The World's Catastrophe, with Trithemius Of the Seven Secondary Intelligences

THE VVorlds Cataſtrophe, OR, EUROPES many Mutations untill, 1666.

The Fate of Englands MONARCHY untill its Subverſion.

Government of the VVorld under GOD by the ſeven Planetary Angels; their Names, Times of Government.

An exact Type of the THREE SVNS Seen in Cheſhire and Shropſhire, 3 April 1647. Their Signification and Portent, ASTROLOGICALLY handled.

By VVilliam Lilly Student in ASTROLOGIE: Who is, Amicus Patria, & veritatis Amator.

To which is added, A Whip for Wharton.

London, Printed for John Partridge, and Humphrey Blunden, and are to be ſold at the Cock in Ludg[••]e-ſtreet, and at the Caſtle in Cornhill, 1647.

To the READER.

I Had private thoughts of publiſhing theſe three ſucceeding Treatiſes, ſome moneths ſince, but my continuall imployments, and ſtedfaſt deſire of perfecting an Introduction to Aſtrology (now in the Preſs) ſilenced my further Notions: But one day, happily complaining of my want of convenient time, to Tranſlate theſe three ſucceeding Treatiſes unto Elias Aſhmole Eſquire, my noble Friend, and what pretty pieces they were, and how deſirous I was, my Country men of England ſhould be made partakers of them: This worthy Gentleman no ſooner heard my complaint, but offered Balſom to the wound, and moſt humanely and curteouſly proferred his learned indeavours to make Cataſtrophe Mundi, and Merlini Prophetiae, render themſelves in the Engliſh tongue.

A work I aſſure you, both painfull, and full of intricate Lab[•]rinths, well becoming that ſharpneſs of wit, wherewith he is naturally endowed: Which Verſion of his into our mother-tongue he hath excellently performed in ſignificant Language, and terms of Art correſpondent to the ſence of the firſt Author: In Aſtrologie he is well verſed, and in Antiquities no mean Student; for who ſhall read Merlin in the Latin Copy, ſhall wonder at the dexterity and ſharp apprehenſion of this Gentleman, that being in years ſo young, ſhould underſtand and diſtinguiſh terms and names, ſo obſolete, and not frequently vulgar; and yet hath he rendred them in our mother-tongue in ſo compliant and decent Phraſe, as might well have become an Antiquary of double his years.

The Author of Cataſtrophe Mundi, was Spineus, Ph[•]ſition to the Duke of Mantua, it was Printed 1625. and is ſince tranſlated into many Languages; if well underſtood, it's a piece of excellent Learning, and comes cloſe to the times; and tells Princes their own, and what they ſhall expect, as you may read in the three laſt leaves compared with other places of his book. He ſaith, he wrote a Book of great Conjunctions, which I could not attain, though I have ſent to all parts of Europe for it, &c.

Ambroſe Merlin, lived in the time of Vortiger; theſe are the Prophecies, for which amongſt the learned he is ſo renowned; they were never in the Engliſh before: They were Printed at Franckford 1608. and Commented on, by one Alanus de Iuſulis a German Doctor, who hath taken much pains to explain them, &c. But when he came to the laſt ſixteen lines, part whereof is now in fulfilling, and beginning thus: The ſplendour of the Sun ſhall languiſh by the paleneſs of Mercury, &c. and ſo to the end, which part of the prophecy cannot be underſtood, but by thoſe who have judgement in Aſtrologie, theſe predictions being grounded upon the more ſecret Caball of that Art, wherein Alanus was nothing verſed; he berein failed exceedingly.

Its true this Age is near to the very end of the Prophecy (and ſo we may fully expect a grand Revolution) and to that part thereof, which begins, Jupiter ſhall leave off his appointed courſe, &c. The Key follows: Monarchy & Kings are ſignified by the Sun: The Law & the Pen by Mercury: War by Mars: Commotions, cruelty, and bloodſhed by Orion: Religion and Epiſcopacy by ♃ Jupiter. Courtſhip, Treaties, Queens, Women, by Venus: Famine, ſca[•]city, and Mortality, by ♄. The Commonaltie by the 12. Houſes: Abſence of the Planets predicts the want of Gentrie, and their hard fates: Twins ſignifies London: The Scales intimate Juſtice: and the Auſtrian family: The Ram intends France, and ſome parts of England: The Virgin portends the Norman Race of Kings in England, and a particular King beſides: Scotland is deciphered by the Crab: Sagitary, means an Engliſh King.

The tail of the Scorpion, hath relation to a familie declining, &c. Author of much miſchief in the world, but eſpecially in this Nation: The Scorpion was the Father, the tail his of ſpring.

The Zodiack ſignifies Order, and Government, &c. Plelades, relates as to mutinies, ſeditions, and tumults occaſioned by the vulgar.

Offices of Janus, point out Courts of Juſtice: they that abound with more leaſure; let them ſtudy for a further Key to unlock theſe Myſteries: to the Learned it may ſuffice; with the illiterate, or envious it ſounds as a fable, but the Key is true.

The Government of the world by Angels, my ſelf Engliſhed; the Author thereof was a learned Abbot of Germanie: The ſubject being not vulgar, or ever before this time; being much ſpoke of amongſt us Engliſh, will draw the enmity of ſome upon me: I intend, God ſparing me life, to Write an eſpeciall Treatiſe hereof; wherein from the beginning of the World to theſe times, and ſome hundreds of years ſucceeding, I ſhall endeavour to manifeſt ſuch Myſteries involved in this learning, as yet have not appeared; wherein I ſhall go near to give every Common-wealth of Europe, a ſmart conjecture of the continuance, or deſtruction of their State and Government.

From ſome malevolent, churliſh, and envious Clergie, I muſt expect blows, which I aſſure them, ſhall be well returned: Oh men of envy! that for ſo many Ages, have envied mankinde the knowledge of learning, that formerly Cloiſtered up Books, and ſuffered them to periſh in your Cloſets unopened, becauſe all ſhould be ignorant but your ſelves. Had not ſome Gentlemen of Divine ſouls, and many worthie, and gallant Phyſitions preſerved Arts, and publiſhed their admirable conceptions: I am confident to this very day, the Fraternitie of Clergiemen would have kept us at a diſtance, and without the knowledge of many learnings we now know; for which, at ſometimes they ſnarl at the Authors. Vpon the Government of the world by Angels, you ſhall hear the modeſtie of that reverend, and knowing Scot, the Lord of Marchiſton: In pag. 6 of his expoſition of the Revelation: There are Books (ſaith he) of the Jews, containing (as they alledge) Doctrines proceeding from the mouths of the Patriarchs, affirming every great Angel of ſeven to rule the world, 490. years, which we wanting (the warrant of Scripture) can neither affirm, or condemn.

Amodeſt and noble cenſure; far from the virulency of ſome Junior Divines now living, that aſſume a faculty to meddle with what they underſtand not; let them be forgiven now, its hereditary.

The diſcourſe againſt Wharton, (who lurks like an obſcure ſcurrilous Traytor to his country now at preſent in this City, and hath the c[•]rſe that God beſtowed upon Cain hanging upon him) came ſeaſonably to my hands, from one that it ſeems loves me, though he was yet never within one hundred miles of my face. It speaks the Gentleman learned, and I thank him for it, I have no leaſure as yet to anſwer that Aſineg[•] Vagabond in minutes and Crotchets, which the Renegado Viper well knows, breeds no errour at all in point of Judgement, and which all Authors except upon Nativities do uſually reject: and were he not foolhardy and frivolouſly malitious, he could not expect I ſhould be ignorant in erecting a Scheam by Regiomontanus, the uſe whereof, I have taught many years ſince, to ſundry Gentlemen that have learned Aſtrologie from me. Having two names, he runs into the cenſure of Ignoramus, who ſaith Duplex nomen, Duplex nebulo, A double name, a double knave; I think it is well engliſhed, perhaps not well tranſlated. I call to the vain fellow for an anſwer, or to collect the errours of the Starry Meſſenger, or the Poſtſcript attending it: I require from him and all his friends one Aſtrologicall prediction of his, ever verified, or deduced from the principles of Art: and I require from what principles of Art in his Naworths Almanack 1645. he called our Parliament, and their valiant ſouldiery Rebels above 100 times? Or why in his other Trotting Progg, wrote under the mock-name of Wharton, (he being the ſillieſt of all Aſtrologers) in his own ſimple name ſhould pronounce victory to thoſe ingaged for his Majesty: Cujus contrarium vidimus? Or why in his Wharton 1647. he pronounces a good journey to his Majeſtie, and calls our Parliament abuſively Kings? Or why he having the benefit of thoſe liberall and generous Oxford-Articles, hath traduced the Parliament with perjury concerning the death of the Earl of Strafford? Or why (the mungrell Iriſh Wolfe) ſhould promiſe victory to his brethren the inhumane Iriſh, and maintain their murdering of our poor country men? Or why he ſo vilifies & curſes the noble City of London (& the whole Nation of Scotland) wch gives this ſneaking fool protection by ſome of her Malignant children, who print & publiſh his curdities?

Or why the envious ſnarling ſimpleton ſo laviſhly and lyingly traduces Mr. Booker, who for ſo many years maintained the reputation of the Art, almoſt then utterly decayed, by his own vertue and abilities?

Or why the ſenceleſs Ideot cals me Whelp, or makes me a ſometimes-Taylors boy, or a Scriveners man; When as it is known I was never of any profeſſion but what I now ſtudy? I have both my ears, but whether Wharton being formerly a needy Scrivener in Newcaſtle have one, I know not. I have wrote upon the three Suns ſparingly, rather to ſatisfie the importunities of the country then otherwayes.

The generality of people perhaps may expect I ſhould ſpeak a little of his Majeſty; No, being not in Arms, I have no one word to write; had my writings been obſerved or credited, he had not been (ſtatu Quo:) That God who orders all Monarchies, & whoſe bleſſed Angels under him moderate our humane affaires, bleſs this Kingdome with ſo much happineſs, that it may behold a reunion betwixt his Majeſty and two Parliaments of England and Scotland, and render unto him his juſt rights, and unto us our native and proper liberties & priviledges: many fear our preſent Army, and traduce thoſe now, that gave us (inſtrumentally under G[•]d) our quiet and being: from men that adventured their lives ſo freely and in their actions and deportments have been of ſo great civility, ſhall we expect acts diſhonourable? God forbid, any modeſt Engliſh heart ſhould harbour ſuch an uncharitable opinion againſt the Army in generall: I do not, I cannot. From the Configurations of heaven, I find n[•] evill intentions in the Army (Flattery and witchcraft are equally odious unto me) did I not ſee a Lying Angell amongſt us rayſing fears and jealouſies cauſeleſly, I would have been ſilent in this: having performed their work I think they well merit their wages. Happy are they that begun with victory, and end in unity, I am confident our gallant ſouldiery will ſo do.

I ſaid publikely as much of the Scots, when moſt laughed at me and thought otherways: as the Scots deceived thoſe that imagined ill of their demeanour, ſo do I ſay, will our Army delude the vain thoughts of all ſuch as detract from their honour and Actions, or labour to convert whatſoever they ſay or do, into unjuſt Quaries: thoſe vertuous ſouldiers have fought, and ſuch as honeſt Mr. Booker and my ſelf have wrote, it were pity we ſhould loſe our lives in cold blood, and by a tame ſentence, and after all our ſervice performed for the liberty of this CommonWealth.

Meliora ſpero. William Lilly.

THE Worlds Cataſtrophe, OR, The Miraculous CHANGES, and ALTERATIONS, (probably to happen) in the ſeveral Kingdoms, and Common-wealths of Europe, until the Year of our Lord God, 1666. ASTROLOGICALLY Predicted.

THE continuall motion of ſublunary things, and their variable Flux, hath aſtoniſhed the underſtandings of wiſe men, and in a manner conſtrained them to profeſs, or affirm little or nothing at all. Hence it was, that amongſt the ancient Philoſophers their chief Tenet was, that they knew nothing. Wherefore Hipocrates, the wiſeſt of Phyſitians, profeſſed it a very hard thing to judge aright; with whom agrees the Author of the Aſtronomicall Segments, who in the firſt Segment, and firſt Aphoriſme ſaith, That life is ſhort, Art long, experience deceitfull, judgement difficult.

Ariſtotle (in his Poſterior. 2. Book de Anima, Text 6.) affirmed, that Sciences did touch only upon Univerſals, whereby afterwards particulars were ſomewhat imperfectly known, of which, as they are ranked under Univerſals; general Propoſitions are compounded. And Ptolomy, that Maſter of Aſtrologers, in the firſt of his Centiloquy; beholding ſo great variety of matter, and the ſundry influences of ſo many and great ſtars, thought it a hard and difficult thing, to conſider throughly, and exactly the Caeleſtiall Mixture, ſaying, Abs te, & a ſcientiâ: for, it is impoſſible that a man, though never ſo knowing, ſhould diſtinguiſh the particular forms of things; like as ſence alſo receives not a particular, but a certain general form of ſenſible matter; and he that treateth of theſe things muſt only conjecture, for none but ſuch as are inſpired from above can foretell particulars: And in the 1. Segment, and 22. Aphoriſme; There is ſomething ſuper-caeleſtiall that aſſiſteth a man in foretelling of future events; for then, by the Syndereſis of the Stars, and of the Intelligences, we are able to propheſie of things to come, according to that divine ſentence, O Lord upon us is ſealed the light of thy countenance, &c.

Wherefore it is manifeſt, that only thoſe, who have the knowledge of future things, through the better part of the ſoul, come neareſt to the truth: And in the 8. Propoſition, the ſame Ptolomy teacheth, that none can deliver his judgement according to the complection of the Stars, unleſs he be ſuch a man, as hath well conſidered the natural complexion of the ſoul, that deſervedly he may be called a Wiſeman; For the ſoul doth aſſiſt Caeleſtial operation, even as the beſt Husbandman doth Nature in Plowing, and Weeding the earth: and Propos. 7. No man can teach the mixtures of the Stars, who hath not firſt learnt their Naturall differences and tempers.

By which we learn, that although there be infinite [〈◊〉] and that they all ſtudy the ſame books; yet they do no[•] all collect the truth of things; yea, one more then another, even as alſo from many ſigns in Phyſick, when the Phyſitians do obſerve ſigns of divers diſeaſes, of recovery, and of death; there happeneth contrariety amongſt them, though all of them read the ſame Authors. For this choice cannot be found written in books; but ought to be ſelected by the diſcretion of a fortunate Phyſitian, who was born under a good Poſition of the heavens, that ſo he may know how to finde out the truth in Phyſick, as we have it from the experience of Hippo[••]a[••]s, and other Phyſitians: A Phyſitian ought to be fortunate and wiſe by nature, ſc. that he be produced from heaven, and the whole concourſe of Nature, ſo as he may confer health upon men: viz. When Mars and Venus ſhall be in Conjunction, or behold one another by ſome aſpect, they make a good Phyſitian, and even Natures maſter by the teſtimony of Hyeronymus Manfredus, Phyſitian of Bononia, Propoſ. 3. of his Gentiloq. de medico & infirmo.

In like manner, when Mars Almu[•]en of the profeſſion, ſhall have naturall participation with the Moon, we judge a Phyſitian; and if Venus behold him, he ſhall be a Phle[•]oto[•]i[••], or a Preparer and giver of Medicines by the 31. [〈◊〉] And if Saturne ſhall behold him, he ſhall have skill in making of Gliſters, ſo alſo in curing of the lower parts of the body, Sc. by cutting of Tumors and the Hemoroides to the well liking of the Phyſitian: and if Mercury ſhal aſpect him, he ſhall be cunning in words, having the force of healing, and by applying medicines with words.

Neither ought this to be wondered at, for the imaginative faculty fortified by Heaven, and the influence of Mercury, he may by words uttered heal thoſe that be diſeaſed: which thing if another with the ſame words, ſhould indeavour to do, it were to no purpoſe, becauſe his words having no force, as not proceeding from the Caeleſtiall ſpirits, nor quickened by their influence, can neither convey health, nor eaſe: which Doctrine we have taught at large from the opinion of Avicenne, Com. 3. lib. 1. Prog. Hipocrat.

To the end therefore that we may foretell future contingencies with ſome certainty, we will not relie (only) upon our own judgement, (for by the 3. Segment, Aph. 158▪ he that promiſeth much of himſelf, is the Author of many errours, and therefore (ſo much as we can) we will adhere to a divine Spirit; for thoſe things which to the eye of the world, ſeem to be matters failing, or incertain, to a minde that is Divine, and invariable are firm and ſure: For Socrates did acknowledge, that he knew nothing by a proper and naturall light, but he confeſſed that his knowledge was derived from, and aſſiſted by a divine light. Wherefore by adhering to Divine truth, we may be able to prognoſticate many true things: For like as a man that loves riches (Segm. 1. Aph. 100.) findes riches, and that in ſome ſort alone: ſo findes he truth that loves truth.

Upon the contemplation of theſe things, it hath been our indeavour to tranſcend the ſphears of Actives, and to apply our ſelf to the other ſphears, and lights; and to lift up our eyes to the firſt Mover, and to behold and conſider the beauty and harmony of the ſphears: Whereby our minde begun to be raviſhed, and to be delivered from darkneſs, by contemplating upon their Creator, whom for his infinite wiſdom, we acknowledge to be the Maker and Lord of the Heavens, and of all ſublunary things, and do adore their Mover, at whoſe will and command all the Intelligences do wheel about the ſphears▪ himſelf being enviro[•]ed on every ſide (as it were) with an i[•]fi[•]i[•]e multitude of Angels: from whence making our departure, (being rowſed from humane drowſineſs) let it ſuffice that we deſcend to the conſideration of a future Cataſtrophe. For God hath ſo fram'd us, that in our aſpect toward heaven, we may behold his divine Majeſty, as Ovid hath it, in 1. Metamorph.

Where he hath made impreſſion of the formall vertues of all things, as being derived from his divine ſpirit; ſo that in Heaven (the great Book of God) we may (as in a glaſs) foreſee and know the pleaſure of the moſt High: For, (by the 1. Aph. 57) Coelum eſt inſtrumentum, quo inferiora agit, impellit, regitque. The Heaven is Gods Inſtrument, whereby he worketh, enforceth, and governeth all things. Whence (following the cuſtom of wiſemen) we may be forewarned of, and prepared againſt future evils; flying (as he ſaid) many things between the Caeleſtial Globes, and we need not be aſhamed of it; for, 1. Aph. 24. Stulti negligunt, & contemnunt Aſtrologiam; qui contradicit Ambitioſus eſt, qui Maledicit, Fatuus: Fools neglect and deſpiſe Aſtrology: he is ambitious that gainſays it, and fooliſh that ſlanders it: For it is a Divine Myſtery; for which if any neglecting Naturall cauſes, ſhall adhere to it only, he is but of ſhallow judgement: Therefore it is requiſite, that it be otherwiſe aſſiſted, eſpecially, for that Aſtrology (by 1. Aph. 20.) is the moſt tranſcendent of all Sciences, both becauſe it treateth of things Caeleſtiall, and alſo of future: the knowledge whereof, is not only Divine, but moſt profitable: Therefore to calumniate it, or any other Sciences, is a meer vanity, for (3. Aph. 146.) Qui Artem aliquam deſtruit, longe deterior eſt imperito, neo vacat mens illius malitia, deſidia, & ignorantia. He that deſtroys any Art, is far worſe then he that is unskilfull▪ neither is his minde empty of malice, deceipt, and ignorance. We will make inſpection into ſuch things, as have been lookt into (but by a few; and if we intend to proceed methodically) it behoves us to ſearch out, and conſider the principle, and coadjuting cauſes.

The principall cauſes are the great, mean, and leſſer Conjunctions of the ſuperiour Planets, concerning which we have ſaid much in our books of great Conjunctions; yet we will here mention ſome things, which elſewhere our occaſions did not extend unto, for many things, for ſome cauſe, were wrapt up in ſilence.

The other principall cauſes are mock ſtars, which not long ſince ſparkled for ſome years ſpace, and then by little and little vaniſhed away; the changing of the Abiſides of the Planets, Eclipſcs, and the like: So likewiſe the Genitures of Kings, according to that Adage of Horace, and Segment. 7. Aph. 166. Genitura valida regna mutant, ſtrong Genitures do change Kingdoms: yet it is nothing, Ponere os in Coelum, yet it availeth not to gaze upon the Heavens only.

Cauſes Adjutant, are Revolutions, the Progreſſions of the great Orb, of great Conjunctions before the flood, the birth of our Saviour, Mahomet, and the like; which things being rightly conſidered, may not only enable us to foretell the end of the world, but perhaps the time alſo: for in the boſome of the heavens (as we noted in our ſecond part, de vita propaganda et morte retardanda) there is a Seminary vertue, to be infuſed upon any for ſo often as conveniency is beſtowed by the ſundry Complexions of the Planets, and Aſcentions of the Signes: from this Inferiour matter, it raiſeth the Form, from Potentiallity to Action.

And in the firſt book and 6. Chap. de Max. Conjunct. We ſaid that the Coeleſtiall bodies do operate, according to the matter diſpoſed; which matter, if at any time it be found unapt. we muſt endeavour to prepare, and fit it for to receive the Coeleſtiall form, for according to Ariſtotle 2 de Anima. Text 26. Agens Naturale, non agit in paſſum niſi ſecundum materi[•]m diſpoſitam: A naturall Agent worketh not upon a ſubject, but according to the matter diſpoſed. Wherefore if the effects foretold ſhall not happen to be verified in that year, not only in thoſe Univerſall changes, and conjunctions; but alſo in every year, by the particular Revolutions of years, and particular Conſtellations; yet in the ſubſequent years, they ſhall be verified, after that the Inferiour bodies ſuſcitated by the precedent influences, ſhall be made ready: Even as wiſe men by preceding great Conjunctions, have ſhewed that the effects thereby ſignified, were manifeſted a long time after▪ as Albumazar acknowledgeth in his Iract. of great Conjunctions, but eſpecially in his firſt difference cap. 3. viz. That the conjunction which gave ſignification of the Flood, happened 379. years before; and that which fore-ſhewed the birth of Moſes, did precede 80. years, before the effects thereof ſhewed themſelves, ſhe like may be ſaid concerning thoſe Starrs, wth ſuddenly appeared in the heavens, and afterwards were diſperſed: As that wth was obſerved in the time of Hypparchus, wth ſignified the transferring of the Greek into the Roman Empire produced not its effects, till after 63. years: for Hypparchus flouriſhed 10[•]. years before Chriſt; and the Roman Empire (tranſlated from the Greeks) begun Anno. 42. before the birth of Chriſt.

The Starr alſo that was ſeen in the time of Auguſtus Caeſar, did premonſtrate ſo many Exiles, and Martyrs, that many took it to be the cleare Comet which ſhould eſtabliſh the Kingdom of Peace: Others, as 'tis reported, did conjecture it to be the Starr, in which Sybilla Tyburtina, ſhewed Auguſtus Caeſar the Image of a beautifull Virgin, holding a Boy in her boſom, and ſaying, This childe is greater then thou, worſhip him. To which Mantuan ſufficiently alludeth, ſpeaking of the afore-named Sybill.

Yet the effects thereof, (viz) Preaching of the Goſpel, the promulgation and publication of the Law, the ſedition of the people, the troubles, perſecutions, baniſhments, bloodſhed, deaths, warrs, &c. had their beginning (God ſo pleaſing) after many years.

The ſame we are to underſtand of other Conjunctions and Mockſtarrs, ſignifying their effects after many years; and the reaſon hereof is two-fold; the firſt Metaphyſicall, which we have elſewhere often repeated; the ſecond Phyſicall (by the firſt Segm. Aph. 55.) for Quaecunque lentius operantur diutiù[•], protrahunt effect[•] ſuos, All ſuch things as operate ſlowly, do protract their effects longer. For neither can the force of a Star lye hid, nor be aboliſhed. Thus alſo the Cloud about the Aſſes plainly ſheweth. Much indeed might be ſaid concerning theſe things, yet becauſe we have ſpoken thereof in another place, we will therefore (for brevity ſake) omit them, only declaring that in this Age, there was a great Conjunction of ♃ and ♄ in the firſt face of Sagittary, now finiſhed and perfected in the Watery Triplicity: concerning which, mention was made in our books of great Conjunctions; notwithſtanding we will here add ſomething more, for further explanation.

Seeing therefore that the great Conjunctions of the weightier Planets are wont to produce great effects, as the changes of Monarchies and Kingdomes, the comming of Prophets and the like; by them alſo the dead ſhall be changed, and all things ſhall be renewed, and now ſhall thoſe Sciences be revealed, which in ancient time Kings and Princes found out: and regard ſhall be had to the Doctrine and Congregations of Learned men. But in our Age new Sciences are not only found out, but in ſome meaſure, men ſeem to oppoſe the inventions themſelves.

Indeed from theſe great Conjunctions, and happy ſignifications of the Planets, (with reſpect had to the Lord of the Ninth houſe,) ſhall flow Doctrines and Sciences; and wiſe men ſhall be elected, who ſhall invent new learning: for like as the cauſes are, ſo ſhall the effects be; for good Conjunctions are wont to beſtow goodneſs, and good Magisſtrate; but evill the contrary, criminall cuſtoms, and conditions: hence alſo ſhall wicked rulers be produced for the ſin of the people; deceipts, wars, and Tyrants ſhall ariſe, and ſhall oppoſe themſelves to peace, tranquillity, and lea[••]ing.

