STrange and Wonderful have been the Miracu­lous Productions of Nature in all Ages, or rather of the God of Nature, and Divine Providence: St. Auflin, that Famous and Re­verend Father of the Church, defineth Mira­cles to be those things which happen beyond the Expectation, or thought of the Beholder, and be­gets in him a Miraculous Contemplation, yea, often­times horrour and amazement; whereof there are two kinds, True and False; the false Miracles are such as are not really as they seem to be, but meerly acted by the Power of Nature, although obscure and hid; The True are performed by the Power of God, above and beyond all the Faculties of created Nature, part­ly to procure Admiration, and partly to confirm the Faith of Men; such were the bringing back of the shadow Ten Degrees in the Dial of Ahaz, for Hezekiah; A Virgin to conceive with Child, and yet remain a Virgin: To draw water out of a hard Rock: To cause the Sea to divide asunder; The Sun to stand still: To cause Manna to fall from Heaven: To turn Water into Wine; and many of the like kind recorded in [Page 2]the Holy Scriptures; And these were formerly used for the Confirming of the Faith both of Jews and Christians; but are not now necessary, since the Wri­tings of the Prophets, Evangelists and Apostles are so generally preached unto all.

Yet hath not the Almighty left himself without Witness, nor mankind without warnings of approach­ing Judgments, and Desolations, by Prodigious Signs, and Wonderful Appearances in all times of the World; thereby if possible, to deter them from their Evil Practices, and to induce them to repentance and Re­formation; of which the very Heathens were sensi­ble, for we may find in the Roman Histories, that there never happened any Remarkable Prodigy, but the People of every Sex, Age, and Quality, flockt, and ran to their Temples and Altars, making Prayers, and offering Sacrifices to their Gods for appeasing, and pa­cifying their incensed Wrath; which may condemn the neglect and Contempt that is in those who pre­tend to own the true Christian Religion, and may teach us to repair to the true God, and implore his mercy and forbearance of pouring his Wrath upon us; In order whereunto it cannot surely be unseasonable, nor unprofitable to Collect out of very approved Authors, the most Remarkable Prodigies or Miracles that have appeared cither in the Heavens, Earth, or Waters, for some Thousands of years in this King­dom, and many other parts of the World; with the Tremendous Consequences that have succeeded di­vers of them, as to Wars, Fires, Famines, and other dreadful Calamities in several Nations; upon some of which the Famous Dubartas thus Ingeniously Com­ments. page 14.

I shall therefore proceed to give an Account of the most Famous, and surprizing Signs and Wonders which I find recorded in History.

I. In the time of the Carthaginian War, a River in Italy was observed for near the space of a day, to run perfect Blood; no accident that might cause it being perceived by any. In Hetruria the Heavens were seen to burn; In the City of Arimini 3 Moons were seen in one night by the Inhabitants; all these Prodigies ap­peared about the end of the first Carthaginian War; In the second War, after Hanno was overcome by Scipio, a Child of a Month old was heard to cry in the Street, Triumphi, Triumphi: In the Fields, near Rome, Ships were discerned in the Sky, and Men in long White Garments were perceived to march towards each other, but never to meet: It likewise rained Stones, and the Sun and Moon were seen as it were to justle each other; and in the day, two Moons appeared in the Heavens; At Phalascis the Heavens seemed to be rent in sunder, and at Capua the Moon seemed to burn, and to bend down towards the Earth; A Green Palm-Tree in Naples took Fire, and burned away to Ashes; At Mantua a little Rivulet was turned into blood, and at Rome it rained blood: An Ox was like­wise heard to speak these Words, Cave tibi Roma; Rome look to thy self. Soon after, several large, tall Ships appeared upon the River of Taracina in Spain; The Sun at divers times appeared of a bloody colour, many Temples and Houses in Rome were beaten down with Thunderbolts from Heaven, some of the Cities [Page 4]Ensigns, or Field-Colours were observed to sweat Blood; Two Suns appeared in the Heavens, at one time; It likewise rained Milk and Stones: A Co­met in the form of a burning Torch was discerned to reach from the East to the West. In the Vileter­man Fields the Earth rent asunder in such huge and frightful breaches, that Trees, and whole Houses were swallowed up in it, and it rained blood for two whole days together, about which time Hannibal received that notable overthrow by Scipio, which was the de­struction of the famous City of Carthage, and the Conquest of that Countrey to the Romans. Tit. Liv. Hist.

II. In the year of the World 3417, when Cyrus overcame Craesus, King of the Lydians in Battel, a Child of six Months old is said to have distinctly fore­told in a Prodigious and wonderful manner, That his Kingdom should be lost. A Dog and a Serpent spake ve­ry plainly and articulately to King Tarquinius, of which Sir G. Wharton writes thus.

In the year of the World 3842, at Veios in Italy, it rained Oyl extreamly, and Wool was also rained out of the Clouds; In the year that the Great Mithridates K. of Pontus was born, there appeared a huge Comet, which at first seemed but small, but afterwards spread it self so much that it came as far as the Equinoctial Line, so that its extent equalized that Region of the Heavens, which we call the Milky Way; Another Come [...] likewise appeared in the first year of his Reign, which shined so bright night and day for 70 days to­gether, that the whole Heavens seemed all to be on a lig [...]t Fire; for the Tayl of it covered the fourth part of the Heavens, and exceeded the Sun in bright­ness, and also its rising and setting took up the space of four hours. Just before the taking of Aristonicus, a dangerous Enemy to the Romans, news was brought [Page 5]to Rome that the Image of Apollo at Cuma had wept for 4 days together; The Southsayers were so astonished at the Prodigy, that they had thrown the Image into the Sea, had not the old men at Cuma interceded for it; but the more expert Astrologers said, That thereby the Destruction of Greece was foretold, from whence that Image was brought. Junius Syllanus going Proconsul into Asia, he with his Company saw a spark fall from a Star, which increased in Bulk as it came nearer the Earth, and being grown to the bigness of the Moon, it gave as much light as if it had been a cloudy day, and when it drew up towards Heaven again, it grew into the fashion of a Lamp; When Julius Caesar had crossed the River of Rubicon, contrary to the Decree of the Senate, the Heavens, as foreseeing what miseries were to ensue thereupon, rained blood, and there happened a horrible Eclipse of the Sun of 10 parts and an half, of which Lucan thus speaks.

The same day that the Battle between Caesar and Pompey was fought in the Pharsalian Fields, the Image of Victory which stood in the Temple of Minerva at Eulide, was seen to turn its face toward the Temple-door, whereas before it looked to the Altar; At An­tioch in Syria, such great noises, and Clamours were heard twice a day about the Walls of the Town, that the People affrighted with the supposed approach of the Enemy, ran out of the City in their Arms; In the Temples of Ptolemais, Organs, and other Instruments were heard to play of themselves, before Julius Caesar was slain in the Senate House; and there being a Colo­ny sent to be planted in Capua, according to the Julian Law, and some Monuments being demolished to lay Foundations for New Houses; In the Tomb of Capys, who was said to be the Founder of Capua, there was [Page 6]found a brazen Table, wherein was ingraven in Greek Letters. That whensoever the bones of Capys should be uncovered one of the Julian Family should be slain by the hands of his own Party, and that his blood should be re­venged to the great damage of all Italy; At the same time also those Horses, which Caesar had consecrated to Mars, after his passage over Rubicon, did abstain from all kind of Food, and were observed to have drops falling from their Eyes, after such a manner, as if they had shed Tears. Also the Bird Regulus, hav­ing a little branch of Lawrel in her Mouth, flew with it into Pomp [...]ys Court, where she was torn in pieces by divers other Birds that pursued her, where also Caesar himself was soon after slain with Twenty three wounds, by Brutus, Cassius, and others. Shortly after his Death about the time of the banishment of Antoni­us and [...]idus, an Ox being led out to the Plough, uttered these words to his Master, Why urge you me to work, we shall want no Corn, but men: And a new Born Child did speak. A. B. Ʋ [...]ers Annals. Pearson's Va [...]es.

III. About the time that our Lord and Saviour was born, which was in the year of the World, 3849, and the 43 year of the Reign of Augustus Caesar, many wonderful, and remarkable Prodigies shewed them­selves in the Heavens, and this more frequently than in former years, as Jesphas in his Jewish Antiquities testifies; which unusual sights occasioned the M [...]gi, or Wise Men of those times, in their Predictions to con­clude, That [...] more than Ordinary Person would arise, or appear in the World: Which presages some Learned Persons applyed to Augustus C [...]sar, who then reigned prosperously; But the more divinely inspired, inter­preted them to signifie him, who (as the Prophet Isaiah saith) should have his Government upon his shoul­ders, Even the Saviour of the whole World; for be­sides what the Evangelists mention, as of the Angel appearing to the Shepherds, and that Star which di­rected the wise men of the East to find out the place [...].

It is likewise recorded by Paul Horatius, and Eutro­pius, Secretaries to Augustus, and likewise by Eusebius, That at the time that Jesus Christ was born, it hap­pened in Rome, that in a publick Inn was discovered, and broke forth a Fountain of pure Oil, which for the space of a whole day continually issued out in great abundance, and that at high Noon, in a clear and fair day, a Circle was seen about the Sun, as shining and resplendent as the Sun it self; About the same time, the Senate and People of Rome offered to Augustus the Title of Lord, which he refused, and would not accept of, unknowingly prognosticating that a greater Lord than he, was upon Earth, to whom that Title belonged; Comestor in his Scholastick History affirms, That the same day of the Birth of Christ, the Temple in Rome dedicated by the Romans to the Goddess Pax, fell to the Earth ruined; adding that when it was first built by the Romans, they ad­dressed to the Oracle of Apollo, to know how long time it should endure, who returned answer, Even un­til a Virgin should bring forth a Child; which they judg­ed impossible, and that therefore their Temple should last Eternally, nevertheless at the Virgins bearing a Child, (even the King of Heaven) it fell to the Earth. Lucas de Tuy in his Chronicle of Spain writes, That he hath found in the Ancient Histories of that Countrey, That by Computation of time; the same night where­in our Saviour was born, there appeared in Spain at mid-night a Cloud, which gave so great a Light, that it seemed like mid-day. I remember also (saith my Author) I have read in St, Jerom, That when the Virgin fled with her Son into Egypt, all the Idols and Images of the Gods which were there, tumbled from their Altars to the Ground; And that the Oracles and Answers which these Gods (or rather Devils) used to [Page 8]give to such questions as were propounded to them, then ceased, and never answered afterwards: Rari­ties of the Creation. p. 84.

IV. About the first year after the Birth of Christ, there were many Prodigious Births in Germany; Armies in the Air were seen at Rome; A terrible Eclipse of the Sun, and dreadful storms of Hail and Rain. Soon after, Tiberius obtains a Victory in Germany, and sub­dues the Lombards; The Panonians Rebel: A very great Famine in Rome: Varus is defeated, and killeth him­self. About the Twelfth year there was a great Earth­ [...]ake in C [...]prus, which overthrew many Cities: Jesus Christ disputes with the Doctors, a great and terrible Comet then seen; The Light of the Sun was seen ap­parently to fail; The Heavens seemed to burn: Fiery beams fell from Heaven; Bloody Comets seen in other places: The River Tiber overfloweth Rome, 13 Cities in Africa destroyed with an Earthquake; Noy­some Flys come in great Swarms and Companies into Germany; The Effects whereof were judged to be, that a while after A [...]s, a great Commander was slain by the [...]all of an Horse, Calig [...]ia that Monster of Mankind was born, King Agrippa was slain, and Julia Daughter of the Emperor Augustus was starved to Death; Caesar dyeth; The Brittains are subdued, In his 22 year Blood rained in Rome; Great Flocks of Gra [...]hop [...]er; Armies seen fighting in the Air in Rome and Po [...]d; Fiery Torches a blazing Star like a Sword; soon after, [...] Theatre was burned: Sejanus, chief [...]ourite to the Emperour Tiberius, is executed for A [...]ition his Son strangled, his Daughter first de­ [...]lowred by the Hangman, and then put to Death; Drus [...]s the Emperors Son is poysoned; The Arabians defeat H [...]od; the City of T [...]ias is drowned, Tiberius turned T [...]ant, and commits all m [...]nner of horrid Cru­ [...]ies upon the Romans. Natura Prodig. p. 43.

V. In the Thirty Fourth year of our Blessed Savi­ours Life, he was crucified by the wicked hands of the [...] Jews, which produced prodigious Effects, that [Page 9]were afterward attested as well by Heathens, as Chri­stians; at the time of his Death a very great darkness happened in the day time, which continued from six a Clock, till nine; and yet there was no Eclipse of the Sun, for it was at a full Moon, so that it was miraculous, and contrary to the Order of Nature, and only by the power of God, who deprived the Sun of its light for that space of time; And therefore Dennis the Areopagite, being that day in Athens, and seeing the Sun so darkened, and also knowing as a man learned in Astrology, and the course of the H [...]a­vens, that such an Eclipse must needs be contrary to the Rule of Nature, spake with a loud voice, saying, Either the World is at an end, or the God of Nature suffers: and upon this Account (say some Authors) the Wise Men of Athens being astonished at this Prodigy, they presently caused an Altar to be built to the Ʋnknown God, after which St. Paul coming thither, reproved them for it, declaring to them, that Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the World, who had suffered, was that Unknown God, whereby he Converted many of them to the Christian Faith; which doth also demonstrate that the darkness was over the whole Hemisphere, since it was seen at Athens, and other places far re­mote from Jerusalem; Yea the Moon being then at full, and having no light, but what she hath from the splendour of the Sun, and being then in the Firma­ment that is under us, she came to be violently eclipsed and darkned, so that the darkness was universal over all the World, because the Moon and Stars can give no light, unless they receive it first from the Sun.

It was likewise very observable, and is acknowledg­ed by the famous Historian Plutarch, though a Heathen, that after the Death of Christ, not only the Oracles of Egypt, but throughout the World ceased, of which he can give no reason, (being ignorant of Christianity) but that there were some Devils or Demons dead; However it was very remarkable, that Satan should so [Page 10]plainly demonstrate himself to be subdued and over­come, immediately after the Death of our Saviour, that he could never after give any answers. The Words of Plutarch to Emilius the Orator, a prudent, and humble man concerning this matter (of which Eusebius writ to Theodorus as a thing of great note) are as followeth, That his Father coming one time by Sea to­ward Italy, and coasting by night about an Island not inha­bited, called Paraxis, when all in the ship were silent and at rest, they heard a great and fearful voice which came from that Island, that called upon Alaman, who was Pilot of the Ship, and an Egyptian born, now though this voice was heard once or twice by Alaman and others, yet no man had the Courage to answer, till at the third Call, he answe­red, Who is there, who is it that calls, and what would you have? Then the voice spake more high and loud, and said to him, Alaman, I require that when you pass near the Gulf of Laguna, you remember to cry out aloud, and make them to understand that the Great God Pan is dead; At these Words all that were in the Ship were much astonished, and at last after Consulta­tion concluded, that the Pilot should take no notice of the voice, nor slay in the Gulf to utter such words, if they could possibly go beyond it; but go on in their Voyage; But coming to the place which the voice had mentioned, the ship stood still, and the Sea was calm without wind, so that they could sail no farther, whereupon they all resolved that Alaman should perform his Ambassage, and so he placed him­self in the Poop of the Ship, and cryed out as loud as he could, saying; Be it known unto you that the Great God Pan is dead; He had no sooner uttered these words, but there were so many mournful cryes, groans, and woful Lamentations that all the Air resounded again therewith; these Complaints continued for some time, and extreamly sur­prized those in the Ship; but having afterward a prosperous Gale, they followed on their Course, and being arrived at Rome, told of this Adventure, which coming to the Ears of Tiberius, the Emperour desired to be informed of the Truth thereof, and had the former particulars fully confirmed [Page 11]to him; whereby it is evident, that the Devils in all parts were chased and banished from the World by the death of the Blessed Jesus, and it is to be suppo­sed that this Great God Pan is not to be restrained only to the God of the Shepherds, but was rather some great Master Devil, who had now lost his power and Empire, as the others had before. In the days of the aforesaid Tiberius, the Emperor, Publius Lentulus being at that time President in Judea, writ an Epistle some­time before this to the Senate of Rome, which was as followeth.

There appeared in these our days a man of great Virtue called Jesus Christ, who is yet living amongst us, and of the People is accepted for a Prophet, but his own Disciples call him the Son of God; He raiseth the Dead, and cureth all manner of Diseases; A man of stature somewhat tall, and comely, with a very reverend Countenance, such as the Be­holders may both Fear and Love; His Hair is of the Co­lour of a Chesnut full ripe, and plain almost down to his ears, but from the ears downward, somewhat curled, and more Orient of colour, waving about his shoulders: In the midst of his head goeth a seam, or partition of his Hair after the manner of the Nazarites: His forehead very plain and smooth; His Face without spot or wrinkle, beautified with a comely red; His Nose and Mouth so formed, that nothing can be reprehended; His Beard somewhat thick, agreeable in colour to the Hair of his Head, not of any great length, but forked in the midst; of an Innocent look, his Eyes grey, clear, and quick: In reproving he is severe in admonishing, cour­teous, and fairspoken; pleasant in speech, mixt with gravi­ty; It cannot be remembred that any have seen him laugh, but many have seen him weep; in proportion of Body well shaped and streight; his hands and Arms very delectable to behold; in speaking, very temperate, modest and wise; A man for his singular beauty, exceeding the Children of men.

Josephus likewise, a Jew by Nation and descent, in his Antiquities hath these words; In these very times lived Jesus, a very wise man, if it be lawful to call him a Man, because in truth he did marvellous things, and was [Page 12]Master and Tutor to them that loved him, and sought the Truth; The Jews and Gentiles Assembled unto him, and followed him in great Companies; And though he was after­ward accused by some of the Chief of our Religion, and cruci­fied, yet he was not forsaken by those who before followed him; and three days after his death he appear'd alive unto them, according as the Prophets inspired by God, had fore­told and prophecied of him; And now even in our time the Doctrine and the name of Christians continues, and is spread over all the World; These are the words of Josephus who writ of the destruction of Jerusalem, as an eye­witness, which happened forty years after the Death of Christ. Josephus Antiquit.

VI. In the 39 year, after the birth of our Saviour, a very great Light was seen in the Heavens, and a voice encountred Saul going to Damascus (to prose­cute the Christians with all severity) which said unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me, &c. This Pro­digy was the Forerunner of St. Paul's Conversion; At this time that Tyrannical Emperor Caligula, command­ed himself to be worshipped as a God, and executed divers Roman Knights and Gentlemen for refusing it. In 47. The Heavens seemed wonderfully to burn, and a Comet of a very great magnitude appeared for ma­ny days together; Lightning fell from Heaven upon the Standards of the Praetorian Souldiers; soon after Vespasian goeth into Brittain, and taketh the Isle of Wight; The Romans overcome the Picts in Scotland; Herod dyeth; Twenty Thousand Jews are slain be­tween the Gates of the Temple; Messalina the Em­press forces Silvis to put away his Wife, and then is married to him, but they were both slain. In 50. A Phaenix was seen in Egypt, and an Island of thirty Furlongs in length appeared in the Sea, which was never before seen; Three Suns appeared at one time in Rome; and in and about the Coasts of England, for certain days the Sea seemed as blood; A Comet of a very great magnitude appeared for a long time toge­ther in Italy; The Effects were, a very great Famine [Page 13]in Rome; Domitian the Roman Tyrant born, The whole Countrey of Trevers in Germany is wasted by Clodomore; The Emperor Claudius is poysoned by Agrippina; Three thousand Romans are defeated in Scotland, Agrippa poy­soneth Sylanus, also Narcissus for seventeen Millions of Money, and likewise poysoneth Brittanicus: Nero begins his Acts of Villany; Cartismunda, Queen in Brittain rejects Venutius her Husband; he makes War against her, the King of Scots takes her, and buries her alive. In 59. There was a terrible Eclipse of the Sun, so that the Stars were seen; Nero's Supper was burnt with Lightning; an Earthquake happened at Rome, and the Sun was Eclipsed again, and again, that is three times visibly in 3 years; Many Jews pe­rish in Caesaria; Nero commits Incest with his Mother, The Brittains slay Seventy Thousand of the Romans, and Suetonius destroys Fourscore Thousand Brittains, as he comes from the Isle of Anglesey; St. Mark writes his Gospel.

In 63. A great Comet appears, There was a very great Inundation in England; The Ocean seemed to be blood; A Prodigious Accident was seen at Col­chester in England, where the Image of Victory turned backward of it self; An Earthquake in Asia; A Co­met appeared six Moneths, and three Suns together; Rome is fired by the Command of Nero, who rejoyces in that Villany, playing upon his Harp, and singing the Destruction of Troy; This year the Jews rebel against the Romans, and many of them were slain, Gassius Florus being killed by them. Boadicia Queen of the Brittains being assisted by Corbred King of Scots, killeth Seventy Thousand Romans. Natura Prodig. p. 46.

VII. In the Sixty Seventh year after the Birth of our Saviour, and about the Fortieth after, the Jews had with cruel hands crucifyed the Lord of Life, that innocent blood which they desired might fall upon them and their Children, began to be revenged upon them; for soon after the Romans came, and [Page 14]burnt down, and destroyed the City and Temple of Jerusalem, and kil'd multitudes of them, as by the se­quel will appear; but before these woful Desolations happened, there wanted not Prodigious Signs, and warnings from Heaven of their Approaching Mise­ries: For the year before Vespasian came against them, there was seen a Star over the Temple so bright, as if a man had held many drawn swords in his hand; And at the same time which was the Passover, that whole night the Temple was light and clear as at Noon­day, and continued so seven nights together; which wise men understood to be a very ill Prognostick, though others thought it good. A Sword, and other Instruments of War were seen hanging in the Air di­rectly over the City, very dreadful to behold. The same time likewise they brought a Heifer for a Sacri­fice, which when she was knocked down, she calved a Lamb; besides there was a certain Gate, called the East-gate, which could never be opened or shut with­out the help of Twenty men, and the creaking of the hinges might be heard afar off; This Gate was found open without any mans help, and they could not shut it, till a great number joyned their strength; More­over there was discerned on the Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holies of Holies, a whole night long the face of a man very terrible. There appeared also at the same time four Chariots with Horsemen fighting fiercely against each other, and great Blasts of Fire in the sky coming toward Jerusalem; In the Feast of weeks the Priests heard a man walking in the Temple, and saying with a won­derful terrible voice; Come let us go away out of this Temple; let us make haste away from hence; At that time also there was this writing found graven on an old Stone, At what time the building of the Temple shall be brought to a four square, then it shall be destroyed; Now when the Temple was besieged, and the Walls bruised, the Jews making haste to repair the Ruins, without re­membrance of the old writing, they made the Tem­ple four square; These words were likewise found in [Page 15]the Walls of the Sanctum Sanctorum, When the whole building of the Temple shall be four square, then shall a King reign over Israel, and that King and Ruler shall reign over all the Land of Israel: Some interpreted this of the King of Israel, but the Priests said, it was meant of the King of the Romans.

These were the dreadful Presages of their ensuing Calamities, which never ended till the whole People were almost utterly destroyed, and they ceased to be any more a Nation, which sad Judgment remains upon them to this day, and whereof I shall here give a brief Account; The beginning of their troubles hap­pened in the time of King Agrippa, during whose Reign, the Wars began between the Jews and Romans which never ceased, till the people of Judea were led captive into the Provinces of the Romans, and the Temple was made desolate, the rise whereof was on this occasion. In the Twentieth year of his Reign the ninth day of the First Moneth, which is July, Nero, Emperor of Rome sent a Present for a Burnt Offering to be offered at the Temple of Jerusalem, requiring peace of the Elders of Judea and Jerusalem, and that they would enter into League with him, saying, My request is that you would offer my Present to the Lord your God, for his ser­vice and Religion pleaseth me very well; therefore I desire you to joyn in Friendship with me, according as you have done with the Emperors of Rome, my Predecessors in time past; I have heard what Cassius the Captain of mine Army hath done to you, which displeaseth me out of measure, wherefore I assure unto you a faithful League, by the Consent and Counsel of the Senate of Rome, that hereafter there shall never any Roman Captain stir hand or foot against you, but rather your Magistrates, Rulers, and Judges, shall be all Jews, and of Jerusalem; Yea Agrippa your King shall be Lord of all your Rulers, and what he commands, you shall do it; the Romans shall only be called your Lords, and shall have no more to do with you.

When these Embassadors came to Jerusalem, they delivered their Message to Anani the Priest, and placed [Page 16] Nero's present before him, which was, a Bull for a Burnt-Offering, with a Crown of Gold upon his head, his Horns were also covered with Gold; upon his Bo­dy was a Cloth of Purple, adorned with precious Stones, before him some Persons carried Ten Talents of Gold, and behind a great number of Sheep fol­lowed for Peace-Offerings; But when Eleasar the Son of Anani heard of it, he came and turned Nero's Pre­sents out of the Temple, saying, We will not prophane and unhallow the Sanctuary of our Lord with the Offerings of Strangers; for God will not accept either their Burnt-Offerings, or Peace-Offerings. When he had thus spoke, he sounded a Trumpet, and set his Men in Array against the Guards of the Romans who were quarter­ed in Jerusalem, and falling suddenly upon them, slew many of them that day, with one of their Captains, and took another of them alive, who being a Valiant man, and seeing himself overpowred by the Jews, he cryed out, save my Life, and I will yield; upon which Eleazer the Rebel swore, That he would not kill him, but spare him for his valour, he having slain many of the Jews in the Conflict, whereupon the Captain yielded himself Prisoner; Then said Eleazer to him; Even as thy sword hath made many Women Childless, so shall thy Mother be made childless of thee above all others; and thereupon, contrary to his Oath, he commanded his Servants to kill him; King Agrippa seeing this, was extreamly troubled, and therefore as he stood in the street, cryed out, O thou Rebel Eleasar, I pray God that this mischief, of which thou art the cause, and thy wicked­ness may fall upon thee, and thy Fathers House, which when it cometh to pass, we shall not be disturbed thereat; It seems hard to keep Peace and Tranquillity in thy days, for they are not like to be continued by thee; How long wilt thou go on to bring us into Bryers, thou Enemy and hater of the Lord? Why dost thou destroy and wast the Vineyard of the Lord God of Hosts.

To whom Eleazar replyed, Why takest thou upon thee the Name of King? If thou be a King, why dost not thou [Page 17]command us to be punished? Where be thy valiant Souldiers? Let us see them? Come thou and they together and chasten us, that it may appear whether thou indeed be a King or no; Thou standest afar off, and when thou speakest, thy Feet are ready to run away, as if a Dog should set himself against an armed Man, and bark at him, lolling out his Tongue. And upon this he winked upon the Rebels his Companions to seize upon Agrippa, which was observed by a spy appointed by the King for that purpose, who laying his hand upon his head, gave a sign to the King to flee away immediately, or else, the Seditious would destroy both him and them together; Agrippa per­ceiving this, got away with all speed, the Rebels pur­suing him, but in vain; for he got into Japho a Town under the Romans, where he was in safety; from thence he went to Rome, and gave an account to Nero both of the sedition, and the slighting of his Offering; whereupon Nero joyned him with Cassius to command a great Army, wherewith they entred Ju­dea, and won many walled Towns, and rased Japho, least it should fall into the hands of the Enemy; After this they marched toward Jerusalem, designing utterly to destroy the Rebels; which Eltaser, and other Priests having notice of, they issued out against them, and found them incamped in the way between Jerusalem and Japho, where many of the Jews were slain by the Romans, and the residue Cassius and Agrippa put to flight, and following the Chase to the Gates of Jeru­salem, besieged the City three days; The Fourth day the Priests and People issued out suddenly, and una­wares, upon the Camp of the Romans, and slew five Thousand Footmen, and a Thousand Horsemen, Cassius perceiving that neither he nor his could escape, chose out Forty Thousand of his best Souldiers, and placed them between his Camp, and the Priests, com­manding them to stand all the night sounding their Trumpets, and making of Fires, and not to remove out of their places till the morning, that hereby, he and Agrippa might escape; The Jews hearkning to [Page 18]the sound of the Trumpets, and not understanding the meaning, did not pursue the Romans, but per­ceiving in the morning they were gone toward Cae­sarea three days Journey off, Eleasar with the People followed, and found the Roman baggage strowed in the way, that they had thrown away to escape the lighter, which they let alone, and pursued them to the Gates of Caesarea.

But Cassius and Agrippa got safe into the Town, from whence they went together to Rome, and gave an Account of their ill success to Nero, who soon af­ter sent Vespasian, and his Son Titus to revenge the Ro­mans on the Jews, commanding them to rase their walled Cities, and destroy whatever they found, with­out sparing either Man, Woman, Child, Infants, sucking Babes, or Old Folks, but to slay all; The Jews having Intelligence of this, chose out three Captains, Josephus the writer of this History, Anani and Eleasar his Son, to be their Captains, Vespasian first invaded Galilee, which being the lot that fell to Joseph to defend, he departed from Jerusalem thither, and built up the Towns that were destroyed, repair­ing the Walls, Gates, Bars, and Pallaces; ordaining also Captains over the People to lead and govern them, some of Thousands, and some of Hundreds, &c. He instructed the People also in the Feats of War, and chusing out Threescore Thousand Footmen, and some Horsemen, he marched to the Cities of Agrippa that were in Judea, because he joyned with the Ro­mans with all the power he could make; Joseph there­fore first approached Tiara, a great City that be­longed to Agrippa, where his Treasure, and Ammuni­tion, and all his Jewels were, and offered Peace to the Inhabitants upon Condition they would open their Gates, and deliver him all the Riches and Treasures of Agrippa, which if they would do, they should be safe in their Persons and Estates; upon these Condi­tions they opened the Gates, and Joseph commanded about Six Hundred Wicked Persons in the Town to [Page 19]be laid in Irons, and others who had aided Vespasian to be put to the Sword; But the chief Governour of the Town he apprehended alive, and carrying him out of the City, commanded one of the Souldiers to cut off his hands; The Governour then besought Joseph saying, I beseech thee my Lord let one of my hands only be cut off, and spare the other; At which Joseph and his Soul­diers laughed him to scorn, not judging him a man of courage; Joseph then bid them give him his sword in his own hands, and to let him cut off which hand he would; The Roman Captain took the Sword, and cut off his left hand, leaving himself the Right, and so he was let go, who went presently to the Camp of Vespasian, declaring what shame was done unto him.

After this the City of Zippory made a League with Vespasian, of which Joseph being certifyed, he marched thither with his Army, but the Town endured the assault, so that Joseph could not prevail against it, and therefore besieged it a long while; In the mean time Askalon revolted from the Jews to the Romans, which was thereupon besieged by some Jews from Jerusalem; but Antonius a Roman Captain issuing out one morning before day, fell upon the Jewish Camp, and before day light, had slain above Ten Thousand Jews; soon af­ter those of Jerusalem sent Eighteen Thousand Men more to Askalon to bury the bodies of the Jews that that were slain, which they did without the least op­position of the Romans, who kept themselves within the Town for fear of them; Then Joseph gathering all his Forces together, assaulted Askelon with his whole Army, and won it, slaying afterward Anthony and all his People with the Sword, so that few or none esca­ped; He likewise burnt all the Villages and Hamlets about the Town, and in all other Places which had entred League with the Romans, he flew both Jews and Romans, and burnt their Houses to the ground; This done Joseph returned again to Zippory, fought with them, and conquered them, burning their Ci­ties and Villages, and leading their Wives and Chil­dren [Page 20]Prisoners to Jerusalem, and all the Romans he found there, he put them to death. Of which Trans­actions, when Vespasian and Titus had an Account, they were very much inraged, and therefore marching to Acho, where K. Agrippa then was with Forty Thou­sand stout Souldiers; they joyned with them, being likewise assisted with very great Numbers of Men out of all the Nations round about Jerusalem; with this vast Army they went from Acho to Galilee, and pitched their Tents in the Mount; which Joseph hearing, issued out of Zippory with all his Army, set upon them, and slew a multitude of them; Vespasian and Titus studying revenge, resolved to surprize Joseph, and beset all the passages to that purpose, which Joseph understanding, left Zippory, and went to Tiberias, whither Vespasian followed; Joseph perceiving them coming, fled from thence to Jorpata, the biggest City in Galilee, closed up the Gates, and there remained with his Army.

Then Vespasian sent several Noblemen as Embassa­dors to Joseph, who thus addressed themselves to him; Vespasian, General of the Roman Army sends to know what it will avail you to be thus blockt up in a walled Town, he desires rather that you would come forth, and treat peaceably with him, and enter into a League together, for it will be for your benefit to serve Caesar Emperor of Rome, whereby you may live, and not be destroyed, nor any of your People; Then Joseph sent Embassadors to Vespasian, desiring Truce for a few days, to consult with the People about this matter; which he agreed to, and Joseph sent to the chief Priests and Rulers of Jerusalem, and the rest of the People the following Letter; Ye shall understand Bre­thren, that Vespasian General of the Romans, sent his Am­bassadors unto me inquiring what it would avail me to be obstinate against them, and not rather to come forth and treat of Peace, and to joyn in League together, that we may serve the Emperor of the Romans, so that we may save our lives, and not be destroyed; And I beseech ye, why will you lose your lives, with the lives of your Wives, your Sons, and your Daughters? Why will you all fall together on the sword, [Page]

[Page] [Page 21]whereby those that shall be left alive among you, shall be led Captive out of your Countrey to a People which they never knew, and whose Language they understand not; and like­wise your Countrey shall be made desolate, your Sanctuary laid wast, so that there shall not be so much as one man to en­ter into it; Never suffer this you that are wise men, but ra­ther receive my Counsel, and come hither to us, that we may consult together, what conditions of Peace we shall make for the safety of our Lives, rather than be destroyed, and that we may enjoy the blessings of our Countrey and live at peace there­in, for Life and quietness is to be preferred before Death and Banishment.

But the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, with the Priests, Elders, and Noblemen of Judea, and the rest of the People, returned this answer to Joseph; Take heed to thy self that thou never consent to receive Conditions of peace from the Romans, but be strong to fight, till such time as thou shalt consume them, or till thou, and all the People dye in Battel, and so shalt thou fight the Battels of the Lord for his people and his Sanctuary, and the Cities of our God, in the mean season let it be as it will, but let not thy power be with them. When Joseph heard this Resolution of the People for continuance of the War, he was exceeding angry, and in great fury fell upon the Roman Army with all his Forces; in which skirmish, very many of the Jews were slain, and from that day forward Vespasian began more fiercely to War upon the Jews; He marched thence to G [...]rara a great City in the higher Galilee, which he besieged, took, and rased to the Ground, slaying all the people. Men, Women, and Children; Oxen, Sheep, Camels and Asses, leaving nothing alive, and then said. Now I begin to be re­venged for the Romans which the Jews murthered in the Land of Judea; From thence be came to Jorpata, where Joseph was; The first day he incamped about it, refreshing his Souldiers with plenty of meat and drink, and then furnished every man with Arms; The next morning early, the Roman Army gave a great shout, and beset the City round about on every side, Joseph [Page 22]standing upon an high Tower, beheld the mighty Army of the Romans, and thereupon founding a Trum­pet, gave a sign to the Battle, issuing out with the whole power of the Jews upon the Roman Camp, at the foot of the Hill; and maintaining the Fight from morning till night, at which time it being dark, the Jews retreated into the Town, and the Romans to their Camp; the next day the Fight was renewed, and so the third and fourth day, wherein many were de­stroyed on both sides; For the Romans advanced con­fidently, and stoutly to the Battel, boastingly saying, We will quickly vanquish this little Nation, as we have subdued all others against whom we have fought, and they shall trou­ble us no more, and then shall we be at rest; The Jews like­wise on the other side encouraged themselves against the Romans, saying, At this time we will all dye together for the Zeal to the Sanctuary of our God, and will never suf­fer these unclean Persons to pollute it, and having once de­stroyed them, we shall be quiet ever after. So that what with the Pride of the Romans on the one side, and the stiff-necked stubbornness of the Jews on the other, much people perished of either Party.

At this time the Jews who dwelt about Jorpata, fled to the Camp of Vespasian, and joyned with the Romans, and alwaies when Joseph skirmished with Vespasian with­out the City, Vespasian sent a Party to assault the City, so that Joseph and his Men fought with Vespasian without the Town, and the Jews within defended the Walls against the Romans, but those within dayly diminish­ed, and the chiefest of Josephs Army were slain, ex­cept some few with whom Joseph fled, and recovered the Town, and stopped up the Gates after him; But Vespasian having a long time besieged Jorpata, he at length espied a Conduit of sweet Water without the Walls, which ran into the City, the Citizens drinking thereof because it was good, this he cut off, whereby the Inhabitants were destitute of drink, having only Well-water, which Joseph perceiving, and judging that the Romans would now think they might take them at [Page 23]pleasure, since they must dye for Thirst; He there­upon took Garments, and dipped them in the Well-waters in the Town, and hanged them over the Walls in several places to declare they had plenty of Water. Then Vespasian commanded a Mount to be raised nigh the Town, to plant an Iron Ram, wherewith to batter and beat down the Walls; which they did so furi­ously, that Joseph perceiving them to shake, filled sacks of Chaff, and hanged them down by the Walls, which by their softness prevented the Force of the Iron Horns of the Ram; which Policy Vespasian observing, he sent secretly into the Town some Jews as spies, who should cut the ropes of the sacks, and then slip down the Walls with them, thereby to be secured from danger, and several other devices were used on each side.

But Joseph perceiving the War to increase dayly, he issued out with his Forces, and made a great slaughter in the Camp of the Romans, burning the Mount and Engines of War they had left behind them, and forcing them to retire from the Walls; Vespasian perceiving his men shrink, stood up and encouraged them so much with good Words and large Promises of Gold and Silver, that they continued the Fight against Joseph till night; In the hear of the Battel, the Jews wounded Vespasian in the Right beg with an Arrow, which much dismayed the Romans to see the blood run down: Titus seeing his Father wounded, was much disturbed, and ran to help him; to whom his Father said, How comes it my Son that thou art so much astonished, Take heart to thee, and with undaunted Courage revenge thy Father upon the Jews, who have now the better of us. The Fight was that day exceeding bloody on both sides, very few being left of Josephs Party, who returned into the Town. The next morning the Ro­mans raised a new Mount, and renewed their Assaults; the City was now almost desolate, most of the valiant men being already slain, so that Joseph with those few left, and likewise the Women went to defend the Walls; The Engines throwing stones on every side, [Page 24]it happened that a great stone struck a Woman with Child with such violence, that it passed through her body, and carried the Child with it the space of half a mile; another stone hit one of Joseph's chief Comman­ders with such force, that it divided his head from his body, and made it fly a mile off; At the same time a Roman Souldier was got under the Wall, and just going to shoot Joseph with an invenomed Arrow, which he espying, cryed out, Hold thy hand wicked fel­low, and do not kill me; at which the man starting aside, the Jews out of the Town suddenly powred boyling Oyl on his Head from the Walls, whereby his skin was scalded off, and he ran away naked, howling and yelling to the Roman Camp, where he dyed.

Vespasian and his Sun were fully resolved to continue the siege, which had already lasted 47 days, and those within the Town were so tired out, that they were no longer able to supply the watch upon the Walls, which Vespasian understanding, he and his Son Titus one night scaled the Walls in a place where the Watchmen were wanting, being followed by many other Roman Soul­diers, who went down on the inside, and breaking open the Great Gate of the Town, the whole Roman Army entred thereat, and then sounded their Trum­pets, and an Alarum to battle; The Jews with the noise and Tumult awaked from sleep very much afraid, however every man catcht up his Arms, and with all speed repaired to the Market-place, which was made so large, that all the People of the City might upon occasion meet together; As they were looking about, they saw the Roman Army marching through the great Gate toward them, whereupon they encouraged each other, saying, Let us dye here fighting, and never suffer our selves to be taken alive: and then they fell upon the Romans, but being overpowred, most of the Citi­zens were slain in the skirmish, they refusing to yield or take quarter, because they would not trust the Faith of the Romans; For a while before a certain Jew besought a Roman Souldier to save his Life, which [Page 25]he swore he would, saying, God deal thus and thus with me if I kill thee, therefore yield thy self to me: The Jew re­quired him to give his right hand in Token of his Fidelity, but the Roman reacht him his left, which the Jew, being extreamly astonished, did not observe; But when the Roman had once hold of him, he held him fast by that hand, and with his right hand slew the Jew with his sword, who was then naked and un­armed, having cast away his weapon upon the Oath made to him by the Roman; when the other Jews ob­served this Treachery, they resolved to dye altogether, and never trust the Romans, and thereupon fell on them, and slew many, yet at length the City was taken.

However, Joseph, and Forty stout men his Compa­nions made their escape, and fled into a Wood, where they found a certain Cave, and hid themselves therein; of which Vespasian having notice, sent three Persons to Joseph to desire him to come forth, and he should have his Life, and not be slain; upon which Joseph debated the matter with the rest in the Den­requiring their advice; For my part (saith he) if you will follow my Counsel, I think it best that we go to them, but upon this Condition; That they will give us such full secu­rity for our Lives as we shall require, which being done, I doubt not but Vespasian when we come to him, will extend his fa­vour to us; But they perceiving that Joseph inclined to yield to the Romans, were very much disturbed, and perswaded him, That it would not be for his credit to save his life with the loss of his Honour, and therefore resolved to kill each other, and dye like men; and thereupon each man drew out his sword, and came to him in the midst of the Cave, saying, Joseph our Prince hear thou; If thou wilt be ruled by us, we will first kill thee as our Lord, and a great Prince, and thou shalt chuse what Death thou wilt dye, that thou mayst dye Honourably; but if thou refuse to dye bravely, assure thy self of this, that every man of us will set upon thee, and kill thee: Joseph endeavoured by many Arguments at large, to divert them from their wicked [Page 26]purpose, as proceeding rather from desperation and cowardise, than true Courage; But nothing would prevail, he therefore subtilly told them; My Brethren since you are determined to dye on your own swords, let us divide into Couples, and cast Lots which Couple shall dye first, then [...]hall they also cast Lots which of then shall kill his Fellow, and he that remaineth shall chuse one of the second couple to kill men; likewise the second couple shall cast Lots in the same ma [...]er, and so till all be slain, that we may not see the Captivity of our people; and the last Couple shall either can upon each others swords, or else cast Lots who shall [...]ve first; but since we are Forty one, and so cannot be equally divided, let us cast Lots which shall first be slain, and when he is once out of the way, let us divide as I have said.

