Apotelesma, or The Nativity of the World

APOTELESMA: OR, THE NATIVITY OF THE WORLD, AND The Revolution thereof, with Aſtrologicall Judgements thereupon.

By GEORGE WHARTON Eſq.

Cardan. Seg. 1. Aph. 20.

ASTROLOGIA altiſſima ſcientiarum eſt, tum quiae de Coeleſtibus, tum quia de futuris, quorum ſcientia non ſolum Divina eſt, ſed etiam Ʋtiliſſima.

LONDON, Printed for Tho: Vere at the Angel without Newgate, and Nath: Brook at the Angel in Corn-hill. 1655.

Of the VVorlds Nativity, and the Revolution thereof, with Aſtrological Judgments thereupon.

I'Le not trouble my ſelf, or the Reader, with the various Opinions of Men or Nations concerning the 'lapſed years of the World's Creation, ſome being utterly loſt in Conc[•]ipts that repugne Philoſophy, others ſway'd with Philoſophicall conjectures deſtructive to Divinity; and the reſt miſerably varying one from another: For, the Heathens afford us no ſatisfaction [Epicurus and Ariſtotle will not allow it had any beginning.] The Iews are wretchedly diſſenting in their accompts [Philo and Ioſ[•]phus irreconcileable.] The Samari[•]ans differing from the Iews, and indeed all others, the Iewes from the Chriſtians, and they amongſt themſelves, Scaliger and Petavius of the Latines, Clemens Alexandrinus and Nicepborus among the Greeks.

'Tis true, Longomontanus (a moſt learned modern Aſtronomer) with a [•]ilere ampli[•]s [•]eque[•], takes boldly upon him to diſcover this grand ſecret from the motion of the Sun's Apogaeum, ſuppoſing the Sun's Eccentriciti[•] immutable, and the Apogaeum a yearly motion of 1′. 1″. 50‴. 14''''. ſtiling it Illuſtre teſtimonium de Mundi exordi[•], & duratione hactenus. For, by poſiting the the Sun's Apogaeum in the beginning of Aries at the Creation, and his Perigaeum in the oppoſite point Libra; He concludes of 4000. years (within a half) betwixt the Creation and the Paſſion of our Saviour; and till the 1588th. yeare of his Incarnation 5554. (allowing 33. whole years for our Saviours age, with addition of the time intercepted betwixt his Nativity and Paſſion.) And this, this learned Author grounds on the accurate Obſervations of his learned Maſter Tycho Brabe, (who indeed concluded the progreſs of the Sun's Apogaeum, (S. S. S.) till that year 95°. 30′.) And to the end we might compare the ſame with the Obſervations of ſundry old and late Aſtronomers, throughout the reſpective Ages they lived in▪ exhibits to our view the following Table of

The Place of the Sun's Apogaeum, from the beginning of the World, and the true Vernall Equinox.

In the ſeverall Ages of	Years of the World.	Deduct.	Obſervat.	Differ.
Hipparohus Rhodius	3810	65	16	65	30	14′
C. Ptolomeus Alexand.	4099	70	3
Albategnius Maham	4849	82	53	82	16	37
[•]ualterus Nor[•]nberg.	5454	93	43	94	15	32—
Nicolaus Copern. Tur.	5492	94	23	95	8	45—
Tycho Braheus Dan.	5554	95	30	95	30	0

Whereby it appeares that the moved Apogaeum of the Sun proportionably deduced (according to the Annuall motion here allowed it) throughout the reſpective ages of their Aſtronomers, differs no where more then 45′. from what it was obſerved by them, Ptolomy excepted, who (as ſaith Longomontanus) too confidently maintained that Hipparchus's ſuppoſition of the Su[•]s Apogaeum had continued invariable untill his time: his obſervations being without all queſtion violently fitted to ſuch a purpoſe.

And (to ſay the truth) were it that we had the Sun's Apogaeum preciſely and uncontrollably ſo determined by Longomontanus, or otherwiſe by any other; very well it might be called Illuſtre teſtimonium of the worlds Originall. But for ſomuch as later Authors doe all or moſt of them differ (more or leſſe) from him in the Annuall motion of the Sun's Apogaeum, and conſequently in the place thereof, (for inſtance Bullialdus, who makes it this yeare much leſſe then hee, viz. 3•. 6°. 26′. 27″. by abating 5. Seconds of what Longomontanus allowes for its Annuall Motion;) I dare not confidently build upon this Foundation: which would (this yeare 1655.) compute of above 5621. yeares ſince the Creation, yet that farre ſhort of what ariſes from Bullialdus, whereby the Age of the World ſhould now be no leſſe then 6091. yeares: both of them exceeding (but the latter by farre) that Accompt which the lateſt and beſt of Chronologers ſit down with. So that hence (alſo) wee receive very little or no ſatisfaction.

But let be the Age of the World what it pleaſe: the Seaſon of its Birth I undoubtedly take to be the Spring, the particle of time in which that mighty Giant (the Sun,) began his unwearyed Courſe (according to appearance from the firſt ſcruple of Aries in the Meridian of Meſopotamia, where Paradiſe is by men very learned both in Divinity & Geography affirmed to have ſtood, unleſſe we admitt of ſuch Allegories as make Paradiſe to ſignifie a place of Pleaſure, and the four Rivers Foure Cardinall vertues: or hoiſt it up in the Aire under the Moones Orbit, fancyiny thoſe rivers to fall down[•] from thence, and running under the Ocean to riſe up againe in thoſe places where now they are found: the one Opinion being as unwarrantable, as the other is ridiculous.

For, it is as true as Truth it ſelfe, that God inſtituted the begining of the Eccleſaſticall yeare at the Vernal-Equinox: whereby hee reſtored to the People the Beginning of the yeare which the Patriarkes had obſerved before them, and which they by their long Converſation with the Egyptians had diſcontinued; whence the ſoundeſt, both Divines and Hiſtorians conclude, that God reſtored to the Iſraelites the ancient accompt of the yeare and the true beginning thereof, partly to the end it might be a memoriall of their departure out of Egypt, partly that the Worlds Creation might be recorded, and partly that it might be a Prophecy of Chriſt, who was to ſuffer at this time. So that the Creation, the Celebration of the Paſſeover, and the Redemption of the World (by the death of Chriſt) do all of them fall out at the ſame time.

Now that the Patriarks had this beginning of the yeare, who can doubt it? They had the moſt naturall accompt of the yeare, and ſuch is that which fixes its originall at the Vernall Equinox. For ſeeing the mode of perfection is twofold▪ one cùm res ſit, the other cùm facta eſt; the conſummate perfection doth in no wiſe appertain to the birth of the thing, but the Inchoate, and (as i may ſay) vernant. For illuſtration whereof is may be added, That the Spring is the moſt beautifull and pleaſant time of all the yeare, and the moſt proper for generation of things: which Moſes not obſcurely implieth, where he ſaith, Terram g[•]rminâſſe herbam virentem. Neither is the Objection of Adams plucking fruit from off the forbidden tree available, it being very w[•]l known that in ſome Eaſtern Countreys (yea elſwhere) they have frui[•] growing twice a veare: the Poma aurea of Spain, both at Spring and Autumne. No[•] does the great volume of Heaven but confirm this opinion; whileſt the Dodecatemorle of Aries commences the naturall yeare, wherein the firſt converſion, or change of theſe ſublunary things is cauſed.

To conclude this point. The Chaldaeans had their learning and wiſdom from the Hebrews: Now foraſmuch as they appointed the beginning of the year at the Vernal Equinox, as did alſo the Perſians; 'tis very probable they borrowed this accompt of the yeare from the Hebrews: And therefore ſaith Scaliger Exerc. 257. Mundum verè ortum primò, & autumant ſapientes & credere par eſt. So runs (alſo) the ſentence of pious Antiquity.

Which is thus much after my rude verſion.

Of the Worlds Revolution.

IF this then be the ſeaſon of the yeare, wherein the World had its Birth, as the moſt learned Divines, Chronologers, and Aſtronomers have unanimouſly concluded. It followeth next, that we conſider the Revolution thereof this preſent yeare 1655. and from thence derive our Judgments Aſtrologicall; Non aliter ac in Nativitatibus quid nato per ſubſequentes annos eventurum fit, pronunciari ſolet ex thematibus Revolutionum, quae eriguntur ad locum Solis qui eſt in Radice. Orig. Part. 3. cap. 3.