For theſe cauſes (in ancient time) Learned and wiſe men were choſen to be Kings and Princes, and ſuch as were skilfull in all Arts and Sciences, and amongſt the Perſians, none was elected King, who was not verſed in Magick and the Mathematicks, (whence thoſe Kings were called Magi, and wiſe men) that they might govern the people rightly. But now adaies as well the unlearned, as learned, are admitted (by inheritance) to the government of Kingdoms.

Beſides, in Aegypt, Chaldea, Perſia, and Greece, where the inventors of Sciences, and all learning flouriſhed; thoſe that addict themſelves to the ſtudy thereof ſhall now be ſeverely puniſhed, and thoſe Regions at this preſent are in a manner quite diſpoiled of all Sciences: And it is evident that theſe things happened after the great Conjunction in the Fourth houſe, and falſe ſign Scorpio, having great force over thoſe Countreys.

Which Scorpioniſticall Conjunction, and decay of the learning of the Aegyptians being foreſeen by the moſt wiſe Triſmegiſtus to his unſpeakable grief; he was conſtrained with a ſorrowfull and bewailing ſoul thus to exclaime:

O Ægypt! There remains only the Stories of thy wiſdom and learning: For behold, the divinity of Sciences is returned into Heaven, and only perverſe, and ignorant men ſhall abide on earth. Inſomuch that he that would apply himſelf to the true ſtudy of learning ſhall be puniſhed with death:

Thus Triſmegiſtus, with how much truth no man is ignorant.

The Roman Empire alſo, which had been accuſtomed to elect its King amongſt the valiant Captains of War, ſtoops now to Clerks, that be ſtrangers to War: wherefore the great Conjunctions do not only foreſhew that; but Kingdoms alſo and Cities are governed by the great years of the Planets, which are deſcribed by Wiſe men; ſome whereof be 1460. others 520. others 480. others 465. others 428. others 264. and the reſt, 260. and the Cities and Kingdoms are in the height of their Government according to theſe years: and firſt they begin to decline their Government, and then fall into ſervitude and deſtruction: ſo that it is no wonder, if Cities, and Kingdoms, and Monarchies do change their manner of Government, and as it were a thing deſerted of its preſiding Planet, flyeth to another nature of other Planets: and ſo alwaies Kingdomes and Cities, when they have finiſhed their years, they proceed to worſe, and alwaies decline, and the ſtarrs do ruinate and deſtroy their government and cuſtome, and by that means the conditions of men become contrary; whereby Seditions, and hatred, vices, and evill behaviour are raiſed in Cities; and when thoſe things do reign in Cities, the Portents of the Planets are deſtructions of government, and ſo by thoſe vices flowing from the Planets, Cities and Kingdoms are deſtroyed, and led into Captivity, or transferred to a ſtrange Government.

We finde alſo that ſo oft as the Creator of all things hath any new Law to eſtabliſh in the world, or any other good, for the benefit of man, or any evil as a ſcourge for ſin; it is his pleaſure to admoniſh all the faithfull that ſuch things are to ſucceed, yea long before they happen, and this in ſuch manner as that they ſhould truly acknowledge him to be God, and adore him. The truth of which is affirmed by ſo many holy books of the Old Law, wherein the Prophets foretold all things which were to befall the Hebrews; yea, it was evermore deſigned in the Univerſall Book of Heaven, and demonſtrated by the great Conjunctions, As that Conjunction under the Conſtellation of Andromeda, did the Circumciſion: The Conjunction in ♓ under the image of Caſſiopeia, did the Moſaicall Law; the Conjunction in ♌ under the image of Vexillus the firſt Emperour: The Sect of the Chaldeans in the Conjunction of ♄ ♃ and ♂: Whereupon the Chaldeans did begin their burnt Sacrifices, and worſhiped the Divinity beleeved by them to be mixt with the fire, and ſuppoſing that the fire was changed into God, it's former accidents ſtill remaining.

So the Sect of the Ægyptians by the Congreſs of ♄, ♃, and the ☉, wherefore they worſhiped the Conſtellations of Heaven, and the Hoſt of the Sun.

But the Sect of the Sarazens was premonſtrated by the application of ♄, ♃, and ♀ who grew in luxury and concupiſcence.

So God before the coming of our Saviour ſhewed a ſign in heaven by the great ☌ of ♄ ♃ and ☿ in the firſt decade of Virgo with change of Triplicity; concerning which ſign of Virgo, Albumazar in the 6. of his Introduct. Virgo Signum ſterile, tripartitum, biforme, in prima ejus decade, in qua facta fuit talis Conjunctio; aſcendit Puella munda, corpore decora, vultu venuſta, habitu modeſta, crine prolixo, manu gemina[•] criſtas tenens, ſupra ſolium aureatum reſidens, pueruns nutriens. Virgo is a barren ſign, tripertite, double-bodied, in the firſt decade whereof (wherein ſuch a Conjunction happened) a[•] cendeth a beautifull Virgin, of a comely body, pleaſant countenance, modeſt attire, long hair, holding two Plumes in her hand, ſitting in a golden Throne, and nouriſhing a boy.

The very ſame did Abraham affirm in his book, called Principium ſapientie: where he ſaith, Aſcendiv quoque in prima facie ejus virgo pulchra, & ſui capilli longi, habens in manu ſua duas spicas, ipſaque, ſedet ſuper ſedem unam, & nutrit puerum parvulum, ipſum lactando ad comedendumque incitando. There aſcendeth alſo in the firſt face thereof a fair Virgin, having long hair, holding two ears of Corn in her hand, and ſhe ſitteth upon a ſeat, and nouriſheth a little boy by giving him ſuck, and inciting him to eat.

The Sect alſo of Mahomet, was premonſtrated by the Stars; and we noted lib. 2. cap. 3. of great Conjunctions, That the ☌ of ♄ and ♃ in ♏ with the ☌ of the ☽, and the warlike irradiation of ♂ in the year of the world 4271. ſignified the Law of Mahomet, and the Turks, and ſeeing that ♏ wherein that ☌ happened (by the 2. Quadr. com. 54.) is the houſe of ☌, with the ☌ of him, and the ☽, for this cauſe, untill this preſent time he retaineth warlike and Lunar manners, and that Law of his enjoyns all kinde of rude, groſs, and popular things, Pleaſures, Vices, Wickedneſs, Luxuries, and Rapes, Wars, Conflicts, and Effuſion of Blood: and for that the new place of the ☌ is Cancer of which the ☽ is Lady, therefore we conclude the Law of the Mahometans to be Lunar and Martiall (by the Authority of Albumazar, Lib. 1. Differ. 3. and 4. Mag. Con.) and when the Moon ſhall ſignifie a rude People, which are ſecluded from all skilfulneſs by the judgement of all Aſtrologers. Therefore that Law is rude, and groſs, popular, and an enemy to learning, even as the Common people are, for (by reaſon of the dominion of Mars) it enjoyneth it ſelf to be protected, not with Arguments, but Arms: hence it is, that whoſoever ſhall but in the leaſt degree ſcandalize their Law, ſhall be ſlain with Iron: And becauſe the ☽ is exceeding ſwift in compariſon of the other Planets, therefore ſhall it vehemently under-value all other Laws; Nor will it be ſaid to be preſidented by another.

In like manner the bringing in of Religion, Letters, and Diſcipline were ſignified in heaven, and men that were excellent in Arts, as we may read 3. Quadr. So likewiſe the coming of ſuch men, as ſhould oppoſe (and wreſt things from) the truth, as Luther, Calvin, and the like, which for brevity ſake we omit, affirming only (and daily experience ſheweth it) That God the Creator of all things, hath written all things in his Univerſall book of Heaven, notwithſtanding they be hidden from many.

In the interim, we will declare whatſoever we can (darkly) read in that great book of Heaven: We ſay [Darkly] becauſe we ought to aſſure Contingencies, indeterminate, and by no means with certainty, for by the 1. Segm. Aph. 3. Artes, que proprus ſubjectis inherent, nihil certi polliceri de futuris poſſunt.

An Aſtrologer ought never to pronounce any thing abſolutely, concerning future events, and it is worſe for him to beleeve that he knoweth thoſe things, which he does not know, then to be ignorant of ſuch things as he ſhould know (by 1 Segm. Aph. 78.)

Therefore we will ſay concerning the corroboration of things, as we have done in our books of great Conjunctions, and as we have before noted: but before we come to the great Conjunction of the year. 1603. and to the Mock-ſtar, which appeared in the fiery Triplicity, Anno 1604. which laſted alſo for one whole year, we will firſt handle the Comet, that appeared Anno 1572. and the great ☌ that happened Anno 1583. in the third Decade of ♓, when there was a change of the ☌ from one Triplicity into another, viz. from the watery into the fiery: Which Comet and great ☌ have not hitherto manifeſted their effects, by reaſon of their gravity, magnitude and ſlow motion: For the elements and mixt things are not preſently to aſſume the magnitude of Form, but are diſpoſed in a certain ſpace of time, and with the time alſo the form is introduced: ſo that both by reaſon of great Conjunctions, Mockſtars, Comets, Eclipſes, and other by-paſt caliſes being almoſt diſpoſed, the form begins to be introduced, and the effects begin to manifeſt and lay open themſelves, and now we ſhall begin to taſt the firſt offerings of great Revolutions.

But before we proceed any further, we conceive this one thing worthy our notice: that like as the faithfull in Chriſt (laying aſide the opinion of Ariſtotle, Ptolomy, and others, as well Philoſophers, as Aſtrologers) all thoſe cauſes, (which the Philoſophers and Aſtrologers call no cauſes, but ſigns of the mighty and ſupream cauſe) we will enjoyn our ſelves to aſcribe for ſigns, and will atteſt the ſame as formerly we have declared: Therefore we ſay, that as well the great Conjunctions, as Mock-ſtars, Comets, Eclipſes, and the like, ought not to be called the cauſes of future events, but ſigns ſent from the Supream Cauſe, and from our Saviour Chriſt, for the abomination of the world (and the ſame is ſtrongly maintained, in the ſayings of Aſtrologers: eſpeciall by Ptolomy in his Centiloquy, and Apoth. but chiefly in his Apoth. and Aph. 3.) Becauſe that Arts, which remain in their proper ſubjects, can affirm nothing for certain concerning future events: Therefore, an Aſtrologer ought not pronounce any thing abſolutely concerning future accidents.

But becauſe the hidden ſecrets of God are impenitrable, therefore we intend (not as ſpeculators, and ſcrewers out of the ſecrets of God) to prognoſticate any thing, but (with the Philoſophers and Aſtrologers) it is lawfull and requiſite, that we conjecture ſomewhat about the ſigns according to the effects of the Stars, and like one that is parblinde ſeeing a thing a far off, diſcernes only a certain confuſed ſhadow, reſembling many things, without knowing certainly what it is by 2 Apot. Com. 5.

The caſe ſtanding thus, we will come in the firſt place to the Mock-ſtars, which appeared Anno 1572. and 1604. which remained immoveable: The firſt in the Chair of Caſſiopeia, not far from that ſtar in the erection of its ſeat in the Milky way, whoſe Longitude, was degr. 16. 54. of ♉: Its Latitude North degr. 53. min 45. Its Magnitude exceeded not onely the ſtars of the firſt light, but alſo ♃ and [•] in the beginning of its appearance: therefore, we may conclude that this Mock-ſtar, did exceed the bigneſs of the earth more then 500. times, and that this is truth, it is the teſtimony of Tycho: for although the ſtars do ſeem but very little to us, and appear not unlike little faces in heaven, yet by the ingenious obſervations of Mathematitians it is found out that they are not only equall to the whole Terreſtriall Globe, but far exceed it by their greatneſs, ſo that ſcarce any ſo little a Star can be ſeen in the Firmament, but it exceeds (at the leaſt) 18. times the bigneſs of the earth; as (not to ſpeak of others) thoſe Stars that be of the firſt magnitude, exceed the earth 500. times in bigneſs: And though this may ſeem incredible to many, yet will it not admit of any doubt in any man that rightly conſiders their unſpeakable diſtance from us. Therefore if theſe little Stars appeared but ſmall to our ſight, yet certainly they were of a huge magnitude.

VVherefore from the beginning, when it farr exceeded the Stars of the firſt Magnitude, he exceeded the Earth by an incredible quantity: For, if the fixed Stars of the firſt magnitude, as 'tis ſaid, exceed the earth according to Mathematitians, 500. times, even ſo this new Star, ſo much as he was removed from the Earth had a far greater viſible Diameter. It will likewiſe neceſſarily follow that from the beginning it exceeded that quantity which the earth and water make, much more then 100. times but in progreſs of time it diminiſhed by little and little, that at laſt it vaniſhed to nothing.

Whereby it appears that the opinion of us and others, hath hitherto been erroneous, whilſt we thought Vapours to be tranſmitted into heaven, and generated Comets, and new Starrs: For if this Starr exceeded the earth more then 500. times, from whence ſhould ſo many Vapours ariſe? Therefore we ſay, that the matter whereof new Starrs are made, is a tranſparent ſubſtance of heaven, and a Diaphanous or perſpicuous corpulency of the heavens; and that it may be reduced to form: we ſay, that a new Starr, is the Condenſation of the thin parts of heaven; which indeed is a tranſmutation of the Diaphanous parts of the Sky into lightneſs, of which, here is no place to ſpeake.

As touching the light of the Mock-Starr, Tycho ſaid, it was more fulgent and radiant then the reſt: inſomuch, that in the beginning, it was ſometimes beheld in the day time, about noon; the heaven not being obfuſcated with the thickneſs of the Aire. It twinckled alſo as the other ſixed Starrs, and for the moſt part (but not alwaies) it retained the ſame colour, which was obſerved from the beginning, to wax white, and inflamed with a Joviall ſplendour, but in proceſs of time the light being preſſed together, and thickened: it degenerated into a fiery red, and Mars-like brightneſs, like to Aldeboran, or that which ſhineth ruddily, in the right ſhoulder of Orion: yet it was not ſo fiery-red as this on the ſhoulder, but came neerer the colour of Aldeboran; yet afterwards having loſt its Mars-like colour, it changed into a pale whiteneſs; ſo that in the end, it became ſomewhat Saturnine and Venereall.

Another Mock-Starr Anno. 1604. about the beginning of October, untill the moneth of February 1606. was likewiſe ſeen from the moſt remote and ſundry Climates of the Earth, in the South part of the heavens, in the ſigne of [•] viz. Degr. 17. of the ſame, with North Latitude, concerning which, Kepler ſaid that the Starr was leſs then Venus according to its viſible quantity; exactly round, caſting no hair, nor beard conſtantly to any part, like to the fixed Starrs, ſhooting with beams on every ſide, like the beams of the fixed Starrs, with a moſt clear twinckling, with ſuch Gliſtering, or brandiſhing ſo ſuddain, that ſome ſaid they never obſerved any thing in the heavens, in all their time, to have ſo ſwift a Motion.

The colours changed at every moment, like to a many-angled Diamond, by which turning the Sun beams upon the eyes of the beholders, will reflect with a variable brightneſs; for from a bright Yellow, anon it became Croc[•]all, in a moment like unto Purple and Reddiſh: For the moſt part it was ſeen White: after it was elevated a little higher from the Vapours, it was bigger then the Starrs of the firſt magnitude, ♄ ♃ and ♂ eaſy to be diſtinguiſhed by an amiable and fair ſtillneſs of light, from the turbulent Corruſcation of a Starr.

All Aſtronomers placed it amongſt the fixed Stars, becauſe it ſtill kept the ſame diſtance from them: From ♃ and ♂ is was ſo much diſtant every day, as was their diurnall motion under the fixed Stars, ſo that this Starr moved not from them, but they from it; whatſoever point it toucht in the riſing; it ſtill moved in the ſame parallel: wherefore it was not only above the Moon but even in the high Orb of the fixed Starrs, becauſe it had no ſenſible Parrallax, and for that alſo it wanted a proper Motion diſtinct from that of the fixed Starrs. It remained not all the time of its continuance in the ſame place, and nigh to the ſame Schematiſmicall Starrs, with the Starrs in the foot of the Shank; and in the right Knee of the Serpent, and with the Triangle in the ſting of the Serpent; and occauſe alſo it had a moſt pure light and ſuddain twinkling, which the Planets have not, according to that of Aristotle in Poſt. For that there he affirmeth, that higher Stars have a purer light, and greater twinckling.

Therefore we conclude with Tycho, that thoſe New Starrs were ſuch: as never appeared before from the beginning of the world, and that they continued in the ſame places of the heaven above a whole year, and were at length ſucceſſively diſperſed: And therefore are to be accounted miracles in the expectation of all men▪ but more in their underſtanding; and amongſt thoſe things which have been ſeen ſince the beginning of the world, in the whole nature of things, and which be recorded in Hiſtory, are ſpectacles to be wondred at, if not the greateſt at leaſt, in reſpect of thoſe which were prepared; ſuch as was the inhibition of the Suns courſe in the time of Joſ[••]a; or of the Sun returning 10 degrees backward upon the Diall of King Achaz, whilſt Ezechiah King of Judah lay ſick. Or then the Eclipſe of the Sun, which happened the day and houres when our Saviour Chriſt the Son of God offered himſelf upon the Altar of the Croſs, a ſacrifice to his eternall Father for the Redemption of mankinde: The Sun then hiding his face, and ſorrowing for the light and beams upon earth; as by which all things, as well the Sun himſelf, as all other bodies of the whole world, both Coeleſtiall and Terreſtriall were made, diſdaining to ſee him made man for mankind, and to undergo an ignominious death; a thing ſo unworthy, and hiding his face for pity and ſhame. That this Eclipſe of the Sun happened about the full Moon, when the Paſſeover of the Jews was celebrated, is not to be doubted: And that then the Sun could not be naturally Eclipſed in regard the ☽, then was near diametrically oppoſed to him, and ſo could not be removed to betwixt the Sun and our ſight, what is he ſo meanly inſtructed in the knowledge of heavenly things, that is ignorant hereof? Wherefore Dionyſius Areopagita being then at Athens, and beholding this miraculous Eclipſe of the Sun, Cryed out, Aut mundi Authorem pati, vel Machinam ejus diſſolutum iri, That either the God of nature ſuffereth, or the Fabrick of the whole world ſhall be diſſolved: as himſelf witneſſeth, writing to Policarpus.

After ſuch Prodigious wonders (I ſay) and miraculous works beſide the accuſtomed order of Nature, which the holy Scriptures do teſtifie to have happened of old: we hold it requiſite, that we demonſtrate to the world theſe new Stars which appeared in our Age; for that they were truly and indeed ſuch; we will ſo certainly manifeſt that none ſhall have ground to queſtion it.

For that ſome Stars like unto the reſt, yea, ſometime more refulgent, and which twinkle more, do newly, and ſuddenly appear unto us, and remain long unmoveable in the higheſt Region of the Coeleſtiall world, is no leſs miracle then that the Sun ſhould ſtand ſtill, go backward, or ſuffer any Eclipſe without the preſence of the ☽: becauſe that any thing which was not before ſhould appear in heaven (ex improviſo) like as the reſt of its moiſt vapours; is altogether as ſtrange, as for thoſe things which were lights from the Creation, to be affected againſt cuſtom and conſtant Order.

But what may the great Portents of theſe Mock-ſtars ſignifie, (like as alſo Tycho ſaid,) ſeeing that it is unuſual, and that we can have but little or no knowledge therein, for (by the 3. Aph. 129.) Sine exemplo artem condere temerarium, cum uno vel duobus leve, cum pluribus autem negotioſum, ſolum aliquam conjecturam univerſalem indiſtinctam, & indeterminatam, & qu[•]liſque, ſit, in medium afferre non pigebit. To make an Art without any example were indiſcretion, with one or two were of ſmall value, and with many it is painfull, but of ones ſelf to bring ſome univerſall, indiſtinct, and indeterminate conjecture (of what kinde ſoever it be) into a medium it grieveth not to declare. For firſt of all we ſay (ſo God illuſtrating our Intellect) that before the change of the great ☌ was compleated from one Triplicity into another, viz, from the watery into the fiery, from which the mutations of the world were wont to proceed eſpecially, for ♃ and ♄ do change and convert things, and the beginning of the change, ſhall be when they are changed from one Triplicity into another in Conjunctions, and from one figure into another (according to Almanzar Aph. 1[••].) Wherefore ſeeing that in the watery Triplicity (as hath been ſaid) the Congregation of the Turks, and that now every Law ſhall be diſſolved by its contrary, (by lib. de Supplem. Almanach cap. 22 and 20 Apot. Com. 17.) Upon good grounds therefore do they confirme the obſervations of the heavens; eſpecially becauſe the Conjunctions in the fiery Triplicity, as being contrary to the watery, ſhall diſſolve the Laws that were made in the fiery Triplicity, (as we have ſaid in our books de Max. Con. Where alſo we have declared, both the extirpation of the Empire, and the end of the Turkiſh Law. I ſay, that before the imbraced Circumgyration of great Conjunctions in the watery Triplicity, the firſt Mock-Starr appeared; which (beſides what may be ſaid hereafter) doth ſignifie ſome falſe Prophet that ſhall appear in the world; whoſe geſture, manners, and power, we ſhall by and by demonſtrate, ſo often as we ſhall conſider his ſcite, immobility, colour, and light, and the Applications of the Planets, which being had, we ſhall look to ſatisfie in ſome meaſure that 1. Aph. 13. becauſe that the principles of the Art, are three; Reaſon, Sence, and experience, but the principles of the operations be four; the Planets, the parts of Heaven, the fixed Stars, and the Scituation.

But before we will give a reaſon for what we do (for to ſuch things as are not according to reaſon, we muſt not give truſt) nor as they may be of long continuance are they to be hoped for, therefore (by the 1. Aph. 5.) we ſay with Abraham, lib. Conjunct. who writeth concerning the world, or an Age cap. 2. That a great Conjunction hath ſignification upon a Prophet that ſhall ariſe to elevate ſome Nation, if ſo be the ☌ happen in the 9. or 3. Houſe in reſpect of the ſign aſcending in the Revolution of the year of the ☌, for theſe two Houſes do ſignifie even wonderfull Accidents.

Nevertheleſs, ſeeing that we cannot have the preciſe Horoſcope of the great Conjunction, (becauſe of the ſlowneſs of their Motion) nor of the Revolution, for the reaſons alleaged 2. de Max. Con. wee will take (according to Bonatus, Albumazar, and other skilfull Aſtrologers) the great Conjunction it ſelfe for the Horoſcope, and according to the order of the Signes, we will ſeek out the other Houſes with their Signes; and doubtleſs we ſhall finde that wonderfull Mock-Starr, to fall out in the third Manſion of the heavens. Or if we will conſider the Signe aſcending at the time of the Revolution of the year 1583. In Italy, when that great Conjunction happened; the Signe Virgo aſcended according to Copernicus; and the MockStarr was then in the ninth Houſe, and the Signe Virgo was in the Horoſcope of the grear Conjunction which preceded the comming of oar Saviour, as formerly we noted.

Moreover, if we rightly conſider, that this Mock-Starr was found not only in that great Conjunction of the year 1583. in the third Houſe; but that alſo in other former great Conjunctions it fell in ſuch Houſes, as have ſignification of a falſe Prophet, and change of Laws: and that this is truth (before we come to the handling there-, of) the foundation is laid Seg. 2. Aph. 206. Cometes mutantes Leges ſi in 9 [•]el 11 loco apparuerint, ſeditionem in lege &c. Commets that appear in the 9 or 11 Houſes do change Laws, and cauſe ſedition therein. And the ſame thing they ſignifie in the oppoſite places; and it is reported, that in the great Conjunction of the year 1583. It was obſerved to be in the third Houſe, in the other of the year 1563. in the 11. in that of 154[•] in the ſeventh. Diametrically oppoſed to the firſt houſe according to that aſſertion Seg. 2. Aph. 204. In the other Anno. 1524. It again happened in the third Houſe; and in the year 1504. it fell out in the eleventh.

And that the Mock-ſtarr was neer unto the Aequinoctiall colour, none ever doubted, ſeeing that alſo its right Aſcention 0 Degr. 26. min. of Aries, and the Mid-heaven Degr. 0. 29. min. of the ſame ſigne in the place of the Conjunction, was of the eighth and ninth Orb, which is in the Interſection of the Ecliptique and Aequinoctiall circles: Which alſo, in regard that the head of Aries of the little circle of the eighth Sphere, is in the ſame Longitude with the head of Aries, which is the Center of the little circle of the ninth Sphere, at the time of our Saviours coming, doth alſo confirm ſuch a ſigne, ſignifying religion, as we are rightly taught of Ptolomy, 2. Apot. Text 37. Who affirmeth, that the Aequinoctials have ſignification of holy things, and the Tropicks of divine worſhip, the Mutation of the Air, and of Laws and cuſtoms in publique affaires. And Haly in his Comment, declareth the cauſe thereof, ſaying, that in ſuch Aequinoctiall ſignes, is made an increaſe of the daies and nights, like as when the Sun is in Aries he increaſeth the day: and whilſt he is in Libra, the night. Therefore he ſaith, that foraſmuch as an agreement of men may be ſignified by the Aequinoctiall ſignes; even ſo alſo here: But Laws do more evidently conſiſt by the change of opinions, which is ſignified by the Aequinoctiall ſignes, becauſe while the Sun is in the Aequinoctiall ſignes he ſometimes makes 24. minutes of declination in one day; wherefore he produceth the leſs change in humane affaires: But there is no greater alteration then the Promulgation of the Law, which for the moſt part is made againſt the conſtitutions of Princes, and the pain of death, and the accord of Senators and Magiſtrates; ſo that its like to a burning Torch in the mindes of men which is carried with a mighty force, like to one gaſping with a deſpiſed breath for the fear of death, and favour of Princes, and for the civill Laws (in their peculiar benefits:) ſo that ſome, contrary to all humanity, and for the love they bear to the Law, (now they ſubmit themſelves conſtantly) rejoyce to have them tormented by the Executioners.