Every man liked this advice, and desired him to divide the Men, Joseph answered, But let us swear by the Name of the Lord that this device shall stand: Which they accordingly did; Then Joseph cast Lots, who should be the odd man, and it fell upon Jehoida a Galilean, a va­liant man, and one of the chiefest Councellors of Jo­seph, and the principal perswader of this wicked Fact to kill themselves; After this he craftily divided them into Couples, so that the Lot of his own Couple came forth last of all, who hoped to be saved, trusting in God, and believing that he would deliver him from this abominable deed; Then Jehoida chose him one of the first couple, who slew him; That done, the first couple cast Lots between them, and the one killed his Fellow, and chose him one of the second couple to kill him, and in this manner did they all, till they were all slain, and none left alive but Joseph and his Fellow, who said to Joseph, Come let us cast Lots, that we may go to our Brethren; Joseph said, We will do so if you be so dispo­sed but first hear me a few words, have not these sinners re­belled against God in thus murdering themselves so shamefully, neither could I by any means disswade them, nor divert them from their opinion, why should we sin so grievously against God and our own souls; If thou say, how shall we do by reason of the Oath we have sworn? Dost thou not know that [Page 27]a wicked Oath is better broken than kept, and this is a breach of one of the Ten Commandments, which saith expresly Thou shalt not kill. Now therefore my Brother if thou wilt be ruled by me, thoushalt save both thy own Life and mine, For I will not cast Lots, neither will I perform the Oath we have sworn, as being directly contrary to the Law of God; but if thou wilt not, I will fight with thee, and kill thee, and spare my self; And herewith Joseph leapt back, and drew his Sword in his own defence, His Companion knowing Joseph too strong for him, stirred neither hand nor foot, but said, Lo I am content, do what thou thinkest good, because thou art a man of God, and half saved thine own life and mine.

Then Joseph called out of the Cave to Nicanor, offer­ing to come forth with all that were left alive upon security given, which Nicanor readily gave in writing, after the manner of the Romans, and reacht it into the Cave upon a Spear, then Joseph and his Companion came forth, and Nicanor imbraced him, kissed him, and wept abundantly with him, especially at the Re­lation of the cruel stubbornness of those self-murder­ing Jews; Then Joseph was brought to Vespasians Army, who with Titus his Son, received him very kindly, and carryed him about with him through the Cities, together with King Agrippa; then Vespasian marched to Caesarea a great City, where he had Intelligence that the Citizens of Paphos spoiled the Islands with their Ships, upon which an Ambush was laid without the Town, and when the Pyrates were gone abroad to rove, Vespasian entred the Town and took it without any great refistance, because their Souldiers were ab­sent; when the Rovers therefore returned with their Navy, and saw the Romans in the City, they endea­voured to land, but a huge Tempest and mighty storm, drove all their Ships which were on the Sea­shore upon the Rocks; where many were drowned, and those who swam to Land, the Romans slew, so that hereby above Four Thousand stout Souldiers perish­ed, which with those that were slain in the Town, [Page 28]amounted to Forty Thousand, all Jews. Then Vespasian sent his Son Titus, who with his Forces won all the walled Towns in Galile, saving the Lives of those which yielded, and killing such as resisted: He resto­red likewise to Agrippa all the Cities in Gallie which belonged to him, except T [...]a [...]va. which he utterly rased, slaying all the men who were fit for War, and selling their Wives and Children, this being the only [...] all Galile, where T [...]tus shewed such severity.

Then Ves [...]a [...]ian went to Gamala a City upon the top [...], near which was another Town called [...]; They both belonged to Agrippa, who there­fore desired Vispasian that he might go and treat with them, and thereby prevent the destruction of the place, and accordingly the King went peaceably to them, and they received him very courteously, (though they intended Treachery) saying; Thou art our Lord and King, to whom therefore doth all that is of any value, or t [...] be desired in all Israel belong but unto thee, therefore co [...]near unto us, and debate the matter with thy Servants: Agrippa crediting their words, came up close to the Wall, and as he listned to those who tal­ked with him, one threw a great stone from the Wall, which fell just between his shoulders with such vio­lence, that it struck him to the ground, and broke his back almost, and one of his Arms; His Servants stept to him, and taking him up, carryed him to V [...]s [...]sian who seeing him so terribly hurt, swore he would never go from thence till he had taken the City, which he soon after accomplished, killing every man, and leaving none alive; in like manner as at Tiarva; He came then to Nascala, which was the only City of defence left throughout all Galilee, and hither­to reforted many Cut-Throats, and Wicked Persons of the Lond of Judea, amongst whom was Jehochanan a m [...]n learned and witty to do mischief, and of cun­ning [...]loquence; Titus was sent to offer them Peace, but [...] would not let the Romans speak to the People, but told them, the next day was the Feast of [Page 29]Weeks, or Whitsunday, and the third day they should have an answer; But the night before the third day, Jehochanan, and his Accomplices got privately out of the Town, and fled toward Jerusalem; the next day the People sent word they desired friendship with the Romans; and Titus hearing that Jehochanan and his Company were fled that night toward Jerusalem, he sent to pursue him, and overtook some men, women, children and impotent Persons, and slew them all, returning with great spoil.

Titus having gained all the Cities in Galile, Vespasian marched to Mount Tabor, which is continually cover­ed with Snow, the height thereof being Thirty Fur­longs, and upon the top is a Plain of Twenty three Fur­longs; this Mountain he took, and the Town which stood thereon; But Jehochanan being come to Jerusa­lem, associated himself with a great number of Mur­therers, and blood-thirsty Villains, who came out of all Judea, upon pretence to defend the Sanctuary of the Lord, and Anani the High Priest received all that came; These observing the valour and courage of Jehochanan, revolted from Anani, and joyned with him; and consulting together, they resolved to rob all the Rich men of the City, and began quarrels with them in this manner, when they met any wealthy Person, they thus accosted him: Art not thou one of those who sent Letters to Vespasian, and the Romans to betray the City to them; Thus would they examine them before the People, and when he would answer, God forbid I should do so; Then would they bring in periured Vil­lains. Limbs of the Devil, of their own Company to bear false witness against him, that he might be con­demned as a Rebel under a pretence of Law: Thus dealt they with several Noble men, and chief Citizens, and their Riches, Jewels, and Goods, the seditious seized for their own use; They likewise put the High Priests out of their Office, placing ignorant Rusticks in their room; These wretched and illegal practices so inraged the honest Citizens, that they resolved to [Page 30]joyn themselves together, and withstand them by force, which they did accordingly, and the Fight was very fierce on both sides, in the Streets, Market­place, Temple, and the entrance thereof, so that all the City was full of dead Bodies, and slain men; but at length the people prevailed against the Ruffians, and forced them to fly into the Temple of the Lord, shutting it after them; Anani the High Priest perswaded the People not to fight with them there, lest they should pollute it with the blood and dead Carcases of those wicked Persons, they therefore besieged the Temple with six Thousand choice Souldiers well armed, to keep them from coming forth; and Anani sent to Jeho­chanan, offering Conditions of Peace, which he refu­sed, expecting relief from the Ed [...]mites, and one night soon after twenty two Thousand of them came against Jerusalem, whom with the Priest dis­coursed from off the Walls, and represented their unworthiness in joyning with the Seditious and Mur­therers.

Whilst they were discoursing together, there ap­peared a great dark Cloud, after which followed dread­ful Lightnings with Fire, terrible Thunderclaps, and showers of Hail, which wonderfully affrighted the People, so that they all fled away, leaving the defence of the Wall, and Anani also alone; but Anani took courage, and stay'd to observe those horrible signs from Heaven, that he might judge what they presa­ged; And he gave his iudgment indeed, but not ac­cording to Truth, for he foretold, That the Thunder and Hail with darkness signisied Gods help; in hope whereof he perswaded them to defend the Sanctuary of the Lord; and to this all the Elders which were with him likewise agreed, not foreseeing that all these signs betokened the miseries that should come upon Jeru [...]alem, and all Israel. Now when those who vvere be [...]ged in the Temple perceived that the Watch at the Gate were fled because of the Tempest, and that none in the City durst look out of their Houses for [Page 31]fear of the terrible Apparitions in the sky, the dark­ness being so great that they could not discern each other; then came these desperate seditious Fellows out of the Temple without dread to the walls, and with saws and other Instruments they cut asunder the Bars and Gates; and when the crashing of the Thun­der and hail was greatest, then they laboured hardest in wresting asunder the Locks and Bolts of the Gates, lest they should be heard, and when the Thunder­clap was past, they left off till it came again: Thus they continued, till at last they had broken, and opened the Gates, and let the Edomites into the City, who being entred, marched about contriving how to destroy all the Citizens of Jerusalem; to which end their Confederates in the Temple joyned with them, they swearing to each other to be one People, and one Army; Then they being confederated together, slew the same night Eight Thousand Five Hundred of the Israelites, all valiant men of War, besides a multi­tude more of the Common people.

In the morning they laid hands on the rich men, haling them before the Judges, and the Seventy El­ders called the Sanhedrin, and among others one Secha­riahu a just and vertuous Person and only guilty of being too rich, this man the wicked Jehochanan brought before them, saying, Why do you not condemn those rich Villains, who have conspired with the Romans to betray this Holy City into their hands; The Priests and Elders knowing the innocency of the man, sighed and wept very much, which Jehochanan perceiving, said, What do you begin to weep before you see any Corpse, I wish I may never see the face of God, if we do not sit in Judgment our selves, since matters are thus ordered, and you shall be the first we will judge; Then the wicked multitude seized on Sechariahu, and haling him from the place of Judg­ment, carryed him to the top of an high Tower at the East end of the Town, from whence they cast him down headlong into the Vale of Jehosaphat where he dyed; The Priests and Judges thereupon were much [Page 32]afraid, since Jehochanan had threatned them, that un­less they condemned every man whom he accused they should all go the same way; Jehochanan then appre­hended Gorinian a valiant man, who had often made great slaughter of the seditious, and was well beloved by the Citizens, whom this cruel wretch brought forth among the Rabble, and villanously killed him, throw­ing his Body to the Beasts of the Field; In the mean time Vespasian drew near to Jerusalem, having stayd the longer at Caesarea, because he understood that the Jews were destroying each other, and so would be the more easily conquered, which accordingly happened; For by the wickedness of Jehochanan, an innumerable Company of them were destroyed; some were slain with swords, others the seditious killed with short daggers; which they carryed privately under their Garments, wherewith they would suddenly stab in­nocent men to the heart.

Jehochanan having subdued the City, he sent an Army out of Jerusalem to take the Cities that had made peace with Vespasian, which they sacked and rased to the ground, and whomsoever they found therein, Romans or Jews, they slew; among others they took the City Gerara beyond Jordan, where they remained; But the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, and likewise of Gerara sent Ambassadors to Vespasian to come and joyn with them against these Seditious Rascals; Jehochanan having no­tice hereof, and hearing that Vespasian was marching toward Gerara, first slew the chief Governour thereof, and then with his Companions fled out of the Town, designing to secure themselves in a Wood; which Vespasian understanding, sent out Poligorus after them, who overtook and made a great slaughter of them, and in his return near Jordan met with many more going to joyn with the Seditious at Jerusalem, whom Poligorus forced back to the River, and slew Thirteen Thousand of them, the rest leaped into Jordan, and were drowned, in all to the number of Ninety one Thousand Men, Women and Children with much [Page 33]Cattel, who were all lost together in the River, inso­much that the Waters of Jordan ran over its banks, being stopt up with dead Carcases, so that the Fields and Plains were overflown; yet at length the Force of the Waters carryed the dead Bodies down the River, to the Sea of Sodom, and all the Banks of Jordan lay full of dead Bodies:

After this Vespasian went into the Land of Edom, where he won two strong Cities, and slew Ten Thou­sand of the People thereof, leading away the rest into captivity; and at length came to Samaria and took it, and then repaired the VValls of all the Towns he had conquered, placing Garrisons therein to aid him, when he should besiege Jerusalem; He then returned to Caesarea, and mustered his whole Army in order to prepare for that siege; But in the mean time news came from Rome, that Nero the Emperour was dead, and it was at first reported, that while he was hunt­ing, Fire came down from Heaven upon him, and de­stroyed him; After whom Galba reigned, but within one year he was slain by the Noblemen of Rome; and Vitellius was made Emperor in his stead, he was a Fool, but yet a very bloody man, and much given to drunkenness, so that upon all accounts he was altoge­ther unworthy of the Roman Empire; the Roman No­bility who were with Vespasian hearing this, were much offended, saying, Was there never a Nobleman in Rome lest, to be placed in the Empire, but a drunken Wine­sucker must be chosen; Why did they not rather Elect the mighty Prince Vespasian here with us, a wise and valiant Commander, who hath conquered many Cities, and vanqui­shed divers Warlike Nations; How many puissant Kings hath he subdued to the Roman Empire, and how hath he enlarged it far and wide, And now when the Empire ought to have been bestowed upon Vespasian, or some Person of the like merits, because no such could be found among them, they have bestowed it upon a Fool, and a sottish Drunkard, where­in they have done very undiscreetly, however we are resolved the Empire of Rome shall suddenly have a better Emperor, [Page 34]and thereto let God say, Amen. Hereupon the Princes who were present, consulted together, and decreed to make Vespasian Emperor; and going all together to him, they said, Thou shalt be our Head, for the Empire belongeth to such a one as thy self, and thou shalt have Domi­nion over us; But Vespasian refused to take it on him, and would not be perswaded to consent thereto; how­ever they compelled him, placing him in the Throne of Majesty, and setting the Crown on his head, which he would have taken away, and pulled off with his hand, because he would not be Emperor; upon which the Roman Captains drew their Swords and said, Thou shalt be Emperor, and Reign over us, therefore refuse it not, if thou do, thou shalt dye upon our swords: Vespasian therefore seeing himself constrained, being afraid of his Life was content to suffer himself to be proclaimed Emperor; then all the Army swore Alle­giance to him as he sate upon the Royal Seat, as Em­peror, and King of Kings.

In the mean time the Civil Wars at Jerusalem increa­sed dayly by reason of Jehochanan that Limb of the De­vil, who had escaped thither again; There was like­wise another Cut-Throat Ruff [...]n called Schimeon, who was discarded from his Command for his Villanys, by Anani the Priest; After which gathering together a rout of Thieves, Rebels and Murderers throughout all Galilee, to the number of Twenty Thousand, he came towards Jerusalem to vex the Israelites, who en­countred with him with various success, sometimes one Party prevailing, and then the other; but at length one Jacob a great man among the Edomites joyned with him, and helped to subdue his own Countrey; with whom being strengthned, they ap­proached the Walls of Jerusalem, destroying the Corn and Fruits of the Ground; Jehochanan having intelli­gence of his intentions to besiege the Town, and be­ing too weak to encounter him, he issued out of the City, and lay in Ambush for Schimeon, at which time it happened that Schimeon's Wife, (who was fled out [Page 35]of Jerusalem with her Men and Women Servants, for fear she should be killed for her Husbands sake,) passed by the place of Ambushment, whom Jehochanan took, not a little proud of such a prey, and carryed into the City, thinking Schimeon would comply upon any Terms to gain his Wife whom he dearly loved; This came to Schimeons ear just at the time he had taken ma­ny of Jehochanan's men, and cut off their hands, send­ing them with such shame to Jerusalem to their Master; He likewise sent Embassadors to Jehochanan, to return his Wife, or upon refusal he threatned him with the utmost Extremity, since he was resolved to take the City ere long, and to Jehochanans shame would cut off the Hands and Legs of all the Inhabitants; Jehochanan being afraid, ( Schimeon having with him Forty Thou­sand Fighting men,) he sent him his Wife, whereup­on he continued without the Town, while Jehochanan played the Tyrant within, his Souldiers ravishing the Citizens Wives and Daughters, and shedding much innocent blood, and whoever complained was pre­sently slain; so that the Condition of the Israelites was truly miserably, for if any went out of the City, they were slain by Schimeon, and those within were continually murdered by Jehochanan; The Citizens being therefore tyred by his Tyranny, assembled to­gether, and encountred with Jehochanan, where a mul­titude of them were slain, and if the Edomites who were fled to Jerusalem from the Tyranny of Schimeon had not come in to their relief, the whole People of Jerusalem had been utterly destroyed, and slain every Mothers Son by Jehochanan, his power was so great. Then Anani the High Priest, and other Grave Men not being able to suffer the wickedness of Jehochanan any longer, resolved to deliver the City to Schimeon, hoping he would slay Jehochanan; who was at length prevailed with, and promised to assist them against the Sediti­ous, but being entred with his whole Army, he broke his promise, and joyned himself with Jehochanan, so that these two Rebels reigned in Jerusalem by course, [Page 36]one of them one Moneth, and the other another; yet within two days they quarrelled about Eleasar the Priest, whom Schimeon would have slain, but Jehocha­nan defended, so that ever after they fought one against the other.

During these Transactions at Jerusalem, Vespasian had sent two Noblemen to Rome to make away the Empe­ror Vitellius, whereby he might come and receive the Imperial Crown there; They went therefore, and raised an Army, wherewith they fell upon Vitellius and slew him, though not without much opposition, for there were slain that day in Rome eighty Thousand va­liant Souldiers; Then Vespasian taking half his Army with him, left the other part with Titus his Son to be­siege Jerusalem, but to continue at Alexandria till fur­ther order; to whom Titus at his departing said, I shall do dear Father according to your Commandment, for to you it belongeth to command, and to me to obey; Vespasian took with him Agrippa, and Menas his Son, with Joseph the Priest, for fear they should raise a Rebellion; As he approached nigh Rome, all the Citizens came forth to meet him, and received him with great Joy, and mighty shews and Triumphs; and soon after he was solemnly crowned Emperor; within a few days Vespasian was displeased with King Agrippa, upon cer­tain false Informations that he designed some distur­bance, upon which both he and his Son Munabas were put to Death.

This happened three years and an half before the destruction of Jerusalem, at which time the continual Sacrifice ceased for One Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety days, as it is written in the 12 of Daniels Prophecy; But Joseph was by the clemency of Vespasian set at Liberty, and sent to Titus (who was then at Alexandria in Egypt) with Letters from his Father, and was kindly received by him; Titus soon after marched with a mighty Army to Caesarea, where he stayd till the Winter was past, before he would besiege Jerusalem: But in the mean time the quarrels and murders in that [Page 37]City ceased not, but Summer and VVinter the VVars continued between Schimeon, Jehochanan, and Eleasar; for God had in Judgment sent a Spirit of Giddiness among the Citizens, so that they were divided into three Parts, The first and best sort of the People fol­lowed Anani the Priest, who at that time had stained and suspended his Office of Priesthood; Another part followed Seditious Jehochanan, and the third were for Schimeon; So that in the midst of Jerusalem there was nothing but slaughter and bloodshed, and without, the Roman Army made inroads from Caesarea, even to the Gates of the City; between those three within, there were most cruel Battels for the space of four days without breathing or ceasing, and every day very ma­ny were slain, so that the blood of the Jews ran abun­dantly through the Market-places and Streets, even to the Temple of the Lord, like a great Flood which had been caused by showers of Rain; Then assembled the Priests, Elders, and many of the People, be­seeching these their Intestine and Domestick Enemies not to pollute and defile the Temple with their slaugh­ters, but they were almost all slain for their pains by the villany of the Seditious, together with Anani and Joshua the Priests, and Sechariahu the Prophet of the Lord.

Then had the continual Sacrifice ceased Thirty six days, for even till that time, some good men or other in Jerusalem still offered Sacrifice to the Lord; But now when the Priests had laid the Sacrifice on the Altar, the seditious would run upon them and kill them, so that the Priests and the Beasts they would have Sacrificed, fell down dead to the ground to­gether, and so they likewise destroyed all that came [...]hither for Devotions sake, so that scarce one was left [...]live; and the pavement of the Temple being Mar­ [...]le, was made so slippery with the blood and fat of [...]hose which were slain, that no man could go upon it without falling; Nay whosoever the seditious over­ [...]ne, they set fire on their Houses, which fired other [Page 38]great mens Houses nigh the Temple, and at last caught hold of the Store-Houses of Corn, Wine, and Oyl, to the number of One Thousand, Four Hun­dred, all filled full of Victuals against a time of ne­cessity, or the besieging of the Town; For when Vespasian was in Galile, the Priests and Elders made up the Doors of these Garner-houses, and laid in Vic­tuals sufficient for Two Hundred Thousand men for 20 years, but now in this one Fight of the Seditious, they were all burnt to the ground, with all within them, which caused a sudden hunger and Famine in Jerusalem? At the same time the seditious pulled down all the fair and goodly Buildings, that there should be no sign nor Monument of any Noble House left in the City; Thus God visited the Citizens of Jerusalem with four dreadful Plagues at once, Sword, Pestilence, Famine, and Fire, to which this Fifth was added, the ruine and destruction of all beautiful and glorious Build­ings; So that whithersoever a man turned himself, there were nothing but desolations, pollutions of the Temple, and all holy things, and uproars, without all rest and refuge, no help, no succour, but every corner of Jerusalem was full of howling and yelling, weeping and wailing, sobbing and sighing of Women and Children; Here you might hear the roaring and lamentation of men not quite dead, there the mourn­ing and throbbing of the Elders, with the woful crys of young Children for bread, in short, all manner of misery oppressed them, so that he was thought happy who dyed before this day, and all those were in a woful case, who were so unfortunate to see it; when Joseph heard all these things at Caesarea, he tore his Hair with his hands, cast Ashes on his Beard, and sitting with great sorrow on the ground, he bewailed, and made Lamentation over the miserable City of Jerusalem.

After this in the first year of the Reign of Vespasian, Titus his Son mustered his men in the Plain of Caesarea, and he found them a vast number, so that they [Page 39]seemed almost to cover the Earth; he then marched to Samaria, and being received by the Citizens with great joy he spared them and did them no harm; from thence he went to Ajelona, thirty Furlongs from Jerusalem, and there pitched his Tents, and taking six Hundred Horsemen with him, he went to Jerusalem to view the height of the Walls, and the strength of the Town, but the Jews laid an Ambush, and slew sixty of Titus his men, and might have slain him like­wise, but that they designed to take him alive, where­by he took an Opportunity to escape; The next day Titus brought his whole Army to Jerusalem, and it be­ing a little before the Feast of Ʋnleavened Bread, an in­finite number of People who came to celebrate it, were shut up in the City, by which means the City was soon oppressed with a cruel Famine, all manner of Food and nourishment being consumed, and Oxens Dung was accounted good Meat, others fed upon old Leather, and horrible dreadful things happened, for some Women boyled their own Children, and eat them; many thinking to save their Lives by flying to the Romans, were cut in pieces to search for their Gold and Jewels which they had swallowed to prevent Discovery. Two Thousand were miserably destroyed one night upon this Account; And on the Feast day which was April 14. Eleasar having seized on the Inner Temple, opened the Gate that the People might sacri­fice, Jehochanan taking this opportunity, sent privately many of his party, armed with short swords under their Garments, who being admitted with the rest of the multitude, set upon Eleasar, and seized the Inner Temple with the slaughter of many of his party; and thus the threefold Faction was again reduced into two, that of Jehochanans who were Eight Thousand Four Hundred, and the other of Schimeons, with whom were Ten Thousand, besides Five Thousand Idumeans, or Edomites.

Titus approaching the Walls, pitched his Camp about the River Psephina, and presently raised a Mount, [Page 40]and with a battering Ram first shook, and then beat down part of the Wall, and May 7. broke into the City; The first wall being beaten down, and the Jews retiring inward, he gained the North quarter of the City, even to the Castle of Antonia, and the Valley of Cedron. On the fifth day after a Tower on the second Wall being shaken, and battered down from the North-quarter; Titus got the new lower City, from which he was repulsed again by the Jews, but on the fourth day after, he regained it, and so addressed himself for the assault of the third Wall; May 12. he commanded four Mounts to be raised two at the Castle of Antonia, whereby he thought to gain the Temple [...]nd two at the Tomb of the High-Priest John, [...] he hoped to win the upper City, which [...] [...]nished in 17 days, Jehochanan by a Mine from Antonia cast down one of the Mounts, and burnt it; and Schimeon the second day after in a Salley that he made fired 2 of the Mounts opposite to him, with the Rams, and other Engines of the Romans, whom they fell upon in their Camp, but Titus reliev­ing them from Antonia, forced the Jews into the City again; These Mounts being thus demolished, Titus in three days time encompassed the City with a Wall of thirty nine Furlongs in Circuit, about which he built 13 Castles, each 10 Furlongs round, so that none could go in or out, whereby the Famine raged so cru­elly in the City; that with it, and the Pestilence, mul­titudes perished; so that from April 14, on which day the siege began, to the beginning of July fol­lowing, an Account was taken that at one Gate, one hundred fifteen Thousand and eight Hundred Carcases of poor people were carryed out, who were buried at the common charge, besides those privately in­terred by their Friends; a while after it was known by those who fled to the Romans, that there were six hundred Thousand carried through all the Gates to be buried; and after that there being not enough to bury the Poor, they layd them upon great heaps in [Page 41]empty Houses, and there locked them up, and the manner of burying others was only to throw them over the Walls, and fill up the ditches with the dead Bodies.

In the mean time, Schimeon continued his Ra­pines and Murthers within the City; For he put to death Matthias the High Priest, upon pretence he would have fled to the Romans, though by this mans means Schimeon was first admitted into Jerusalem; He slew also three of his Sons, and fifteen of the noblest of the people, all of them being unheard, and uncon­demned, Yea he raged so cruelly, that Judas, one of his Captains hating his Tyranny, contrived to de­liver up a Town to the Romans, of which he had the charge, but being discovered by Schimeon, he and 10 others of the Conspirators were put to death; and Jehochanan being necessitated thereto, converted to his own, and prophane uses the Holy things of the Temple as Vessels of Gold, Silver, and Money, nay, he was forced to distribute to his Souldiers the very Oyl and Wine which was dedicated to divine ser­vices; But Titus fetching Materials from every place, and cutting down all the Woods and Trees for 90 Furlongs about, he with great labour in 21 days cau­sed four new Mounts to be raised about Antonia, which Jehochanan in vain attempted to destroy, and then placed a Ram against it, by which a breach being made, they entred into Antonia, July 5. and pursued the flying Jews into the Temple, but after a sharp fight, the Romans were for some time repulsed, July 17. Titus commanded Joseph to exhort the seditious to yield, which he did in a large Oration, but they ob­stinately refused; therefore on the seventh day after, he brought his Mounts nearer; and by overturning the Foundations of the Castle Antonia, he made an easie ascent into the Temple, seizing on the North and West Porches without the Temple, part whereof joyning to Antonia, was burnt by the Jews, and soon after the other part by the Romans, the Jews not at­tempting [Page 42]to quench the Fire, that the Porch might be entirely separated from Antonia, July 27. the Jews again set fire on the West Porch toward the Bridge that led to the Gallery, where many Romans getting up were burnt, the Jews flying away on purpose to draw them on; The day after the Romans burnt all the North Porch, even unto the East Porch; Au­gust 8. Titus perceiving he prevailed nothing with his battering Ram against the Walls on the Inner Tem­ple, nor could undermine the Foundations of the Gates by reason of the greatness, and strong cementing of the stones; He was forced to do that which out of re­verence to the place he had hitherto forborn; neither could the Romans by their Ladders get up into the Por­ches, the Jews from above still beating them down; therefore at last he commanded the Gates of the Inner Temple to be set on Fire, which soon taking, the Por­ches which joyned to them, were likewise presently all in a Flame, the Jews beholding and wondring thereat, their amazement being so great, that they neither en­deavoured to stop nor quench it, so that these Porche [...] burnt all that day, and thenight following.

And though Titus and some of his Captains inten [...] ­ed to keep the Temple from firing, yet they coul [...] by no means effect it, for having appointed a Guard charging them to preserve the Temple and Sanctu [...] Sanctorum; the Seditious Jews fell upon them Au­gust 10. and slew every man, which Titus hearing brought his whole Army thither; at which time [...] Roman Souldier took a flaming Firebrand, and gettin [...] upon his Fellows Shoulders, cast the Fire throug [...] the Golden VVindow into the Houses and Chamber [...] that were built on the Northside of the Temple, and others layd Wood to the Doors of the Sanctum Sancto­rum which were covered over with Gold, and then set­ting fire to it after the Gold grew hot, and the timbe [...] began to burn, the whole Temple was in a flame, an [...] the Sanctum Sanctorum was layd open to the view of all [...] This happened in the second year of Vespasian, and th [...] [Page 43]same day of the Moneth that it was formerly burnt by Nebuchadnezzar. The Romans rushing into the Sanctum San­ctorum, gave a great shout while it burnt, which when Titus heard, he hastened to quench the Fire, and save the Sanctum Sanctorum, but he could not do it, because it was on Fire in so many places; thereupon Titus commanded them to forbear, but they would not hear him; for as a vehement Flood of VVaters breaks down, and carries away all things before it; with such furious violence, the Flames rushed through all parts of the Temple; Titus then drew his sword, blaming the Captains of his own People, and killing others; The Priests within resisted the Romans stoutly till they were no longer able to lift up their hands; There­fore when there was no other safeguard, they leapt in­to the Fire, and several other Jews with them, and so burnt altogether, saying, Why should we live any longer now there is no Temple; Yet Titus ceased not to strike the Peo­ple, eventill his strength failed, and then falling on the Ground, he forbore crying out on them any further.

After the Sanctum Sanctorum was burnt, Titus arose, and entring thereinto, he saw the glory and magni­ficence thereof, for as yet the Fire had not consumed all, and then said, Now I well perceive that this is no other than the House of God, and the dwelling place of the King of Heaven, neither was it for nought that the Jews fought so earnestly in defence thereof; nor did the Gentiles without good Cause send Gold and Silver to this Temple from the farthest parts of the World, for great is the glory thereof, and it surpasseth all the Roman and Gentile Temples that ever I saw; The God of Heaven, who is the God of this House, take vengeance of the Seditious, whose mischievous and heinous deeds have brought this evil upon them. The Seditious who yet remained in Jerusalem, seeing the Sanctum Sanctorum to be burnt, they set the rest of the Temple on Fire themselves, with all the Houses which were filled with Treasure, and all sorts of pre­cious Jewels, and Victuals also, that the Romans should receive no benefit thereby: After this the Romans [Page 44]quenched the Fire, and set up their Idols and Images in the Temple, and after Titus had offered Sacrifice, and the Roman Ensigns were set upon the East-gate, the Army proclaimed him Emperor; and Titus stand­ing on a Gallery, perswaded the Seditious, who were fled into the upper City to yield themselves, promi­sing them their Lives, but they demanded leave to depart with their VVives and Children into the VVilderness, which Titus taking in scorn, threatned them with utter destruction, and commanded all the lower City to be set on Fire, with the Pallaces, and then assaulted the higher City, which was seated upon a steep Rock, and having finished his Mounts, on Sept. 7. he brought his Engines to the VVals, wherein having made a great breach, the seditious fled in great fear and amazement, and the Romans break­ing in, destroyed all with Fire and Sword; And Titus commanded both the City and Temple to be rased to the Foundation, and the ground to be plowed accor­ding to the Roman custom, sparing only the West part of the VVall, with the 3 Towers, Hippicon, Phaselus, and- Mariamne, which he left as Monuments to Posterity of the strength and magnificence of this once famous City.

Titus having thus finished this dreadful and difficult VVar, the Neighbouring Nations that assisted him, would have crowned him Emperor, but he refused, saying, He was unworthy of that Honour, for it was not he who was the Author, and finisher of that work, but that he had only lent his hands to God, who had thus shewed his anger against the Jews; Then did Titus re­ward his Souldiers, and committing the keeping of Je­rusalem to the Tenth Legion, he went to Caesarea, carry­ing with him all the Prey, spoils and Captives, be­cause he could not sail to Italy in the Winter; The two seditious Tyrants Jehochanan and Schimeon were taken as they lay hid in the Vaults of Jerusalem, of whom Jehochanan was condemned to perpetual Impri­sonment, and Schimeon was reserved to be carryed a Prisoner to Rome, and there led in Triumph; In the [Page 45]same Vaults were found Two Thousand Men, who either perished with hunger, or else killed each other, rather than they would yeild themselves to the Ro­mans; while Titus continued at Caesarea he celebrated the Birth day of his brother Domitian, on December 30. upon which occasion the number of Jewish Prisoners who perished by being forced to fight with wild Beasts, that were burned with Fire, and that fell by being compelled to fight with each other, was above Two Thousand Five Hundred; Afterward Titus went to Beritus in Phaenicia, where he solemnized the day of his Fathers Coronation with great magnificence, at which time likewise multitudes of the Captive Jews perished in like manner as before.

At last, Titus failed to Rome, where he was welcom­ed with a general Joy, and together with his Father Vespasian, triumphed for the Conquest of Judea; In which Triumph the two Captains Jehochanan and Schi­meon, with seven Hundred other Jews, who excelled in beauty and strength, were led in Chains, of all whom, only Schimeon was put to death: The Book of the Law of the Jews was carryed also in this Triumph, as the last of the spoils, which together with the Pur­ple Vail of the Sanctuary, were laid up in the Impe­rial Pallace. Soon after, Lucius Bassus was sent Lieu­tenant into Judea, who took the strong Castles of He­rodian and Machaeron beyond Jordan by assault; About this time, neither the Sun nor Moon were seen for twelve, others say, for fifteen days space, which some think was foretold by our Saviour, in St. Matth. 24.29. Immediately after the tribulation of those days, shall the Sun be darkned, and the Moon shall not give her Light; &c. And Caesar writ to Tiberius Maximus the Governour of Judea, that he should sell all the Lands of the Jews; He likewise imposed a Tribute upon them wherever they dwelt, commanding them year­ly to bring into the Capitol Two Drachma's, which they used formerly to give to the Temple of Jerusa­lem; Bassus being dead, Publius Sylva succeeded in [Page 46]the Government of Judea, who April 15. won that almost impregnable Castle of Massada; which had been seized upon by Eleaser the Nephew of Judas Ga­lileus a Captain of Thieves; whereupon all the Thieves in the Castle, being about nine hundred with their Wives and Children, at the perswasion of Eleasar, slew each other, having first set Fire to the Castle, and burnt all their Goods and Furniture, lest they should fall into the hands of the Romans; But many of the Thieves which were in Judea fled, and came to Alexandria in Egypt, where they solicited the Jews to revolt; but the Common People, by perswasion of their Rulers, fell upon them, and took six hundred, whom they delivered to the Romans to be punished; the rest who escaped and fled into other places, were also taken; when Caesar heard thereof, he ordered Lupus the Governour of Alexandria, to pull down the Temple of the Jews which was in that City; Yet Lupus took away only some Gifts out of it, and so shut it up; But Paul [...]nus his Successor having taken away all the Gifts, and shutting up the doors, ordered that no Jews should come thither, by which means there was not the least Footsteps of the Jewish Religion left there.

A certain Jew named Jonathan, by Trade a Weaver, escaping out of Cyrene, about this time raised a Tu­mult, and drew Two Thousand Jews after him into the Wilderness, after whom Catulus Governour of Libya Pentapolis sending some Horse and Foot, easily over­threw and slew them; and Jonathan himself being taken and brought before him, he falsly accused the most wealthy of the Jews as the Authors of this Re­volt; To whose Accusations Catulus willingly heark­ning, he put three thousand of them to death at once, confiscating their Estates to Caesars Treasury: He likewise sent Jonathan and some others with him Prisoners to Rome, [...]o Vespasian, where Jonathan accused the honestest of the [...], who [...] at Rome, and Alexandria of designing [...] among others [Page 47] Joseph, who writ the History of the Jews; But Vespa­sian knowing this Accusation not to be legally brought against them, he at the request of his Son Titus, ac­quitted them, and deservedly punished Jonathan, cau­sing him first to be whipt, and then burnt alive; Ca­tulus through the mercy of the Emperor escaped at that time, but not long after he was taken with a noi­some and incurable Disease, and was exceedingly tor­tured and tormented in his mind, imagining that he saw continually the Ghosts of those whom he had un­justly slain and murdered before his eyes, and at last his Guts and Bowels rotting, fell out of his body, whereby he miserably perished; Josephus the Jew, and a Commander in this War, writes, That there perish­ed by the Sword and Famine a Million of People; and of the rest of the Jews dispersed all the World over, and put to Death divers ways the number of Ninety Thousand, and Ninety seven Thousand more were made Captives. But of the number that perish­ed out of Jerusalem during the whole seven years War, Justus Lipsius hath made this Catalogue out of Josephus.

At Jerusalem first killed by the command of Florus, six hundred and thirty; By the Inhabitants of Caesarea in hatred to them and their Relig on twenty thousand; At Scythopolis a City in Syria, were slain thirty thou­sand; At Ascalon in Palestine the Inhabitants slew two thousand five hundred, and at Ptolemais two thousand; At Alexandria in Egypt by the command of Alexander the President were killed 50000, and at Damascus 10000; At the taking of Joppa by Cesius Florus, 8400; In the mountain of Cabulo, 2000; In a fight at Ascalon 10000; By an Ambuscado 8000; At Apheca when it was taken, 15000; slain at Mount Gerizim, ten thousand six hun­dred; At Jotapata where Joseph himself was, thirty thou­sand; when Joppa was taken, four thousand two hun­dred were drowned; slain at Tarichaea six thousand five hundred; At Gamala there were slain, and threw themselves down over the Walls nine thousand, neither [Page 48]was any one of that City saved, but only two Women who were Sisters; kill'd in the Flight, when they for­sook Giskula two thousand; slain of the Gaderens thir­teen thousand, besides an infinite number who leapt into the River; kild in the Villages of Idumea ten thousand; at Gerazion, Macheron, and in the Woods of Jardes five thousand seven hundred; In the Castle of Massada nine hundred and sixty slew themselves, and three thousand were killed in Cyrene by Catulus the Governour; All which numbers being added to the Million and one hundred thousand who perished in the siege of Jerusalem, amount to one Million, three Hun­dred thirty seven thousand four hundred and ninety, besides an innumerable Company that perished by Fa­mine, banishment, and other miseries, and Josephus adds, That the Posterity of Herod Agrippa, though it was very numerous, yet within the space of an hun­dred years, it wholly failed and was extinct; A. B. Ʋshers Annals. p. 900.

And St. Jerom writes, that in his time, on that day of the year wherein Jerusalem was taken by the Romans, you might see decrepit Women, ragged old men, and many other wretched people, (but pitied of none,) who with blubbered Cheeks, Black Arms, discheve­led hair, went howling and lamenting for the Ruins of the Temple and Sanctuary, wearing and bearing in their habits and Bodies the sad Characters of divine vengeance, of whom the Souldiers likewise exacted a Fee for Liberty of further weeping; so that they who formerly sold the blood of the Blessed Jesus, were then forced to buy their own Tears; And the Reliques of this wretched People were dispersed into all Nations under Heaven, having no Magistrates of their own to protect them, but were, and still are altogether at the Will and discretion of the Princes and Governours, where they are suffered to live; so that no people in the world are so vile and contemptible as they, being made a scoff and a by word in all Countreys; Though still their hearts are so hardened, that upon all occa­sions [Page 49]they have discovered their malice against and contempt of Jesus Christ, and his Religion; It is likewise worthy Observation, how that Prophecy of our Savi­our was fulfilled concerning the irreparable ruin of the last Temple of Jerusalem, which although Julian the Apostate laboured to invalidate, and prevent; yet his design by the most just Judgment of God could never take effect; For Ammianus Marcellinus a Roman Histo­rian gives this following Relation thereof.

Julian, saith he, designed with excessive cost and charges, to rebuild the sometime most magnificent Temple at Jerusalem, which by Vespasian and his Son Titus were with great difficulty won by assault; This Affair Julian committed to the care of Alypius, who did vigorously apply himself to the work, being assist­ed therein by the Governour of the Province [...] [...] but there brake out dreadful Balls of Fire near the [...]n­dation of the Walls, which with their frequent Ir­ruptions, made the Place unapproachable, several Workmen being consumed by the Fire, and [...] this manner a full period was put to their further proceed­ing therein; But Nicephorus Colistus [...]ves a more large and full Narrative thereof as followeth; The Jews saith he, having got together as many as were skilful in the Art of Building, and having provided Materials for it, and fully cleansed the place, they prepared Spades made of Silver, their charges being allowed out of the publick stock, with such earnestness and Alacrity did they labour herein, that the very Women carryed away the rubbish in their Laps, and whatsoever Jewels, or precious Ornaments they had, they expen­ded on the business; When they had digged up the remainders of the old Building from the lowest Foun­dations, and had cleared the ground, so that there was not a stone left upon a stone, according to our Blessed Lords Prediction: The next day coming to the place, they say, there was a great Earthquake, insomuch that the stones were cast out of the Foundation, so that many of the Jews were slain, who either came to see [Page 50]the work, or had the oversight thereof; The Publick buildings which were nearest the Temple, were like­wise loosned and falling down with great violence, buried those who were in them in their ruines; some who attempted to fly away, were found half dead; other lost their Legs, Arms, Hands, and other Members according as the force of that sudden acci­dent [...] upon them.

The Earth-quake was scarce over, but those who remained, fell to work again, but when they attempt­ed it the second time, sudden flashes of Fire violently [...] out of the Foundations, and other sire fell furi­ou [...] from Heaven, and destroyed more than before, cons [...]ing to Ashes the Hammers, Graving Tools, Saws, Hatch [...]s, Axes, and all other Instruments which the Workmen had brought for their service; the flames continuing a whole day together; When Cyril, who was at that time Bishop of Jerusalem, saw these things, he considered in his mind the words of the Prophet Daniel, to which Christ also had set his Seal in the Holy Gospel, and then told them all; That now was the time, when the Oracle of our Saviour had its accomplishment, which said, That a stone should not be left upon a stone in the Temple; which when he had said, a dreadful Earthquake assailed the remaining Foundations, and casting out all the rest of the stones, dispersed them abroad, and a fearful storm arose, which whirled into the Air many Thousand Bushels of Lime and Plaister, and sudden flames of Fire flashing from beneath, burnt up in a moment an innumerable Company of People, who were either labouring in the work, or coming to behold it: Thus did the wicked Julian fulfil Christs Predictions concerning Je­rusalem, by the same means whereby he designed to make them void.

