THE Blazing Star; OR, A DISCOURSE OF COMETS, THEIR Natures and Effects.

YOur Worships commands in Sir I. D. the Lady F. and Mr. S. affairs, have been observed with that care and exactness that becomes him who understands lit­tle other business he hath to do in this world, beside your service, as will appear to your great trouble, in the tedious account of them, sent [Page 2] your Worship by Dr. P. as an alleviation whereunto, I thought fit humbly to represent to your Worship a strange Accident that befel us here of late: The Ac­cident, Sir is this:

Honest I. S. was going to N. Market, about one of the clock the last Thursday morning; and observing (as you know he is curious that way above his condi­tion) the situation of the Stars in Taurus, was surpri­zed with a sudden glaring and light, which obliged him and his companions to alight and view the strange thing more narrowly; but so confounded he was with the rude Gang he had got (to whom might be applied the Discourse of the Duke d' Alva, who be­ing demanded, whether he had seen the last Comet, said, He had not for many years been at leisure to look up so high) that until he had tired them as much with his patience and observation, as they had him with their noise and impertinence, he could not make any exact judgement of its Figure, Situation, or Aspect. At last having dismissed the people that talked nothing but Lilly and Booker, and concluded nothing but fears and jealousies, he went up a little Hill by the way side, and lay upon his back neer a quarter of an hour, between two and three of the clock; in which po­sture he observed a Star, in his apprehension about the same dimension with Jupiter, South South-West, dazling out glaring and glimmering Beams (as far as he could then judge) some 11 yards long, and six broad, declining between 3 and 4 a clock West-ward; so as that by the interposition of an untoward Cloud he lost it, and so arose and followed his Comerades, who within six hours after filled the Town with the most [Page 3] horrid apprehensions that mortals could be possessed with; those more knowing reflecting on that in Cas­siopoeia, the old people talking of the Blazing Star 1607. and the Comet 1608. and the subtle Fanaticks im­proving mens fears and ignorance by a more dreadful story of Prodigies (wherein the meanest of them, as your Worship observed very well at S. April 7. are most ready and punctual) insomuch that our Town had amassed together so much strange discourse of such memorable things as happened since his Majesties most memorable Restauration (a miracle that in my poor opinion might supersede all others) as occasioned Dr. T. (for whose Prudence and Learning this place is infinitely obliged to you) to preach last Sunday upon this Text, There is no new thing under the Sun; wherein, having premised the story of Charles the Great, who looking on the new Star which presaged and preceded his death, was very inquisitive and desirous to know what it portended, Enigardus (who writ his History) re­turneth the words of the Prophet Jeremy, Chap. 10.2. for answer; Be not dismayed at the Signs of the Heaven, for the Heathen are dismayed at them: Unto which the wise Emperor replies; Ne quidem metuere se ejusmodi signa, sed signorum opificem causam; That he did not indeed fear any signes of that nature, but the Maker or cause of those signes; adding, That it is most certainly true, that second causes are seldom suspended or alter­ed in their motions and actings, but only upon special design, to let the world know that nature and the chain of causes are not independent, but that he is the Soveraign Lord of them, and their being and motions [Page 4] are in his hand: yet withal he must repeat (he said) those Verses of Lucretius:

Which I finde thus Englished in a little Book Sir R. T. bestowed on me.

Seconding it with a passage, as I remember, of Plutarchs, That it is our ignorance only of things, that makes them seem to us both prodigious and miracu­lous: [Page 5] whereas were the true cause known or hunted out, the wonder would quickly abate, and seem less; and that which before seemed monstrous and miracu­lous, would become very common, if not contempti­ble. Which mindes me of a passage in Du Bartas:

The honest Gentleman (whom I pitie when he throweth away his Learning on a poor Village in your absence) acknowledging, That God might raise Nature (which he said was but his Art) above the ap­prehension of common men. Yet he asserted, That these things have been in every age, and that men have assigned the causes of them, not observing any fatal effects from them; as the Twins in one brought forth Anno 1474 neer Verona, with four hands, two heads, four legs, two privities, and joyned just from the but­tock upward: and those in Ubulen a village in Flanders 1567. a childe with two heads, four arms, and mem­bers in all other parts for two bodies, save the legs, of which there were but two onely: the cause whereof was assigned by the Physicians of those times to be a violent contusion; and the event proved no worse, then that two Queens were those years brought to bed of Twins a piece: which (with many more terre­strial wonders) he insisted upon.

But the occasion being a celestial one, he mentioned out of Bishop Usher the orderly Armies and Fights in the air, over Antiochus his tent, anno mundi 3785. [Page 6] which imported no more harm to him, then that he should take Jerusalem, as he did with all its treasures fourty days afterwards.

The fire in heaven, anno Chr. 15. when there was no trust but a young Emperour was born, and a Plot of Agrippa and Julia's defeated.

A Blazing Star like a sword hanging over Rome, anno Christi 30. when Tiberius setled his Government, and Otho was born.

A dreadful Comet six yards in bigness to common appearance for fourty days, Anno Chr. 48. when Ve­spasian took onely the Isle of Wight, and his souldiers overthrew the Picts.

The vast Star of thirty yards length, lasting six months, three weeks, and four days, anno Christi 56. betokened onely Nero's five years good Reign; as did another three years after, intimating his Conquest of the Jews: and fifteen years after, when Titus utterly subdued the Jews: and seven years after, when Adri­an was born, and Vespasian was setled.

Anno Christi 81. A Terrible Comet appeared. The effect of it was no other, but that Haldanus the Swede was restored to his Kingdom from which he was ex­pelled.

Anno Christi 152. Three Suns appeared at Constan­tinople (at the same time) with a Star and a Rain-bow. The effect was this: Caesar seeing a wonderful fire at Rome, causeth the persecution to cease by an Edict from himself.

Anno Christi 187. The Stars were seen all the day long at Rome. And some Apparitions hung streaming down in the very middle of the Air. The effect of it [Page 7] was this: Perennius and his Son were executed for Treason. Hanno of France wars with the Romans.

Anno Christi 195. There were seen at Rome three Stars very glorious. The effect of it was this: Seve­rus followed war against the Parthians.

Anno Christi 204. A Comet for many dayes toge­ther was seen at Rome. The effect: The Romans waste Arabia; strange Heresies broached by Praxeus.

In the year of our Lord 237. A Blazing Star was seen at Rome, that extended it self a very great length, and was seen both to burn and blaze many nights to­gether. The effect: The Goths at this time became terrible to the Roman Empire.

In the year of our Lord 323. There was a terrible Comet seen for many dayes together at Rome. The effect: Constantine and Licinius met at Chalcedon. Octa­vian recovers Britain by the aid of Fincomore.

In the year of our Lord 377. A Comet of wonder­ful greatness was seen in Cicilia. The effect of it; That the Scots and Picts were set together by the ears by Maximus. And the Goths turn Arrians.

In the year of our Lord 384. A fiery Pillar in the Heavens; the influence whereof was remarked with no other product, then that Maximus possesseth Bri­tain, France, Spain and Africa. And upon an Appeal from the Council of Bourdeaux setled France.

In the year of our Lord 392. The Graecians observed a new Star like a sword for three and forty dayes to­gether. The remarkable contingence that attended it, was the crowning of Eugenius Emperor, and the Romans imposing a Tribute upon the French.

