min.

It Endeth, eleven minutes after 12.

The Digits eclipſed are ſix.

The Duration of the Eclipſe is, One hour, fifty four minutes.

To finde when it ſhall begin to operate, and how long the Effects ſhall continue, you must conſider

The Elevation of the Pole at London, which is 51 deg. 32 min.

The Semidiurnall time, which is 7 hor. 3 min.

The time of riſing of the Sun the day of the Eclipſe, 4 h. 57 m.

The length of the day is, 14 hours, 6 minutes.

The Interval of time from Sun-riſe to the time of the Eclipſe, is 6 ho. 17 min.

Now I ſay, If 14 hours and 6 minutes give 365 days; What will 6 hours and 17 minutes? If you work it by proportion, it will give you 162 days; which added to the 11 of Auguſt, point out the 20 of January, 164 5/6, for a Beginning to the Effects depending on this Eclipſe.

The Dignities and Debilities of the Planets ſtand thus:

• Saturn hath one Debility.
• Jupiter hath Fortitudes—20
• Mars,—13
• Venus,—4
• Mercury,—12
• The Duration being 1 hor. 54 min. the Effects ſhall continue almoſt two whole yeers, viz. untill the 16 of December, 1647.

A ſhort Hiſtoricall Narration of ſome preceding Eclipſes, and the Effects that thereupon enſued.

TThe firſt Eclipſe we finde recorded to Poſterity, is by Dion. Hal. and it was in the yeer of the world 3180, about 767 yeers before Chriſt. Its noted by Hiſtorians, that Romulus was that yeer conceived, and the Kingdom of Iſrael began to decline.

Many were the Eclipſes which Antiquity took notice of, and after moſt of them ſome memorable Actions to have ſucceeded: As, that in anno Mundi 3235, and 26 of May, the Sun ſuffered a fearfull Eclipſe; and it was in that yeer Sennacherib King of Aſſyria departed from the Siege of Jeruſalem, and had One hundred and fourſcore thouſand men ſlain in his Army. You may read what ſucceeded after, 2 Kings cap. 19.

Anno mundi 3470, and 19 of April, the Sun was eclipſed; at what time Xerxes went with his innumerable Army againſt the Greeks, and was as valiantly beaten at Thermopylas and Salamine.

Anno mundi 3621, there was a totall Eclipſe of the Moon; and it was onely twelve days before the great Fight betwixt Darius and Alexander; and this was upon Saturday the 20 of September. The Monarchy of Perſia, by the overthrow of this Battel, vaniſhed, after it had ruled Aſia 200 yeers.

Anno mundi 3733, there was an horrible Eclipſe of the Sun, the 11 of February. Who is converſant in Hiſtory, may finde, that not long after Hannibal ſlew fifteen thouſand Romanes, and Ptolomeus Philopater King of Egypt overthrew Antiochus; after which Victory, the proud King, being inſolent, entred the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Jews, for which he was puniſhed by God, and ſo returned into Egypt.

Anno Chriſti 45, ſome ſay, 47, the Sun ſuffered an Eclipſe the firſt of Auguſt; after which followed that ſad Famine univerſall to all the world, propheſied of by Agabus, Act. 11. But I haſten.

Anno Chriſti 807, the Sun was eclipſed once, and the Moon twice: there ſucceeded inſtantly very great Diviſion in the Empire under Charles the Great.

Anno Chriſti 813, an Eclipſe of the Sun preceded the death of Carolus Magnus.

Anno Chriſti 891, after an Eclipſe of the Sun, the Emperour and Princes of Italy fell at variance, and mutually invaded each other; by which means Italy was fearfully afflicted for many yeers.

I finde ſome remarkable Obſervations in Plutarch after Eclipſes; as theſe: At what time Pericles armed 150 Ships, and was ready to ſet ſail, an Eclipſe of the Sun happened, which being conceived to be ominous by ſome, Pericles derided the Prognoſtick: But ſee the words following, But Pericles hoyſing Sail notwithſtanding, did no notable or ſpeciall Service anſwerable to ſo great an Army or Preparation; for which he was deprived of his Charge of Generall, &c. and fined at fifteen Talents.

In the Life of Pelopidas you ſhall read, that upon his ſecond Journey againſt the Tyrant Alexander of Pheres, a great Eclipſe of the Sun was, cauſing great darkneſſe at noon-day. You may read, fol. 303 in Plutarch, that Pelopidas wilfulneſſe, contrary to the advice of ſome in the Army, coſt him his life: for not onely thoſe that were then verſed in Soothſaying, but his own Citizens, told him, That this Eclipſe did threaten the death of ſome great Perſon like himſelf, &c. which his death exactly verified.

You ſhall alſo read in the Life of Nicias, That inſtantly after an Eclipſe of the Moon, the Syracuſians overthrew the whole Power of the Athenians by Sea; and he himſelf, and Demoſthenes, were taken Priſoners, and not long after loſt their lives.

During the Effects of a Lunar Eclipſe, and upon ſome prodigious Sights in the air, Dyoniſius Tyrant of Syracuſa was enforced to flee, and that City, after 48 yeers, reſtored to liberty. That was no weak Judgement therefore that Mil[•]as the Soothſayer reſolutely delivered, upon ſight thereof: My good friends, be of good chear, and aſſure your ſelves that we ſhall proſper; for God doth foreſhew us, by this Sight we ſee, that ſome one of the chiefeſt things now in higheſt place and dignity ſhall be eclipſed.

He that ſhall pleaſe but to peruſe Leovitius de Conjunctionibus & Eclipſibus, may be more fully ſatisfied.

And yet if examples of late yeers work any thing in us, we cannot forget that eminent Eclipſe in 1639, and in the moneth of May: I am ſure we were never quiet ſince: It was fully viſible in our Horizon. We may not forget the overthrow of the Spaniſh Fleet upon our Engliſh Coaſts, within four moneths after, &c.

In all my reading, I finde Solar Eclipſes are moſt ominous to Princes, to Authority, Magiſtracy, &c. and that Eclipſes of the Moon do both afflict King and People; but moſt properly incite and excite the Subjects to Arms, and the vulgar againſt his Lord and Maſter.

For whereas the Solar Eclipſe puts difference betwixt one Prince and another, betwixt one State & another, one Noble-man and another, each Common-wealth againſt his next neighbour; a Lunar Eclipſe, on the contrary, ſtirs up people of more ignoble Condition, to ſtrive againſt their Miniſters that have power over them, &c.

The Effects of the preſent Eclipſe proſecuted.

IF that Sentence of Ptolomey be admitted for truth, Lib. 2. c. 7. Quaecunque Stella erratica pluribus dignitatibus utrique loco, id eſt deliquii ipſius, & hoc ſequentis cardinis aſſociabitur, Sola dominabitur: Which in Engliſh runs thus: That Planet which hath moſt Dignities in the degree or place eclipſed, and angle ſucceeding, ſhall be ruler of the Eclipſe: that is, Conſider his nature and poſition, how he is well or ill affected, and how and by whom aſpected, and accordingly judge of the Events.