These Prodigies (saith Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History) are sufficient to prove the truth of these Pro­phecies, but what I shall now declare, being very wonderful will further confirm them, which I shall [Page 51]relate as I find them in the Archives and Records, as followeth; when the Foundations of this New Temple were laying, there was a stone to which the bottom of the Foundation was fastened, that slipt from its place, and discovered the Mouth of a Cave which had been cut in the Rock; Now when they could not see to the bottom by reason of its depth, the Overseers of the work being desirous to find the bottom, tyed a long Rope to one of the Labourers, and let him down into it; being come to the bottom, there was water therein up to his Ankles, and searching every part of that hollow place, he found it to be foursquare, as far as he could conjecture by feeling, then returning to­ward the Mouth of it, he happened upon a little Pillar not much higher than the water, and laying his hand on it, found a book thereon, wrapt up in a piece of thin clean Linnen, which taking up he gave notice by shaking the rope to be drawn forth, which done, he shewed them the book, which struck them with admiration, because it seemed very fresh and untoucht, though found in so dark and obscure an hole; The Book being unfolded and opened, surprized not only the Jews, but the Graecians, for they found in the en­trance thereof these words written in Capital Letters; IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD; And to speak truly, saith the Historian, that Scripture did plainly and manifestly contain the whole Gospel, which the Divine Tongue of the Vir­gin Disciple St. John had declared; This together with the other Miracles which at that time were pro­claimed from Heaven, did demonstrate that not any word of our Lord should fall to the ground which had foretold the utter desolation both of the Temple and City of Jerusalem. Eusebius Eccles. Hist. lib 3.

Thus severely were the Judgments of Heaven exe­cuted upon the Jews, which did not yet end here, but continued to their posterity; For in 434. The Jews in the Isle of Creet were deluded by the Devil, [Page 52]affirming himself to be Moses, who led the Israelites through the Red Sea, and perswaded those poor Crea­tures, That he was sent from God to lead them through the Sea to their own Countrey the holy Land; This these poor Creatures soon believed, and disposing of all their Goods to others according to his perswasion, they fol­lowed this seducer, who had spent a whole year in go­ing from one City to another; he then led them with their Wives and Children to the top of a steep Rock that hung over the Sea; when they were come hither, this Mock Mises commanded them to wrap their heads in their upper Garments, and so to throw themselves from the Rock into the Sea, assuring them of a safe Passage, they readily obeyed him, and in that manner a great many of them perished in the Waves, and more would have followed, had it not pleased God that some Christian Fishermen were there at that in­stant, who took up many of them as they were flooting upon the waters, and ready to perish; These afterward returning to the rest of the Jews, told them how they had been cheated and deceived, and how narrowly they had escaped; whereupon they being upon good reason all very much inraged, sought far and near for this seducer to put him to death; but when he could not possibly be found any where, they thereupon fully concluded, That it was the Devil himself, the old man slayer, who had appeared to them in humane shape, and divers of the Jews being moved by this Calamity, became Christi­ans. Eusebius Hist.

In the Reign of Trajan, the Jews rebelled in Egypt and Cyrene, where they slew many Greeks and Romans, and did eat their flesh, and girded themselves with their Guts, imbrued themselves with their blood, and cloathed themselves with their skins; Many they sawed in sunder, from the Crowns downward; others they cast to wild Beasts, so that they destroyed Two Hundred Thousand of them; and likewise Two Hun­dred [Page 53]and Fifty Thousand by the same abhorred Cru­elty in Egypt and Cyprus; whereupon Trajan sent an Army against them under Martius Turbo, who destroy­ed many Thousands of them, and fearing lest the Jews in Mesopotamia should break out into the like outrages, he commanded Lucius Quietus utterly to destroy, and root them out of that Countrey, which he performed so effectually, that the Emperor to recompence his service, made him President of Judea. Dion Hist.

Adrian the Emperour rebuilt the City of Jerusalem, though not in the same place, for he changed the sci­tuation thereof somewhat Westward, and called the name thereof Aelia, according to his own name; To despight the Christians, he built a Temple over our Saviours Grave, with the Images of Jupiter and Venus, another at Bethlem to Adonis the Gallant of Venus, and to inrage the Jews who abominate Swinesflesh, he set up the Picture of a Swine over the Gates of the City; who storming at the prophanation of their Land, broke out into open Rebellion, but were subdued by Julius Severus the Emperors Lieutenant, an experien­ced Captain, who by reason of their multitudes would not try it out in a set Battel, but proceeding more warily, and taking his opportunity, he by de­grees took 50 of their fortifyed Castles, rased nine hundred and fourscore of their best Towns, and slew five hundred and eighty thousand of their men, be­sides an innumerable multitude who perished by Fa­mine, Sickness and Fire; so that almost all Judea was left destitute; With them likewise was slain one Ben­choahab their (Counterfeit) M [...]ssias, for so he termed himself, that is, The Son of a Star, usurping that Pro­phecy out of Jacob, a star shall arise; Though he pro­ved but a fading Comet, whose blazing portended the ruine of that Nation; The Captives by order from Adrian were transported into Spain, and the Holy Land was laid wast, which parted with her people and fruit­fulness both together. Indeed Pilgrims here and there find Parcels of rich ground in Palestine, which God [Page 54]may seem to have left, that men may tast the former sweetness of the Land, before it was scourged for the Peoples sins, and that they may guess the goodness of the cloth by the fineness of the shreds; But it is bar­ren for the generality, the streams of Milk wherewith it once flowed, are now drawn dry, and the whole face of the Land looketh sad, not so much for want of dressing, as because the Almighty God hath frowned on it; Adrian aforementioned banished Five Hundred Thousand Jews into Spain, whence they were again banished by Ferdinando and Isabella in 1492, at which time there were driven out of Spain, One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Families; From thence they passed into Tuseany and the Popes Dominions, but were again banished by Pope Paul 4. and Pius 5. But it would be endless to shew what miseries they have endured in all Nations, ever since their Predecessors committed that great and grievous sin of Crucifying the Lord of life, and Glory, and thus much of the Jews as we find them mentioned by Josephus, Eusebius, Mr. Clark, and other Ancient and Modern Authors; I shall now proceed in the series of the History of Co­mets, and other Prodigies according to the Order of time, which this digression hath somewhat diverted.

VII. In the 70 year after the Birth of our Saviour, th [...] was a great Earthquake, and a strange Bird of a notable greatness was seen at Rome, also a blazing Star, and two Eclipses of the Moon, and contrary to Astronomical demonstration, she appeared black and bloody; Armed men were seen in the Air, and many strange and wonderful Voices were heard in the Hea­vens; In 77 another great blazing Star or Comet ap­peared, and three Cities in Cyprus sell to the ground by an Earthquake; A little before Nero slew his Mother Agrippina, the Sun was strangely darkned, as abhor­ring to behold such a sight; and a Woman in Rome brought forth a Serpent. In 81, A Terrible Comet appeared; The Tomb of Augustus Caesar opened of it self, and blood [...]a [...]ned in Germany; Three Suns were [Page 55]seen at once in Poland, and there happened much Lightning and Thunder, which consumed many brave buildings. An Elm Tree saluted Apollonius Tyaneus, and spake to him with an audible voice; The Sun is this year Eclipsed, and there was a great Earthquake in Naples. These Prodigies were judged to portend the following accidents; The Emperor Otho killeth himself; Dardanus Tyrannizeth in Scotland, and was slain by Corbred; A very great Pestilence in Rome; Most part of England is subdued by Agricola, he put­teth Karenoth the King to flight, and the Scots also; Vespasian dyeth of a Flux; Haldanus the Sweed is re­stored to his Kingdom, from which he was expelled; The Emperor Titus dyeth; Lynius a Bishop of Rome Martyred; Domitian turns away his Wife, and mar­ries the Widow of Titus; He sends two Armies against the Goths, and they are both routed; Philoso­phers and Mathematicians are Banished out of Rome; Brittain is reduced into a single Province, and at the Emperors own dispose; Cocceius Nerva dyeth; Two Saxon Kings rebel against Froto, he overcomes them, and makes them his Tributaries, St. John writes his Epistles; Rome and France fall at difference; The third Heathen Persecution against the Christians be­gan.

About the Year 105 in the Beign of Trajan, who raised the third Persecution against the Christians October 22. there fell out one of the most terrible Earthquakes that ever was; First there arose furious and violent winds, which tore up trees by the roots, made Birds fall to the Earth, uncovered and over­threw many houses; Then followed Thunder and Lightning which made the night like noon day, then dreadful Thunder-bolts, which broke down stately buildings, and slew many men. The Sea was won­derful tempestuous, after which came such violent heat, that people not being able to indure it, stript themselves, and then hid themselves under ground; The Sky was so dark, and the dust so great, that one [Page 56]could not see another, so that rushing together many fell down dead; Divers Cities were ruined, much people perished; Several Mountains and Hills sunk, and became Plains, many Rivers were dryed up; Fountains and Springs broke out where never were any before; Almost all the houses in Antioch were de­stroyed. Dion. Hist.

VIII. From the Year of our Lord 107 to 167, those following Prodigies happened. A very great Earthquake in Asia, many prodigious fights in the Air, as fightings, &c. observed in Spain. An Earth­quake in Galatia; At Rome Lightning from Heaven consumes the Temples of the Gods; An Earthquake at Antioch; Great Lightnings, strange unusual winds, together with horrible noises in the Earth; Two great Earthquakes at Nice, and two others in Palestine; Milk, rained at Rome, and an Earthquake happened there; and Three Hundred and Forty Houses, though invi [...]oned with water, were destroyed by a great Fire in that City; A great Serpent was seen in Arabia; and it rained Frogs at Constantinople, three Suns like­wise appearing, and at the same time, a Star and a Rainbow; A very great Earthquake in Bythinia; The waves of the Mediterranean Sea in a Calm elevated themselves to the top of a Mountain far distant from it, and cast the foam a great way upon the main Land. In this space of time, the French and Saxons plant Colonies in Germany. The Saracens and Arabians are subdued; A Bishop of Jerusalem is Crucified; Baby­lon and Seleucia are taken; Nero's house is burnt; The Jews rebel in Egypt, and kill Two Hundred Thousand Men, Ptolomy King, of Egypt encounters them, slayes Thirty Thousand Jews at once, and for­ced those who survived to eat up their dead Carcases; About the same time the Jews slay Two Hundred and Forty Thousand in Cyprus, and at last are slain themselves; The Chaldeans, Brittains, Scots and Picts, rebel; Christians are put to death in Asia, Apollodorus is Cain by Hadrians Rollearpus is Martyred; Aurelius [Page 57]Caesar seeing a wonderful Fire at Rome, causeth the Persecution to cease by an Edict from himself, Her­mogenes ran out of his wits and dyed; The Brittains repine against the Roman oppression, and rebel, Agricola subdueth them; The Fourth Persecution be­gan.

IX. From 167 to 219 were these unusual Acci­dents; A wonderful fire was seen in the Heavens, which seemed to pass from East to West; Wolves came in flocks near to Rome howling hideously; Cros­ses were seen to sweat with Tears; Rain mingled with Fire falls from Heaven at Prema. A great and ter­rible Earthquake, and many inundations at Rome; Divers strange fires seen in the Air, and some to fall from thence; Great swarms of Locusts covered the ground, and destroyed many Fields and Meadows. A great Earthquake in Asia; The Stars were seen all the day long at Rome, and some apparitions hung streaming down in the very middle of the Air; And there fell a wonderful Lightning from Heaven upon the Capitol, and the fire increasing, burnt the Libra­ry and all the houses near it; All kinds of Creatures contrary to their natures brought forth prodigious Births this year; Flames of Fire descend from Hea­ven; There were seen at Rome three Stars about the Sun very glorious; An Eagle alighted on the Image of a Souldier; Bees wrought their Combs upon Soul­diers Ensigns; A sudden fire in the Air toward the North, A great lowing and fire in the Earth; A Whale comes ashore in the Haven of Augustus; A Comet for many dayes together was seen at Rome: A wonderful Lightning fell from Heaven upon the Image of Severus, and blotted out three Letters of his name; These things were judged to portend the ensuing effects; The Germans with an Army enter Ita­ly, Pertinax is sent against them, and beats them back; The Senate adjudges Cassius an enemy to the State, and he is slain by the Souldiers. About this time was great jarring among the Bishops and Churchmen [Page 58]of most Nations concerning Religion; Smyrna in Asia is quite destroyed; Perennius and his son are execu­ted for Treason, Apollonius being accused for a Chri­stian is sentenced and executed; Cleander who suc­ceeded Perennius, is executed to please the People; Two Thousand dye in a day of the Plague at Rome; The Emperor Commodus removeth the head from a Co­lossus or Great Image, and putreth one of his own upon it, he grows ridiculous, and the People taking notice thereof, he executeth many of them, he is at last strangled by Martia his Concubine; In his Reign there appeared in the Sky divers fearful signs; Stars were seen continually in the day time, and bla­zing Comets of a huge length, hanging as it were in the midst of the Air; All sorts of Creatures contra­ry to their kinds brought forth monstrous and de­formed Births, but that which most grievously af­flicted the City of Rome, and amazed them with the presage was, that the Temple of Peace, the most state­ly and dainty Monument in Rome, was on a sudden without any Tempest foregoing (but only a little Earthquake) quite burnt to the ground, whether by Lightning or Fire out of the Earth was uncertain; That Temple was the richest and strongest of all others, and was curiously adorned with gifts of massy Gold and Silver, yea all Persons of Quality had there deposited, and laid their Principal Treasures; but the fire happening in the night, made many rich men suddenly poor; When the fire had consumed the Temple, it burned down also many of the most beau­tiful buildings in the City, continuing its rage for ma­ny days together. Horodian Imp. History, Pertinax is Emperor 87 dayes, and then is slain by the Souldi­ers; The King of Scots is slain by a Musician, for causing one of his Kindred to be executed; Severus goeth against Niger, whom he beat three times, and then slew him at Antioch; Herod besiegeth Byzantium (now Constantinople) three years together; Satrahel coming to rule Scotland, kills many of the old Lords [Page 59]of the Kingdom; Constantinople is taken by Famine, Satrahel is strangled by his Servants: The Brittains are beaten by Severus, and the head of Albinus is sent to Rome. About this time Scotland received the Chri­stian Faith. The fifth Persecution began; Many fled from Jerusalem into the Wilderness to avoid the Per­secution; The Romans wast Arabia; Strange Here­sies broached by Praxeus; Severus went into Brittain, but never returned thence, Fifty Thousand of his Army dye; Many of the Scots upon a Rebellion were cruelly massacred.

X. From 219 to 257 the following signs appeared, which were accompanied with remarkable Accidents; An Eagle flying, takes away the Cap of Diadumenus, and he is slain within 14 months after; The Brittains rebel, and invade the Roman Territories; Streams of fire, and strange Lightnings are seen at Rome; Arm­ed men appear in the Air in Muscovia and Poland, the Persians invade Armenia, and wast the Roman Ter­ritories, Alectus is slain in Battel; The King of Scots is killed by his Guard, the Emperor goeth into Per­sia, and is overcome. A Blazing Star is seen at Rome, which exte [...]d it self a very great length, and was seen both to burn and blaze many nights together; Maximilian comes out of Germany, and is slain by his own Souldiers, his body is given to be torn and de­voured of Dogs; The Goths at this time became ter­rible to the Roman Empire. In 241 was an Eclipse of the Sun, which (saith my Author) was so great that it made the day seem as dark as the night; Athirco King of Scotland kills himself, strange Heresies spread themselves; The Persians are vanquished and expelled Syria. In 244 the Sun was totally Eclip­sed, and there was a great Earthquake which caused the Earth to gape so exceedingly, that several Cities together with their Inhabitants were swallowed up and destroyed, great Thunder is heard in the Earth with terrible darkness, and another Earthquake, The Goths take Chalcedon and Nice, and ruin them [Page 60]both; The Plague rageth in the Roman Army: The Goths burn the Temple of Ephesus, and enter Mace­donia and Asia; The Thirty Tyrants about this time engrossed and parcelled out the Roman Empire among themselves; And the Sarmates subdued and robbed all Austria and Hungaria; The Germans passing through France, entred Spain, to the City of Terragona which they ruined, and the Empire was almost utterly de­stroyed; Yea it was not only thus molested by men, but the very Heavens and Elements conspired against it, to plague it; For the Heavens were darkened in such a manner that for many dayes space they never saw the Sun, and the Earth opened and discovered great Vaults and Caves, out of which there issued great streams of Salt-water; and such horrid noises were heard as many dyed for fear; The Sea broke its bounds, overflowing and drowning many Cities; After which there fell out the most woful Pestilence that ever was read, or heard of, so that in Rome there dyed thereof Five Thousand Persons in one day. Imper. Hist. Pag. 158.

XI. In 257 the Sea overwhelmed many Cities in Europe and Afri [...]a; This year there were many ex­ceeding great Earthquakes, and darkness for many days together, spears also were seen in the Element at Rome; The Germans and Scythians wast the Em­pire; The French destroy Italy; Claudius Censorinus was made Emperor in Italy, and slain there; Donald usurped the Crown of Scotland, and kept the Nobility in fear, by threatning to kill their kindred whom he had got into his hands. In 300 there was an horri­ble Earthquake in Tyre, which destroyed many build­ings, and an innumerable Company of People; Ma­ny Monsters were also born this year; Dioclesian the Roman Emperor assumeth the Title of a God, and would have Divine Honours given him; Many Chri­stians are burnt in a House in Nicodemia; The Tenth bloody Persecution began, One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand Christians are put to death in Egypt, [Page 61]and Seven Hundred Thousand Banished. In 314 a Banner with a Cross was seen in the Air, and divers Armies fighting; A hand was seen in Lateran at Rom [...] without a body, which in the sight of many men writ upon the Wall these words, Hodie venenum Eccle­siae infusurus; To day is poyson poured into the Church. This was interpreted to foretell the extraordinary Indulgence of Constantine the Emperor, toward the Christian Bishops, and his heaping Estates, Riches and Honours upon them, whereby they soon after lost their former Piety and Humility; He was sirnamed the great: and was the first Christian Emperor who publickly countenanced and imbraced the Gospel, which he is said to have done on this occasion. At the same time that he was saluted Emperor in Brit­tain, Maxentius was chosen at Rome by the Praetorian Souldiers; being pensive and sollicitous upon these Distractions, he cast his Eyes up toward Heaven, where he saw in the Air a lightsome Pillar in the form of a Cross, wherein he read these words in Greek, In this thou shalt overcome, and the next night a vision ap­peared to him, commanding him to bear that figure in his Standard, and he should overcome all his ene­mies, this he performed, and was accordingly victo­rious, from which time he not only favoured the Christians, but became a zealous Professor of the Faith and Gospel; Before his time it is observable that few (if any at all) of the Roman Emperors dyed a natural death, (they being 40 in all from the time of Julius Caesar,) though after they generally did. Rome was likewise beautified by Constantine, and Lamps and Wax Candles were first used in the Church in the day time; Arius begins to broach his Heresies, and is condemned by the Council of Alexandria. The French aid the Sarmatians against the Romans, and in a Battel kill Forty Six Thousand Men. In 323 a Fountain ran with Oyl in Italy, there was also a terrible Comet seen for many days together at Rome; Constantine overcomes Licinius at Chalcedon; Octavian [Page 62]fleeth into Scotland, and by the aid of Fincomore reco­vers Britain, Licinius is put to death.

XII. In 340 there was an Earthquake in A [...]a which overthrew many Cities. A Child of six months old prophesies in Rome; Constantine the El [...] is [...]ain, Constans subdueth the Gauls; Athan [...]sius the Bishop is banished. In 343 was a great and terrible Eclipse of the Sun, and an Earthquake, whose force was so great that it overthrew many Cities in the East; Her­mogenes is slain in a Tumult; Constantius persecuted the Clergy; Julius entertaineth Athanasius and other banished Catholicks; Arius his Here [...]es spread at An­tioch; The Christians are persecuted in Persia and Constantius is beaten there; The Heathen Temples are shut up. In 349 was a great Earthquake, which overthrew a whole City into the Sea except the Church; The City of Dirachium was swallowed up by an Earthquake, and Rome was shaken three dayes and nights together, with divers Cities in Campania. Constantius overcomes the Persians in Battel, but his Souldiers being drunk with Wine and Beer, as well as with success, the Persians came suddenly upon them, and make a great slaughter. In 362 an Earth­quake did very much harm in Persia, and the City of Nicodemia was overthrown thereby; An Ox is said to have spoken in Italy; Constantius makes Peace with the Persians, and soon after dyes, the Christians are much Persecuted; Julian the Apostate being at Con­stantinople to prepare for the Persian War, is slain at Chresiphon; The Temple of Apollo Daphneus is burnt. In 369 was a great inundation or overflowing of wa­ters in Sicily, and a general Earthquake throughout the whole World; Romachus defeateth Augusian and the Picts in England; He tyrannizeth, and the No­bles cut off his head; Valence putteth Athanarius to flight. In 337 appeared a Comet of wonderful great­ness, and another general Earthquake in Sicily: The Scots and Picts are set at variance by Maximus, the Goths turn Arians, and wast Thrace, Thessaly and Epi­rus: [Page 63]The Emperor Gratian killeth thirty five thou­sand Germans. In 384 there was visible a terrible sign in the Heavens in all parts like unto a fiery Pillar, and the River Tiber overflowes her banks again; Max­imus killeth Gratian treacherously, and possesseth Brit­tain, France, Spain and Africk: The Va [...]dals and Lum­bards quarrel: Priscillian is Executed at Trevers by Maximus, after an appeal to him from the Council of Bordeux. In 392 a new Star is seen in the Heavens which appeared in the form of a sword for forty days together; Armed men and Castles were seen in the Heavens in Greece: Valentinian is strangled at Vienna, Eugenius is made Emperor, Honorius wars against Eu­genius; The King of France is slain in battel, the Ro­mans impose a tribute on the French.

XIII. In 399 strange fiery clouds are seen in Constan­tinople, an Earthquake, and great hail, a Star like a sword is seen at Rome, in many places hail-stones fell which were bigger than a stone of eight pound weight: A deep Snow, great Eclipse of the Sun, and other strange Meteors; the Goths divide into Factions, and consume themselves with Civil War; Gildo their King killeth his children, is forced to fly, and at last is ta­ken and strangled; Heathen Temples and Idols are destroyed: The Sybyls books are burnt at Rome. In 412 the Earth at Ʋtica in Italy seemed as if it mourn­ed for seven dayes together, with a horrible lowing: At Rome great flocks of Grashoppers were seen in the Air; Arthaulphus warreth with the Vandals; The Spaniards Countrey is parted between them and the Swedes. Pelagius a Monk in Brittain broacheth his Opinions; Heraclian is slain by his own Souldiers. In 434 it rained blood in Savoy: A Comet of wonder­ful Magnitude appeared in the Heavens; In Sweden a Dragon was seen flying in the Air; There was a great Famine in Constantinople, Pope Bassus dyeth: The French besiege Archillas: The Emperors makes peace with the Vandals: The Goths break Peace with the Romans: The Brittains war with the Scots. In 445 [Page 64]were apparitions in the Heavens in England, burning Spears were seen at Rome, many Earthquakes, the Moon Eclipsed; A Comet this year appeared ten weeks together: Aelius the Roman General is slain, Cartigern and Horsa are killed in battel at Aylesford in Kent. The Brittains beat the Saxons, and drive them into the Isle of Thanet, the King of the Goths is slain. In 463 happened a great Earthquake in Rome, and many parts of Italy, with terrible showrs, and great storms of hail; The Goths wast Illyria, Beorgok is slain in Italy by Ricimer; The Popes usurpations are opposed by Hillarius a Deacon of Rome. In 471 was an Earthquake at Vienna; Wolves, and other Beasts wander all the year through that City, and devour men, the Emperors Palace is consumed by fire, Ri­cimer aspireth, and being discovered fleeth to Milan, he proclaimeth war against the Emperor, besiegeth Rome, and killeth Arthemius: Portugal and Burgundy are wasted by the Goths. In 483 Armies of men were seen in the Air in Russia; An Earthquake also, and two wonderful Blazing Stars appeared, a Rain­bow likewise seemed to incompass two Suns which were visible at once; Giles King of France is slain, and Clovis taketh many Cities: A Persecution of learned men in Africa; Zeno the Emperor gives up himself to riot and cruelty, putting many to death. In 507 there fell a great and fiery dart from Heaven in Africa, and dark spots were observed in the body of the Sun. The Emperor gives the Goths money to depart his Dominions, Clovis warreth against Ala­ricus for Religion, and Italy is wasted by Clorus with an hundred ships, and eight thousand men. In 529 happened wonderful Lightning at Antioch, and an Earthquake at Constantinople; Legible Letters are seen in the Air at Rome, it rained blood in the Valleys of Lucern and Piedmont four days together. The Persi­ans war against the King of Colchos, and the Empe­ror; The Vandals put their General to death, the Jews are suppressed, the Emperors General Mundus [Page 65]defeateth the Getes who wasted Thrace.

XIV. In 539 a famous Comet appeared in the Roy­al sign Sagittarius, and vast Flocks of Ravens were seen at Rome: The Persians take Antioch, and wast the Eastern Provinces; The Emperor purchaseth his peace. People are ordered to pray toward the East in their Churches. In 546 the Sea flowed up four miles into Thrace, and drowned many people: There was a very great Earthquake in Constantinople: The Goths soon af­ter setting upon the Romans at the siege of Septa, were all slain; Totilas the Goth besiegeth Rome, and taketh it; Belisarius recovereth it. In 555 a fiery Lance in the Element appeared from the North to the East; The Heavens seemed to open in France, and lights shined out for two hours space, an Earthquake shook Constantinople for six weeks, and the Sun for the great­est part of the year gave so little light, a [...] was only equal to that of the Moon, though the Sky was clear, and no Clouds or any thing to overshadow it; After which there followed a great Famine, Earthquakes, and much War and bloodshed. Narses winneth Ligu­ria and Venice from the French: The Romans rout the Persians at Phasido; The Jews and Samaritans perse­cute the Christians, and burn their Churches in Cae­sarea. In 570 at York in England the Fountains ran blood; Likewise blood fell from the Clouds in Lom­bardy, in Kent a Boy laughed in his Mothers Belly, and at London, Trees seemed to be on fire; This year the Persians begin a war with the Romans; The Huns break into Germany, and are expelled by the French: There was so great a Famine in England, that the People assembled together in flocks, to throw them­selves into the Sea. In 590 was a great inundation in Constantinople: there was a Comet this year which Blazed a Month together; In the River Tyber at Rome was seen a Dragon, and many Serpents, and the wa­ter thereof overflowed the City, an infinite company of Grashoppers are seen in Lombardy, and many Lo­custs in France. Not long after so great a Plague was [Page 66]in Rome that eight hundred men fell dead in an hour in the time of Procession, Antharis is poysoned at Papia: The Huns invade Italy and France, the Em­peror goes against them but was forced to return. In 597 a dreadful Comet is seen at Constantinople, the Elements seem to burn in Poland, a fiery lance is seen in the Heavens at Rome; An horrible Earthquake in Palestine; A sign in the Heavens like a sword flamed thirty days together; A Comet was seen for a month together at Jerusalem. Soon after the Sclavi wast Thrace: The Brittains and Scots invade the Saxons; France and Poland are miserably wasted; Brunchild a Daughter of the Royal Blood of France, being found guilty of the death of Ten Kings, she is tyed by the hair of the head, and by the Arms to wild horses, and torn to pieces; The Romans and Persians differ, and the Emperor is defeated in Thrace.

XV. In 639 was an Earthquake at Antioch, and Horsemen were seen in the Air in Muscovia, and blood rained at Naples; A wonderful storm at Constantino­ple which spoiled the Fields and Gardens, a fiery Dra­gon was seen in the Air there also; After this the Saracens or Turks become Lords of all Mesopotamia; Sigebert King of the East-Angles dies; Dagobert be­comes sole Monarch of France, the Pope is imprison­ed at Constantinople, and afterward banished and starv­ed. In 674 appeared so horrible a fire, and a Rain­bow in the Element, that many cryed out the world was at an end, this was accompanied with Rain, Thun­der and Lightning, which slew both Men and Beasts in Italy. This year the Saracens besieged Constantino­ple, and the s [...]ege continued 7 years, till at last thirty thousand of them were slain, and their Fleet is fired by Cariniceus who revolted from them; Bamba war­reth against the French; Egbert of Kent dyeth; King Lothari is slain with a dart; The Goths overcome the Gascoigns. In 687 there was a very great Comet at Christmass and several Mocksuns were seen in England, the next year it rained blood seven days together [Page 67]through all Brittain. In Campania Wheat rained from Heaven, also Barly and Pulse in other parts of Italy, two Comets of great magnitude were seen this year; It rained blood seven days together through all Brittain, and the milk, cheese and butter turned into blood. Soon after happened great controversy in Rome about a new Pope: The King of Scots is slain by the Picts: The Emperor defeateth the Sclavonians: Kenwin the West-Saxon dyeth; The French enter into Germany, and subdue the Bavarians and Almains: Ita­ly began to choose themselves several Dukes this year. In 735 a most Prodigious Hail fell in England: Fire was seen to flame in the Heavens at Rome. About this time Gregory the great being sent to the Empe­ror at Constantinople about some Ecclesiastical Affairs, at his return to Rome the River Tyber swelled to such an immeasurable height, that it ran over the Walls of the City, and drowned a great part of it, break­ing into divers great houses, and overthrowing many Antient Monuments, flowing into the Granaries that belonged to the Church, and carried away many thou­sand measures of Wheat; Presently after which in­undation there came down the River an innumerable company of Serpents, and amongst the rest one so monstrous that it was as big as a great beam, all which swimming down the River into the Sea, were there choaked, and their Carcasses being cast upon the shoar, rotted there, by the stink whereof the Air was inf [...]ed, so that a dreadful Plague followed, whereof th [...] [...] many Thousands; Yea Arrowes were vi­sibly seen s [...] [...] Heaven, and whoever was struck with them d [...]ed immediately, and among others Pe­lagius Bishop of Rome. This Judgment so raged in the City that many houses were wholly emptied of their Inhabitants. An inundation likewise happened in Constantinowe; Oyl raired in Spain, a Comet appear­ed in the fashion of a sword. Cro [...] fell from Hea­ven upon mens Garments; An Earthquake in Pa­lestim; Fire rained from Heaven in many parts of [Page 68] France; The French about this time enter the territo­ries of the Goths, and destroy their Ca [...]es; A migh­ty Pestilence in Constantinople for three years, which devoured so many that they wanted men to bury their dead; Selred the East-Saxon is slain; The Emperor beats the Saracens in Cyprus, the Huns General slain in Transilvania.

XVI. In 761 in the month of September happened a very great Eclipse of the Sun; A Blazing Star was seen in the East for many dayes together; This year the King of Scotland invadeth Northumberland, and is slain; There was a Rebellion in Galloway; The Bul­garians invade the Empire. Dominico the great Duke is deposed by the Venetians for his Tyranny, and his eyes put out. About this time the Turks brake forth from the Caspian Sea, and there was such an extraor­dinary cold Winter that the Euxine Sea was frozen thirteen foot thick, and men walked on the see for an Hundred Miles into the Sea; Yea all the Coun­treys from Lycia to Danubius, and on the other [...]de as far as to Euphrates were so joined together by the Frost as if they had been all one Continent; And at the end of Winter began a very dry Summer, so that the Fountains of water were dryed up; Some pieces of Ice as big as Mountains fell upon, and beat down the Walls of several Cities; Stars were seen falling from Heaven, so that men thought the end of the world had been come. In 778 was another great Eclipse of the Sun; Armies of men were seen in the Heavens in France. This year it rained blood, also Earth and Ashes fell from Heaven at Rome: There were Meteors in the Air like unto fiery Serpents, which fell in many parts of England. Soon after Te­lerick King of Bulgaria is expelled by his people. King Etheldred flyes from England: King Aswald is Murthered by Siga: The Emperor slayes Six Thou­sand Saracens. In 794 the River of Tiber overflows its Banks, and doth much prejudice, a very great Earthquake happened in Creet and Constantinople; the [Page 69]event was, that Alphonsus King of Spain killed Seventy Thousand of the Moors, and took Lisbon in Portugal from them. The Danes invade England, but almost all of them perish; The Armenian Legions rebel. In 798 the Sun was darkened for seventeen dayes toge­ther; This year Irene the Empress of Constantinople first governed the Empire with her son Constantius: but she afterward deposed him, put out his eyes, and lastly murthered him. In 808 the Sun and Moon were Eclipsed contrary to nature; Armies of Men appear in the Heavens; The Star Mercury is seen in the Sun like a black spot; Blood rained in Holland; At this time, the Picts wast Scotland; The Bulgarians kill six thousand Greeks, and take Sardis; The Danes subdue Friezland, the Saracens disperse themselves into divers Countreys under six Princes. In 820 a great and wonderful storm of Rain fell, which rotted all the Corn in the Fields, and such mighty floods and in­undations followed, that hindred the Countrey-men from sowing their seed; Fiery apparitions were often seen in the Elements; The effects that followed were, a great Famine and Pestilence in France: The King of England is slain by the East-Angles; Asia is wasted, Constantinople besieged; and Reyner King of Denmark is expelled his Kingdom.

XVII. In the year 840 sparks of fire like Stars were seen to run up and down the Heavens: A great Comet appeared, and the Sun was much Eclipsed, swarms of Bees were seen at Westchester in England: This year was prodigious for many wonderful Earth­quakes, Hails, Whirl-winds, Thunders and Light­nings which happened in most parts of the world. Soon after, the people of Spain rebel, the Scots over­come the English who aided the Picts: The Saracens are overcome by the Emperor, and soon after Lothair their King with his Brethren, and one hundred thou­sand men were slain. The Danes enter the Thames with two hundred and fifty ships, and take Canter­bury and London, and expel the King of England. In [Page 70]870 were great Hail, Thunders and Lightning at Rome: a Church at Worms burnt by it, an Earth­quake in England: In Brixia near Italy, it rained blood for three dayes and three nights together; At this time the Danes were beaten out of Holland, and the Saracens out of Italy: The Danes land in Scotland, and challenge Pictland for their King. In 882 the Sun was so much obscured that the Stars appeared in the Sky in the day time. There was an Earthquake in Normandy, and a Blazing Star hung just over Spain; Now the Brittains invaded Scotland, Constantine their King was killed: The Saracens break into Italy, and are expelled by the Emperor. In 912 four Rain­bowes were seen at once in Scotland: Fiery Torches are seen in the Air; Many great floods happened in Saxony; A great Comet, and Stars were seen to run glittering to and fro in the Heavens. Divers Mock­suns were visible in Italy and Spain; This Winter was very wonderful for excessive cold; The Sun appears for certain days as if it bled, three Comets for a fort­night together were seen just over Germany; About this time the Vandals invade Greece, and the Saracens, Calabria, and take many Cities in Italy; the Empe­ror dyeth, his death being judged to be occasioned by his losses to the Hungarians; The Pope is impri­soned and strangled; The Scots assist the Danes, but are overcome; Gonsalvo poysoneth Sancho King of Spain. The Russians in a malicious manner persecute the Christians; The French King and the Emperor are reconciled, and divers Conspirators against the Emperor are executed.

XVIII. The year 956 produced many strange pro­digies, as a wonderful hail at Oxford in England; strange Lightning, killing many Priests in France; Mighty Thunders, Tempests, &c. Soon after the Hun­garians invade the Emperor, but are reconciled to him. The Bishop of Strasburg calls one hundred thousand Hungarians into Batavia; they are all slain there, and the Emperors eyes pluckt out; The Ita­lians [Page 71]make war with the Pope. In 968 Fire falls from Heaven, there was a great Earthquake in France, a Comet appeared, there was wonderful increase of Vermine, as Rats, Mice, &c. This year the Empress murders the Emperor Nicephorus: Donald murthered the King of Scotland for refusing to pardon a thief of his acquaintance. In 979 was an Earthquake in Scot­land; Armies of Fire were seen a whole night toge­ther in the Air; A Child was born in Rome with two heads, not long after Harold King of Denmark is slain by an arrow: The Danes land in Scotland, and wast divers places, the Scots put them to flight, they land in Kent, and spoyl the Isle of Thanet. In 992 Fire rises out of the River Rhine (saith my Author) and burns many places in Germany. In Spain three swords appeared in the Heavens like fire; Now the Duke of Bavaria dyeth; The Danes invade England with a very great Fleet: the King of Denmark is slain by one of his own servants. In 1002 a Fountain of water in Lorrain is turned into blood. A Comet very hor­rible to behold was seen, casting out flames of fire on every side; The Danes being routed at Oxford fly to the Church, and are there all burnt: The Emperor Otho is poysoned with a pair of Gloves. In 1022 swarms of Locusts came into France. It rained milk at Rome, there was a very great Eclipse of the Sun, and this year the weather was so unseasonable that many dyed through too much heat; Divers Polonians rebel against the Christians; The Emperor overcomes the Greeks in Italy, the Polanders subdue Ruisia, and make it tributary; The Vandals wast Saxony, and take Brandenburg. In 1043 five Suns at once appeared in England, and a hairy Comet very large was visible, the Emperor overcame the Russians, who invaded his territories. A great Famine happened in Germany and France; The Prussians invade Poland, and fifteen thou­sand of them are slain, and twenty thousand taken Prisoners; The Irish and Welch enter the River Severn, and do a great deal of harm. In 1033 when the [Page 72]Pope (the great Antichrist) was come to his height, and the darkness of superstition and Idolatry had overspread the Christian world, upon June 29 at six a Clock in the Morning, the Sun began to be Eclips­ed, continuing till 8 a Clock in a very strange manner, the body of the Sun was of the Colour of a Saphire, so that the Countenances of men looked pale and wan as if they were dead, and whatsoever was in the Air seemed of a yellow Saffron Colour to the great terror of all men. Imper. Hist.

XIX. There was a great increase of Rats and Mice in the year 1058; And stones of a mighty bigness mixt with Hail fell from Heaven, and killed many, two Blazing Stars this year hung over Poland; The Saxons rebel against the Emperor, twenty six thou­sand are drowned in a Pitfall by the stratagem of two Bishops in Holland, as they came against the Earl of Flanders. In 1064 a little before the coming of the Normans to this Kingdom about the Feast of Easter, there was seen for a week together a Blazing Star of an hideous and fearful form, which occasioned in mens minds a fore-feeling of some dismal events. In 1076 three Suns at once were seen in Naples. A fie­ry Dart ran up and down in the Heavens, in Italy women appeared in the Air of admirable shapes, which mightily amazed the Beholders. The Empe­ror deposeth the Pope, and the Pope him, and also excommunicateth him; The Turks take Rhodes and Cyprus: The Hollanders overcome the Frisons: Nor­thumberland in England is wasted. In 1086 a great in­undation happened in Italy; Four Moons were seen at once in France and England: Many tame Fowl be­came perfectly wild; In Flanders a fiery Dragon was seen flying in the Air, casting flames out of his mouth: shortly after followed the burning Plague, called Ignis sacer or Holy fire. The Saxons defeat the Em­peror, the Turkish Emperor dyeth, King William the Conqueror dyeth, Prince Edmund and Ethelred are ba­nished Scotland by Donald their Unkle, and dye in [Page 73] England. In 1094 a fiery dart was visible in the Hea­vens, which through its violence flew from North to South; There was a great Earthquake in England: Horrible noises and strange groanings were heard in the Earth about Rome. Soon after the King of Po­land being envied by his Nobles causeth many of them to be banished, Pedro of Spain taketh Osca, and kil­leth thirty thousand Moors; The English invade Nor­mandy again; Bretislaus gaineth the Kingdom of Bohe­mia by the aid of the Hungarians. The year 1101 was very remarkable for Monsters; Syracuse in Sicily is shaken with an Earthquake; Three Suns, a Sword and Crown, are seen in the Air in Germany, and like­wise a Comet of wonderful bigness, after this Conra­dus the Emperor dyeth in Italy: The Russians invade Poland, but are expelled by Boleslaus; In England the Earl of Shrewsbury warreth against King Henry 1. The Earl of Flanders takes Cambray; A League is conclu­ded between the English and Scots. In 1106 a great Comet appeareth for fifty dayes together; The Em­peror Henry 4. dyeth, as supposed of grief, that his Son had lately rebelled against him; About the same time, which was when the Christians were ingaged in Palestine in the Holy War for the recovery of Je­rusalem, three Suns appeared, one on each side the true, but smaller both in quantity and light, a great white circle invironing them, and in it a Rainbow of four Colours, the Bow being toward the Sun, and reaching to the other two Suns, and shortly after the Stars of Heaven seemed to ram.

XX. In 1116 fiery Armies in the Heavens were seen in Germany, with many Earthquakes, and very great Whirlwinds, then Bruges in Flanders was burnt, Poland was wasted; And the Emperor is Excommuni­cated by the Pope. In 1135 was a very great inun­dation in Flanders, Holland and Freizeland, in England was a great Earthquake, and Whirlwinds happened in France, the light of the Sun appears sensibly to fail and decay; Now many people perished in Flan­ders: [Page 74]Judea is miserably wasted by the Saracens; Henry I. King of England surfeits of Lampreys and dyes; Baldwin de Rivers fortifies Exeter against King Stephen, he is taken and banished. In 1147 were great Thunders at Rome, and an Earthquake in England; Several Globes of Fire were seen in the Heavens, a multitude of small worms were vi [...]e; it rained blood, and there were strange Lightnings at Rome; Ling Lew [...]s of France about this time invades Syria, he [...] taken Prisoner by the Greeks, but rescued by the [...]ing of Sic [...]y: Al [...]s [...]s King of Spain took L [...]sbon and St. Iren from the Moores, the King of Sueden is slain, and soon after King Stephen of England dyeth. in 1158 a very great Pillar of fire appeared in the Heavens in Germany; There was a great Eclipse of the Su [...]; Two Dragons were seen to fight in the Air in [...]. This year the Emperor goeth against the A [...]s; The Pope submitteth to the Emperor, but soon after repents thereof, and excommunicateth him; The Venetians deny aid to the Greek Emperor against the King of Sicily. In 1169 there appeared three Suns, and three Moons beside the true ones, and also a Comet, there happened likewise a very great Earthquake; not long after, the Sultan of Egypt is flain by Syraconus; The English invade Cumberland: Malcolm King of Scots dyeth; Catania in Sicily is de­stroyed and nineteen thousand People are swallowed up by an Earthquake, The Romans rase the City of Alba.