A like action whereunto happened in the year 430. [Page 8] when a sword-like Star was seen at Rome. And the History about that time mentioneth nothing more re­markable, then the destruction of the Goths by divisi­on amongst themselves; and the settlement of Chri­stianity by the burning of the Sybils books, and the overthrow of the Idol-Temples.

In the years 434. & 454. Two dreadful Comets were seen; the one for six weeks, the other for ten weeks together: the first whereof had no other ho­nour, then that wonderful Peace between the Empe­ror and the Vandals; nor the other any more repute, then the Britains confining of the Saxons within the Isle of Thanet.

In the famous year of our Lord 483. The world was amazed with the two wonderful blazing Stars seen in Russia; which yet had gone out like a candle in snuff, had not Clavis his no less wonderful Conquest innobled them to the renown of Prodigies. And an eminent Comet was observed in the royal Sign Sagit­tarius, by the incomparable Mathematician Alman­dus, which yet had been forgotten as the last Christ­mas-candle, had not it blazed a fresh with the glo­ries of the then Emperour, who shewed that Stars ruled the world, and wise men Stars.

In the year of our Lord 590. The Roman Empire stood amazed at a blazing Meteor as great as it self, which yet was no greater in its blaze (I must confess) then in its product. A Famine so great in Britain, that the people assembled themselves together in flocks to cast themselves into the Sea: and a Plague so great in Rome, that 800. men fell dead in one hour in the time of Procession.

[Page 9]And yet an horrible Comet in the same place, in the year of our Lord 597. was so innocent, that there is no other effect of it conveyed to posterity, then that blessed one of St. Gregories redeeming the captive Christians in Greece from the Heathens, and the more miserable captive Heathens from Heathenism it self: nor that Meteor which Jerusalem for a month together doted on, any other consequence then that Dagopart was sole Monarch of France, and the Pope sole Arbi­ter of the quarrel between the Sarazens and the Em­peror of Constantinople.

'Tis true, in the year of our Lord 687. near Christ­mas time, (Christ must still be honoured with a Star) a vast Comet was observed near the constellation which is called Virgiliae, when the Emperor defeated the Sclavi, and raised so great a controversie about the election of the Pope of Rome, that for many years af­ter he had the choice of him himself.

The years seven hundred twenty three, and forty se­ven, were honoured with two Comets together in Italy, when Italy cantoned it self into Dukedoms and free States: And another Comet like a sword, which indeed was followed at Constantinople with a Plague for three years, that they wanted men to bury their dead; but withal with such a success of the Emperors against the Sarazens, as gave Law to Cyprus, and most of those neighbour Countreys.

'Tis true, the blazing Star in the East might signi­fie (said some Astronomers) the expulsion of Telerick; and yet, why not the Emperors onslaught of 6000 Sarazens, and Alphonsus his overthrow of seventy thou­sand more, which happened about the same time?

[Page 10]The Comet in Aries, in the year 840. might signi­fie the Moors waste of Italy; and why not their expul­sion out of it? for both are in the Annals of one year.

The blazing Star vertical to Spain, might import the Vandals and Sarazens incursions; and yet might prog­nosticate as well their overthrows, both happening in one month.

Three Comets for a fortnight vertical to Germany, might foretel that Gonsalvus should have poysoned Sancho with an Apple, and might likewise as well bode that the French King and the Emperor after their bloody War, should play at Cards this year: for these are the two most remarkable passages for this year.

A Comet very horrible to behold, casting out flames on every side, seen in the year of our Lord 1062. might portend Otho poysoned with a pair of Gloves; and why not the flying of the Danes to the Church, being there burnt, when they were worsted at Oxford?

Stella Crinita, or that very great hairy Comet, which appeared in the year 1043. might indeed fore­tel that the Emperor should have overcome the Rus­sians, who invaded his Territories: and why not as well the great Famine in Germany and France, together with the Prussians invasion of Polonia, where were 1500 and 2000 taken, all happening the same year?

The two blazing Stars which were seen vertical to Poland, in the year 1058. might presage the Saxons Rebellion against the Emperor, as well as the Russians Rebellion in Poland, which were reduced by Boleslaus, both happening about the same time.

[Page 11]The Comet which appeared for eighteen days to­gether, and the Star with the Cross and a half Moon, seen in Italy in the year 1212, might foretel that two hundred thousand Moors should be slain by the Spa­niards: and likewise the valour of the Flemish, who together with the English took three hundred Sayl of ships from Philip King of France, and burnt one hun­dred more; happening in the same year.

The great Comet fearful to behold in the year 1242. might indeed signifie the Infidels taking of Jerusalem; and why not as well the miserable Plague in Greece, and the great Famine in Constantinople?

The great Comet which appeared in the year 1255 might signifie the Venetians taking of Padua, as well as the breaking in of the Genoese into Venice, and their expulsion.

That Comet of notable greatness seen in the year 1285, might portend the Norwegians invasion of Denmark, as well as the Helvetians War against the Emperour.

The Comet of wonderful magnitude which appea­red in the year 1300, might foretel that the English should beat the Scots: and why not as well, that the Turk should invade the Empire, and do great mis­chief there?

The great Comet with a beard seen in the year 1376, might presage the burning of five hundred hou­ses in Gand, the drowning of seventeen Towns in Flan­ders; likewise the Christians killing two thousand Turks in Bosna, by a Stratagem.

The Blazing Star that shot wonderful beams of fire from it, might indeed foretel the wasting of Scotland [Page 12] by the English, the Frisons rebellion in Holland: and why not as well the Popes imprisonment by the King of France?

That Comet of mighty magnitude seen in Poland, in the year 1439, might foretel that France should be twice beaten by the English in Normandy, and the Emperours death going against the Turks; as well as the Polanders wasting of Silesia.

That glorious Star seen in the year 1478 to run a­long the firmament, might indeed portend the Turks wasting of Carinthia; and why not their defeat as well by the Hungarians and Transylvanians?

The very great Comet that passed through Cancer, Leo and Virgo, which was visible to all Europe, in the year 1530, might portend the four hundred and four Parishes drowned in Holland, with all their people and cattel; as well as the Turks taking of Buda in Hungaria.

The bloudy Star and Cross which were seen flying in the air, and the Blazing Star seen likewise in the year 1539, might signifie the great Fire in Constanti­nople, which burnt the Gaol and seven hundred priso­ners: and why not the Irish overthrow, who had invaded the English; both being done in the same year?

There appeared a Comet in the North, in the year 1652, which might very well foretel that the Dutch and French should be subdued by the English; which was done the very same year: and why not as well the change of the English Government by Oliver Cromwel, who dissolving the long Parliament, made himself Protector, the next year after?