By which Doctrine we may be bold to affirm, that Mars ſhall principally rule the effects of this Eclipſe, as having moſt dominion in the place of the defect, and ſolely ruling the angle ſubſequent, which is the Aſcendant. If I deviate an hairs breadth from truth, I muſt expect ſome dirty fool to throw out non-ſenſe in Print againſt me: therefore obſerve if Cardan confirm not my words, Lib. 20. fol. 258. Cum enim idem fuerit Dominus loci deliquii, & loci ſequentis anguli, ille prorſus erit Dominus & Principalis: When the ſame Planet is Lord of the place eclipſed, and of the ſequent angle, he ſhall be altogether or eſpecially Lord of the Eclipſe. To which Judgement Campanella, fol. 84▪ conſenteth, while he delivers, Validior eſt, qui deliquii loco & cardinis plus poteſt. And yet in deſigning the effects of the Eclipſe, we are to conſider the Predominancy and Fortitudes of the reſt of the Planets, and their mutuall Aſpects each to other, their poſition in the heaven, ſigne and quarter; for they will challenge ſomething in the Effects, as Ptolomey, lib. 2. cap. 8, ſaith, Hoc ſumitur a natura dominantium Stellarum, quae ſunt in praecipuis locis, & earum commixtione inter ſeſe, & cum iis locis in quibus eſſe conſpiciuntur. We ought (ſaith he) to take ſignification of the Eclipſe, from thoſe Stars that are moſt powerfull in the chiefeſt places of heaven, and their commixtion one with another, together in thoſe places in which they are poſited.

But ſith Ptolomey delivers us a kinde of Method, we ſhall willingly follow it, in manifeſtation of the Effects now ſubſequent.

Wherein we firſt conſider,

The Kingdoms, Cities, or Common-wealths of Europe likely to ſuffer; as alſo, what manner of men be moſt probably to ſmart by the Effects.

In our Figure, becauſe the Eclipſe is in a fiery Signe, the fiery Triplicity is paſſive, viz. Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.

In defectibus Solis & Lunae maximè inſignibus, conſiderabimus locum Zodiaci, in quo fuit luminum defectus, & ei loco juxta Trigonorum diſtributionem familiares, & quae Ʋrbes propter Horoſcopum in exſtructione, aut propter locum quem eo tempore tenuerunt, aut propter medium-Coeli in Nativitatibus Principum earum regionum familiaritatem habent cum loco defectus: Ptol. lib. 2. cap. 5. In Eclipſes of the Sun and Moon, we conſider the place of the Zodiak, and thoſe Regions familiar to that place, according to the diſtribution of Triplicities, and what Cities at their Foundation had their Horoſcope either the place of the Signe eclipſed, or wherein either of the Lights at that time were in the degree defective: and we alſo conſider if the medium-Coeli of the Princes Nativity then governing, be the Signe and Degree of the Eclipſe.

Of all which, we ſhall make good uſe in its proper time.

We muſt alſo conſider thoſe Countreys which are under, or properly belong to the ſecond Quadrangle; viz. Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius; ſo that upon the matter, any Prince or great perſon that hath his Aſcendant, Mid-heaven, or place of the Sun or Moon in or about the 26, 27, 28, or 29 of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius, is made capable of receiving good or ill by this preſent Eclipſe.

Germany, France, England, Denmark, Italy, Turkie, Bohemia, Spain, Hungaria, Moravia, ſtand all ſubject to the frown of this Eclipſe.

Part of Swedland, Polonia, Ruſſia, Valachia, Weſtphalia, Bavaria, to all theſe Kingdoms and Countreys the Eclipſe will be viſible, and theſe Countreys Aſcendants having affinity either in Triplicity, or being of the ſecond Quadrangle, muſt participate of the actions, more or leſſe, which may be expected from this Eclipſe.

As to men, the fiery Trygon repreſents men of great Quality, of higheſt Command. Remember, you great ones, that in January laſt, the ſame Decanate of Leo, or the ten laſt degrees of this preſent Signe of Leo was afflicted, and now the ſame face of the Signe again the ſecond time, all in one yeer. Sed quae non proſunt ſingula, multa juvant. Its not true in Eclipſes, as in other things, The more, the merrier: The fewer Eclipſes, the leaſt hurt. More fully of this in the ſequele.

The ſecond thing conſiderable, is, De genere Effectum: viz. Of the kindes of the Effects.

IN what manner and kinde the Effects of the Eclipſe ſhall manifeſt themſelves, we cannot diſcern, unleſſe we know what Planet principally rules the place defective. Nam qui Planeta pluribus modis congruit, ad utrumque locum defectus, & ad cardinem qui ſequitur hic Solus dominabitur; Ptol. cap. 7. lib. 2. What Planet hath moſt Dignities in the place of both the Lights (this is when there's an Eclipſe of the Moon) and the Angle ſubſequent, he onely ſhall rule the Effects, or demonſtrate the quality of them; as, whether War, Famine, Plague, &c.

In our Scheam, Mars rules, without any contradiction, both the defective place, and the Angle following: he is neer ſome fixed Stars of his own nature, and is in a ſemi-Sextill, if that Aſpect be conſiderable to the place afflicted, by which he is the more fortified, and made more ſignificant in the Effects.

Although the Sun and Moon are powerfull in this Poſition, yet (conſideratis conſiderandis) they are at no time admitted to ſignifie the quality of the Effects. Nam Sol & Luna aliarum Stellarum ſunt & praecipuae cauſae eventuum, & Regunt Stellarum dominia & dominantium vires aut confirmant aut languefaciunt: Ptol. lib. 2. cap. 8. The Sun and Moon are Governours of other Stars, and are principall cauſes of the Effects, and ſway the rule of the Stars, and either ſtrengthen or weaken their forces.

I may well ſay▪ Mars is in Libra; however, he is in a humane Signe, if he be in Virgo.

Figurae adſpiciantur in quibus ſit defectus, & in quibus ſunt Stellae dominantes, unde genus eventuum judicari poterit: Ptol. lib. 2. cap. 7. Conſider the form of the Signe in which the Eclipſe is, and wherein eſpecially the Planets having any predominancy are, and by that you may judge of the kindes of the effects.

The Signe wherein the Eclipſe falls, is Leo, a ferall Signe. Damnum ex domeſticis & manſuetis domeſticis, & ad utilitates vitae accommodatis, viz. ex bobus, equis & aliis. Men ſhall receive damage by loſſe of their domeſtick tame beaſts, viz. Horſe, Ox, Sheep: ſo that I perceive here's like to be great ſcarcity of theſe creatures, after which, expect a direfull Famine.

Firma ſive fixa ſigna ſignificant fundamenta & aedificia. Fixed ſignes intimate, the Judgement of this Eclipſe will in part fall upon things long ſince founded, and upon Buildings▪ Houſes, Towers, Caſtles, Forts; the ſubverſion of many ancient Seats, erecting many new Fortifications, &c.

As to men, the Defect is in the Mid-heaven, the Effects portend matter to Kingdoms, Kings, to men of middle-age, to all manner of men in Authority whatſoever: Ptol. cap. 7. lib. 2.

Indeed the Houſe of heaven is extremely conſiderable; for it falling in the tenth, the Effects ſhall be glorious, famous, eminent, of mighty concernment, publiſhed all over the world.

Mars either in Libra or Virgo, muſt have judgement in this nature: Quae habent figuram humanam, ſignificant eventus fore hominibus. The over-ruling Planets being in Humane Signes, Man and Makinde are concerned: All which ſhall be explicated by and by.