Now to find out this temporary moment of the Sun's Revolution to the firſt ſcruple of Aries (where he was in the Radix of the Worlds Creation) hath been by ſome accounted impoſſible; by others a task very difficult and uncertain. And (to ſay the truth) ſuch has been the wide difference herein amongſt Aſtronomers, untill of late dayes, that the Calculations (how nice and curious ſoever) made from the ſeverall Tables they publiſhed, howbeit every man with equall confidence and commendation of the verity and exactneſs of his own, have wanted that preciſe concurrence which is requiſite to raiſe thereon ſo complete an Aſtrologicall ſtructure, as might withſtand the tempeſtuous ſtormes that frequently ariſe from the turbulent Sea of Ignorance and Malice. Whereof Cardanus was ſo ſenſible, that (becauſe he would not run the hazard of his credit, ſo great in the World) he rather wholly neglected the (then ſo) doubtfull Cusps of the Houſes in theſe revolutional Figures, ſaving thereby the labour of erecting Schemes, then from ſuch incertainties to raiſe alike incertain judgments: In which reſpect he preſcribes a regard onely to the places and Aſpects of the Planets. And indeed ſhould we grant the Tables Aſtronomicall (what as yet we find not in them; I mean) the exactneſs aimed at and coveted by all men: yet, till the long-ſought for and hitherto unfound certainer way of a[•]taining the true Longitude be diſcovered, ſome diſcrepancies (more or leſs) will be always occurring.

In the mean while, I could wiſh, that ſome ingenious Artiſts would ayply the Directions of Daniel Santbeck, (Probl. Aſtronom. & Geom. Sec. 1. Prop. 10.) who by the help of a Geometricall Quadrant there deſcribed, ſets down the manner of obſerving the true time of the Equinoxes, whereby they may diſcover, not only how far the Calculations made by the Tables differ from (but alſo which Tables come neareſt) Obſervation; and by this means make choice of the beſt, whereon to ground their Judgements Aſtrologicall.

But foraſmuch as all, or the moſt of our Annuall Prognoſtiques, are commonly extant before the Vernall Equinox, on and about which day thoſe Obſervations ought to be made, it cannot be expected that we ſhould here proceed upon thoſe grounds, the Birth of what now we preſent you with, anticipating its Fortune in the Preſs not leſs than Four Lunar Revolutions: Wherefore all we can here do, to do fairly, will be to make choice of the beſt Aſtronomicall Tables, in which Number [•] rank the Philolaick, as ſolving the Phaenomena neareſt exactneſs, when handled by a skilful Artiſt, and reduced (not upon the bare credit of every proſtituted Catalogue of the Difference of Meridians, but) with regard had to Ecliptical Obſervations, determining (ſo near as may be) the true Longitude: otherwiſe great Errors may enſue, eſpecially in the time of the Solar Ingreſſes, Eclipſes, and other Lunations, and yet the Tables excuſable.

Theſe things well conſidered, I cannot ſee with what ſhew of equity we ſhould be derided, or Aſtrologie exploded, in caſe we arrive not at ſuch preciſeneſs in our Annuall Judgments as is looked for from us, by thoſe which know not the handling of a Science, whoſe ſubject is ſo remote, whoſe paths be ſo variouſly winding and intricate. Or why Aſtrologie ſhould be contemned or ſlighted for want of Perfection more than all other Arts or Sciences, ſince really there are none without ſome defect or other; not any one that can truly ſay, it is free from every ſcrupulous exception: For, (omitting Phyſick, and the reſt, which cannot juſtly boaſt of nigh ſo much perfection) what Geometrician can ſtand up and truly tell me, he hath found out the exact Quadrature of a Circle, or the Duplication of a Gube? What Algebraist can reſolve the ſo long ſought for Equation of three diſcontinued Numbers in Algebraique proportion? And ſhould therefore thoſe noble Sciences be rejected as vain and fooliſh, and the Profeſſors be no better accounted of than Impoſtors; when nevertheleſs we cannot but confeſs the moſt excellent and daily uſe made of Geometry, both of Sea and Land, very well knowing that the Geometrician can Square a Circle, (though not preciſely, yet) ſo neer exactneſs, as leaves the iſſue of his endeavors without any ſenſible Error? In like manner, becauſe the Aſtronomer determines not preciſely the true places of the Planets, (howbeit very near the ſame, and the Eclipſes of the Luminaries, to admiration) the Aſtrologer ſometimes ſtrayes a little in the Species and Times of the events thereon depending, ſhall we therefore (altogether excuſing Aſtronomic) lay the whole blame and weight of our indignation on Aſtrologie, whoſe Effata ſuppoſe the Planets true places, which are Scientiarum apices, the perfection of Sciences, that God (in his wiſdome) would not have known ab initio, but reſerveth only to ſome peculiar Men and Ages?

I confeſs it is but too true, that (like as in all other Sciences, ſo) in this, as there are and ever have been ſome Hereticks and Miſcreants, who rail and exclaim againſt Aſtrologie, (for no other reaſon, but) becauſe they apprehend it not, ſo there are a [•]ort of looſe and ignorant pretenders, (Spurii non veri filii Artis:) who expoſe to ſale their Lying Oracles, do [•]xceedingly blemiſh and diſparage the Science, adminiſtring thereby great advantage for the malitious to inveigh and rail againſt it both from the Preſs and Pulpit, and to beſpatter the more able and hon[•]ſt Profeſſors thereof with the Titles of Figure-Flingers, Cheats, Impoſtors, and (I care not what) other abuſive Epithets.

But ſhould we (which my very ſoul abhors) ſet light of the Deitie, becauſe Caligula and Lucian would not grant any? or ſuſpect the Regiment of the World, becauſe Sardanapalus, Epicurus, Lucretius and Nero denied Gods providence? or eſteem of humane things more than ſacred, becauſe the Machiveliſts teach that Politie might conſiſt without Religion, accounting it nothing but an empty name, and the Bond or Give of Politie? Or ſhould we condemn the whole Catholike Church, becauſe of the many Ravenning Wolves and Subtile Foxes crept into (and now ſo miſerably deſpoiling) her? Or, decrying all the Clergie, becauſe ſome Time-buggering Changlings have diſhonoured the Function, ſeduced their Auditori[•], and preferr'd their worldly intereſts and carnall ends of Pride, vain-glory, ſtrife, covetouſneſs, and deſire of pr[•]hemin[•]nce above their brethren, to the Truth and Peace of the Goſpel? Should we (I ſay) for the incredulity of ſome, cond[•]mn[•] what (for doing ſo) might damn[•] us? Or for the impiety and hypocriſie of a few, caſt dirt in the face of a whole Covent of Learned and Religious Men? let the enemies of Ʋrania themſelves be Judges, if we might not be juſtly taken for fools or knaves, or knaves and fools in Folio? And let all rational men ſay, whether they be leſs, or any other, that have cauſl[•]ſly and publikely ſo derid[•]d and railed at us.

But è diverticulo in viam, to return into the road again, (for I cannot crave pardon for this digr[•]ſſion, ſo pr[•]ſſing is the cauſe thereof!) The Arieticall Ingreſs reduced to K[•]ndale is this yeare (by Iſmael Bullialdus) at 1h. 58′. 41″ Apparent-time, in the afternoon of the 10th. day of March (Old Stile) unto which I erect the following Scheme of the Worlds 5063d. Revolution, according to the (generally received for) true Accompt, the Vulgar and Dy[•]ui[•]ian being one year more.

The Scheme.

Behold! We have here the 19. degr. 40′. of the Lion aſcending, the ſecond of the Bull culminating, Cynthia ſeparating from Conjunction with Saturne, and haſtening to the Quartile of Mars, He to the Trine of Saturne, and about ten dayes after to the Square of Iupiter, who is in Conjunction with the Sun, Venus, and Mercurie in the beginning of the Equinoctiall Signe Aries:

The preventionall New-Moone in the 17°. 44′. of the Fiſhes:

The poſtventionall Full-Moone in the 1°. 33′. of the Balance:

Mars Almuten (or Lord) of the Revolution, as exceeding the reſt in number of Eſſentiall Dignities, free from combuſtion, and Rayes of the Sun, Orientall, ſwif[•] in Motion, and juſt upon entering the Goat, wherein he is exalted.