THus you see how uncertain the effects of Co­mets are, sometimes boding the greatest good, sometimes the greatest evil; which alas, can­not be judged signes of any thing, when they are un­derstood by none. What is a sign, signifieth; and what signifieth is known: and how little understood or known any Meteor, Exhalation, Comet, Apparition, or Prodigy is, learn we from Democritus Senior, who laughed at mens folly this way loud among the Hea­thens; and Democritus Junior, who doth it louder among the Christians, in these words:

Who can give a reason of this diversity of Meteors, that it should rain Stones, Frogs, Mice, &c. Rats, which they call Lemmer in Norway, and are manifestly observed (as Munster writes) by the Inhabitants, to descend and fall with some faeculent showres, and like so many Locusts, consume all that is green. Leo Afer speaks as much of Locusts; about Fez in Barbary there be infinite swarms in their fields upon a sudden: so at Arles in France 1553. the like happened by the same mischief, all their grass and fruits were devoured, magna incolarum admiratione & consternatione (as Valle­riola obser. med lib. 1. obser. 1. relates) coelum subito ob­umbrabant, &c. he concludes, it could not be from natural causes, they cannot imagine whence they come, but from heaven.

There were 15 Astrologers and Mathematicians [Page 14] sent for by the Emperor to consider the famous ap­pearance in the Star Cassiopoeia, and each one put as the septuagint of old in a Cell by himself: but they were so far from agreeing in every Apex of the inter­pretation of that Star, that they differed in the very substance of it; for Eckins would needs infer thence the union of the Dukedom of Inspruch, with the Arch-Dukedom of Austria; Tuddus the death of the Pala­tine of Hungary; Peucerius the dissolution of all free States; Algubinus the Sea fights between the Turk and the Venetians; Fromund Senior the supposition of the Hereticks (as if that Star had been as infallible in its Cassiopoeian chair, as the Pope is in his) Hashas the reduction of the Princes of Italy, and so every one ac­cording to the interest of the place he lived in, and the inclination of the Government he depended upon; insomuch that the chief Minister cryed out, Sapientes olim astra ducunt jam insipientes decipiunt; the Stars for­merly led wise men, and now play with fools: Stent jam Astrologi & ij qui contemplantur stellas qui notas fa­ciunt in menses praedictiones suas; Let now the Astrolo­gers, the Star-gazers, the monthly Prognosticators stand up, Es. 47.13.

Peter Nonnius and Kepler have undertaken four de­monstrations to make this out, That no Meteors, Clouds, Foggs, Vapours, Exhalations arise higher then 56 or 84 Germane miles, and all others that are observed higher, to be purer Air or Element of fire. The excellent Tycho Brach. subtle Cardan, and the ho­nest Prefacer to Euclid, I think his name is Jo. Bena, make all this ridiculous by refractions, and many o­ther demonstrations. The learned Landgrave of Has­sias [Page 15] Mathematician, Ratman by name, and Claremon­tius, in their Astronomical Tables, and the Anti-Tycho, make Comets a part of the Air, and the Heavens im­penetrable and unalterable: Tycho in his Tables asserts them part of the Heavens (which in his Epistles he makes non dura aut impervia sed liquida, subtilis, motui (que) Planetarum facile cedens; they are his own words, That they are penetrable and soft, as the air it self is; and that the Planets move in it, as birds in the Air, and and fishes in the Sea; and by their Progress, Paral­laxes, Refractions and Interferings with the Planets, Centricks, Eccentricks, Cycles, Epicycles, Aequator, Tropicks, Circles Aequant, and the other hard words of Ptolomy and his followers, are hooted at by Delrio, Imo [...] as suppositions and fancies: that the Comet in Cassiopoeia 1572. that in Cygno 1600. that in Sagittari­us 1604. and others were new productions in the Aetherial Regions, as Raeslin would have it; Caesar la Galla speaking of the appearances, or Phainomena, in the Orb of the Moon will not admit: that they were created ab initio, and shew themselves at set times (as Blancanus affirms, who cryeth, Non per eunt sed dispa­rent) Burbachius and Maginus earnestly contradict.

A man would think that when Astronomers under­dertake to shew, that this or that is a new Star, they know all the Stars: yet Jo. Bayerus will tell you they are 1026. or 1725. the Rabbins among whom dwelt the ancient Astrologers 29000. My­riades: and when these were at variance about their number, Galileus hath found they are infinite as nailes driven into a door; and so its impossible to guess when any new Star appears. These and such like instances [Page 16] have cooled our spirits so far, that we are perswaded all things continue as they were before the foundati­on of the world; and that if it be vanity to dogmatize in things neer us, it is much more for to be perempto­ry in things so much above us: and I am of Pineda's mind, that it is a question fit for a God to propound, and for a man to be amazed at: Job 37, 38. Dost thou know the ballancing of the Clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? hast thou entred into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, a­gainst the day of battel and war? hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? out of whose womb came the ice and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendred it? canst thou bind the sweet influences of the Pleia [...], or loose the bands of Orion? canst thou bring forth Mazaroth in his season? or canst thou bind Arcturus with his Sons? knowest thou the Ordinances of Heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

Besides all this, the late learned Earl of Northampton in his Defensative against the poyson of supposed Prophecies, dedicated to Sir Francis Walsingham, upon the occasion of the Cassiopaeian Star, bringeth many ancient and modern instances, particularly of the Comets in the years 1555, 1556, 1557, 1558. after which happen­ed nothing extraordinary or evil; all things being as cheap as they had been, and as abundant. Where­upon Dr. Hakewil commends the diligence and faith­fulness of Gemma Frisius, who observed all the Comets that ever were, as this Gentleman before us hath done, and noted as many good effects as bad which have suc­ceeded them.

[Page 17] Peucer a great Mathematician in Germany progno­sticaten upon the last Comet there, I mean the fore­mentioned Star, That mens bodies should be parch­ed and burned up with heat: but (saith my Author) how happened it? Forsooth (saith he) we had not a more unkindly Summer for many years, in respect of extraordinary cold: never less inclination to War; no Prince deceased in that time; and the Plague, which had been somewhat quick before in Lombardy, as God would have it, ceased a the rising of the Comet.

Queen Elizabeth lying at Richmond at the time of a Comet, 1568, being disswaded by all means from looking thereon, with a courage answerable to her greatness, caused the window to be opened, and said, Jacta est Alea; thereby (saith my Historian) shew­ing, that her stedfast hope and confidence was too firmly planted in the providence of God, to be blast­ed or affrighted with those beams, which either had a ground in Nature whereon to rise, or at least wise no warrant in Scripture to portend the mishap of Prin­ces. And (saith the learned Apologist) I do not remem­ber that any Comet appeared either before her death, (as in the beginning of her most excellent Reign there did) nor of Prince Henry, or King Henry the Great of France; the first a most peerless Queen, the other a most incomparable Prince, and the third for prudence and valour a matchless King; and all three, persons in whose destiny was involved the fate of Europe.

Insomuch that I cannot but approve of Vespasians humour, when a Comet appeared; who as Dion Halicarnasseus reports, being told it portended his death, redlyed merrily, No surely, this bushie Star [Page 18] notes not me, but the Parthian King: ipse enim Coma­tus est, ego vero calvus sum: for he wears bushie looks, but I am bald.

And I cannot pass the two instances that are brought of the greatest good presaged to mankind by two Comets; the one that, Foelicissimum sydus, & auspicatissimus Cometa, in Chalcedius upon Plato. That Star of Jacob about this time foreshewed the birth of the greatest Benefactor to Mankind, Christ: the other, that whereof Tacitus speaks, Cometes summè bonus appa­ruit qui praenuncius fuit mortis magnis illius Tyranni, & pestile [...] issimi hominis, i. e. There appeared a favourable and most auspicious Comet, as an Herald to proclaim the death of that great Tyrant, meaning Nero, and most pestilent man.