The third thing conſiderable, is, Whether the Events of this Eclipſe ſhall intend good or ill.

COnſideratio vero Stellarum quae praecipuum jus in commixtione habent, indicat eventuum qualitatem: Which in effect tells you what I formerly repeated, viz. That thoſe Planets which in their mixture one with another have moſt Dignities, do ſhew the quality of the Events.

It might be eaſily judged, that, ſith Mars rules the Aſcendant and place eclipſed, and is entring Libra his Detriment, and is naturally an enemy to all good, and to man, that we muſt expect but ſad Times, and, in plain terms, that we muſt look for a wofull deſolation and deſtruction of man: for the Aſcendant ſignifieth in generall, Mankinde, or Commonalty of every Nation. So then, according to the Ptolomeian Doctrine, without any Comment, evil is to be looked for from the Effects of this Eclipſe.

How to apply all preceding to the preſent Purpoſe, is now my Task.

NEc in mixtionibus tantum errantium congreſſus intelligo, ſed aliarum, quoque ſimiles naturas ſive fixarum, ſive locorum ſigniferi, vel familiaritates cum errantibus ſupra indicatae ſunt.

Nor do I (ſaith Ptolomey) in the mixture of the Planets onely conſider their Conjunctions or ſole Aſpects, of what nature ſoever they be; but alſo the nature as well of the fixed Stars, as places of heaven, if they conſent with the nature and quality of the Planets.

Si Planeta vincens ſuper Eclipſin ſit maleficus, ſignificat malum & detrimentum. An evil Planet ruling the Eclipſe, he portends evil, &c. This is alſo the Opinion of Junctine.

When I ſee Aquarius deſcending in the fourth, and the Dragons tail ſo neer the Cuſp of the Houſe, and Saturn Retrograde in the ſeventh, a fixed Signe; What aſſurance have I that the moſt ſtately Buildings of this Kingdom ſhall eſcape ruine, or moſt ancient Cities and Towns deſolation? I cannot ſhorten thoſe Miſeries I ſee depending on this Influence, or convert the Signes fixed into moveable: for the Evils portended, are to be maliciouſly permanent.

A crooked and perverſe Generation of men, hath cunningly enſnared all or moſt part of Europe, in theſe prepoſterous Wars now on foot. Lord God of heaven, direct the heart of ſome wiſe man to ſalve theſe grievous Maladies.

We have already handled the Effects which may attend that unuſuall Apparition of the three Suns; and now, leaving our former Method, undertook onely to benefit ſuch as are not converſant in Judgement of Eclipſes; we come more neerer to what we firſt intended.

THe Effects of this Eclipſe ſhall not determine untill December, 1647; untill which time, we ſhall have eight Eclipſes, but hardly any, but one, viſible in England or Europe. There doth alſo in this interval of time happen about fifty Conjunctions of the Planets amongſt themſelves, which are materially conſiderable, and ought to be made uſe of: And herein I mention no Lunations, &c.

Scito, quod in Eclipſi Solis non poteſt fieri, quin ſignificetur magnum aliquod accidens ſecundum quantitatem Eclipſis: Junctinus in Speculo, fol. 310. Whoſoever thou art that readeſt theſe lines, I would have thee know, That no Eclipſe of the Sun can be, but ſome grand matter is ſignified thereby, according to the quantity or greatneſſe of the Eclipſe. And if you will know more particularly, or ſomething more neer the matter, Junctine tells us, Eclipſes Luminarium in Triplicitate ignea, denuntiant armentorum, pecudumque interritus, magni Regis ſeu Principis exilium, carceres, aut internecionem. An Eclipſe of the Lights in the fiery Triplicity, doth ſignifie and declare the deſtruction of whole Herds of Cattel, and their death: as alſo, ſome famous King or Prince his Exile or Baniſhment, his reſtraint of liberty, or Captivity, whether you will; as alſo, his Slaughter.

The Signe wherein this Eclipſe is, all men know, is of the forementioned Triplicity: its warning enough to be thus plainly dealt withall. What Junctine ſaith of Kings, I ſay of Nobles, great Peers, Knights, &c. Inter plebeios & potentiores odia, mutuas ſimultates, diſſidia, magni excercitus motum, Bella horrida, hominum ſtrages, incendia, furta, rapinas & depopulationes. The Eclipſe denounceth rancour and malice betwixt the vulgar perſon, or Commonalty and great perſons, pretty diſſembling with each other, diſagreements in Opinion, the motion of ſome great Army, horrible Wars, multitudes of men ſlain, many curious Buildings burned to the ground, much Theevery, pillaging and plundering, many Towns, Villages and Countreys depopulated, or left naked of Inhabitants.

Shall our troubles be ſo great, we ſhall expect all thoſe forenamed Miſeries? I pray God divert his Judgements, and make us penitent, ere thoſe threatned Miſchiefs light on our heads.

Again, Praegnantium abortivos, acutas febres, epidemiam ob aëris uredinem & caumata, frugum ſterilitatem, & annonae penuriam, in Regionibus praecipuè quae Eclipſis Signo ſubjiciuntur, excellentem mutationem. Women ſhall miſcarry, men ſhall have ſharp Feavers, in univerſall Plague and Peſtilence cauſed by heats and blaſtings of the air, great ſcarcity of fruits, want of Proviſion for man, as Victuals, Corn, Proviſion, &c. Theſe things are more vigorouſly to operate to thoſe Kingdoms ſubject to the Signe of Leo, then to Aries and Sagittarius. Some famous Alteration.

It may be feared, that of Cardan will prove too true: Eclipſium Solis effectus potentes ſunt, unde ſi in florentem meſſem inciderint, ſterilitatem afferunt: Cardanus Seg. 2. Apho. 16. The operations of a Solar Eclipſe are powerfull; which if they fall to be in the beginning of a flouriſhing Harveſt, they ſhew a Barrenneſſe to follow.

Our Eclipſe at this time is in Auguſt, when we in the South of England, and generally over all the Kingdom, are buſie in getting it in. I pray God make our Harveſt fruitfull, and bleſſe the Husbandman with a plentifull Crop, and a peaceable enjoying what he hath taken ſore pains for. We may fear ſome Diſaſter amongſt us at that time, and my Judgement may prove more reall then I wiſh.

But the decay of Tillage and Husbandry is the leaſt thing (though very conſiderable) which is intended by the Eclipſe: we muſt elevate our Conceptions; men of an higher ſtrain and condition are aimed at. Doth the Eagle catch at Flyes? Shall an Eclipſe in a Fiery Signe, and a Kingly Houſe, principally intend the vulgar man, or private Countrey-Gentleman? No: Arma, Bella horrida, Virumque cano, &c. In truth, there's War, Famine, a grievous devouring and deſtructive Vengeance to be poured down upon ſome unthankfull Families of Europe, of which, without doubt, ſome live in our own Countrey of England, ſome in Scotland, many in Ireland: Upon what Houſe, Man, or Family in particular, there I muſt be ſilent.

The Star in Caſſiopeia, 1572, thoſe many apparitions of Comets ſince, thoſe unaccuſtomed Sights in the Air, greater and leſſer Conjunctions of the Planets in the Fiery Trygon, multitude of Eclipſes both Solar and Lunar, are the ſad Meſſengers of the downfall of one, nay I ſay of many egregiosu Families of Europe.