XXI. In 1178 there was a wonderful inundation in [...]gland; Two Armies were seen in the Heavens in Italy to fight a fierce battel; The Sun was this year greatly Eclipsed; At which time the English and Scots quarrel; The Spaniards take several places from the Fr [...]ch; Wars were between the French and Flemmings. In 1185 was another very great Eclipse of the Sun, and likewise a great Earthquake; also an Eclipse of the Moon, [...]d Armies were seen in the air in Greece, surrounded with fire; At this time, the Moors were [Page 75]defeated by the Spaniards, and their King slain; The greatest part of Bruges in Flanders was burnt; Bald­win the fifth King of Jerusalem was poysoned by his Mother; A rebellion happened in England; The Greeks lose 70 sail of Ships by Pyrates. In 1198 great stones fall from Heaven, there was an Earth­quake in the East, which overthrew many Cities; It rained blood in England; Two fiery swords are seen in the Heavens in Spain; Soon after the Kings of Castille and Aragon invade Navar; The Sultan [...] Iconi­ [...] is swallowed up by an Earthquake; About this time saith A. B Spot [...]wood, Adam Bishop of Cathness was barbarously used by some wicked people suborn­ed by the Earl of Cathnes; He was assaulted at his own house, and his servant with a Monk who did ordina­rily attend him were killed, the Bishop was by force drawn into his Kitchen, and when they had scourg­ed him with Rods, they let the Kitchen on fire, and burnt him therein. King Alexander 2 was at that time upon his Journey toward England, and [...]having notice of this cruel fact, turned back, and went in haste to Cathnes, where he brought the Offenders, and their Partakers to Tryal; Four Hundred by publick sen­tence were executed, and all their Male-Children gelt, that no succession should spring from such wick­ed seed; and the place where there Genitals were cast is to this day called, the Stony-Hill; The Earl because he did not help to rescue the Bishop, had his Estate forfeited, but yet he did not escape divine ven­geance, being murdered by some of his own Servants, who conspired to kill him, and to conceal the Fact, set the House on fire, and burnt his body, whereby he was paid home in the same measure he had used to the Bishop. A. B. Spotswood History Scotland. Pag. 110.

XXII. In the year 1212 a dreadful Comet appear­ed for 18 days together; Shapes all bloody were seen in the Heavens; A Star with a Cross and an half Moon was visible in Italy; Not long after the Spani­ards [Page 76]kill Two Hundred Thousand Moors; The Pope giveth away England from King John to Prince Philip of France, who lands there, and striveth for it; The Flemish with the English take three hundred sail of Ships from him, and burn an hundred more; The King of Aragon is slain, William King of Scots, and soon after King John both dye. In 1234 a great Eclipse of the Sun happened, and strange sights ap­peared in the Moon, for whereas she usually seems round, she now visibly appeared with six squares; The Sun was darkned so much that the Stars were seen; This year the King of Bulgaria puts out the Emperors eyes; Vienna is subjected to the Empire; Constantinople is besieged by the Turks, but released by the Venetians; King Henry III. of England and his Nobles quarrel but are reconciled; The King of Po­land dyeth. In 1243 was a great Comet fearful to behold, A Hill of a vast greatness removes it self out of its place; A noise like Trumpets is heard in the air in Italy; These were followed by a great Plague in Greece, and a miserable Famine in Constan­tinople, the King of the Cumans is slain, and the Turks take Jerusalem, and kill many Prisoners. In 1255 a great Comet appeared; Strange Lightning fell from Heaven; The Sea overflowed in many places in Eng­land; Dismal and strange noises are heard in the air; At this time the Geneveses take Venice, and are expel­led again; The Duke of Lithuania invadeth Prussia; five petty Kings are expelled Spain, the Venetians take Padua: E [...]line comes thither, and kills twelve thou­sand Citizens. Not long after Henry III. King of England dyes. In 1277 there was a very great Rain about the Rhine in Germany, the Sky was as bright in Poland at midnight as if it had been noon day, Four Suns were seen in Russia, and there was an Earth­quake in England; Now the Turks won all the lesser Asia from the Greeks: The Pope is killed by a fall, the Emperor slayes fourteen thousand Bohemians: King Edward I. of England forceth the Welch to a Peace. [Page 77]In 1285 a great Earthquake happened in Italy; A Comet of notable greatness was seen this year: A great swarm of divers coloured Flyes, and migh­ty floods of waters were in England: There was like­wise about this time a battel or fight of Dogs in France (saith Mr. Camden) at a place called Genelon Castle, wherein every one killed another being in number about Three Thousand, no Dog escaping alive but only one; Upon this followed the Invasion of Denmark by the Norwegians; Hungaria is ruined by the Cumans, the Helvetians war against the Emperor, but are sub­dued; The King of Sicily dyes, and there was a great battel fought between the English and Scots, where­in many of the Scots were slain, the Sun the same day appeared as red as blood as long as the fight continu­ed.

XXIII. Launces and Darts of fire were seen in the Heavens in the year 1300, a great Snow fell, and a Comet of a wonderful magnitude appeared; In Ger­many Men and Horses were visible in the Air; At this time the English beat the Scots; The Turks invade the German Empire, and commit great mischiess, the Pope writes himself, Ʋniversal Lord in Spirituals and Tempo­rals. Flanders is invaded, and many Nobles are ta­ken Prisoners: Andrew King of Hungary dyes. In 1310 was an Earthquake in England: The Elements seem to burn many days together; A Boy was born with four Arms, and two Bodies; Soon after the Po­lonians subdue Pomerania. The Isle of Rhodes is ta­ken from the Turks, Robert Bruce King of Scotland wasteth that Countrey, and drives out the English, the Earl of Cornwal is banished, and the Emperor burneth Brixia. In 1322 the Sun in England for six hours together appeared like blood. There was a great Earthquake in Germany, and two Crosses appear­ed in the Heavens, and a fiery Circle was seen about the Sun; At this time the Scots oppose King Edward II. of England, and put him to flight; The King of Bohemia conquers Silesia, and divers places in Lusatia: [Page 78]The Emperor is taken in battel, and imprisoned 3 years. The King of England dyes. In 1337 were two Comets seen together, one of which continued four Months, the other but three: Blood rained in Rome, wonderful flocks of Crows and Daws were seen in Germany; The Lithuanians burn themselves, their Wives, Children and Goods to avoid taking; The French burn Southampton: The Scythians wast Thrace, and take many Captives: the King of Sicily dyeth. About this time there happened a fearful Earthquake in the City of Venice, which overturned divers Stee­ples and Palaces, and among other dreadful Effects, it caused many hundred women to miscarry in Child­birth, and a terrible Plague sollowed it, which redu­ced the City to such an height of misery, that it was almost depopulated, whereupon the Senate made a Decree, that as many as would come to dwell at V [...]ice, should after they had continued there two years be free Ci [...]ens. In 1341 a terrible Comet with many other apparitions were seen in the Hea­vens: The Emperor A [...]ronious about this time suffer­ed death in an unheard of Tragical manner. And the next year (saith Mr. Camd [...]n) October 11, when the Moon was eleven dayes old, there were seen two Moons at Dablin in Ireland, the one according to the [...]ourse of nature in [...] West, the other in the East, casting but a mean and slender Light. In 1348 Di­vers Mocksuns appeared in the Sky, and the Hea­vens seemed to burn; There were several small Beasts rained from the Elements in the Eastern parts of the World: There followed a gr [...]at Piague in England, the English beat the Scots, and recover much from them; The Po [...]anders [...]solutely conq [...]er Russia. In 1365 armed men were seen in the Heavens in Eng­land, and fiery [...]ance [...] in Italy, Grashoppers cover Switzerland like Snow. Soon after the Russians who rebelled in P [...]land were s [...]bdued; The King of France is ex [...]lled his Kingdom; The King of Sweden is ta­ken Prssoner in Dattel: the T [...]rks expel the Christi­ans [Page 79]from Adrianople. In 1375 a Comet with a beard was seen many nights together in the Heavens: Gras­hoppers eat up all the green things in France: Migh­ty inundations in Germany, and a very great Earth­quake there; After this five thousand Houses were burnt at Gaunt, and seventeen other Towns in Flan­ders drowned, the Christians kill twenty thousand Turks in Bosnia by a stratagem: The Scots burn Rox­borough, there were great Calamities in Italy; Prince Edward, commonly called the Black Prince dyeth, and not long after Edward III. King of England: The French take the Isle of Wight, and burn Rye and Hastings. In 1378 a general Plague in a most mise­rable manner invaded the greatest part of the world: It raged most among young Persons and Children; In the City of Lubeck only in Germany, it swept away ninety thousand persons: there dyed of it in seve­ral places, of bare-footed Fryers one Million, two hundred forty four thousand four hundred thirty four. The Jews were said to have poysoned the Fountains of water, for which they were every where seized upon and burned; About the same time likewise it rained blood, and two Mountains were swallowed up by an Earthquake, strange fires, flames, and a burn­ing beam were seen in the Air.

XXIV. In 1382 A. Bishop Ceurtney appointed a Convocation to be held in London, principally against Wickliff, and those who declared against the many cor­ruptions of the Romish Church, at which time this me­morable accident fell out, when they were all met together at the Gray-Friers in London just at that very instant when they were beginning there business against Wickliff, there fell out a wonderful, and terrible Earth­quake throughout all England, whereupon divers of the Bishops being affrighted with the terror of it, thought good to leave off their further proceeding therein. In 1388 a Blazing Star appeared in the Heavens, which burned for two Months together; At Oxford the Image of a head spake thus, Caput de­cidetur [Page 80]&c. The head shall be cut off: The head shall be lift up: The feet shall be elevated above the Head; This was followed by a Sedition in Oxford among the Schollers, many of whom dislike the Government; an Army of Forty Thousand are raised by the Duke of Glocester, Earls of Warwick, Derby and Nottingham: Fifty Thou­sand Christians are slain in the Plains of Casovia, very great Factions are at this time in France. In 1390 a great Comet appeared, after which King John of Ca­stile dyed with a fall from his horse; Presently after John Hus and Jerom of Prague oppose the Pope; Ma­ry Queen of Hungary dyes. In 1399 a running River in Bedfordshire divides it self, a Blazing Star was visi­ble this year which shot wonderful Beams of fire from it. About this time Scotland is wasted by the English; The Frizons in Holland rebel; King Sigismund execu­ted 32 of the Nobles in Hungary; The Pope is impri­soned by the King of France: the Duke of Hereford being banished, returns into England, and soon after King Richard II is deposed and murthered, the Duke succeeding by the name of King Henry IV. In 1402 a mighty Comet was seen in the Heavens, and so the year after: at this time Tamerlane Emperor of the Tartars enters Asia, calling himself Iram Dei, & Vasti­tatem Terrae: The wrath of God, and the Destroyer of the earth. He kills Two Hundred Thousand Turks, takes Baj [...]zet Prisoner, shackles him, and puts him in an [...]ron Cage, and earries him Captive through all As [...]a, making him his Footstool when he ascended his horse; John Hus is condemned, and burnt for an Heretick at Constans: In 1415 strange Prodigies were seen in Brit­tain, a Dragon encountring a Lyon in the air: armies of fire were seen fighting, and one party overcoming in the Heavens, a great Eclipse of the Sun, at which time the English fight with the French under King Hen­ry V. at Agincourt, the French lose twenty thousand men ten thousand b [...]ng killed upon the place, and as many taken Prisoners: Pope Gregory dyes, the English invade Norman [...]: The King of Spain sells the [Page 81] Canaries to the King of Sevil, the Valentians are made Tributary to the Turks. In 1421 another Comet ap­pears in the Heavens; King Henry V. of England dy­eth, and the next year Charls VI. King of France dy­eth, Zisca routs the Emperors Forces; and burns Cathna, which place for the sake of the Silver Mines, he called The Purse of Antichrist, he commanded that after his death his skin should be flead off, and put upon a drum, supposing that as he had been victori­ous against his enemies while he lived, so that might have the same effect against them after his decease. Not long before this there was such a terrible Earth­quake at Lar in Persia as overthrew Five Hundred Houses.

XXV. Very great Snows fell in Germany in the year 1428, and a mighty Earthquake happened in Italy: The Winter was wonderful cold, especially in all the Northern Countreys; after this the Danes spoil Thir­ty Ships of great value which belonged to the Van­dals and Hambnrgers, the Turks take Thessalonica from the Venetians; The English lose much in France. In 1439 a Comet of a mighty magnitude is seen in Po­land; Swarms of Bees in England go in progress, a great Earthquake happened in Hungaria. Soon after an Universal Pestilence rageth throughout the whole world; Albertus the Emperor dyeth, and likewise the King of Bohemia: The Marshal of France is burnt for Sorcery and Witchcraft; Amurath the Great Turk wasts Hungary, but is at last expelled by Corvinus Hu­niades; The French are twice beaten by the English in Normandy; The Polanders wast Silesia. In 1450 ano­ther great Comet appeared, Amurath Emperor of the Turks dies at the siege of Croia: Scanderbeg the great overcometh Mustapha his Competitor.

XXVI. In the month of June 1456 appeared two Comets, and the same year, August 24 there happen­ed most tempestuous winds in Tuscany, such as never had been before heard of, which wrought most mar­vellous and memorable effects, for an hour before [Page 82]day, there arose from the Sea toward Ancona a great and dark cloud crossing Italy, and entring the Sea to­ward Pisa stretching two Miles in compass; This storm was furiously carryed either by natural or super­natural force, and seemed divided into many parts, as it were fighting among themselves, and of those broken clouds, some were hoised up toward Heaven, some violently cast down, and others with wonderful speed were turned round, but always before these Clouds, came a Wind, with Lightnings and flashings of fire, such as cannot be exprest, of these broken and confused Clouds, and of those furious Winds and great Flames, there grew so strange a noise as moved the People to greater fear than any Earthquake or Thunder ever had done, insomuch that every man thought the World was ended, and that the Earth, the Water, and the Heavens would have returned to its first Chaos and Confusion, this fearful storm where­soever it passed wrought marvellous and wonderful of­fects, but the most remarkable of all, happened about the Castle of St. Cassiano; This Castle is built upon a Hill, which parteth the vales of Pisa and Greive, 8 Miles distant from Florence; Betwixt this Castle and the Town of St. Andrea built upon the same Hill, this furious Tempest passed, not coming to St. Andrea, but at St. Cassiano threw down divers Turrets and Chim­nies, and near to it subverted whole houses even to the ground, and carried away the roofs of the Chur­ches of St. Martino a Bagnolo, St. Maria della pace, whole, bearing them from thence unbroken above a Mile, one man a Carrier was taken up, and in the Valley near the Highway both he and his Mules were found dead: Also all the greatest Oaks, and [...]strong­est Trees which would not bend at the fury of the Tempest, were not only blown down, but violently carryed from the places where they grew. The next day after this horrible tempest, when some of the Inhabitants, who fled for fear thereof, returned, they were strangely astonished, for they found the Coun­trey [Page 83]desolate, and laid wast, the houses and temples overthrown, the people lamenting at the sight of their houses being blown down, and under them their Goods, their Cattel, and their Parents slain, which occasioned wonderful compassion in the beholders and hearers thereof, by this means it pleased God rather to threaten than punish Tuscany, for if so great a Tem­pest had fallen upon any City full of Houses, as it fell upon these Oaks and Trees, and small Houses one far from another, without all doubt the destruction would have been greater then the mind of man could have conceived; But it pleased God by that small exam­ple to revive in mens minds the memory of his pow­er. The same year there perished about Pivel and Naples forty thousand People by an Earthquake; Ma­homet the Great Turk is beaten from the siege of Bel­grade by Hunniades, who soon after dyes; Ladislaus King of P [...]land and Alphonsus King of Naples both dye. Matchiavil Hist. Florence Lib. 6.

XXVII. In 1460. a most terrible Comet appear­ed to fight; This year King Henry VI. of England is made Prisoner at Northampton: The Civil Wars in France begin; Charles VII. King of France and Adol­phus Duke of Holsatia both dye; Cra [...]ovia a great City in Poland is destroyed [...]ith Fire and Sword: Mahomet II. Emperor of the Tarks after many victories, cru­elly kills David the Emperor of Trapezund and his two sons: the Duke of York is slain at the battle of Wake­field in Yorkshire. In 1477 a Blazing Star of the co­lour of the Star Saturn appeared: there ensued a most terrible Plague: The Helvetians kill'd seventeen thou­sand French, and Charles Duke of Burgundy: The Turks wast Carinthia, and the Tarta [...], Pod [...]lia. In 1484 happened a wonderful deep Snow in Germany, and fi­ery darts were seen in the Sky, the Sun was likewise much Eclipsed. In England three Suns appeared about this time, and in Poland there was seen (saith my Author) an Image of Christ Crucified with a Sword in his hand, passing along the Air from West [Page 84]to South for two hours together: The English invade Scotland but are repulsed; The Venetians make war against the Turks: The quarrel continueth in Germa­ny about the Archbishoprick of Mentz; A Rebellion was raised in France against the Queen for the Princes death. In 1470 Hail of wonderful greatness fell at Rome, the stones whereof weighed eight ounces, in Germany Hail-stones fell as big as Goose eggs; Soon af­ter the Turks take Sabotz in Hungary, and wast Germa­ny: The King of Sicily with the Venetians fight against them, and spovl Leshos and Pergamus.

XXVIII. In the Year 1478 the Sun is darkened without an Eclipse, swarms of Grashoppers are seen in Italy; A Glorious Star is seen to run along the Fir­mament; Armies are observed fighting in the Air in Switzerland; After this the Hungarians defeat the Turks, and take Thirty Thousand Captives from them; The Spanish Inquisition is first instituted in Castile against the Mo [...]s and Jews; The Transilvanians overcome the Turks; About this time King Charles VIII, of France marched into Italy with an Army for the Con­quest of the Kingdom of Naples, a little before which, were many strange Prodigies, whereby divers Persons foresaw, and foretold, that there would be greater changes, and more horrible accidents than in many years before had happened in any part of the world. For there were seen in the night at Poville in Italy three Suns in the midst of the Firmament, and many Clouds about them which sent forth most dreadful Thunders and Lightnings. In the Territory of Aret­zo were manifestly seen in the Air infinite numbers of armed men upon mighty Horses with a terrible noise of drums and Trumpets; The Images of the Saints (saith my Author) did plainly sweat in many parts of Italy; In several places divers Monsters were brought forth, both of women, and other Creatures, with many other things against the order of nature, which happened almost all at one time in divers pla­ces; And whilst the French Army was in the City of [Page 85] Millain, there happened an accident of no less won­der than fear, which extreamly astonished the Soul­diers, as if the Heavens by manifest signs had fore­warned them of their future calamities; For upon St. Peters day, the Sun being set, and the Air and Fir­mament clear, there fell down from Heaven a Light, and a Fire just before the Gate of the Castle, where at that time stood many barrels of Powder, which were brought out of the Castle to be sent to other Places; This Flash of fire seized upon the Powder, with an horrible noise, by the violence whereof the fair Tower of Marble which was over the Gate, on the top of which stood a stately Clock, was thrown down, and rased from the very Foundation to the top thereof; In which fury the Walls and Chambers of the Castle, with other buildings adjoyning to the Tower had the same fate; Yea in one instant the whole body of the Castle, and the whole City of Mi­lain trembled and shook with the fury of the blow, which carryed into the Air from several places many great and huge stones, which in their fall hurt and slew divers Persons; And as in a common calamity a multitude have a share, so it fell out here, for many who had escaped the fall of the stones, were over­whelmed by the ruines of the Walls, under which they were smothered and pressed to death; with these ruins the Castle green was so overspread and covered, that it was very dreadful to behold such a sudden alteration, but it was mighty surprizing even to the most couragious to see stones of such an incre­dible bigness to be thrown with the fury of the fire above five hundred paces from the place; This hap­pened at that very hour, wherein people of all sorts were walking for their Recreation upon the Castle Green, whereby there were slain above five hundred men who belonged to the Castle. Guichardines Hist. Italy. Pag. 785.

XXIX. In the year 1492 a great Comet is visible in the Heavens, Three Suns are seen in Poland, ano­ther [Page 86]Comet appeared for two Months; In Rome the Sky was seen to be on fire for many nights together; These were succeeded by great Inundations and Floods in England; The English go against the French, the Jews are expelled Spain. A Rebellion at Gaunt in Flanders: The Hungarians enter Mysia, and return back with much booty; A rot of great Potentates; Pope Innocent VIII. dyes, Alphonsus King of Portugal dyes by a fall from his Horse; Frederick Emperor of Germany and Casimer King of Poland both dye; A great part of Cracovia is burnt. In 1500 a great fiery Dra­gon, and of a monstrous shape is seen in Savoy; A Comet of wonderful Magnitude appears for 18 days in Poland, an Inundation in Germany; Soon after the King of Sweden, and the Queen of Bohemia dye; The State of Millain rebel, and are suddenly subdued again; Next year Prince Arthur Son to Henry VIII. dyeth, and the Wife of King Henry VII. of England. The Turks take Modone, and many other places from the Venetians, and destroy abundance of them, toge­ther with divers French and Spaniards. In 1506 there appeared two Comets, the first on April 11. which lasted but five days; the second in August following: Alexander King of Poland dyes, together with the King of Spain, and Philip the son of Maximilian the Emperor. In 1509 there was a great and terrible Earthquake in Constantinople, and the Countreys there­about, by the violence whereof a great part of the Walls of that City, with many stately buildings both publick and private were quite overthrown, and thir­teen thousand People overwhelmed, and destroyed therewith; The terror thereof was so great, that Ba­jazet the Emperor himself, and the People generally forsook their houses, and lay abroad in the Fields: It continued for a Month together with very little in­termission, after which ensued a great Plague where­by that City was almost made desolate, there dying above an hundred and threescore thousand people, Turkish Hist. Pag. 476.

XXX. The next year 1510, there happened a Prodigy which is very strange to relate, for in this year (saith my Author) there fell Twelve Hundred Stones from Heaven, some weighing threescore pound, others more? Nay it is affirmed, some of them weigh­ed an Hundred and Twenty Pound, which if true, serves for a good Argument to prove that some other Stars or Planets may be habitable besides the Earth; At this time the Lubeckers wast Denmark, King Henry 8. goeth into France, and besiegeth Turwiu; Bajazet the Great Turk is poysoned: The Spaniards take Tripoly, and make war in Navar: The Lubeckers worst the Danes at Sea, the Switzers invade France, and do much mischief there. In 1512 there appeared a great Co­met in Leo: Pope Julius 2. and John King of Sweed­land dye. James 4. King of Scotland is slain at Flod­den Field: The King of Poland being at war with the Emperor of Muscovia, kills forty thousand of his men in a pitcht battle. In 1521 three Suns with a Rain­bow were seen at Vienna in Germany, and suddenly af­ter a great burning Torch was visible in the Heavens which continued a Month; A Circle and Cross ap­pears with the Moon, and a burning Pillar is seen in Germany: Soon after the Venetians aid the Hungarians against the Turks: The French lose Millain; The English and French quarrel; The Emperor invades Picardy in France: King- Henry 8. writes against the Pope. Christian King of Denmark is expelled his Kingdom. In 1530 a Blazing Star of wonderful great­ness appeared, and was visible through all Europe. This year four hundred and four Parishes were drown­ed by a great Inundation of the Sea in Holland, with all their People and Cattel, the Turks take Buda in Hungary, the Great Cardinal Woolsey dyes, the English Clergy are fined, and pay to the King an Hundred Thousand pound for divers misdemeanours, the next year about Fourteen Hundred Houses were overthrown by an Earthquake at Lisbon in Portugal, and about six Hundred more so extreamly shattered, that they were [Page 88]ready to fall, and many of the Churches were thrown to the ground. In 1533 a very great Comet was vi­sible in the Heavens, this year Pope Clement 7 dyes: Alphonsus Duke of Ferrara, and the Duke of Millain dye, strange factions and seditions are raised about Religion in Hungary; A great Plague at Noremburg in Germany. In 1538 a fiery Comet appeared in the Sign Pisces, with a long tail; Charles Duke of Gelderland dy­eth; This year was made famous for divers things; For then the Kingdom of Denmark imbraced the Gos­pel; The Emperor and, King of France met together to treat of Peace, the Bible was Printed in English at Paris, the Overseer of which work was Bishop Bon­ner; The University of Strasburg was erected: The Sect of the Antinomians was detected; The Duke of Brandenburg imbraced the Augustan Confession; The Sea upon the Coasts of the Kingdom of Naples was wholly dry for eight Miles together, out of which Fire and Ashes broke forth so abundantly that many places were miserably destroyed thereby. This year Alexander Medices who was made by the Pope Duke of Florence, was Marryed to Margaret Daughter of the Emperor Charles 5. the Nuptials were celebrated with great Pomp, and Military Revels, at which time a great part of the body of the Sun was darkened, whilst they were at the Feast, which much astonish­ed the Guests, and the very next year after, this Alex­ander was murthered by his Kinsman Lorenzo Medices, who was always very great with him, and privy to all his debaucheries. Strada Wars Low-Countries.

XXXI. In 1539 a bloody Star and Cross were seen flying in the Air: Armed men, swords and funerals were visible in the Heavens in Germany, there likewise appeared a Blazing Star: This year John Duke of Cleve dyeth, a great fire happened in Constantinople, which burnt the Jayl, and consumed seven hundred Prisoners therein; John King of Hungary dyes, the Irish invade the English; and are beaten, George Duke of Saxony dyes; The People of Gaunt in Flanders mu­tiny, [Page 89]and behead their Magistrates; Isabella Empress of Germany dyeth, and shortly after Katherine Queen of England is beheaded by King Henry 8. In 1545 a Comet appeared in the West, in colour like blood; Lodowick Prince Elector dyes, Martin Luther dyes, and the next year a war in Germany breaks out. A bloody French Massacre was now perpetrated: King Henry 8. of England, and Francis 1. King of France both dye: The Earl of Surrey is this year beheaded in England. In 1548 November 6 there was a great chasme, or open­ing in the Heavens, and in some places fire fell to the Earth, and flew up into the Air again: This Jasper Crucifiger saw, and thereupon much bewailed the great Commotions and Divisions in the Church, which he foresaw by this Prodigy, and accordingly it came to pass. In 1550 it rained Corn from Heaven in Carin­thia; Three Suns were seen in England an Earthquake and Globes of fire were visible in the Elements, Ar­mies of men appeared in the Air in Saxony: The Sun seemed to cleave asunder, after this followed great troubles in Antwerp, and the sweating sickness in Eng­land. The French make war with the Emperor, the Duke of Somerset in England is beheaded, the Queen of Sweden dyes, the Turkish Pyrates carry six thou­sand Christians into Captivity, out of the Isle of Gaul near Malta: The next year a very great multitude of Men and Cattle were drowned by a terrible Tem­pest, the Clouds suddenly dissolving, and the waters pouring down with such a stupendious violence, that the strong and massy Walls of many Cities, with di­vers Vineyards, and fair Houses were destroyed there­by.

XXXII. That may be looked upon as a Prodigy in the highest degree, (saith Mr. John Gadbury) which my worthy friend Captain George Wharton in his Ephe­meris for the year 1655 hath transcribed from one Tackius a German Doctor of Physick, who likewise takes it out of one Casper; That in the year 1554 not far from the City of Harmsted in Transilvania, there [Page 90]were observed in fair and legible Characters to be read in the Heavens the following Letters. 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. Nay that Author fur­ther affirmeth, that at Friburg in Germany the same year, on a very fair day, Dominum nostrum Jesum Chri­stum Iridi insidentem conspectum fuisse; Our Lord Jesus Christ was beheld sitting upon a Rainbow, as if upon his Tribunal, to denounce the Ʋniversal Judgment. In 1558 there was seen a Blazing Star in Spain, at first some­what dim, at which time Charles the 5th. Emperor and King of Spain sickned, but as his disease increas­ed, so it grew in bigness, at last shooting its fiery streams point blank against the Monastery where he lay, in the very hour the Emperor dyed the Comet vanished; The same year in the Month of August, a Comet in the form of a spit appeared, of a pale envi­ous colour, denoting a more then ordinary mortali­ty of great Potentates; Queen Mary of Hungary and Bohemia, and Queen Mary of England both dye: Chri­stian the 2. King of Denmark dyes in Prison, after 26 years imprisonment: Henry 2. King of France is slain by running at Tilt; Pope Paul 4. dyes, and like­wise the Dukes of Venice and Ferrara, with fifteen Car­dinals, besides many other Princes. In 1562 an Earthquake happened in Constantinople; Clashing of Weapons in the Elements, and armed men seen there; Much Thunder was heard in England, and five Suns seen in Holland; After this the English take many Towns in France; There was a great Plague in England, the Muscovites invade Leiseland, and the Danes and Lu­beckers, Sweden, the Polanders beat the Livonians; Nine Thousand men were slain at Dreux in Normandy, and among them the King of Navar; The same year December 19. Mr. John Calvin lying in his bed sick of the Gout, it being Sunday, and the North Wind having blown strongly for two days together, some Friends coming to visit him, he said unto them; Truly I know not what is the matter, but I thought that the [Page 91]last night I heard warlike Drums beating very loud, and I could not perswade my self but it was so; Let us go to Prayers, for surely some great business is at hand. And indeed this very day there was a great Battle fought between the Papists and Protestants not far from Paris in France, news whereof came to Geneva a few dayes after. Clarks Examp. 2 Part, Pag. 564.

XXXIII. In 1568 were many Locusts in France; The Heavens seem all on fire in Hungary. In England, when the true Moon was under the Earth, there ap­pears a Moon, and a Cross with a refulgent Star at the top thereof. Soon after the Third Civil War in France began, the King of Sweden is deposed and im­prisoned; The Prince of Conde is taken and shot to death with a Pistol; The Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland rebel against Queen Elizabeth; Selymus Emperor of the Turks invadeth Cyprus; The Polan­ders and Danes fight at Sea. About this time the Duke of Alva came first into the Low-Countreys, and the future calamities of his Government, were pre­saged by a boy born at Leige, with two heads, four legs, and as many hands, the terror whereof was in­creased by a fire happening immediately after in the City of Mechlin, by a spark falling amongst Gunpow­der, which took hold of threescore Barrels, and cau­sed such an horrid Thunder and Earthquake, that in most of the Cities of Flanders the Men and Houses trembled at the dreadful noise; Not long after when the Prince of Orange brought an Army against the Duke, in the behalf of the Protestants, there were seen in divers places on a clear night two Armies in Battalia, brandishing their glittering Pikes, as if they were ready for a charge; The next year a Comet ap­pears at the setting of the Sun, near the Planet Jupi­ter; Then followed a Famine in Austria, Sweden, Bo­hemia, Bavaria, Rustia, Lithuania, Joachimus 2. Elec­tor of Brandenburg dyes, and a little after Four Hun­dred Thousand People are drowned in Flanders and Holland besides Cattel. In 1572 there appeared a Co­met [Page 92]or New Star in Cassiopeia, which continued Six teen Months. Soon after which Charles 9. King of France, who was the Author of the bloody Massacre in France, dyed of extraordinary bleeding, which is­sued from divers parts of his body, cursing and swear­ing in a most dreadful manner, saith Mr. Camden in his History of Queen Elizabeth. Sigismund King of Po­land likewise dyeth; The Duke of Norfolk in England is beheaded; A great Rebellion in Ireland.

XXXIV. In 1577 Another Blazing Star of great magnitude appeared; Sebastian King of Portugal dy­ed the next year of two wounds which he received in his head in his expedition for Africa. In 1579 a fiery Dragon, and great Troops of Ravens flew through the Air in Germany; A mighty Tempest happened in Bohemia, and an Earthquake in Holland; Armies are seen in the Heavens at Antwerp; Two armed men are visible in the Air in Gelderland; That which followed was, the Polanders take Livonia and Polotia from the Moscovite; The Popish Clergy are expelled out of the City of Antwerp by the People; The Emperor for­bids the Protestant Religion at Aken; In 1585 a Co­met appeared for many weeks together, and the next year it rained Locusts in Thracia, and Ducks and Geese in Croatia, as Leonclavius testifies, who was an eye­witness thereof; The Locusts fell in such multitudes that they devoured all the Countrey, and on the con­trary, the Geese and Ducks fed and nourished many; Cluverius Hist. World. Soon after Osman Emperor of the Turks, and Stephen King of Poland both dye. In 1593 there was another terrible Earthquake at Lar in Persia, which overthrew Three Thousand Houses, crushing to death above Three Thousand Persons in their Ruins: yea the Castle though built upon the top of a solid Rock, groaned in the like affrighting downfall; Herberts Travels. In 1598 Feb. 25 which was a little before the Earl of Essex, went into Ire­land, the Sun being almost totally Eclipsed, it was so dark for the time that the like had never been [Page 93]seen in the Memory of Man.

XXXV. In the year 1602, there was an Earth­quake in England, a very great Blazing Star appeared; Armies of men were seen in the Air in France; and warms of Grashoppers are visible in Germany; as­ster this the Spaniards invade Ireland, but are beaten thence; The Swedes in vain attempt Livonia; The Turks loose Alba Regalis, and therein Threescore Thousand men, Queen Elizabeth of England dyeth. In 1607 another Comet appeared; There were great Wars between the Swedes and Danes, and Charles Duke of Lorrain dyeth. In 1610 fiery Darts and Lances were visible in the Heavens; Four Crosses appeared in the Air at once in Spain; where likewise happened Thunder, and a very great Earthquake; Now the Danes war against the Swedes: The Persians invade Babylon, and kill Twenty Thousand Turks; Henry 4. [...]ing of France is murdered, the Polanders overcome the Moscovites, and Nine Hundred Thousand Meors are banished out of Spain. J. G. This year the strong City of Strignnium in Hungary being besieged by the Turks, during the siege there appeared a dreadful fiery Me­teor in the Air in fashion much like a Rainbow, of a bloody red colour, which arising some heigth, and continuing for a space of time, at length vanished away. In 1611 three Suns were seen in the Firma­ment over Vienna in Germany and three years after, the Heavens over the same Town grew so red, and soon after so fearfully dark on a sudden, that the In­habitants were much amazed, apprehending either the last day was come, or that there would follow some horrible effusion of blood. In 1616, about the same time, which was not many years before Frede­rick Prince Elector Palatine was chosen King of Bobe­mia, about the midst of October, there appeared in the Firmament over the City of Prague, a Crown which gave a very great Light, and about it Armies of men fighting, as if it were who should have it; divers Mocksuns were seen in the West of England; [Page 94]An Inundation happened in Holland: The Shape of an Elephant appeared in the Air in Germany; A Ly­on was heard, (as my Author saith) to roar in the Air, the Venetians at this time make war with Ferdinand of Austria; The Hollanders beat the Spaniard in the South Sea; The Tartars invade Podolia, burning four Cities, and four hundred Villages, carrying with them thence much booty. J. Gad. of Comets.

XXXVI. In 1618 a mighty Blazing Comet appear­ed in the Heavens, it was first seen Novemb. 18. and continued till the Decemb. 16. following, taking its compass over most parts of the known world in twen­ty eight days time, and sometimes extending its Bla­zing Locks forty five degrees in length; Towards its Declination December 11 it passed over London, and so more Northwards, even as far as the Orcades in Scot­land; What miserable effects of war, ruin and devasta­tion followed thereupon over all Europe, (especially to Germany, of which I shall give a more particular ac­count hereafter) was obvious to all men; There like­wise was seen this year in the night over Constantinople a Comet in the form of a crooked sword of a vast big­ness, at the first appearance it was somewhat whitish, but the higher it rose the redder it was, even like unto bloud; There were also strange sights seen in other places, inundations of Rivers, and the Ocean, Earthquakes, monstrous births, waters turned into blood, unusual and impetuous Winds and Tempests which overthrew several Towers, and tore up many Trees by the Roots; Pleurs a Town in Rhetia near Switzerland was overwhelmed by an Earthquake, a great Hill falling suddenly upon the City, and destroy­ed Fifteen Hundred Persons. This year the Empe­ror Matthias, and soon after his Empress, together with Anne Q. of England dye; J. Gad. of Prodigies.

XXXVII. Mr. Knowls in his Turkish History Page 1348 relates, that in the year 1620 there was a strange Apparition or Vision seen by the Turks at Me­dina, where there Prophet Mahomet lyes buried, which [Page 95]continued three weeks together, and exceedingly ter­rified the whole Countrey; and it was this. About September 20 there fell a very great Tempest about midnight, attended with dreadful Thunder, but when the Clouds were dispersed, and the Element clear, the People might read in Arabick Characters these words in the Firmament, O why will ye believe in Lyes, and between two and three a Clock in the Morning there appeared a Woman in white compassed about with the Sun, having a cheerful countenance, and a Book in her hand, and over against her were Armies of Turks, Persians, Arabians, and other Mahometans, in battel array ready to fight with her, but she keep­ing her Station, only opened the book, at the sight whereof the Armies fled away, and presently all the Lamps about Mahomets Tomb were put out; For as soon as the Vision vanished, which was commonly an hour before Sun-rising, a murmuring wind was heard, unto which they imputed the extinguishing of the Lamps. The antient Pilgrims of Mahomets race (who after they had visited this place never use to cut their Hair) were much amazed, because they could not concieve the meaning of this Vision, only one of the Dervices or Priests (which is a strict Re­ligious Order among the Turks like the Capuchins among the Papists, and live in Contemplation) stepped up very boldly, and made the following Speech to the Company,

That the World had never but Three true Religions, eve­ry one of which had a Prophet; First God chose the Jews, and did wonders for them in Egypt, and brought them forth by their Prophet Moses, who prescribed them a Law, where­in he would have maintained them, if they had not been ob­stinate and rebellious, and fallen to Idolatry, whereupon he gave them over, and scattered them upon the face of the Earth; Then presently after God raised a new Prophet, who taught the Christian Religion: This good man the Jews condemned, and Crucified for a Seducer of the Peo­ple, being not moved with the piety of his Life, his great [Page 96]miracles, nor his Doctrine: yet after his death, the preach­ing of a few Fishermen did so move the hearts of men, that the Great Monarchs of the world bowed to his very Title, and yielded to the commands of his Ministers; But it seems they in process of time grew as corrupt as the Jews, their Church being disjointed with the Title of Eastern, and Western, committing Idolatry again by setting up Images, with many other idle Ceremonies, besides the corruption of their Lives, so that God was weary of them too, and not only sent divisions among them, but forsook them, and dis­possest them of their chiefest Cities, Jerusalem and Con­stantinople; Yet God is still the Governour of the world, and himself hath raised up another Prophet and People, even our great Mahomet, giving way to our Nation, so as no doubt we shall be happy for ever, if we can serve this God aright, and take warning by the fall of others; But alas! I tremble to speak it, we have erred in every point, and wil­fully broke our first Institutions, so that God hath manifested his wrath by evident Signs and Tokens, keeping our Prophet from us who prefixed a time to return with all happiness to his People, so as there are now forty years past by our ac­count; wherefore this strange and fearful vision is a predic­tion of some great Troubles and Alterations; For either the opening of the Book in the womans hand doth foretell our fal­ling off from the first intent of our Law, whereat these armed men departed, as confounded with the guilt of their own Consciences; Or else it signifies some other book wherein we have not yet read, and against which no power shall pre­vail: So that I fear our Religion will be proved corrupt, and our Prophet an Impostor, and then this Christ whom they talk of, shall shine like the Sun, and set up his Name ever­lastingly; Hitherto the Company was silent, but hear­ing him speak so boldly, they were much incensed against him, charging him with Blasphemy, which their Law makes a Capital Crime; whereupon they presently condemned him, and having obtained the Beglerbegs consent and warrant, they put him to death; The Truth of this Relation was confirmed by Isuf Chaous a converted Turk, who came to London about [Page 97]the year 1656 which vision, he said, did much af­fect him, but he added, that the grand Seignior com­manded none should speak of it upon pain of death. In the year 1625 June 29, there began a most terri­ble Tempest in Constantinople, with such violent and continual Thunder and Lightning, that all the City appeared as if it had been on fire, at the end where­of fell such a storm of Hail that it brake the Tiles and Glasses, so that stones were taken up weighing an hundred and fifty drams, the next morning others were weighed that were about 7 or 8 ounces apiece, wherewith many were very much wounded; and Ju­ly 3 after, there happened another Tempest of Thun­der and Lightning, which burnt a Woman and a Child, and slew much Cattel in the Fields. Turkish. Hist. Pag. 1452.

XXXVIII. And now I shall relate the Desolati­ons and miseries of Germany, with the wonderful signs foregoing, as I find them recorded in credible Au­thors. The dreadful Blazing Comet which appeared in 1618 aforementioned, seemed to be a fore-runner thereof; It was seen often in a clear Sky in the East; In Bohemia and Austria it appeared at first with red, in other places with a Saturnine pale-red colour for the space of twenty seven dayes, and in some places lon­ger; And it seemed here to be compleatly effected what has been usually said, that never did a Comet appear which was not accompanied with much evil and misery, and Claudian the Poet writ thus concern­ing them,

And Lu [...]n the Heathen Poet expresses the Prodi­g [...]es before the Civil Wars of Rome in this manner.

Such Civil Wars it seems were never without strange Prodigies, and no man can be ignorant of the miserable condition of Germany about this time, nor think thereof but with a sorrowful heart; and as the beginning of their miseries were threatned by this ter­rible Comet, so their continuance was still presignifi­ed by many strange things that happened out of the common course of nature, which I shall endeavour to declare as followeth; In December 1619 the water which runs through Sixto a City in Hungaria, (where a mighty battle was fought between the Turks and Christians in 1583) was turned into blood, and the [...]ce therein was likewise blood-red; Two years after which Bethlem Gabor routed the whole Army of the Imperialists in or near that place, killing above Two Thousand of them in the Field; In the same Year and Month Decemb. 19. 1619 at Groningen in Bruns­wick appeared another great Blazing Star, and two [Page 99]Armies one in the East, and another in the North, fighting in the Heavens, till the Northern Army seem­ed to be slain and defeated; Not long after a dreadful battle was fought within a few Leagues of this place betwixt the King of Denmark, and the Imperial Gene­ral Tilly, in which the King lost the Field with Four Thousand of his Army who were slain and taken Pri­soners; And at another place not far off about the same time▪ Five Hundred men were slain, and in the City of Munden in the same Dukedom, Two Thousand Five Hundred Citizens and Souldiers were miserably slain by the Imperialists; In the same year 1619, at Vienna in Austria, the water in the ditch appeared like blood for the space of 8 days, likewise three Rain­bows were visible at once; And that very year in the same place and City a bloody fight happened between the Bohemians, and the Imperial General Bucqu [...]y, wherein four thousand five hundred of the Imperialists were slain, and about a thousand Bohemians, and very many wounded. In 1620 it rained blood in Poland so abundantly, that the drops fell very fast from the tops of the houses; Soon after the Tartars with an Army of Forty Thousand men invaded Poland, exer­cising incredible Cruelty, killing in one place above Three Thousand Polanders; The same year likewise, the Turks with Ninety Thousand men fell into Walsta­dy, where they had a bloody encounter with Twelve Thousand Poles, led by the great Chancellor of the Kingdom, who himself with the whole Polish Army were slain, very few or none of them escaping.