All which (with much of what more was requiſite to be) conſidered, I conclude: That the yeare will be generally inclin'd to drought: For, beſides that Iupiter, Venus, and Mercury be all of them neare the Sun in the Ram (a Signe of the fierie Triplicity) unto whom alſo the Sun ſucc[•]ſſively d[•]fluxeth, Mars continueth for the greateſt part of the year in the cold and drie Houſes of Saturne, who is now got to the Virgin (a Signe of the ſame nature) where the Moone likewiſe reſid[•]th: More particularly, that the Winter ſhall be temperately cold and drie, the Spring moderately warme, but [•]xceedingly drie: the Summer cooler than uſuall, but the Autumne intemperately cold. Whence it naturally followes,

That the Winter ſhall prove very ſeaſonable: but the Spring not adorning the earth ſo plentifully as moderate minds could wiſh for, neither the fruits thereof ſo good or gorgeous. The Summer (and conſequently the remainer of the yeare) very healthfull, but the fruits thereof ſerotine: Loſs and hurt to the fruits of Autumne, in uantity, taſt, and comlineſs, Omne nimium Naturae inimicum eſt.

The moiſture that will be is ſignified by the uncertain nature of Mars, according to that of Haly, Eſt Mars naturâ quidem [•]ic[•]us, ſed valde mutabilis, &c. Mars (ſaith he) is indeed of a drie nature, but withall very changeable: ſo that ſomtimes he is of a moiſt, another while of a drie nature. Humectatur verò & minuitur calor ejus, quando deſcendit verſus terram, & tun[•] ſignat infi[•]mitat[•]s & dolores ex▪ occaſione ſanguinis provenic[••]is: His heat is moiſtued and diminiſhed ſo often as he d[•]ſc[•]nds towards the earth▪ and then he portends infirmities and griefs proceeding of blood.

Moreover, In conjunctione vel oppoſi[•]ione Luminarium, quae pr[••]edit revolutionem anni, ſi Mars locum Luminarium a[•]pic[•]at, erunt f[•]lgura, tonitrua & lampades: If at the new or full Moone preceding the years revolution, Mars beholdeth the place of the Luminaries, lightning and thunder, with lamps or leamos of fire ſucceed the ſame. And commonly▪ th[•]ſe are accompanied with ſhowers.

Mercurius in Ariete multitudinem ventorum fortium, ſucorumque: Mercury in the Ram foreſhewes a number of ſtrong and dry winds: and I have often obſerved, that when Mercury is ſub radiis, the weather is very tempeſtuous and bluſtering.

But i[•] in judgments of this nature I ſhould give the reaſons of all my predictions, '[•]would ſurfeit the Reader▪ and ſwell my Pam[•]hlet to a Book. However, to ſatisfie the ingenious on what grounds we proceed; and to convince a ſort of people, who reflecting on Marlianus his Rule [Si vis divinare, totum contrarium ad unguem dicito ejus quod Aſtrologi pollicentur,] ſuppoſe we do but gueſſe at the weather, and believe that if They ſhould ſay rain, when the Aſtrologer writes faire and dry weather; or calm, when he foretels wind, they ſhould hit the mark as often as the Aſtrologer: I will (once for all) hint a few of the many cauſes, which either are, or ſhould be conſidered, by all ſuch as aime at credit or truth in their predictions.

Firſt (then) you muſt know, that when the Sun (according to appearance) wheels to a Star of a hot nature (as to Mars or Jupiter) it argues a hot or warm diſpoſition of the ayre: if to a Star of a cold nature (as Saturne or Mercury) a diſtempered ayre through the extremity of cold. And the mutuall conjunction of Stars that be of one complexion augments the ſame quality: As the conjunction of Iupiter and Mars, by the twofold vertue of their heat, make the lower region of the ayre more fervent.

Many Planets (eſpecially the ſuperior) in Northern Signes, a hot Summer, or a temperate Winter: The contrary when many Planets (the three ſuperior chiefly) are in Southern Signes: for ſo they ſignifie a cold and moiſt Peristaſis of the ayre, and a colder Winter.

Saturne in Southerne Signes, and eſpecially in Capricorne and Aquary, terrible Winters of froſt and cold; Summers remiſs in heat, a famine, an evill increaſe of wine, and of all ſuch fruits as delight in the Sun.

Moreover, when the cold nature of Saturne is duplicated by the preſence of Mercury, it makes the quality of the ſeaſon colder: but if ſuch a Conjunction or Aspect of the Planets falls out at the new or full Moon, or at any other Aſpect of the Luminaries, the vertue thereof ſhall appear much more effectually; nay, if within three dayes preceding a new-Moon, it addeth vigour to the vertue of ſuch a Planetary Conjunction, or Aſpect.

But when Stars of a contrary nature be united by commixture of mutuall Aspect, then ſhall a temperate affection of the ayre attend the ſame. The like you may judge, if there happen at the ſame time Conſtellations of different natures, whereof one produces froſt and cold, the other heat, or if one of them bode a drie ayre, the other a moiſt; for ſo of neceſſity a mean is produced: the influences of contrary Conſtellations mutually impeding and mitigating one another: As the Conjunction of the Sun, and Iupiter or Mars, (when both in Fiery Signs) brings with it greater heat, than if one were in a cold Sign and the other in a hot.

Furthermore, the full and new Moons that be celebrated in Angles (the Horoſcope eſpecially, or Angle of the Earth) are uſually accompanied with rain the ſame day they happen. But here you muſt note, that the Effects of the Stars do oftentimes ſhew themſelves before they come into partile Configuration, that is to ſay, during the time of their Acceſs or Application one to another; and ſometimes in their defluxion or ſeparation, which the Ancient Graecian Aſtrologers named Epichemaſin and Prochemaſin.

There are ſome, who (not altogether without reaſon) erect Schemes to the Apparent times of the Conjunctions of the Luminaries: and (having found the Almuten of the Figure, and obſerved what Planets be Angular) direct the Horoſcope of the Conjunction (allowing one day for every 13°. 11′. the mean motion of the Moon in one day:) for, that when the Horoſcope comes by ſuch direction to any Planet that was then Angular, or to the Lord of the Lunation, ſome change of air, to rain or ſnow, or wind, at leaſt a dark and cloudy air, ſucceedeth.

Conſider likewiſe the Poſition of the Lord of the Lunation, in the Figure, and the Latitude of the Moon; for, from thence come the winds that occaſion Tempeſts.

Take notice alſo, when the Moon comes within the beams of the Lord of the Figure, or the Angular Planets, for then principally does ſhe manifeſt her ſelf according to the nature of the Planet.

The Conjunctions of the Planets with fixed ſtars not far diſtant from the Ecliptique, produce a notable alteration of the air: And when the Stars leave one Sign and enter into another, they betoken ſhowers. Yet ſtill a regard muſt be had to the Qualities of the Signs and Seaſons. As if the Mutation be in a Watery Sign, and in the Winter or Spring, then may rain or ſnow be ſafely denounced [ſnow in Winter, if ſo be a cold Periſtaſis is impending:] The general Rule is, Grandines in Aprili & Octobri, Nives in Hyeme, in Aeſtate tonitrua.

A ſpecial regard muſt be alſo had to the nature of the Earth and Air peculiar to the Horizon you live in, or write for, becauſe that in all places they are not of a like nature: And no leſs to the Windes that agree to the particular ſeaſon of the yeer: foraſmuch as they blow not alike in all places, ſome being Topicall and peculiar to one place; others Chronical, which come at a certain time of the year: Wherefore Cardan. 7. Aph. 29. Oportet Coelum [•]ognoſcere Regionis, & quo tempore Anni ſit tempeſtuoſum, tum etiam cui ſigno Regio magis conveniat, ſi veritat[•]ni in judicando aſſequi velimus.

In the next place, let the Interval of the Sun, Moon, and Planets be obſerved, which conſiſts of the Aggregate of the Sun and Planets Orb upon the acceſs or deflux thereof, and eſpecially in the corporal conjunction of the Planets: As in the Suns Application to Conjunction with Saturn, becauſe the Suns Orb conſiſts of 12. and Saturn of 9. therefore ſo ſoon as the Sun ſhall be diſtant from him, not more than 21. degrees (which number is produced by the Addition of 12. and 9. degrees) the cold commenceth, and laſts for the moſt part, until the Sun have ſeparated himſelf 21. degrees from conjunction with him.