Yet if my ſearch into the moſt ſecret Cabinet of Aſtrologie doth not delude my impartiall Judgement, my more ſerious Conceptions tell me, There's a Man or a Family in Europe, is not far from attaining an exceſſe in Dominion and Soveraignty. The time of this Mans growth, or Families[•], to ſuch an height, draws on and neer; the time is not menſurable in days, or moneths, nor in Centuries of yeers; the unnaturall War of every Countrey, helps forward and prepares the matter, whiles the good man (if he be born) ſleeps quietly, untill that Angel appointed for his Guardian, excite him in a moment to rouze up his meditating thoughts, and to convert Conſultation into Action.

As the State of France now ſtands, or Spain, or Italy, How incredible and improbable a thing do I ſpeak of, or ſhould do, if I ſhould deliver, That a man not yet in Action, ſhould turn the fate of thoſe Kingdoms in a moment, and, like the Son of Thunder, in leſſe weeks or moneths, not many yeers, in leſſe then man can imagine, ſettle thoſe vaſt Kingdoms as himſelf beſt likes, and then diſpoſe of other Kingdoms then in Diſtraction by Miſſives rather then the Sword, &c.

But I forget my ſelf, I ſee Saturn Lord of the third and fourth Houſe, Retrograde in the ſeventh. Saturnus praeeſt plebi, ſenſibus, infirmis, ob hoc cum vitae inimicus ſit facile tales omnés pereunt aggregatim. Saturn hath command, and repreſents old men, every common Clown or vulgar man, and every ſick man, becauſe he is enemy to Nature. Now ſuch manner of men ſhall die and periſh in whole companies or ſwarms.

Wo to the man that digs the ground, and thinks to enrich himſelf by turning up fat furrows, or in expectation of thriving Crops.

Wo to that aged man that wants ſtrength to manage his feeble body in a time of ſo much ſorrow as the Eclipſe ſaith is approaching.

When the daring or cruell Enemy comes neer us, what ſhall the infirm man do? neither able to move or be moved: Periſh he muſt, flee he cannot; there's no way aſſigned but death, yea, although he was the ſon of a father moſt eminent.

But again to the purpoſe. Si in Revolvendo anno, Regni Stella in ſigno depreſſionis inventa fuerit, magnus aliquis vir ex ſtellae ipſius natura morietur: Ptol. Apho. 31. In handling the Judgement or Revolution of a yeer, if a Planet that is uſually taken for Lord of that Kingdom be in his depreſſion, viz. either in his detriment or fall, ſome great perſon of the nature of that Planet will die that yeer.

This is like to be fatall to the Kingdom of England; for in Figura mundi, Saturn was in his fall.

In this preſent Eclipſe, Mars, that hath ſole dominion in the Aſcendant and place eclipſed, is in his detriment.

It cannot be the death of any vulgar or ordinary man, that is hereby intended to be ſent to another world.

Mars repreſents great perſons, principall Commanders in our Armies as well as in his Majeſties. Truely I fear an eminet Commander.

Cavete viri, qui ſunt tanquam Princes.

You that are in eſteem like Princes, and domineer like little Kings, beware every one of you, in every County and City; you are ſaid to be gods, you ſhall die like other men, &c. diſgraced, odious, &c.

Its not one onely man that is intended by the heavens to be the mock of Fortune, and ſcorn of Mankinde; there's a ſignification of many, that are to undergo a very hard and unpleaſant Doom, ere the Influence of this Eclipſe ſhall have period, or the Porrent of the three Suns be fully determined.

Obſecro, mi Domine mitt[•], qu[•]m miſſurus es.

I may be derided for predicting ſo much: but I rather laugh at their folly, that, having been oft premoniſhed, amend not their lives, and endeavour Compoſition of theſe unhappie Diſſentions now too prevalent all over Chriſtendom.

What great one ſoever thou art of England, or of any Nation of Europe, that haſt the 28 or 27 of Leo aſcending at thy birth, or the ſame degree of Taurus, Scorpio or Aquarius, to thee I ſay, Thou art in great danger of death, or mighty diſturbance in thy health, ere this Revolution of almoſt two yeers be compleated. I am not idle, but thou art mad, and out of thy wits, if thou doeſt not beware in time.

Let us admit thou haſt the ſame degree culminating, look to thine Honour, Crown and Dignity, if thou art a King, thou ſhalt aſſuredly receive blemiſh in thy fame and eſtimation, nor ſhalt thou eſcape without hazarding thy Crown, or moſt fearfull ſcandals on thy Reputation.

Haſt thou the ſame degrees aſcending on the Cuſp of the ſeventh? Art thou a King? thou ſhalt have War unlook'd for, enemies without number, domeſtick and forreign, ſhall invade thee; look to be plunged to purpoſe, and to ſuffer diſcontent without period: thoſe as dear unto thee as thy wife in thy boſom, ſhall betray thee by indirect counſels.

Haſt thou the ſaid degree upon the Cuſp of the fourth houſe? Art thou Emperour of Conſtantinople? Thy father left thee more Kingdoms then thou ſhalt leave thy ſon: Loſe part of thy Dominions, I deſire thee; the Fates will have it ſo. Art thou of the Noble Auſtrian Family? or art thou King of England, France, Spain, or Denmark? Be all or any of you aſſured to have a ſhare in theſe Calamities: a part or parcell, an arm or a branch of your Kingdoms will be lopt off from you.

Is there any man hath the Sun or the Moon in the 28 degree of Leo or Aquarius at the time of his birth? let him ponder theſe words of Ptolomey, lib. 2. cap. 8. Sed periculoſum in primis & inevitabile eſt, ſi ipſae Eclipticorum locorum partes aut oppoſitae, coinciderint cum gradibus alter utrius Luminum, quos geniturae tempore poſſederunt. The ſenſe of which words run thus; That if an Eclipſe happen in that Eclipticall degree in which at the time of birth either of the Lights, viz. Sun or Moon, were, its an argument (ſaith he) of ſome danger at hand hardly to be avoided.

We cannot forget that fearfull loſſe his Majeſtie of Spain ſuffered not long after the Eclipfe of the Sun in Geminis, 1639. Truely I fear that ſame potent Prince muſt have another ſuch like Bruſh; for the three Suns doth in a manner deliver ſo much: and look carefully what Nation or Prince ſuffered upon the Influence of that Eclipſe, ſhall again by theſe three Suns apparition, in a more then miraculous way, if it be poſſible, be loaded with misfortune.

Prodigies in heaven, of heaven, and from heaven, appear not in vain: Eclipſes do ever foreſhew ſome notorious and eminent matter neer hand, yea, in a moſt peaceable ſeaſon.

The Courts of all Princes ſhall be ſtricken dead with fear, horrour and amazement; Privie Counſellours ſhall be trampled down like dirt under our feet.

In the Eaſt, from the Eaſt, or ſomewhat South-eaſt, ſhall the beginnings of ſome miraculous Accidents have ſome firſt life, motion and beginning. But this is quite out of the Text.