XXXIX. In March 1621 two Armies were seen in the Air at Noon-day in Austria, fiercely fighting toge­ther, with great Thundering like Ordnance and Ca­non, and the next year at Lintz in the same Countrey, just over that City, two Swords were observed stand­ing against each other, and two stout Armies fighting a pitcht battle to the great terror of the Inhabitants; This City of Lintz was afterward besieged, and many times assaulted by the Boors of Aus [...]ia, but were beat­en [Page 100]off with the loss of five hundred men; yet being many Thousands, they defeated some Imperial forces under the Duke of H [...]i [...]; which was afterward re­ [...] by Count Pap [...]im, who with an Army of six [...] Horse and Foot fell upon them, killing [...] on the place, and taking ma­ny [...], who were afterward executed in the City of [...]; In 162 [...] Three S [...], and three Rainbows were [...] at Pr [...]g [...] and H [...]d [...]lburg in Germany; After [...] happened near the City of Pra­ [...], between the [...] and the Saxons, where [...] Hundred [...]ts, and almost every man else, were [...]ut [...] by the Sax [...]s before the Gates; The [...]ry of [...] was the same year besieged, [...] length taken by the Imperialists with great slaughter of the Inhabitants, and another small Town cal [...]d W [...]kermund about 3 Miles off, was at the same time surro [...]ly assaulted by the Imperialists, whe [...]rin the Garrison, making some resistance, all the Inhabitants both Men. Women and Children were put to the Sword. Some years after the City of Pra­gue was bes [...]eged by the Saxons and Swedes, who for 3 days briskly fired upon the Town with their Ca­non, and were answered in the same manner with great loss on both sides, Nine Thousand Saxons and Swed [...]s be [...]ng slain, and the Imperial Garrison within, consisting of Fourteen Hundred men, Six Hundred of them were slain. The same year 1622 in the Countrey of Darmistadt Trees were found whose leaves dropt blood; and that very year many bloody En­counters happened between the Imperialists and Duke Christian of Brunswick in that Countrey, but especial­ly one between him and Count Tilly, whose Army consisting of Twenty Two Thousand Foot, and 140 Troops of Horse, fought six hours together, till the [...] overpowring them with number, dispersed them, who flying to the Bridge, so thronged and w [...]ged in one another, that a great many were thrust into the River Main, wherein there were as many [Page 101]drowned as were killed in the Battle; The same year there was an Earthquake in Italy, and many Pro­digious Lightnings and Rains in France; Circles were seen about the Sun and Moon in England; At this time the Jesuits and Papists were expelled the Nether­lands, The Duke of Brunswick lost his Arm in battle; There was a great Famine in M [...]ravia and Silesia; The City of Bergen in Norway was almost consumed by fire. July 16. 1622 in the Dukedom of Witten­barg it rained blood on the hands and cloaths of the labouring men, and likewise upon Trees, stones, and other places in the Fields; in these parts at the bloody battle of Norlingen, many thousands were slain on both sides, Commanders, and others of all sorts.

XL. In 1623 in the County of Podibrat in Bohe­mia, a Well for some days was turned into blood; At Tursin a Town three or four Miles from Egra, in a Ci­tizens house, the Table, the Walls of the Parlour, and the Chairs all sweated blood, so that it began to run along the Room; Several bloody encounters hap­pened the next, and other years in those places, Four Thousand Bo [...]ians, and Three Hundred Imperialists being there slain, five Troops of the Duke of Saxo­ny's Horse were [...]illed by the Imperialists, few escaping, and the D [...] of Fridland Generalissimo of the Impe­rialists, with [...] other [...]hief Commanders were soon after killed a [...] Egra; This year in divers Towns and Villages near the R [...]ine, several bloody signs and to­kens were seen, and about that time Two Thousand Imp [...]ialists were there slain by Count Mansfield, the wayes by the Rhine being strowed with their dead bo­dies, and the next year in another battle with Count Tilly, Five Thousand were slain upon the place; about Mayenfield and M [...]lantz, the [...]k [...]s, and the hands of the Labourers as they were mowing in the Fields were seen to be bloody, and soon after the Spaniards exer­cised great cruelty in those parts, the Inhabitants be­ing miserably Massacred without respect to Age, Sex or Quality, and among other Cruelties it is remark­able, [Page 102]that the Spanish and Imperial Army coming from the Rhine passed by the City of Gall, where the Pa­pists to secure themselves from being plundered, mark­ed their houses with the sign of the Cross, but they were the first who felt the effects of their Insolency, being wofully pillaged, and murdered without di­stinction; Men and Women in Religious Orders be­ing forced out of their Monasteries, and an Agent was sent to them from the States of the Province, who threw them down from the top of an high Rock, and so they were dasht to pieces.

XLI. In December, 1624, in Bohemia the Sun for 10 or 12 hours was changed into divers colours, at length fiery Beams proceeded from it, and for some time seemed to oppose the Sun, till all vanished like Smoak in the Air, and at last descended with a noise like Rockets; Two dayes before two Armies were seen in the Air, who continued a great fight and skir­mish for some time against each other; The follow­ing years many bloody skirmishes and sights happen­ed in those Countreys, particularly the siege of Frank­ford upon the Borders of Silesia, which the King of Sweden took by storm, and Two Thousand Imperialists were killed on the place, besides others who were drowned, found dead in Cellars, Chambers, and other places, who amounted to near as many more; Not far off, 300 Swedish Souldiers being over-confi­dent of their valour, were put to the Sword by the Croats, and 300 Imperialists were killed soon after by the King of Sweden not far from thence, with the loss of 600 of his own; In May, 1624, at Gierslet in the Dukedom of An [...]ait, a strange Prodigy appeared in the Heavens, which continued from 6 till 8 a Clock at Night, and was observed by the Inhabitants of that Town in this manner; First, an antient man came out of the Clouds in a red Hungarian habit, after him some grave men in the like habit, then issued out a Chariot with two Horses of divers colours, and then another Chariot with four Armed Horses; Soon after [Page 103]an infinite number of People, like a swarm of Bees issued out of the Clouds in the same Hungarian habit, with hats and great Feathers on their heads; After them followed a man on horseback, in a great long Robe, putting the people before him; Next appear­ed a Comet like an Eagle, with his head hanging down; A quarter of an hour after came forth ano­ther Army, consisting of many Horse, Foot, and Chariots, having hoods with broad brims, and Fea­thers; In the midst of the Army appeared a man alone, drawing a long Red Cross, before which he made some Prayers with hands held up; These For­ces the first Army presently routed, and defeated; All the rest marching to Asherleben, &c. at last va­nished away in several Red Clouds. Not long after Three Thousand of Mansfields men, and a Thousand of the Imperialists were slain at this place; The day before it rained blood at Weinsham in Bohemia, and two Armies appeared in the Sky skirmishing together; It likewise rained blood at Friburg in Silesia, and two Armies also appeared in the Heavens fighting for a long time together; Soon after the Duke of Freid­land sending Colonel Pechman with Seven Thousand Horsemen and Dragoons to pursue the Danish and Weinmari [...]h Troops, there began a hot skirmish be­tween them, where at last most of the Danish Forces were killed, and ten Companies of them taken Pri­soners, and Pechman himself with divers other Offi­cers were slain. The same year May 8. a strange Tempest happened at Ratisbone, for it being calm, and only a small rain, two dark Clouds on a sudden met together, and instantly a Wind mingled with Fire proceeded from thence, which immediately raised a mighty Tempest, which tore up Trees by the Roots in a Wood near the City, carrying them afar off; and thence extending it self to the City, in a short time it overturned above Two Hundred Houses in the Town and Suburbs, neither was a Chimney left stand­ing, the Windows of the Church of the Emerans was [Page 104]much shattered, one of the Steeples laid flat on the ground, and the other was broke off in the middle; Two other Principal Steeples, and a Cloyster were likewise blown down; This was supposed to be raised by some damned Sorcerer, who by the assistance of the Prince of the Air, had caused this mischief. The Instrument of this desolation was limited both to time, place, and persons; the time was not above a quar­ter of an hour; the Herricane (if we may so call it) did not foread beyond the City, only ren [...]ing up some few Trees, and killed 4 men; some years after, this City of Rati [...]bone was straightly besieged, and assault­ed by the Imperial and Bavarian Army, consisting of Thirty Thousand Foot, and Fifteen Thousand Horse, being battered night and day with an Hundred Pieces of Ordnance, but were valiantly repulsed by the Swe­dish Garrison, with the slaughter of Four Thousand Imperialists in the last assault; they defending the place to admiration, the Imperialists confessing they lost Eight Thousand men upon the place, and Six Thou­sand who ran away; They made Fifteen Thousand Canon shot upon the Town, and cast above Two Thousand Granadoes into it, endured Four Hundred Sixty Five Sallies from within the City, and at last they surrendred it to the Imperialists upon Honourable Terms.

XLII. In the year 1625 near Troppaw in Sil [...]sia a great multitude of little Crows or Jackdaws appeared in the Air, who fought as it were in a set Battle, and skirmished so eagerly that abundance of them were slain, and the Boors gathered some sacks full of dead ones, which they brought into the City. The year after the Weinmar [...]h Forces killed Four Thousand Im­perialists near this Town, and a while after in another battle the Saxons killed Five Thousand more of the Imperialists. In February the same year, in divers pla­ces in Silesia were exceeding great Tempests accom­panied with Thunder and Lightning; At Breslau the spires of two Chief Churches, the Foundation of [Page 105]the Statehouse, and many other curious buildings were overturned into the Town, great Trees, and a new strong built Bridge were torn up, and driven to divers places, so that the next day nothing of them remained; At Nissa another City, the chief Church was struck with a terrible Thunder-clap, and the Steeple thereby battered to the very ground work; Not long after at Breslau the Moon appeared bigger than ordinary, and four great Ordnance or Canon were visible in the Air, to the great terror of the Inhabitants, which afterward seemed to be shot off, with incessant Thunders and Volleys against each other; Soon after the Swedes and Saxons beat the Imperialists near this City, Twelve Hundred of them being slain; May 3. 1627, a Circle appeared about the Sun at H [...]mborough, and in the edge thereof five other Suns were visible, with a Rainbow between them; Afterwards two other Suns with another part of a Rainbow were seen, one of them extending to­ward the West, the other toward the South, at last all vanished in a burning smoak. Some Miles from this City soon after, the Imperialists [...]t in pieces 300 Danes, and took three Thousand of their Horsemen who stuck in the Moorish places Prisoners; Another Conflict likewise happened, between Hamborough and Sto [...]d about this time, where a Sweedish Regiment of [...], and four Companies of Monroes were all killed by Papenheim, 19 Colours, and some Captains and Officers being taken Prisoners; This year a great Beam was visible in the Air in France; An Earth­quake happened in England; Now the Polanders re­cover many places from the Tartars; The Persians beat the Turks; The English take the Isle of Rhee, and lose it again. The Hollander beats the Spaniard in the Indies. Jo. Gad. of Prodigis.

XLIII. The year 1628 was full of portentous Pro­digies, which were seen in many places; at Sunder­burg in Pomerania, the Heavens being open, an Army appeared coming from the North, in the Van were [Page 106]Muskets and Pioneers, after whom followed Canons and Ordnance, the Rere was brought up by Horse­men; Another Army came forth on the other side against them, where began a hot fiery skirmish be­tween them, but the victory inclined to the Nor­thern Army, at last a Beam with fiery Rayes hovered over the head of the Northern Conqueror, which continued thus prodigiously for many hours; A great Astronomer of the English Nation gave his Judgment upon the great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter. July 18. 1623 to this purpose, that the effects thereof would be felt in the North, and North-East parts of Eu­rope in particular; and in general, that it would produce Wars, Famines, Plagues, &c. over all; and the places subject thereunto he nameth, that is Italy, France: Bohe­mia, Silesia and Germany; Of Provinces he likewise nameth, Prussia, Brandenburg, Stiria, Hassia and Sax­ony; Yea he descendeth to Cities, naming, Rome, Prague, Magdenburg, Coblentz, Ulme, Brunswick, Ausburg; He sayes likewise it will go hard with the Roman Empire, Clergy, and Jesuits; He speaks of a King of a true Re­ligion, who should do all this, and that much happiness should succeed. How this Observation was verified, was visible to all; For in the year 1630 Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden having conquered many Towns from the King of Poland both in Prussia and Livonia, came with an Army of about Twelve Thou­sand men out of a Northern Corner of the World, and landed first in Pomerania, not far from Sunderburg, where the aforesaid Prodigy was seen, from whence he first beat out the whole Imperial Army, and never returned without the Olive Branches of Victory, so that it will be judged rather Romance then true Histo­ry in Ages to come to relate these German Conquests of his. For how can it be easily believed, that two thirds of Germany should in about two years space be wrested from so puissant an Emperour, formidable for his greatness, and confident upon the power of his Colleagues and Upholders, vast in extent, terrible [Page 107]for its Armies and Commanders, beyond expectati­on succesful in all its Enterprizes, and which knew no bounds but the Alpes and the Ocean; And yet that this Empire with its Forces and Garrisons, which held so many Princes at a bay, was at last it self constrain­ed to take the Sweedish Yoak, which was put upon it by him who entred into it with only Eleven or Twelve Thousand men, and performed it all in two years and an half; This I say is truly admirable, and if he had gone on another year what might he not have performed. In this year 1628, March 11. at Bishein a Village near Strasburg a poor woman was delivered of a strange Monster, which was, two Females, whose Bodies were joined together about the middle, their hands, feet and heads being perfect and whole, but there was only seen in them one Heart, and one Lungs; This Prodigy might presage the great mischiefs, dam­mages, depredations, and vast impositions which usually accompany the Wars, and the unruly Souldi­ers, and fell very severely upon the Inhabitants in and about Strasburg; Strange was that Thunder-clap which happened at Brig in Silesia the same year, wherein the immediate power of God appeared; About Noon May 29, 1628 a Thunderbolt fell upon one of the Churches of that Town, broke down the door, and slew a poor woman in the Porch as she was praying, wounding in its passage many other Women and Children; After this it went to another Church in the Suburbs, where the Minister was reading, doing him no more harm, but only singing the hair of his head, neither were the People hurt thereby, who at the same instant fell down flat with their faces on the ground; October 13, the same year a terrible Thunder fell upon the Church at Sagan, another Town in Sile­sia, from whence it burst out of a Window, attend­ed with such Wind, Rain, Hail, and Tempest, that it tore up the Trees by the very Roots, blasted the Herbs and Fruit trees, and so harrassed the Countrey for a League about, that the damage was very consi­derable; [Page 108]After the Thunder and Tempest, there ap­peared just over the Church fiery beams like a sword and a rod, the Bells in the Steeple began to sound and ring without the help of man, and 3 miles off, the Heavens for the space of an hour seemed open and fiery; Not long after a terrible fight happened be­tween this Town of Sagan and Sternaw, both in Sile­sia, where the Swedes and Saxons killed about two thousand Imperialists, and not far thence soon after two thousand more were slain.

XLIV. In 1630 a very miraculous thing happen­ed at Geismar in Hassia, two souldiers lying for safety in that Town, one of them complained to the other who was in bed with him, that he was very cold, the other answered, he could not believe it, in regard that his own body was very hot and wet, intreating him to touch and feel his side; which when he had done, find­ing his hands exceeding wet, and as it were glued and congealed together, he suspected something extraordi­nary, and looking on his hands by the light of the Moon he judged them to be bloody, whereat being much terrified, he called for a Candle, and found his fellow souldier very weak, and his left side, and the sheets of the bed to be bloody, and endeavouring to wash off the blood from his side, presently more blood issued [...]; at length after the space of an hour, it ceased of it self, About three handfuls of blood were taken out of the sheets, this, with the relation of other circumstances they presented in the morn­ing to their Commander, who inquired of him how he had felt himself that Night; the souldier answer­ed, That he had been extream ill for some time, but was af­terward restored to his former health; The two next years after this Prodigy, this goodly Countrey of Hassia was miserably harrassed by several Armies, and the Inha­bitants were barbarously and inhumanely treated by the Emperors' Army, and if the Prince or his poor subjects did at any time complain and petition for Justice or redress, they were only scorned and reject­ed [Page 109]for their labours, so that they were forced to en­dure quarterings, taxpatiens, burnings, robberies and sacking of their Towns and Villages, yea the slaugh­ter of innumerable innocent Subjects of all sorts, without being able to obtain any pity or compassion from their enemies; The same year 1630, in May the Noremberg Carrier, and several Passengers in their journey toward Hamborough, passing by the Town of Coburg at night, they observed with great admiration a prodigious fire going in and out of the Town, and heard a mighty noise like the discharging of Canons; Two years after which General Wallestein assaulted this Town with his Souldiers, and great Guns, but was so stoutly entertained by those within, that after the loss of a great many of the Imperialists, he was forced (though he had besieged it above Twenty Months) to break up his siege and depart.

XLV. In May 1631 at Hall in lower Saxony, the water was turned into blood, and about the middle of this Month, this Town was taken by Tilly, and af­terward retaken from him by their natural Lord, and presently again repossessed by Tillies Forces; and he himself after the battle of Leipsick made his escape thi­ther that night, and had his wounds dressed by the Town Barber; Whilst Tilly's Army lay in the Town, one of his Chief Officers saw blood prodigiously drop­ping from the House wherein he lay, whereupon he said, What? Must we bleed? will the King of Sweden beat us? That's impossible; But it happened otherwise, for Hall was not above 7 Dutch Miles distant from the place of battle, wherein the Imperial Army was ut­terly routed, and miserably destroyed in the chase, and if the King had but had 3 hours more of day­light, it was judged that hardly a Thousand of the Enemy had escaped, one of their own Relations af­firming, that there were Fifteen Thousand of the Im­perialists slain upon the place, and in the pursuit that night, and the day following; Its said Tilly's couragi­ous heart could not refrain from tears, when he per­ceived [Page 110]such woful destruction among his brave old Souldiers, his Army consisting of Forty Four Thou­sand stout men being usually termed I [...]vincible. The next day the King besieged Hall, which was yielded to him and soon after the Castle; But a while after, Pappenheim and the Imperialists again retook this City, exercising all manner of Barbarism upon the Inhabi­tants; This year likewise in the time of the siege of Magdeburg, a City Captains Wife dying in Child-bed desired to be ript open, which being done, they found a Boy almost as big as one of 3 years old, who had an head-piece, and an Iron Breastplate on his Body, great boots of the French fashion, and a bag by his side with two things therein like Musket bullets; This horrible Prodigy no doubt portended the deplorable destruction of that City, which happened May 10. 1631, when a general assault was made upon the Town by the Imperialists, the Walls were mounted in an in­stant, the Town entred, and the Souldiers fell to kil­ling; At the same instant a fire, none knew how, broke out, and it being a very windy day, on a sud­den all became one mighty Flame, the whole Town being in twelve hours time turned to Cinders, (ex­cept some few Fisher-houses) six Goodly Churches were burnt, the Cathedral by the diligence of the Monks and Souldiers being preserved; There were at least Twenty Thousand People killed, burnt and smo­thered, beside Six Thousand drowned in the River Elbe; Two days after Tilly came into the Town, and finding some Hundreds of Women and Children in the great Church, he gives them their lives, and some bread to maintain them.

XLVI. June 18. 1631, at Asherleben in the lower Saxony toward Evening two strong Armies were ob­served in the Heavens, who prepared themselves to fight, one came out of the North, and the other out of the South, after a long fight the Northern Army obtained the victory; This Prodigy was seen two days in a cleer Sky for the space of an hour, after the bat­tle, [Page 111]a Person in a long Garment appeared two several times, shooting with a Bow at the Leader of the Sou­thern Army; The very next Month, July 8. happen­ed a sharp conflict between this Town and Tangermond, where the [...]ing of Sweden routed Twenty Companies of the Imperialists, and took 14 Ensigns, and soon af­ter 1500 more were slain; These slaughters Count Tilly resolving to revenge, sets forward toward the King with twenty six thousand men, and fell upon him in his Trenches, but were beaten off with a mi­serable butchery, so that it was judged Tilly lost in the whole by these encounters near seven thousand men. In this year 1631 upon the fatal seventh of September, in the bloody battle of Leipswick, General Tilly him­self was wounded twice or thrice with Pistol shot, and his whole Army routed as aforementioned; Up­on the place of Battle which the Enemy had left for the King of Sweden there sate a flock of Birds, which springing up, at the King's coming took their flight directly over Tillies Army, and fetching a Circle about them (which the Romans would have counted a happy presage) they turned again toward the Kings Army, as it were to fetch him victory; But the King had a better presage on his side than a Flock of Birds, God with us, was his Watch-word, which together with his Valour, and his Sword, obtained him the Victo­ry.

XLVII. In 1632 General Tilly received another shot of a Musket, a little above his Knee at a skir­mish between the King of Sweden and himself, where­of he dyed April 20, after having 4 splinters cut out of his Thigh; A few years before that long, cruel, and bloody battle was fought at Lutzen, the water of the Ditch in that Town was turned to blood, which Prodigy seemed accomplished November 6 this year, wherein the Swedes after nine hours continual fight­ing absolutely overthrew the Imperial Army; The morning wherein this great battle was fought was ve­ry misty, the King of Sweden had a Divine to pray [Page 112]with him, and other Ministers at the head of every Regiment; about 10 a Clock the Fog cleared up, and the King going first to his own Subjects, spake to this purpose, My dear Brethren carry your selves bravely this day, fight valiantly in Gods Name for your Religion, and your King, which if you do, Gods Blessing, and the Peo­ples praises shall be your Reward, and [...] shall for ever retain an honourable memorial, nor will I forget to reward you Nobly; But if you play the Cowards. I here take God to witness, not a bone of you shall ever return again to Swe­den; To the Germans, who joyned with him, he thus expressed himself, My Brethren, Officers, and Fellow-Souldiers, I most earnesily intreat and beseech you to make full Tryal of your valour this one day, fight manfully against your enemies this day both with me, and for me; be not faint-hearted in the battle, nor upon any account discouraged, set me before your eyes, even me, who without the least fear or dread, am ready for your cause to adventure both Life and Bloud; if you do this, no doubt God himself will re­ward you from Heaven with a most glorious victory, of which your selves and your posterity shall have the benefit, if you do not, farewel for ever to your Religion, and your selves must for ever remain in slavery. The Souldiers of both Nations answered the King with joyful Acclamations, who thereupon added; Now my hearts let us fall brave­ly on our enemies, and the God of Heaven prosper our endea­vours; and so casting up his Eyes to Heaven with a loud voice he said, Jesus, vouchsafe this day to be my strong helper, and give me courage to fight for thy glory, and for the honour of thy Name. Then drawing his sword, he waved it over his head, and advanced the foremost of all his Army; Amongst the Kings own Guard were several English and Scottish Gentlemen; He himself was attired in a plain Buff Coat, without Armour, and being required to put on his Corslet, he said, The Lord God is my Armour; His word was God with us; The Imperialist was, Jesus Maria, The King said, I thank God I have both Wind and Sun to favour me.

The Field where the Battle was fought was a plain Champian Countrey, but yet it had many Ditches, which served Wallestein the Imperial General for Breast­works, and the Kings Horse in passing over them were some of them overthrown, there were likewise two little Hills upon which Wallestein had planted his Great Guns, and his Army was so large that it extended 2 Miles in length, the Armies coming within view, the Canon began to play on both sides, but those of the Imperialists being planted upon steady and fixt Batte­ries, did very great Execution; Whereas the Kings gave fire in motion, which he observing, and not li­king the sport, caused his Army to advance upon the very mouth of the Canon; The Imperialists kept their ground, expecting the Swedes fury would be over be­fore they could get over the Ditches, and beat out the Musqueteers; yet they overcame these difficulties, and their left Wing engaged with Wallesteins right; Then the Ring advancing with his right Wing, and observing where the Croats or Crabats stood, and where the Curassiers were who were covered with black Armour from head to foot, calling Colonel Stal­bansh to him he said, As for those Fellowes the Crabats, I care not for them, [...] charge me those black Fellows soundly, for they are the men that will undo us; The King fought at the head of his Squadron, himself being foremost with his Pistol in one hand, and his Sword in the other, and thus charging upon the Curassiers, he was there overlaid with numbers, insomuch that his men being in danger to be incompassed, were for­ced to give ground, and retire towards their body; where the King received a snot in his Left Arm, which he not feeling at first; would have led on still, but soon after perceiving the blood to issue out abun­dantly, and that part of his bone was broken, he cal­led to Duke Albert of Saxon Lavoenburg, saying, Coren I am sore wounded, help me to make my retreat; which whilst the Duke and his Assistants were about to do, an Officer of the Curassiers who too well knew the [Page 114]King comes up, and said. This is the right Bird, and so discharging his Pistol, shot him through the body, and himself was presently shot dead upon the place; The King was held up in his saddle, but presently fell; His horse also was shot, and so ran away without his Master;

Just at this time fell a great mist, the Sun which before shined very brightly, on a sudden muffling up his face in a mourning Cloud, as if not able to look upon the fall of the King of Sweden; The Imperialists being now masters of the Kings Body fell to stripping it, one getting his spurs, another his sword, another his Ring, and another his Buff-coat, &c. every one being greedy to get some part of his spoils; But be­fore they could carry away his Body, the Swedes re­turned, and so charged their Enemies that they were forced to retreat, whereupon Stalhaush recovering his Body, carryed it away in an Ammunition Waggon privately, so that few of his own Army knew of his death; All this while the four Swedish Brigades of Foot were hotly ingaged, and got ground of the Im­perialists; The horse likewise after an hours fight drove them back, and got possession of seven Pieces of their Ordinance; but by this time the mist was so extream­ly thickned by the smoak that the Swedes could not see to pursue their advantage, yet it pleased God to strike part of the Imperial Army with a pannick fear, that above a thousand German Horse ran all away to­gether, one amongst them crying out; Oh I know the King of Sweden well enough, he is best at the latter end of the day; But the Chiefest fright was amongst the Ladies, and the Captains Wives, and other Wo­men in the Reer of the Army, many of whom get­ting out of their Coaches, cut asunder the harness, and mounted stradling upon the bare Horses backs, and so scudded away among the Souldiers; Several Women and Children were there trodden to death, nor did the Horsemen stay till they had fled divers Miles; But in the heat of the Battle, Count Pappen­heim [Page 115]one of the Imperial Generals who was before sent for, came in with his Horse and Dragoons, by whose coming the charge was again renewed, but just as he was ordering his Horse he was shot with a Falconet Bullet, whereof he presently dyed; His Officers flock­ing about him cryed out, O our General is slain, Our General is slain; and thereupon turning their Horse­heads, they ran out of the battle without a stroke striking; But the other Imperialists who were incou­raged by his coming, maintained the fight with ad­mirable resolution, yet the charge was sustained by the Swedes with much Gallantry for two full hours, wherein the greatest loss fell upon two Brigades of old Swedish Souldiers whom the King did much rely up­on, for these old Blades stood their Ground, till the Earth was covered with their bodies, yet they dyed not unrevenged, for they slew many of the Imperia­lists. and amongst them divers of great Quality.

Duke Bernard was very severely beset by the right Wing of the Imperialists that day, but no man ever be­haved himself more gallantly than himself, charging his enemies no less than twelve several times; A lit­tle before Sun-set the Mist cleared up, and then Duke Bernard took a survey of his Army, which he could not do since he heard of the Kings death till now; He spake chearfully to the Officers and Souldiers, in­couraging them to a new engagement, and though he found the most part of his Army in great disorder, yet with much pains he rallyed them for a new onset, though not without much regret in the Souldiers one saying to another, alas Comerade, what must we fall on again; The other replying, Come, if we must, let us do it bravely, and make a day of it. The hearts of the Imperialists quaked for fear, seeing the Swedes ad­vancing in such good order against them; and there­upon their horse began to retreat, which the Swedes perceiving, they charged so home with their Great Guns, as put them into great confusion; But then again so great a mist fell, that the Swedes could not [Page 116]discern to pursue their Enemies, so that the fight was only maintained about the Wind-mills, which conti­nued with much briskness till six a Clock at night, when the Imperialists gave it quite over; This cruel and bloody Battle lasted above nine hours, and then Count Wallestein marched away toward Leipswick, leaving the Field and Victory to the Swedes, who lodged upon the ground all night, where they heard the lamentable groaning of the dying and wounded on both sides, it being a frosty cold night, wherein ma­ny a gallant man dyed of his wounds, who probably with seasonable help might have recovered.

The next morning the Swedes found the Imperialists had left all their Great Guns behind them, there were slain of the Swedes Three Thousand, and of the Im­perialists about Four Thousand upon the place, besides which the Boors killed near a Thousand more of them who fled stragling away; The wounded were as many more as the slain, on the Swedes side were lost the King himself whose death can never be sufficient­ly lamented, his enemies themselves giving him this Honourable Testimony, That he was the bravest Enemy, and the best Captain that ever was in Christendom, so that the Swedes and Protestants found themselves to have gotten but a doleful, and a woful victory, losing that incomparable Conqueror, who was alone worth many hundreds of others; But he is dead, and was as hear­tily bewailed of the Germans as of his own Subjects, who yet professed, That their loss was unspeakable, and in both their Chronicles shall his honourable memory be for ever famous, and his name shall live in their mouths in after Ages; Yet did not this glorious King dye, without some singular and miraculous Prodigies, which happened about that time in his own Kingdom of Sweden; Amongst others, at the very same hour and time when this battle of Lutzen was fought, there appeared just over the Castle, and Royal Palace at Stockholm a Virgin or Damsel holding in one hand a burning Candle, and in the other a white hand­kerchief [Page 117]which she waved about; It was likewise no­ted and observed, that all the doors in the Castle though they were shut and lockt, yet they three seve­ral times opened of themselves; At the same time a considerable River in Sweden was suddenly dryed up, so that for a whole day any one might go over it dry foot; Also in Smaland a Province of that King­dom, the Bells without the help of any man began to ring, and sound out, to the great astonishment of the Inhabitants.

Several other brave Swedish Commanders fell with their King, and many great men of the Imperialists; General Wallestein at first intended only to make a re­treat to Leipswick, but the Imperial Souldiers as soon as they heard the Drums beat a retreat, fell immediately to running, and the fright was so great that most of them never came into order again, the Chief Officers confest, That if the Swedes had sent but one Thousand Horse after them, they might have cut off their whole Army. The King of Sweden was of a Majestick Countenance and a gallant Stature, above six foot high, of a strong Judgment, natural vigilancy, and unweariedness; A sudden danger seldom astonished his Judgment, still shewing most vigor, where there was most need of it; He was exceeding temperate in his Dyet, his feeding was upon strong and souldierly Meats; But that which was most commendable in him was his Re­ligion, both Publick and Private; He was frequent in Prayers and Thanksgivings upon every emergent oc­casion; He would pray a Shipboard, on Shoar, in the Field, in the midst of a Battle, as if Prayers alone were the surest piece of his whole Armour; He was a strict observer of Martial Discipline, and a severe punisher of Misdemeanours in his Camp; when he first came into Germany, he saw that many women fol­lowed his Army; whereupon coming to a great Ri­ver, his Men and Waggons being passed over, he cau­sed the Bridge to be broken down, hoping thereby to be rid of his lumber, but they on a sudden making a [Page 118]terrible shreik, the Souldiers on the other side vowed not to stir a foot till the women were fetched over; whereupon the King finding that this ill humour was so generally dispersed amongst his men, that it was dangerous to purge it all at once, smiled out his anger for the present, permitting what he could not amend, yet this abuse he afterward reformed by degrees: His Army won the day though they lost their King, which occasioned one to compose this brief Elegy.

A little before his death being in discourse with his Chaplain Dr. Fabricius, he said, That he thought God would ere long take him away, because the People did so overvalue and deify him; At his first coming into Ger­many having a design upon Stetin, and his Army being now upon the shore, and his Boats ready on the River to imbark them, but the Wind having been contrary for several days before, the King observing it, kneel­ing down in the sight of his Souldiers with his hands lifted up to Heaven, thus expressed himself; O thou most just God, thou certainly knowest that I did not at first undertake this Enterprize out of any rashness or ambition, but for the glory of thy most Holy Name, and the defence of the Truth of thy Gospel, here now therefore I call upon thee O God, and most humbly beseech thee, that with the Air of thy favour, and with a prosperous wind, thou wouldst be pleased to breath upon this my undertaking for Christ his sake, Amen; No sooner were his Prayers ended, but through Divine Providence the Wind turned about with so full a Gale, that the whole Fleet passing up the River Oder, in two hours time sailed up Twenty Miles, and unexpectedly came to an Anchor within a Mile of Stetin, whereby he wonderfully defeated the Designs of the Imperialists, who intended within two dayes after to have laid siege to that City, had they not been thus miraculously prevented; When this [Page 119]King came first to the Crown, he resolved to lay siege to Nottenburg Castle, which the Muscovite had given his Father for some Assistance which he had afforded him; This Castle stood in an Island in the mouth of the most raging and swift River of Nerva, his Com­manders despairing of taking it, and being unwilling their young King should receive a Repulse in his first attempts, they laboured to disswade him from the ac­tion, yet he continued resolute to pursue it, and see how Almighty God wrought for him; The Besieged Muscovites were stricken with such Thrushes, Warts and Blisters in their Throats and Mouths, they could neither chew their Meat, nor swallow it down, where­upon they parlied and yielded up that impregnable Castle to him, wherein he found a whole years pro­vision of Victuals, besides abundance of Ammuniti­on.

Not long after this, he had a difference with the Dantzickers, and they had prepared twenty or thirty stout men of War, intending with the first opening of the Spring, to have burnt up the Kings Navy in their Harbour; but toward the end of Winter, when this narrow Swedish Sea was frozen a yard or two deep, this young King caused his Boors to cut open the Ice for ten or twelve Miles together, which done, he came suddenly one night with his Fleet upon the Dantzickers, and burnt, sunk, and took most of their Fleet; Also in his Wars with the King of Poland, he conquered so many Towns from him in Prussia and Livonia, that he inforced him by the mediation of King Charles of England, to make peace with him; In these wars with the Polanders his Army was never great, having for the most part not above Five Thousand Men, and yet with them he fought several Battles, beat and wearied out two Imperial Armies, took in the great and strong City of Elbing with divers others and finally obtained his end upon his Enemies, though they were able at the same time to have come upon him with such a number of Horse as had, according [Page 120]to humane Reason, been sufficient to have carryed him away, and five such Armies as his was; He was slain in the Battel at Lutzen, Nov. 16. 1632. in the 38 year of his Age.

XLVIII. At Bushein a Village near Friburg in Ger­many, there happened this strange Prodigy, there appeared in the Heavens a Twofold Rainbow, one white as Snow, and the other exceeding black, be­sides another of a fiery colour: The next day from eleven, till two after Noon, another Aspect of a very white colour appeared: And about the time at Franestein hard by a Woman having bought some bread, and carrying it home, when she came to cut it, blood issued out from it; This Franestein is a pretty Town upon an Hill some sixteen English miles from Dresden, it was taken by the Imperialists in the year 1632 by Scalado, and meeting with some opposition, they in revenge cruelly put all, both Souldiers and Inhabitants to the sword: And October 4. they assaulted Friburg a handsome Town upon the River Mulda some 10 English miles to the West of Franestein, and taking it by storm, they likewise miserably destroyed the Inhabitants; near this place, Count Holcks men, (who was then Commander of those Imperial Forces) taking displeasure against a Minister of excellent Learning in that Countrey, they first hewed him all to pieces with their swords, and then flung his mangled Limbs to the Dogs to be eaten; But the Dogs, as if astonished at such savage cruelty, would not so much as touch his flesh, or lick a drop of his blood; where­upon his Friends gathered up his pieces the next day, and buried them; and one of their own Authors re­lates, That the Crabats shewed themselves ingenious to invent New Torments for the poor Protestants, and that it was frequent with them for want of Dogs meat to feed them with humane flesh, which if so, we may truly say, Thatthough the Dogs were [Page 121]the Man-eaters, yet certainly the Crabats were the Cannibals.

XLIX. In the month of August, 1632. at Kempten in Swabeland a strange Monster was born of a Citizens Wife, the head was altogether fat, and without ears, the hands were stretcht out, and appeared all bloody between the flesh and the skin, in the left hand there was a Rope, the Belly had two wounds as if prickt by a Sword, and the left knee seemed as if it had been twice broken, a cord being tyed about it: This good­ly Town of Kempten was held by the Imperialists, and after many furious assaults was taken by the Swedes in 1633. The Imperial Commander went to Reitaw, where he was beheaded, because he had so soon sur­rendred the Place; Many other bloody skirmishes happened about this Town, and what miseries that, and the Countrey thereabout endured, when it was besieged, and re-taken by the Imperialists can hardly be exprest; It was brought to such extremity of Famine, not much inferiour to those dreadful ones of Samaria, and Jerusalem recorded in Holy Scripture, or of Saguntum in Spain; Perusium in Hetruria, or Tuscany in Italy mentioned by other Authors; Many brave Citizens out of this and the Neighbour Towns were compelled by necessity to bear Arms for a liveli­hood; Horse-flesh was sold at high rates, Dogs, Cats and Vermin were counted as good as Venison; For all Commerce and Trade being hindred, bread-corn was at an excessive rate, and hardly to be purchased for money; In February, 1633. at Dobenshutz a Village in Althenburg, blood sprang out of a Fish-pond, with such a filthy savour, that if it were touched, they could not wash off the stink in 2 or 3 days; This Countrey was the same year lamentably ruined and plundred, and the beastly cruelty and licentiousness of the Soul­diers was exceeding monstrous: Many fine Towns and Villages were robbed and burnt to Ashes for de­fending themselves, and the Inhabitants thereof, as well as of Dobenshutz miserably slaughtered: The Wo­men, [Page 122]yea Ladies and Gentlewomen, were tyed and cou­pled together like Beasts and [...]ogs, and sent into the Woods to be ravished, and for making resistance, they had their cloaths stript off, their Bodies whipt, and their ears cut off, and in this deplorable posture were sent home again; The Souldiers and Crabats got many Thousand head of Cattel together and what beast soever did not readily follow them, they killed them, lest they should serve some Hereticks; many other horrid Barbarisms were committed by them, as if they had believed that a Countrey was never throughly conquered, till it were utterly destroyed by Sword and Fire.

L. In 1633. March 6. about 8 a Clock in the Eve­ning over the Town of Bibrach two long swords were seen in the Air, one Fiery, and the other red as blood; many fierce encounters happened about this time and place between the Swedes and Imperia­lists, Count Horn the Swedish Field Marshal killing near fix hundred Crabats, and as many more Spanish and Italian Souldiers who came to aid the Emperor, pe­rished by Cold, Famine and Sword by the way, that betwixt Ʋlm and Bibrach a thousand dead Carcases were found, so that a third part of the Army were lost; some Months after, four Regiments of the Impe­rialists were surprized and killed by the Swedes be­twixt this Town and Isne; and six hundred other Imperialists being abroad were also taken, and most of them slain. In March 1634, Gustavus Horn besieged the City of Bibrach, wherein were thirteen hundred men, offering the Imperial Governour good conditi­ons upon his first approach, which being refused, he battered the Town so long with his Ordnance, that he won the Enemies works, and made a breach into the Walls. Then the Governour sending out a Trumpet, desired reasonable Terms, or else he would defend it to the last man, and threatning first of all to blow up all the Protestant Citizens, whom he had already lockt up in the Town-house, and into a Cellar; But having [Page 123]already refused fair ofters, the Swedes denyed them now, and prepared all things ready for another as­sault, advancing toward the Breach, when at the same instant, the Protestant Ministers with several Women came out of the Town, making most pitiful Lamenta­tion to the Swedish General, signifying that it would certainly cost them all their Lives, because the Town­house was already undermined, and the Mine filled with Powder, and that they fearfully expected to be blown up immediately. Out of Commiseration there­fore to these poor people, another Agreement was offered to the Governour, and Liberty granted them to march out with their Swords only, which was ac­cepted, and the Protestants thereby saved.

LI. In 1634 June 23. another Prodigy happened at Dresden in Saxony; About five a Clock in the Eve­ning the Sun first appeared white as Snow, and then suddenly became dark as if covered by a Mist; It ap­peared first in the form of a Crown, and then like a Feather, and then red as blood, in which posture it continued for about half an hour, and then returned to its natural shape, but retained its sanguine colour till it went down, and the Moon at her rising retained the same bloody Aspect, till she was no longer seen in that Horrison; About the same time at Berlin in the Marquisate of Brandenburg it rained blood and brim­stone; and the next year in November, at Itz [...]o a Town in Holsiein it rained thick blood, whose drops being used as Ink, represented true natural blood in writing; It is scarce credible how many bloody Con­flicts and Encounters happened between these two Countreys, the same year, and the next following; but more especially that sore and bloody Battel at Witstock, wherein seven Thousand Imperialists were slain by the Swedes, six whole Regiments being wholly cut off, with several great Commanders; Fifteen Hun­dred Prisoners, Fourteen Pieces of Ordnance, and Eight Thousand Waggons were also left to the Swedish Conqueror; Of the Swedes likewise were a Thousand [Page 124]slain upon the place of Battel. In the same year, 1634. July 24. at Melnick where the Saxon Army quartered, there was a strange Apparition in the Air, which was thus related by Eye-witnesses; About Evening, when the Elector of Saxonys Chaplain was at Prayers, there appeared a sign in the sky like a fiery Beam, and a while after, another in the form of a Scepter fiery red, just over the House where he was Preaching, assoon as Sermon was ended, and the Chaplain had pro­nounced Amen, the sign vanished out of sight; After this the same Apparition was seen again of divers others; That year, and some others following, the Crabats like Vermine in a warren, ransacked, plun­dred and pillaged what places soever they came to, sparing neither Churches, Cloysters, nor Noble mens Houses, but robbed and dismembred the Countrey people, ravished the Women, defloured the Maids, burnt the Villages and Towns, and committed all manner of mischievous Insolencies and Villanies.