In like manner the Planets, which have their houſes oppoſite, when they behold one another by a forceable aſpect, as the Oppoſition or Quartile, or Trine, do introduce a memorable change to rain, or cold, or heat: As, if the Sun be in aſpect with Saturn, a cold Periſtaſis of the air, eſpecially if either of them be in watery Signs: In the Sommer time frequent ſhowers, but in Winter cold and ſnow. So alſo the configuration of Mars and Venus do bring for the moſt part heat and warm ſhowers, Iupiter and Mercury vehement blaſts of wind. And theſe Configurations of the Sun with Saturn, Venus and Mars, Jupiter and Mercury, are (by the ancient Mathematicians) called, Portarum ſeu valvarum Apertiones.

Nor muſt you neglect the riſing and ſetting of the 15. fixed Stars of the firſt, and the 15. of the ſecond magnitude, recorded by Ptolomy in his Calendar: For, if upon the dayes that thoſe Starres riſe or ſet with the Sun, there be a new or full Moone celebrated, or that ſome Planet of a conformable nature with thoſe fixed Glories ſhall riſe or ſet with him, or ſome other memorable Conſtellation that day happen, then may you ſafely predict a notable change of ayre. And this is confirmed of Cardan 7. Aph. 71. Oportet & exortus & occaſus Heliacos clariorum ſyderum obſervare, vix enim fiet, nè ſub ortu Caniculae ſiccitatis, morbi non vigeant; & ſub Arcturi occaſu imbres. And indeed unleſs the riſing and ſetting of the fixed Stars did operate ſomthing, we ſhould hardly have raine at one time more than another: For (as ſaith the ſame Author, 7. Aph. 72.) Incertus eſt Planetarum conturſus.

Obſerve alſo, when the Moone or any other of the Planets tranſits the Angles of the Worlds Revolution, or the Angles of the new and full Moones: for then be ſure ſome change of aire enſueth, according to the nature of thoſe Planets.

Moreover if upon a Conjunction or Oppoſition of the three ſuperior Planets, either amongſt themſelves, or with the three inferiors, the Moone ſoon after apply unto them by an oppoſite or quartile Configuration, be aſſured of raine, or winds, according to the nature of the Planets ſo conjoyned or oppoſed.

Conſider too, the Eclipſes, Comets, and other generall Conſtitutions, for oftentimes they augment or mitigate the ſpeciall: I preſume it is not forgotten yet, what vehement and mighty winds we had in Ianuary and February following the firſt appearance of the Comet in Decemb 1652. And what incredible tempeſts were the two laſt years, on the coaſts of England, France, Spain, Holland and Germany, in the Atlantique Ocean and Baltique Seas, the Owners of the Navies thereby ſcattered, and of the many ſhips, goods and men that were loſt, and therein miſerably periſhed, have cauſe to remember.

Neither do ye wholly neglect the Rule of Eudoxus, which Pliny tells of (lib. 2. ch. 47.) viz. That in the ſpace of foure yeares, not only the winds, but all other tempeſts (for the moſt part) returne to what they were before. For, although that Rule of his depends only upon this foundation, [That at the end of foure years next following the Leap-yeare, the Politicall yeare agrees almoſt with Aſtronomicall, in reſpect of time, the riſing, ſetting, and mediation of the fixed Stars with the Sun; howbeit the motion of the Moone, and the other Planets be far different:] yet becauſe the power of the Sun and fixed Stars is ſo great in ſtirring up of tempeſts, and the Moone not far diſtant from the place oppoſite unto that wherein ſhe was 4. years before, it is probable, that almoſt the ſame tempeſts may return: I confeſs I never obſerv'd it. But touching the Manſions of the Moone, I do not regard them, as remembring what Cardan admoniſhes 7. Aph. 57. Manſiones Lunae nè inſpicias, eſt Lunae vis à loco ſuo▪ à loco in ſignifero, à Lumine, Planetis, & Fixis.

And theſe are the Rules I thought fit to communicate, concerning the change of the Weather.

Of the Diſeaſes this Yeare.

NOw as touching the Diſeaſes of this yeare, although it be true, That a drie year is wholſomer than a moiſt, yet according to Cardan, 3. Aph. 7. Praedominante ſiccitate, Febres acutae generantur: when ſiccity prevailes, acute Feavers are generated: Excitantur etiam morhi tabiſici, Opthalmiae, Capitis & Articulorum dolores, difficultates Inteſtinorum, & Urinae. 3. Aph. 10. Diſeaſes alſo are excited that lead to Conſumptions, Inflammations of the Eyes, griefs of the Head and Joints, Diſeaſes and pains of the Entralls, with ſtoppage of the Urine. More particularly, the Winter ſhall abound with Head-aches, Coughs, Hoarſneſs and Rheums, (which according to Gallen) be ſymptomes of a full head. The Spring with diſeaſes and death of aged men: The Summer with Abortive births and diſsenteries, or bloody flixes, amongſt ſuch as be of a Flegmatick complexion: Nevertheleſs, a Summer colder than uſual is very favourable to them that be melancholike or ch[•]llerike, though to ſuch this Autumn will be very obnoxious; for it brings with it dry diſeaſes of the Eyes, acute and durable Feavers, Compreſſions of the Breast, and Exuberances of Black Cholar, yet ſhall it be beneficial to women, and ſuch as are of a Flegmatike complexion.

Moreover, I greatly fear that England will this yeer ſuffer by the Plague or Peſtilence: Howbeit we cannot (I confeſs) judge thereof by the face of the heavens, only as Cardan himſelf affirmeth, 2. Aph. 132. and therefore (ſaith Origanus) Ex Hiſtori[•]s & experientia petendum erit, quibus periodis Regionem aliquam inficiat: We muſt gather from Hiſtories and Experience, in what number of yeers it is uſually wont to infect any Nation, Countrey or City; it being certain, that in ſome places there are ſet times and periods in which the Plague rageth: For, the ſame Origanus tells us; how at Francofurt they have found by experience, that about every ten yeers the ſeeds of the Pestilence hath ſhewed it ſelf: As in 1506. being the firſt yeer of their Academy, when Saturn was in the Lyon, in 1516 when he was in Sagittarie, and in 1526. when in the Ram: the like he proves of other yeers. Peucerus alſo informs us, that whenſoever Saturn was in the Lion, or in Aquary, the countrey of Wirtenberge hath been infeſted with Peſtilent diſeaſes, and moreover, that the ſame have been intended of exaſperated by the Conjunction or Oppoſition of Mars unto him. And I remember, it was the obſervation of our learned Countrey-man Mr. Cam[•]den, That Saturn never paſſes through a Sign of the Fiery Triplicity, but be afflicts the City of London with a Plague or Peſtilence, or ſome other Epidemical diſeaſe: And I willingly agree therein with him; for (having conſulted Hiſtorie for the yeers, in which any great Mortality or Plague afflicted us) I find▪ That Saturn at or about the beginning thereof in London was ever in Aries, Leo, or Sagittary (Signs of the Fiery Trigon.) I will inſtance a few for better ſatisfaction.

He was in Aries when that univerſal Peſtilence firſt began in London, in the 22. of Edw. 3.

He was in Sagittary, when the ſweating ſickneſs began in the firſt yeer of Henry 7. and in Leo when that other ſweating ſickneſs began in the 22. of his Reign.

He was again in Sagittary upon that third ſweating ſickneſs in the 9 of Hen. 8. and in Aries at the beginning of the fourth, in the 20. of Hen. 8.

He was alſo in Sagittary in the 36. of Hen. 8. when that great plague began in London, which adjourn'd the Term to St. Albanes.

He was in Leo, when in the 6. of Eliz. the Peſtilence began in London after the return of the Army from Newhaven: And again in Leo in the 36. of her Reign, whileſt that great Plague raged in London, which cauſed the Term to be again holden at St. Albanes.

He was in Sagittary in the firſt yeer of King Iames, when that great Plague began in London, which devoured ſo many thouſands.

And was he not again in Leo in the firſt of King Charls, when that other great Plague began in London, which removed the Parliament to Oxford?

Was he not in Sagittary in the eighth, nineth, and tenth years of King Charls, when the Peſtilence again raged in ſo many parts of England?

What ſtrange and unheard of Peſtilential diſeaſes reigned i[•] London, Oxford, and other places of the Narion, during Saturn's progreſs through Aries, in the nineteenth and twentieth years of the ſame King? And have we had other or leſs the moſt part of the three years he was laſt in Leo?

Many more I could have inſtanc'd (for I have them all by me) but I ſuppoſe that theſe few may ſatisfie the intelligent Reader, if therein he be but half ſo impartial, as I have been curiouſly inquiſitive.