If, as the wiſeſt men conceive, the Sun and Moon do govern our body and ſpirit, and ſo moderate the Elements, that all men, even every vulgar perſon underſtands it; what ſhall we then think to be more admired or formidable, then when we, upon a ſudden, ſee theſe moſt glorious Bodies obſcured, and their light taken from our preſent ſight? We may from thence imagine, Somewhat more then ordinary is drawing on.

It was therefore well and rightly ſaid of Ptolomey: Cardinales Eclipſes ſunt pollentiores, ac vehementius afficiunt, quipp[•] quum cardines ſint mundi prima loca in quibus cum Planetae collocati, cum Majeſtate praeſideant. Eclipſes that are in Angles are more prevalent, and more fiercely afflict; for Angles are the chiefeſt places of the Figure, wherein when Planets are poſited, they rule as it were with Majeſtie.

Our Eclipſe begins in the tenth, its middle and end is there alſo. How wonderfull and eminent Deſignes, Changes of Fortunes in the ſtates of great perſons is hereby to be expected, and theſe all over Europe, doubtleſſe ſuch things ſhall hereby come to paſſe, as this Generation now living hath ſcarce been acquainted with the like.

Here's mad work in hand: Kings and Lords clouded; Clowns and ſilly fellows climbing aloft: The world is almoſt turning Topſie-turvey.

What is the matter, that a ſudden Affright ſhall amaze the Italian Princes? They that er[•]-w[•]ile thought of no ſuch thing, ſhall now tremble for fear: So ſhall Pamphilio the Pope fume to no purpoſe, and be in as much danger by a Conſpiracy at home, as if he were a road, [•]nd amidſt a rude ſort of enemies. But whether this Eclipſe ſhall point out his death within the compaſſe of two yeers, it little concerns me; nor if he be preſented with a Spaniſh Fig, and die thereof, ſhall my conſcience be any thing troubled.

I finde, upon the laſt Reſtauration of Rome, 1506, that both Mars, Saturn, and the Dragons tail, were in Leone, in the ſecond Houſe. We have, in the moneth of Auguſt, a totall Eclipſe of the Moon, though not viſible in Europe, in the 15 of Aquarius. I admoniſh the Prelaticall Tribe of Cardinals to provide good ſtore of Money, and the Citizens of Rome to be no niggards of their purſes: A Famine is threatned to them, and ſome parts of It[•]ly; and a ſudden fire is like to deſcend, to the conſuming of many ſtately houſes: Neither do I poſitively affirm, that a ſtrong Intruder ſhall waſte part of Italy, or ſupplant ſome very good Families therein. I ſee plenty of Conſults amongſt the Princes, fruitleſſe Embaſſages, variance upon Niceties, even to wearineſſe, a giddineſſe amongſt wiſe people. Worthy men, you have moſt admirable men amongſt you, that yet keep a Traditionall learning amongſt you, as ancient as Hermes, whereby you may be better provided, Quid agendum. I love Italy, and am no Mahometan.

But I paſſe by Italy, ſith her Princes in a moment may confer with men as deſerving as any in Europe.

Conſtantinople is like to grone under the Preſſures of ſome mercileſſe fires, and extravagant commanding Souldiers: A Plague will wander thorow that ſpacious City, to the conſumption of ſome ſcores of thouſands.

Nor is any great ſucceſſe to attend the Emperours of Greece, whom we call The great Turk: An inferiour People ſhall give him a Baffle, and he contented with a Flea in his ear.

If thou art Engliſh, and diſaffected to our preſent Parliament and City of London, thou expecteſt I ſhould ſpeak ſomewhat of this famous Citie, ſo terrible to our now-miſchievous enemies. The exact Scheam thereof thou getteſt not from me, no not with large promiſe of money or reward: for, have not I read ſome Treatiſes called T & Z?

Countrey-men, I tell you, Gemini is in the eighth Houſe of this Eclipticall Figure; but Mercury, that is Lord thereof, is in Virgo, his own houſe, angular, and departing from the Sunbeams. Wilt thou have me ſpeak plain Engliſh? This very Citie muſt ſuffer a ſhare in the effects of this Eclipſe, it were a wonder elſe, the times conſidered: I fear not the Plague very much; I rather fear hurt unto us by Pyracy, loſſe of Ships, and the death of many poor Creditors abroad, and from thence a generall Damage to the Citizens.

Indeed, courteous George Naworth, I would not reſide in London, were I as doubtfull of its ſafety, as I am confident of ſome Calamity to Oxford. Our Citie muſt ſtand yet, to day, and to morrow, this moneth and one more, this yeer and the next, and 52 beſides. He that underſtands this Riddle, ſhall know more then a little: he that takes it to the letter, miſtakes my meaning: he that would know the truth, viz. when, and how long, he muſt firſt know the Aſtrologicall way of numbers, and what doth mean 1732, then he may give a moderate ſenſe, and yet come ſhort of the Authors meaning, and of truth it ſelf; yet ſhall he come to a knowledge not deſpicable, nor repent that he ſpent ſome time in the diſquiſition hereof.

Magnorum facias Principum ſignificatorem Solem, vel aliquem de ſuperioribus: Herm. Apho. 7. Make the Sun, or ſome of the Superiours, ſignificator of great Princes. It is ſo; the heavens doubly and trebly give that warning which I have ſet down unto Kings, Princes, &c.

But why, or wherefore, will ſome buſie-body ſay? I anſwer with Hermes, In Revolutione annorum mundi multae difficultates erunt & praelia, cum in exaltationibus fuerint Jupiter & Saturnus. In the Revolution of one of the yeers of the world, you ſhall judge many difficulties and Battels, when Saturn or Jupiter are in their Exaltations. If this hold true in a Figure of the Suns entrance into Aries, much more in an eminent Eclipſe. We have onely Jupiter of thoſe two Planets exalted in our Scheam, he doth by his now-poſition ſignifie unto us things concerning Religion, Laws, Leagues, Covenants, all manner of Aſſociation, either of one Prince with another, or man with man generally: as here poſited, now he prenotes high points to be in handling, in things Divine. Jove is but entring his exaltation: Shall a people begin, with great ardour and vigour, to contrive new Tenents in Religion, and not live to ſee them confirmed?

Is there no ſtability in this world? One Sect to day, another to morrow. Shall leſſe then a Sabbath of yeers blot almoſt out of remembrance many fruitleſſe Niceties in Doctrine? Why the Clergie of Europe, in a time ſo troubleſome, ſhould invent ſo many new Opinions, to be permanent ſo little a while, I know not.

What ſhall we do? or whither do we arrive with theſe generall Diſputes? I ſee Jupiter direct at the time of the Eclipſe, but Retrograde two moneths after. We have a Proverb in Engliſh doth well expreſſe that ſenſe, viz. He was turned out of his place, before he was warm in his Gears: The aſſured ſenſe hereof is this, That when the world thinks Religion ſetled, its then furtheſt off from a ſollid confirmation. One Generation comes, and another paſſeth away; the later uſually corrects and refines the former: So will it be, even till man, as well as Religion, in this world have no more being.

In perſon I am not more remote from Ʋtopia, then my judgement from finding the year of the world when unity in Doctrinall or Ceremoniall points ſhall be.