The Predictions then and successes of mischievous & infortunate accidents from the appearance of Comets, we may conclude so uncertain, and the knowledge of them so little, that they are now more rare then in former times, when they appeared almost every day; because the people are more knowing, and not subject to those affrightments he that is Prince of the Air for­merly put them unto, upon the account of every new Apparition: which a curious Reader may see in Ly­costhenes de Prodigiis & Portentis ab orbe condito usque ad annum 1557. Peucer de Prodigiis Cardan, de rerum ve­ritate.

In the middest of this discourse started up the Que­stion, Whether new Stars, are possible?

The Star at our Saviours birth was instanced in: to which instance it was returned, that it being not observed by the Mathematicians of those times, the [Page 19] Magi were only men carryed and moved by Balaams Prophesie, Numb. 24.17. who was their Countrey­man, it is generally thought rather a blazing light, created in the Region of the Air, carrying the resem­blance of a Star; then a new and true created Star seat­ed in the Firmament.

2. That in Cassiopoeia which we have so often men­tioned (the very year of the great massacre in France) was urged again, and it was said it held the same As­pect in all places of Christendom, it [...]an the same course, it kept the same proportion, distance, and situ­ation every where, and in every point with the fixed, by the space of two whole years, which no vapour can do: But I replied to that, as we do to all arguments, from appearances above the Moon, in the words of Varro, as they are quoted by St. Augustine in 3 Books, De civitate Dei, and as I take it the eight Chapter: In coelo mirabile extitit portentum, nam in stella veneris nobi­lissima, quam Plautus vesperruginem, Homerus Hespe­ron appellat pulcherrimam dicens, Castor scribit tantum por­tentum fuisse ut mutaret colorem, magnitudinem, figuram, & motum, quod factum ita neque antea, neque post fit, hoc fa­ctum Ogyge rege decebant A [...]rastus, Cyzicenus, & Dion Neapolites Mathematici nobiles: In Heaven, saith he, appeared a most marvellous great wonder, the most noted Star called Venus, which Plautus terms Vespurru­ga, and Homer, Hesperus the fair, as Castor hath left it upon record, changed both colour, bigness, figure, and motion; which accident was never seen before nor since that time: the renowned Mathematicians, Adra­stus and Dyon, averring that this fell out during the reign of King Ogyges, of which he gives no other ac­count [Page 20] then this: This happened, Quia ille voluit qui summo regit imperio ac potestate quod condidit; That the world might acknowledge God its Creator and com­mander, who can alter or destroy the natures, restrain or suspend the operation of all things therein at his pleasure, which keeps men from worshipping them as Gods, since they cannor keep themselves from al­teration.

But one absurdity follows not another, so fast as one impertinent argument ingages another. From the alte­ration of the world, we proceeded to the end of it now approaching: 666. was up, that text, There shall be signes in Heaven, was urged, (not remembring the place where it is written, An evil and an adulterous ge­neration seeketh a sign.)

Considering to what disorder these loose imagina­tions may reduce the more ignorant people, it was not unseasonable to insert a just account of the end of the world; which take thus briefly.

I. That the world shall have an end, is not only an Article of the Christians faith; but the very result of the Heathens reason: Qualis est futura vita sapientis, &c. How shall a wise man live without friends, if in prison or banished? Saith Seneca in his ninth Epistle, Qualis est Jovi cum resoluto mundo (is his Answer) as Jupiter shall live when the world shall be dissolved, contenting himself within himself.

Quid enim, saith the same Author, mutationis pericu­lo exceptum? non terra, non coelum, non totus hic rerum con­textus, quamvis Deo agente ducatur non semper tenebit hunc ordinem, sed illum ex hoc cursu aliquis dies dejiciet: omnia sternet abducet (que) secum vetustas, supprimet montes, Maria [Page 21] sordebit: unus omnia condet dies. The curious may see Oecumenius, in Collectaneis super 3. post Pet. out of He­raclitus, Empedocles, Anaxagoras, Democritus, yea and Aristotle himself, Lucretius, and Lucan, in their excel­lent Poems: the first, De rerum Natura 3. the second, in his Pharsal. l. 1. Sic cum compagi solutâ, &c. See Eu­seb. Demonstrat. Evang. l. 3. Grot. de verit. Relig. l. 2. Morney du Plessis, ibid.

II. That the World shall end by Fire, is as certain among the Gentiles, as among us; as appears from the Stoicks [...]: Seneca's exitus hujus mundi [...]gnis, hu­mor primordium: Panaetius the Stoicks fear, Nè ad ex­tremum mundus ignosceret: Lucans Rant, Communis mundo superest rogas ostibus astra—misturus— Ovid's great reach, Esse quoque in fatis reminiscitur affore tem­pus quo mare quo tellus correptaque regia coeli ardeat.

The Sybills, [...], &c. in Clemens Alexan­drinus, and many more in Ludovicus Vives, who made this Observation, Exustionis ultimae odor quidam etiam ad Gentes manavit. de Fid. l. 2. Magnis de exustione mun­di: and Eugubin. de Perenni Philosophia, l. 10.

III. There is this reason why the World should burn by Fire, because that as the waters above the Heavens, and those under the Earth; the moisture that dwell in the Fountains of the deep, and that which was let out of the windows of Heaven, prepa­red the Universe for the first Inundation; so likewise the Fire that dwells (notwithstanding the Noble Ty­choes Arguments) in the upper Region, and the Starrs, and the Sulphureous matter that is lodged in the Ca­verns of the Earth, do prepare it for the last confla­gration, when he who dwells in everlasting burnings, [Page 22] and is Consuming Fire, shall come out of the Light invisible, with ten thousands of his Angels waiting upon him, and a thousand times ten thousand going before him: those Angels that are Spirits, and those Ministers that are a flaming fire, casting a glance and glory over the amazed Universe, that shall awake those Seeds and Principles of Heat and Fire, that have insinuated themselves into this vast Frame, to an universal combustion that shall make this all but one great Body, Flame, and Smoak of Fire and Darkness as is prepared for the Devil, his Angels, and Ser­vants.

IV. Its confessed that the burning of Vesuvius and Aetna, and the other flames mentioned by Dr: Moor, do intimate that last Fire; yea and what is more, to see an exhalation of 800 miles compass (such as some say this is) set on fire by the coelestial heat, doth ar­gue it: for sure (besides the divine power our Reli­gion points us to) its possible the Heavens may be placed in such a Position and Aspect as may burn as much more, and so till we come to a possibility that a fiery Conjunction may burn the Universe: yet because this is but wide and conjectural, it should not trouble our heads with fear or disorder upon any strange appearance, onely it should dispose us to some serious thoughts of that passage 2 Pet. 3. that as by the word of God the Heavens were of old, and the Earth standing out of the Water, and in the Water, &c. Whereby the World that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. But the Heavens and the Earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgement, and perdition of ungodly [Page 23] men. But (beloved) be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not stack concerning his pro­mise, (as some men count slackness) but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the hea­vens being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless, we, acccording to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore (beloved) seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless. And account that the long-suffering of the Lord is salvation, even as our be­loved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you. As also in all his Epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned, and unstable, wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: to him be glory both now and for ever, Amen.