But the chief Coeleſtial Cauſes (or Signs) threatning the Peſtilence (or other violent diſeaſes) this year, are the Comet in Decemb. 1652. and the great Eclipſe of the Sun in Auguſt laſt, whoſe point Deficient was within 3. ſcruples of the Revolutional degree and minute aſcending this year 1655. the dire effects whereof began on S. Andrews day (the laſt of November, 1654) this being the 120th day from that of the Eclipſe (agreeable to 4h. 57′. the Interval or ſpace of time betwixt the Sun-riſe on the ſecond of Auguſt, and the middle-time of the then viſible conjunction of the Luminaries:) and continue in force two whole years, four moneths, and four days (proportionable to 2. hours, 19′ the time that Eclipſe laſted) that is to ſay, till the Annuntiation of our bleſſed Lady commencing the yeer 1657. according to the Eccleſiaſtical Accompt.

Cardanus (Lib. 15. cap. 78. de Rer. var.) enumerates other ſigns of the Pestilence, which be very conſiderable, as the Murrain amongſt Cattle, who (becauſe their mouths are inclined downward) do quicklier attract or draw unto them the impure vapours of the earth, and are therefore more and ſooner offended, eſpecially thoſe of a moiſt nature, as ſheep, Oxen and ſwine; for, Goats and Horſes are not ſo ſubject thereunto, and much leſs Dogs. For, when it continues amongſt ſuch creatures, Men are eaſily infected So likewiſe an unſpeakable multitude of creeping creatures of Frogs or Flies, are a ſign of future Peſtilence. In the 12. year of Rich. 2. and in the moneth of Iuly, whileſt the King was at Sheene (now called Richmond) there ſwarmed in his Court ſuch a multitude of Flies and Gnats, skirmiſhing one with another, that in the end they were ſwept away with brooms by h[•]aps, and buſhels filled with them; after which (ſaith the Story) there followed a great Mortality.

Moreover, the Plague is ſignified by Fires wandring in the aire, eſpecially if it be ſoon after the Spring: ſo alſo by a cloudy and ſcorched ſummer without windes: by much rain that is followed with great heat (for this putrifies the Water, by which the Plague is generated:) By a multitude of Locuſts dying, (for they endanger not a little the corruption of the Aire.) And the Countries or Cities infected do frequently tranſmit it to their Neighbours, ſpecially thoſe that lie Weſtward off them 1 Solet enim Peſtis quaſi motu Coeli diurno, ab Oriente in Occidentem procedere: The Plague or Peſtilence follows the diurne Motion of the Heavens from East to Weſt. The like is portended by confuſed ſounds in the Night, by Earthquakes and Inundations, which are both the Cauſes and Signes thereof, as I could manifeſt by Hiſtory, if I feared not the want of Paper.

Now (laſtly) as touching the Continuance of the Peſtilence, Cardan tells us 7. Aph. 121. Peſtis quatuor annis durar[•] nunquam poteſt: The Plague or Peſtilence can never laſt fully out 4. yeares; Which Aphoriſme muſt be underſtood not of divers places, but of one; Experience teaching us, that it never laſts longer. For example: the contagious uiniverſall Peſtilence (before mentioned) in Edw. 3. time, although it began in the Eaſt and South parts Ao. 1348. and continued till 1357. (above 9. years) yet wee read not that (in all this time it continued wholly out 4. years in any one Province, Countie, or Citie, notwithſtanding it ſpread it ſelfe all Chriſtendome over. The Reaſon whereof I could give you, but that I would avoid tediouſneſs.

Of VVarre and Peace.

FOr Warre or Peace, I cannot ſay otherwiſe, then I have already in my Hemeroſcope[•]on for the laſt yeare 1654, from the Place, Motion, and Nature of the Comet therein treated of: ſomething I may Inlarge, ſomething I may (in effect) reiterate: and the rather becauſe my Booke for that yeare hath come to the hands but of a few, being ſeized on and ſtifled in the very Birth, by thoſe malitious Monopolizing Stationers before mentioned, and a ſimple lying Counterfeit diſperſed by them under my Name, in ſtead thereof, throughout the Nation.

Si magnae ſint Cauſae, eviam ab his inter Homines magni effectus provenient, & à diuturnis dui [•]urni, & à feris atque ſ[•]vi[•] ſavi atque diri. If there happen great Cauſes (ſaith Cardan) great effects ſhall befall men proceeding from ſuch Cauſes. And if thoſe Cauſes continue long, and with all be fierce and terrible, ſo ſhall the effects be. Great and formidable Cauſes never wanted proportionable events to ſucceed them. Now foraſmuch as this Comet appeared in the 8th Period of the greateſt of Climactericall Conjunctions celebrated ſince the Creation, can it otherwiſe be[•] then the Fore-runner of a mighty Catastrophe in Humane Affaires? Ney, obſerve if it introduce not another Adminiſtration of Politic and Religion, in moſt of the places unto which it was verticall, or through whoſe Aſcendent it paſſed. For, although it was not exactly verticall to any part of England, yet ſo cloſe it comes to us, as I preſume no wiſe-man will deny, bus wee have felt the furious effects thereof in a more then ordinary Meaſure already. To inſtance the Diſſolution of Parliaments, and the Change of Government here in England, were but needleſs, 'tis knowne (and wondered at) all the World over. Other Viciſſitudes and Changes are approachin[•] and can ſuch be, were they ever, without Warre and Bloodſhed? Triſtis Cometae facies, quid ui[•]i magnorum Principum fata? Color plumbeus, quid ui[•]i mortalibus Bella & Peſtem denunciat? The ſorrowfull face of a Comet, what elſe denounces it, but the calamities of great Princes: What the leaden, dull and duſkie colour thereof but warres and Plagues to Mankind?—But there are who rayle and exclaime againſt us for Prognoſticating of Wars or Plagues, or Famine, &c. from the colour of Comets, &c. And let them ſo: Perhaps they may at God himſelfe (for what is it they dare not do?) who in the 6th. of Rev. deſcribes unto us by the different colours of Horſes; victory, Blood-ſhed, Famine, and Death or Peſtilence? Peruſe the ſcrutinouſly learned Dr. Hammond's Paraphraſe, and Notes upon this Chapter: 'tis full of Myſtery.—Death, miſchiefs, and miſeries unto Kings and Princes, &c. For why elſe did this Comet ſo haſtily aſcend the Chaire of Caſſiopea, and vaniſhed in that Conſtellation? [〈◊〉] Caſſiopea ſedens in ſolio Regali Perſonas illuſtres & potentes, Gubernaculaque Rcipublicae moderantes: Caſſiopea ſitting in a Royall throne, denoteth Perſons that be illuſtrious and powerfull, and ſuch as ſteere the Common-wealth: to the firſt of which Death is portended; to the later Depreſſion or Deſtruction, Horrid Treaſons and Exiles. And this not alwaies in the ſame or the ſubſequent yeare (to that wherein the Comet firſt appeared) but oftentimes in ſome proportionable time after, when the Comet cuts the degree Aſcending, or ſome other of the Hylegiacall places in the Genitures of ſuch perſons.

Againe: Changes and Calamities of Empires and Kingdomes, &c. For, ſeeing that Comets are not contrary to, but over and above the ordinary Nature of Heaven, unto what elſe ſhould they be referred then Empires, which are neareſt thereunto of all greateſt Humane things, and in which the welfare of all men conſiſteth? Quod in Coelo novus Cometa diſcurrens, hoc eſt in terris novus aliquis Homo, qui ſeu Magnitudine▪ Imperii, ſeu Armis, ſeu dogmate, praecipuam aliquam de ſe famam concitet, & ut Cometa terrore, ſic iſte vi illata, ſeu alia calamitate magnam generis humani partem exagitet. Foraſmuch as there is in heaven a new Comet wandering, that ſignifies upon Earth ſome new or ſtrange Man, who ſhall either by the greatneſs of his Empire, or his Armes, his determination or decree, raiſe up ſome excellent Fame of Himſelfe: and as this Comet by the Terror thereof, ſo He by his Power brought with him, or ſome other Calamity, ſhall diſquiet and trouble a great part of Man-kind▪ Now who this new or ſtrange man is, or whether he be (yet) in the number of Man-kind, I ſhall not take upon me either to diſcuſſe or determine. Only this, there is at hand a Direction of the Sun to the Trine of Jupiter, which I recommend to the judgment of the learned and honeſt Aſtrologer: (for if otherwiſe; he cannot, or will not underſtand it.)