And there is another reaſon of the ſimilitude, becauſe the beginning of the Aequinoctiall ſigne is Common to both Hemiſpheres: So alſo thoſe Laws are Common amongſt all humane kinde. Therefore are the Laws rightly aſſimulated and attributed to the Aequinoctiall ſignes.

But the Tropicall ſignes are the chief promoters of the change of Laws; becauſe the Tropicks are furtheſt diſtant from the Aequinoxes, and for that when the Sun is in them, he changes his courſe: for if he firſt go towards the ſouth, when he enters Capricorn, by the contrary reaſon he returns Northward when he enters Cancer. For the chang of cuſtoms is performed by the ſame reaſon that the change of Laws is: becauſe the change of Laws and cuſtoms are equally neceſſary. Therefore this Mock-ſtarr being in the Aequinoctiall colour and point, ſigniſieth ſome great man that ſhall alter Laws.

Seeing likewiſe, that is was of the complexion of ♃ or ♀ and ſomewhat exceeded the clearneſs of the Comet called Milex, at whoſe appearance, ſuch men as changed Laws, and offended Kings and Potentates appeared: (for Comets that be very clear and conſpicuous and alſo moveable, and of long continuance, preſignify a change of Empires by the 5 Aph. 15.) much more may this Mock-ſtarr ſignifie the ſame thing, in regard that it was bigger to our thinking, of longer continuance, and more fixed then any other Comet; and the end thereof Tragicall, violent, and with much effuſion of blood, impriſonments and exiles, becauſe the ſame Mock ſtarr was compoſed of a Ruddy, and afterwards of a Pale white.

Becauſe in the exaltation of the Moon, which helps much in ſignification of falſe Prophets, like as Albumazar teacheth Tract. 1. Differ. 3. And at the time of the great Conjunction, there was in Geminy a ſquare aſpect, beholding the Conjunction applyed to the ſouth Node, running through the 3 and 4 Manſion of heaven, ſignifying the worſt conditions of a falſe Prophet. But of theſe afterwards.

Becauſe the laſt Lunar Religion, even as alſo (as we have it from Ovid in his Pook de Vetula) the years number from the beginning of the world, until the conſummation thereof, is divided into 6 parts or ages, the government of every one of theſe ages, is attributed to one of 6 Planets, for ♃ is excluded, as being the peculiar ſignificator of Faith, by the doctrine of Albumazar Tract. 1. differ. 4. viz.

The firſt Age of the world was attributed to Saturn, becauſe that ♃ (the ſignificator of faith) was firſt imbraced by him, in the 24 degr. of ♒▪ and at that time the Jews prevailed; for as Saturn, who applyeth not to the ☌ of the other Planets, but all of them to the Conjunction of him; ſo that Law would acknowledge no other; but all that ſucceeded beleeved it: and becauſe ♄ is of a dry nature; and for that the great ☌ was in ♒ a fixed ſigne, therefore muſt that Law needs be conſtant and permanent, becauſe that when any impreſſion is made in that which is dry, it is of a difficult extraction: This the Complexion of the Hebrews eſpecially ſheweth. And for that ♄ is of profound counſell (as hath been ſaid) therefore they uphold their Laws by their ſtedfaſtneſs, prudence, wiſdome, and counſell: And in regard he is the firſt amongſt the Planets, therefore they reverence one only independent, inſociate, firſt mover; and in reſpect of ♃ complexion, and ♎ the ſigne of Juſtice poſſeſſing the ninth Houſe from the Conjunction, it foreſhewed them to be a fruitfull people, an honeſt Linage, and all certain things, as Fortitude, Temperance, Patience, Wiſdome, Juſtice; and Propheſies, Temples, and Divine Ceremonies, righteous dealings and Laws.

Other 3 Ages were alſo finiſhed in the daies of Ovid: And (as we have formerly noted) in the ☌ of ♃ and ♂ was the originall of the ſect of the Chaldeans: So likewiſe the ☌ of ♃ and the ☉ begun the ſect of the Aegyptians▪ and ♃ with ♀ that of the Sarazens.

Moreover, Ovid was of opinion; that two other Faiths (viz. of Mercury and the Moon,) were to ſucceed, and he flouriſhed in the 5184. year of the World, that was An. 15. before the Nativity of our Saviour, which Law of Mercury is hard to be believed, by reaſon of its ſo many ebbings and flowings, changes, and doubtings, which may be confirmed by any Arguments, and reaſons, ſpeeches and perſwaſions: And for that he was aſſiſted by ♀, therefore it beautified the Temples with Tombs, Images, Muſicall Inſtruments, and Harmony: And becauſe ♀ hath ſignification of Women, and Orations, they therefore worſhip their bodies, and in regard of the Conceſſion of the Moon, which ſignifieth the people; ſhe denoted a People that ſhould do much good; But the ſignifications of ♀ and demonſtrated of Ptolomy 3. Apot. 12. 13. And becauſe that ☿ hath dominion over the Intellect, and wiſdom; and that his exaltation and houſe be in ♍, therefore hath God pointed out by theſe ſigns humanity, and annexed Divinity.

But where ſhall theſe things happen, may ſome ſay? Albumazar, Lib, 6, of his Introduct. tells us, Quod regiones a virgine illuſtratae, ſunt Judea, Gallilea cum confinibus Euphratis, & quaedam Perſia inſulae. That the Regions illuſtrated by the Virgin are Judea, Galilea with the Confines of Euphiates, and certain Iſlands of Perſia.

The laſt Lunar Law declared by Ovid, which was the laſt, ſhall indeavonr to corrupt and take away all Laws, and ſhall ſtrive to uſurp unto it ſelf divine worſhip, becauſe the Orb of the Moon is the loweſt, and her motion the moſt ſwift, therefore it cannot continue long, by the teſtimony of Ovid, by reaſon of its agreeableneſs with the Moon, which quickly and frequently changeth both in her motion and light.

And ſeeing (as we have ſaid) that in this Mock-ſtar the ☽ may avail much, perhaps ſhe may ſignifie that falſe Prophet, for ſhe is Lady of the place of the Tropique, which is of wonderfull vertue and influence, in certain conſtellations and Conjunctions which have there happened. The Incubi do take the ſperm of men, and emitt it into Hyſtera, a woman, or Virgin, and thereby wonderfull men are generated, (ſuch as they ſay Merline was) and he ſhall be a falſe Prophet. So long alſo as the heart of the North ſhall Horoſcopate the ☽ Lady thereof, and ♄; they ſhall prepare wiſe men, working wonders. The Mock-ſtar alſo which appeared Anno 1604, ſo likewiſe the Conjunction Anno 1603, were ſcituated in the Eaſt, ſignifying a great man to be born: Therefore (2 Aph. 204.) It is ſaid, Quod Com[•]tes in Oriente maximi exortum ſignificat viri, magni legum latoris. That a Comet in the Eaſt, ſignifieth eſpecially the appearance of a great man who ſhall be a maker of Laws.

And foraſmuch, as it happened in the Conſtellation of Caſſiopeia, and was afterwards reduced into the 7. degree of Taurus, therefore his ariſing may be eaſily conjectared to paſs, under the earthly Triplicity: Or if we will deduce it from the great Conjunction, his ariſing ſhall be in the watery Triplicity: And for that the ſign Scorpio is the 9. from the place of the Conjunction, it is probable to be in Aſſyria or Aegypt. And being in the firſt decade of Taurus, he ſhall be (according to the learning of the Aegyptians) rather of a ſhort, then long ſtature, great-eyed, thick-bearded, thick-necked, whereon alſo ſhall be a mark, and another upon his head; a broad fore-head, ſharp-noſed, of a black curled hair, and ſmall Members; an eater of an unſatiable appetite▪ walking ſtrongly: And by reaſon that Scorpio falls out in the 9 Houſe from the Conjunction (whereof Mars is Almuten) he ſhall acquire Kingdoms by Rapine, Fortitude, and cruelty: for it ſhould have been by Lature and frand, if it had been Saturn (by the 5. Aph. 16.) He ſhall alſo be terrible to devils, neither ſhall he fear want; nor ſhall baniſhment, or impriſonment affright him, neither ſhall he dread any grief, or regard to undergo the pains of death; he ſhall, not only by the power and vertue of words, but even by his own appearance, drive away evil ſpirits▪ with Magicall deluſions alſo, eitherby ſpels, or the Appellations of certain ſpirits, and by invocations, he ſhall attempt wonderfull things. He ſhall be indued with a moſt excellent wit, and a foreknowledge of future events. He ſhall be brim-full of Hypocriſie, and lies, and ſhall have a cauterized Conſcience, and ſhall be the cauſe of much bloodſhed: He ſhall know how to diſtinguiſh betwixt true Doctrine, and Hereſie; and (if we conſider the place of the Mock-ſtar,) he ſhall ſeem to incline to the Faith of the Turks, and Hebrews.

Furthermore, The Indians ſay: That in whatſoever place of the Zodiaque a Cornet firſt appears, from that place ſhall ariſe a ſtrong man, having a ſword in his left hand, but in his right hand a ſtaff, and upon his ſhoulders, 2. Candles: And in the ſame manner, a ſhip ſhall aſcend, upon which ſhall be a Lion; and upon the ſhip a naked man ſitting, and under the ſhip is the one half of the body of a dead woman.

What is meant by the Sword, Staff, the Candles upon the mans ſhoulders? What the Lyon upon the Ship, the naked man, or the dead woman, let the lovers of truth enquire: Notwithſtanding if you collocate the ſtar in the 1. and ♑ (the houſe of ♄ and exaltation of ♂) in the ninth Houſe the dominion of the Malevolents ſhall be manifeſted.

But the other Mock-ſtar of the year 1604▪ which appeared (according to it's viſible quantity) leſs then ♀, changed its colour every moment, like to a Multiangled Diamond, with which if you turn the unbeams upon the eyes of the beholders, it will reflect with a variable luſtre: For from a bright yellow, anon it became Croceal, again in a moment like unto purple and reddiſh; for the moſt part, it appeared white, and of an amiable, and undiſturbed light, and as formerly we have declared; ſo that notwithſtanding it may portend turbulencies, and ſeditions, yet in the end it may portend the Kingdom of peace; and the rather by reaſon of the colour, and variety of the colour of ☿, who was Lord of the great Conjunction, which preceded the coming of our Saviour: Wherefore, there muſt needs be ſome profound myſtery in thoſe 2. Mock ſtars.

1. In reſpect of the diſtance of time betwixt the appearance of the one and the other; in regard the ſpace of 33. years did intervene betwixt them, meaſuring the years of our Saviour: Therefore like as by the firſt we propheſied of the deſtruction of Monarchy, erected under the watery Triplicity, viz. that of the Turks, becauſe in Taurus, which is oppoſite to Scorpio; and the ariſing of a falſe Prophet, and of the laſt Law which is to come: even ſo alſo may we propheſie of his coming (by the ſecond,) who diſpoſeth all things without ſecond cauſes: And ſeeing that this ſtar likewiſe remained firm, it demonſtrates effects, alſo long-continuing, and powerfull: The wiſe Indians ſay, Circa illam partem in qua Pſeudoſtellarefulxit, aſcendere virum aurum viſu repreſentantem: That about the ſame part of the Heavens in which a Mock-ſtar firſt appeareth ſhall a ma[•] ariſe, who will in ſhew reſemble gold.

From all which, we may gather the great changes of Laws, and cuſtoms: For ſeeing that the firſt mock-ſtar, was obſerved to be in the Conſtellation of Caſſiopeia, it foretold, Impriſonments, Baniſhments, Tribulations, heavineſs, and grief of heart, Anxieties, Oppreſſions, and loſſes amongſt the people; and being in a fixed ſign (viz.) Taurus, it threatned ſterile and dear years, by the 7. Aph. 34. And a ſtability, and durability of thoſe effects, by the 2. Aph. 54. Which is further confirmed by its continuance: For, every Comet or other ſtar was wont to laſt (at the moſt) but the ſpace of ſix moneths (by 2. Apot.) except that Comet, which in the time of Joſephus (as himſelf reporteth Bell. Jud.) appeared for the ſpace of a year over the City of Hieruſalem, foreſhewing her deſt[•]uction: But this miraculous ſtar laſted more then a whole year; ſo that it is not to be doubted, but that its effects will extend themſelves to many future years: And becauſe it was immovable, and in the 12. a fixed ſign, it doth not only premonſtrate a continuance of misfortunes, according to Meſſahala cap. 10. But likewiſe Seditions amongſt men, (by the 3. Aph. 117.) and very much effuſion of blood: And this we will prove in the firſt place.

1. Becauſe (as before we noted) from a white, it changed to a ruddy Mars▪ like colour.

2. Becauſe, untill it had appeared above an entire year and certain moneths, ♄ and ♃ in all that time moved through the houſes of Mars.

3. For that in every great Conjunction in the watery Triplicity as wel the future, as thoſe that are paſt, miſchief is ſtill done unto it by the infortunate aſpect of Mars: Wherefore it will be eaſie to pronounce the extermination of the Sect of the Turks, not only from the change of the Triplicity, but alſo by the ſtars being oppoſed to the ſign of the great Conjunction: And that the ſtar (as but now we noted) was alwaies hurt by Mars, is evident; for, in the year 1583. whileſt that great Conjunction happened in the 3. face of ♓ Mars beheld the ſtar with a □; for the ſtar (as hath formerly been ſaid) was in the 3. and ♂ in the fifth. So in the year 1563. Aug 24. when there was the ſame great Conjunction in the laſt degr. of ♋, Mars was then poſited in the place of the mock-ſtar. And in the year 1544. Sept. 25. when the like great Conjunction alſo fell out in the laſt degree of ♍, although then Mars did not behold the Mock-ſtar, yet he beheld the great ☌ with a ⚹ Aſpect, which is accounted for a □.

Anno 1624. Febr. 1. there was the ſame great ☌ in the end of the firſt decade of ♓, with the preſence of Mars in ⚹ to the Mock-ſtar.

And in the year 1504. June 10. was another in the ſecond face of ♋, and then the Sun was in ☌ with ☿, Venus in □ to ♂; And Mars (for certain) beheld the place of the Mock-ſtar, that appeared 1572. with a Platique ſquare.

By all which it appeareth: That Mars did alwaies afflict this mock-ſtar with publique, and manifeſt enmity, as well before, as after its appearance, ſo likewiſe from hence, and from the change of the Triplicity, by the great Conjunctions from the watery into the fiery, from the mock-ſtar in oppoſition to the ſign Scorpio, we pronounce the extermination of the Sect of the Turks, and of Mahomet, and the turbulent, and violent birth and death of a falſe Prophet.

Nevertheleſs Albumazar (Tract. 5. Differ. 7. Mag. Con.) affirmeth that if any of the Stars ſhall appear in the ſign Taurus having hair, it premonſtrateth misfortune of Wars, and Rumours of terrible things in the Country of the Romans, & vehement diſeaſes ſhall afflict the inhabitants of Babylon, and a dearth of Corn, and Altradenen ſhall be mingled; and the inhabitants of Italy ſhall ſuſtain much misfortune, and ſhall undergo captivities, and conſequently oppreſſion and mortality: And they ſhall commit injuries one againſt another: And men ſhall incur dry diſeaſes, as the ſcab, and the itch, and there ſhall be a great death of Oxen, and a decay of Vines; and ſome part of the Country ſhall be made deſolate, by a vehement cold, and corruption of their Harveſt, and by the deſtruction of the fruits of their Trees, and through want of Tillage and Plantations in the Countrey, they ſhall fear the King of their enemies: Albumazar foretels evil of men, and a decay of ſuch as be good: injuries and Rebellions amongſt them; and when its Declination fals out in the beginning of Aries it portends much war in divers Regions, and great effuſion of blood, the deſtruction of great men, and a choice of ſuch as be evil and infirm, and an Odium ſhall fall among the Inhabitants; and they (if not more Regions) ſhall ſubject themſelves to the King of Babylon, and Haly lib. 8. Cap. 41. ſaies the ſame, affirming that there will be a decay in the territories of Chriſtians, and of Babylon.

Now if theſe things (by the authority of Albumazar and Haly,) be ſignified by a Simple Comet; How much more (then) by this mock ſtar, which was obſerved to be far greater, and of longer continuance?

And in the year 1603. in the end thereof, was a great Conjunction of ♄ and ♃ (as formerly we noted) revolved to the fiery Triplicity in the firſt face of Sagittary, not far from the Scorpions heart, of the firſt magnitude, of the nature of Mars, with the preſence of ☿ in a [•] of [•] and a long ⚹ of the ☽: we called this a great ☌, becauſe by the firſt Aph. 67. Maxima Conjunctio dicitur cum permutando ſe ex aqueo ſigno Arietem ingreditur, A great Conjunction is ſaid to be, when by removing it ſelf out of a watery ſign, it entreth into the ſign dries, therefore the firſt is no ſuch one, for another happened in Leo, and we conclude with Albumazar (Tract. 1. Differ. 2. That the ſign Sagittary is the ſtrongeſt of the ſigns of the fiery Triplicity, Leo indifferent, and ♈ the weakeſt.

This great ☌ (as we have it elſewhere) and let the Reader excuſe us, if we repeat it often) for, by the 4. Aph. 85. Repetitio neceſſaria eſt in hac ſcieentia, vel ob difficultatem, vel ob neceſſitatem, vel ob utilitatem ingentem, vel ob contradictionem) Repetition in this Science is requiſite, either by reaſon of difficulty, neceſſity, exceeding benefit, or to avoid contradiction: Signifieth the deſtruction of the Empire of Mahomet, then an univerſall peace, with the univerſall Empire of Chriſtians, yet not without labour, difficulties, blood-ſhed, and by infinite infelicities, Rebellions, Diſcentions, and Treacherouſneſs, by reaſon of the preſence of the Scorpions heart, and Mercury, and the Quartile of Mars, and becauſe of the appearance of the Mock-ſtar in ſuch a Triplicity; concerning which ſtar, (in imitation of Albumazar Tract. 5. Differ. 7.) we ſay, That if any of the Stars (having hairs) ſhall appear in the Direct of Sagittary; it ſignifieth the vehemency of a King over his people, and his coveting of moneys, the depreſſion of men, and the taking of things by violence, injuſtice, and injuries, with the death of ſuch Nobles, as had their honour under the fiery Triplicity, and conſequently it foreſheweth a drought, and death of the Inhabitants, and the deſtruction of their Kings ſon; and that their cattell ſhall be raiſed to great rates in many parts, a vehemency of heat, and a decay of fruits, the death of Kings, and Citizens; and much lewdneſs in ſundry places.

And (as we inſtanced before) If ſo great effects are ſignified by Comets, which laſt but the ſpace of three or four moneths; what ſhall this Mock ſtar portend, which laſted above a whole year? Moreover, if that moving Mock ſtar of the third magnitude, in the daies of Hypparchus did portend a mutation of the Monarchy of the Greeks, into that of the Romans: How much more may theſe Mock-ſtars (of the years 1572. and 1604. which remained immoveable, and exceeded all the ſtars of Heaven in magnitude) foreſhew not only their changes, but even their deſtruction?

We muſt now come to the particular times, when theſe things ſhall happen, and in what places; for, in this year, 1625. there beginneth a preparation for War, between the Princes in, and without Italy. The Plague likewiſe rageth in ſundry parts of Sicilia, and a dearth of Corn. The effects proceed not only (as ſome ſuppoſe) from the annuall Revolution; for the annuall Revolution begins (according to Ptolomy) when the Sun enters into the firſt point of ♈, and as well the preparation for wars, as thoſe Peſtilent diſeaſes, had their birth in former years: wherefore, ſuch wonderfull effects cannot be produced from the ſimple annuall Revolution, without the Eclipſes of the Luminaries, and ſome other notable Conſtallations, as the moſt learned Ptolomy hath inſinuated 4. Apot. 2. Therefore we may the rather conclude: that theſe things have ariſen from former cauſes; for as it hath often been urged, Corpora Coelestia non agere in inſtanti, ſed cum tempore; The Caeleſtiall Bodies do not operate upon a ſuddain, but with ſome delay: And, as Ariſtotle atteſteth, Natura [•]on facit ſaltum, Nature works not by leaps.

Moreover, we (in our 2. book de Max. Con. c. 6.) foretold this year 1625. to be infortunate[•] the words were theſe [But ſome may ſay, where and when ſhall theſe things be? (Theſe things and the former are handled in the preceding Chapter) for we propheſied of War, of the dearth of Corn, Plague, and diſſentions, which ſhall be manifeſted in thoſe Regions, which are ſubject to the ſign Cancer, and ſuch other ſigns as be oppoſite, and in Quartile thereunto, and thoſe places are mentioned by us, liba. cap. ult. De mutatione Aeris: As concerning the time when thoſe things ſhall happen: We ſay they will happen in the end of the ſecond year from the ☌, when the malevolents ſhall come to the Sun; that is, in the end of the year, 1624. and in 1625.]

And a little after in the ſame Chapter, Pag. 79. at the end, and in the beginning of pag. 80. we ſaid [But in the year 1625. although there happen four Eclipſes, whereof neither of theſe horrible ones of the Sun can be ſeen of us, nor the latter of the Moon; yet the former of the Moon may be obſerved in our Horizon, which ſhall happen upon Sunday the 23. of May according to the New, but the 13. of the ſame moneth after the old account, not far from the North Node in the 3. degr. 20. min. of ♎, and the Digits eclipſed ſhall be 2 and about 15 min. the beginning at ſix hours 24. minutes, the middle, or true ☍, or the full moon at ſeven hours ſeventeen minutes. The end at eight of the clock, and ten minutes of the following night: which eclipſe happeneth in the place of the ſhip, and in the platique ſquare of an infortune: whereby (beſides thoſe peſtiferous diſeaſes now mentioned, from that time, we may eaſily point out Ruine, and great alteration of the A[•]e; and much wars, many conflicts, ſudden deaths, effuſion of blood, and aſſault to be made againſt ſome King, troubleſome, and pernitious ſeditions.]

And in like manner it may be obſerved, that ſuch effects are enraged, or put forward by the Eclipſes of the precedent year, 1624. (almoſt) in which year, there happened likewiſe an Eclipſe of the Sun, to the quantity of eleven Points and half, in the nineteenth degree of [•].

The 12. of October 1605. it came to the oppoſition of the glittering Mock-ſtar 1572. Moreover, in the year 1620. there happened an eclipſe of the Moon in the eighteenth degree of Gemini, being 19. points and half, darkened in oppoſition to the ſtar, that appeared 1604. and (according to P[•]olomy) it incontinently produced its effects:

Whereby it appeareth, that the future Cataſtrophe of the world, ſhall not be this year; for theſe effects do not ariſe from the Mockſtars, and great Conjunctions, but from cauſes that be leſs univerſall: And the preſent Accidents of the world, as of wars, the Plague, and ſuch others, are as it were the firſt offerings of the great Revolutions of Italy, and the world.

Therefore we will conclude, that the Revolutions of ſublunary things may be produced in future years, ſc. when the great Conjunction happeneth in the watery Triplicity; that is, in the end of that Triangle, Anno 1583. it ſhall come to the Mock-ſtar, which appeared Anno 1562. And ſuch a direction in the opinion of Tycho (according to the Zodiacall degrees) ſhall fall out in the year 1632. near unto which time the great Conjunction that happened in the fiery Trigon Anno 1603. comes to the ſquare ſyniſter of Mars, who beheld that great Conjunction by a Quartile Aſpect in the Radix. Moreover, the great Conjunction of Leo, Anno 1623. comes (almoſt at the very ſame time) by direction to the Triangle of the Star which reſulſt in the year 1604.

Beſides in the year 1630. The Abſis of Saturn is changed from Sagittary, the houſe of ♃, to Capricorn his proper houſe: And it is not to be doubted, but that the firſt point of Capricorn, is a place very powerfull, becauſe it is the ſolſtitial point, yet the terms belong to Mercury, who augment drought and moiſture, the Peſtilence, ſcarcity of fruits, and animals, for ♄ hath ſignification of cold and dryneſs; Mercury portendeth dryneſs, coagulation, and deadly windes (by 7. Aph. 69.) and variety of the ſeaſon: Beſides, inundations, Earthquakes, Froſts, and ſnow, and extream cold, by 7. Aph. 67. and when he is near unto the third ſtars of Sagittary, of the third magnitude, nigh to the Shaft, or in the ſhaft it ſelf, he hath greateſt force, ſo that then Traitors, and Man-ſlayers are produced.