Of the Influence between a Planet or Comet and Men.

FRom a wild discourse of the end of the world, we are led into an account of the Influence that this Comet may have upon Men; who do as much fear their own end from it, as they did before the World, (as if it were a Torch onely lighted to lead to Fune­ralls.) Comets have no other Influence then that natural one we spake of elsewhere, besides the vertue of their respective Planets; nor the Planets any but in Conjunction with the Elements; nor they, but in their predominancie in every particular man: whence this usual Table of Operation is made, whence we may gather what we are to look in our particular capacities from this famous Meteor.

[Page 25]

[Page 26]Some influence no man will deny the Stars, and those Exhalations that depend upon them, that consi­dereth Sir Walter Raleigh's words: who would say that it could not be doubted but the Stars were instruments of some greater use, than to give an obscure light, and for men to gaze on after the Sun set; it being probable that the same goodness that endued the meanest be­ing with some virtue, denyed not a bodies proportio­nable power to those glorious bodies which are crea­ted, without question, to the same end in heaven, that plants, flowers, &c. are in the earth, not only to adorn, but to serve it according to this Stanza.

But if the true and uttermost virtues of herbs and plants, which our selves sow, and set under our foot, cannot be comprehended by us; ( Hardly do we guess a­right the things that are upon the earth, and with labour do [Page 27] we find the things that are before us; but the things which are in heaven, who hath searched out? Wisd. 9.10.) much less can reach the farthest power of these Stars, of whose effects upon natural things, skilful Astronomers may give a good account: but for the things that rest in the liberty of mans will, the Stars (saith an excel­lent person) have doubtless no power over them, except the will be led by the sensitive appetite, and that again stirred up by the constitution and comple­xion of the body, as too often it is; especially where the humours of the body are strong to assault, and the virtues of the mind too weak to resist: Incline a man they may, force him they cannot, reason and Religion may so alter the inclination: of the first whereof So­crates was an eminent instance of old, and Cardinal Pool was such of late; the firsts nativity being calcu­lated, the Astrologer was laughed at, for saying he was deboist, and an ill-natured man, till Socrates de­fended him, saying, He was such a one before educa­tion had changed him: the other being certified by an acquaintance, who pretended skill in the favours of the Stars, that he should be raised and advanced to a great calling in the world; made answer, That whatever was portended by the figure of his birth, or natural generation, was cancelled and altered by the grace of his second birth, or regeneration in the blood of his Redeemer.

The natural conclusion whereof is that (in Bucha­nans words De Sphaera)

[Page 28] Though there is some coherence in the series of things, yet is it not so fatal and necessary but that Gods power, our education, or grace may change it: and though guilty men fear where there is no fear, and by that fear fall into what they feared, that passion betray­ing the succor of teason, yet good men knowing that the Stars are made to serve, and not to rule them (men were not made for Stars, but Stars for men) and that their prayers, as did Eliahs, Hezekiahs, who were men subject to their infirmities, can avail much against the heavens, their influence and Stars; settle themselves upon providential Principles against all events, chu­sing rather a modest ignorance, then a curious inqui­sition following the pithy counsel of Phavorinus, (apud A. G. l. 14. c. 1. with which we shall conclude:) ‘Ei­ther they portend thee bad or good luck; if good, and they deceive, thou wilt become miserable by a vain expectation; if bad, and they lye, thou wilt be miserable by vain fear; if they foretel true, but unfortunate events, thou wilt be miserable in mind, before thou art by destiny; if they promise fortu­nate success, which shall indeed come to pass, these two inconveniences will follow thereupon, both ex­pectation by hope shall hold thee in suspence, and hope will devour and deflower the fruit of thy content.’

[Page 29]This Discourse raised such expectations concern­ing this strange thing, that we were resolved to sit up upon Sunday Night, and send for the Learned and Ingenious T. F. with his Instruments; with whom about one of the Clock, after incomperable discourses out of Tycho Brahe concerning the Comet of the last Age, I went out to your beloved Lodge, which lyeth you know most happily for it, whither (as soon as we could discern the so much talked of Star) my Lady and the young Folk being awaked, and invited to the Prospect; You would not ima­gine what pretty little Observations every body made about the colour and the fashion of it: But the wonder being a little over, and we at leisure, and able to make distinct and particular reflections, take them as we made them, with their Night and disorder about them, this being not to express our Art but our Duty.

A Comet we concluded it; and a Comet our In­genious friend defined to be an exhalation hot and dry, of vast quantity, fat, clammy, hard-compact, like a lump of Pitch, which by the heat of the Sun is drawn out of the Earth into the highest region of the Air, and there by the excessive heat of the place is set on fire, appearing like a Star with a blazing flame; carried most usually by the motion of the Air, which is circular, but never goeth down out of sight, though it be not seen in the day time for the light of the Sun, but still burneth, till all the matter be consumed: And that we might be sure that the matter of these Blazing appearances is great, There was never, he said, and Wendeline said so before him, a Comet, but at the least it continued [Page 30] eight dayes, some of them continuing 40 dayes, some 80, some 4 months, some 6. It must needs sure be an admirable deal of matter that can give so much nourishment to so great and fervent a Fire, and for so long a time: After some discourses of A­naxagoras and Democritus his Opinion, that a Comet was none other than an heap of massy Planets toge­ther, which modern Philosophy hath made so ri­diculous, that it is fitter for Democritus to laugh at, than discourse; and so absurd, that Anaxagoras his Snow is black is more rational, observing all the Planets distinctly above the Horizon. And yet a Comet seen distinct from them. Of Empedocles his fancy, that they were an heap of vapours gathered together by the Genii or Angels of each place, which we thought not fit to discourse, considering our vast distance from the genuine notions of Spirits of the Pythagoreans imagination, of which our Hypocra­tes (not the Physician) seems the Master; that a Comet is one of the Planets which disappears at its nearer distance from the Sun, hid in its light, and appears again after some time when further off that glorious body, as a new thing, an Imaginati­on that Julius Scaliger thinketh not fit to answer any otherwise than Aristotle had done before him, 1. Meteor. 6. viz. by asserting the appearance of of two together in his time, as the Stagyrite had done in his, even when all the Planets were seen in clear night as clearly as the Sun at Noon day. After, I say, these extravagant chats, the Gentlewomen fell into a discourse of the colour of it, an argument of a more superficial consideration, the substance whereof was to this purpose, that Colour being, [Page 31] as the Philosopher saith, [...], a reflection of light upon the out­side of an enlightned body or matter, according to the matter, therefore must needs be the Colour of any body: and so of these Comets, if the matter be very thick, they are blew like burned brimstone; if but meanly thick, they are ruddy as a burning flame; if thin, they are white as the pulifaced Moon, and as the matter is more or less so disposed, they are yellowish, duskish, greenish, &c. al­though besides all this, I remember the Conimbri­censian Philosophers, and they no Fools I'le assure you, assign the [...] of the predomi­nant Stars under which these Meteors appear, as the reason of the variety of Colours, for they place every Comet under its peculiar Star, ( [...], saith the natural Philosopher) this seems to be but some thin Exhalation, for it looks but poorly up­on it.