Conjunctiones totius anni Oppoſitioneſque & Quadraturas neceſſe est ut conſideres, per has cauſantur diverſaetranſmutationes temporum. Conſider the ſeverall Conjunctions, Oppoſitions, Quadratures of the whole yeer, for divers and ſundry tranſmutations of the yeer are cauſed from thence, &c. Wherefore, finding a dangerous Oppoſition of Saturn and Mars, Saturn in 2 deg. 19 min. Taurus, and Mars in 2 deg. 19 min. Scorpio, the later end of September; I was doubtfull what it might in generall ſignifie, ſith the Aſpect happens ſo neer the Cuſps of the Eaſt angle and ſeventh houſe, in the Figure of the Eclipſe: For, Oppoſitiones infortunarum in diverſis latitudinibus terribilem habebunt effectum, demonſtrabunt, inducentque effectus velociter interficientes & auferentes vitam. An Oppoſition of the two Infortunes, having divers Latitudes, (as now they have) hath moſt terrible effects, they will demonſtrate and induce their effects furiouſly, and ſuch as ſhall kill and take away the life of man: But upon which ſide, or on what party theſe foreſeen ſlaughters ſhall fall, you muſt give me leave to expatiate my ſelf, and ſo I will.

Nor let that vain and enforced Opinion, without ſenſe, honeſty, or art, in that purblinde-Prognoſtication (printed at Oxford by his Majeſties Command) any thing move thoſe that ſtand well-affected to the Parliament, upon this direfull forenamed Oppoſition. The words of that wrangling fellow called Naworth, or Wharton, or a man of a double name, in the Prognoſtication of September, are theſe: At Michaelmas there's an hatefull Oppoſition of Saturn and Mars: ſomething of great conſequence will be done about that time, prejudicious to the Rebels. The Parliament, Citizens of London, and all thoſe naturall Engliſh that adhere unto them, are called Rebels by that ungodly Tribe of ſcornfull Monſters at Oxford, and this ſcurrilous Language printed by command. Vix credo.

But why this Oppoſition ſhould prejudice the Parliament, I ſee not: It promiſeth them ſuch a Victory over their enemies, as they yet never had. And I will refer the reaſon of the Judgement to any moderate Artiſt. In this Eclipſe, Mars is Lord of the Aſcendant, and ſo hath ſignification of our Parliaments affairs; Saturn therein is their enemy, becauſe placed in the ſeventh houſe: Now when Mars in his own houſe comes to Oppoſition of Saturn, having no Fortitudes, if we knock not our our enemies ſoundly, I ſay then God is angry with us. It points out ſomething elſe, &c.

But let this man of errour conſider the Figure of the Suns entrance into Libra, the 12 of September next, and he ſhall finde, to his grief, the Dragons tail in the tenth houſe, and Saturn Lord of the tenth, in the twelfth, Retrograde: let him boaſt, if he can, of that poſition, and ſee if ſuch a glorious Conqueſt be thereby ſignified to chance to the Kingdoms Vipers, as he Trayterouſly propheſieth. Nothing troubles me more, then in unfolding the truth I muſt inſtruct this Changling, that pretends himſelf a Regall Prog-man (for Aſtrologer he is none.) But to ſave me a labour, I finde in the Judgement of my loving friend Maſter Booker upon the Autumnall Quarter, theſe words, which clearly end the Controverſie, out of ſuch Authors as the Highway-finder G. W. ſometimes to little purpoſe doth mention.

There can be nothing worſe (ſaith Maſter Booker) then the Dragons tail in the tenth: for Guido, fol. 595, ſaith, Significat impedimentum Regum atque Nobilium, & Magnatum, & diminutionem honoris eorum ſeu dignitatum. Kings, Nobles, and great perſons, ſhall have many impediments, and their honour and dignity blaſted. The loſſe of Honour is a ſignall of Victory, in Naworths opinion. Albumazar dixit, ſignificat depoſitionem, & pericula, & peregrinationem ſeu caſum. Albumazar ſaith, When the Dragons tail is in the tenth, it ſignifieth the depoſing, danger, or oft running up and down, or ſome Fall, to chance to Kings, Princes, great Nobles, &c. Some might have Engliſhed the Latine, and it would bear the ſenſe well, as if ſuch perſons-ſhould be enforced to flee away, &c.

O what cauſe of inſulting here is on Naworths ſide! when its almoſt conſpicuous, in that Naturall way we both judge by, George his beſt friends muſt be utterly routed, trudge & run away with ſuch trinkets as they can get; and amongſt the reſt, I know George himſelf, Budget, Almanack, ſome ſay a Gown, I hear of no Cloke, will not be the laſt man that runs, for fear of being taken priſoner, and delivered over to Maſter Booker, with whom I promiſe to intercede for good Quarter, becauſe George pretends to the Mathematicks.

But letting this Quibling Novice alone till he is better literated, I ſhall do well to inform the world what the greateſt Actions of this Eclipſe may be.

In a word, they are like to be of divers kindes; but thoſe of moſt eminency ſignified by Mars, who tells you of moſt unnaturall Wars, of unuſuall Treachery in the Courts of Princes; he tells you a Famine ſhall follow the effects of the Eclipſe; he tells you of the loſſe and drowning of men in Ships, Pyracies, Shipwracks, whole Cities, Countreys, Towns, waſted, conſumed, depopulated, burned down to aſhes, ſhot down to the ground, and made Rubbiſh of; fearfull and horrible Inſurrections, Diſcontents, of Rapine, Murder, Thefts, Plunder, Pillaging, death of ſeverall young Nobles and Princes, or men of Princely Progenie: he threatens Poiſon to great ones, unuſuall Feavers, multiplicity of Sea-fights, infinite Loſſes at Sea, multitudes of Pyrats, a Plague amongſt men, Murrain amongſt Cattel, Mutinies of ſervants againſt Maſters, deſtruction of Sheep and little Cattel, &c.

Kings ſhall hazard their Scepters by Wars, Subjects their Liberties, Cities and Towns their Priviledges: He threatens a generall confuſion and madneſſe upon the face of the earth; and that Europe is totally out of the right way; that the Emperour of Germany, the later end of this yeer, will run a great hazard with the Swedes; that France is not many yeers to continue in that Peace the Cardinall left it; and that the Spaniard ſhall have one luſtie day over the French.

If we credit the principall Signification of the Eclipſe, with its Appurtenances, Conſequences, Configuration by it ſelf, and compared with preceding Conjunctions of the ſuperiour Planets, and with ſubſequent Aſpects for ſome yeers ſucceding, it doth whiſper as if ſome Deſigne were in hand, or minting, to make 0000 Maſter of Europe, and poſſeſſed of more ground then his Anceſtors left him or them.

We ſee Jupiter in Cancer: Here's like to be tugging to ſettle ſome ſcrupulous Tenents, be they right or wrong, its no matter, ſay ſome. Zizania cum tritico uſque ad diem meſſis creſcunt. Tares grow up with the wheat till Harveſt, but then, &c. I will pray for Peace, though, being a great ſinner, I deſpair of obtaining it.

This Eclipſe is the Forerunner or Meſſenger of the death of ſome of the moſt eminent perſons of Europe: As the Eclipſe falls out in the later degrees of a Signe, it prenotes the death of ſome aged perſon, and he a King, or not much leſſe.

Eastward ho!