The permutation likewiſe of the Abſides of the Planets (eſpecially of ♄) do change Kingdoms, and Regions, and Religious by the 1. Aph. 37. and when it ſhall be tranſlated to an earthly ſign, and to the Tropique of ♑ in the terms of ☿ there ſhalbe great earthquakes by the 7. Aph. 124. For, when the Abſides of the infortunes ſhall be in watery ſigns, eſpecially in ♋: and ♏, there will be inundations; But if in fiery ſigns, barrenneſs, and Conſ[•]agrations: If in Aiery, a generall and great deſtruction; and if in earthly ſigns, great Earthquakes ſhall ſucceed.

Beſides what hath been ſaid, this change alſo of the Abſides of ♄, do confirm what formerly we have delivered touching the falſe Prophet by the 3 Aph. 136. In the tranſmutation of the Angis, and of the Regall and great Conjunctions, great men are born, although the Genitures do not ſhew it ſo expreſly.

By the change of the Abſides of ♄ in ♋ Mahomet had his growth; Therefore by the ſame mutation of the Abſis in ♑ the oppoſite ſign, he ſhall ſuffer detriment, decay, and come to nothing: And this may be proved by the predictions of Mahomet, the lying Prophet, in things belonging to the Kingdom of glory; (but perhaps he may have ſpoken the truth, in many things touching the ſucceſs of the Empire, of ſuch who ſhould follow his Law, and eſpecially when he foretold the time, wherein the Mahumetan Laws was about to be deſtroyed) It is reported by many, that Mahomet had the ſpirit of Divination; of others, that he was Lunatique, or oppreſſed with an evil ſpirit whereby he foretelling ſomething, which was to be performed by the Devil, by little, and little, he grew into great eſteem amongſt the ignorant people, inſomuch that from a driver of Camels, he became the husband of an exceeding rich Heir; whereupon the ſpirit within him grew very haughty; and he begun to propheſie many things, and (by the help of Serguis Neſtorianus the Heretique, he was made Legiſlator, and wrote the Alcoran; The which (God ſuffering it) he knew ſhould have a great increaſe for 1000 years, but thoſe being finiſhed, the Mahumetans that ſucceeded, grew ſo faint, for the death of their King, that the Law by him eſtabliſhed was no longer obſerved. Wherefore the period of the 1000. years of the Law of Mahomet ſhall be thus manifeſted.

The years of Mahomet of Hagira begun, when Mahomet undertook his expedition for the defence of Religion, which was in the year of Chriſt 603. and he died in the year following, when he had 40. years: ſo that by accounting Hagira from this year; about the year 1630 when there ſhall happen ſo many Revolutions of the heavens, and when the Aux of Saturn paſſes into ♑ the ſign oppoſite to Cancer (in which was the increaſe of his Law) ſhall be the end and deſtruction thereof; but by the word end, we underſtand not a totall extirpation, but a ſenſible beginning of its deſtruction.

Again (to ſpeak Aſtrologically) ſeeing that the Faith of Mahomet remaineth Martiall and Lunar, if we will take the leſſer years of theſe Planets, they will make up the 40. Mahumetan years, (ſc.) 25. of the Moon, and 15. of Mars: Laſtly, if we will take the leſſer, greater, and mean years of theſe Planets, and adde them to the 591. year from the birth of Chriſt, in which year Mahomet was born; his great deſtruction ſhall begin about the year 1648. And if to thoſe years we adde alſo the Fridary years of theſe Planets, his totall, and laſt deſtruction ſhall be about the year 1663. after great and horrible ſlaughters, and ealamities, and after the death of the falſe Prophet.

The great Revolutions of the world and the infortunate effects of the by paſt Profections of the great Conjunctions preceding the Flood, Chriſt, and Mahomet, are nowconfirmed: For, the profection of the great Conjunction, which preceded the Flood, cometh, in the year 1632. to the ſign of Scorpio, which is the ſign of the Turks, and of Mahomet (as before we mentioned) and it is confirmed 1. Aph. 68. by Albumazar, Tract 4. Differ. 8. They foreſhew that there ſhall appear in thoſe Regions, and Cities, that are under the dominion of Scorpio (ſuch be Judea, Cappadocea, Aſſyria, Mauritania, Aegypt, Cathalonia, and the like) Kings of beautifull faces, many monſtrous and unnatural things, expending much moneys, & Venus: The Ptiſick, and Palſey; medicines ſhall be much deſired, and the wits of men ſhall be ſlender, and weak, about ſuch things as they ſhall indeavour to find out, and exceſsive plundering ſhalbe multiplied among the ungodly, & lamentation & impriſonments, diſtreſſes, ſorrows, treachery, & accuſations, lameneſs, and feebleneſs, and diſeaſes, and darkneſs ſhal from time to time poſſeſs the air, & rain, ſnow, hail, thunder, lightning, and ſtorms, and daily commotions of the Elements ſhalbe increaſed.

In the ſame year 1632, the profection of the ſign aſcendant of the Conjunction, which preceded the Flood, divolved to the beginning of Aries, which ſignifieth that in thoſe Regions, which are under the dominion of Aries, (as Germany, France, Brittany, Baſternia, Syria, Paleſtina, Polonia, Mino, the upper Burgundy, Swedeland, the upper Sileſia, and part of Auguſta, ſhall uſe inſtruments of Iron, and Arms, and the like: and ſlaughter, contention, & diriſion ſhall attend mens actions, and ſpeedy change from one condition to another: and death ſhalbe [•]eared amongſt them, & their harveſt ſhalbe waſted.

In the ſame year 1632, the ſign aſcendant of the conjunction, which Preceded the coming of Chriſt; voluing to the 17. Degr. of ♑, ſignifies (according to Albumazar, Differ. 2. Tract. 4.) that there ſhall appear in ſuch Regions as are ſubject to the ſign (viz. India, Arriana, Gedroſia, Macedonia, Illyria, Thracia, Albania, Roſſina, Bulgaria, Lituania, Saxonia, Maſſonia, Turingia, Heſſia, Marchia, Styrie, the Orchades Iſlands) great concupiſcence in Women, whence ſhall proceed Adulteries, Rapes, prepoſterous Luſt, Wrath, Anguiſh, Lyes, Injuries, Deceit and wickedneſs, men routing one another out of their habitations: And the King of Babylon ſhall be in danger, by reaſon of ſome of his Enemies; and misfortunes ſhall happen in his City, through fear and death, and terrible rumors and diſcord ſhall fall amongſt men: Afterwards the King ſhall recon[•••]e them, and blood ſhall be ſhed about Babylon, and that at the Aequidiſtance of the Sun to the third face of Scorpio.

The profection of the Conjunction, which preceded the coming of Chriſt, to the 24. Degr. of Gemini, ſignifieth (according to Albumazar, Differ. 3. Tract. 4.) to thoſe Provinces that be ſubject to that ſign (as Hyrcania, Armenia, Martiana, Cyreniaca, Arme[•]ia inferior, Aegypt, England, Sardinia, Brabant, Wittenburgh, Flanders, Lumbardy, and the like) that great Conſultation will be had about Supernatural Myſteries, as Divinity, and Coeleſtial Sciences, the Eſſence of Faith, and Propheſie; and in thoſe things goodneſs of Countenance, & greatneſs of Spirit ſhall prevail, moderate and ſpecious pretences and actions, and mutual changes of things: And that the King of Babylon ſhall be diſguiſed for the Cauſe of his Princes, and ſhall be diſpleaſed with ſome of them: And there ſhall be an Inſurrection in Armenia, and they ſhall kill one another; and afterward thoſe that ſurvive ſhall fly unto foraign Cities, and their condition ſhall be changed, and their Enemies ſhall prevail againſt them, and overcome them: And evil ſhall happen unto the Romans, and they ſhall dye of ſundry Diſeaſes, and their ſorrows ſhall be multiplied by reaſon of theſe things: And diſaſters are threatned to befal the Inhabitants of Spain through Murther, Sickneſs, much Thunder and Lightning, and Eaſterly winds, deſtroying fruits, and eſpecially in the Southern parts Abortive births, and death amongſt children and young men.

The profection of the Aſcendant of that years Conjunction to ♋ that in Numidia, Affrica, Bithinia, Phrygia, Ochiden, Carthage, France, Scotland, Granada, Pruſſia, Holland, Zeland, Burgundy (according to Albumazar, Tract. above quoted, Differ. 4.) there will be Death and Poverty, and their fear ſhall be encreaſed by their Enemies, and Botches and Death ſhall befal them; and the year ſhall be remarkable to men, by reaſon of many things that will happen in it, as ſlaughter, and multiplicity of deſtroying Locuſts, and other Creatures, and Wolves ſhall do hurt unto men.

The profection of the Conjunction, which ſignified the Law of Mahomet to the 12. degree of Aquarius, his ſquare ſiniſter ſignifies out of Albumazar, Tract. 4. Differ. 11. that hurt will befall Travellers; Vineyards will be ſpoiled through too much wet, and there ſhall be abundance of Locuſts, and all places on the ſea-ſhore, or upon the bank, will be fearfully endangered by droughts, ſickneſſes, and the like: And much goodneſs, and joy ſhall be multiplied in Arabia, and the Romans ſhall quarrell with their enemies, and there ſhall be loſs in Turky.

The profection of the Sign Aſcendant, of the Conjunction, which ſignifies the Sect of Mahomet, to the 23. degree of ♑, betokeneth misfortunes, downfals, and loſs of the Turkiſh Laws, by reaſon of deceipt, and treachery.

The profection of the ſign aſcendant, of that year in which the ☌ happened, ſignifying the Law of Mahomet, to the 24, degree of ♒ the oppoſite ſign to ♌, and Regulus, a ſtar of the firſt magnitude, and Imperial, ſignifies great changes, and warfare amongſt the Turks, and of Chriſtians with Infidels, becauſe it is in the ſquare of ♏ and in ☍ of ♌, which will produce great oppreſſions.

Now conſidering, and weighing, ſo many, and great influences of the heavens claſhing with one another, and that for ſo many cauſes, that one Form may be drawn out of the heavenly mixture, according to the firſt doctrine of the firſt Aphoriſme; Scientia cauſarum tribus modis perficitur, quod futuri ſint, quod accidant tandem, & quod tunc accident, The knowledge of cauſes is performed by three maner of wayes, the things which are to come, which happen after ſome ſpace of time, and which ſhall fall out at length. Therefore it is a very difficult thing to underſtand what is meant by theſe three; which conſideration is a choice Science, and a granted truth, not any where to be found but in the Books of Aſtrology, according to the 1. Aph. 34. It is an excellent Science, but moſt laborious and full of difficulty: and therefore (by the 1. Segm. Aph. 105.) many do abandon Aſtrology as vain, others as thinking it uncertain; Nevertheleſs (we duly conſidering the ſundry cauſes, and influences of the heavens, as well thoſe that be more rare, as thoſe that happen frequently; and conſidering alſo, that they are wrapt up in the choiſeſt Philoſophy: whereas (by 3. Aph. 155) Aſtrologers, as they be only Fortune-tellers, are the worſt of men, deceivers, and of corrupt behaviour: But Natural Philoſophers, ſtudious of the truth, and vertuous: And for theſe things only, an Aſtrologer to be accounted a ſpeaker of the Truth; and honeſt, ſo long, as in his predictions he adheres to the Principles of Naturall Philoſophy:) we will adventure, with the beſt of our underſtanding to the judgement of future Revolutions; and ſhall declare, that near the year 1632. either a little before, or after the beginning thereof, there ſhall be a ſenſible, and manifeſt Cataſtrophe of the whole world, and the deſtruction of the Law of Mahomet and the Turks. And then perchance (as we have often ſaid) ſhall a falſe Prophet ariſe, or a Great man; for betwixt the Mockſtar (a 100. times repeated) Anno 1572. and that other in 1604. The mean years do number the age of our Saviour, and if we will add the ſame years to the year 1604. they will fall out in the year 1632. wherein the great Conjunction of the year 1583. (which happened in the watery Triplicity, and in the end of that Triangle,) ſhall come to the Mock ſtar, which ſhewed it ſelf An. 1572. And if (again) we add the ſame years, they ſhall happen about the years 1666. near which time the falſe miracles of the world ſhall be diſcovered, with the change, and deſtruction of (almoſt) all Sects: for in 1662. (it will take 48. degr. half, or 1666. if the whole degr.) the great Conjunction in ♐ 1603. will come to the body of the Star, which appeared Anno 1604. with the reſt, according to the operations of the Planets.

In the year 1638. the eclipſe of the Sun, which happened in the year 1621. in the 0. degr. ♊, will come to the oppoſition of the Mock-ſtar, An. 1604. Seeing alſo that in the year 1646. the great ☌ of the year, 1583. will divolve to the Mock-ſtar of the year 1572. according to the right aſcentions, anſwering uniformly (by the Meridian) to all Horizons, according to the operations of the Planets. And if we will add Venus her greater years, to the year of the Star 1572. when it was found in Taurus, there ſhall be alterations likewiſe in the year 1654. (becauſe in the year 1653. the greateſt obliquity of the Zodiaque is accounted 23. degr. 28. min. which is leſſer then it may be found to be by obſervation) for about thoſe times (as we have declared lib. 2. cap. 11. of Great Con.) a leſſer Conjunction of the malevolents happeneth, viz. in the year 1650. in the Moneth of July about the New-Moon in the firſt face of ♋, not far from the degree of the Sun. And in Auguſt 1652, in the ſame point of Heaven, in which the Conjunction of the Luminaries (at the time of the leſſer ☌ in ♋ 1650) happened; and from the Tranſite of ♄ Anno. 1653. from the South into the North, when he cut the Ecliptique in the 6 degree and 40. min. of ♌, in the place of the partile great ☌ of ♄ and ♃ in the year 1623.

Moreover 1659. is the period of the revolution of the 14 Orbe, in which the ☽ and ♌ ſhall have dominion: and the revolution of the 15. Orbe ſhall begin, in which ♄ and ♍ ſhall bear rule; which ſign of ♍ is the ſign of the ☌ before the coming of Chriſt, and is afflicted by ♄ wherefore there ſhall ariſe great changes in the World.

So likewiſe if we add the great years of ♃, to the year of the Mock-ſtarr, without doubt in the latter years (by 1 Aph. 40.) there ſhall almoſt be a deſtruction of Monarchies eſpecially; becauſe in thoſe years there will happen moſt powerfull influences of the Stars. But what the Hoſt of Heaven may portend after 1630. but much more after 1650. yea, 1660. from the mock-ſtarr 1572. we conceive not only the finall deſtruction of the Turks; but alſo that there ſhall be a great decay of Chriſtians; and that not only all the Kings and Potentates of the earth ſhall be hurt, by the ſeverall evill Conſtellations, and influences: But take heed all you Kings of Spain and France; you Princes and Potentates of Italy, behold and dread the ſigne ſent from God, ſ[•]il▪ the Mock-ſtarr of the year 1604, let down in the fiery Triplicity to provoke wars and conflicts (by 7. Aph. 34.) Rebellions, Treaſons, Deſolations, Suddain and Utter Ruine, and Miſchiefs of all kindes,: So that all men living (of what degree, condition, or age ſoever) ſhall be naturally inclined to ſhedding of blood: For, by the 4. Aph. 6. Every immoderate conſtitution of the ſtars brings death amongſt old and infirme people; but in others, violent Events, and cruell and utter Ruine.

Oh! how many changes of Kingdomes? Oh! how much lamenting and bewailing the condition of diſgrace? Oh! what ſorts and differences of dangers and troubles, are to be feared? What unſpeakable, great, and grievous villanies? Oh! what turbulent and damnable ſeditions? Oh! what unlooked and unhoped-for miſchievous kinds of death? Oh! what exalting of wicked and reprobate men, the troubled ſtars of heaven, do in abundance belch out? Oh! what wretched and indigent perſons are every where extold? And the rich oppreſſed and impoveriſhed? How many Subjects and ſervants ſhall rule, whilſt Kings and Maſters ſhall obey? What Princes ſhall be thrown out of their dominions? Oh! what inſolent, drunken, and luxurious men, who ſhall have the habit of whoredome; what inventors of new and unheard▪ of Luſts, Buggerers, Gluttons, Murtherers, Cruell deceivers, and Traitors, and ſheeves (without cauſe) ſuch as ſhall deride, torment, and tear in peices and kill with very vexation, all men that be endowed with prudence, knowledge, and wiſdome: but they ſhall be of a conſtant and firme minde. And although theſe things ſhall be fierce after the year 1630. yea, more fierce after 1650. yet ſhall they be moſt terrible and rigorous after the year 1660.

Thus have theſe things been delivered briefly, and with a haſty Quill touching the moſt labourſome and difficult matter propoſed; which ought to have been handled in another method, by another Doctrine, and by men moſt learned in the Art; and not by me, who am almoſt ignorant therein, and imployed upon other Sciences, and Phyſick; and have kept my bed for divers moneths upon a Feaver. Notwithſtanding as (for thoſe cauſes, and the ſhortneſs of time) they have been by me finiſhed; if now at length they ſhall be gratefully accepted, I ſhall rejoyce that my pains have not been unprofitable▪ and if any thing be taken not ſo gratefully or leſs pleaſing; I hope the Readers (aſcribing it to the before-mentioned cauſes,) will look upon all, with a benign judgement; for perhaps better things ſhall one day be added.

A PROPHECIE OF Ambroſe Merlin, a Britaine, From the Tranſlation of Gefferey of Monmouth: Aenigmatically therein delivering the Fate, and Period of the Engliſh Monarchy.

VOrtiger (king of the Britains) ſitting on the brink of an emptied Pool, there iſſued thence 2. Dragons one of which was white, but the other red. And when the one came near the other, they began a terrible fight & by (the vehemency of) their breath, begot fire. But the White Dragon prevailed, and chaſed the Red Dragon to the end of the Lake. But the Red Dragon, after he had bemoaned himſelfe (thus) expulſed, made a ſuddaine aſſault upon the White Dragon, and forced him to give back. The Dragons thus contending, the King commanded Ambroſe Merline to tell him what that Combat of the Dragons meant. Then he guſhing out with tears aſſumeth the Spirit of Prophecy: (and ſaith) Wo unto the Red Dragon, for his ruin approcheth. The White Dragon ſhall poſſeſs his Dens, which ſignifieth the Saxons whom thou haſt invited: but the Red Dragon deſigneth the Nation of Britain, which ſhall be oppreſſed of the White. Therefore ſhall the Mountains thereof be levelled as the Valleys; and the Rivers of the Valleys ſhall ſtream with blood. The purity of Religion ſhall be defaced; and the ruine of Churches ſhall be manifeſted. At length the oppreſſed ſhall prevail, and ſhall withſtand the Tyrannie of ſtrangers. For the Boar of Cornwell ſhall aſſiſt and ſhall trample the necks of them under his feet. The Iſles of the Ocean ſhall be ſubject to his Authority and ſhall poſſeſs the French Forreſts. Rome ſhall tame his [•]yrannie, and his end ſhall be doubtfull. He ſhall be famous in the mouth of the multitude, and his actions ſhall be (as) meat to thoſe that recount them. Six of his ſucceſſors ſhall attain the Scep[••], but after them ſhall a German Worm ariſe. The Sea-wolf ſhall magnifie him, whom the Affrican Forreſts ſhall accompany. Religion ſhall again be defaced, and there ſhall be a tranſmutation of the chief Seats. The dignity of London ſhall adorn Cant[•]bu[•]y, and the 7. Paſtor of York ſhall be often in the Leſſer Britanie Angliſea ſhall be cloathed with the garment of the City of Legions; and the Preacher of Ireland ſhall be ſilent by reaſon of an infant growing in the Womb. It ſhall rain blood, and a horrible dearth ſhall afflict, men. Theſe things coming on a ſudden, the Red Dragon ſhall fret but with much ado, he ſhall flouriſh: Then ſhall the white Dragons calamity approach, and the buildings of his little Villages ſhall be overthrown. Seven kings ſhall be deſtroyed, and one ſhall be hallowed. The mothers bellies ſhall be ript open, and the children ſhall be abortive. There ſhall be a wonderfull great puniſhment of men, that the Natives may be reſtored. He that ſhall do theſe things ſhall become a Brazen-man; and he ſhall (for a long time after) keep the Gates of London, upon a Brazen-horſe. From thenceforth the red Dragon ſhall return to his peculiar temperature, and ſhall indeavour to exerciſe cruelty upon himſelf: Therefore ſhall the wrath of the moſt high come ſuddenly upon him; for the fields ſhall fruſtrate the labour of the hasbandman. A ſudden mortality ſhall ſnatch away the people, and ſhall ſweep away whole Nations. Such as be left, ſhall forſake their Native ſoil, and ſhall ſow their corn in Forraign Countreys. A bleſſed King ſhall prepare a ſhip, and in a Princes Court, he ſhall be numbred among the 12. bleſſed.

There ſhall be a lamentable deſolation of the Kingdom, and the Barn-floores full of Corn ſhall be turned into unprofitable woods. The white Dragon ſhall ariſe the ſecond time, and ſhall invite the daughter of Germany. Our little villages ſhall once more be repleniſhed with a ſtrange generation, and the red Dragon ſhall languiſh in the end of the Lake. Afterward ſhall the German Worm be crowned, and the Brazen Prince ſhall be humbled. A bound is ſet him, which he cannot paſs: For, he ſhall remain 150. years in disquiet, but he ſhall be in ſubjection 300. years. Then ſhall the North wind riſe againſt him, and ſhall ſnatch away the Flowers, which the weſt wind begot. Churches ſhall be beautified, yet ſhall not the ſword depart. The German Worm ſhall hardly keep his den, becauſe vengeance ſhall ſuddenly come upon him for his treacherie: at length, he ſhall flouriſh for a while, but the Decimation of the Normans ſhall offend him: for the people ſhall ru[•]h in upon him, in wooden horſes, and Iron coats, who ſhall be revenged of his naughtineſs. He ſhall reſtore to the former inhabitants their poſſeſſions, and the deſtruction of the Aliens ſhall (then) appear: the branches of the White Lion ſhall be cut off from our Territories, and the remainder of his generation ſhall be tenth'd. They ſhall undergo the yoke of perpetuall ſervitude; and they ſhall wound their mother with mattocks, and ploughs. Two Dragons ſhall ſucceed, whereof one ſhall be choaked by the dart of envy, but the other ſhall return under the ſhadow of a Kingly name. The I yon of juſtice ſhall follow, at whoſe roaring the French [•]owers, and the Iſland Dragons ſhall tremble. In his days ſhall gold be ſqueazed out of the Lilly and Nettle; and ſilver ſhal be extracted out of the hoofs of the lowing beaſts. The ſpruce Fantaſticks of the times ſhall put on changeable garments, and their outward habits ſhall bewray the vanity of their mindes. The greedy hounds ſhall be ham-ſtring'd, the Beaſts of the Forreſt ſhall reſt in quiet, humanity ſhall bewail the puniſhment: the coyn ſhall be cleft, and each half ſhall be made round. The ravenouſneſs of the Kites ſhall be conſumed, and the teeth of the Wolves ſhall be broken: the Lions whelps ſhall be turned into Seaſithes, and his Eagle ſhall build her neſt upon Mount M[•]riana. Vendoria ſhall be dyed red with her mothers blood, and the houſe of Corim[••], ſhall ſlay fix brothers. The Iſle ſhall be damp with her mighty tears, whereupon all men ſhall be provoked to all things. Wo unto thee Normandy, for on thee ſhall the brain of the Lion be waſted, and his Members being torn in pieces, ſhall be thrown out of his Native ſoil. They that ſucceed ſhall indeavour to remove the Crown, but the love of new Kings ſhall be extol'd. For his goodneſs he ſhall be abuſed by the wicked, untill he become a Father. Therefore being armed with the teeth of the Boar, he ſhall paſs over the tops of the Mountains, and the ſhade of the helmet: the Highlanders of Scotland ſhall be diſpleaſed, and having aſſembled their Collaterals ſhall proc[••]m war. He ſhall put a bridle in the jaws of him, which ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the (very) boſom of little Britany. The Eagle of the broken truce ſhall beautifie it, and ſhall rejoyce in his third building. The whelps of the roaring Lion ſhall awaken, and (the Forreſts being forſaken) ſhall be hunted beneath the walls of the Cities, and ſhall commit great ſlaughter upon ſuch as withſtand them, and ſhall cut out the tongues of the Bulls: they ſhall load the necks of the roaring Lions with chains, and ſhall renew the ancient times. Afterward, the Regall unction ſhall paſs from the firſt to the fourth, from the 4. to the 3. from the 3. to the ſecond.

The ſixt ſhall overthrow the wals of Ireland, and ſhall turn the forreſts thereof into plain fields. He ſhall reduce divers kingdoms into one, and he ſhall be crowned with the head of a Lion. His beginning ſhall be in a reſtleſs, and wavering affection, but his end ſhall be bleſſed; for he ſhall repair the decayed Monaſteries throughout the Country, and ſhall place Preachers in convenient places: He ſhall cloath two cities with two garments, and he ſhall beſtow Virgins gifts upon Virgins, for which he ſhall me[••] the favour of God, and ſhall be numbred among the bleſſed.