From the Colour we passed to the Frame and Fashion of it, and that likewise was observed to a­rise from the Matter of it, for there are three Pro­portions wherein these Meteors appear, with a Beard hanging down, with Beams round about, with a Tayl stretched out obliquely in length. The first of these appears when the Exhalation is thick in the midst, and in length downwards also meanly thick; The second is, when the Exhalation is thick in the midst, and equally thin round about the edges; ( [...], they are our Masters words) The third, to which it seems [Page 32] he was a stranger, as Seneca was after him, is like the first, save that the Exhalation hangeth not down, but lyeth side-long, and is usually of a greater length than the Beard. Upon this occasion I could not choose but recollect how Pliny, as I take it, in the 7th. Book of Natural Questions, and 11, or 12. Chapters, or rather the 2. Nat. H. 1, 2. makes ten sorts of Comets; The first two that I have men­tioned; the third [...], or after the similitude of a Dart; The fourth [...], or like a Sword; The fifth [...], like a Tub, hollow and dark; The sixth [...], or horny, or rather turning and winding like a Horn; The seventh [...], round as a dish, or like the picture of the Sun, scatter­ing thin & watry Beams from the edges; The eight [...], like a Horses Mane; The ninth [...], silver-hair'd, because of the light and fulgor of the circum-jacent flame; And the last the Blazing Star we have now before us; but all these may be refer­red to the number fore-mentioned.

After all this you will expect the description of this Comet, which the excellent T. F. hath drawn as exactly as I have seen, his Pencil being nothing below his Pen; it seems the exhalation is somewhat thick a top which makes it look like a Star, and of all the Stars likest Jupiter of any Star, as I could imagine; though our friend would needs contest it was like Mars, and really it was like to have its influence upon us, for it was almost a quar­rel, and effectually a wager between us about the fi­gure; But whatever that Star-like appearance is, its tayl, or the long vapour that stretcheth from it, [Page 33] is some 6 yards and a half in length, and 3 in bredth, pointing obliquely Westward, very sharp towards the bottom, although its possible it should alter its proportion as it spends its matter, which I sup­pose was almost half spent when we observed it.

But we were not puzzled so much in the figure as in the scituation of it; for our Assistant with his Mathematical instrument would needs demonstrate from the Parallax, or equal distance that it was in the Heaven among the Planets, and as that Comet or Star, one thousand five hundred seventy two was seen for 16 whole months together in Casiopaea, mo­ving with equal motion, and looking with an inva­riable position, that is to say kept an equal distance with the fixed Stars: and the other one thousand five hundred seventy seven observed in Sagittary; so this was in Taurus, in an equal line with the Eagles-heart, not far from, or rather in a constellation called the Ship, and in the hinder Mast (Pardon the inaccurate expressions of a person that never saw the Sea) of that Ship: his demonstration was ocular, and so not easily confuted: But I who have a great kindness for my old Master Aristotle, put him off at present with the difference that was between Tud­daeus and Cornelius Gemma about the Comet 1577. the first affirming it in Sagittarius, the second asserting it in Mercury, and others from their different argu­ments concluding it in neither: And withall how easily we are deceived in the nearness of the Moon and Stars, and therefore how easily we may be so in the distance of these Comets; we think the Moon [Page 34] toucheth some high Mountains, and we think those Mountains touch the Moon, when alas our sight only deceiveth us in the lowness of the one, and the height of the other; and how easily we are decei­ved, when the Medium is so unconstant as the Air is, when the distance is so great as from us to the up­per Region; and when the motion is so irregular, as must needs be the motion of a vapour that is car­ried about with some wandring Planet, a Novice can tell you out of his Magirus. Thus I talk'd, And because I might not seem of their humour, that o­verthrow all, and build nothing; I would needs rub up my old Philosophy, and say, That Comets were either immovable, or movable; Those that are immovable are such thick exhalations as are drawn no farther than the lower part of the upper Region of the Air, and there will not stir, being too big for the virtue or force of the Planets under which they lie.

Those that are moveable, as most are, and this particularly, are thinner matter drawn up to the up­per end of the upper Region of the Air, moving ei­ther with the Air constantly and directly, or with its own matter unconstantly, sometimes here, some­times there, or else as this seems to doe, by the im­pulse and influence of the Planet that is predomi­nant above it, for so Scaliger saith in his 77 Exercit. Etenim quum materiam informam fidus ab ima nostra at­traxerit regione, quare nunc abs se compactam formatam, Libratam, sibi propriorem non secum evehat? sustinet igitur eam stella ut ita dicam parens ejus, quasi cum a so­le nubis suppenduntur. Quid mirum si secum trahat? ea­dem [Page 35] namque potestati quispiam & attrahi & retineri alibi disputatum est. That is in brief, The Stars and Sun raise these exhalations, and they keep them up, and guide them, only I must adde, that as Fire follow­eth the matter that feeds it; so likewise this Flame doth its fuel sometimes, from the North to the West, sometimes from the North to the East, sometimes quicker, sometimes slower; for it moves so swift sometimes, that as it is seen late at Night, so it is seen early in the Morning, as if with Venus it out-ran the Sun; whence some have mistaken the same Comet to be two.

At this rate of Pedantry I went on, but the mis­chief of it was, I could not give a reason for it pre­sently, until we came to consider how long it was likely to continue, or to be seen, and my Gentle­man, before he was aware, said it might be seen for a fortnight, which words I laid hold of, and urged him to make it out; and though he used many ways, none would do but this, viz. That it hath been ob­served to decrease so much since the first notice ta­ken of it, that if it would fall away proportionably so much every night, it could be seen but sixteen nights at farthest; whence I concluded my Masters old discourse, that the Exhalation that makes a Comet, is never so thin, but it may last seven dayes. Brevissimum (saith Pliny) quo cernerentur, spatium septem dierum annotatum est: The shortest space of their appearance is seven dayes, but may be so thick, compacted, and copious, that it may last seven months. ( Longissimum octoginta dies, that mistake of Pliny, Cardan hath corrected, in his [Page] Comment. Quadupert. Ptol. l. 2. c. 9.) Whence it follows, that the celebrated flame in Taurus, is nothing but a little Exhalation, gathered some 800. miles round, by the Catholique or Universal Virtue of some Flames, which have drawn it up, and will keep it there as long as it lasts, which will not be half so long as the Sword-Comet, that hung (as Josephus reports it) over Jerusalem, a whole Year before the Panolethria, or utter destruction of the Jewes, Besides, I remember the account that Gassendus had given of the Comet that appeared from the end of November, to the middle of Janu­ary, which makes good my Supposition, and take it thus in his own words.