Ego duorum Principum vel magnatum genituras novi, quibus haec Eclipſis exitium aut graves aliquas calamitates aut difficultates denuntiat, nomina eorum tuto nominari non poſſunt. I know the Nativities of two Princes or great perſons, to whom this Eclipſe portends either Deſtruction, or many fearfull Calamities: Their names I hold fit to be concealed, &c. O tis like to be a ſickly time with ſome, a bloody and treacherous one with others.

The Eclipſe in a Kingly Signe and houſe, and accompanied with a Kingly fixed Star: It muſt, according to the courſe of Nature, be the Forerunner of ſome more then uſuall accident to Emperours, Kings, Queens, Princes, and the chiefeſt Potentates of Europe. Non enim Sol in Leone aliis rebus prae eſt niſi ſublimibus & altis, item Regibus, Princibus, Generoſis viris, & qui ad Gubernacula Reipublicae ſedent. The Sun in Leo, ſignifieth nothing but what is of an high nature, and Kings, Princes, Gentlemen, and ſuch as ſit and govern the Common-wealth.

Here's many old Laws and Cuſtoms to be abrogated; here's many ancient Families to be deprived of their Inheritances; here's erection of new Cuſtoms, Laws, perhaps a new Government: here's Nation againſt Nation, as much Plundering at Sea as at Land: here's one would riſe to be greater then his forefathers; Ambition deludes him, and Death deprives him of all Monarchicall intents: Exit.

Here's a woman as like a Queen as can be, or of the Stock of Princes, probably like to ſuffer either death, or diſgrace as terrible as death, ere the determination of the Effects of this Eclipſe, and 1647: during which time, Ʋbi res ad Pacem inclinare videbitur, illico novis occaſionibus, intollerantia puta, cupiditate vindictae, ambitione, avaritia, callidis conſiliis, Bella & odia recrudeſcent, quae multis exitio erunt, multos etiam fortunis omnibus ſpoliatos extorres agent. When the difference is like to come to a Peace, by and by, what with new occaſions, impatience, covetouſneſſe, deſire of revenge, ambition, crafty Counſels, War and malice, ſhall wax worſe and worſe, even to the deſtruction of many people: many alſo ſhall live like baniſhed men deprived of all Fortune and Means to relieve themſelves.

The God of all Glory and Power, who hath created us, and given us now more War then we expected, He of his goodneſſe ſend us Peace. (I hope this is no ill Wiſh) Amen.

FINIS.

POSTSCRIPT. Since the Impreſsion of the Starry Meſſenger, and before its Publiſhing, I received an Oxford Pamphlet, to which I returne this Anſwer, and ſo ſend them both into the world together.

An Examination of an Astrologicall Judgement upon His Majeſties preſent Martch, begun from Oxford, 7. May. 1645. Set forth purpoſely by G. WHARTON to advance their declining condition, to impedite the Parliaments, and diſhearten the City and Citizens of LONDON.

WHile we divide, the enemy unites; our factions proove their victories, Wharton in behalfe of our Enemies appears publikely, nay requeſted by perſonages of Honour (per fas aut nefas) whether he lie or not, ſo it advance, its no matter: are any ſo indulgent on our ſide? &c.

I muſt begin with his Epiſtle, wherein the Author proſeſſes to deliver his Judgement in generall termes, and yet, forgetfull, being not (Mendax memor) a lyer of a good memory, he goes on in the whole diſcourſe, aſſigning and determining the ſucceſſe of His Majeſties martch and his Army in particular words and termes, as appears, Fol. 4. line 20. 21 Fol. 5. line 10. Fol. 6. line 10. In all which places he proclaimes victory, upon victory to His Majeſtie, and not ſo much as the loſſe of one lowſe on their own party.

In the next place he ſoberly dehorts Maſter Booker and my ſelfe from adhearing to the Parliament, and tells a tale of a tubb, as of Gauricus, a certaine Prieſt, &c. That medled with the particular deſtiny of Princes, and were therefore well rewarded, and ſo would he have Maſter Booker and mee, for publiſhing pernicious Pamphlets, as this man calls them.

Were I commanded, I would make it apparant, the Parliaments cauſe ſhall not want a Champion in Aſtrology to confute any thing in point of Art that can bee alleadged from the greateſt Clerks in Oxford.

God is on our ſide; the Conſtellations of Heaven after a while will totally appeare for the Parliament, and caſt terrour, horrour, amazement, and frights on all thoſe Dammee-Blades now in Armes againſt us, &c. But our Author in his Epiſtle goes on, and makes it evident, he hath read part of the laſt leafe in Cardan: whoſe words he recites, viz. Never tell 2 King of any danger neer unto him: then, its probable, we muſt ſay as Ahabs Prophets: Go to Ramoth Gilead and proſper: yes; ſo he did; for there the poor miſled King was ſlaine: I am Maſter Wharton ſo farre from your mind, that did I know any ſuddain danger neer to His Majeſtie. I would adventure to the hazard of my life through both Armies to give him warning, and ſo would maſter Booker.

Doe you Maſter Wharton read Cardan on the ſame ſide, and thereby rectifie your partiall Judgement. In praedicendo, amoveas timorem, odium & amorem: when you take upon you to praedict to a Prince (as you now in particuler do) neither ſpeak or write out of feare, hatred or love: and you might know what Ptolomey commands, viz: that in every Judgement we beware of flattery and hatred, for that renders the Art fallible and the Artiſt ſcandalous.

You are guilty in the breach of theſe Aphoriſmes, while you call our Parliament Rebels, and convert every Judgement to ſignifie victory to his Majeſty: and leave the end of His martch untoucht becauſe you love to ſpeak Placentia: for in truth the ſcheame it ſelf promiſes an unluckie end to your ſo fortunate and ſo much applauded martch. Doe but read Goclenius in diſcurſu pro Aſtrolo. Fol. 11[•] ▪ Scotie reges fere omnes: and a little further; Anglorum fere reges omnes; having peruſed thoſe words, deal plainly with the world, and thoſe Honourable perſonages at Oxford, which imploy you.

For his Majeſties Nativity, I thinke Maſter Booker and I have ſome other better imployments, we love not to take paines for ſo ſlight a reward as followes the handling the Geneſis of a Prince without His conſent: but get me publike licenſe, under His Majeſtie hand, and then George, have at any thing, elſe not.

His Majeſties Martch (as is ſuggeſted) began Wedneſday 7. May. 1645. 10. 32. A. M.

THe body of the diſcourſe intends two things principally; threatnings againſt the City of London, victories to His Maieſtie, or confuſion to His Enemies, &c.

Not to play the Critick with this Univerſity Freſhman, or Cavill at his ignorance in collecting the debilities of Venus which he makes more then they are by placing her, in Coniunction with Caput Algol, whoſe Longitude is 20. 54. Of Taurus, vide Orig. 175. Nor is Mercury debilitated by occidentallity: Orig. 540. Nor is Venus fortified by Orienlity, but debilitated: Honeſt George cannot yet get out of his Horn-book. I begin with his Aſtrologicall Judgement ſpued out againſt London, out of His▪ Maieſties Martching figure: Fol. 4. line 3. London is hereby forewarned of her miſery, and deſervedly hereby threatned.

Lilly. Well may George have a great Whetſton, he well deſerves it; out of his owne words its lawfull to beate him, and ſo I will.

That Gemini is the aſcendant of the City of London all Authors agree, and George acknowledged in his firſt Progg.