LII. About this time Man and Beast and Fowls of the Air all seemed now to be at irreconcileable diffe­rence, and Germany was the Stage wherein they acted their Tragedies; At Hessen in March 1635. there met together two Armies of strange Birds, which fought as it were in a set Battel; And near Straubinge upon the River of Danube multitudes of Dogs had their Rendevouz, who fought so furiously, that all the Neighbourhood were affrighted at the Prodigy; And as if they would admit of no Agreement, but such as pleased themselves, when the Governour of Ratisbone had sent out against them four Companies of his Foot Souldiers, with Muskets, and other Arms to assault and slay them, they left their hostility among them­selves, and joyned together against the Common Ene­my, falling upon the Souldiers, and in despight of their shot and weapons, killed and devoured nine of them. This year 1635. A great Inundation of Water happened at Rome, and after that, a mortal sickness; Five Moons were seen at once in Normandy, and in [Page 125] Italy many Monsters [...] were brought forth; At this time there began Divisions in Scotland about Religion; The Hollanders and Spaniards fight at Sea; There was a great Plague at Venice, the Spaniards beat the French. J. Gadbury of Prodigies.

LIII: The next year strange Prodigies terrifyed the hearts of the People; For while the Princes and Peers were in their jollity at the Diet at Ratisbone, War, with its grim Attendants, Famine, Pestilence, Fire and Destruction raged abroad in the Roman Empire; In 1636: December 19. the Spire of Shotten Steeple at Vienna being newly built, fell suddenly down, and de­molished the new built Church; This happened about the time of the Coronation of the new King of the Romans at Ratisbone; And about the same time, a great Blazing Star appeared at Rome for some time, and then vanished away suddenly over St. Paul's Church in that City, with a great noise, and divers Monuments placed in that Church fell down, and were utterly defaced; Now though it might seem overmuch boldness (saith my Author) to peep into the Ark of Divine Secrets, nor can we conclude any particular consequences from the Accidental fall of this Steeple; yet doubtless the Comet, though caused by the meeting of secondary and natural Causes did very much presage what happened about that time, and soon after; For within one Month, the Emperor Ferdinand 2. who had been ill at Ratisbone, and then removed to Vienna, gave up the Ghost; some Prodi­gies likewise happening in other places of the Empire, before the meeting of the Electoral Princes at Ratis­bone, did much dishearten the common people, and caused them to despair of any good success by that Treaty; One was, that at Wells in Austria the Empe­rors house of Pleasure where he then lodged, was sud­denly uncovered by a violent Tempest; and this was accompanied by two others at Lintz, the first was the sudden fall of an Arch of the Bridge made over the River Danubius, which the Emperor had no sooner [Page 126]passed over, but it tumbled into the River; The se­cond was, that three carved Eagles placed upon the House of a Burgess of Lintz, being broken down by the fury of this Tempest, were again raised up into the Air by the same violent blast, and shattered three se­veral ways, and one of them at last fell upon the House appointed for the Assembly of the Province, an other upon the Statehouse, and the third upon a publick Conduit or Aqueduct. This happened in 1636. and gave occasion to the distracted minds of men to project terrible things from that meeting of the States.

LIV. And this indeed was a bloody time in the Dukedom of Saxony, and there was a general fear that the fury of the War would not be confined to that Countrey, which was the more heightned by a strange Prodigy, which (though it admits of no particular In­terpretation) was as terrible as portentous; In the vear 1637, the Conduit at Ise [...]ach scituate in the midst of the Market-place, instead of Water, suddenly pou­red out Blood and so continued for two hours, before the Water returned again; About which time many bloody skirmishes happened between the Imperial and Swedish Forces few days passing without much bloud­shed; and the condition of the Dukedom of Saxony was exceeding deplorable, caused not only by the Swedes their Enemies, but also by their seeming Friends the Imperialists, who usually burnt those Pla­ces to the Ground, where they did not find as much Provision for their Souldiers as they demanded; So that the Boors and poor Countrey-men did now long for Peace, which they were then so much strangers to, desiring that their Swords might be turned into Plow­shares, and their Pikes into Shepherds Crooks; the Merchant longed for an open Trade, and Persons of all Conditions desired an end to these Troubles and Di­stractions, but it seems the miseries of that Countrey were not yet come to the height: In the same year 1637, the Water at Weimar was again turned to blood; [Page 127]A strange Worm in the shape of a Man, with perfect Lineaments, and a Golden Crown on his head, was found in a Sallad at an Herb-womans shop in Collen, which (if not Prodigious) was yet very dreadful. A Wo­man appeared in a mourning habit in the Church­yard of St. Stephens, the Cathedral Church of Vienna, June 18. 1637. who with a doleful voice from eleven to twelve a Clock at night yelled out these terrible Words; Woe unto you; Wo unto you; Often repeating them, and no other; The Bells without any help of men, suddenly rung out to the great affrightment of the people who descanted upon these sad Omens, doubt­ing that such horrid Consequences would ensue as presented themselves to their several Fancies; And indeed not without cause, for after this, a new time of trouble began, the sword raging in the most and best part of Germany; and Fire likewise, not only by chance, but by the Will and Choice of such as used that devouring Element to the dammage of their Enemies, and the General Ruin of their Countrey.

LV. Thus have I (with my Author) run over the Prodigious Signs and Warnings of Germany, with a brief Account of the miserable Events which en­sued; But having met with a larger Relation of the dreadful Consequences of these amazing Prodigies as they were published by Dr. Vincent a Learned Eng­lish Physician, who was an Eye-witness thereof; du­ring the Woful Calamities of that Countrey. I do not think it amiss, nor any unprofitable digression to re­late them in his own Words; It is generally conclu­ded and believed that the Burning Beacon, or Blazing Star in 1618 was a sad fore-runner of the merciless fu­ry of War which hath reigned, and played the Ty­rant in Germany ever since, the best Astrologers ex­pounding it to be The Sword of Germany; I have seen a Prophecy long since in a Book belonging to a Canon of Nimmegen, and now in the Library at Zutphen, That a time should come when one Frederick should be King, and then should the Princes of Germany, the Nobility of [Page 128]Bohemia, and the People of both be very much oppressed, and War should rage beyond the Precedent of former Ages. This if ever is now fulfilled in our days, and if in such disorder it be possible, I will keep this Order in speaking thereof. 1. Of the Exactions and Extortions that have been committed. 2. The Tortures and Tor­ments which have been exercised. 3. The Rapes and Ravishments perpetrated. 4. The Robberies and Pilla­ging, 5. The Bloodshed and Murders. 6. The Burn­ings and Destructions committed by the Popish Armies in those Countreys: These shall be the Scenes of this first Act; Famine and Pestilence shall stand for the other Acts of this direful Tragedy; In which as no Action or Passion was simple or single, so I cannot rehearse them without sometime intermixing one with the other.

LVI. And first for Extortions and Exactions; As no Province or part of Germany can boast of her Freedom from these miseries, though some have been more opprest than others; So there is no Prince nor State which hath not suffered therein; nay no City, no Town, nor almost no Person whatsoever; Every weeks Relation tells us of Hundreds, Thousands, Mil­lions of Rix-dollars or Gilders, imposed, exacted, and extorted by the Conquerors or Spoylers, for the redemption of mens Lives or Liberties, Goods or Houses; strange and almost impossible to be paid have been the Ransomes taxed upon the Burgers at the taking of some Towns; to which end they have threatned, imprisoned, and abused the Magistrates till they condescended: At Cryphenberg they kept the Senators shut up in the Common Hall, vexing and tormenting them so long with Hunger and Smoak, that some of them dyed. In Heidelburg Castle many Burgers, and Reverend Ministers were imprisoned, and fed with Bread and Water till the Charity of the Reformed Churches could relieve them; After those at Frankendale had upon necessity surrendred that Town, they could not enjoy the Articles granted them [Page 129]by the Enemy, but the grave Councellors and other Magistrates were forced to accept of such Conditions as were fitter for Slaves and Dogs than men; some were thrown into Prison, and so severely used, that many of them dyed through grief and sorrow; others though much impoverished, were forced to redeem themselves with unreasonable Ransoms; The Goods of those which fled were confiscated; and though the Inhabitants would willingly have left their Houses and rich Furniture as plunder to those bloody Villains, yet they were detained in the City, and their destruction was most cruellyplotted and designed; After the same manner they dealt with many others, as well contrary to all Oaths and Promises as to the Laws and Com­mon Faith of all Nations.

LVII. But not to insist on these, let us in the second place consider the Tortures and Torments which the Li­centious Souldiers exercised upon the Persons of the Inhabitants, without the least respect to Age, Quality, or Sex, which discovered them to be rather Turks and Infidels than Men of Arms; For even Princes, whose Persons are sacred, though they never bore Arms, as the old Lantgrave of Hesse and others; yea, some of the Female Sex, as the old Dutchess Dowager of Wittenburg, have without any regard or pity been imprisoned, reviled and abused by these Miscreants: Some of Tillies Souldiers caused the D. of Saxonys Subjects to be tortured by half strangling them, and pressing their Thumbs with wheels, they forced others to eat their own Excrements, which if they refused, they thrust down their Throats, thereby choaking some of them, and those they suspected to have mo­ney, were exquisitely tortured to make them confess; yea, Princely Personages have suffered the like cruelty with meaner men. They tyed strong Matches or Cords about the heads of some, which were twisted, till the blood came out of their Eyes, Ears and Noses, yea, till their Eyes started out of their heads; Others had burning Matches tyed betwixt their Fingers, to [Page 130]their Noses, Tongues, Jaws, Cheeks, Breasts, Legs, and Secrets, even those parts which Nature hideth, they either filled with Powder, or tyed bags of Powder to them, and so giving fire to them, in an horrible manner burst their bellies, and killed them; They pierced and raced the skin and flesh of some, as Ar­tificers deal with Leather; and have drawn Cords through their Thighs, Legs, Arms, Noses, Ears and Lips; Others they hung up in the smoak, drying them with small Fires, and for fear they should dye too soon, they sometime refreshed them with small drink or cold water; Some they burned or smothered in hot Ovens, and rosted others with straw Fires, so that it was a great favour to be hanged or strangled; they bound the hands and fee of some so hard, that the Blood sprouted out at the end of their Fingers and Toes, and tyed the hands and feet of others backward together, stopping their Mouths with Clouts to hinder them from Praying: Some were hanged up with Ropes tyed to their Privy parts, and hearing their roaring, they have endeavoured to out­roar and drown their cryes as in sport; yea, which is yet more detestable, when they found any poor Creatures troubled with Ruptures, or burstness, they have inlarged them, and then filling those parts with Gunpowder, have villanously blown them up as with a Mine: Many they trussed up on high, hanging Stones and Weights on their Feet to stretch out their bodies; They have planed the Faces of others with Chisels and other Instruments, pretending to make it even; some men they have openly gelded in the presence of their Wives and Children: The Mouths of some they open­ed with Gags, and then poured stinking water, piss, or other nasty Liquors down their Throats, saying it was a Swedish draught: whereby growing sick, and their Bellies swelling like a Tun, they have dyed by leasure with the greater Torment; They thrust a knotted clout down the Throats of others, and pluck­ed it up again with a string, thereby even moving [Page 131]the very Bowels out of their places, by which cruel Torments they made some Deaf, Dumb, and Blind, others Lame, and miserable Cripples, if they did not kill them outright. If a Husband intreated for his Wife, or a Woman for her Husband, they then tortured the Petitioner before the others Eyes, and which seems almost incredible, when these poor Crea­tures were dying under their merciless hands, and cryed to God in their pain and anguish, these hellish Executioners would command and force them to call upon, and pray to the Devil; Infinite almost and unspeakable indeed were the Cruelties exercised by the outragious Souldiers on all sides; nay some were so damnably wicked as to make it their study to invent new Tortures; they took an ancient Reverend Divine, and stripping him, bound him upon a Table on his back, and fastened a great strong Cat upon his Belly, beating and pricking the Cat to make her fix her Teeth and Claws in the poor mans Belly; So that the Man and Cat partly through Famine, and partly through pain and anguish both dyed under their Tor­mentors; some of the cursed Croats, or Crabats en­deavoured to teach their Horses to eat the flesh of Christians, and contrived worse Tortures than Pha­laris, Nero, Dionysius, or any of those monstrous Ty­rants of former ages ever arrived to, so that we may say, Caucasus bred them, Tygers fed them, and Hell taught them, the last of which, without deep repen­tance, was probably their eternal Lot.

LVIII. I have said much of the former particular, though not the Tenth part of what was acted: I will now thirdly speak a little of the ensuing Abominati­on; Rapes and Ravi hments hardly to be imagined, and beyond all humane modesty did they commit, Virgins, Matrons, Widows, and Wives without di­stinction have they violated and forced even in the presence of their Parents, Husbands and Neighbours, yea, Women with Child, and even in Childbed; No Ghappel, Church, or other place hath been free from [Page 132]their filthiest pollutions, and barbarisms; The very Hospitals and Bedlam-houses have not been spared, their Devilish Debaucheries have there found Subjects for their Lusts. In the Land of Hesse, a poor lean mad woman who had been kept in chains above Twenty years, was by these Hell-hounds let loose; to whom they brought divers others like her self, some mad, others dumb, all wretched Creatures, they tyed their Coats about their ears, and then shamefully abu­sed them; In Pomerania they ravished the handsomest Virgins of that Countrey, before their Parents faces, forcing their Friends to sing Psalms to them all the while. In Italy I have heard the Villanies of the Ger­man Troops recited with Tears; Among others, a beautiful Maid was hid by her Parents in a Dunghil, but they discovering her, ravished her, and then bar­barously cutting her in pieces, hung her quarters up in the Church, and bid her Friends pray to the Saints for her relief: In the Land of Brunswick two Souldiers took a Girl of ten years old, and carryed her into the Wood to ravish her. The Mother with hands held up, came running after our Coach (saith my Author) crying out to my Colonel, but he being a stranger had no command there, and could not relieve her, soon after wesaw the 2 Horsemen come out of the Wood, whether they left the poor Child dead or alive I know not: Some virtuous and chast women they have offered to kill, or thrown their Children into the Fire to make them yield: They spared not the very Nuns, but after they had broke into their Cloysters, and pillaged them of all their goods, they have likewise ravished and killed some of them; Some Women have leaped into Rivers and Wells; others have killed themselves, because they would not be subject to the lusts of these Hellish Furies; nay not only sick and weak Virgins and Women have been violated till they dyed, but these wretches have com­mitted filthiness with the dead Bodies.

LIX. But fourthly as to Robberies and Pillaging, [Page 133]they were so numerous, that no man could pass any where in Germany, but he was robbed, stript, and perhaps killed; The Merchants of Frankford, Norem­burg, Leipswick, Hamburg, &c. have had too woful experience thereof; The Merchants of Basil return­ing from the Mart of Strasburg and other Fairs, were set upon by the Imperialists in their Lodgings; and though they offered to prove themselves Merchants, and so ought to pass freely, yea, though they begged their Lives upon their knees, yet they villanously murdered Ten of them, saying, They must dye because they were Hereticks: The rest leaving their Goods and Cloaths behind, escaped stark naked in the night by flight. Yea, the very Convoys who pretended to guard Travellers, were oft times as bad as the Ene­mies, watching all occasions to cheat them of their money, goods, and Horses, spoyling their Waggons when they made a stand, and rifling and stripping the meanest person if he stragled in the least from the Company; Two Countesses of great Nobility, with their fair Daughters, were entertained by us (saith my Author) in the Castle of Heidelburg, and when provision grew scarce, they went away with the Enemies pasport, notwithstanding which they were robbed and ri [...]ed in their Coaches of all they had, not leaving them the very Garments that covered them; yea they shamefully plundred the Danish Am­bassador, though priviledged by his Office in all Na­tions; so that the case was strangely altered in Germa­ny, where not long before a man might have rid with an hundred pound in his pocket, and only a whip in his hand through all those Countreys without the least fear of being injured; But now the very Souldiers even robbed one another if they found them in the least out of their quarters; neither did they acknow­ledge God nor Devil, but in their cursed Oaths and Blasphemies, nor was there any action so vile, but they were ready to commit it, and this introduces the next particular.

LX. Which is, Fifthly to relate the Bloudshed and Murders committed by them, to report the whole of which will be equally impossible, and incredible; Alstedius saith, that before the K. of Sweden came into Germany, the Wars had consumed an Hundred Thou­sand, and if so, how many Millions have miserably perished; The cruelty of the Souldiers toward the Inhabitants of those Countreys is inexpressible, all persons having the same measure without distinction; At Lanshood in Bavaria, the Souldiers entred by force, killing not only all they found in Arms, but the very Priests kneeling at the Altars, and the poor Peasants and Countrey People were killed upon every slight occasion; There were among the Imperialists a base rascally sort of Horsemen called Croats or Crabbats aforementioned, the tenth part whereof were not of that Countrey, but a miscellany or mixture of all Na­tions, without God, or Religion, having only the outsides of men, and scarce that neither, but were bloody Monsters within; These Rakehels made no Conscience of murthering men and women, both old and young, yea, of very innocent Babes, whom like the Wild Beasts among which they were bred, these Villains inhumanely eat, when they might have had other food; By these the poor people were barba­rously knocked down in the Fields, and Highwayes, and likewise slaughtered, stab'd and tortur'd; I have seen them (saith my Author) beat out the brains of poor, old, decrepit Women only in sport, and com­mit many other outrages too long to relate; yea it was so common for the poor people to see others killed, that as if there had been no Relation, Affecti­on, Neighbourhood, or Kindred, none pitied them, or had any compassion upon them, hardly any cry­ed out, Oh my Father, Oh my Brother, &c. The Croats very seldom gave Quarter, but killed all that were at their mercy; and others received Pay, for bringing the Noses and Ears of their Enemies to their Masters: Tilly after the defeat of the D. of Brunswick [Page 135]at H [...]uxt on the River Main, drew out of that Town Threescore Souldiers, and caused them all to be killed in cold blood before the Gate, saying, That he sacrifi­ced them to Count Mansfield their Master.

LXI. Lastly, For Burnings, pulling down and rui­ning of Churches, Cities, Villages, the like hath ne­ver been heard; The Swedish Army burned above Two Thousand Villages in revenge of the Cruelties acted in the Palatinate; But their Enemies spared neither Friends nor Foes, what goodly Houses of the Nobility and Gentry were on every side defaced or burnt to Ashes; So that all men betook themselves to Arms: No tilling of the Land, no breeding of Cattel, no place secure but the Camp, no Plow to fol­low but the War, for he that was not an Actor with the rest, must of necessity be a miserable sufferer [...]; If they should have sowed any thing one year, the next year the Souldiers would have devoured it, so that they judged it better to sit still than to labour, and let others reap the benefit thereof, from whence proceeded an Universal Desolation; most of the Peo­ple and Inhabitants swarmed as banished men in other Countreys, as in Switzerland, France, Italy, and the Venetian Territorys. From Basil to Strasburg, and from thence to Heidelburg, and Marpurg, which was some Hundreds of miles, I scarce saw a man (saith my Au­thor) in the Fields and Villages; Little better was it in travelling from France to the middle of Bohemia, and from the Alpes about Auspurg to the Baltick Sea, though a compass of ground of above Two Thousand miles, and not much less than three times all Brittain, the greatest part of the People being destroyed and ex­tinguished by Wars, length of time, and all manner of miseries.

LXII. Famine cometh in the next place, a thing so grievous that David preferred the Pestilence in his Choice; To see men slain by the Sword, or dye of Contagious Diseases is not yet so grievous as to see them dye of Famine, or to kill and eat one another; when [Page 136] Samaria was besieged by Benhadad K. of Syria, the Famine was so great that an Asses head was sold for fourscore pieces of Silver, and the fourth part of a Cab of Doves Dung for fifty pieces of Silver; Two Women agreed to eat their own Children, and when they had boyled and eaten one, the other Woman hid hers; In the siege of Jerusalem, Mice, Rats, and Hides were good meat, and Women did dress and eat their own Children, the smell whereof drew others who were hunger-starved to come to share with them: But that Cities which were not besieged, and a Countrey naturally fruitful, should be so ruined, as not to be able for so long a time to afford Bread to a poor remnant of people, but that they must be forced to eat Carrion, and dead men, yea one another whilst alive, this was lamentable, and hitherto never heard of; Had not I been provided (saith my Author) with victuals at my coming out of Switzerland, Famine had arrested me in Germany, for there was not any where meat to be had for money; The Italians and Spani­ards who had been at the fight at Norlingen, and be­ing disarmed, wandred about, were so black and fee­ble for hunger, that had I not given them part of my provision, I believe they had torn me in pieces, and eaten me; Travelling from Newstadt toward Franken­dale in a snowy day, I unexpectedly met with the Ar­my of Duke Bernard, whose stragling Forerunners came riding up to me by couples, and when I looked for a worse errand, they asked only for a little Bread, which my Guide bestowed upon them so long as we had any; From thence to Manheim and Heidelburg ma­ny dead men lay strawed on the way, especially on the places where they had made Fires, who perished through cold and want. When we were besieged in the Castle of Heidelburg, our Souldiers at first killed more Horses in a day then they could eat, least they should dye of themselves for want of hay; therefore what was left they threw out of the Castle down the Rock, which the Enemy in the night drew into the [Page 137]Town, though some of them were slain in the Action, and so they heartily eat our Horseflesh; At which time the Serjeant Major with fifty men issued out up­on three hundred of the Enemy intrenched on the East side of the Castle, many were slain; others broke their necks down the Rocks; Our Souldiers being Masters of the Trench, fell to ransack the Ene­mies knapsacks which they had left behind them, but found nothing in them except our own Horse-flesh, which yet was not unwelcome, for it grew scarce with us; so that now we were compelled to kill the Horses which stood fasting and sleeping on the Dunghil, not out of compassion to them, but for our own necessity; Another Serjeant Major had two very fine Horses, our Souldiers took one and eat him; but he thinking to make sure of the other, fastened him to the Wall with a strong Chain and a Padlock, but they taking their opportunity, cut off the Horses Neck, and left the head in the Chain, carrying away the body, and greedily eating it. At length Dogs and [...] me in request, so that we could smell our meat [...] off, and yet on the Table it was still more lothsome, the tast being answerable to the smell, yet we eat it excee­ding savourly, but our bread at last failing, we yield­ed to necessity.

For the Armies every where over-running the Countrey, devoured both Corn and Cattel, so that those who had any goods lest, offered to give all for a little food; But that being not to be obtained, they were fain to lye in the streets and highwayes, (much contrary to their former way of living) to beg some­thing for Gods sake, wherewith to refresh their dying Souls; yet no sooner had they swallowed what was given them, but they presently gave up the Ghost; Memorable is that relation which Reinmannus record­eth of the Famine in Alsatia, that Valentine Engelin a Citizen of Rufack, with the Sexton of the Church de­posed before a Magistrate upon their Oaths, That Ann [...] the Daughter of John Ebstein confessed to them, that [Page 138]she came from Colmar, where she had waited many days before the Hangmans door in hope to get a piece of Horseflesh to satisfie her hunger, but not prevail­ing, she was now come to Rufack intreating them, that if there were the body of any young man or woman unburied, they would give it her to eat to pre­serve her Life; And that two other women and a boy made the same request; affirming that they had lived a long time upon dead mens flesh; After which the Churchyard of St. Nicholas where the dead bo­dies lay, was shut up; Lastly they declared that four young maids had cut in pieces the dead body of ano­ther maiden of eleven years old, and had eaten eve­ry one their part of her; Many who survived the loss of all they had, sustained themselves for a long time with Roots, Acorns, green Fruits, grass, Thistles, and other Weeds, which the very beasts would not have eaten, upon which several of them grew di­stracted and died; In some places the poor famished people were so faint, that they had not strength to bury one another, so that the dead bodies have been devoured by Dogs, Foxes, and Wolves; Yea some Persons have run mad for meer hunger; In some Cities the Inhabitants have by this Famine been con­strained to kill and sell all manner of Vermine in pub­lick shops, as Dogs, Cats, Mice, Rats, &c. A woman at Hanover who used commonly to sell Dogs flesh to the Souldiers; was in the street assaulted by Dogs, and had all her cloths torn off her body, so that she was forced to sit down on the ground to hide her shame, and had she not been timely rescued, she had been torn in pieces by the Dogs. If any had a Beast left which he carefully kept for his necessity, some or other of his Acquaintance would, if possible, steal it from him and eat it; They snatched from each other with great eagerness, the very stinking Carrion which had lain 5 or 6 weeks dead, and full of Maggots, yea, they fought and beat one another to get a morsel thereof, as it happened at a place called Dubach; It [Page 139]moved the Grandees and Governours to compassion to see their People in such extream want; Insomuch that the Noble Earl of Falkenstein seeing his Subjects crave sustenance of him, commanded his Servants to give them his Hounds to satisfie their hunger, whom they presently killed, and eat with all greediness.

And as the Famine increased, when no more food was to be got, men were like inraged Beasts one against another, and gathering together by Troops, watched one another upon the High-ways, and so murthered, drest, and eat each other, so that none could pass safely on the way, or in the streets without a guard, or very well armed, and though some have been taken and severely punished by Justice, yet others con­tinued lurking to seize upon Passingers; Three Mai­dens at Odenheim near Worms agreed to live together and take their chance, but as the Proverb saith, Ne­cessity hath no Law, and hunger is a sharp Thorn, for in a while they were all so extreamly pinched with Famine, that they sought to take away one anothers lives to save their own, Two of them conspired to kill the third by strangling her in bed, or some other way, and after to dress and eat her up. All which they did accordingly; Then the second resolved to strangle her Companion, and cut off her head, which when she had done, and devoured her flesh, her heart was so hardened, that she went to a Village called Ridisheim to a Woman of her Acquaintance called Margaret, whose Husband was absent for fear of the Souldiers; the woman entertained her kindly, rejoycing that she came to see her; But in the night lying by the wo­man, she barbarously cut off her head, and binding the dead body upon a board, brought it to her house at Pie­dessen, but being pricked with the sharpness of hunger, she had not patience to cut the body in pieces, but only cut off the head and both the hands, which she washed and dressed: The Husband coming home missed his wife, and inquiring of the Neighbours, they told him such a maid was seen with her; upon which he went im­mediately [Page 140]to her house, and knocking at the door, asked her if she had not seen his Wife, she answered him, no; But such deeds of cruelty are hard to be concealed, Murder will out, as they say; The man goes into her house, and casting his eyes round, looks into every corner, at length he spies an hand to stick out of the Pot which hung over the Fire; Hereupon being overcome with grief, he rageth against the Murderess, and threatens her so severely, that she presently confesseth the whole truth to him; there­upon he complains to a Justice, the woman is seized and brought before the Lords of Justice sitting in the Judgment Seat; They deliberate a great while about her punishment, some were of opinion that what she had acted was not as a Rational Creature, but as a Brute. since the desire of Food is common to us with Beasts. But others alledged such horrid wickedness ought severely to be punished for a Terror to others; Upon which she was led to the common place of Ju­stice, her head was cut off, and her body being bound to a wheel, was left as a spectacle to all Pas­sengers of the horror of the Fact.

That which follows (saith my Author) I cannot write without Tears, no man ever hated his own flesh, saith the Scripture, and such are the Children of our Bodies, so that it is even against nature to de­stroy such fruit; Yet the dreadful sharpness of hunger hath brought this to pass; Oh what is that miserable necessity which makes us even break stone Walls, which causeth us to forget our nearest and dearest Relations, that vanquishes our most natural, and most powerful Passions, and tempts us to destroy that which we before so dearly loved, and so carefully cherished: At Oterburg in the Palatinate, a Widow woman living near the Church-yard, her name well known, had a Daughter of about nine or ten years old; This child was grown so faint with hunger, that one time with sorrowful eyes looking upon her Mother, she said, Sweet Mother, I would willingly dye so I were rid of my [Page] [Page]

[Page 141]pain, Oh that you would make an end of me, then should I go from whence I came, or if I should kill you, then you would be rid of your pain; The Mother looking earnest­ly upon her again, with a woful sigh replyed, And what wouldest thou do with me Child; The Girl very mournfully replyed I would then eat you, for they say that mans flesh is very sweet; The Mother at these words fell a weeping, and be­ing wonderfully distracted in her own thoughts, like a Ship tossed between the two Rocks of Desperate Ne­ceffity, and Motherly Affection; at length the first of them prevailed, and suddenly catching the Child by the head, and untying her hairlace, twisteth it about the neck of this innocent Lamb, and so presently strangled her, being dead, and she having no knife to cut the Body in pieces, she took a Spade, and therewith hewed it into Gobbets, and so dressing the head, and part of the Body, eat it up; Some part thereof she sold to her Neighbours for about six pence a pound; Her Child being long missed, her ac­quaintance asked her where it was, and how she came by that Flesh, she replyed, It was Hogs flesh which she had got of the Souldiers who passed that way; But perceiving the truth would be discovered, she freely confessed all; whereupon she was taken and Imprisoned, being allowed half a pound of bread, and a Kann of Water a day till her sentence; Being after examined before the Lords, she told them, That she was happy, since she came to Prison, and would be glad to lye there all her life for now she had wherewith to abate her hunger and thirst, her dreadful pain was thereby much abated: This so moved the Judges to compassi­on, that they freed her from Prison, and let her go as Innocent, as being compelled thereto by woful Ne­cessity; I cannot but record another story of the like nature; A Woman of Hornbach having been newly brought to bed, and wanting milk to nourish her Babe, she kissed and imbraced it a thousand times, drowning it almost with her Tears, and after a long Conflict with her own disturbed Soul, she killed it with [Page 142]a knife, and afterward dressed and eat it; When it began to be known, she was examined before the Judges, who asked her Why she killed her Child, she answered, That mighty and intolerable hunger had forced her to do it, and that it was the fruit of her own body, which she thought she might better make use of, than of any other; However she was condemned to dye, and ac­cordingly executed for a terror to others.

I am even weary (saith he) of these lamentable Re­lations, yet more miserable Accidents, if more mise­rable can be, followed these; They traced and fol­lowed the dead bodies to their place of Burial, and then digging them out of their Graves, dressed and eat them; so that in divers places, at Worms espe­cially, they were forced to set watch at the Church­yards, and over the Graves to keep the dead from being stolen and eaten; Yea to that extremity were they brought that some constrained by hunger, took Poyson to dispatch themselves, nay the very Wild Beasts in Woods were starved for want of Prey; The Earl of Arundel travelling to Frankford in his way toward England, a Boor or Peasant of the Countrey being their Guide, and having his Legs bare, a Fox pursued him even amidst the Earls Servants, and would not forbear biting of his Legs and heels for ex­tream hunger, till they gave him a blow on the neck, and so took him alive; The eyes of the Fox were sunk in his head, his bones stuck out, and he was so extream lean, that his ribs almost clung toge­ther; they carryed him alive with them in the Coach, and after a few days he dyed; Another Eng­lish Gentleman who came about that time through Germany into England, by the by-ways thereby to escape the Souldiers, reported that Wolves, Foxes, and other Wild Beasts lay dead for want of Food, and that in some Places men lived only upon Robbery, and the spoil of Strangers, or of one another, so that Thie­very was the only Trade then practiced among them.

LXIII. Thus much of this tremendous Judgment [Page 143]of Famine, In the last place let Pestilence, Sickness and Diseases bring up the Bere of this lamentable Scene of sorrow. These Distempers are oft-times the Compa­nions or Effects of War, it is very rare for a great Army to stay long in a place, and not to leave some Infection behind them; Beyond the River Dona, after the Swedes departure from thence with their Forces, the Plague, and several unheard of Diseases swept away a multitude of people, the like happened in the Palatinate and Bohemia; After Mastricht was taken, the Town and Countrey were grievously afflicted with Feavers, Fluxes, and the Pestilence above all, and the same year the Armies of the Duke of Lor­rain, and the Rhinegrave dyed miserably in the like kind in Alsatia; The Army of the Prince of Orange having taken Rhineberg left such infection in Brabant, that the Inhabitants the year after were afraid to live in their own Houses; About the same time General Holck being sent with six thousand men to invade Saxony, he plundered the City of Leipswick, and com­mitted as great outrages as Tillies Army had done be­fore, but such a Plague overtook both him and his Army, that most of his Souldiers dyed like rotten sheep, and being infected himself, he offered six hundred Rix dollars for a Protestant Minister to in­struct and comfort him, But both he and his Soul­diers had so behaved themselves, that no Minister was to be found: In the mean time all his Friends and Servants forsook him, except his Concubine, who stayed with him to the last; He had been both Pro­testant and Papist, but revolted from both, so that being guilty of his own perfideousness, and the exe­crable Murders and Rapines he had occasioned, he dyed utterly despairing of future happiness; In the City of Basil above Twenty Thousand dyed of the Plague; Their Popish Neighbours of the City of Trent rejoyced at their sufferings, as being their Enemies in Religion, but their Joy was very short, for the Win­ter following the Pestilence raged dreadfully among [Page 144]them, and though that City was not great, yet above Three Thousand Persons were buried out of it; This Plague was extraordinary virulent, and altogether in­curable; Some dyed raging, others were killed with their Carbuncles, others were swoln and discoloured as if they had taken poyson, and some dyed most strange­ly spotted; If any Souldier were but slightly wound­ed, it presently turned to a malignant Ulcer, defying all means of Cure; when the Infection got into a Kindred, it destroyed Parents, Children, and most times all of the blood; which demonstrates that a divine hand was very conspicuous in this woful visita­tion, though the Food and Air might also much con­duce to impoyson the Bodies; In the Siege of Hannover above twenty two thousand People were buried of the Sickness, and had not it pleased God hereby to di­minish their numbers, they had yielded the Town for want of Victuals; In the same Seige Souldiers who went seemingly well, and with their Eye-sight upon the Guard, came off again in a few hours struck stark blind, even Thirty at a time were thus afflicted, but the Disease afterward falling into their Legs, most of them recovered.

About this time almost all Germany felt this punish­ment in a grievous manner; In Swaben, Tyrol, and all along the Rivers of Rhine and Main, the Plague raged furiously; The King of Hungary was fain to dissolve his Court, and send his Servants away to other Ci­ties for their security; The Inhabitants of Memingen, Campden, and Isnen in Swaben were utterly consumed, and none left alive; In the Countrey thereabout for­merly inhabited by above Thirty Thousand men, there were not Four hundred Souls to be found; In the Confines of Bavaria the living were not sufficient to bury the dead, but Rats and Mice devoured their Carcases to the great horror of Passingers; Holland and the Low Countreys smarted very sore likewise; The University of Leyden buried Thirty Thousand; The Countrey Villages and the Hague were misera­bly [Page 145]afflicted, and also Brussels and Antwerp; The Ci­ties of Nimegen, Emerick, Rees, Guelders with other places neer, were not only visited therewith, (where­of the Marquess of Avtona the Spanish General, and other Commanders dyed) but there happened new contagious Diseases, among others, strange Fluxes, and a Pox hitherto unknown; The Emperors Army forraging and dispersing themselves all over the Coun­trey scattered the Contagion from their Quarters at Hailburn to the Land of Wirtenburg, and many places became hereby utterly depopulated; But after Gallas his taking in the Towns upon the Rhine, such an In­fection happened through the stink of the dead un­buried bodies, that in the Bishoprick of Mentz alone there dyed of this and Famine Twenty Four Thou­sand People; In Saxony, Brandenburg, Pomerania, Mecklenburg, &c. the Pestilence and other Diseases were so Universal, that these and the Sword seemed to contend which should be the greatest destroyers; It consumed in Saxony no less than Sixteen Thousand Souls in two Months time; Thus as by the print of the foot of Hercules you may guess at his stature, so by these few particulars of the miseries of some places, we may judge of the lamentable Condition of the whole Countrey, where these dreadful Judgments have left such wounds, as perhaps posterity for some Generations will see the scars of; And so I have done with this particular Relation of the Prodigies and Mi­series of Germany for several years, and shall now pro­ceed more generally according to my former me­thod.

LIV. In the year 1638. Six Suns were seen at once in Cornwall, and several Apparitions of men in the Heavens preparing to fight with each other; Also Navys of Ships were visible in the Sky; The Scots at this time make an Insurrection, the King goes in Person to appease them, they renounce the Bishops and Prelacy, and set up Presbytery in Scotland; In this year 1638. happened a terrible Earthquake in the [Page 146]Island of St. Michael one of the Agores, or Tercera's belonging to the Spaniard in the Atlantick Ocean Westward; Upon June 26. [...] Island began univer­saly to quake and tremble [...] which continued eight days, so that the People leaving the Cities, Towns and Castles, were forced to [...] in the open Fields: After which this Pr [...]digy succeeded; Six miles di­stant from the [...] or Pick of [...], at a place called [...], where Fishermen with their Boats use to fish in Summer, They at this time caught such a multitude, that no Boat returned with less than Ten Thousand Fish; At this very place in July this year, Fire broke forth with such unexpressable vio­lence, notwithstanding the depth of the Ocean, which had been fathomed one hundred and twenty foot deep, that the very Sea it self was not sufficient to extinguish such mighty flames; The space of this boyling Fire was about two Acres, and the Fire arose with such mighty force, that it reached even to the clouds, carrying with it Water, Sand, Earth, Stones, and much other matter, which like Feather-beds flew into the Air to the terror of the Beholders afar off, and falling down again into the water, resembled a kind of Pultis or Frumeatie; and had not the Wind by divine Providence blown off from the Isle into the Sea, and thereby driven back this outragious Fire, without doubt the whole Countrey had been utterly burnt up and destroyed by this formidable Combu­stion; soon after it cast forth stones of so vast a big­ness, to the height of above three lances, that they seemed rather like entire Mountains than Stones, which in their fall meeting and dashing against others they broke into a Thousand pieces, with a terrible noise and Ratling, which afterward being taken up moul­dred into a black Sand. Moreover out of this vast quantity of matter thrown out, a new Island arose even in the midst of the deep Ocean; In the begin­ning it was not above five Acres, but increasing conti­nually in four days after, it took up the length of [Page 147]five mile; so vast a multitude of fish perished by this burning, that eight Ships of Jndia could hardly con­tain them, and being dispersed about all parts of the Island were gathered together, and buried in deep Ditches by the Inhabitants for eighteen miles round about to prevent any Contagion which might arise from them, but the Sulphur or Brimstone was smelt twenty four miles. This year the Hollanders beat the Spanish Fleet upon the Coast of England.

LXV. The same year, 1638. the Learned Kircherus made a search and discovery into the burning Moun­tain of Vesuvius in the Kingdom of Naples, so famous for fiery Irruptions for many Ages, which being one of the most tremendous Miracles of Nature I shall relate in his own words; After so great Dangers sustained by Sea and Land in diligently searching out the incredible power of nature working in Burroughs and Passages under ground, I had a great desire to inform my self concerning Vesuvius, I went therefore to Porticus (the Porch or Entrance) a Town scituate at the Foot of the Mountain, where hiring an honest Countreyman for a true and skilful Companion, and guide in the way, not without a considerable reward, I ascended the Mountain at midnight through, difficult, rough, un­even, and steep Passages; when I came to the top or mouth I saw what is horrible to be expressed; I saw it all over of a light Fire with a dreadful combustion, and stench of Sulphur and burning Bitumen; whereat being astonished, methoughts I beheld the habitati­on of Hell, wherein nothing seemed to be wanting but the Apparitions of Ghosts, Devils, and damned Spirits; I then observed horrible bellowings and roar­ings in the mountain, and unexpressible stink, smoaks mixt with darkish Globes of Fire, which both the bot­tom and sides of the Mountain continually belched forth from eleven several places, and made me belch, and ready to vomit; O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are thy ways! If thou shewest thy power against the wickedness of man­kind [Page 148]in such formidable and portentous Prodigies and Omens of nature? What shall it be in that last day wherein the Earth shall be destroyed by thy wrath, and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat? In the morning as soon as it was light, that I might with the more diligence, search into the Bowels of the Mountain, I chose a place to set my feet secure upon, which was an huge Rock, plain on the top, where talting forth my Pantometer (or Ʋni­versal Measure) I took the dimensions of the Moun­tain, and found by Geometrical Computation, the compass of the Mouth to be almost three hundred paces, but the depth thereof eight hundred paces; The Mountain was every where up and down cragged, and broken, yet no gradual declining, for any passage to the inward parts, but descended in its compass of an equal bigness like a Well, and although the bot­tom seemed narrower, yet I judged it only to pro­ceed from the exceeding great depth and distance from our sight; In the very middle of the bottom, Nature seemed to have made a Shop or Workhouse of Fire, with everlasting gushings forth and streamings of smoak and flames, which seem to be imployed for boyling of Sulphur, Bitumen, and other Minerals in pre­paration for deadly ruins and slaughters afterward to be committed, since the vapours contained therein not having room, endeavour to free themselves with such great force and violence, accompanyed with hor­rible cracklings and noise, that the Mountain seems to be tost with an Earthquake or trembling, upon which the higher and softer parts of the Mountain that are clung together of Ashes, Cinders, Rains, and other Refuses of Minerals being shook in pieces, and loosned by this quaking, and so falling like Hills into the bottom of this Hellish Gulph, cause such terrible noises as are often heard, which are so great and fearful as may daunt the most stout and couragi­ous Spirit; The matter which was continually bel­ched forth from the center or bottom of the Moun­tain made as it were a new Mountain, which had [Page 149]wonderful variety of Furrows or hollow Channels, with various kinds of melted Minerals, formed as it were by the ingenious Pencil of Nature, sometimes of a greenish colour from Brass; then yellow from Sulphur, Arsnick, and Sandarack; presently after Red from Cinabar, Red-Lead and Vermilion; afterward Black from Vitriol mixt with water, or of an Ashy colour from the very Cinders. Thus far the labori­ous Kircher.