A Woolf-like beaſt ſhall come out of him penetrating all things, who ſhall indeavour the ruin of his own Nation, for by him the Normans ſhall loſe both the Iſles, and ſhall be bereaved of their Priſtine dignity. From thenceforth ſhall the ancient Inhabitants return to their own Iſle, for variance ſhall ariſe among the aliens. Likewiſe, a venerable old man, upon a white horſe, ſhall divert the river of Periton, and with his white Scepter ſhall diſpoſe of the Mill thereon ſtanding. Cadwalader ſhall call home the [•]inani, and ſhall receive the Highlanders into fellowſhip. Then ſhall there be great ſlaughter committed on the Forraigners, then ſhall the rivers ſtream with blood, then ſhall the mountains of little Britain burſt out, and ſhall be crowned with the Diadem of Brute. Wales ſhall be filled with joy, and the Oaks of Cornwall ſhall wax green. The Iſle ſhall be called by the Name of Brute, and the memory of the ſtrangers ſhall be forgotten.

From Conanus ſhall come a warlike Boar, who ſhall exerciſe the ſharpneſs of his teeth, within the French Forreſts: for he ſhall hew down all the greater Oaks, but he ſhall give protection to the leſſer. The Arabians, and Affricans ſhall quake for fear of him, for the violence of his motion ſhall threaten the further Spain. A Goat of the Venerean houſe ſhall ſucceed him, having golden horns, and a ſilver beard, who ſhall breath forth ſuch a cloud from his Noſtrils as that the ſurface of the whole Iſle ſhal be obſcured. There ſhal be peace in his days, and by the fruitfulneſs of the earth, all ſorts of grain ſhal be multiplied.

Women by reaſon of their Lewdneſs ſhal be made Serpents, and every ſtep they make ſhal be filled with pride. The tents of V[•]us ſhal be renewed, neither ſhal the darts of Luſt leave off to wound. The Rivers ſhal be turned into blood, and two Kings ſhal fight a duel for the Lyoneſs of Stafford. Every one ſhal wantonize, and civility (it ſelf) ſhal not forbear to admit of contraries. All theſe things three ages ſhal ſee fulfilled, until the interred Kings within the City of London ſhal be diſcovered. Famine ſhal again infeſt, mort[•]lity ſhal once more return, and the inhabitants ſhall lament the deſolation of their Cities. A [•]ear of commerce ſhall unexpectedly ariſe, who ſhall bring back his ſcattered droves, to their forſaken Paſtures. His breſt ſhall be food to the Hungry, and his tongue ſhall appeaſe the thirſty: Rivers ſhall flow from his mouth, which ſhall refreſh mens dried cheeks.

Afterward a Tree ſhall be procreated upon the Tower of London, which, having only three [•]oughs, ſhall obſcure the face of the whole Iſle, with the breadth of its leaves. From hence the North winde (its enemy) ſhall ſuddenly ariſe, and by its cruell blaſt ſhall ſnatch away the third bough thereof. The other two ſhall ſupply the room thereof, untill (by the multitude of their leaves) one ſhall cover another. But afterward it ſhall obtain the room of two, and ſhall ſuſtain Birds of Forraign Nations. It ſhall be accounted obnoxious to the Native Birds, for through the fear of its ſhadow, they ſhall loſe their flying-young.

An unprofitable Aſſe ſhall ſucceed ready in puniſhing counterfeiters of gold, but ſlow in revenging the ravening of Wolves. In thoſe daies, the Oaks throughout the Forreſts ſhall burn, and Accorns ſhall grow upon the boughs of Lindens.

The Severn ſhall run through ſeven Gates, and the river Oſca ſhall wax hot for the ſpace of ſeven moneths. The Fiſhes therein ſhall die by the heat thereof, and of them ſhall Serpents be ingendred. The Baths of Bado ſhall frieze, and their wholſome waters ſhall become poyſonous. London ſhall lament the ſlaughter of 20000. men, and the river of Thames ſhall be turned into blood. Monks ſhall be compelled to marriage, and the noiſe of them ſhall be heard in the Mountains of the Alps. Three Fountains ſhall burſt out in the City of Wincheſter, whoſe little brookes ſhall divide the Iſle into three parts; he that ſhall drink of one, ſhall prolong his life, neither ſhall he be afflicted with any ſudden feebleneſs. He that ſhall drink of the other, ſhall periſh with hunge, and a wanueſs and horror ſhall poſſeſs his face. He that ſhall drink of the third, ſhall die a ſudden death, neither ſhall his body be bu[•]ied▪ But if his dead body ſhall be thrown upon the water, the aſhes thereof ſhall be turned into water. Her upon a Damoſ[•]ll ſhall come from the City of Can[••]us of the Forreſt, to prepare a Medicine, whereby, as ſhe ſhall underſtand all Arts, ſhe ſhall dry up the obnoxius Fountains by the only vertue of her breath. Afterward, to refre[•]h her ſelf with the wholſome Liquor, ſhe ſhall carry the Calidonian Forreſt in her right hand, but in her left hand, the Bulwarks of the Walls of London. What way ſoever ſhe ſhall paſs, ſhe ſhall leave ſulphureous tracks behinde her, which ſhall ſmoak with a double flame. That ſmoak ſhall ſtir up the Ruche[•]s, and ſhall deſtroy the Fithes of the Sea. She ſhall continue in lamentable ſorrows, and ſhall fill the Iſle with her hortible out-[•]ry. A[•]tagg of ten branches ſhall ſlay h[•]r, four of which branches ſhall carry together the golden Diadems▪ But the other ſix ſhall be turned into the Horns of the wilde Oxen. which by a horrible noiſe ſhall ſhake the three Iſles of Bri[••]nie. The Forreſt of Daneum ſhall be ſtirred up and (with a gentle voice) ſhall call, Come Wales, and joyn Cornwall to thee, and ſay to the City of Wincheſter, The Earth [••]all [〈◊〉] a[••]ow thee up. Transfer the ſeat of thy Paſtor, whither the Birds do flock and the other Members ſhall follow their head.

For the day draweth near, whereon the Inhabitants ſhall be deſtroyed for the ſin of perjury. The whiteneſs of their Wooll, and the diverſity of their Tincture hath offended. Wo be to that perjured Nation, by whoſe means a noble City ſhall be deſtroyed. The Birds ſhall rejoyce at ſo great an increaſe, and two ſhall be made one. And a Hedghogg (laden with fruit) ſhall rebuild it, to the ſmell whereof, Birds of divers Forreſts ſhall fl[•]ck. He ſhall adjoyn thereto a wonderfull great Palace, and ſhall ſtrengthen the ſame with 600 Towers. In every of which a Senator ſhall be appointed, who ſhall give Laws unto the Subjects. Therefore ſhall London envy her, and ſhall increaſe her Walls th ice ſo much as formerly they were. The river Thames ſhall incompaſs her on every ſide, and the rumour of the works ſhall tranſ[•]end the Alps. The Hedghog ſhall hide his fruits within her, and ſhall plot ſecretly (againſt her.)

In that day the ſtones ſhall ſpeak, and the Sea that leads to France, ſhall be contracted into a narrow room. One man ſhall hear another from either ſhoar, and the whole Iſle ſhall be enlarged: The wonders of the do[••] ſhall be revealed: France ſhall quake for feare. After theſe things a Hearn ſhall proceed from the forreſh Callaterio[•], which ſhall fly about the Iſle the ſpace of two years; by her night clamour ſhee ſhall call the other birds, and all other birds ſhall aſſociate her: they ſhall fall upon mens Tillage, and ſhall deſtroy all man[•]er of grain. A famine ſhall purſue the people, and a dire mortality ſhall enſue the famine: but when ſo great mortality ſhall be ceaſed, a deteſtable fowl ſhall betake himſelf to the utmoſt bounds of Wales, and ſhall raiſe it up to a high mountain, and in the top thereof ſhee ſhall plant an Oak, and ſhall build her neſt in the boughs thereof, three egges ſhall be layd in the neſt, from which a Fox, a Wolfe, and a Beare ſhall come. The Fox ſhall devo[•]re his mother, and ſhall beare an Aſſes head. Therefore being become a Monſter, he ſhall affright his brethten, and ſhall baniſh them into Normandy: but they ſhall excite the ſhorn Boar againſt the Fox, and being returned in a ſhip, they ſhall enceunter with the Fox; who, ſo ſoon at the combat ſhall begin, will fain himſelfe dead, and ſhall move the Boar to pity him,: a while after he ſhall go to the dead Carkaſe, and whilſt he ſhall ſtand over it, he ſhall breath upon the eyes, and face thereof: But he not forgetfull of (his former falſhood) ſhall bite his right foot, and ſhall tear it quite from the body; and alſo at one leap ſhall ſnatch to him his right eare and his tayle, and ſhall hide himſelfe in the holes of the mountains: therefore the deluded Boar ſhall require the Wolfe, and the Beare, to reſtere unto him his loſt members who (as they ſhall begin they Quarrell) ſhall promiſe him two feet, and two ears, and a tayl and of them they ſhall compoſe the Boars members: ſo he ſhall be pacified, & expect the promiſed reſtauration. In the interim the Fox ſhall come from the mountaines, and ſhall change himſelf into a Wolf; and as if he were to have ſome diſcourſe with the Boar, he ſhall go craftily to him, and ſhall wholly devour him. Then ſhall he transforme himſelf into a Boar and (as if he wanted his members) he ſhall [•]ake for his bret[•]ren, and after that they ſhall be come, even them alſo ſhall he ſuddenly ſ[••]y and ſhall be crowned with the head of a Lion. In his dayes a ſerpeat ſhal be engendered, which ſhal ende[••]o[••] the deſtruction of all mortalls; he ſhall by his length environ London, and ſhall deſtroy all the paſſengers. A Bull of the [••]ou[••]ain ſhall aſſume the head of the Wolf, and ſhall cleanſe his teeth in the ſhop of Sabtina: he ſhall gather to him the Highlanders and the Welch who ſhall drink the Thames dry. The Aſſ[•] ſhall call a Goat with a long beard, and ſhall change his ſhape: therefore ſhall the Bull be diſpleaſed, and having called the Wolfe, the horned Bull ſhall make at them; and the more to manifeſt his cruelty, he ſhall devour their fleſh and bones: but he ſhall be burnt in the top of Uria[•••]. The [•••]ber[•] of the fire wherein he ſhall be burnt, ſhall be changed into Swans, which ſhill ſwimas well upon dry gound as on the water. Fiſhes ſhall ſwallow Fiſhes, and men ſhall devour men: but old are comming on ſubmarine lights ſhall be ingendered, and they ſhall deviſe ſubmarine deceipts. They ſhall ſink ſhipping, and they ſhall gather much money. The River Thames ſhall flow again, and the united [••]ters ſhall exceed the bounds of the Channell: it ſhall overflow the neighbouring townes, and ſhall overtune the oppoſite mountains. It ſhall incorporate with the fountain Galaber full of deceit and naughtineſs; whence ſhall ariſe ſeditions, provoking the Ve[•••]t[•]a[•]s to wars. The Oakes of the Forreſts ſhall unite, and ſhall encounter with the ſtones of the G[••]viſey. The Crows and the Kites ſhall devour the bodies of the ſlain. The C[•]le, faill build her neſt upon the walls of Gl[••••]ſ[••]; and in her neſt ſhall am Aſſe be [•]e[•]crated. The Serpent of Mal[••••]i[•] ſhall ed[••]ate him, and ſhall hatch more tre[••]eries. Having got the Crown he ſhall ſ[••] on high, and with a horrible noiſe ſhall affright the people of the countrey: in his d[•]ies the mountaines of Pa[•••••] ſhall ſ[••]gger, and the Provinces ſhall be deprived of their Forreſts: for a Wo[•]me of a [•]i[•]ry breath ſhall ſuddenly come, who ſhall burne the trees with his ſent-out vapour▪ S[•]aven Lions ſhall come out of him, diſgraced by the heads of Goats: they ſhall deſtroy women by the ſ[•]inch of their noſtrils, and ſhall make wives wantons. The Father ſhall not know his own Son, becauſe their wives ſhall play the beaſts, therefore ſhall a Gyant of wi[•]kedneſs ruſh upon them▪ who by the ſharpneſs of his eyes ſhall terrifie all. The Dragon of Worceſter ſhall riſe againſt him, and ſhall ſtrive to rout him out, but an encounter being made, the Dragon ſhall overcome, and the ungodlineſs of the victor ſhall be repreſſed; for he ſhall ſubdue the Dragon, and having put off his garment, ſhall remain naked. The Dragon ſhall carry him alo[••], and with his tayle (erected) ſhall beat the naked Gyant. But the Gyant reaſſuming his vigour, ſhall break his jaws with a ſword: at length the Dragon ſhall ſold himſelf under his tayle, and (poyſoned) ſhall die.

The Boar of [•]oleneſius ſhall ſucceed him, and by his terrible tyranny ſhall oppreſs the people. Glouceſter ſhall caſt out the Lion, who ſhall diſquiet the Serpent with ſeverall Wars. He ſhall [•]ed him under his fe[•]t, and ſhall affright him with his open jaws. At length the Lion ſhall contend with the Kingdom, and ſhall climb upon the backs of Noble men. The Bull ſhall ruſh into the ſtrife, and ſhall ſmite the Lion with his right foot. He ſhall drive him throughout all the parts of the Kingdom, but he ſhall break his horns in the Wals of Exon. The Fox of Ka[••]du[••]lus ſhall be revenged of the Lion, and ſhall wholly devoure him with his teeth. For the Serpent of Lin[•••]n ſhall ſurround him, and by a horrible hiſſing ſhall intimate his preſence to many Dragons. The Dragons ſhall gather together, and ſhall tear one another in pieces. The winged ſhall oppreſs thoſe that want wings, and ſhall faſten their poyſoned claws upon their Eye-lids, the reſt ſhall conſent to combating, and ſhall one kill another. Theſe being dead, a fifth ſhall ſucceed, and ſhall break the remainder by ſundry devices▪ he ſhall cruſh the back of one in pieces, and (with his ſword) ſhall ſeparate his head from his body. Having put off his garment, he ſhall aſcend another, and ſhall throw upon him the right & left ſide of his tayl. One that is naked ſhall keep him at a diſtance, when one that is cloathed ſhall not de[•]err him. He ſhall torment the reſt upon the back, and ſhall drive them to the uttermoſt part of the Kingdom. A roaring Lion (and one to be feared for his outragious c[•]u[•]lty) ſhall ſuddenly come. He ſhall reduce fifteen Provinces into one, and he alone ſhall enjoy the people. A Gyant ſhall ſhine with a white colour, and ſhall germinate a wh[•]te people. Pleaſures ſhall make Princes feeble, and the Subjects ſhall become ſavage. A Lion (with his belly full of blood) ſhall ariſe among them, a ſickle ſhall be given him in the corn, which (whilſt he ſhall grieve in minde) ſhall be oppreſſed of him. A Carter of York ſhall quiet them, and (his maſter being thruſt out) he ſhall aſcend into the Cart which he drove, and ſhall threaten the Eaſt with a drawn ſword, and he ſhall fill the Track of his Cart wheeles with blood. Afterwards a Fi[••] ſhall be procr[•]ated in the [••]a, whi[•]h being allured by the hiſſing of the Serpent ſhall copulate with him, betwixt whom three gliſtering Bu[••] ſhall be generated, who (having eat up their paſtures) ſhall be turned into Trees. The firſt ſhall carry a vi[••]rous whip, and ſhall turn his back of him that is born after him. The ſecond brother ſhall endeavour to ſnatch the wh[•]p from him, but he ſhall be rebuked by the youngeſt. They ſhall turn away their faces mut[•]ally from one another, untill they ſhall poure forth a poyſoned cup. A Prince of the Highlanders ſhall ſucceed him, whom (alſo) the Serpent ſhall ſeek to deſtroy. He ſhall apply himſelf to Tillage, ſo that the Countries ſhall be white with Corn. The Serpent ſhall indeavour to diffuſe poyſon, to hinder the growth of the graſs and corn. The people ſhall waſte by reaſon of a deadly famine, and the Wals of their Cities ſhall be made deſolate. The City of Glouceſter ſhall be given for a Medicine, which ſhall render ſuſtenance to thoſe that be under the laſh, for ſhe ſhall bear the ballance of the medicine and the Iſle ſhall be renewed in a ſhort ſpace. After which, two ſhall ſue for the Scepter▪ to whom the horned Dragon ſhall ſubmit himſelf. Another ſhall come armed, and ſhall ride the flying Serpent; being naked he ſhall ſit upon his back, and ſhall caſt the right ſide of his Tayl upon him. The neighbouring Nations ſhall be awakened by his clamour, and ſhall ſt[•]t[•]e other Nations Therefore ſhall the ſecond be united to the Lion, but (diſſenting betwixt themſelves) they ſhall encounter one another; and (after mutuall wounds) they ſhall lie down together, but the fierceneſs of the Lion ſhall prevail. There ſhall one ſuddenly come with the Timbrell & Harp, and ſhall aſſwage the fierceneſs of the Lion, therefore ſhall the people of the Kingdom be pacified, and ſhall provoke the Lion to Juſtice. Being ſetled in his Throne, he ſhall think of Rewards; but his power ſhall extend into the Highlands. Therefore ſhall the Northern Provinces be ſorrowfull, and ſhall open the doors of the Temples. The Standard-bearer-Woolfe ſhall raiſe Troopes, and ſhall environ Cornwall with his tayle. A Souldier (in a Cart) ſhall withſtand him, who ſhall change that people into a Boar. Therefore the Boar ſhall waſte the Provinces, but he ſhall be drowned in the deep of Severn. A man (in Wine) ſhall be as a Lion, and the luſtre of his Gold ſhall dazle the eyes of the beholders: He ſhall gild his ſilver-wine-bowles, and ſhall trouble ſundry Wine-preſſes. Men ſhall be drunk with Wine, and having laid aſide the thought of heaven, ſhall be wedded to the Earth. The Stars ſhall with-hold their influence from them, and ſhall confound their wonted motion. The Heavens being thus averſe, their Corn-fields ſhall be dryed up and the dew of heaven ſhall be denyed them. The roots and branches ſhall change their offices, and the novelty thereof ſhall be miraculous. The ſplendour of the Sun ſhall languiſh by the paleneſs of Mercury, & it ſhall be dreadfull to the beholders. Mercury of Arca[•]ia ſhall change his ſhield, and he ſhall call Venus the Helmet of Mars; the Helmet of Mars ſhall caſt a ſhadow, and the rage of Mercury ſhall exceed its limits. Hard-hearted Orion ſhall unſheath his Falchion. Phoebus of the Sea ſhall diſturb the Clouds. Jupiter ſhall leave off his appointed courſe, and Venus ſhall forſake her Orb. The malice of Saturn ſhall be poured down grievouſly, and with his crooked Sythe ſhall he deſtroy mankinde. The 12. Houſes of heaven ſhall bewail the abſence of the Planets. The Twins ſhall leave off their accuſtomed Imbraces, and ſhall exchange Summer for Winter. The Scales ſhall hang un[•]avenly, untill the Ram ſupport them with his crooked Hornes. The Scorpions tayl ſhall engender Lightening, and the Crab ſhall contend with the Sun. The Virgin ſhall aſcend the back of the Archer, and ſhall ob[••]ſcate the pure and beautifull Flowers. The Orbe of the Moon ſhall trouble the Zodiack, and the Pleiades ſhall gu[••] out with tears. The Offices of Janus ſhall no more be reſtored, but (the Gate being ſhut) he ſhall lurk in the Creeks of A[••]ad[••]. In the twinckling of an eye ſhall the Seas ariſe, and the Aſhes of the dead ſhall be renewed. The Winds ſhall contend with a terrible ſu[•••]ation, and ſhall terminate their ſound amongſt the Stars.

IOHN TRITEMIVS, Abbot of Spanheim, of the heavenly INTELLIGENCIES, governing the Orbes under GOD.

REnowned Caeſar, it is the opinion of very many of the Auncients, that this inferiour World▪ by ordination of the firſt Intellect (which is God) is directed and ordered by Secundarian Intelligences, to which opinion Conciliator Medicorum aſſents, ſaying, that from the Originall or firſt beginning of heaven and^[1] earth, there were 7. Spirits appointed as Preſidents to the 7. Planets.

Of which number every one of thoſe ruleth the world 354. years, and four months in order.

To this Poſition, many, and they moſt learned men, have afforded their conſent; which opinion of theirs my ſelf no affirming, but delivering, do make manifeſt to your moſt ſacred Majeſty.

The firſt Angell or Spirit of Saturn is called Orifiel, to whom God committed^[2] the government of the World from the beginning of its Creation; who began his government the 15, day of the moneth of March, in the firſt year of the World, and it endured 354 years and 4 moneths.

^[3] Orifiel notwithſtanding is a name appertaining to his Office, not Nature. Attributed to the Spirit in regard of his action: under his dominion men were rude, and did cohabite together in deſert and uncouth places, after the homely manner of Beaſts. This needs not any manner of proof from me, ſith its ſo manifeſt out of the Text in Geneſis.

The ſecond Governour of the World is Ana[•]l the Spirit of Den[•], who after Orifiel ^[4] began to rule according to the influence of this Planet, in the year of the world 354. the fourth moneth, that is, the 24 day of the moneth of June, and he ruled the world 354 years, and 4 moneths, untill the year from the Creation of the world 708, as it appears to any that ſhall Calculate the Age thereof.

Under the Regiment of this Angell, men began to be more Civilized, built Houſes, erected Cities, found out Arts Manuall (viz. Ma[•]sfactury) the Art of Weaving, Spinning, and Cloathing, and many ſuch like as theſe, did indulge themſelves plentifully with the pleaſures of the fleſh, took unto themſelves faire women for their wives, neglected God, Receded in many things from their naturall ſimplicity; they found out Sports, and Songs, ſang to the Harp, and did excogitate whatſoever did belong to the worſhip and purpoſe of Venus. And this wantonneſs of life in men did continue untill the [•]lood, receiving the Arguments of its pra[•]ity^[5] from hence.

Zachariel the Angell of Jupiter, began to govern the world in the year of the Creation of Heaven and Earth 708. the eighth moneth, that is, the 25 day of the moneth of October, and he did regulate the World 354 years, 4 moneths, untill the year of the worlds Creation 1063 incluſively. Under whoſe moderation, men firſt of all began to uſurp Dominion over one another, to excerciſe Hunting, to make Tents, to adorn their bodies with ſeverall garments: and there aroſe a great Diviſion betwixt the good and evill men; the Pious invocating God, ſuch as Enoch, whom the Lord tranſlated to Heaven; the wicked running after the ſnares and pleaſant allurements of the Fleſh.

Men alſo under the Dominion of this Zachariel began to live more civilly, to undergo the Laws and Commands of their Elders, and were reclaimed from their former fierceneſs. Under his rule Adam the firſt man died, leaving to all poſterity an aſſured Teſtimony, that neceſſarily once we muſt dye.

Various Arts and Inventions of men did about this time firſt appear & manifeſt themſelves, as Hiſtorians have more clearly expreſſed.

The fourth Rector of the World was Raphael, the Spirit of Mercury which began^[6] in the year of the Creation of Heaven and Earth 1063 the 24 day of February, and he reigned 354 years 4 months, and his Government continued untill the year of the World 1417 and fourth moneth. In theſe times writing was firſt found out, and letters excogitated of Trees and Plants, which notwithſtanding afterwards and in proceſs of time received a more gracefull ſhape, and the Nations varied or changed the Face of their Characters according to their own fancy. The uſe of Muſicall Inſtruments▪ under the time and rule of this Raphael, began to be multiplied, and Commerce or Exchange betwixt man and man was now firſt invented: A preſumptuous, rude▪ and ſimple Audacity in theſe times begot Navigation or the manner of Sayling from one place to another, and many ſuch like things in one kinde or other, &c.

The fifth Guber[••]tor of the World was Samuel the Angell of Mars, who began^[7] the 26 day of the moneth of June in the year of the World 1417. and ſwayed the rule of this World 354 years 4 moneths, untill the year of the World 1771. and eighth moneth, under whoſe Empire and Government men imitated the nature of Mars, alſo under the Dominion of this Angell, the Univerſall deluge of waters happened Anno Mundi 1656. as evidently it appears by Hiſtory out of Geneſis. And its to be obſerved, what the auncient Philoſophers have delivered, that ſo oft as Samuel the Angell of Mars is ruler of the World, ſo often there ariſeth notable alterations of Monarchy. Religions and ſects do vary, Laws are changed, Principalities and Kingdomes are transferred to Strangers, which we may eaſily finde out in order by peruſall of Hiſtories.

Notwithſtanding Samuel doth not immediatly in the very beginning or entrance of his Dominion manifeſt the diſpoſition of his behaviour or cuſtome: but when he hath exceeded the middle time of his Gubernation which very thing is likewiſe to be underſtood concerning the Angels of the other Planets, (as it may be manifeſted from Hiſtories) all which do ſend down their influence according to the Proprieties of the natures of their Stars, and operate upon the inferiour bodies of this World.

The ſixth Governour of the World is Gabriel the Angell of the Moon, who began^[8] after Samuel the Angel of Mars had finiſhed his co[••]ſe: the 28 day of the moneth of October in the yeare of the World 1771 and eighth moneth: and he ordered the affaires of the World 354 years and 4 moneths, untill the year of the World 2126. Again in theſe times men were multiplyed, and builded many Cities: and we muſt note: that the Hebrews do affirme that the Generall deluge, was Ann[•] Mundi 1656. under the moderation of Mars: But the Septuagint interpreters, I[•]do[•••] and Beda confirme the Deluge to be in the year of the World 2242. under the Regiment of Gabriel, the Angel of the Moon, which ſeems unto me by multiplication to be rather conſentaneous unto truth, but to expreſs my further conception hereof, is not the work of this preſent diſcourſe.