When that ferall and fatall Comet appeared in [〈◊〉] yeare 1618. it was the judgment of Keple[•] (a great Mathematician and Aſtrologer) that becauſe there were two other Comets preceded it the ſame yeare, and the laſt was diſſected or ſeparated into two parts, Imperium Turci[•]um dilataci[•]s futurum, & quaſi in duo dividendum, quorum alterum Orbem Meridionalem, alterum Septentrionalem eſſet amplexurum. That the Turkiſh Empire ſhould be enlarged, and in a manner divided into two: one of which ſhould comprehend the Southerne, the other the Northerne parts of the world. And there is an ancient Propheſie tranſlated out of the Hebrew into Latine, by one Be[•]echobus (a learned Biſhop) which runs to this purpoſe, viz.

Deus tradet nos, &c. God ſhall deliver us into the hands of Barbarians and Sarazens, Perſia and Cappadocia to captivity and ſlaughter, Syria Hee ſhall drive into a Wilderneſs, and the People thereof into Bondage: Cilicia ſhall periſh by the ſword, Greece and Affrick be deſtroyed: the Egyptians and People (inhabiting the Eaſt parts) of Aſia ſhall pay a grievous Tribute. Spaine, France, and Germany ſhall be devoured by often Warres of the Romans, ſome ſhall be ſlaine, the reſt put to flight. And ſo the ſons of Jſmael with their entrance ſhall obtaine the North, Eaſt, South and Weſt. All Nations ſhall be under their yoke and tribute: They ſhall poſſeſſe and become Lords of all the rich Ornaments, Gold and Silver of rich Men, and of the ſacred Temples: Then ſhall there be great Tribulation, and the Paſſage of the Sarazens ſhall be from one Sea to another, and their Countrey not to be travailed through: Their way ſhall be called the way of anguiſh and ſorrow.

Melanchton alſo writeth, that he was told by a Noble-man Ambaſſador at Conſtantinople of a Propheſie among the Turks, which ſaith, they ſhould conquer Hungary, Poland, and ſome part of Germany: and that afterwards their Empire ſhould declin[•] ▪ Neither was Melanchton himſelfe of other opinion, inaſmuch as it was his uſuall ſaying, Quando T[••]ea veniet in Germaniam, veniet per Polonia[•]: When the Turke invade[•] Germany, he ſhall come through Poland: Nor is it otherwiſe, if wee judge thereof from the Tayle of the Comet in 1652. (as Philip Lantgrave of Haſſia did the coming of the Spaniard) which threatens the miſchiefs thereby ſignified from the North-Eaſt; that is, by the way of Poland.

Learned Men (alſo) there are, who by no contemptible Arguments of Scripture, prove, That yet there is a notable Calamity to be brought upon the Chriſtians by meanes of the Turkes, before the laſt day: And (to goe no farther then common Reaſon) what ſignifie thoſe notable appearances of them every where, eſpecially after the ſight of this Comet Ao. 165[•] in Sileſia, and againſt the Hungarians, yea (which is more) the Emperour himſelfe? The manifold preparations and excurſions made but the laſt yeare againſt all Defenders of the Christian name, and particularly the King of Poland: who was then alſo invaded by the Muſcovites, and thereby made leſſe able to withſtand that only common Enemie of Chriſtendome.

Much more might be added to inculcate the danger Chriſtendome is in, by meanes of the Turke pointed at by this Comet[•] But a people there is will think I have writ too much, if at all any thing of this Nature: However let ſuch know, they may i[•] time have more reaſon to repent their ingratitude to God in neglecting ſuch Oſtenta, then I ſhall for my reverend regard thereof, and the diligent ſearch I have made thereafter.

It is recorded of Charles the Great, that (beholding and dreading the New-ſtarre which preſaged and preceded his D[•]ath) hee was very inquiſitive what it portended. Eginard[••] (who writ his Hiſtory) returnes the words of the Prophet Jeremy (cap. 10. 2.) for anſwer, Et à ſignis Coelorum nè co[•]sternemi[•]i, quia conſterna[•]tur Gentes ab illis. Feare not the Signes of Heaven, though the Heathen be afraid of ſuch. Unto which the prudent Emperour replies, Nè quidem metuere [•]juſmodi Signa, ſed Signorum opiſiccm Cau[•]a[••]: Hee did not indeed feare any ſignes of that Nature, but the Maker (Cauſe,) of the ſignes. A moſt wiſe ſaying, and fit to be written in Letters of Gold. For, as Herodotus tells us, Cùm Deus pu[•]iturus eſt Gent[•]m vel Orbem, prodigiis id ſolet priùs ſignificare: when God is about to puniſh a Nation, a Countrey, or Citie, he is firſt wont to give warning thereof by Prodigies. And ſhall we dare to flight or contemne ſuch warnings? Medina (alſo) in the 2d. booke of his Paraeneſis cap. 1. declares himſelfe of the ſame mind, Loquitur Deus (ſaith He) cum hominibus non modò humanâ linguâ per ſacros Vates, ut à peccatis avocentur, et reſipiſcant, ſed nonnunquam ipſis Elemen[•]is in Formas & Imagines diverſas ad corundem terrorem compoſitis▪ God ſpeaks unto Men, not only with the Tongues of the Holy Prophets, that they might be reclaimed from ſin and amend their lives, but at ſometimes by the Elements themſelves diſpoſed into ſeverall ſhapes and images, thereby to affright and terrifie them. And ſuch was the Fiery Spheres ſeen in the Aire, before the Sabins invaded the Romans. Such were the images and ſignes of armed men in the Aire at the conflict of the Greeks with the Perſians Such was the ſight of the Ravens in the Aire before Alexander the Great his paſſing from Media into Babilon: ſuch were the Prodigies precurring and concurring the death of Caeſar. And ſuch were all thoſe publiſhed by Garibus in his Book de Phaenomenis oſtentis, from the yeare of Chriſt 1641. to the yeare 1650. amongſt which the ſecond Systeme obſerved in the Eaſt Febr. 24. 1642. under the Conſtellation of Orion, concerned this Nation▪ not a little, as hath beene found by long and wofull experience.

Johannes Tackius (a German Doctor of Phyſick, and a learned Aſtrologer now living, in his Coeli Anomalon) informes us, that in the Earledome of Arctois, this Comet extended forth an arme, and brandiſhed a flaming ſword, towards the North and Weſt parts of the Earth.

He ſayes likewiſe, there were ſeene in Germany many other Prodigies, and ſome he inſtances, viz. Horrible Winter-Thunders, and the pregnant ſoyle labouring of a Dropſie, (i. e.) an indundation. The miraculous ſuddaine riſing of a Fountaine. A Mountaine cleft aſunder in the Country of Thuringia (in the Province of Saxony) and which (one part ſevering from the other) removed to another place. In another Territorie: Chaſmata, or Diſruptiones, that is, great gapings or openings in the Heavens: In ſome places terrible flames of Fire: Jn others, Voices were heared in the Aire. And that to ſuch as dwell near the Mountaines of Wetteravia, a Starre was ſeene, which ſhewed at the firſt with very bright Beames, but ſoone after aſſumed the ſhape of the bowed Moone (but greater then ſhe is wont to be) caſting out Flames from the middle cavity thereof a ſad ſpectacle, and hurtfull to the eyes of thoſe that beheld it. And that although the face of this mock moone was fiery▪ yet it caſt ſo clear a light upon the Earth, that the hedges were perceived to be waxing greene. At laſt (ſaith he) it tooke the ſhape of a [•]ithe or ſikle deſtitiute of a handle, and without any flames; in which manner it vaniſhed. And this (he ſayes happened on the 12. Calends of Febr. 1653. Luna fer[•] ſilente.

The ſame Tackius likewiſe inſtanceth Letters hee received from Perſons of credit, wherein hee had notice given of a Rainbow that appeared about the ſame time, the night being cloudie, and a great murmuring or noiſe heard in the Clouds, which Rainbow was not of ſundry colours, as it uſually appeares, but exceeding white, and projecting a clear light upon the Countrey of Alſfeld: which that it was not the light of the Moone, being ſo near the time of the New moone, may be ſafely, concluded without any more adoe. Other Prodigies (he ſaith) there were every where obſerved almoſt throughout all Germany, but that for brevities ſake he omitted them.