‘About the end of this Year, meaning 1618. there appeared a famous Comet, to the observa­tion whereof, he, meaning Perreskin, exhorted all the learned men he was acquainted with, him­self being destitute of fitting Instruments, and not daring to trust himself in the Air, because of his sickliness, made no other observation, save that by the Perspective Glass, he discerned the form of its Head, and how it differed from the Tayl, which he compared to the Sun beams shining through a Window. But he was glad, when he heard afterwards, that such as dwell not in Aix, might a little after diligently observe all things thereunto pertaining. And that I may relate somewhat thereof, for the sake of those that de­sire to know such things: The Comet appeard from the end of November, to the middle of January; and because it rose in the morning, therefore the [Page 37] Tayl thereof was seen turning upward some dayes before the Head appeared. The Head was a Star, somewhat pale, as big as the fixed Stars of the first magnitude (but twinckled not as they do) round on that side which was towards the Sun, and crisped on the other end. The Tayl or Hair was a thinner radiation, and more white, as long at first as an eighth part of the Heaven, and broad at the end (which did for the first day turn a little towards the South) as much as came to a sixth part of its length. The first appearance of its Head was there where Scorpio contracts its claws: Its dis-appearance or ending was where the Dragon parting the Baars, doth unfold the end of its tayl; For besides the daily motion where­by this Comet did rise and set, as the other Stars, it went by its own proper motion from South to North: But so as if it had begun at the middle of Scorpio, and had there cut the Ecliptick, inclining to the West near 63. Degrees. And whereas at first this motion was every day two Degrees, and an eighth part, it became about the Nones of December swifter by an whole Degree: and after­wards (which makes for my purpose, and proves it but an Exhalation) it did so decrease, that at length it languished: and also its Tayl, which at the beginning was so long, became by little and little so shortned, that at last it vanished, and became undistinguishable from the Head: Inso­much that Kepler and he, who were loath to con­fess it an Earthly Exhalation, yet must needs say what is as bad, that it was a Concretion of the li­quid Heavens.’

[Page 38]Touching the direction of the Tail of the Comet towards the quarter which was opposite to the Sun, I need say nothing, saith the Learned Gassendus, e­specially seeing it belongs not to this place to shew the reason why it kept not a direct opposition, but turned sometimes to the right hand, and sometimes to the left, by an unequal kind of deflection.

☞Nor need I speak of what it presaged, seeing it is not the least argument of humane weakness to be afraid of those things which have nothing to doe with this world wherein we live. At least it is a wonder, as that learned man goeth on, that Men will not believe God himself, who commands that we should not be afraid of the signs of Heaven: for as much as he makes not signs of those things, as being unexpounded, can give no warning; and un­less God makes a Comet to be the sign of Calami­ties ensuing, how can the Comet either have knowledge of future things, or a desire to discover them? Doth not the Comet take its own course, as all other natural, being little concerned what a stirr the Nations of Mankind make one with ano­ther? But this Comet was said to foreshew the Wars and Slaughters which followed: as if before there had been no Wars, Pestilence, nor dearh of Kings! As if no Tragedies were now in action twenty years since! They referr all to the Comet, and by the same reason, they may referr all the Troubles that shall arise hereafter, till a new Co­met appear, and make the former forgotten, though it should not appear till an hundred years hence.

[Page 39]Thus farr Gassendus most pertinently, as well to the Occasion, as to this Discourse it self. But this was a high Point, and therefore I suddenly slipped out of it, to a controversie about the times of its ap­pearance, of which it was said, that as in the Spring there is too much moisture, and too little heat, to gather a Comet; in Summer there is too much heat, which will disperse and consume the matter, that it cannot be joyned together: (which is the reason, why no Comets can be seen on the other side of the Tropicks, or within the Zodiack, where the extreme heat dissolves the matter that should compose them) So this season is clean con­trary to the nature of a Comet, which is hot and dry, Winter being cold and moist. But be it remem­bered what a moderate Winter this is, and how extraordinary hot the last Summer and Autumn hath been in France, where they were afraid of their Vintage; and in Spain, where they are in dan­ger of Famine, by reason of the extraordinary Drought; and it will be confessed a greater won­der to the Learned, that there had been no Comet this year, at this time, than it is to the ignorant that there is one.

You will wonder all this while, that we discours­ed not of the effects and influence of this strange ex­halation, you must know that was the thing in e­very bodies mouth: But I avoided the resolution of that point as long as I durst either safely or civilly, until at last being overprest by the ingenuous Mrs. T. (whose knowledge is above most Womens, and curiosity above most Mens, who owns a Masculine [Page 40] Spirit, and is the great argument. I use to prove there is no sexe in the Soul.) I began my Lecture very gravely, That the effects of these Comets, 1. such as they had by their own influence, and 2. such as they had by the influence of the Planets, they lie under. A Comet by its own operation and nature betokeneth three things, 1. Drought, 2. Barrenness, 3. Pestilence. 1. Drought, because such an exhalation as a Comet, cannot be generated without great heat, and much moysture is consu­med in the burning of it. 2. Barrenness, because the fatness of the Earth is drawn up, whereof the Comet consisteth. 3. Pestilence, for so much as that kind of exhalation which maketh a Comet, corrupteth the Air, which infecteth the bodies of Men and Beasts: To which I may add Tempests, Inundations, which the dispersion of these vapours round this wide world is so apt to produce, that Manilius had good reason for his Verse, Nunquam futilibus excanduit ignibus aether: Claudian for his, In Coelo nunquam spectatum impune Cometam, and Ca­merarius for his [...]. Non sit Cometa, quin malum secum adferat: Which are all true in respect of the natural effects these Comets have upon the inanimate part of the World: Though,

2. Those political effects that are ascribed them by those that would amuse and deceive the World, I find in reason no ground and nature, no cohaerence, for since if the dependence of mens bo­dies, whether in publick or private capacities, up­on the Elements, should be certain, which yet is [Page 41] variable, and the dependence of the Elements up­on the Configurations of the Heavens should be constant, which yet is alterable, yet that of mens Souls upon their Bodies is so mutable by Grace, exalting them, as in Christ: by Education, alter­ing them, as in Socrates; by occasions by assing them, as in common Experience, that there can be no more said of alterations in France, or Great Britain, where this Comet is seen, than this.

All this time this Comet doth appear, The Ef­fects of this Co­met, no doubt but there are many dry and hot Exhalations in the Air, which in dry men kindle heat, whereby they are provoked to anger: Of anger cometh brawling; of brawling, fighting and warr; of warr, victory; of victory, alteration in Common­wealths: and now also the Air may be more infe­ctious, and Princes living, as they have reason, more delicately than other men, may be more subject to infection than other men, and so it may be dye too; upon which account we may reason form this Accident all the Contingents of our Age.

But then for those direful effects this Comet may pretend to, from the present state of Heaven, and the Configuration of the Planets: First, All our Astrologers confess the aspect of Heaven at this time most propitious to us, Mars Culminant be­speaking our Undertakings, in all humane proba­bility, happy; Mercury our Counsells prosperous; Saturn and Jupiter our Trade improved; yea, and Taurus, to which most of this Nation belongeth, [Page 42] (as Albumazar, R. Bacon, Alchandus, Ptolomy) the Sign wherein this Comet appears, is the very same Sign wherein the Comet 1652. was seen, which began about the 7th. of December, as is by some believed, about the 14th, or 15th. Degree of Gemini, but in its retrogade motion entred Taurus, 20th. 21st. 22d. 23d. of December, which was at the same time with the last Dutch War; a War, that notwithstanding it was managed by a Faction in this Nation, ended so much to the glory of Eng­land, and the shame of Holland, that it was thought this Generation should hear no more of such a thing, as a Coutest with the King of England, by the di­stressed States. Besides, the Position of the Hea­vens are presumed as happy as we could wish them, the Royal Sign Leo ascending on the Eastern Finitor, and the excellent Star, the Lion's Heart arising therewith, in the very opposite degree of the ascen­dent, in the Figure of the beginning of our late Troubles, the Moon ascendent in conjunction of the good Star Jupiter, between the Sextile of Saturn and Venus, and applying its self to a Sextile of Mars, who is seated in a House of Friendship, and in a place of kindly aspect.