LXVI. Hear now what our ingenious Countryman Mr. G. Sandys relates of this fiery Mountain Vesuvi­us, It is scituate in Campania Faelix, about eight miles from Naples, which City hath received great injuries and prejudices by its Cinders, and violent throwing out of stones even to its Walls and Hou­ses; This Mountain has vast Fountains of Fire, and was heretofore high on every side before the inward parts were consumed; it usually utters smoak by day, but by night, Flames; its manner is to send forth a loud sounding or roaring noise and bellowing first, and then to belch forth a huge quantity of Cinders to the great danger of those who pass by, but if a ve­hement wind blow upon it, the Ashes or Cinders are raised so high and driven so far in length, that 'tis certain they have sometimes been carried as far as Constantinople though many hundred miles distance, and so affrighted them that they have all ran to their Prayers to implore the averting of Divine Wrath; The Mountain hath a double top, that toward the North ends in a Plain, the other toward the South aspires higher, which when covered with Clouds, prognosticates rain to the Neopolitans, In the top there is a large deep hollow in form of an Amphitheater, in the midst is a Pit which leads into the Entrails of the Earth, the matter thrown up is ruddy, light and soft, the uttermost brow of the Hill flourishes with Trees, and excellent Pasturage, the midst is shaded with Chesnut Trees and others, bearing divers fruits; The lower parts are admirably clothed with Vines [Page 150]which afford the best Greek Wines in the World; It hath at divers times made dreadful Eruptions and Devastations which (as well as Mount Aetna of which hereafter) have been accounted ominous, and to portend some woful Calamities to ensue.

But never any thing appeared so horrible (faith my Author) as what happened in the Reign of the Emperor Titus eighty years after Christ, For then it disgorged such boyling Waves and Flouds of Fire as consumed the Neighbouring Cities; And then it was that Pliny the Second, that great searcher into Nature, and the famous Author of the Natural History, and then Admiral of the Roman Navy, being desirous to discover the reason thereof, was choaked and suffo­cated in approaching too near to discover so great a mystery of Nature, yet not wilfully I suppose, though some Authors [...]sert that he threw himself into it, because he could not understand the natural cause of [...] Condagration; At that time there issued [...] so great a [...] that the very Sun seemed to be [...] an [...], and likewise huge Stones, and such plenty of [...], that Rome, Africk and Syria were even covered with them, and besides, Beasts, Fish, and Fo [...]l which were desir [...]ed, it overwhelmed Herculan [...] and Pumptins two adioyning Cities with Pumi [...]e Stones, together with all the People sitting in the Theater; There were also heard dismal noises all about the Province, and Giants of incredible bigness were seen to stalk up and down the top and edges of the Mountains (if the Peoples san [...]ies were not im­posed upon [...] their astonishment) which extraordi­nary [...] was judged either a cause, or Presage of a [...] which reigned in Rome and Italy long [...] the Roman Historian relates, [...] the [...] transported in the Air, ob­soured and darkned [...]l Europe, and that the Inhabi­tants [...] wonderfully affrighted there­with, [...] their Emperor Leo forsook the City, and that in memorial of the same they celebra­ted [Page 151]yearly the 12 of November; It likewise burnt in the 6 year of Constantine the Fourth, and groaned, but ejected no Cinders; Platina writes, that it flamed in 685, prognosticating the Death of Pope Benedict 2. with the insuing Slaughters, Rapines, and Deaths of Princes; During the Papacy of Benedict 8, and 9. it is said to have done the like, and though it hath made divers dreadful devastations, yet the fruitful Ashes thrown about did seem to repair the foregoing losses with a quick and marvellous fruitfulness; At the foot of the Hill there are divers holes and vents, out of which exceeding cold winds do continually issue, and which at Padua they let into their Rooms at pleasure, to qualifie the heat of Summer; In the year 1610 in February, Vesuvius began to flame, to the great af­frightment of the Neapolitans, and solemn Prayers and Supplications being ordered, they went in Pro­cession with the head of Januarius their Patron, and the defender of their City carryed before them; whereby the deluded people were perswaded that the destruction which hung over their heads was preven­ted, In 1631 was a new Eruption, and again in 1635 was an Earthquake in [...].

LXVII. In the year 1633 likewise the industrious Kircher made a discovery of the Phlegrean, or Fiery Plains in the Fields of [...] near Naples, which be­ing another wonderful Prodigy of Nature, may be worth relating; Passing by Naples (saith he) I could not let slip the opportunity of inquiring and looking into those Sulphurous Plains so much celebrated in all Ages; Having therefore gone through a Passage under ground, called the Grotte, arched and made hollow, to the Mountain Pausilippus; not far from Puteoli, be­tween the Jaws of the Mountains a large Plain pre­sents it self to view, altogether dreadful and full of horrour, in length about Twelve hundred Foot, in breadth a Thousand; The whole Plain is surrounded with Hills of high and steep Rocks, which were for­merly very lofty, but are since devoured by perpetu­al [Page 152]Fires; In the bottom little hills are seen to burn and flame, with a strong smell of Brimstone which is carryed by the Winds through all the Neighbouring Regions, even as far as Naples, some parts of the Plain have an infinite number of holes, and are yellow with a Sulphurish matter; the ground when it is touched by those who walk thereon, sounds and rattles like a Drum by reason of the hollowness there­of, and you may feel as it were, not without asto­nishment, boyling waters under your feet, and thick fiery fumes to hiss and flow from one place to another with a great crackling noise through the Pipes and Passages under ground which are made by these fiery Exhalations; the force of this is very great as you may experience by stopping any of these holes with an heavy stone, or the like; for then you shall observe the violence of the smoak presently to throw it up, and belch it forth again; But an huge Laky Ditch in the same plain did wonderfully affect me; It is full of boyling waters, very frightful for their blackness, that one would imagine it were a Kettle, or Caldron boyling with Pitch and Rosin; It is likewise admirable, that the swallowing Gulph casts forth these boyling waters eight or ten foot above a mans height, in the fashion of a spire Steeple, or Pyramid; In the Mount [...]ns and Rocks wherewith this Vulcanian Plain is incompassed, there are Pas [...]a [...]es like Ch [...]mneys, some whereof breath out a continual Wind, with a terrible sound and ra [...]ling and also with such strength, that if you cast a stone thereinto, it is struck back again to your hand with great fury; some of these brea­thing holes dart forth smoak mixt with flames; you would here think your self almost in the midst of Hell, where all things appear horrid, sad, and la­mentable, and you are even struck bre [...]hless with the stench of Sulphur, Bitumen, Napthe, and other Earths, Clays, Marls and Minerals;

We must not here omit Mr. Sandys his Relation of a [...]most memorable Earthquake, and burning which [Page 153]happened near the City Puteoli in 1538. with the new formed Mountain; For the famous Lake Lucrinus hard by, extended formerly to the deadly Sulphur­ous Lake Avernus, supposed the entrance into Hell by ignorant Antiquity, where they offered Infernal Sacri­fices to Pluto their God of Hell, and to the Manes or Ghosts of their deceased Friends, who were there said to have returned answers to what was demanded of them: This place is now only a little watry plash, choaked up by the horrible and astonishing eruption of a new Mountain, whereof as often as I think, I am apt to give credit to whatsoever is wonderful; For who is there in this place but knows, or who elsewhere will believe, that a Mountain should arise partly out of a Lake, and partly out of the Sea, in one day and a night to such a height, as to contend in altitude with the highest Mountains adjoyning, yet so it was; For Sept. 29. 1538. the Countrey hereabout having for several days before been tor­mented with perpetual Earthquakes, that no one house was left intire, but all men expected an im­mediate ruin; After the Sea had retired two hundred Paces from the Shoar, leaving abundance of Fish and Springs of fresh water rising in the bottom, this Mountain visibly ascended about the second hour of the night, with an hideous roaring noise, horribly vomiting Stones, and such store of Cinders, as over­whelmed all the buildings thereabout and the health­ful Baths of Tripergula celebrated for so many Ages, consuming the Vines to Ashes, and killing Birds and Beasts; The fearful Inhabitants of Puteoli flying away in the dark, with their Wives and Children, naked, defiled, crying out and detesting their Calamities, Manifold mischiefs had they suffered by the Turks, and Barbarians, yet none like this which Nature Inflicted; This Mountain is to be seen at this day, the top whereof is above a mile from the Foundation, the stones upon it are so light and pory, that they will not sink when thrown into Water; when it was [Page 154]newly raised, it had a vast number of Vents or Issues, some of them smoaking and likewise flaming, others disgorging little Rivers of hot water, keeping a dread­ful rumbling, and many miserably perished who ven­tured to go down into the hollowness above; But that hollow on the top is now an Orchard, and the Mountain throughout is bereft of its Terrors, no more smoak, fire or flames issuing any longer there­from, But to return.

LXVIII. A little before the Marquess Hamilton came with the Scotch Army into England, two Armies were seen in York hire in the Air, discharging and shooting against each other, and after a long fight the Army which rose our of the North vanished; Likewise about the same time at [...] in Northumberland it rained blood, which covered the Church and Church­yard. In 1642, at the time of the bloody Rebellion in Ireland, when the Papists murthered above Two Hundred Thousand Innocent Protestants without the least Provocation, these Prodigies happened in that Kingdom as they were deposed upon Gath by divers Persons ex [...]mined about the same; At Portendown Bridge in the Province of Ʋ [...]er, the Iri [...]h Inhabi­tants thereabout were so affrighted with Cryes and Noises made there by some Spirits for Revenge, that they were forced to remove their habitations, not daring to return thither again; Likewise the blood of some of those Innocents who were massacred there, remained long upon the Bridge, and could not be washed out; There appeared also the shapes of Men and Women breast high above Water, who did la­mentably and scarfully screech and cry out for ven­geance against the Iri [...]h who had murthered their Bodies there; December 20. 1641. the bloody Rebels having at one time drowned one hundred and four­score Protestant Men, Women and Children in this River by the Bridge, about nine days after a Spirit in the shape of a man appeared in that place breast high above the Water, with his hands lifted up, [Page 155]standing in that posture several times, till the latter end of Lent next following, and was seen by very many; And a Mother of some of those Children who were drowned there, going one Evening to the Bridge with some other Women whose Husbands had likewise been drowned, upon a sudden there appeared to them a Vision of a Woman naked to the wast in the water, with elevated and closed hands, her hair hanging down very white, her Eyes seeming to wrinkle, and her skin as white as snow, often re­peating the word, Revenge, Revenge, Revenge. Fur­ther, Thirty Women and young Children, and Seven men were flung by these barbarous Rebels into the River of Belte [...]t, and when some of them swum for their Lives toward the bank, they were knocked on the head with Poles by these merciless Tygers; Being dead, their Bodies appeared not as usual, till about six weeks after, at which time one Mulmore O Rely, who had commanded them to be murdered, coming to the place, all the Bodies came floating up to the Drid [...]e. Sir C [...] Mac Gennis with his Souldiers murthered one Mr. Trug [...] Minister of Newry, but short­ly after f [...]ng sick, upon his death bed he was terri­bly [...], seeming always to see the same Mr. Tr [...] his presence; Also Dr. Robert Maxwel Arch­deacon of Down testifyed upon his Oath. That the Rebels themselves assured him, that most of those who were thrown from that Bridge were dayly and nightly seen to walk upon the River, sometime singing Psalms, sometimes brandishing Swords, sometimes skreiking out in a most hideous and fearful manner.

LXIX. In 1642, before the Fight at Edghil three Suns were seen in the North. In 1645. Many other Apparitions were visible in the North, with divers P [...]r [...]'s or Mocksuns, and an Eclipse of the Sun; All England saith Mr. Gadbury was at this time toge­ther by the Ears: The next year the Scots return home again, The English go into Ireland, and subdue the Rebels there; In the Moneth of May this year it [Page 156]rained Brimstone, at Wittenburg in Germany; and a great Wood belonging to the Dukedom of Norimburg, in that Countrey, of eight thousand Acres of Land, fell on Fire, and was burned to Ashes; In January 1648, there was seen a great Fiery Meteor in the Air near Bristol on the Southside of the City for divers nights together, of a long form, with fiery Beams shooting out East and West, which was but a week before the Martyrdom of his late Majesty; also the day before his Death, a great Whale ran himself ashoar three miles from Do [...]er, where he dyed; He was sixty six foot long, a thing rarely seen in this Island. this I was informed [...] by an Eye-witness saith Mr. Clark. I very well remember (saith Mr. John Gadbury) that in [...] year 164 [...]; the very year where­in Charles late King of England was beheaded, it was generally, (I will not say truly) reported, that he without his head was seen to hover in the Air over Whitehall, the place where he suffered, for many nights together; Nay I have heard some affirm, That he was seen sometime with his George upon his Breast in the manner and form as he wore it when he came upon the Scaffold, and that sometimes again he was seen to appear in his Watchet Wastcoat only; Neither of these sights did I ever see (saith he) nor can enjoyn any ones faith to believe; However if the report were true, (and I know not what advan­tage any man can reap by reporting such things as these if they were not) it may very well be accoun­ted a thing Prodigious and Remarkable. J. Gadbury.

LXX. In 1650. Jan. 18. In the night time was a terrible storm, and Armies and armed Troops in every place for twelve miles compass about Molton in Yorkshire, were heard to ride and march through the Towns. The Cattle and Beasts in those Places were so affrighted that most of them broke out of their Pastures, some by leaping broke their necks, others their Legs, some ran away above four miles off, who when found were extreamly heated, One Ox that lay [Page 157]in a stackyard lame, and could not rise without help, in this fright broke forth, and was found a mile off, and was brought home upon a sled. In March fol­lowing, 3 glorious Suns were seen at once in Cumber­land to the astonishment of many Thousands which beheld them; In April the same year, about 5 a Clock in the afternoon in the Countys of Cumberland and Westmorland was a genetal Earthquake wherewith the People were so affrighted, that many of them forsook their Houses, and some Houses were so shaken, that the Chimneys fell down. The same year, 1650, the Island of Santorin, at the bottom of the Streights in the Mediterranean Sea, not far from Candia, had for­midable Fires and Earthquakes; This Island was for­merly called Thera, but now Santorin, and started up out of the Sea, for Baronius out of Pliny thus writes; In the year 726 a vapour was seen to bubble forth out of a Chimney of Fire, between the Islands of Theresia, or Santorin, from the very bottom of the Sea, which continued some days, and the Fire and Smoak growing thicker by degrees, spread it self abroad with mighty flames, and with the vastness of its strength, it cast out huge Rocky Pumice Stones, and great heaps of other matter, which it carried through all Asia, Lesbos, and Abydus, and the Sea­coasts of Macedonia, so that the whole Surface of the Sea was covered with these Pumices; But in the middle of so great a Fire, there was an Island made from the heaping up of that matter, and joyned to the Island, called The Sacred, which never was in be­ing before; There was likewise another Island next to this formed in 1570, not without great terror of those of Santorin; Since the burning lasted for a year, as some ancient People who saw it with their Eyes did lately testifie; But in the middle of this smaller new Island which is now called little Camena there is to be seen to this very day an huge deep Ditch, which being narrow toward the bottom, grows big­ger by degrees like a Funnel, out of which as out of [Page 158]a Chimney those mighty Stones and Rocks did burst forth, which being mixt with Cinder and Ashes composed the rest of that Isle.

But if ever these Fires pent up in the [...]owels of the Earth exercised their force, it was mo [...] remarka­ble upon September 24. 1650. which shook the Island till the ninth of October, with such mighty and fre­quent Earthquakes, that the People of Santorin fear­ing that their immediate ruin was approaching, were on their knees night and day before their Altars; It cannot be expressed what an horror invaded all men, especially when those yictorious flames break­ing through all Obstacles, strove to make themselves a way through the midst of the Waters of the Ocean about four miles Eastward from Santorin; For the Sea all on a sudden swelled Thirty Cubits up­ward, and extending it self wide through the Neigh­bouring Lands, overturned all in its way; Insomuch that it broke in pieces several Ships and Galleys in the very Haven of Candia, with its extraordinary violence, though fourscore miles distant from thence; The Air being darkned with those sulphurous stink­ing vapours, put on innumerable Forms and Appea­rances, as of Fiery Lances, and Swords brandished and shaken, bright and glittering Arrows darting forth; Here terrible Serpents and Dragons seemed to be flying, There hideous Thunderclaps, Lightnings and Thunderbolts; And yet they could scarce see, for the Peoples Eyes were so hurt with those sharp, pricking, sulphurous smoaks, and vapours, that almost all became blind for 3 days, with such grievous pains in their Eyes, that they wept continually, and be­wailed their most miserable Fate; But when their eye-sight returned, they saw all their Silver and Gold, both Vessels and Garments, and Pictures, spread over with a yellow colour; and such a vast multitude of Pumice stones did this fiery Gulph vomit forth, that it covered the Sea, so that they could scarce pass in a Vessel; It is most certain that they were carryed [Page 159]many hundred miles, even to Smyrna and Constanti­nople, and all the Shoars and Coasts were filled there­with; The fury of this Burning wa [...] greatest for the first two Moneths, which caused the Neighbour Sea to bubble like a boyling Pot, and night and day huge Globes and Flakes of Fire, and exceeding thick smoak mounted up to the Heavens; which if at any time it was carryed by contrary winds to any places near at hand, besides a most grievous s [...]ink, it brought certain destruction upon Birds and Beasts, yea, upon men themselves; As it happened in October and November this year, that fifty Husbandmen miserably perished thereby, besides an innumerable multitude of Birds, Sheep, Oxen, and Asses; The like happen­ed to nine Mariners, who passing that way in their ship by night, after 3 days were all found half burnt, and were buried in the Island Nio threescore miles from Santorin; But the other 4 months (for it flamed six in all) though that Hellish Hearth or Furnace abated much of its vigour and fierce heat, and could scarce lift it self above the Waves, yet it still seemed to cast out Pumice stones, and to be la­bouring to form a new Island which though it does not yet appear above Water yet in a calm Sea, it is observed to be very shallow thereabout, the Water being in that place not above eight Cubits deep.

LXXI. In 1651. The River of Sein, which runs through Paris in France swelled so much, that all the Houses near it were in danger to have been ruined thereby, and very much hurt was done; The same year, March 4, the day before the Burial of the late Prince of Orange, a full Tyde of the Sea broke the Dam or Bank of St. Anthony in Holland, and overflow­ed all that part which is called Diemer Meer; There happened likewise thereby, very great damage in North-Holland, but at Amsterdam the water grew so high, that the People were compelled to go in Boats through the Streets, besides which, it came into [Page 160]their Cellars and Warehouses, thereby spoyling a vast quantity of Merchandises to the value of many Tuns of Gold. The same year Sept. 14, a Prodigious Judgment happened at Bi [...]boa in Spain, whereof I have a Letter by me written by a Merchant of good credit (saith Mr. Clark) which thus relates it. Sir I presume that before this comes to your hands, you will hear of Gods great Judgment upon this To [...] which hath caused such a destruction as is impossible to bed [...]scribed, and at present 'tis not throughly known what damage it hath done; upon the eighth of this Moneth it pleased God (not by any extraordi­nary rains from Heaven to our thinking) to open the Moun­tains like Fountains, and to cause the Seaso to swell, that in less than four hours it overflowed the Town throughout six­teen foot high, which prevented us not only from saving our Goods, but also with great hazard of our lives have we escaped; yet many lost their Lives with great destruction both of the Houses and Walls; For my own part I feared my life, for my house trembled under me extreamly, so that not only my self, but my whole Family had been destroyed, had it continued but a small time longer, though the Water ebbed not for Twenty four hours; Many Iron Mills were destroyed, many Thousand Loads of Charcoal were carryed away, many bags of Wool spoiled; All their Shops with their Goods were much damaged; God knows the trouble we underwent, and still I am every day in the mud half my height, looking after my Goods, and am fain to keep many men digging to find them, and am looking out for bread to maintain my Family; a little Chicken costs us two shil­lings in Spanish Plate; In brief, neither Horse, Mule, Hog, nor any other Living Creature that goes upon the ground hath escaped drowning, but only such as fled to the tops of the Mountains, The destruction and losses of [...]his Town are unspeakable, the very pavement and ground being carryed away at least Ten Foot deep, and the River hath altered its Chanel; The first work that we now set upon (by command of Authority) is to throw away the Fish which the water brought with it, which being tainted, smells so abominably, that we fear it will bring the Plague [Page 161]amongst us, but we hope by to morrow night to throw it all into the River, and thereby be rid of this stink, and our next work must be to cleanse the River.

LXXII. In 1652, There was a great Eclipse of the Sun, and Two Eclipses of the Moon: A Two hand­ed Sword was seen in the Air in Cheshire, and Armies of men encountring each other, appeared in the North, a Comet was visible in the Signs Gemini and Taurus from December 11, to the 30. This year the English subdued Scotland, and beat the Dutch at Sea; They beat the French at Sea this year also; The English Parliament, firnamed the Long, are turned out of Doors by their own Army. In 1653, Oliver Cromwell a private Gentleman by Birth, but then Ge­neral of the Army, assumes the Government of Great Britain by the Title of Lord Protector of Eng­land, Scotland and Ireland; The King of the Romans, and the Pope in two years after dye; strange and unheard of Alterations in Law and Government here in England, new Courts of Justice, Council of State, Major Generals. In 1654 was another Eclipse of the Sun, and an Earthquake in the West of Eng­land; Apparitions are visible in the Air in the North of England; A very great Rain falls in Bohe­mia; At this time the English take Jamaica, and make War with Spain. The English and Swedes unite; In 1655. Castles, Cities and Towns appear in the Air in England, and seem to be besieged, the different Actions and Gestures of Men, both Commanders and Souldiers being plainly visible; This year Car­dinal Guisi is made Pope by the Title of Innocent the 10. The Polanders are routed by the Swedes: In 1656, An Earthquake happened in Cheshire, doing much harm, sinking the Ground, and rending up many Trees by the Roots, to the great damage of the Coun­trey. In November a fiery Dragon was seen in the Air in Scotland; This year the English land in Flanders, and take Mardike from the Spaniards, they become angry thereat, and Wars between them grow high; [Page 162]The King of Denmark was twice invaded by the King of Sweden; There fell such abundance of Rain at Vienna in Germany, that the River Danubius swelling above its banks, the violence of the Waters broke down all the Bridges, and most of their Mills; Yea, the Water came into their Suburbs, called, The Jews Suburbs, drowning many Persons, and carrying away a very great number of Cattel, and did so great mis­chief to the Countrey that the loss was thought in­estimable, there being sixteen Towns and Villages swept away by the Flood. Gadbury de Comet.

LXXIII. In 1658, A great Whale came up to Greenwich near London, a thing seldom known before; This year Dunkirk was taken by the English; Sir Henry Slingsby and Dr. Heuit being condemned by an High Court of Justice as they called it, were beheaded at Towerhill, and Sept. 3. following, which used to be a great day of Triumph in Olivers Court for two great Victories at Dunbar and Worcester, was turned into a day of Mourning by the Death of their Protector who dyed about 4 or 5 a Clock that day; and Richard Cromwel confidently succeeds him in the Go­vernment, as if it had been his just due; Nay some People in England send such sugred Addresses to him, that he believed himself to be what they flatteringly stiled him: The King of Sweden loses much this year and dyes. In 1659, there was a very great Inundati­on in Holland, which overflowed Thirty Six Thou­sand Acres of Ground: Also a great Eclipse of the Sun in Scorpio, November 4. Lofty and strange un­wonted Winds, In May 1659, the Long Parliament returned, and turned out Richard Cromwell, but were soon after turned out themselves by Lambert and the Army; A Committee of safety is set up; The L. General Monk being troubled to behold the Confu­sions of the English Proceedings, marched out of Scotland, and after the Committee of Safety was fallen, brings in the secluded Members of the Long Parlia­ment, who soon after dissolve themselves, and call [Page 163]another Parliament who restore His Royal Majesty King Charles 2. to His just Rights and Priviledges, whom God preserve with a Long and Happy Reign over us. Gadbury of Prodigies.

LXXIV. In 16 [...]0. Feb. 20. At Dantzick in Poland, when the Sun was going down, there were seen se­ven Suns together very distinctly in the Heavens, three of them coloured, and three white, besides the True Sun it self, about which was a Circle much like a Rainbow. In 1661. Jan. 28. There is a Rela­tion that near Worsup in Nottinghamshire there was an appearance of a gallant Troop of Horse marching, which a Justice of Peace having notice of, related to a Person of Honour, thinking them to be real Men and Horses, but upon a strict inquiry, it was con­cluded to be only an Apparition; The same Relation says about that time, there happened a strange and dreadful storm of Hail at Northampton, and fire min­gled with the hail in some places, and that it did run upon the ground in great sheets of Fire for a consi­derable way together: It fell upon some part of Wel­linborough Town in Northamptonshire: Upon February 18. this year very early in the morning began a dreadful storm of Wind accompanied with Thunder, Lightning, Hail and Rain, which killed divers Per­sons by the fall of Houses and Chimneys, and did very great damage in many places of England. In 1662, about six a Clock in the Evening, there ap­peared (saith my Author) in the Heavens near Dover, on the South-side of the Town, a fiery Meteor in the form of an Ensign and Banner, broad at one end, and narrow at the other, according to the Judgment of the Spectators about 14 yards in length, it was of a fiery red colour, and flew with great swiftness from about the Seamark called the Devils drop toward Dover Castle, and so over the Castle about a mile in length, winding in its motion, and then gradually vanishe. This was attested by the Spectators themselves.

LXXV. In 1664. About the beginning of December a Comet appeared in Europe, the body whereof was very large, and its Tail of a very great length, it pointed Westward both as it arose and as it sate, and this con­stantly from the beginning of its appearance to the time of its vanishing; They writ from Edenborough, that it was very remarkable in that it had a stream issuing from the side of it like a red flame out of the mouth of a Furnace, and Mr. Gadbury relates that a Letter which he received from Cranfeild in Bed­fordshire gives an Account that upon December 27. not far from the Comet was the appearance of a blue and purple colour, all full of Leprous Spots, it was round, and as big as five Moons; not long before this, saith Mr. Gadbury, we had news of the shape of a black Coffin seen in the Air at Hamburg, and other parts in Germany and Flanders; And the very day that the last Prodigy was seen, saith he, I met with a Letter in our News-books dated from Erford in Germa­ny, Decemb. 27. the Contents whereof were these; We have had our part here of the Comet as well as other places, besides which, here have been other terrible Appari­tions and noises in the Air, as Fires and Sounds of Canon and Masket-shot, and here has likewise appeared several times the resemblance of a black man, who has made our Sentinels to quit and run away from their Posts; Now, saith he, though I have no great Faith in Appari­tions of this Nature, as knowing that Melancholy heads by the strength of Fancy and Imagination, may conceit they see such things that really are not; yet when such Fancies shall really possess the Gene­ral Opinion, it is to be presumed that something more than common, will befall mankind, and our fears do seem to prepare us for the embraces of that mischief we dread. This year began a War with the Hollanders and His Majesties Fleet off Portsmouth took an hundred and twelve Ships small and great from the Dutch, most of which were adjudged Lawful Prize.

LXXVI. And here I cannot omit what I find rela­ted in the History of Ceilon an Island in the East-Indies, published by Captain Robert Knox, who was a Captive there for near Twenty years; It happened, saith he that in December 1664. there was a dangerous Rebellion in this Countrey against their King, about which time there appeared a fearful Blazing Star; Just at the instant of this Rising the Star was right over our heads, and one thing I very much wondred at, that whereas before this Insurrection the Tail stood away toward the West, from whence this Re­bellion sprung, yet the very night after, for I well observed it, the Tail was turned and stood away to­ward the East, and by degrees it diminished quite away; At this time I say, the People of this Land having been long and sore oppressed by this Kings unreasonable and cruel Government, contrived a Plot against him: He used to shed a great deal of blood without the least Reason, his Cruelty appear­ing both in the Tortures and painful deaths which he inflicted, and in the extents of his punishments in destroying whole Families for the miscarriage of one Person; For when he is displeased with any, he does not always command to kill them outright, but first to torment them, which is done by cutting and pulling away their flesh with Pincers, burning them with hot Irons clapt to them to make them confess their Confederates, whereby they many times confess more than they ever saw or knew to be rid of their Torments; After Confession he sometimes com­mands to hang their two hands about their necks, and to make them eat their own flesh, and Mothers to eat their own Children, and so to lead them through the City in publick view to terrifie all, to the place of Execution, the Dogs following to eat them; who are so accustomed to it, that seeing a Prisoner led away, they follow after; At the place of Execution, there are some always sticking upon Poles, others hanging up in Quarters upon Trees, besides what [Page 156]lye killed by Elephants on the ground, or by other ways; His wrath is not appeased (as aforementioned) by the Execution of the Malefactor, but oft times he punisheth all his Generation, it may be he kills them altogether, or gives them all away for Slaves; so far is he from regarding the good of his Countrey, that he rather endeavours the destruction thereof, for being now between seventy and eighty years old, therefore Nature tells him he must leave it; However there is no love lost between the King and his People, which occasioned them to enter into the aforesaid Conspiracy against him; The Design was to assault the Kings Court in the night, and to slay him, and make the Prince his Son King, He being then about 15 years of Age, and was with his Mother the Queen in the City of Cande; The time appointed to Act it was Decemb. 20. 1664, at twelve a Clock at night, and having got about two hundred men, (not need­ing any more.) since they had so many Confederates at Court, in the dead of the night, they came march­ing into the City of Nillemby where the King then was, The Captain of the Watch was thought to be of their Party, but if he were not, it was not in his po­wer to resist them, however he was afterward exe­cuted for it, Being entred the City, they hastened down to the Court, and fell upon the Great men who lay then without the Palace, upon the Guard; Many who were not intrusted with the Design were killed, and those that could make their escape, got in unto the King, who was secured only with a Clay wall thatched, which was all his strength; yet these People were afraid to assault his Person, lying still till the morning; At which time the King made his escape unto the Mountains with only Fifty Persons, There were some Horses went with him, but the ways were so bad, that he could not ride; They were fain to drive an Elephant before him to break the way through the Woods, that the King with his Followers might pass. As he fled, the Conspirators [Page 157]pursued him, but at a great distadce for fear of some exceellent Fowling Pieces which he had with him, and so he got safe to the Mountain Gauluda about 15 miles off, where many of the Inhabitants there­about resorted to him; But if the Rebel Party had been resolute, who were the greater number, even almost all the Kingdom, this Hill could not have secured him, but they might have driven him from thence, there being many ways by which they might have ascended.

The People having thus driven away, the old King marched away to the City of Cande, and pro­claimed the Prince to be King, telling us English, that what they had done was not rashly, but upon good Consideration and advice, the King by his evil Go­vernment having occasioned it, who went about to destroy both them and their Countrey; As in de­taining Ambassadors; hindering of all Trade, mak­ing Prisoners of all people that come upon his Land, and killing his Subjects and their Children, not suffering them to enjoy, nor to see their Wives; And that all this was contrary to reason, and as they were informed to the Government of other Countreys; The Prince being young and tender, and having never been out of the Pallace, nor ever seen any but those that attended on his Person, was af­finghted to see so many coming, and bowing down to him, and telling him that he was King, and his Father was fled into the Mountains; neither did he say or act any thing, as not owning the business, or else not knowing what to say or do; This much discouraged the Rebels, to see they had no Thanks for their pains, and so all things stood till, D [...]emo. 25. 1664, at which time they intended to march and fall upon the old King; But in the mean time the Kings Sister flyes away with the Prince from the City, into the Countrey near the King, which so amazed the Rebels, that the Money, Cloth and plun­der which they had taken, and were going to distri­bute [Page 158]to strangers to joyn with them, they scattered about the Town, and fled away; Others of their Company seeing the business was overthrown, to make amends for their former Fact, revolted and fell upon their Consorts, killing and taking Prisoners all they could; The People were now all up in Arms against each other, killing whom they pleased, (only saying they were Rebels) and taking their Goods; By this time a great Man had drawn out his Souldiers into the Field, and declared for the old King, and so went to seize the Rebels that were scattered abroad; but understanding they were all fled, and no wh [...]le Party or Body left to resist him, he marched into the City, killing all he could catch; And so all revolted, and came back to the King again, whilst he only lay still upon his Mountain; The King needed to take no care to seize or execute the Rebels, for they them­selves out of their zeal to him, and to make amends for what was past, imprisoned, and killed all they met, the Plunder being their own; This continued 8 of 10 days, which the King hearing of, commanded to kill no more, but only to imprison them till exami­nation, which was not so much to save the Innocent, as that he might torment the Rebels, and make them confess their Confederates, for he spared none that seemed guilty, and some to this day lye chained in Prison, being sequestred of all their Estates, and beg for their Living; The King could not be insensible but that it was his rigorous Government which occasio­ned this Rebellion, yet amended it not in the least, but like Rehoboam added yet more to the Peoples yoke: And being thus safely reinstated in his Kingdom again, and observing that the Life of his Son gave incouragement to the Rebellion, he resolved for the future to prevent it by taking him away, and about a year after, his Son being sick, the Hing takes this Opportunity to dispatch him, by pretending to send Physick to him to cure him, but was really Poyson, which soon made an end of him; The People hear­ing [Page 159]of the death of the Prince, according to the Custom of that Countrey when any of the Royal Blood dye, came all in General toward the City where he was, with black, or else very dirty Cloths, which is their mourning, the men all bare-headed, the Women with their hair loose and hanging about their Shoulders to mourn and lament for the Death of their young Prince; which the King hearing of, sent them word, That since it was not his Fortune to live to sit on the Throne after him, and Reign over the Land, it would be but in vain to mourn and a great trouble and hindrance to the Countrey, and their voluntary good will was taken in as good part us the mourning it self, and so dismist the Assembly, and burned the Princes dead body with­out Ceremonies or Solemnities; but one thing there is that argues him guilty of Imprudence, and horrible Ingratitude, that most of those who went along with him when he fled, of whose Loyalty he had such ample Experience he hath since cut off, and that with extream Cruclty too; In Feornary two years af­ter, there appeared in this Countrey another Co­met or Stream in the West, with the head of it un­der the Horizon, much like that seen in England in 1680. The sight of this did much daunt both King and People, having so lately felt the sad Event of a Blazing Star; The King sent men to the highest Mountains in the Land to look if they could per­ceive the head of it, which they could not, it be­ing still under the Horizon; This continued visible about a Month, and by that time was so diminished as not to be seen; But there were no remarkable Pas­sages ensued upon it.

LXXVII. About five or six nights after the extinction of the first Comet which was seen in England, and in the same Moneth of December another Comet was visible, which continued till the middle of January following, it was much less than the for­mer, seeming about the bigness of an ordinary [Page 160]Trencher Plate, about 8 Inches over, and had prickly Rays dispersed round about it; In April 1665, fol­lowing, a Third Comet was seen much of the Na­ture and colour of the first, only a little more Jo­vial; This year, June 3. A great Victory was obtain­ed by His Majesties Fleet under his Royal Highness the Duke of York against the whole Dutch Fleet, where­in above Thirty Capital Ships were taken and de­stroyed, and near Eight Thousand men killed and taken Prisoners; A great Plague began in London, and this year there dyed in all ninety seven thousand three hundred and six, whereof of the Plague sixty eight thousand five hundred ninety six; In February this year, there was a great Tempest, accompanied with Thunder, Lightning, and an Earthquake in di­vers places; at which time the stately Spire of Tri­nity Church in Coventry fell down, and demolished a great part of the Church, killing only one man; and in Hampshire a Justice of Peace riding by the way, was slain and burnt by Lightning; In August, 1666, Sir Robert Holmes destroyed above one hundred and fifty Sail of Dutch Ships at the Fly in Holland, and burnt the Town of Bandaris upon the Island of Schelling, containing at least a Thousand Houses. Sept. 2. about one a Clock in the morning, a sudden and lamentable Fire broke out in the City of London, beginning in a place called Pudding-Lane, near New Fish-street, which in 4 days time burnt down Thir­teen Thousand Two Hundred Houses.

LXXVIII. In 1668, in Autumn, a great part of Asia, and some parts of Europe were infested with extraordinary Earthquakes; The Cities of Constanti­nople and Adrianople felt its sad Effects, but not with that violence and continuance as in other Places; In some parts of Persia it continued for above four­score days; Torqueto and Bolio two considerable Ci­ties, were by its great violence layd even to the ground, and all or most of the Inhabitants buried in the Ruins, above six thousand Persons perished in the [Page 161]first of them, and above eighteen hundred in the latter; And in all the adjacent Cities it raged with extraordinary fury, destroying and ruining the Build­ings, killing many of the People, and the rest were forced to quit the Towns, and take up their Lodg­ings in the Fields. About the beginning of August 1669, there came two Whales and a Grampas up the River of Thames, whereof one of the Whales, and the Grampas were killed, and the other Whale which was the bigger, returned back into the Sea; Septem­ber 4. following, saith Mr. Clark, news was brought to our Kings Majesty of the Death of the Que [...]n Mother, who dyed in France July 31. in the Sixtieth year of her Age.

LXXIX. In March the beginning of this year 1669, there happened a most dreadful Earthquake and Ir­ruption of Mount Aet [...]a in Sicily, of which before I give a particular Account, it may not be unproper to describe the Mountain it self, as it has been rela­ted by divers famous Historians; Aetna or Mount Gibello, called by Pindar the Celestial Column or Pillar, is the highest Mountain in Sicily, from whence all the Island may be seen at once, and in a clear day the Eye may even reach Africa, it rears up its top or Spire Thirty miles into the Sky, and may be seen forty or fifty miles at Sea, but its compass is sixty, others say an hundred miles space, it appears East­ward with two shoulders, having an eminent head in the middle, The lower parts are luxuriously fruitful, and the abundance of fat oyly matter which is cast out of it, makes the Soyl thereof as well as of the whole Island Incredibly fruitful in the best Wine, Oyl, Honey, Saffron, Minerals also of Gold, Silver, Silks and Allom, with variety of excellent and delicious Fruits, and abundance of all sorts of Grain, so that it was called in old time, The Granary of the Roman Empire; The middle of the Mountain is woody and shady, the upper part rocky, steep, and almost covered with Snow; yet smoaking in the midst like many [Page 162]conjoyned Chimneys, and vomiting intermitted flames, usually discernable only by night, as if heat and cold had left their Contentions, and imbraced one another, for though it continually [...]rns, with most servent smoak and fire, yet round about the top are seen perpetual and most deep [...]nows, the upper­most top is broken and cragged with unstable Cin­ders and Pumice stones, and cleavs open with a most vast Crater or mouth twelve miles in compass, which in a steep descent streightens it self narrower even to the bottom of Hell as it were; A most horrible pre­ [...]pice it is, exceeding formidable with flames and fumes from the very bottom and sides of the Moun­tain, with an horrendous roaring and bellowing not unlike the bursting forth of Thunders, so that the ve­ry imagination and thoughts of the Fire and Ruins so nigh at hand, cannot but at first sight amaze, and afright any humane Creature, and make him start from it, as from the Infernal Gulph of Hell; On one side within are most dark and dreadful Dens, one whereof is so vast, as to be capable to contain Thirty Thousand Men; In many places you may see the tracts and paths of huge Torrents of melted mat­ter; In the very top, Snows and Ashes, or Cinders, as if they had concluded an Eternal Wedlock, are seen to overwhelm all things with a sad and doleful countenance, which are very dangerous to unwary Visitors, because under them there lye concealed deep holes, and devouring Gulphs, without bottom or end, which have swallowed up very many, coming unad­visedly too near without a Guide, and by their ruine have left warnings to others not rashly to venture up­on these hidden deceits which have cheated mortals of their Lives; In the utmost bottom of this Hellish Gulf the Fire is at no time extinguished, but always sends forth either boyling heat, smoak or flame, yet outwardly it begins to grow fierce and terrible only at certain intervalls of time more or less according to the Combustible matter heaped together; and by how [Page 163]much longer it hath ceased, by so much it bursts forth with greater violence, and together with the Flame, sends forth huge heaps of Sands, and Prodi­gious Stones of wondrous weight.

These Fires have broke forth in several Ages of the World, to the great terror and destruction of the Inhabitants, and all the adjacent Countreys; As in the year of the world 2600 when the Posterity of Janus went to seek new Colonies, they first entred Sicily, where at that time there was so great a burn­ing of the Mountain, that the new Planters leaving the Island for fear of Desolation, went to seek new habitations in Italy; after them followed the Sicane­ans, who were likewise driven away from these Eastern Parts, to the Western by these dreadful Aetnean burnings. In the year of the world 3180, and for above four hundred years after, this Mountain was all on fire with three huge burnings; A little after the Mountain raging anew, it is said to have drawn Pytha­goras himself into the highest admiration; Also in the Reign of Hero, at which time Histories deliver that Empedocles an Observer of the Mountain was de­stroyed. In the time of Julius Caesar, about fifty years before Christ, Diodorus relates, That Aetna ra­ged most violently, which they said portended the Death of Caesar; It is reported to have been so great, that the Sea with its fervour and boyling heat burnt even the very Ships, even as far as the Vulcanello's, All the Fish being destroyed and boyled to death; yea within twenty years, the Mountain burnt four times. In the Reign of Caius Caligula forty nine years after Christ, the Mountain raged so, that the Emperor at that time in Sicily was so affrighted, that he betook himself to safer stations; yet they relate, that the Emperor Adrian out of the greatness of his mind did ascend the Mountain very far to consider more nearly such great Miracles; In several Ages af­ter, it made woful irruptions, as from the year 1160, to 1169, all Sicily was shaken with huge Earthquakes, [Page 164]and the Mountain Aetna foaming mightily, overthrew all the circumjacent places with incredible Desolation, with the ruine of the Cathedral Church of Catania about ten miles distant, in which Abbot John and his Monks were overwhelmed; Many other fearful burnings have happened since that time, but none more horrible for its mighty devastations than that in the year 1669, The Right Honourable the Earl of Winchelsea His Majesties late Ambassador at Constantino­ple, in his return from thence, visiting Catania, was an Eye-witness of this Prodigious Judgment, whereof he gave the following Account to His present Majesty, King Charles the second, as soon as he came to Naples.