^[9] Michael the Angel of the Sun was the 7. Ruler of the World, who began the 24. of February, in the year of the World according to common computation 2126. and he governed the world 354. years and four moneths, until the year of the age of the world 2480. and four moneths.

Under the Dominion of the Angel of the Sun even as Hiſtories conſent with truth, Kings began firſt to be amongſt Mortall men, of whom Nimrod was the firſt, that with an ambitious deſire of Soveraignty, did Tyrannize over his Companions.

The worſhip of ſeveral Gods by the fooliſhneſs of men, was now inſtituted, and they began to adore their petty Princes as Gods.

Sundry Arts alſo about this time were invented by men; to wit, the Mathematicks, Aſtronomy, Magique, and that worſhip which formerly was attributed to^[10] one onely God▪ began now to be given to divers Creatures: the knowledge of the true God, by little and little, and the ſuperſtition of men became forgotten.

About theſe times Architecture was found out, and men began to uſe more policy both in their civill inſtitutions, and manners, or cuſtoms of living.

^[11]From henceforth the eighth time in order, again Orifiel the Angel of Saturn began to govern the World the 26. day of the moneth of June, in the year from the beginning of the world 2480. and four moneths; and he continued his government of the world this ſecond return, 354. years and four moneths, untill the year of the world 2834. and eight moneths. Under the regulation of this Angel, the Nations were multiplied, and the earth was divided into Regions; many Kingdoms inſtituted; the Tower of Babel was built, the confuſion of Tongues then fell out, men were diſperſed into every part of the earth, and men began to Till, and Manure the earth more acurately, to ordain Fields, ſow Corn, plant Vineyards, to dig up Trees, and to provide with greater diligence, what ever was more convenient for their food, and raiment.

From that time forward, firſt of all, amongſt men, the diſcerning of Nobility begun to be taken notice of; which was, when men in their manner of living, and in wiſdom did excell the reſt of men, undertaking Trophies of glory from the great ones of the earth, as rewards for their merits: From hence firſt of all, the whole world began to come into the knowledge of men, whileſt every where the Nations being multiplied, many Kingdoms did ariſe, and various differences of tongues did follow.

^[12]The ninth time in order and courſe, Anael, the Angel of Venus began again to ſway the world the 29. day of October, and in the year of the Creation of Heaven and earth 2834. and 8▪ moneth: and he preſided 354. years, four moneths, untill the year of the VVorld 3189.

In theſe times men forgetting the true God, began to honour the dead, and to worſhip their Statues for God, which Errour hath infected the World more then two thouſand years: Men did now deviſe curious and coſtly Ornaments, for better trimming, and adorning their bodies: found out divers kindes of Muſicall Inſtruments; again, men proſecuted too much the luſt and pleaſures of the fleſh, inſtituting,^[13] and dedicating Statuas and Temples to their Gods. Witchcraft, and Incantations in theſe times were firſt excogitated by Zor[••]ſter King of the Bactria[•]s (and divers others as well as he) whom Nim[•] King of Aſſ[••]ia overcame in War.

In order the tenth time Zachariel the Angel of Jupiter, again began to rule the world the laſt day of February, in the year of the building, or framing the heaven and earth, 3189. and he moderated according to his cuſtom, and manner 354. years, and four moneths, untill the year of the world 3543. and fourth moneth.

Theſe were joyfull times, and might truly be called golden, wherein there was plenty of all manner of uſefull things, which much conduced for the increaſe of mankinde, giving thereby exceeding beauty and adornment to the things of this World.

In like manner about this time, God gave to Abraham the Law of Circumciſion; ^[14] and firſt of all promiſed the Redemption of Mankinde by the Incarnation of his onely begotten Son.

Under the Government of this Angel, the Patriarchs, firſt Founders of Juſtice, were famous, and the righteous were divided from the ungodly, by their own proper indeavour and conſent.

About theſe times in Arcadia, Iup[•]ter grew famous, who was ſtiled alſo Liſania, ^[15] the Son of Heaven and God, a King, who firſt of all gave Laws to the Arcadians, made them very civill in their manners and behaviour, taught them the worſhip of God, erected them Temples, inſtituted Prieſts, procured many advantagious benefits for mankinde, for which his ſo great benefits, he was by them termed Jupiter, and after his death accounted for a Deity or God.

He had his Original from the ſons of Heber, viz. Gerar, as ancient Hiſtories do record to poſterity.

Prometheus alſo the ſon of Atlas is reported under the Government of this Angel^[16] to have made Men; onely, becauſe of rude and ignorant, he made▪ them wiſe and knowing, humane, courteous, accompliſhed in learning and manners: he made Images by Art to move of themſelves.

He firſt found out the uſe of the Ring, Scepter, Diadem, and all kingly ornaments.

In or about theſe times other joviall men did excell; men moſt wiſe, and women alſo, who by their own underſtanding delivered many profitable inventions to mankinde; who being dead, for the greatneſs of their wiſdom, were reputed as Gods▪ viz. Phoroneus, who firſt of all inſtituted amongſt the Greeks, Laws, and judgements, as alſo, Sol, Min[•]rva, Ceres, Setap[••] amongſt the Aegyptians, and very many beſides.

In order the 11. time Raphael the Angel of Mercury again undertook the ordering^[17] of the world the firſt day of the moneth of Iuly, in the year of the world 3543. and fourth moneth; he continued in his Commands 354 years, and four moneths, untill the year of the Creation of heaven and earth 3897. and 8. moneth.

Verily in theſe times▪ as it evidently appears from the Hiſtories of the Ancients, men more earneſtly applied themſelves to the ſtudy of wiſdom, amongſt whom the laſt learned and moſt eminent men, were Mercurius, Bacchus, Om[•]gy us, Iſis, Inachus, Argus, Apollo, Ce[••]ops, and many more, who by their admirable inventions, both profited the world then, and poſterity ſince.

Severall Superſtitions alſo about theſe times, concerning the worſhip of their Idols were inſtituted by men.

Sorceries, Incantations, and Arts of framing Diabolical Images, were now in a marvellous manner increaſed, and whatſoever either of ſubtilty, or wit, that could poſſibly be attributed to the invention, or cunning of Mercury about theſe times, did exceedingly increaſe.

Moſes the wiſeſt Commander of the Hebrews, expert in the knowledge of many^[18] things and Arts, a Worſhipper of one onely true God, did deliver the people of Iſrael from the ſlavery of the Ae[•]ypt[•]a[•]s, and procured their liberty.

^[19]About this time Janus firſt of all reigned in Italy, after him Saturnus▪ who inſtructed his people to fat their grounds with ſoile or dung, and was accounted or eſteemed for a God.

^[20]Near theſe times Ca[•]mus found out the Greek Letters, or Characters, and C[•]ment[••], the daughter of Evander, the Latine.

God Omnipotent, under the Government of this Ra[•]h[•••], the Angel of Mercury, delivered by the hands of Moſes, to his people a Law in writing, which giveth a manifeſt teſtimony of our Saviour I[•]ſus Chriſt, his future birth and nativity to be born in the fleſh.

Here aroſe in the World a wonderful diverſity of Religions: During theſe times, here flouriſhed many Sybills, Pr[••]hets, Diviners, Soothſayers, or ſuch as uſed inſpection into the entrals of Beaſts, Magitians, or Wiſe-men, Poets, as Sybills, Eryth[•••], ſhe of the Iſle of Del[•]hos, ſhe whom we call the Phrygian, becauſe ſhe lived in Phrygia with the reſt.

^[21]Again in order the twelfth time Samuel the Angel of Mars, began to exerciſe his Dominion upon the world, the ſecond day of the moneth of October, in the year of the world 3897▪ and eighth moneth, and his time of ruling, was 354▪ years, and four moneths from thence, untill the years 4251▪ under whoſe Empire and rule, was that great and moſt famous Deſtruction of Troy in A[••]a the leſs: as alſo an admirable mutation, and alteration of Monar[•]hy, and many Kingdoms together with^[22] new inſtitutions, or moldings of many Cities, as Paris, Mogunce, Carthage, Naples, and very many beſides theſe.

Many new Kingdoms were newly erected, or now had their firſt beginning, as that of the [•]acede[••••]an[•], Corinthians, Hebrews, and divers more.

Here in theſe times all over the whole world, there was very great wars, and B[•]t[•]ls of Kings and Nations, and ſeveral alterations of Empires.

^[23]The Venetians from this time, do compute and reckon the originall both of their people and City from the Trojans.

And its obſervable that very many other Nations, as well in Europe as in A[••]a, pretend to have taken their originall from the Trojans, to whom I thought good to give ſo much credit, as they themſelves were able to perſwade me was truth, upon ſufficient teſtimony and proof.

The Arguments they produce concerning their Nobility and Antiquity are frivolous, being deſirous to magnifie themſelves openly, as if there were no People, or Nation in Europe, before the Deſtruction of Troy, or as if there had been no Peſant, or Clown amongſt the Trojans.

^[24]Under the moderation alſo of this Planet, Saul was made firſt King of the Jews, after him David, whoſe ſon King Salomon, built in [•]eruſalem the Temple of the true God, the moſt famous and glorious of the whole world: from hence the Spirit of God illuſtrating, and enlightening his Prophets with a more ample illumination of his grace, they did not only foretell of the future incarnation of our Lord and Saviour, but alſo many other things, as holy Scriptures do teſtifie, amongſt whom were Natha[•] ſon of King David, G[•]d, A[•]ap[•], Achias, Se[••]i[•]s, A[•]arias, Anan, and many others.

^[25] Homer the Greek Poet, VVriter of T[••]ys Deſtruction, Dares, Phrygius, D[••••] C[•]e[•]e[•]ſis, who were themſelves at the raſing, and ſacking thereof, and have likewiſe deſcribed it, are ſuppoſed to have been alive near about theſe times.

The thirteenth time in order, Gabriel the Spirit of the Moon, again undertook the ordering of this world the 30▪ day of Ianuary in the year from the beginning of the Univerſe 4252▪ and he preſided in his Government 354 years, 4 moneths, untill the year of the World 4606, and fourth moneth,

In this time many Prophets were famous and excelled amongſt the Jews, viz. Helias, Heliſ[•]us, Micheas, Abdias, with many others: There were many alterations of the Kingdom of the Jews: L[•]c[••]g[••] gave Laws and Ordinances to the Lacedemonians, ^[26] Ca[••]tus Sylvius, Lyberius Sylvius, Romulus Sylvius, Pr[•••]s Sylvius, Nu[•]it[•]r, Kings of Italy flouriſhed, during the moderation of this ſpirit: more Kingdomes alſo had their Originall or foundation under him, as thoſe of the Lydians, Medes, Macedonians, S[•]a[•]tans, and others: the Monarchy of Aſſyrians under Sardanapalus ^[27] now ended. And in like manner the Kingdome of the Macedonians was conſumed, or worn out.

Sundry lawes are impoſed on men, the worſhip of the true God is neglected, and the Religion of falſe Gods too much p[•]opagated: the City of Rome is built^[28] under the Dominon of this Spirit, in the year 1484, which yeare in order, was the 239 of the Angell Gabriel, the Kingdome of the Sylv[•]a[•]s in Italy now ended, and that of Rome began in theſe times, Thales, C[••]lon, P[••]iander, Cleobulus, Bias, and Pitta[•]us, ^[29] the ſ[•]aven wiſe men of Greece floriſhed, and from thence [•]hiloſophers and Poets came into requeſt. At Rome, Romulu the firſt founder of the City reigned 37, years being a Fratricide, and a ſtirre[•] up of Sedition. After whom Nu[••] Pompilius continued that Kingdome in peace full 42 years: he amplified the worſhip of the Gods, and lived in the time of Hezektah King of Iudea. About the expiration^[30] of this Angell of the Moon his government: Nebuchad[•]nozor King of Babylon, took Hi[•]ruſalem, and deſtroyed Zed[•]bia[•] the King and carryed away all the people Captive.

Hieremiah the Prophet was now famous, who fore-told this deſtruction, as alſo their future delivery from Babylon.

When Gabriel had finiſhed his co[••]ſe, againe Michael Angell of the Sun did aſſume^[31] the 14. government of the World, who began the firſt day of the moneth of May, in the year of the World 4606. the fourth moneth, and did rule the World according to his own order 354. years, untill the year of the Worlds Creation 4960. and eighth moneth.

In the time of this Angels moderation Evill Merodach King of Babylon, did reſtore both their Liberty and King to the people of the Jews, according to the direction of the Angell Michael, who as Daniel wrote, ſtood for the Nation of the Jews, unto whom they were committed by God.

In theſe times likewiſe the Monarchy of the Kingdome of Perſians began, whoſe^[32] firſt King Darius: and the ſecond Cyrus did bring to nothong or utterly ruine, that moſt powerfull Kingdome of Babylon in the dayes of Bal[••]azar, (as Daniel and the Prophets had predicted)

In theſe times Sybilla Cuma[•]a was much ſpoken of, and grew famous; who^[33] brought 9 books to Tarqui[••••] Priſ[•]us the King to be bought for a certain price; in which were contained the reaſon, order, and ſucceſſion of future Aviſements, of the whole common-wealth of the Romans. But when the King refuſed to give her the price demanded, Sybilla (the King ſeeing it) burnt the three firſt books, demanding the ſame price for the other ſix; which when again he had denyed to give her, ſhe committed to be burnt three of thoſe remaining, and would have done ſo by the reſt; unleſs the King by perſwaſion and Councell of others, had not redeemed them from conſuming, giving the ſame price for the three laſt, for which he might have had the whole nine.

Moreover the Romans having abrogated Government by Kings conſtituted two Conſuls to reign every year. Phalaris the Tyrant in theſe times occupied Sicilia: Magique or naturall Philoſophy was alſo in theſe times highly eſteemed amongſt the Kings of Per[••].

^[34] Pythagoras the Philoſopher, and very many others flouriſhed amongſt the Greeks; the Temple and City of Hieruſalem are a new reedified.

^[35] Eſd[•]as the Prophet repaired the books of M[•]ſes, burned by the Ch[•]lde[•]ns; who were alſo called Babylonians, and committed them to memory for example.

X[••]xes King of the Perſians brought his Army againſt the Greeks, but had no ſucceſs^[36] therein. The City of Rome is taken, burned, and deſtroyed, by the Ga[••]es; the Capitoll only preſerved by a Gooſe, ſtirring up the weary Champions. The Athenians had eminent wars in theſe times: Socrates & Plato Philoſophers lived now.

^[37]The Romans leſſened the power of their Conſuls, inſtituted Tribunes & Aedils, and were alſo about theſe times involved in many calamities: Alexander the great^[38] after the expiration of the rule of Michael, reigned in Macedonia, deſtroyed the Monarchy of the Perſians in Darius: conquered all Aſia, and annexed it with part of Europe to his own Empire.

He lived 33 years, reigned 12. after whoſe death infinite wars and many miſchiefs followed, and his Monarchy became divided amongſt four.

Now amongſt the Jews, firſt of all, they began to contend for the Prieſthood: the Kingdome of Syria began.

After the Spirit of Michael had finiſhed his courſe, then the 15 time in order, Orifiel ^[39] the Angell of Sa[•]urn, the third time aſſumed the regulating of this World, the laſt day of the moneth of Sept[•]mber, in the year from the building of the Univerſe 4960. and eighth moneth and he did rule in Chief 354 years, 4 monethes, untill the year of the World 5315. Under whoſe moderation, the Punick war began betwixt the Romans and Carthaginians the City of Rome was almoſt wholly conſumed by fire and water. The Brazen Molten Image called Coloſſus, in length one hundred and twenty ſix foot fell down, being ſhaken by an earthquake. At, or near this time the City of Rome enjoyed peace one year after the Punick War: which Common-wealth had never been without War in 440 years before.

Hieruſalem together with the Temple is burnt and deſtroyed by Anti[••]bus and Epiphanes, the Hiſtory of the Machabees and their Wars were now acted.

^[40]In theſe times Carthage 606 years after its firſt foundation is deſtroyed, and burned continually by the ſpace of 17 whole dayes. In Sicilia ſeaventy thouſand ſlaves made a Conſpiracy againſt their Maſters.

^[41]Many Prodigies in theſe times were beheld in Europe; tame domeſticall cattle fled to the Woods, it raigned blood, a fiery Ball ſhined, appeared, and gliſtered out of heaven with great noyſe and crackling. Mithridates King of P[•]ntus, and Armenia held Wars with the Romans 40 years. The Kingdome of the Jews is reſtored, which had interruption 575 years from the time of Zedechia, untill Ariſt[••]ulu[•]. The people alſo of Germany called the Theutones, invaded the Romans, and after many fights are overcome and one hundred and threeſcore thouſand of them ſlain, beſides innumerable others of them, who ſlew themſelves and familiars under Caſus and Manlius the Conſuls: notwithſtanding this, many of the Romans were before this cut off by them: after which time. Civill Wars did much ſhake^[42] the Romane Common-wealth, which endured full 40 years. Three Suns appeared and were ſeen in Rome, but not long ere they were reduced into one.

A very few years ſucceeding, [•]ulius Caeju[•] Caeſa[•] uſurped the government of the Romans, which Octavius Auguſtus after him amplified, and [•]oyned Aſia Africk and Europe into one Monarchy, he reigned 36 years by whom, or whoſe means, God gave peace to the whole World▪ In the year from the building of the City 751▪ and of Caeſar Octavius Auguſtus 42. and in the 24[•] year and eighth moneth, the 25 of December, of the government of the aforeſaid Orifiel the Angell of Saturne: [•]eſu[•] Chriſt the Son of God is born in Bethe[••]n of Iudea, of Mary the Virgin. Note, how faire and wonderfull the Ordination of Divine providence is; For the World at firſt was created under the rule of Saturn his Angell Orifiel: and mercifully redeemed, inſtaurated, and made new again under his third government; ſo that the great number and agreement of concurring Actions, may ſeem to adminiſter no ſmall beliefe to this manner of deſcription, or ſetting forth, that this World is governed by the ſeaven Angels of the Planets: for in the firſt Gubernation of Orifiel, there was one only Monarchy of the whole World, under his ſecond (as we mentioned before) it was divided amongſt many.

Again, during his third, (as is manifeſt) it was reduced into one, although, if we conſider or meaſure time aright, it is manifeſt alſo that in the ſecond government of Orifiel, there was but one only Mon[•]rchy, when the Tower of Babel was built. From this time forward the Kingdome of the Jews was quite taken away, and the ſacrifice of meat-offerings ceaſed, nor ſhall liberty be reſtored to the Jews before^[43] the third Revolution of the Angell Michael, and this ſhall be after the Nativity of Chriſt, in the year 1880▪ the eighth moneth, viz. In the year of the World 7170. and eighth moneth. Many of the Jews in thoſe times, and of the Gentiles alſo, ſhall embrace Chriſtian Religion, moſt plain and ſimple men preaching the word of God, whom no humane inſtitution, but a divine ſpirit hath inſpired. The World ſhall then be brought to its firſt innocency of its ſimplicity, the Angell of Saturne Orifiel governing the World every where.

Coeleſtiall things are mixed with earthly, many of the Chriſtians for that [•]aith which they did Preach, ſhall be ſlaughtered by the rulers of this World. About the ending of the Moderation of Orifiel, Hieruſalem is deſtroyed by the Romans, and the J[••]s are diſperſed into every Nation, there being maſſacred of them eleven hundred thouſand, and four ſcore thouſand ſold for ſlaves, the reſidue of them fled;^[44] and ſo the Romans wholy deſtroyed Judea.

After that Orifiel had finiſhed his government, Anael the Angell of Venus, the ſixteenth in order, the third time reaſſumed his Regiment of the World: the laſt day of Ianuary, in the year of creating the Heaven & Earth 5315. but from the year of the birth of Chriſt 109. and he regulated the affaires of the World 354 years, 4 moneths, untill the years of the World 5669. 4 moneths, but of the Nativity of our Saviour Ieſus Chriſt in the fleſh 463. And its remarkable, that almoſt during the whole rule of this Anael the Angel of Venus, the Church of Chriſtians did flouriſh in her perſecutions, and prevailed; many thouſands, of men being Butchered for the Faith of Chriſt. Moreover in theſe times very many Hereſies began to be broached in the Church, which were not extinguiſhed, but after ſome time and with labour & the blood of good men.

Many men were eminent about theſe times in all manner of learning, and ſuch as were learned and Eloqu[•]nt Divines, Aſtronomers, Phyſitians, Orators, Hiſtoriographers, and men of like quality, not only amongſt the Gentiles, but Chriſtians. At length the perſecution of I[•]fidels ceaſed, after that Conſtantine Caeſar the great, had aſſumed the Chriſtian faith, in the year of the World 5539▪ after the middle of the Government of the aforeſaid Anael the Angell of Venus. Although thoſe pre[•]eſſing the Religion and faith of Ieſus Chriſt in ſome meaſure, were now and then diſturbed and moleſted by the Ungodly; Yet notwithſtanding the peace of the Church did remain free from moleſtation a long time.

From this time forward, Mankinde which from the time of Ninus the King, for almoſt the ſpace of two thouſand and three hundred years, had moſt miſerably gone aſtray about the worſhip of Idols, was now revoked mercifully to the knowledge of one only God.

Various Arts of Subtilty in theſe times were augmented, and had increaſe and reputation according to their conveniencie unto the nature of Venus.

For the manners of men are changed with the time, and the inferiour bodies are diſpoſed according to the influence of the superiors.

The mind of man (verily) is free, and receives not the influence of the Stars, unleſs it doth too much commaculate his affection, by inclining its ſelf with the commerce which it hath with the body. For the Angels who are the movers of the Orbs, do neither deſtroy nor ſubvert any thing, which nature it ſelf hath conſtituted or framed.

A Comet of unwonted and unuſuall greatneſs did precede the death of Conſtantine.

^[45]The Arrian Hereſie in many Countreys diſturbed the holy Church.

Toward the end of this Angels Government, in the time of Iulianus Caeſ[•]r, Croſſes appeared in lines, and Croſſes in the garments of men.

^[46]In Aſia and Palaeſtina wars followed, Peſtilences and Famine in thoſe places where the Croſſes appeared.

In theſe times alſo about the year of our Lord 360. the Franks or Franconians in^[47] Germany had their Originall; who afterwards waſting Gallia, gave the name unto it of France, having firſt overcome and conquered the people thereof. The deſcription of Francia in greatneſs is long and wide, or of great circuit, whoſe Metrop[•••] Moguntia ſometimes was; now truly and only Herbipolis.

The Bava[••]ans, Suevians, the people of Rhine, Saxons, Thuringers, this day do occupie a great part of France in Germany, under jurisdiction of the Papacy in ſome places. Moreover in the 280 year of the Gubernation of this Angell Anael, the Roman Empire began to decline, whilſt the City was taken and burned by the Goth the Imperia[•] ſeat being firſt tranſlated into Greece under Conſtantine, which was very miſchievouſly done, and the only cauſe of the declining of that whole Monarchy: for nee[•] the determination of this Angell Anael his Regiment, there did ariſe R[••]igifus▪ Alaricus, Atholfus, Kings of the Gothes: Alſo after this, Genſerick of the Vandals and Attllas of the Hunni who runing all over Europe, did moſt miſerably teare the Empire in ſunder, as is evident in theſe Hiſtories.

^[48]When Anael the Angell of Venus had finiſhed his Regiment, then Zachariel the Spirit of Jupiter did reaſſume the Univerſall Government of this World the ſeaventh time, the firſt day of June, in the year of the World 5669. the fourth moneth, but in the year of our Lord and Saviour Ieſus Chriſt 463. four moneths; and governed in his tu[•]ne 354 years and four moneths untill the year of the World 6023. and eighth moneth: but of our Lord God 817.

Many men in theſe times out of their affection to Chriſtian Philoſophy, betook themſelves to live in the Wilderneſs: many Prodigies appeared, Comets, Earthquakes,^[49] it raigned blood.

Merlin born in Tumbe, predicted wonderfull things in the beginning or entrance of this Angels Government.

^[50] A[•]thur[•] who commonly is called Arthur, the moſt glorious King of great Britain, who overcame the Barbarians, reſtored peace to the Church, went away conquerour^[51] in many battels: propagated the Faith of Chriſt, ſubdued to his dominion all Gallia, Norway, Denmark, and many other Provinces. He was the moſt glorious of all Kings that lived in his time, who after many famous actions performed, did never more appear, being expected to return by the Britains for many years, of whom in times paſt many praiſe-worthy ſongs were publiſhed by the Bardes of that people of wonderfull Poeſie; for whileſt he raigned, England was in its moſt flouriſhing condition, unto whom thirteen kingdoms were ſub[•]ect.

In or near theſe times the ſeverall Orders of Monks began to multiply in the^[52] Church of God: Theodoric King of Go[•]hes being an Arrian did poſſeſs all Italy, ſlue Boe[•]ius their Conſull.

All manner of Eſtates were full of preturbation, as well the Empire as Church affairs, or Church and Common-wealth were now in great diſtreſs.

Zenon and Ana[•]laſius, Arrian Emperours in the Eaſt, Theodoric and his ſucceſſors in Italy, Honorius King of the Vandalls in Affrica did excerciſe no ſmall Tyranny.

Clodoue[•]s King of France at length in Gallia being turned Chriſtian, both overcame the Gothes, and reſtored peace in many places, though not in every Country and Kingdom.