That Mercury is Lord of that ſigne, and ſimply moſt ſtrong in this preſent figure, its his owne words at this time.

Neither is the ſigne, or Lord thereof afflicted, but on the contrary the moſt Potent Planet in the figure, yea more dignifyed then Sol or Venus, he is in Conjunction with Jupiter, and in Trine with the Moone who tranſlats the Light and Virtue of Venus to Mercury: now according to George his owne words, Fol. 3. Theſe are undeniable teſtimonyes both of the ſafety and honour of this famous City and Citizens thereof, nor doth it in the leaſt particle point out by this his Majeſtyes martch any danger, loſſe, miſery, or accidents unto them; this Conſtellation foretells what fame and eſteeme the Citizens hereof ſhall attaine, by being the Kingdomes Bulwarke againſt Tyranny and Oppreſſion, by releeving the many thouſands plundred and pillaged by his Majeſtyes forces: and that this city ſhall get into their power one time or other all their enemies, perhaps in a very ſhort time, for we ſee Mercury diſpoſeth of Jupiter: I ſeriouſly avow upon my reputation to the whole Kingdome, this Judgement I give, is, and will prove true according to the Scheame of heaven Wharton hath ſet, &c. Who proſecutes his ſtory with many invectives alleadged without Art or Judgement, and laſt of all, invites me to the Combate, with theſe words, The Moone is in the 6, very ſick (Maſter Lilly) and neere the Dragons taylae, this will teach the Citizens their Allegiance.

An Vtopian judgement Maſter Wharton, that the afflicted moone in the ſixt ſhould teach us ſlavery: Our obedience we well know, we have performed our Allegiance, untill neceſſity inforced us for the Defence of the Parliament and our owne greivances to ſtand in Armes, and ingage our perſons for the Publique Good: but what is this to the thing in queſtion. Maſter Wharton ſee to it, there hath beene one Eclips in Leo, there will be another the eleventh of Auguſt, Remember George. The laſt Vomit againſt the city is an imprecation, that unleſſe they ſubmit to their Princes mercy, he like one of Baalls Preiſts falſely propheſieth ſuch things unto them as cannot be diverted. But in what Apocripha he learned this Aſtrology, it appeares not to mee; no not out of quarterly Ingreſſes, which are ſignifycantly all averſe to his Majeſty and that party.

Maſter Wharton, having left the City with a curſe, begins with full Sayles to tell us: All the good our hearts can wiſh for is promiſed by this Scheame; Stay falſe prophet, your hearts wiſh every day for the City of London, and can never have it; he goes on, and tells how his Majeſty ſhall purſue his enemies, beſiege Townes, Caſtles, Forts, Ruine us, have great ſucceſſe in all his Deſignes: Cum multis aljis, &c.

Lilly. This muſt needes be a happy election of time, or elſe George a ſtickling Prophet, for he pipes out nothing but victory for his Maieſty: Be it granted, that the ſtorming of Leiceiſter hath in part verefied ſome part of this prediction, (and a little treaſon beſides) yet I deny it was ſignifyed by this poſiture, or that the reſt of this mans words ſhall have like ſucceſſe: Nay, by poſition of Mars Lord of the fourth, in the twelfe, his Majeſty ſhall not keepe that Town very long, or any elſe that he may take in this Prophetiek martch, without infinite loſſe on his party: Venus in her houſe, doth aſſuredly tell us we ſhall keepe Eveſham taken by plaine valour, and were it not for that accurſed Cauda in Aquarius we ſhould ſeldome be looſers, but be gayners, but Diviſion and Treaſon have got an habit and live with us, and are your freinds, yea your onely freinds.

The figure doth at the begining promiſe ſucceſſe, but the end of this martch will be unlucky, and foreſhew ſome willfull obſtinate Commanders on his Maieſtyes ſide, will afford us an abſolute victory over you. George for pure love, I tell you, there is in the Army ſuch as the trayterous Butcher in Leiceſter. But upon examination, I finde that the Sunne whom George magnifyes ſo much is in ſquare to the Aſcendant, in Coniunction with the Virgilliae, twas no ſuch prime time, obſerve the end, waite a few monthes, and conſider if the Aſtrologer that elected this time for his Maieſty deſerves not more puniſhment then Maſter Booker or Lilly: Herein George I will make you Judge, an honour you were never troubled with, nor are capable now, but that the thing is eaſie. See Guido Fol. 480. Whoſe words are: When you will elect a fit time for a King, &c. Let not the Sunne or Moone be unfortunate or the Sun in a feminine ſigne▪ let him have dignity where he is, the Sun in this ſcheame is totally unfortunate, ſo is the Moon an ill Omen (George) to his Maieſty that he will hardly keepe any thing he gets; Oxford, being (Locus a quo) is like to be ſafe awhile and the Judgement therein good, but you expoſe his Maieſty to infinite danger. Againe, ſee in the ſame Folio theſe words; Conſider ſaith Guido, if in the ſame yeare there had beene or will be an Eclips, and in all elections avoide that ſigne, and let the two Lights be in Trine or Sextill, the more fortunate the Lights are, ſo much the better, and ſo the Contrary.

It is knowne there was a Lunar Eclips in January in Leone, the effects thereof began in Aprill, Continue till the end of June, &c. That very Degree wherein the Eclips was, have you elected to be the Aſcendant of his Maieſtie and his Armyes martch: In Auguſt there is a Solar Eclips, &c. In this figure the Moone applyes to a ſquare of the Sun in fixed ſignes: Beleeve mee, heare is no continuance of your ſucceſſes, not the taking of ſo many Towns, Forts, or Caſtles, or ſuch routing of our Armyes, as you Maſter VVhirton delude the world with. He was none of his Maieſtyes Freinds, that gave Direction for this martch; the ſequell will tell you ſo, ere you returne to your winter quarters if any be left for you, Keep Leiceſter if you can, July may give it us againe.

After ſome evacuated Chollar, VVharton burſts out for very ioy into theſe wordes, Oh what ſnuffling there will be amongſt the Zelots, before the middle of November. He goes on and derides our humiliation, &c. Do ſo ſtill and proſper; God will not be mocked, whoſe Cauſe we doe maintaine, though I confeſſe not as it ought to be.

But let me tell you, ſuch ſhall be our victories before the time limited by you be halfe come, that me thinks I hear the many accurſed oaths the dam-boyes ſpue out both againſt God and man. Oh what ſculking, ſneaking, running into Corners, mouſe-holes, ſawpits, Cunny berries, toſſing and tumbling the ungodly out of one County into another, doe I foreſee: face about Gentlemen ſayes one for our honour, as you did at Newberry, that is with a good pair of heeles, or alls loſt ſay I; Oh the way to Briſtoll, from thence to Exceter, then into Cornewall, thence into a ſafe harbour, if any can bee found for Malignants, Now Maſter VVharton I leave you, till again provoked by a more able Aſtrologer, and I deſire you to get into your Accidence againſt the publiſhing of the next Journall or elſe you will be ſtript out of the remainder of the Prerogative Aſtrology by Maſter Booker in his next Almanack, to the totall confuſion, and diſhonour of the Vniverſity that ſuffer ſo weak an Artiſt to be their Standard-bearer; but money and Learning are equally plentifull in Oxford.

WILLIAM LILLY.