At si quando ascendens fuerit signum fixum, & Luna in bono loco Figurae Dominum longo tempore durabit, maxime si fuerit in Leone, vel in ejus triplicitate: If the Horoscope shall be fixed, and the Moon in a good place of the Figure (i. e.) Fortunate in an Angle, or a succedent House, it portends that a Kingdom or Dominion shall remain a long time; chiefly, if Leo shall ascend, (which in this Figure [Page 43] it doth) or a sign of the same Triplicity. Haly de jud. Astr. fol. 334. He goeth on — Etiam si fuerit in Ascendente fortuna, significat bonitatem illius Regis, & bonos mores, & bona facta, Haly ut supra. And if (saith he) a fortunate Star shall be in the Ascen­dent, it signifies Goodness, Clemency, Worth and Justice of the King so proclamed, and inti­mates him also to be active, and freely forward in good things. I shall spare to Comment upon these most full Texts, because I would not be esteemed a Flatterer.

— Pone Ascendens Leonem, sitque Sol tunc in Tauro in decima ab Ascendente, sit etiam Luna in primo juncta Veneri aut Jovi, &c. saith Guido Bonatus, pars 3. fol. 480. When you would proclame a (Warr saith he) place Loo upon the Ascendent, and let the Sun be in Taurus, in the tenth from the Ascendent, and posite the Moon in the first house, joyned either to Jupiter or Venus, &c.

Hear Haly yet again, — Si Jupiter fuerit in As­cendente, &c. When Jupiter is posited in the As­cendent of such a Figure, (here he is so, and is in Conjunction of Luna also) he portends the King or Prince, in action, to be just, prudent, and de­sirous of the good of his Subjects. And that as he is honoured with Victory, so will he be a great Cherisher and Preserver of the Laws, and a Lo­ver of all Acts of Clemency and Justice.

The Sun (saith the Learned Cardan) hath signi­fication of Kings, and the Moon of Subjects. The Sun, the grand Significator of Soveraignty, Rule and Dignity, is nobly fixed in the Angle of Digni­ty, [Page 44] in the House of the benevolent Planet Venus, and Exaltation of the Moon, whence it is apparent, that this great Conversion and Change, will not only be for his Majesties Happy and Peaceable Reign, but the Peoples Joy and Delight.

That the Government thus founded shall remain fixed and immovable, is seen by the fixation of the Angles, the prime points of the Figure; but chief­ly of the fixed position of the Sun. — Si ☉ fuerit in fixis, significat durabilitatem & firmitatem longum tempus. (i. e.) If the Sun shall be posited in a fix­ed Sign, he portends the Government and Honour thereof to continue firm and durable a long time. But besides his being located in a fixed Sign, and the chief Angle of Heaven, he is in partile Sextile of Mars, the Patron of Victory and Conquest, who is posited in the eleventh House; which is an emi­nent Argument, and most clear Testimony, That his Majesty cannot want assistance and support (should he (which I dare be confident he never will) stand in need) even from the very best of men: (i. e.) from those that are most active, powerfull, and skilful in Arms. Nor should he be any man­ner of way less respected from those of the meaner Rank, Quality, and Degree: Is not Luua in Sex­tile of Venus, who is Lady or Governess of the Me­dium Coeli? Is not Mercury Lord of the eleventh and second Houses, in Gemini in the tenth, and he sim­ply most strong in the Figure? I know some may be apt to urge a backsliding in Friends from Mercu­ries retrogradation, and the Position of Mars in the eleventh House; but let such know that this Retro­gradation [Page 45] of a Planet is no Essential, but Acciden­tal Debility. Nor is the Position of Mars in the e­leventh House the prodromus of any danger, he be­ing in the Sextile of the Sun. Besides, were it not that there was that happy Radiation between the Sun and Mars; yet the injury his single position portends, is alleviated by the benign presence of Venus in the same house, she being in perfect Ami­ty with the Moon: for it is a known Rule among Astrologers, Quicquid ligat Mars, solvit Venus: Whatsoever Mars by his ill influence, harms; Ve­nus by her benevolent Rays, helps. Therefore nei­ther Mars his Position in the Angle of Friendship, or Mercury's Retrogradation, can have any evil sig­nification that is not otherwise over-balanced.

Asp [...]ce ad partem Fortunae, & ad partem Nobilitatis, quae accipitur in die a gradu Solis in gradum ipsius Exal­tationis — & projicitur ab Ascendente. Aspice etiam portem Regni & victoriae, quae accipitur in die & nocte a gradu Solis, in gradum Lunae, & projicitur a gra­du Medii Coeli. (Id est) In the Figure of the pro­claming of a King, you should have regard to the Part of Fortune, and to the part of Nobility, which by day is gained by substracting the Degree of the Suns place, from the Degree of his Exaltation, and projecting it from the Ascendent. Behold also the part of the Kingdom, and of Victory, which born day and night you must take from the Degree of the Sun, to the Degree of the Moon, and then project it from the Degree of the Mid-heaven. Then for the use of those Parts, examining the same learned Author, he tells us — Si quando hae partes [Page 46] venerit in bonis locis & fortunatis, & cum Fortunis, sig­nificat magnam nobilitatem & honorem illi domino, &c. (i. e.) If when any or all of these Parts happen to be placed fortunately in the Figure, and with the Fortunes also, they portend great Nobility and Honour to that Prince then proclamed, &c. — — Here you see these several Princely parts are po­sited in the chief places of the Figure, and the part of Nobility near the body of Venus: besides, they are all near eminent fixed Stars, viz. the part of Fortune near Cor Scorpii, in the fourth house; and the part of Victory, &c. near Cor Leonis, in the As­cendent or first house; and the part of Nobility in Cancer, nearly in Conjunction of Ras-Algense, a splendid, shining, fixed Star in the eleventh house: therefore I pronounce the Aphorism to take full ef­fect. It is no mean Argument of lasting honour and happiness, in which the fixed stars are so emi­nently concerned: For, according to Ptolomy, Stellae fixae mirabiles & ultra rationem foelicitates tribuunt, &c. The fixed Stars do design most admirable Felicity and honour, &c. Ptol. Cent. Aphoris. 29.

To these particular Observations I may add this general one: The former part of Taurus, wherein this Comet is thought to be, from the seventeenth Degree, to the twenty seventh of ♉ the Stars are something turbulent, cloudy, but inauspicious to them who are troublesome, by reason of the Pleiades contained within those Degrees, and are [Page 47] of the nature of ♂ and ☽. the middle parts of ♉ from the twenty seventh Degree; to the first of ♊ are temporarely hot, and somewhat moist, by reason of some [...]sterishes in Perseus, of the nature of ♄ and ♃ from the beginning of ♊ to the Hyades, and the Horn of Taurus: and by the approach of Orion, causeth Thunder and Lightning: the North part made temperate by Perseus, the South variable, and uncertain, by reason of some Stars participa­ting of ♂ commixed, and others of the nature of ♄ and ☽.