In the time of St. Benedict, and year of Chriſt 500. or thereabouts, in the beginning of the government of this Angel Zachariel the Spirit of Iupiter, whoſe ſpirits property it is, to change Empires and Kingdoms, which was done in this Revolution, as hiſtories do manifoldly declare; and what himſelf could not perform, he ordained Raphael the Angel of Mercury, his ſucceſſor, to perfect in Charles King of the Francks.

Many Kingdoms came to their periods under theſe 350. years both of the Gothes, ^[53] Vandalls, Burgundians, Lumbards, Thuringers, Alm[•]ius, Bavarians, and very many beſides.

Iuſtinianu[•] the Emperour firſt of all about theſe times beautified the Commonwealth very deſervedly with his Laws.

Many gallant and moſt admirable men flouriſhed under Zachariel

Iuſtinianus built the Temple of St. Sophia in Conſtantinople conſiſting of 400. Towers. The Empire is divided and made Bi-partite, and ever and anon is more and more oppreſſed with miſchiefs.

Many ſigns in heaven appeared about theſe times, as is eaſily collected from Hiſtories.

Goſdroes king of the Perſians took Hieruſalem, whom Heracliu[•] the Emperour afterward ſlue.

Mahomet the Arabian in theſe times about the year of Chriſt 600. introduced the^[54] Sect of Sarazens, by which Sect the Roman Empire in Aſia is now quite extinguiſhed.

Dagobert King of France ſlue the Engliſh, at that time called Saxons (whom in^[55] battell he overcame) Its remarkable, that by little an[•] little Chriſtianity about theſe times began to fail in Aſia and Affrick, upon entrance of the Sect of the [•]araſins therein, which now had almoſt poyſoned the whole world.

About the years of our Lord God 774. Croſſes appeared in the garments of men, and not long after the Roman Empire is divided, a tranſlation of the Mona[•][•]hy being made to Charles who was of the Frankcs Nation in Germany, who preſerved^[56] the Empire and Church from periſhing, and fought many famous battels.

The name of Weſtern Galls, or Weſtpha[•••]ns in [〈◊〉] after his victory, firſt had^[57] its beginning.

In the 18. place after finiſhing the rule of Zachariel, the Angel of Iupiter, Raphael the ſpirit of Mercury undertook the diſpoſing of this worlds affairs. the third time, the ſecond day of November in the year of the Creation of the World, 6023.^{[58] [59]}eighth moneth, and he ſwayed the ſcepter of the World 354▪ years, four moneths, untill the years of the world 6378▪ and of our Lord God 1171.

In the firſt beginning of this revolution of Raphael the Angel of Me[•]cu[•]y, the Monarchy of the Roman Empire ([•]s we mentioned before) was tranſlated to Charles the great.

After Charles his ſon Lodowick ruled 25. years, who being dead, his ſons contending [•]mongſt themſelves, did again extenuate the ſtrength of the Empire.

The Normans harrowed France: Rome is twice ſcourged by the Saracens: under Lodowick the ſecond it raigned blood from Heaven in Italy, by the ſpace of three whole dayes.

In Saxo[•]y, a certain village with all its buildings, and inhabitants was in a moment ſwept away by an horrible gaping or opening of the earth.

^[60]About the year of our Lord God 910, there were many great motions in Italy, and Italy ſell from the Empire of the Franks or Franconians, and ordained proper kings for themſelves of their own election; the firſt whereof was Berengarius the Duke of Fo[•]olivium, after whom ſeven in order ſucceeded, near upon fifty years, untill the tranſlation of the Empire unto the Germans: The firſt Emperour that was thereof was Otho, from which time the Empire began to be reformed; unto whom Otho his ſon, and his Nephew Otho after ſucceeded in the Empire: under whoſe Government the Hungarians are converted to the Chriſtian Faith. But the third Otho dying without children, inſtituted after his death Electors of the Empire in the year of Chriſtianity 1002. even as they remain to this preſent day.

Ieruſalem is again taken by the Saracens: many ſtrange ſights are ſeen in the air, in the Heavens, in the Earth and ſea, and in waters: But Otho the third being dead, Henry the firſt by election of the Princes ſucc[•]eded, raigned 20. years, who founded the Church of Bamburg, and dying a Virgin, together with his wife Kunigunda he ſhone gloriouſly in miracles; iſter whom Co[••]ade firſt Duke of the Francks is choſen, and ruled 20. years.

Godſrey Ea[•]l of Bullen alſo recovered the holy Land, and City of Jeruſalem from the hands of the Infidels.

Before the end of this Revolution many ſigns and Prodigies were ſeen, and a little time after the Nation of the Tartars exceeded the bounds of their own Country, and did many miſchiefs to the Empire of Rome.

There was Famine, Peſtilence, Earthquakes in the Empire: Three ſuns were ſeen in the Eaſt; and as many Moons. In the year of our Lord God 1153. Frederick firſt called Barbaroſſa began to reign, and ruled 33. years, the beginning of^[61] whoſe Government was in the 336. year of Ra[•]ha[•]l: He did many noble exploits, and enlarged the ſtrength of that Empire, performed ſundry wars with great ſucceſs, in whoſe ninth year the Egians and Lituotrians were converted to the Faith^[62] of Chriſt.

Samuel the Angel of Mars in order, the nineteenth time came to accept of the Gubernation of the univerſall world, it being now his third returne, and this he did the third day of Ma[•]h, Anno Mundi, 6378. and he regulated mundane affaires 354. years four moneths, untill the years of the World 6732. fourth moneth; and of our Lord God 1525. under whoſe predominancy many wars were all over the whole world, by which means infinite thouſands of men periſhed, and ſundry^[63] Kingdoms loſt their former bounds: betwixt Frederick the firſt Emperour and the Romane Nobility, many controverſies aroſe, ſundry great battels were fought, and many thouſands of Romans periſhed.

The aforeſaid Frederick did wholy ſubvert Mediolenum: Leige is deſtroyed, Hieruſolem ^[64] is again taken by the Saracens, the Empire of the Tartarians the greateſt in the whole World about theſe times took its beginning, occaſioned a very great plague in the World, nor yet do they ceaſe▪

After Frederick, Henrie his Son is elected Emperour. Who being dead, Schiſm^[65] confounds that Empire; under Philip and Otho many battels followed in the confines of Germany, [•]rgentin[•], Cullen, Liege, Wormes, Sp[•]res, and all over the Kingdom. The ſect of begging or Mendicant Friars began in theſe times, in the 40 year, or thereabouts of Samael: from whence it is moſt apparent, that all things are done by providence. The Sarazens fought many battels againſt the Chriſtians in Aſia and Africk▪ Conſtantinople is taken by the Germans: Baldwin Earl of Flanders is inſtituted Emperour. In [•]lmain more then twenty thouſand young men are drowned in the Sea by Pyrats, who ſeduced by a vain ſpirit, did give forth they would recover the holy land.

From Spain many ſhepheards or keepers of cattle united themſelves together, coming to Paris diſpoiled the clergy of their livelyhoods, the common people taking part with them, or being well pleaſed with it.

But when they extended their hands to take away the goods of the Layity, they were quite cut off and deſtroyed.

In the year of Chriſt 1212. Frederick the ſecond is elected, he reigned 33. years,^[66] and did many acts againſt the Church. In the yeare 1238. an Eclipſe and a continual Earthquake undid many thouſands of men.

Friſia alſo by continuall incurſions of the ſea, was almoſt wholly drowned, and there did periſh more then one hundred thouſand of men and women.

The Tartars waſte Hungaria and Polo[•]ia, Arme[•]ia the greater being firſt ſubdued,^[67] and many regions beſides.

In the year of Chriſt 1244. a certain Jew digging in the ground at To[••]do in^[68] Spain, found a book, in which it was written, In the third World Chriſt ſhall be born of the Virgin Mary, and ſhall ſuffer for the ſalvation of man, not long after the third World believing, ſhall be baptized.

It was the third Revolution of the Angell of Saturn, concerning which, what is ſpoken is intended: in the beginning of whoſe reign, Chriſt was born of a Virgin.

The Popes of Rome depoſing Frederick, it is ſaid the Empire was vacant 28 years▪ untill the Election of Rodolph Count of [•]abſpurg, conſtituting Kings by turns in he Intervals or vacancy. Firſt Henry Count of Schuvartzerburg at Thuring by election of the Princes; then Wiliam Earle of Holland, Conrade the Son of Frederick Alſonſus King of Caſtile Richard Earle of Cornwall brother to the King of England, many evils were multiplied upon the face of the Earth.

At or neer this time about the year of our Lord God 1260▪ the Confederacy of the Switzers began, a ſmall people in number, but have increaſed with the time,^[69] who have ſlain many of their Nobility, and being a Warlike people have baniſhed and frighted away many others of their Nobles from their proper habitations, whoſe Common wealth is now known to all the people of Germany.

In the year of Chriſtians 1273. Rudolphus of Habſpurg is conſti[•]u[•]ed Emperour by Election of the Princes: he raigned 18 years, the beſt of men, prudent in all manner of affaires, from whom afterwards deſcended all the Dukes of Auſtria. The Tartari[•]ns invading the Lands of Chriſtians, Conſtantinople and Greece, brought inſinite^[70] damage to the Chriſtians.

The Saracens do occupie many Cities in Aſi[•], kill and deſtroy more then four ^[71]hundred thouſand Chriſtians: Rudolph[•]a being dead, Adolph of Naſſ[••] is elected King, he governed ſix years, whom Albert the ſon of Rudolph, afterwards overcame and ſlew in fight neer Wo[•]mes and was choſen Imperator in the yeare of Chriſt 1298. he governed ten years and was ſlain by his brothers ſon. The Order of the^[72] Knights Templats by command of Pope Cleme[•]t the fifth is deſtroyed, the Iſle of Rh[•]de is recovered by Chriſtians out of the hands of the Sarazens, after the War and ſi[•]ge thereof had continued four whole years. Albertus being ſlain by his Nephew; Henry is conſtituted the eighth Emperour, being Count of Luxenburg, who rei[•]ned 5 years; he being dead Lodowick the fourth of Bavaria reigned 32 years, beginning in the year 1315 unto whom the Popes of Rome gave a Crown.

^[73] Frederick Duke of Auſtria oppoſeth himſelf againſt Lodowick, but is overcome by him.

After Lodowick, Charles the fourth King of Bohemia is conſtituted Emperour; who converted the Biſhoprick of Prague into an Archbiſhoprick; he reigned 31 years: there were moſt fearfull Barthquakes. This Charles did inſtitute many things in favour of the Princes Electors, concerning their Cuſtomes and Tallages, which were not in uſe formerly. Gunther Count of Schuartzinburg ſtiling himſelf King, oppoſed Charles the Emperour, but prevailed nought at all againſt him.

After Charles, his Son Winceſlaus governed 22 years: after whom Jodocus Marques of Moravia ſucceeded, Sigiſmund Cozen German of Winceſlaus.

Winceſlaus was depoſed, Leopold Duke of Austria, 8 Earls, and more then 4000 ſouldiers fighting againſt the Switzers, were all by them ſlain.

^[74]During the government of Winceſlaus King of Bohemia Emperour: the Tenets of I[•]hn [•]uſs had their beginning. Winceſlaus being depoſed, Rupert Count [〈◊〉] of [•]hine, and Duke of Bavaria was elected, and ruled 10. years. In the year of our^[75] Lord God 1369 the Chriſtians did ingage themſelves in a war againſt the Sarazens, which ſucceeded ill by reaſon of the French mens Arrogancy: becauſe more then one hundred thouſand of our men did dye in that war; beſides ſuch as were made Captives, amongſt whom was Iohn Duke of Burgundy; many were the wars of thoſe times▪

^[76]In the year of the World 1407 Sigismund is made Emperour, and governed 27 years he indeavoured to waſt and deſtroy the Kingdome of Bohemia thereby to extinguiſh Hereſie, but it little availed him. The Kingdome of France is moſt grieyouſly waſted and conſumed by the Engliſh and Burgundians: Sigiſmund being departed this life, Albert Duke of Auſtria, Sigiſmunds ſon in Law, ſucceeded in the year of Chriſtians 1438, and only raigned two years, an admirable man and worthy of the Empire. He being deceaſed, Frederick the third Duke of Auſtria, the Son of Erneſtus, by election of the Princes, is choſen Emperour: and reigned 56 years, a man of a Divine ſoul and peaceable converſation, who began to rule Anno Dom. 1440.

^[77]In the year of Chriſtians 1453. Conſtantinople is taken of the Turks by [•]reachery of a certain Genoway, and a little after by degrees all Greece fell from their Chriſtian faith. For a little time after many Kingdoms and Provinces of the Chriſtians were harrowed, waſted, and taken by the Turks. Many and moſt grievous wars the Chriſtians had amongſt themſelves about this time, in France, England, Saxony, Weſtpha[•]ia, Pruſia, Flanders, Sweden, and other places. In theſe times the^[78] Art of Printing was newly found out, and invented at Mogunce the Metropolis of Almain, by a wonderfull induſtry, and not without the ſpecialll gift of the Deity.

In the year of Chriſt 1456. the Turks were overthrown in Hungria by the faithfull^[79] Chriſtians, whereof many of them periſhed. The Pilgrimage of young men to Saint Michael was wonderfull. There were Earthquakes in the Kingdome of Naples, and more then fourty thouſand people periſhed thereby.

In the year of the World 1462 M[•]guntia is taken and ſpoiled being the Metropolis of the Franconians or Francks in Germany.

Charles Duke of Burgundy overcame the Franconians in Anno 1465. after that in^[80] 1467 he deſtroyed the cities Dinant & Lieg[•], An. 1473. he entered [•]elderland, and with much valour obtained it, & in like manner all the whole Dukedome of Loraigne.

A Comet during all the moneth of Ianuary 1471 appeared. Charles Duke of Burgundy not long after beſieged the Town of N[•]ſſicum one whole years ſpace, viz. in about 1474. which Magnanimous Prince was afterwards ſlain in war 1467. The Turks took away from the Chriſtians about theſe times▪ many of their cities, Nigrepont in Eu[•]oia, the Kingdome of Boſnia, Dukedome of Speta, [〈◊〉] Myſia, and more Kingdomes beſides theſe in the Eaſ[•].

Anno 1476 a convocation of fools was in Franconia of Germany neer Niclauſhauſen, full of errours.

Anno 1480 the Turks beſieged the Rhodians with a powerfull Armie but prevailed not; departing the ſame year from Rhodes, they took the city Hydruntum, more then twelve thouſand Chriſtians being ſlain there, only 22 ſouldiers eſcaping. The next year Mahomet Emperour of the Turks died; to whom Bajaz[•]t his firſt born ſucceeded in the Kingdome, having reigned now at this preſent 27 years. In the yeare of Chriſt 1486. Maximilian the Son of Frederick was inſtituted King of Romans ^[81] at Frankford, and ſaluted Caeſar by Iulius the Pope 1508. who inſtituted the Order of warfare of Saint George purpoſely againſt Hereticks and Turks: he brought the Switzers low by war, and even to this [•]ay makes war againſt the R[•]bellious Sicambrians; he will be fortunate againſt all ſuch as break their Leagues or Covenants with him.

The King of France after his wonted manner, a conſtant perſecutor of the Empire, is diſcovered to plot new devices againſt it. The Omnipotent protects thoſe aſſigned to the Government of [•]amael: An[•]o 1508. the V[•]netians Rebels to the Empire of Caeſar, are threatned with War and Baniſhment. Puniſhment of ſtubbo[•]nneſs^[82] will be the reward of an adviſed ſausfaction. About the end of this third Revolution of Samael, the Image of alteration ſhall paſs to the firſt and ſhall be the Perdition of many men for unleſs Y be reduced again, (God aſſiſting) (al algos) there will be tranſlation of one Monarchy, or of ſome great Kingdome.

A ſtrong ſect of Religion ſhall ariſe, and be the overthrow of the Ancient Religion.

It's to be feared leaſt the fourth beaſt loſe one head.

Mars firſt of all in the Government of Samael foretold the Flood, in his ſecond returne, the ſiege and deſtruction of Troy: in his third toward the end thereof will be found great want of Vnity: from matters preceding may be Judged what will or ought to ſucceed. This third Revolution of Mars ſhall not be conſummated without Prophecie, and the inſtitution of ſome new Religion, from this year of our Lord 1508. here yet remains untill the end of the Government of Samael 17. years wherein ſignes and figures ſhall be given, fore-ſhewing the beginnings of evill. For in Anno 1525. Croſſes were ſeen in the garments of men by the ſpace of ten years before, what is paſt already ſhall ſhew their effects: but 13 years from hence being juſtly ſummoned away, thou ſhalt ſurrender thy place to the (non Intelligent) thou ſhalt revive again far greater to me, after the [••]tes in the third; unleſs it be lawfull thou obſcure thy ſelf in a cloud.^[83]

The twentieth time in order, Gabriel Angell of the Moon received the moderation of the World, in the year of the World 6732. the fourth moneth, and fourth day of Iune: in the year of Chriſt 1525. and he ſhall regulate the world 354. years, and four moneths, untill the year of the world 7086. eighth moneth but of our Lord Chriſt 1879. and 11. moneth.

The future Series of this Revolution requires Prophecy.

Moſt ſacred Caeſar, I have not wrote theſe things aſſertively, or that we muſt believe it by any means whatſoever with the injury of Orthodox Divinity.

There are ſome that in theſe things have ſupputed Lunar moneths, which if thou holdeſt fit to conſent unto, then thoſe things I have wrote muſt be varied.

I proteſt with my own proper hand, and confeſs with my own mouth, that in all theſe things delivered, I beleeve nothing, or admit of any thing, unleſs what the Catholick Church doth hold: the reſt, I reſute and contemn as vain, ſaigned and ſuperſtitious.

Finis Joh. Trit.

This Method obſerved by Triumius, hath found ſome obſtruction; for, why the Angels of the Planets ſhould not in order ſucceed one another, hath much ſtumbled the underſtandings of ſome few in Europe verſed in this manner of traditionall learning; I ſhall not now in this diſcourſe deliver my further opinion hereof, leaving that to the diſcourſe I have promiſed to publiſh of this Subject my ſelf in a more copious manner, if God ſhall prolong my life.

In the mean time, I thought fit to acquaint thee, that ſome (verſed in the more ſecret learning) do ſay, and with great reaſon affirm, that every Angel doth rule in order ſucceſſively, and not 354. years, and odd moneths, but only 286. years, and nine moneths, and they affirm Oriſiel began in the firſt year of the world, on the 18. of March: by a continuall addition, of 286. years, and nine moneths, its caſie for any to finde under whoſe Government we now are: For if Gabriel, whom they call the Angel of Mercury, not of the Moon, began the 11. of Iuly 1466. then are we in 1647. In the 181. year of Gabriels Government, perhaps a ſign we are afflicted with ſo many Novell opinions, &c.

Having this convenient opportunity of the Preſs, I thought it requiſite to publiſh this enſuing Diſcourſe, ſent me from a Learned Gentleman out of the Country, and a Stranger, altogether unknown unto me: whoſe love unto me, if I ſhould conceal, I might be reputed very uncivill.

Mr. Lilly defended againſt George Wharton.

WHich if true in great Jove himſelf, much leſs may we expect, that his Meſſengers, or thoſe Mercuries of our times (that we may uſe the Dialect of the Stars) ſhould in the Hermetick delivery of his Embaſſages to the world with all men, find a mutuall reception by the trygonall rayes of true affection: but that ſom carping Zoilus by the Cynicall inventions of his combuſt wits would with Envies Saturnine ſquare, indeavour to afflict them: but that truth's more near conjunction, like Phoebus in his exaltation, hath wrought an utter prohibition of thoſe malevolent beams, from working any impreſſion upon wiſe mens underſtandings.

Such (that I may ſtoop to vulgar capacities) is the condition of this Malignant age, that we ſure are fallen into the very dreggs of the times; when there is not only an endeavour that truth may be trampled down, but alſo Arts muſt be defamed; Artiſts ſcandalized, and men for ſpeaking truth muſt be detracted:

As may appear by the ſcandalous exclamations of that Arts defamer George Naworth or VVharton, in his late Satyricall Libels put forth againſt thoſe famous Ptolomies of this Nation Mr. Lilly and Mr. Booker: and all out of meer malice and madneſs, that they have by their hitherto-unparralleld skill, ſo wonderfully proved themſelves more able and more approved Artists then he; that they for the truth of their predictions have born away the credit of the Art, when he for his fabulous deluſions muſt become the Ludibrium of the Kingdome, and ſcorn of the Learned on either ſide.

But is he this very Aſinego, ſo ſimple as to imagine, that he ſhall now recover by his malice, the credit he long ſince loſt by his ignorance. It doth but render him in the eye of the world, the more ridiculous, to ſee him put to ſo poor ſhifts, as to act a ſcolds part to help himſelf; when he hath had the worſe by fighting, to get a good way of and chide, as if that would recruit his loſt credit; whereof he was never much guilty.

What fault of Mr. Lilly or Mr. Booker was it, that his predictions failed? That he muſt needs inveigh againſt them with his ſcurrilous language, Aeſops dog ſuffers not the Oxe to eate Hay. So Noworth juſt like a bleezing traveller, that by his buzardly clumſineſs tumbles in▪ to a quick-ſand, and there ſticking, raileth and rageth againſt thoſe that hit the right way by the ſame, better then he, calling them all to peices, becauſe they were not as very buzzards as himſelf to plunge into the ſame puddle for company.

Thus becauſe Corporall VVharton hath overwhelmed himſelf in ſuch groſs errours in Judgement, therefore Mr. Lilley is a whelp, and Mr. Booker a barking mungrill, (as he is pleaſed to term them) this is wiſe Logick.

But let any Judge, whether ſuch titles do not more properly belong unto himſelf, ſeeing he (though it be ſhame to uſe his ſo abſurd tearms, qut that he faſtens them on himſelfe; and 'tis fit (ut faber quas fecit compedes, ipſe geſtet) like a ſlow-footed mungrell hath run himſelf off his leggs to catch a prey, and miſſing thereof, is contented to ſit upon his tayle and ſnatch at flyes; a good imployment for Publican Wharton.

Who doth not behold how he having ſtrayned himſelf out of breath and out of credit, to purchaſe fame from that famous Art, and having through his unskilfulneſs (the matter being above the ſphear of his capacity) quite miſt of that honour he ſo eagerly purſued; is faine for ſpight that Mr. Lilly and Mr. Booker have born away from him the trophies of renown, to fall upon triviall and frivolous matters; as to tax them with miſtakes in Arithmeticks, which were they true as he alleadgeth, were matters ſo inconſiderable, and of ſo ſmall concernment, that they cannot in point of Judgement produce any ſenſible errour, and therefore can obfuſcate the effulgencie of their fame no more, then an Attome can ecpliſe the Sun.

What praiſe or applauſe can he purchaſe, for preſuming ſo much upon his computations, being but the very Theorick principles of the Art, wherein very Tyro▪s are not ignorant, much leſs experienced Artiſts? When in the Judiciary Praxis, wherein all the credit of the Art conſiſteth, he hath ſo utterly ſhamed himſelf. Let him ſhew me one true prediction of his, ſince he firſt wrote.

Shall not that Scrivener be rather exploded by all, then applauded by any, that vaunteth how he hath ruled his lines right, when all men ſee he hath written ne'r a true letter. Sure George VVharton is very ſimple to think there is any that will heed his vain boaſts, unleſs is be to hiſs at his folly, for advancing his own accurat ſcrupuloſſity, and vilifying Mr. Lillyes and Mr. Bookers labours; when the whole Kingdome to his perpetuall ſhame teſtifies againſt him, how wonderfully the ſucceſſes of the Engliſh affaires have anſwered their predictions to their everlaſting renowne; when his great vapours proved but mountains of ſmoak that are vaniſht, and come to nothing.

Sure, braſs-fac'd VVharton hath learned Vulcans craft from that great thief Cacus; who being driven into a ſtraight by Hercules, is reported to diſgorge out of his ſulphurious ſtomach, great cloudes of ſmoak and fire, only to dazle the eyes of the beſiegers, for the better accompliſhment of his evaſion. But although Snarling VVhartons late ſmoakie vapours belched forth from the ranckour of a Malignant heart, have been only intended to delude the World, and to eclipſe the ſplendor of the Art and Artiſts, only for his Errours eſcape of their deſerved cenſures: Yet have we thoſe experienced Atlantes, that would ſoon diſcover the deceipt, but that it is needleſs, in regard his own erroneous pen hath to all men been the ſufficient Index of his folly.

What credit gets an Archer to boaſt that he took his aime directly at the white, when indeed he hath miſt the Butt? Or what an aſs doth he make of himſelf to go up and down bragging how his Adverſary layd not his levell ſo right at the marke as he; when all the ſtanders by ſee and know, that his Adverſarie hath wonn the game? Thus Cobler-Wharton planted fairely his great Cannons of commination, and Thunderclaps of threats againſt the Parliament, and City of London, and againſt their forces, when they hit Oxford, York, Newcaſtle, Salop, &c. ſhot down their own garriſons, diſperſt their Ju[•]to, and deſtroyed their Armies. And he ſure is a wiſe Gunner, that when his great Guns have miſt, is fain to go learn to make ſquibs, and thinks by foyſting them out to terrifie and deſtroy his enemies, (ſed fulgura ex vitro quis reformidabit?) Oh brave Gregory Noworth.