Now what elſe ſhould this Sickle ſignifie, but the exciſion of Men and Nations, who in reſpect of their ſius, are as a field of Corno ready for Harveſt? ſee Rev. 14: v. 14. and ſo to the end.

What the renting and removing of Mountaines, but the Diſcords of Kingdomes, and the Minds of great Perſonages departing or differing one from another? [•]ot, what are Mountaines, but Great men, ſet in the Higheſt places, and lifting their Heads above other Mortalls?

What elſe ſignifie Inundations or the Over-flowing of Rivers, but the entrance of ſtrange People into the Land [•] [The waters which thou ſaweſt, where the Whore fitteth, are Peoples, and Multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues. Rev. 17-15▪ See the learned Hammond's Paraphraſe upon the Text.

And▪ the Appearance of a decoloured Rainbow, what is it, but a token of the wrath of God?]

This Author further tells us, That in Autumne 1652▪ they had a monſtrous growth of Maſt or Acorner in many places of Germany, reſembling the Heads and Teguments of the Turks. That the Comet was attended with great and deſtructive Fires in many places, as at Paris, Conſtantinople, and elſewhere[•] ſo alſo, that Jſerloo (a towne in the County of Marchia) and the Priſon at Rudelſ[•]ad, with many other Houſes▪ periſhed by Fire. I could wiſh no honeſt Men had cauſe to complaine of the like here in England.

But that which I read in him with greateſt admiration, is that hee reports out of Gaſpar Lib. 3. viz. That in the year 1554. not farre from the Citie of Harmſtad in Tranſilvania, this following writing was obſerved in Heaven, in faire, and legible Characters;

I. N. R. I. M. D. L. V. I. I. A. R. E. I. N. E. N. D. E.

D. I. S. E. S. R. E. I. C. H. S.

And that at Freiburge the ſame year, on a very faire day, Dn. noſtrum Jeſum Chriſtum Iridi inſidentem conſpectum fuiſſe: Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt was beheld ſitting upon a Rainebow, as if upon his Tribunall, to denounce the univerſall Judgment.

Now what I pray you ſhould ſuch ſignes (beheld 100, years ago) ſignifie, but that like as our Fathers before the Floud (whom God had indulged or reſpited 120. yeares for their converſion, and doubtleſly no leſſe forewarned by Prodigies) wee might be exhorted to repentance and amendment of li[•]e, and with pious lamentation and mourning unto God, divert or extenuate the calamities approaching upon the World?

But to draw ſomewhat nearer our own times, it may here be not unworthy our notice, That within the ſpace of 55. yeares laſt paſt (this preſent being included) there have beene no fewer then 212. Eclipſes of the Luminaries, viz. 125. of the Sun, and 87. of the Moone: whereof 71. wee (the Inhabitants of Europe) the other 141. they of Aſia, Affrica, India, and about the Antartique Pole (not without great Horror) have obſerved: Beſides, two great Conjunctions, two now Starres, and ſix Comets.

And what ſignifyed thoſe Claſhings and ſtrange Apparatio[•]s in the Heavens, and thoſe gapings of the Clouds Anno 1644. thoſe Parelii or Mock-ſuns the ſame and the 3 following yeares here it England, but the troubles and changes which have ſince followed?

What that irruption of Waters at Amſterdam in the beginning of the year 1650?

What that Inundation at Bilbo in Spain the following yeare, 1651. but Populorum et Gentium boſtilium adventum? The Inroades of People and Nations (their Enemies) into thoſe parts? Cardan Lib. 14. de Rer. var. pag. 703.

What the unſeaſonable antedated growth of Apples and other Fruits? The breeding of Rooks three Moneths before their accuſtomed time (which my ſelfe can teſtifie upon my owne knowledge, three years ago in the Place where I dwell,) but the too ſoon and untimely acceſſe of mean and unworthy perſons (ſuch were many of the laſt diſſolved Parl.) to Neſts or Places of Honour and Truſt: and the abortive iſſue of their too too prominent Deſignes and Actions?

What the three yeares laſt paſt, whileſt the Heavens were as Braſſe, and the Earth as Iron (Deut. 28. v. 23.) but Inopiam & diram Neceſſitatem, A Dearth and dire Neceſſity to enſue? Card. lib. 11. de Rer. var.

What the warm-blood that rained at Poole in Dorſetſhire Iune 20. 1653. & thoſe dreadful claps of Winter-Thunder and Lightning, Decemb. 19. 1653. and the fierie Leamings ſoon after the following Spring (obſerved in the Heavens for ſeverall nights together,) but that—which I muſt be ſilent in?

I find recorded in Suetonius a very memorable Accident occaſioned by a Flaſh of Lightning, which ſtruck out the firſt Letter of Caeſar Auguſtus (his name) inſcribed upon his Statue: wherupon the Augures divined, Centum ſolos dies poſthac victurum: That he was to live but juſt 100. dayes after, which number the Numerall Letter [•]. betokened: and that it would come to paſſe, that he ſhould be regiſtred among the Gods, becauſe AESAR (the reſidue of the Name C AESAR (in the Tuſean Language) ſignified God.—But to proceed,

What elſe ſhould be portended by that Prodigy ſeene in March 1654▪ in the Northerne parts of England, viz. Two Armies encountering one another, but the Warres, Bloodſhed and Slaughter that hath and is to ſucceed within theſe Dominions of England and Scotland?

And laſtly, (but not the leaſt to be taken Notice of) what the two prodigious Swarmes of Bees (thoſe Monarchicall Creatures) that came murmuring through the Aire, (as if offended at all Governments but their own;) one, the 13. of Iune the laſt year 1654. in London (the Metropolis of England▪) where it fixed upon a man as he paſſed the ſtreets in Covent-Garden: The other (upon the 21. of the ſame Moneth and in the ſame Citie) which clung to the end of a Cart▪ near Somerſet Houſe in the Strand, but what theſe times will never indure to heare of?

Such Conjectures (for more they muſt not now be called) as have antiently been paſſed upon the like Prodigies and their Iſſue, Virgil informes us of, Aeneid. lib. 7.

Of the State, or Condition of Man.

AS touching the Condition of Man, foraſmuch as we daily ſee ſome Men (of all Qualities) to flouriſh at one time, and at another time to be preſſed with miſ-fortunes and adverſities: yet this not alwaies through their own circumſpection or evill doings, but by a coeleſtiall cauſe and inclination (not obvious to all) I ſay, that the perſons ſignified by Mars (Lord of the Revolution) are they that ſhall this year weare the Feather: namely, the Princes (and others) ruling by Tyranny and Oppreſſion, new-Conquerors and Vſurpers, Generalls of Armies, Colonels, Captains and Commanders, all manner of Souldiers, Phyſitians, Apothecaries, Chirurgions, Alchimiſts, Gunners, Marſhals, Serjeants, Balli[••]s, Smiths, Armourers, Cutlers, and the like. See my worthy frie[•]d M. Lilly's Introduction Pag. 67.

Thoſe ſignified by Jupiter (Combuſt of the Sun) ſhall be (as Haly ſaith) like to Captives, Quorum vires ſunt vinctae & [•]gatae, whoſe ſtrength is in chains and fetters. Such be even all Iudges and Senators (in the worſt ſenſe) Churchmen, Biſhops, and Prieſts (in the beſt ſenſe:) Alſo thoſe that call themſelves Miniſters or Teachers (of Non-ſenſe:) Chancellors, Counſellors and Civilians; all manner of Lawyers and young Students, &c. But let ſome of theſe be of good cheare—The time is at hand: and it is but waiting the leiſure of Heaven for every one to have His Right either in Perſon or by Proxy.

In Anni Revolutionibus, ſi Luna debilis & peregrina applicuerit infortuniis Saturno vel Marti potentibus, denotabitur Popul[•] infaelicitas, depreſſio, impedimentum, in negotits; defectus victus & lucri, multaeque infirmitates Populum affligent. If in the yeares Revolution, the Moone being weake and peregrine apply to either of the infortunate Planets, Saturne or Mars, in a powerfull Poſiture: then ſhall Infelicitie, Depreſſion, Impediment in their affaires, want of Proviſion and Gaine, be denoted to the People, and many infirmities will afflict them. And this the rather, becauſe of the Proximity of the Dragons Tayle to the Cuſpe Aſcending, which hath likewiſe ſignification upon the Common-People, or generall ſtate of the Nation.