But queſtionleſs he would never have inſiſted upon ſuch needleſs ſ[•]rupuloſities, wherein he knows well enough (would his conſcience but ſpeak impartially) that neither of them are ignorant, but that he muſt needs play the Cynick, (though to his greater ſhame) in carping at any thing in others, in regard he hath been overwhelmed in ſuch a Sertes of groſs errours himſelf. For who is ſo ſimple as to conceive that they^[84] whoſe accompliſht judgements have effected the Arts ſo great advancement, ſhould be ignorant in the principles thereof, or be now to learne either by common Arithmeticall, Logorithmeticall, or Sinicall computations, how to performe their calculations?

So that had there been in their ſchemes ſuch ſlender defects, as he ſuggeſt▪ eth, this were all the conſtruction could be made thereof: that thereby it appeareth how Mr. Lilly & Mr. Booker have for their fame been taken up with ſo great acquaintance, and their companies ſo by Nobles and Gentlemen frequented, that it were no marvell, therefore no diſparagement, if they having ſo little time to perfect their accompts, ſhould incure ſome overſights therein, ſeeing they are forced ſo haſtily, and with their ſtudies ſo often interruption, to performe the fame: ſo that it could not be imputed to any ignorance in them, but only haſty overſights, if they had committed ſuch ſmall miſtakes: when on the contrary, it likewiſe hereby appears how this poor Renegado VVharton who for being too monarchicall, is now become monachall, is ſo far from having his ſtudies interrupted, that he is for his erroneous and deluſive writings by all deſerted and derided; and therefore hath leaſure ſufficient to peruſe and reviſe his accounts; who had he for any great esteem, or requeſt he had been in, had ſuch continuall conflux to him, as Mr. Lilly and Mr. Booker have, of ingenious and noble Spirits, he had had as little leaſure to inſiſt upon ſuch toys in Art as they have: the truth whereof may the more manifeſtly appear, in that while he was at Oxford, and while ſome ſmall glimpſe of hopes, which his friends had of his skill, did ſomewhat ſupport his credit, he could not at all anſwer their writings by inſiſting on ſuch ſcruples, till now that he is caſhiered and exiled from all ſociety, and now he may take time enough to pick ſtraws againſt thoſe judicious Artiſts: ſo that to tax them with ſuch trifles doth but add to their honour, and his own diſgrace.

Yet will no man blame Mr. Lilly for ſuſpecting his inſufficiency in Art, when he corrected him of thoſe errours by him committed in his calculations, in regard the ſame (although they could not disparage one, whoſe predictions, reall verifications have ſufficiently declared him an able Artiſt) yet might well aggravate the ſuſpition of ignorance of the very principles of Art, in one whoſe unskilfull judgement was ſo far from being in any particular anſwered by, that it proved altogether contrary to all events ſucceeding.

But it ſeems plundering Wharton by his own confeſſion being ſhrowded under the counterfeit name of Naworth, had like to have cheated the world with his forgeries undiſcovered. I cannot blame him therefore indeed to be angry at Mr. Lilly for pulling off that vizard, and making him ſo unluckily known to his Countrey, ſeeing thereby he is like not onely to become a ludibrious contempt to all that know him, but alſo to remain upon record to all poſterity, not VVharton anagrammatiz'd, but VVharton ſtigmatiz'd with the brand of Englands lying Prophet, and Aſtrologies defamer to his perpetuall ſhame, and infamy.

So that, ſeeing he had proved himſelf that Philoſopher (Qui dum contemplatur coelum, incidit in puteum) by confounding himſelf in ſuch groſs errors of judgement: he was worſe then mad to go now again to ſtir up a new thoſe puddles of diſgrace, from whence nothing but a greater ſtinck of reproach, and obloquie will flie into his face.

And for the Art, what credit or esteem had Aſtrology been in by this time in England, had there been no better judgements, than Ignoramus VVhartons to relie upon for its advancement? And yet will he be ſo ill a friend to the Art he pretends to, that can neither advance the fame thereof himſelf, nor is willing it ſhould retain that fame, it hath obtained from profounder judgements: What credit I marvell in any one particular hath either the Art by him, or he by the Art at any time received? yea, rather what diſcredit hath that rare and worthy Science ſuſteined by means of his unworthy, and unskilfull pen: inſomuch, as partly among weake, and partly among diſ-affected judgements Aſtrology began to be vilified, and undervalued, and had by this time been utterly exploded and rejected by all, and all through his ignorance, had not the truth of Mr. Lillies and Mr. Bookers predictions to their no leſs commendations then admiration of all, diſſipated thoſe vapours of errour, and maintained the Art in its resplendent luſtre.

It is wondred therefore by all, which read his late books, ſeeing he hath deluded the world ſo by his former ignorance and folly, with what face he can ſo impudently intrude himſelf upon the theater of the world to act another feels part in a new ſcene of ignorance and malice to move the people to laughter: and that he had not rather for very ſhame of himſelf, ſequeſtred himſelf from humane ſociety, or mew'd himſelf up in ſome Dungeon of ſolitarineſs, and pin'd himſelf to death for very grief and anguiſh, that he had ſo unluckily by his ſycophantique fables betrayed his Soveraign, and the Royall tarty.

Whether was more the Kings friend, and deſerved better of the Cavaliers[•] ignorant George VVharton for ſinging to them his Sirenian ſongs, and ſoothing them on with lies totheir deſtruction, or Mr. Lilly for adviſing his Majeſty to adhere to his Parliament, or telling them otherwiſe in plain terms (which accordingly fell out) what ſucceſſes the Almighty by his Inſtruments the Stars had deſtinated, and intended againſt them.

Seeing therefore this blinde Aſſe VVharton like an unskilfull Muſitian piped ſo long to this Kingdom, and could hit never a true note; it had been far more wiſdom now, even to have put up his pipes and been ſilent, than to ſqueak out a new his diſgraces to the world, which happily by this time might have been forgotten.

But any impartiall eye, that peruſes his late pamphlets, muſt needs read every word therein, but as ſo many characters of his malios, ſeeing in the laſt pages of his Almanack, he can confeſs the Prutenick, and Rudolphine Tables, &c. very erroneous and defective, without any impeachment to the credit of the Authors thereof, which indeed they in no kinde deſerved; but in Mr. Lillies, and Mr. Bookers computations, would needs fuſten errours of ignorance on them which are not ſo: Why had he not reputed Copernicus, Alphonſus, Lansberg, thoſe famous computations, to whom all Aſtrologers are ſo much beholden? Why had he not reputed them ignorant in the principles of Art, ſeeing ther[•] are ſuch errours, and miſtakes in their Tables, but that the aim of his envie is only at Mr. Lillies, and Mr. Bookers fame and skill: he would ſeem to plead excuſe for his own abſurdities in point of Judgement from the deficiencies of thoſe Tables, and to palliate his own defects, for want of judgement, by complaining: How can we finde out (they are his own words) the true time and nature of the influence of the Heavens, and Coeleſtiall Orbs, when as yet no man ever attained to the exact knowledge of their motion, ſcite, and aſpects? but Maſter Lilly, and Maſter Booker, if they commit any miſtakes muſt be inexcuſable. Behold the Map of malice, and partialitie! but we may diſcover his malicious rancour alſo, if we look but upon Regiomontanus himſelf, whom all men ſo highly, and indeed moſt deſervedly commend, ſeeing we ſhall finde him not regarding ſuch ſtrictneſs, or preciſeneſs in his Tables, which are the very platform of Aſtrologers calculations, as to compleat the ſame with ſuch exactneſs (although he perform as much as is requiſite) but that we may finde ſome difference therein, in his ſeverall wayes of working his computations: for if we would gather the Oblique Aſc. of the 4. gr. II ſine lat: for the lat. 53. gr. by the 10. Problem we ſhall finde it 31. gr. 23. min. but if we do the ſame by the 7. Probl. we ſhall have it 31. gr. and but 22. min. which is 60. ſec. or one minutes difference in the fundamentals: now must we therefore account Regiomont a Novice in Art, to whom we hardly finde his equall?

Yet there's one pretty piece of policy obſervable in Dull-man VVharton, which is this: Foraſmuch, as Mr. Lilly hath forborn to make every one as skilfull as himſelf, in that he hath concealed his reaſons in Art for ſome of his judgements in his Ephemeris delivered: now ignoramus George VVharton knows not how to ſcrew out the ſame, and to learn his skill (it being not (as he confeſſeth) within the Perimeter of his apprehenſion) but by poſſeſſing the world that he hath no ground in Art for what he ſaith, as if Mr. Lilly muſt upon neceſſity in every particular make him as wiſe as himſelf, leaſt if he conceal any thing, which he knows not, he preſently tells him, he speaketh without authority▪ But were not this Buzzard VVharton too ungratefull and diſcourteous, he would not offer to extort inſtruction in Art from him, by reproaching him, if he will not teach him all his skill, to whom he and the Kingdom are obliged for his learned and judicious labours in that Art.

An Aſtrologicall Diſcourſe OF THE THREE SVNS, Seen the 3. of April, 1647.

SUch is the incredulity of ſome, and ſo great the malignancy of others, that whereas in 1645. Ipubliſhed a ſmall Treatiſe concerning the Portents of thoſe three Suns ſeen in London the 19. of Novemb. 1644. by many hundreds of unqueſtionable credit: it hath been indeavoured by many diſaffected to our preſent welfare, and to that happineſs we enjoy by the bleſſing of Almighty God upon the endeavours of this Parliament, and valour of our Army, to queſtion the verity of thoſe three-Suns appearance, thereby to make people beleeve there was no ſuch thing (in Rerum natura) viſible, and ſo by conſequence my prediction, or judgement grounded on their appearance muſt be invalid: but time hath deluded my adverſaries, and thereby manifeſted the truth of thoſe judgements delivered upon that Subject, to the eternall ſhame of all ſuch as ſhall contradict of ſet purpoſe ſuch Manifeſt Truths. Poſterity may juſtly queſtion our preſent actions, while[••] thoſe that now live, ſuſpect the verity of what is ſo uncontradictably true.

The conſideration hereof, had almoſt ſilenced my further engagements upon any the like Subject; for although I have had ſeverall Letters from ſundry parts of this Kingdom; intimating a viſibility of ſometimes three Suns, then of two, or three Moons, with the frequency of thoſe admirable appearances, and other Prodigious ſights in the Air, yet did I willingly refrain, either communicating thoſe Papers, or writing any thing upon thoſe, or ſuch like Subjects.

But towards the middle of April 1647. receiving the Letter ſubſequent, from an unknown hand, and from a far Country, and near the ſame time Mr. Booker receiving another out of Shropſhire, containing in effect the ſame things intimated in mine, with a deſire of ſatisfaction from either of us concerning the effects depending thereupon, (which the people of thoſe Countreys do earneſtly deſire) I then caſt off all vain fears, either of diſpleaſure like to happen unto me from virulent tongues, or ſelf-content, and have adventured the Diſcourſe enſuing, for my ſpirit is totally publick.

Some Naturaliſts do hold that the Parelii or Mock-Suns, are nothing but Images of the Sun, repreſented in an equall, ſmooth, watery Cloud placed on the ſides of the Sun, into which the Sun beams being received as in a glaſs▪ expreſs the likeneſs of faſhion and light that is in the Suns and than they naturally betoken, tempeſt and rain to follow, and tha[•] the ſtorm or tempeſt is greater when they appeare on the South-ſide of the Sun, then when on the North.

Others do hold (although no friends [•]o Aſtrology) that they portend contention amongſt Princes for Kingdomes, producing for examples hereof, Gal[•]a, Otho, Vite[•]iu[•], and they further ſay, that a little before their ſo great wars, three Suns appeared: it is alſo affirmed that not long before the ſl[•]ghter of Lewis King of H[•]agaria three Suns were ſeen, ſo alſo near the time when Iohn the V[•]yvod, Ferdinando, and the great Turk ſtrove for H[••]garia.

That there is ſomething of nature in the unuſuall Apparitions of three Suns, I do verily beleeve, but that Nature her ſelf ſolely without commotion or diſturbance of the miniſtring Aeriall Spirits doth inforce ſuch Prodigies, I cannot aſſent in opinion.

Let me injoy my own underſtanding herein without tincture of Hereſie; but to the purpoſe, theſe mock-Suns of which I now treat have ſignification of things Politicall and Eccleſiaſticall.

They are as to our preſent Parliament, in things Politicall, the admoniſhers or Monitors of ſome fraud, deceipt, or clandeſtine Councels now, or ſuddenly to break forth againſt them, and even ſo it was after the civill War between C[•]ſar & Pompey, a little before the Triumvirat-ſhip of Octavius, Anto[•]i[•]s, and Lepidus: Monent de conspirationibus & inſidiis, quae ſtru[•]nturinter eas▪ qui gubernacula rerum te[•]dunt. So alſo in Hungary did three Suns appeare a while before the death of Lewis, and the hot wars that John, Ferdinand, and Soliman the Turk made each againſt other for that miſerable Kingdome. Breviter ſignificant amulationem, ant concertatione[•] inter aliquos de ſumma rerum.

In matters Eccleſiaſticall, they prenote a Sophiſticall depravation of the purer doctrine, and calumnies and ſlanders which ſhall be ſpread abroad under a colourable honeſt pretext, variouſly to miſreport and deforme thoſe who are really and worthily accounted religious, pious. Orthodox and ſincere chriſtians; they ſignifie a ſtrong deſire in many to diſtract us in Religion, to ſpread Hereſies and corruptions in doctrine. Pa[••]lii, ſunt ambitioſe illi, qui & ſummis vi[••] & pr[•]clar[•] meritis de Ec[•]leſi[•] vel [•]pponunt & [•]quare ſe volunt, a[•]t per calumnias & falſas criminationes obſcurare illorum de[•]us contendunt. Sed ut nativus ſplendor evi[•]cit [•]ucat as & evaneſcentes imagines, ita tand[••] ex omnibus certa[••]i[•]ibus feliciter el[•]ctatur veritas, & diſcuſſis fugatiſáque omnium mendaciorum fucis, tanquam puriſſimui Sol enitet, & clariſſimum jubar ostendit. viz. As the native Splendour doth overcome counterfeited & vaniſhing Images, ſo at length truth is happily more beautifull through all her hard contentions; and the Sun having diſperſed and vanquiſhed the foggy miſts of lyes, doth moſt purely ſhine and ſh[•]w forth his moſt pleaſant rayes.

Theſe mock-ſuns appearing ſo often in this Kingdome of England, and almoſt in every County thereof; are the infallible and aſſured heauenly meſſengers of ſome more then ordinary Contingencie neer at hand; and of ſo eminent and univerſall a mutation and Cataſtrophe, as neither this preſent age is, or the preceding was ſenſible of.

In a moment of time theſe variations ſhall not be apertly manifeſted: for in the Lunation preceding being on the 25 of March, no Planet appeared above the earth, and in our figure of Heaven we finde [•] ☿ ☿ ♄ in the twelfth houſe, the other Planets all being Subterranean; we have five of the 7 Planets fixed, ☉ and ♃ in their exaltations, the matter intended is lofty, ſignificant and admirable, the time when not at hand: If we run in the path way of Vulgar Aſtrologicall Judicature, ſolely without mixture of the Caball thereof. Then the figure of heaven informs us, that as the ☽ was lately in ☌ with ♂, ſo the wars, and diſtempers of this Common-wealth had been terrible and great; and as ſhee ſtands at preſent in □ of ☿ Lord of the aſcendant in the figure ſhee portends our head pieces or underſtandings had as much need to be refined, and as piercing as formerly our ſwords, and that we have now as great and as urgent neceſſity of good and ſound Councell, as formerly of ſouldiery: for as ☿ is weak, ſo doth he argue, our ſpirits are ſtupified and amazed, our Conceptions ſluggiſh, our Councels contradictory and unprofitable (for ☿ and ☽ are in □ out of ſuch ſignes as hatefully aſpect each other:) we have now ♂ come neere to the place of the ☽ eclipſed 10 Jannuary laſt, and ☽ to his place; ♐ is now locally with many violent fixed ſtars having great Septentrionall Latitude from the Ecliptick; his influence and vertue being thereby much more ſtrengthened, and the ſouldier whom he generally ſignifies, animated: from hence we ſhall be ſenſible of the male-contented ſouldiery, nor will the Commonalty in many parts of this Kingdome be any thing ſatisfied: and if you will know wherefore, we finde ☽ Lady of the ſecond afflicted; that is, their purſes are empty, or they diſcontented by too much exhauſting of their moneys, or that they are jealous the ſouldier will devour all by free-quarter: yet notwithſtanding all theſe difficulties and their moſt heavy undergoings; no uproar, tumult, or bloodſhed ſhall ariſe from hence: for ♌ and the ☉ are in reception, and ♃ haſtens to enter the ſigne Leo, and the ☽ makes great haſt from ♂ to a more benevolent Planet, all which ſay councell and diſcretion will moderate the diſtractions amongſt us.

This very moneth of May towards the latter end thereof ſhall diſcover much accordingly as we predicted in our Anglicus 1647. to which moneths Judgement I referr thoſe that deſire to know more, and ſhall warily read and underſtand it, and compare it with our judgement upon the Eclipſe Lunar in January, and the remainder of the effects of the Solar Eclipſe in 1645. not yet determined.

The malevolent Planet ♄ in this preſent May meets with the Quadrature of ♂ in ſignes fixed, ♂ tranſiting neer the degree aſcending of this years Revolution and ♄ his influence fomented by his acceſs to the Virgilie and Pleiades, an argument ſometimes of violent and unſufferable motion, ſudden combuſtions, pitifull and plentifull diſcontents, great commotions, and ſturdy hurliburlies with ſharp invectives againſt ſome great Perſons, or malitious and heady, or giddy accuſations, they ſhall not prevaile, for malice muſt not prevaile againſt generous and noble ſouls.

We finde three planets in Taurus the Aſcendant of Ireland, the ☽ transferring the vertue of ♂ to them all three: the heavens tell us what is fit, what is convenient to be done, that it is high time we diſpatch our forces away for that kingdome, to revenge the blood of our murdered and ſlaughtered country-men: but we may ſee the ☽ is in □ with ☿: and he lately in □ with ♂: who is Lord of the twelfth, and partly of the ſixth. Either ſome ſecret practiſes, or politick Agents, or ſelf ends in ſome for a time, do clandeſtinely retard our ſupplies from Ireland▪ had not the Noble Scot made more haſt to aſſiſt us, where had we been? Indeed our ſupplies will and muſt move ſlowly, for the ſignificators are all fixed, and poſited in the 1[•]. but they ſhall, they muſt, and they will move (notwithſtanding ſome private conſpiracies to the contrary) for ☽ applies to ♀ ſeperating from ☿ who herein hath relation to the Governours of our Common-wealth; and ſhee, viz. ♀ is in her own houſe, we ſhall one day effect our deſires, though at preſent not with ſuch ſtrength as is juſtly requiſite for ſuch an action, and of ſo great concernment. It may be conjectured that about 12 weeks from the time of this Prodigies appearance, aſſiſtance of men and money ſhall either be gone, or very neer upon going for relief of that diſtreſſed Kingdome.

Theſe mock-ſuns intend no calamity either to the Inhabitants of Shropſhire or Cheſhire, more then their ſufferance in a generall way, for in regard they were not verticall to thoſe Counties, they ſhew the leſſer miſchief towards them: and indeed theſe Parelii are rather the fore runners of many ſuch things, as finally ſhall be concluded, and were ſignified by the three ſuns in November 1644. for as ♐ was then the aſcendant of the figure, ſo now is ♊ its oppoſite ſign, whereby we ſee the concurrence of heavenly bodies, with humane accidents: for as in the figure of the former three ſuns we had ♂ Angular in the Weſt▪ ſo now we have him nee[•] the Angle of the fourth not viſible: whereby I do not conceive it is intended any wars ſhall happen within our ſelves (as ſome diſaffected would have it) but a juſt queſtioning of ſuch amongſt us, as ſhall by due proof be found worſe enemies, knaves and cheats to the Common-wealth, then our violent profeſſed adver[•]aries; theſe have undone many hundreds of the unfortunate Gentry of this Kingdome, as well friends as enemies, under the notion and colour of ſerving the Parliament.

Let us proceed and obſerve the progreſs of ☿, he haſtens firſt to ☌ of ♀ thereof ♄ and laſtly entring ♊ his own houſe, he therein meets with the ⚹ of ♃, from hence will ariſe this Prognoſtick, that during two whole moneths, our grand conſultations ſhall leaſurely proceed with often interruptions, but determine at laſt to the benefit of the whole Kingdome: from that time and untill about January, our councels will proceed (lento p[•]de) with many back-ſlidings & tergiverſations, but will conclude with grand deliberations, gravity and reſolvedneſs, and if you will know, whereupon, or upon what Subject theſe ſo tedious conſults ſhall fall; conſider ☿ applies to ♄ Lord of the tenth: it ſhall really be concerning his Majeſty within the ſpace of 25 Moneths, it ſhall appear to the whole world the honourable intentions of the two Parliaments of England and Scotland and that they are lovers of monarchy: and full to the brim of Loyalty to their Soveraign. And this ſhall not be manifeſted by them in words only, but in Famous and Honourable Acts, well becomming the Nobility and Gentry of both Nations. So that the Nations of Europe ſhall admire, and the Commonalty of both Kingdomes ſhall rejoyce in the prudence and wiſdome of both Nations; and their very Antagoniſts ſhall be converted and hang down their ears like Aſſes, being aſhamed the malevolent Epiſcopall Clergy have ſo long time miſſed and blinded their underſtandings: for if the inevitable fate of monarchy in this Kingdom & an higher Providence then at preſent I am ſenſible of, do not ſupreamly contradict it, I do confidently averr, and upon greater deliberation deliver, that i[•] concluſion we ſhall (I mean this Parliament) ſettle all things with that integrity and honour, which may be required from men fearing God, and Cordially affecting their countries welfare. And as the ſigne of ♈ being the aſcendant of this Kingdome, hath in our Scheame the ☉ moſt fortunately placed therein; and aſcending into the eleventh, from thence I do de[•]ie any prevalency of a forraigner amongſt us; (yea though Wharton that arch. Traitor, Renegado, and Iriſh mungrell predict other wayes) for the good Angels of God will be this Common-wealths Protectors.

A word of the honourable Scots, I ſee ☊ placed in the aſcendant of their Kingdome, ♂ is departed out of ♋: I am confident Scotland ſhall overcome her home bread Traytors, & yet aſſiſt potently againſt that Varlet Nonſence Noworth his brethren, the inhumane Iriſh: I only fear ſome of that Kingdomes great ones are not down-right honeſt Scots; they ſmell of corruption, but God who hath hitherto directed that Nation with much fame and reputation in their generall affaires, I hope will detect thoſe Male-contents to their ſhame, and good of the Scottiſh Nation.

I Deſire you to Certifie Mr. Booker, or Mr. Lilly of a ſtrange Apparition that was ſeen with us the 3. of April 1647. about 8 of the Clock in the morning there appeared three Suns at one time very round, and in about an houres diſtance, in their gate one from another, all of one bigneſs; and remaining ſo for a quarter of an houre, to the great amazement of the beholders: and at the laſt the two outmoſt vaniſht away, and the middlemoſt remained; they were ſeen by divers men ſome 10. miles diſtance, but in ſome places there were ſeen but two: the night before being very clear, we ſaw the ☽ and ♃ not a hand breadth aſſunder, which many took notice of: and the next night following was very tempeſtuous: our countrey are very fearfull of ſome great danger toward us: there was another ſtrange thing; a Calfe with two heads taken out of the Cows belly, and the Cow ſaved alive: the Calfe was carried to VVhitchurch and Drayton Faire to be ſhewed: I heard of ſtrange and fearefull ſights ſeen the night after the appearance of the three Suns, but I ſpoke not with the Parties, therefore I leave it; I deſire to heare of their Aſtrologicall predictions upon theſe Verities, and ſo I reſt their affectionate Schollar:

A C

Mr. Lilly.

MY love remembred to you, in the beſt reſpect: I am unknown to you by face; yet have longingly deſired to ſee you, but ſtill kept back for want of ability, yet hope in time to ſpeak with you in London, and to receive inſtructions from you, concerning that noble Science you profeſs, &c. Now theſe are to certifie you, that there appeared to the view of our Inhabitants this third of April, three Suns, and two Apparitions like Rainbows over the true Sun: I ſaw it, ſo did five Labourers I had at work. It was firſt ſeen of us about ſeven in the morning, and a little before 8. I ſhewed it to my whole Family, but by eight they were all cloſed in one; yet the two Rainbows remained longer. Now the reaſon I am ſo bold as to write to you is, becauſe you have ſent many learned and true predictions into the world, and I hope will give your opinion on this alſo. I have ſome ancient Prophecies, I think you have not ſeen, and one figure of a Nativity, the Native not yet fourty, which I ſuppoſe would be more available to ſhew the truth of Aſtrologie, then any I yet ſee in your Books, for it is a miraculous one: if you pleaſe to make uſe of it, in the book, called An Introduction to Aſtrology, I can procure it brought you for nothing; if you do ſend for it, direct your Letter to be left at the Eagle and Childe in Woore ſix miles ſhort of Nantwitch. My Teem now ſtands looſe: I would be more large, but for haſt, Reſt your loving friend,

M. H.

FJNJS.