For, the Head and Tayle of the Dragon, although they be not Starres, but only Interſections of the Eccliptique, yet have they the vertue of Starres, and ſometimes greater then they. The reaſon is; becauſe that in theſe Interſections, the Eclipſes of the Luminaries alwayes happen, by meanes whereof they doe marvailouſly contribute in the Changes of things, when joyned with the Planets eſpecially, and accordingly alter the Quality of the yeare, as hath been obſerved by long Experience. Therefore not now to be queſtioned.

Thus farre have wee briefly touch'd what I judged neceſſary or ſafe to be taken notice of in this Revolution, and the Cauſes or Signes preceding and concerning it: (I know much more may be read in the Figure; but this I'm reſolved ſhall ſuffice: for,) now it is high time wee reflect upon

The Eclipſes 1655.

PTolomy and the Ancients very ſeldome (or never) gave judgment upon Eclipſes, Great Conjunctious, or the like, before they happened: and that firſt they had obſerved by Inſtrument the preciſe times thereof. Nor indeed could they very well the contrary, wanting the many curious Obſervations later Ages have made, and the benefit of thoſe excellent Tables Aſtronomicall, built upon that Foundation.

And (to deale candidly) I could wiſh it were drawne into Cuſtome, to doe yet no otherwiſe our ſelves: For, although i[•] be true, there can no conſiderable error be committed in the Degrees deficient, or the places of great Conjunctions, and the like▪ yet as to the true Times of all or any of theſe, the hazard is obvious, whilſt depending upon Tables requiring Reduction, wee know not how happily wee can performe it beforehand: So that erring in the moment of Eclipſes or other Configurations, we cannot but the like in the Times their Effects begin, and continue. Howbeit, the Effects of the Eclipſes this yeare but a little concerning us, nor the Guerdon (otherwiſe) incouraging, it ſhall ſuffice that we reſt contented for the preſent, with what the Tables afford us.

The Inhabitants of this Earthly Starre ſhall twice, this yeare, be deprived of a part of the Sun's Light, by the Moons Interpoſition. Once, the 27. of January 33. min. after High-Noone: but not to the Quantitie of one Digit in any part of England. To other Regions which incline more to the South-Weſt [in France, Italy, Spaine, the Fortunate Iſland, &c.] it will appeare much greater: and in the South Latitude of 3°. 23′. viz. in the Countreys that adjoyne upon the South Coaſts of Affrique, the Sun ſhall be almoſt totally darkened, in the 1[•]°. 54′. of Aquary.

It threatens (Aſtrologically) Publique Thefts; or what wee (modeſtly) call Plundering &c. Robberies, Rapes, Earthquakes' in the Countreys naturally ſubject thereunto) and Famine, with Monopolies, and other ungodly Deviſes of pilling, and polling the Over-ridden People.

The ſecond time, on the 23. of Iuly, 24′. paſt one in the Morning, but not viſible in any part of Great Britaine, or Ireland, &c. becauſe the Luminaries are then both under the Earth, and the Latitude of the Moone Southerne.

This happens in the 9°. 27′. of the Lion: which foreſhewes the death of a famous Prince, or (if not) his many Misfortunes: with great Scarcity of Corne and Graine.

Andreas Argolus (a great Mathematician, and an eminent Aſtrologer) in his Ephemeris for this yeare, gives us two mo[••] Eclipſes of the Moone: viz. One the 8th. of Iuly, the other the 7h. of Auguſt. But this Noble Author ſhrewdly miſtooke in his Calculation: for there cannot be (this yeare) any other Eclipſe, either Lunar or Solar, then what I have here mentioned; as time will manifeſt.

Thus farre I have proceeded in the Generall Accidents incident to mankind, &c. from the Comet, Eclipſes, Revolution of the World, and other extraordinary Signes and Cauſes formerly mentioned. Now, to know the particular perſons concerned therein, and on whom their▪ Effects ſhall fall, the Happilieſt or Heavieſt, it were requiſite that I firſt knew and peruſed their reſpective Genitures; for, by that means I might diſcover abundantly, the Riſe and Fall of ſome who act their parts ſo eminently upon the Stage of this World; what men or women ſhall have Fortune, or Misfortune, peace or diſcord, gaine or leſſe, comfort or diſcomfort in their enterprizes, and actions, health, or ſickneſs in their Bodies, and when: In a word, any thing that concerns humane affairs; (for with thoſe that he divine or ſupernaturall, Aſtrologers meddle not.) But as I trouble my ſelf with few Nativities, nor (of thoſe few) conſider any, unleſſe of good and ſignall concernment, or ſuch as I ſhall be peculiarly (and upon good terms) injoyned to look into: ſo ſhall I forbeare all further enquiries this yeare; except after what my ſelfe or intimate friends may occaſionally thirſt for private ſatisfaction in. And 'tis hoped by Me, that what I have here written will not be found offenſive to any body, but thoſe Monopolizing Stationers, whom nothing will ſatisfie but my ruine, which I hereby aſſure them of, rather then the leaſt parcell of my Proprietie: and if yet my Eares muſt needs be Hornes, 'tis fit thoſe Fellowe[•] ſhould weare them.

Confederates in Miſchief quickly fall:

Their Ruine's ſure; oft-times Reciprocall.

Deo proteCtorI natI[•]nIs oMnIs honor & gLorIa.

FINIS.

Books worth buying, as being Learned, Honeſt, or Uſefull.

EPhemeris Parliamentaria, or a Faithfull Regiſter of the tranſactions of thoſe eminent Parliaments in the beginning of K. Charles his reigne, containing the ſeverall Speeches, Caſes, Arguments of Law, together with the great myſteries of the Kingdome then in agitation between His Majeſty and both Houſes.

The Letters of that moſt excellent Oratour Monſieur de Balzac, the 1. 2. 3. and 4. parts, tranſlated ou: of French into Engliſh by Sir Richard Baker, and others, newly collected into one volume, with a methodicall Table of all the Letters, both printed for Iohn Williams, and Francis Eglesfield, to be ſold at the Crown and Marigold in S. Pauls Church-yard London.

Calam[•]s Menſurans: The Meaſuring Reed: Or, The Standard of Time. By John Swan, an honeſt Divine, a learned Mathematician. To be ſold by the ſame John Williams, at the Crown in S. Paul's Church-yard.

The Complete Ambaſſadour, or two Treaties, of the intended Marriage of Queen Elizabeth of bleſſed memory, comprized in Letters of Negotiation, of Sir Francis Walſingham her Reſident in France; together with the anſwers of the Lord Burleigh, the Earl of Leiceſter, Sir Thomas Smith, and others; wherein as in a clear mirrour, may be ſeen the faces of the Courts of England and France, as they then ſtood, with many remarkable paſſages of State, not at all mentioned in any Hiſtory; Faithfully collected by the truly Honorable, Sir Dudley Diggs Knight, late Maſter of the Rolls: in folio.

As alſo, The Ladies Cabinet inlarged and opened, containing many rare ſecrets, and rich Ornaments; under 3. heads, of Preſerving, Conſerving, &c. Phiſick and Chirurgeri[•]; Cookery and Houſewifery; with choyce exttactions of Waters, Oyls, &c. collected, and practiſed, by the late learned Chymiſt, the Lord Ruthuen, with Tables to each part: The third Edition, with Additions; both theſe printed for, and ſold by G. Bedell and T. Collins, at their ſhop at Middle Temple Gate in Fleetſtreet.

VULGAR ARITHMETICK, (the moſt exquiſite peace extant) made applicable to Trade, by my Noble Friend, Noah Bridges Eſquire; who teacheth the Greek, Latine, and French Tongues; alſo faire Writing, Arithmetick, Merchants Accompts, Geometrie, Trigonometrie, Algebra, &c. at Putney in the County of Surrey. Sold by Andrew Crook in S. Pauls Church-yard, and Humphrey Tuckey, over againſt [•]. Dunſtans Church in Fleet-ſtreet.

The Queens Cloſet opened: Incomparable Receipts of Phyſick, Preſerving, Candying, and Cookery, tranſcribed from Her Majeſties own Receipt-Book, by W. M. one of her late Servants.

The Exact Surveyor of Land, ſhewing how to plot all manner of Grounds, and to prove the truth thereof: and to reduce Iriſh Land-meaſure into Engliſh, Uſefull for all that either purchaſe or ſell. By J. E.

Both to be ſold by Nath. Brooke at the Angell in Cornhill▪