May it please Your Majesty,

In my Voyage from Malta to this place, I touched at the City of Catania in Sicily, and was there most kindly In­vited by the Bishop to lodge in his Palace, which I accepted, that so I might be the better able to inform your Majesty of that extraordinary Fire which comes from Mount Gibel, 15 miles distant from that City; which for its horridness in the aspect, for the vast quantity thereof, (for it is 15 miles in length, and 7 in breadth) for its monstrous devastation and quick progress, may be termed an Inundation of Fire, a Flood of Fire, Cinders and burning Stones, burning with that Rage as to advance into the Sea 600 yards, and that to a mile in breadth, which I saw; and that which did augment my admiration was, to see in the Sea this matter like ragged Rocks, burning in sour fathom water, two fa­thom higher than the Sea it self; some parts liquid and mo­ving, and throwing off, not without great violence, the stones about it, which like a crust of a vast bigness, and red hot, sell into the Sea every moment, in some place or other, causing a great and horrible noise, smoak and hissing in the Sea; and thus more and more coming after it, making a firm foundation in the Sea it self. I stayed there from nine a Clock on Saturday morning, to seven next morning, and this Mountain of Fire and Stones, with Cinders, had ad­vanced into the Sea 20 yards at least, in several places; in the middle of this Fire, which burn'd in the Sea, it [Page 165]hath formed a passage like to a River, with its Banks on each side very steep and craggy, and in this Channel moves the greatest quantity of this Fire, which is the most liquid, with stones of the same composition, and Cinders all red hot, swimming upon the Fire of a great magnitude;

From this River of Fire (under the great Masse of the Stones which are generally three fathom high all over the Country, where it burns and in other places much more,) there are secret Conduits or Rivulets of this liquid matter, which Communicate Fire and heat into all parts more or less, and melts the Stones and Cinders by fits in those places where it toucheth them, over and over again; where it meets with Rocks or Houses of the same matter (as many are) they melt and go away, with the Fire; where they find other compositions they turn them to lime or ashes, (as I am informed,) The composition of this Fire, Stones and Cinders, are Sulphur, Nitre, Quick-silver, Sal-Armoniac, Lead, Iron, Brass, and all other Mettals. It moves not regular­ly, nor constantly down hill; in some places it hath made the Valleys Hills, and the Hills that were not high are now Val­leys. When it was night I weat upon two Towers in di­vers places, and could plainly see at 10 miles distance, as we judged, the Fire to begin to run from the Mountain in a di­rect line, the flame to ascend as high and as big as one of the highest and greatest Steeples in Your Majesties Kingdoms, and to throw up great Stones into the Air; I could discern the River of Fire to d [...]scend the Mountain of a terrible [...]ery or red colour, and stones of a paler Red, to swim thereon, and to be some as big as an ordinary Table. We could see this fire to move in several other places, and all the Country cove­red with Fire, ascending with great Flames; in many pla­ces, smoaking [...]e to a violent furnace of Iron melted, mak­ing a noi [...]e with the great picces that fell, especially those which fell i [...]to the Sea. A Cavalier of Malta, who lives there, and attended me, told me, that the River was as li­quid where it issues out of the Mountain, as water, and came out like a Torrent with great violence, and is five or six fathom deep, and as broad, and that no stones do sink therein. I assure Your Majesty, no Pen can express how [Page 166]terrible it is, nor can all the Art and Industry of the world quench, or divert that which is burning in the Country. In 40 days time it hath destroyed the habitations of 27 thousand persons, made two Hills of one, 1000 paces high a-piece, and one is four miles in compass, Of 20000 persons which inhabited Catania, 3000 did only remain; all their Goods are carryed away, the Cannons of Brass are removed out of the Castle, some great Bells taken down, the City-Gates Walled up next the Fire, and preparation made all to aban­don the City.

That night which I lay there, it rained Ashes all over the City, and [...] Miles at Sea it troubled my Eyes. This Fire in its Progress [...] [...]ith a Lake of Four Miles in compass, and i [...] was not only satis [...]d to fill it up, though it was four fath [...] deep but hat [...] made [...] it a Mountain. I send also to Your Sacred Majesty the following Account in Print which the Bishop save me, as it is [...]ected one of divers Relations from Ca [...]ama.

Mount [...] Gibello, a Mountain so Re­nowned throughout the World for its heightand great­ness, but more for [...]hos [...] Prodigious Flames, Smoak, and Ashes which it hath cast out from the top of it, whilst the other parts are continually (even in the midst of S [...]mmer) cover'd with Snow, has been for many Ages observ'd once, or sometimes oftner, in the space of above fifteen years to throw up more than ordinary [...]lames with much Smoak and Stones, and great quantities of A [...]es; which (though terri­ble to the Neighbouring Towns and Villages) was yet w [...]nt, in little time, to abate of its fury, and prove but seldom more in [...]urious to the Country [...]ear it▪ than by communicating largely its ashes, which though for the present it did somewhat incom­mode them, they had afterwards a considerable Com­pensation in the product of their Lands, which by this means were rendred more fruitful. But on Fri­day the 18th of March, 1669. the Sun was observed before its setting to appear of a pale and dead co­lour, which (being contrary to what it ever before ap­peared [Page 167]to us) struck no small terror into the Inha­bitants, all Objects appearing also of the same colour, with a paleness received from that of the Sun: The same night happened in this City as well as the whole Country hereabouts, a terrible and unusual Earth­quake, whose strong and unequal motions joyned with horrible Roarings from Monte Gibello exceedingly frighted the Inhabitants, but was so extraordinarily violent in the Country adjacent, that the People were forced to abandon their houses, and to fly into the Fields to avoid the danger threatned them from the falling of their houses. The Village of Nicolosi was of all others the most dreadfully handled by this furious Earthquake, the houses and other buildings being shaken all in pieces, and buried in their own ruines; the poor people (who had preserved their lives by a timely flight, with such little of their goods as their hasty fears would permit them to carry out with them) continued a night or two in the Fields beholding with grief and astonishment the ruine of their habitations: but observing that by these violent concussions, the Earth began to open in several pla­ces, and to threaten them with inevitable ruine, they fled, though with much trouble and amazement to this City. These shakings of the Earth being so frequent and violent, that the people went reeling and staggering, with much difficulty supporting one ano­ther from falling, insomuch as what with their want of sleep, the pains they were forced to take in tra­velling, and the great terrors imprinted on them by what they had seen and suffered, they appeared at their arrival in this City as so many distracted people wholly insensible of what they did.

This dreadful convulsion of the Earth was immedi­ately followed on Monday March 11. about 10 at night by 3 terrible Eruptions, much about the same time, and a little distance one from the other.

These said Eruptions were observed to be on the side of Monte Gibello, about 2 miles beyond the Moun­tain [Page 168]called Montpileri, from whence with a terrible noise it threw up its flames with much fury and vio­lence about a hundred yards in height, its noise not roaring only inwards from the belly of the Mountain as before, but violently cracking like peals of Ordnance or thunder, from the side of it, throwing out vast stones, some of them of 300 pound weight, which being (as it were) shot through the air, fell several miles distant from the place, whilst the whole Air was filled with smoak, burning cinders, and ashes, which fell like a fiery rain upon the Country. In the mean time issued from the side of this Prodigious Mountain a vast Torrent of Melted and burning Mat­ter, which like an Inundation, Drowned, as in a Flood of Fire, the Countrey on this side of it. This Burning River ran down upon the Mountain Montpileri, which, opposing its direct course, it divided it self in­to two Streams, which encompassed the said Moun­tain; one of them taking its way by La Guardia, the Convent of St. Anne and M [...]lpasso, the other by the Towns of Monpileri, and Falicchi, which in few hours were wholly destroyed and lost, not so much as any sign of them remaining, with several lesser Villages and Farmes, and with them the Famous Image of the blessed Lady of the Annunciata; which, though high­ly Reverenced throughout the whole Island, esteem­ed the Wonder of Sicily and the whole World, and to which the People with much Devotion resorted in Pilgrimage from the remotest parts, was also swal­lowed up and consumed by this dreadful Torrent.

This Fiery and burning Deluge immediately spread it self to above six mile in breadth, seeming to be somewhat of the colour of melted and burning Glass; but, as it cooles, becomes hard and Rocky, and eve­ry where in its passage leaves Hills and Pyramids of that matter behind it.

At the same time Monte Gibello from its top raged with dreadful Flames, which with its noise and Con­cussions of the Earth which still continued, added [Page 169]not a little to the Terror of the People, who ran with Cries and Lamentations about the City and Country, expecting nothing but to be swallowed up or consu­med by Fire, having no other apprehensions but of Death, and a General Conflagration. The two Tor­rents of Fire came forward, destroying all things in their way, and by Wednesday, March 13th, had on the West-side branched it self into several Streams, and overran Campo Rotundo, St. Pietro, and Mostorbi­anco, with La Potielli, and St. Antonino; and on the East-part ruin'd the lower part of Mascalucia, and Le Placchi, taking its way towards this City.

On Thursday the 14th, the Wind came Eastwards, on which fell abundance of Rain, which abated not the Progress of the Fire; which on the East-side had from Mascalucia made its way to St. Giovanni di Ga­lermo, the lower part whereof it destroyed; and pas­sing on, seemed to threaten this City on one side, as did that on the West-side the other. As the Fire ap­proached, the Religious every where appeared with much Devotion, carrying in Procession their Re­liques, especially those of St. Agatha, the famous Martyr of Cat [...]nia, in which they reposed no small confidence, followed by great multitudes of People, some of them mortifying themselves with Whips, and other signs of Penance, with great Complaints and Cryes, expressing their dreadful expectation of the Events of those Prodigious fiery Inundations.

Whil'st the People were thus busied in their De­votions, and astonisht by their Fears, News was brought to the Magistrates of the City, that a consi­derable number of Thieves and Robbers had taken the opportunity of this general Distraction, to make a Prey of the already distressed People, and that they had murdered several of them for their Goods; and that it was to be fear'd, that the City of Catania it self, might run some danger from the great numbers of them which were about the Country, and from thence took their opportunities to get into the Town. [Page 170]Whereupon, consultation being had for the preven­tion of farther mischief from them, the Commander of the Castle was ordered with a considerable number of Horse, and a Party of Spaniards, to secure the Country and City against these Robbers; who im­mediately sent out several Parties with his Provost-Marshal, with Order to seize on all suspected Persons, and such as were not able to give a good account of themselves: and, for such as were taken in the Fact Robbing, to Execute them by Martial-Law, without any farther Tryal; and accordingly caused three pair of Gallowes to be set up for their speedy Execution; one before the Gate Di Aci, a second in the Market­place, and a third before the Gate Della Decima, setting strong Guards upon the Gates of the City, and cau­sing all suspected Houses to be searched, an Account to be given in of all Lodgers, and such Persons to be secured, as could any ways fall under a Suspition. The poor People out of the Country being by this Prodigious Calamity stript out of all their Estates, and reduced to great extrem [...]ty, fled most of them for re­fuge and relief to this City, with great Lamentations, moving the Charity of the Magistrates, whho were readily inclined to give them the best assistance they were able; and the Citizens, moved by their Com­plaints and Sufferings, freely open'd their Doores, fil­ling their Houses with as many of those distressed People as they could possibly receive; the Bishop, and all persons of Quality and Estate, contributing largely for their support, till better Order could be ta­ken for the disposing of them.

The City of Messina also, and several other Cities (informed of this extraordinary Calamity) sent hi­ther large Supplies of Provisions, offering their best assistance to this place, in case of extremity. All the Elements seemed at this time to make War up­on us, and to conspire together for the punishment of the Inhabitants; The Air was continually darkened with Clouds and Smoke, agitated by great and violent [Page 171]Winds, and oftentimes showred down great Rains, insomuch as the Sun from the beginning of these Eruptions, very seldom appeared to us, and when it did, (with extraordinary paleness,) for a little time only, and (as it were, abhorring so dreadful a Specta­cle) soon hid its face again under a thick Cloud.

The Sea ran much higher than it was wont to do, and by its extraordinary Roaring, and in some places over-flowing its Banks, added not a little to our con­sternation. The Land every where infested with Thieves, insomuch, that till by the extraordinary care taken by the Magistrates and Officers severe exe­cution was done upon such as were apprehended in the Fact, no person was able to stir abroad without danger of his life; whilst the Fire by this prodigious overflowing of the Mountain, threatned to take pos­session of all.

On Friday the 15th. the stream of fiery Matter which destroyed the lower part of St. Giovanni di Ga­lermo divided it self into two parts, one of its bran­ches taking its way toward Mosterbianco, the other threatning the City of Catania, but this last was obser­ved to move with more slowness than before, having in 24 hours time scarcely gained 20 paces.

On the 18th being Monday, the Torrents being still seen to draw nearer and nearer to this City, the Se­nate with Monsegnior Cambuchi the Bishop of this place, followed by all the Clergy Secular and Regular, and an infinite number of people went in a solemn Procession out of this City to Monte de St. Sofia, car­rying out with greatest Devotion their choicest Re­licks, and upon an Altar erected in view of the Mountain, exposed them, where they celebrated Mass and used the Exorcismes accustomed upon such extraordinary occasions, all which time, the Moun­tain ceased not as before with excessive roaring to throw up its smoak and flames with extraordinary violence, and abundance of great stones, which were carried through the Air, some of them falling within [Page 172]their view, though at ten miles distance from the Eruption; the Ashes which proceeded from thence were scattered in great abundance, as well on this City as on the Country adjacent, every where in the Fields with Cinders, and the heat of the said Ashes destroy­ing the Grass, which obliged the people to drive away their Cattle to a farther distance, which would other­wise have perished for want of food.

These streams of ruine dayly crept nearer and nearer to this City, but by uneven and irregular mo­tions, according as it was more or less supplyed from its fountain; but on Wednesday the 20th. we per­ceived that that branch of it which seemed most to threaten this City from St. Giovanni di Galermo was wholly extinguisht, and the other which bent its course toward Moster-bianco ran but slowly, and gave us some hopes that its fury was also near spent, but the other Torrent which had before overflown Moster­bianco, continued its motion with as much violence as ever, being in breadth above a Musquet shot over; but in probability could not easily overflow to the Westwards which was defended by its Rocky scituati­on; another branch which ran by Santo Pietro was ob­served to be much larger than the rest, and its stream more quick and active, but meeting with some oppo­sition in its way, it made some stop, only sending out a Rivulet toward the Eastwards about three or four yards wide, of its most subtle and active matter, which directed its course towards a small Village about a Furlong distant from its main stream; another Branch threatned Campo Rotundo, but bent its course westwards towards the Farm of Valcorrente, where its Fiery bo­dy was scattered into several deep and rocky places, without any considerable damage.

About this time we had hopes that the violence of this eruption had been over, the Mountain not throw­ing out its flames with that violence as before, and its noise and roaring in a great measure ceased.

Those who at nearest distance took a view of the [Page 173]Mountain, informed that the top of it, was fallen in, and the Mountain supposed to want near a mile of its former height; that the largest of the Mouths from whence these fiery streams were vented, was about half a mile in compass, but the view of this dreadful Inundation carried so much terror in it as they were not able to express; from all these Mouths were vo­mited Rivers of a thick and fiery substance of stone and metals melted, whose depth was various accor­ding to the several places it filled in its passage, in some places 4, in others 8, 12 or 15 yards and up­wards; its breadth in some places 6 miles, in others much more; itsflame like that of Brimstone, and its motion like that of Quick-silver; advancing ordinarily very slowly, unless where it was provoked by the ad­dition of a fresh Torrent or some considerable descent. Wheresoever it passed, it left large heaps of its con­gealed matter, with which it covered and burnt the Earth, melting the Walls of Castles and Houses, throwing down and consuming all before it, nothing being yet found able to resist its force, nor any thing able to quench its burning, water being observed ra­ther to add to its fury; wheresoever it has passed, it has left its dreadful marks behind it, levelling some hills and raising others, so much changing the scitua­tion, that not the least trace of any place or Town remains, nothing being to be seen but confused heaps of ragged stone, which yielding a noisome fume, strikes terror and astonishment into all that behold it.

On Friday the 22, the Mountain again roared with much loudness, and threw up from its Mouths a vast quantity of matter, which formed two large hills higher and larger than that of Monpileri, with a large bank of the same matter to the Eastward, sending down a violent stream of its liquid matter towards Malpasso, much enlarging the former Current, and passing thence to Campo Rotundo and Santo Pietro com­pleated the ruines of those Towns, driving furiouflyi towards Moster bianco; the other stream by Santo Gio­vanni [Page 174]de Galermo being wholly diverted and extinguisht. From this time till the 25th, the Mountain continued silent, but then it burst out again with more force than ever before, its noise much louder, like Peales of Ordnance, and so forcible and lasting, as for 24 hours it caused a shaking and trembling in our Buildings, the Air so filled with Smoak and Ashes, as darkned the Face of the Sky. The Birds and Fowl about this time, either through want of Food, or illness of Air, which was corrupted with the noisome smells arising from these Burnings, were observed to lye dead in all places.

On the 28th. the Grand Current was advanced near the City as far as the old Capucins. which struck so great a Terror into the People, that most of them left the City, only some Officers remaining with such persons as were under their command, who have secu­red and sent away the Magazine and all the Artillery from the Castle.

A Latter Relation from Catania, of April 27. gives this further Account, The dreadful Inundation from Monte Gibello having destroyed many Castles and Towns, with an infinite loss, and utter ruine to the In­habitants, arrived lately with a renewed Force at Mostor-bianco, which it has wholly ruin'd, from thence passing on to Albanelli, in four days space destroyed all the Gardens and Vineyards with 63 Thousand Vines. On Wednesday April 16. With an Impetuous Fiery Tor­rent it came towards Sardanello, where all the remain­der of the Inhabitants of this City were Spectators of it, which resembled a River of melted and burning Brass, about ten Ells wide, running with swiftness to the Arch of Marcus Marcellus, a famous Piece of Antiquity, and passing under it, ruin'd about 6 Ells of it, which was the breadth of the Current in that place: from thence it ran to Madonna di Monferrato, which it wholly destroyed: then falling down to Ma­donna delle Gratie, it entred in at one Gate, and passed through another, without any considerable hurt, and [Page 175]running through the Gate Della Decima, filled all the Plain Di Schiara Viva, where it was above six Ells deep. Then taking its way towards the Bulwark, on the Sea-side, under the Castle of this City, it ran by, two Ells deep into the Sea; in which, (to the great wonder of all that saw it) it has made its Progress a mile in length, and as much in breadth, and is draw­ing towards the Gate of the Channel, which gives us great Apprehensions, least it may that way Invade the City it self: Nor is there less danger on the side Del Tindaro, where there runs a great Torrent of the same Active matter, which draws near, and seems to threaten the Walls, and is in that place about a mile in breadth, having overflowed and destroyed all the Gardens, from the Gate Della Decima, as far as Medonna delli Amellati.

The names of the most considerable Towns and places ruined and destroyed by the dreadful Earth­quakes and Irruptions were, The Town of Nicolosi, wholly ruined; Padara and Tre Castagne the greatest part destroyed; The Towns of La Guardia, Malpasso, Campo Rotundo, Potielli, St. Antonino, St. Pietro, Moster­bianco, Montpileri, La Anunicata, Fali [...]chi Placchi, all wholly overflowed consumed, and lost in this fiery Inundation with all the Lands belonging to them, no foot-steps of them remaining; The Towns of Mascalu­cia, and St. Giovanni de Galermo ruined in part; The large Gardens and Vineyards of Albanelli overflown and destroyed: The famous piece of Antiquity of Marcus Marcellus, much ruined; Madonna de Monferra­to destroyed, besides many Castles, Farms, and other Places, which have run the same Fortune, whose names we for brevity pass over.

LXXX. West of the Isle of Sicily in the Tuscan Sea, within sight of Messina, and 150 miles dist [...] from Mount Aetna are the Aeolian Islands, so caned from Aeolus King thereof, who first raught the use of the Sail, and by observing the Fire and Smo [...] which as­cended from these Islands, (for heretofore they all [Page 176]flamed) was from thence fabled to be the God of the Winds; These were anciently seven, but are now ele­ven Islands, of which Liparis is the greatest, being ten miles in circuit, the Fire went out here about an Age ago, So that at this day Strombolo only burns, (though another called Vulcano smoaks continually). It was for­merly called Strongile, but by corruption Strombolo from the roundness thereof, for it seems like an high round Mountain in the Sea, out of the top whereo issueth continually a flame like a burning Beacon, and exceeding clear, so that by night especially it is to be discerned a wonderful way, A place so full of hor­ror to the neighbouring Islanders, that the more igno­rant Papists are made to believe it is the very Jaws of Hell it self; The aforenamed Kircher made Observa­tions of this Mountain likewise, which he thus re­lates; That on a certain day viewing Strombolo very curiously, about threescore miles distant, he observ­ed it to be more than ordinarily furious, for it ap­peared wholly overwhelmed with Fire in so great plen­ty, that it seemed to belch out flaming Mountains, a most horrendous Spectacle; And then, saith he, I heard a strange kind of dull murmur from the Mountain so far off, which seemed to come towards us under the Earth, till it reached the subterraneous place where we stood, and there uttered such horri­ble Thundrings within the Earth, with such formida­ble Earthquakes, that none of them were able to stand on their Feet; After the violence was over, getting up again with unspeakable Consternation, they be­held the destruction and lamentable subversion of the famous Town of St. Euphemia three miles off, which happened at that instant, the City being wholly swal­lowed up, for seeking for the Town, they found in­stead thereof, what is wonderful to be related, no­thing but a dark stinking Lake sprung up in its place, they could find no men nor Inhabitants; Thence pas­sing on their Journey, they found nothing else for Two Hundred miles, but the Carcases of Cities, hor­rid [Page 177]ruines of Castles, Men stragling up and down in the open Fields, and through horror and famine pining and withering away.

LXXXI. In April 1669, The Mountain Vesuvius aforementioned cast up more smoak and Ashes than formerly, and for several Nights the neighbouring places were much affrighted with the great Flames which issued from it, accompanied with unusual noi­ses; At the same time they write, That the Vice Roy of Sicily having compassion upon the miserable con­dition of above Thirty Thousand poor People, who by their Flight had saved themselves from the Fire of Mount Aetna aforementioned, which had destroyed 17 or 18 Towns or Villages, and by the dayly approa­ches to the City of Catania, seemed to threaten it with inevitable ruine, so that the Inhabitants were leav­ing the place; And that he thereupon sent one of his Officers to take order for the maintenance of those distressed Creatures, and disposing of them into places of safety; In the same Month 1669 in the night, there was a cry made in the Town of Lichfeild in Eng­land of Fire, Fire, and the Bells rang out, which frigh­ted many; This was occasioned (saith Mr. Clark) by the sight of a sheet of Fire, which hung over that Ci­ty for the space of half an hour, and then disappea­red, This saith he, I had from one that lay in the Town that night; Upon July 10. the same year at Weymouth in Dorsetshire between six and nine a Clock in the morning, the Sea was observed to ebb and flow 7 times, of which the greater notice was taken, because the weather at that time was fair and calm, and the Tydes very low, the like accident having never been observed there but once before about three years since; Upon June 20. this year at Jnspurg in Germany, a little after noon, there was a very violent Tempest with extraordinary hail, rain, Thunder and Light­ning, accompanied with an Earthquake, which had such terrible Effects at Schnatz a Town about 3 miles distant from Jnspurg, where the Emperor of Germany [Page 178]had some Silver mines, that the River which runs through it overflowing, drowned all the adjacent Fields, driving down, and destroying above Thirty Houses, endamaging many more, and drowning above Two Hundred People; In July 1669, came Intelli­gence from Holstein in Denmark of Prodigious Tem­pests accompanied with such dreadful Thunder and Lightnings as affrighted the Cattel out of the Fields, and drove some Hundreds of them into the Sea, wherein they were all drowned; From Mecklenburg likewise in Germany they write, that there were seve­ral Fires kindled by Lightning in divers parts of the Countrey.

LXXXII. In 1672, His Majesty proclaimed War against the States of the Ʋnited Provinces, and May 28. His Royal Highness engaged the whole Dutch Fleet in Southwold Bay; and after a sharp dispute of 8 hours, the Hollanders retreated, in which fight the Noble Earl of Sandwich was unfortunately slain; About this time there happened a violent Fire at St. Ka­therines without the Iron-Gate near the Tower of Lon­don, which consumed above an Hundred Houses; this year the French overrun great part of Holland, taking as it is said, Thirty Cities and Towns in Thirty days. In 1678, an horrid Popish Plot was discovered against His Majesties Person and Government, and soon after, Sir Edmondbury Godfrey (who took the first Examinati­on of Dr. Oats upon the Discovery thereof,) was mur­dered by the Papists, for which three of them were executed. Several Popish Lords were committed to the Tower, and December 1679, the Lord Stafford was beheaded at Tower-Hill for High Treason, In 1680, May 18. about 2 a Clock in the morning there began a furious storm of Thunder and Lightning in London, so extream, that the Heavens seemed to be in a flame, which was accompanied with very large Hail, and ex­traordinary violent and hasty Showrs of rain, which continued for several hours, but about 10 a Clock in the morning a strange and unusual darkness over­spread [Page 179]the face of Heaven, and immediately after there fell such a terrible storm of Hail, as the like was hard­ly ever seen in England, before the storm, a great murmuring or ratling noise was heard in the Air, the Hailstones were so very large, that some of them be­ing measured, were found to be four Inches, others five, others six in compass, nay it was confidently re­ported, that some were seven, eight, and nine Inches about; it continued not above a quarter of an hour, otherwise it might have done much more damage than it did, yet abundance of Glass-Windows were shatte­red to pieces, especially of those called Sky-Lights, The stones were of different Shapes and Sizes, and the Fancies of People likened them to several things, they fell with such violence, that they cut the Faces of some, and the heads and hands of others, who were abroad, some others ran into the ground in the Fields above an Inch, and being taken out, were found to be as big as Pullets Eggs, and some larger, several of them were round, others square and flat, with very sharp Edges.

LXXXIII. Not long before this, in the same year 1680, there fell a mighty tempest of Rain, Hail, Lightning and Thunder at a Town in Oxfordshire, It began about eleven a Clock in the morning, the Sky being for a considerable time black and dark, when on a sudden there happened a great storm of Hail which by the assistance of an East-wind fell with such violence, that the Hail-stones rebounded 3 Foot high from the ground; after which followed a fierce showr of Rain, which seemed rather to come down in pail­fuls, than in the common way; and so affrighted the Inhabitants that they ran immediately into the Fields to save their Sheep, Lambs, and other small Cattel, but had much ado to return with their Lives; during this dreadful storm, the Heavens sent forth such huge and frequent flashes of Fire, that notwithstanding that deluge of water, which at that instant fell from the Skyes, the Lightning took hold of some Houses, but [Page 180]was happily quenched without any considerable da­mage, yet several Barns were burnt down, with all within them, in one of which a man that was thrash­ing, hardly made his escape; Among others a youth being overtaken in the storm, endeavoured to shelter himself in a Windmil, but the ill-natured Miller be­gan to swear and curse at him, asking him, if he was such a Fool and changling to be afraid of a little Lightning and Thunder; the boy had scarce time to answer before he was struck off the stairs, and the Miller was forced to go down and take him up half dead; but this unkind Miller had hardly recovered the Youth, ere he himself was struck down with the Thunder, and taken up without any appearance of Life for the present, though it is said he afterward recovered.

LXXXIV. There is likewise a Relation of a strange Accident which happened this year 1680, at a Town called Blois in France, That about one a Clock in the morning an amazing Tempest of Wind arose with such violence, as soon affrighted the most sleepy from their repose, and in a short time by its fury beat or blew down all the Body of the Church of St. Soulucas, except the Belfry; also half the Jesuits Church, and two fair houses into the Highstreet, the People where­of were glad to run into the arched Cellars to save themselves, which they happily did, for the ruins fell upon, and round about the Arch, but the Rubbish being removed, they were afterward drawn out alive, This Tempest was likewise accompanied with a most prodigious Hail, many Thousand stones being found as big as a mans First, which without sufficient Au­thority would seem incredible; This unusual Artille­ry of Heaven broke all the Slates wherewith the Hou­ses are covered, and the Glass Windows all over the Town, as if they had been beaten in a Mortar; with­out the Town eight whole Parishes with the Fields adjacent were wholly ruined by the Hail in such a terrible manner, that it seemed as if no Corn had [Page 181]been sown, or Vines planted there; There were four other Parishes much indamaged, and multitudes of Chimneys beaten down, so that the dammages there­by with the breaking of Windows and Tiles was valu­ed to be above Two Hundred Thousand Crowns, and the harm in the Vineyards and Cornfeilds invaluable; But it pleased God the Protestant Church in that Town was wonderfully preserved, though equally exposed to the Weather; without a Slate or any glass broken, the direful marks of the Tempest being visible round about it; The same Divine Providence was seen in that neither Man, Woman, nor Child were killed in this dreadful desolation: There likewise happened an unusual Accident upon a Ship riding at Sea, which being attaqued by a furious Tempest, was in great danger of being cast away; but on a sudden there broke so dreadful a clap of Thunder into the Ship, that they all imagined their Guns had been acciden­tally fired, and in a moment the main Mast was split in sunder from top to bottom, as you would split a rush; the main top Mast was shivered into small Peices, and the Pendant at the head of it, was burned to Ashes; the violence thereof was so great, that it beat down fourteen men upon the Deck, and had like to have thrown them into the Sea; and those that were with­in Deck, were likewise thrown down, Five of them lay for dead a considerable time, no Pulse or Breath being perceived, their Eyes and Teeth immoveable, yet they had no visible hurt or wound, only an into­lerable smell of Brimstone; about half an hour after by rubbing, forcing open their Mouths, and powring down some Cordials, they all recovered, but seemed much disturbed in their Senses; At the same time there were six others miserably burnt, their flesh be­ing scorched, and yet their Garments not so much as singed, their skin was much discoloured, and lookt as if burnt by a Coal.

LXXXV. In June this year 1680, in Pomerania in Germany, great and dreadful streams of Fire were seen [Page 182]in the Heavens for a very considerable time; after which there seemed to be a terrible Fight between two Armies, and the noise of their shooting, and the fiery Bullets which seemed to fly in the Air caused great Consternation, they giving great Light into their Houses, for four mile round about; Likewise at Stra­elson in Sweden they saw dreadful Fires in the Heavens about the same time, and divers other unusual, and remarkable Flashes and Appearances, and particular­ly they saw the Form of a great Bullet flying through the Sky, which seemed to be as bright as the Moon, and from the Body thereof, there proceeded great streams of Fire, which represented the Forms of Snakes or Fiery Serpents, and several Suns were seen at once in the Firmament. In December 1680, a great Comet appeared in the South-west, at its first appear­ing there was seen an unusual and prodigious stream of Light arising out of the South-west, it seemed broadest at the Horizon, growing sharper upward by degrees, the Star from whence it proceeded was for some days not to be seen, but a while after it became visible, and the shape seemed altered, the stream be­ing least and sharpest at the Star, and broader up­ward; the Tail or Blaze of light altered, (as some Artists observed) turning every night more from the North to the East, like the hand of a Watch; about the middle of January it quite disappeared. In Ja­nuary 1681. there were very lamentable Inundations of the Sea in Holland, Zealand and Flanders, the banks being broken down, and the Water running a vast way into the Countrey, drowning many Thousands of Cattel, and carrying away abundance of Hay and Corn, many Thousand Men, Women and Children likewise lost their Lives before they could fly for suc­cor; it rose so high, that nothing was to be seen for some time, but the tops of Steeples and Churches.

LXXXVI. In 1682, April 21, happened extraor­dinary Thunder and Lightning, and excessive Rains which did much damage in several Places about Lon­don, [Page 183]and at New-Brainford it carryed away feveral hou­ses, and filled the Cellars of many others with Wa­ter. May 6. a strange and wonderful Birth happened at Ostend in Flanders, where a Woman was delivered of two Female Children, which were joyned together by the Crown of the head; The Physitians consul­ted of parting them, but concluded it not to be done without danger; they seemed to be distinct in Life, Soul and Brains, from the several Actions they had, while one slept, the other waked and eat; the heads were so joyned, that when one turn'd it self the neck of the other turn'd also; they lived for some time and were baptized, but dyed soon after. May 12. there was an Earthquake in France, which produced very terrible Effects, At Metz, the Watch-house of a Bulwark was thrown into the Ditch with a Souldier in it; At Towers the Houses and Churches were so dreadfully shaken therewith, as if several Coaches with six Horses had driven along full speed through the streets; it threw down divers Books on the side of Bourbira [...]t; But at Raviere it was more ast [...]shing, where a certain River near this place which fifty paces from its head turns a Gunpowder-M [...]ll, was never known to cease running, yet in this ex [...]aordinary Earthquake it remained dry for half an hour, and then ran as before; The Powder Man surprized to see his Mill stop, upon searching sound the Head or Fountain dryed up; In Provence their Houses, Beds, Windows were shaken, and the Doors and Windows forced open, so that the Inhabitants were afraid to stay within; the Wine in several Cellars was distur­bed, and the Domestick Animals as Sheep, Cows, Horses, and Poultry discovered their fear by un­usual motions and cryes; At Dion the day before, it was observed that the Shepherds in the Grounds about that Town were not able to stop their Flocks, nor hinder them from getting into their stalls at four a Clock in the Evening, though at this time a year they used not to go home till Sun-set; Yea, the Earth­quake [Page 184]was so violent there, that several Women big with Child, came with the affright before their time, and that some of them lost their Lives; Several other Cities and Towns in France felt the Effects of it, but especially Callice and Bulloign, where divers Persons were [...]ed or lamed by the ruins of the Buildings which [...] down by the violent shakings thereof; there [...] almost the same thing in a late Earth­quake at [...], and Piombieres in France; at Re­mirement it threw down a Dozen Houses, and the Vaults of the chief Church fell down, two Maidens were killed, and the People ran for security into the Feilds, the Destruction and loss occasioned thereby, (besides the lives of several Persons) is judged to amount to Five Hundred Thousand Livers; some years ago there was a mighty Earthquake in France, which moved and agitated the Waves of the Sea after such a manner, that though the Weather was fair and calm, and without any appearance of a storm, yet there were Thirty Vessels lost between Dover and Calais: Before this last Earthquake, they write from Lyons, Geneva, and other places, that there appeared Flames of Fire for four days upon a Mountain near Geneva.

LXXXVII. In 1682, June 7. The Ship called The Jamaica Merchant, being in the Gulph of Florida in the West-Indies, about 12 at Noon happened a mighty Showr, with such dreadful Thunder as was hardly ever before heard, which split the Mainmast, and threw the Men down flat on the Deck, setting Fire between the De [...]ks in several places, which immediately burst forth into dreadful Flames, and with all their dili­gence could not be quenched, so that they were all forced to betake themselves to their Long-boat, and happily escaped to another English Ship, not far off. In the Cazelt it is related, That the Letters from M [...]s [...]o the chief City of Russia, of July 25. give an Account. That the late Czar or Emperor Alexis, who married with a Polish Lady, having by her means ta­ken [Page 185]a great Affection to the manners and customes of that Nation, and designed to introduce them among his own Subjects the more to civilize them, had thereby raised a great hatred in the Boyars or Nobili­ty, and other great Men against him, who resolved to poyson him, and his Queen, and accordingly ef­fected it by the means of a Jew; He had two Brothers, the eldest named John about 20 years old, who had the same Mother, and was born blind of one Eye, the other named Peter, about 9 years old, who was born of a second Marriage, and his Mother the Prin­cess Natalia was living; The Emperor being dead in few hours, after suffering great Torments; The Chancellor of the Kingdom joyning with the Princess Natalia, and several Boyers, and other great Men, pro­claimed the young Prince Peter, Emperor, and at the same time the Princess Sophia Sister to Prince John, Ge­neral Komanski and many others espoused the cause of the Elder Brother, and drew the Guards and Soul­diers to their side, by perswading them that the late Czar was poysoned, and that there was a design like­wise to destroy them; whereupon the said Guards rose and fell upon the Boyers, and others who had proclaimed Prince Peter, and destroyed a great many of them; After which Prince John was proclaimed Emperor, but without deposing Prince Peter, so that there are now two Emperors, who were both Crown­ed June 24. last past; The Emperor Alexis, left a young Son, of whom it seems no notice was taken, he being yet in the Cradle; The two Emperors seem hitherto to agree very well, and things at present are very calm and quiet there.

LXXXVIII. In 1682. The Gazett of July 31. gives an Account, that on the sixth of that Month at Tortori­ca a Town in Sicily, about seven a Clock in the Eve­ning, after so great darkness that they could not dis­cern each other four paces asunder, there arose a great storm of Rain, Lightning, and Thunder, which lasted 36 hours, that about one a Clock next morning, great [Page 186]Torrents of Water caused by these Rains, fell from the Mountains with so great violence, that they car­ryed with th [...] Trees of an extraordinary bigness, which threw [...] the Wall and Houses of the Town they happened to beat against; The Waters were so furious that they [...] the Church of St. Ni [...] ­las, and the Arch-Deacon of the Town who retired thither, perished there with many other Persons; There only remained one Abby, and about fifty Hou­s [...]s, and those so shattered, that they fell down soon after; about 600 of the Inhabitants were drowned, the rest being abroad in the Field [...] gathering their Silk, fled to the Mountains, where they suffered ve­ry much for want of Provisions; The Goods, Trees, Stones, Sand, and other Rubbish which the Waters carryed away were in so great abundance, that they made a Bank above the Water two miles in length, near the Mouth of the River where the Water before was very deep; several other Towns were likewise de­stroyed by this great Flood; It is added, that Mount Ae [...] cast forth such abundance of Water, that all the Neighbouring Countrey was drowned. They write likewise from Rome of July 4. That after having been two Moneths without Rain, it began to Rain on Sunday June 25 at night, and that an hour before day there fell a Thunderbolt in the Popes Pallace of St. Peter, which ran through several Rooms, and broke down the Ch [...]mny-Peice of the Apartment of Cardinal Cibo.

LXXXIX. In the weekly Memorials published at Lord [...] we have the Extract of two Letters sent to the Publisher by Richard Gips Esq from Weltham-Hall in Suffolk, dated the 22 and 29 of July 1682, concer­ning a gro [...]ing peice of Wood, to this Effect; Sir, Myself, and many hundreds of Ingenious Men have seen at St. Edmundsbury in Suffolk, a groning peice of Wood, it was of an Elm-Tree sawn in the middle, as I conceive, and I guess it to be of a very great Age; As soon as a hot Iron was put on this Wood, it greaned like a dying man, so [Page 187]that it might be heard a great way; It was very surprizing to me when I heard it, for I could not be perswaded to be­lieve any such thing; The Wood was very firm on one side of it, knotty and crackt in some places, nor would it groan when the Iron was put twice in the same place, but it would at some little distance from it; At the time when the hot Iron was put upon it, I layd my hand nigh the Iron, and perceived something gather to the Iron before the Wood groa­ned, the groan was no longer than that of a dying Man; This Wood was first discovered by a little Girl, who playing with the Fire, by accident scattered a Coal on this Board which lay very nigh the Fire, and it groaned so extraordi­narily, that it frighted the Child. The second Letter was thus, Sir, since my last to you, the Groaning Plank is removed from Bury, but being informed of another Groan­ing Plank, I this day went to see it, and was much more surprized at it, than at the former, the groaning being much more audible than the other; This peice of Wood was Witch-Elm, as the other also was, though much less and thinner, it was about an Inch or two in thickness, a yard and an half in length, and 3 Foot broad, It was an old and firm peice of Wood as the former; Sir, if you see any Witch-Elm that is very old, you may assure your self, that if you burn it with a very hot Iron, it will groan extraordinarily, I discoursed with a very ingenious Gentleman, who thinks it is occasioned by reason of some Glutino [...]s matter which is included in that sort of Wood, so that when the Fire comes it rarifies it, and occasions that noise; but in regard I could not perceive any Glutinous matter, but on the contrary that it was extraordi­nary dry, I could hardly acqui [...]s [...] in his Opinion.

XC. In 1682. August 14. Another Comet or Bla­zing Star was visible in London, at nine a Clock at night about North and by West from that City: Its head was large, much like the Star Venus at the height, it was seen several Nights after, and having about 30 Degrees of North Latitude it did never set; having continued for some time, it disappeared; Aug. 25. the Gazett informs us from Naples, that the Mountain Vesuvius did cast out Fire accompanied with a most ter­rible [Page 188]and hideous noise, which from an hour after Sunset on Saturday, till 3 a Clock next morning was so great, that it caused a kind of Earthquake, the houses in that City being plainly observed to shake; The Mountain likewise cast out Ashes in great abun­dance, which were dispersed many miles by the wind, and the Sunday after, all the Streets of Naples were covered with them, as if it had been a deep Snow, These Prodigies very much terrified the people, and Publick Prayers were made for appeasing the Wrath of Heaven; It is added, That many great Coals of Fire fell also, the dread whereof wrought so much upon the Inhabitants, that they removed to other Cities; That the terrible Earthquakes have thrown down near Three Thousand Buildings all about the foot of the Mountain, and that it roared so loud as to be heard 40 miles distance in a still night. It is writ­ten from Florence in Italy in the Gazete of Sept. 29. That a few days before there happened one night such a terrible Tempest of Wind, Rain, Hail, and Thun­der, about 18 miles from that City upon the Moun­tains of Bologna, that for eight miles in length, and two in brea [...]lth, it swept away all the Branches from the greatest Trees, as Oaks, Chesnuts and Olives, and much more from the smaller Fruit-Trees; It de­stroyed all the Autumn Harvest that was upon the ground, and lest not a Vine standing, it carryed away all the Roofs and coverings off from the Countrey­mens Houses, and some were quite beaten down to the ground, and several people killed in their Beds, A Church and Steeple were quite ruined, and the Bells carryed above a quarter of a mile; Many Wild Beasts and Fowl, as Deer, Hares, Foxes, Partridges; and small Birds were found dead, and if it had hap­pened in the day as it did in the night, much Cattel, and many people must needs have perished, for the Hadstones were sound to be from Three to Five Pounds in weight, the like not known in these parts, and the loss is esteemed the greater, because not [Page 189]to be redeemed in seven years time.

XCI. In 1682. Oct. 5. A strange Monster was born at Exeter in Devonshire, having two perfect heads, one standing right as it should, the other being in the right Shoulder, with Eyes, Nose, Ears, Mouth, and Tongue to each head proper, it had but two Arms and Hands, and two Legs and Feet, all in good, and come­ly shapes, they which were at the delivery say, that they were two as handosme Faces as ever they saw, it was living when born, but soon expired, only giv­ing one sigh at its departure; It was soon buried, but after taken up again, and exposed to the view of nu­merous Spectators, to the great advantage of the Parents.

Thus have I briefly run over abundance of Strange Prodigies, Apparitions, and Accidents which have hap­pened in the Heavens, Earth and Sea in several Countreys for near Seventeen Hundred years past, but as to the Application of the Effects of divers of them to particular Persons or Places I have barely colle­cted most of them from that noted Astrologer Mr. John Gadbury in his Treatise of Prodigies, and his Discourse of the three Comets in 1664, and 1665. Though, as an Ingenious Gentleman lately observes, there may be much doubt and question whether there be any great certainty in these Predictions, since they have been judged sometimes to portend evil as well as good, for as he says, Though that Comet which some inter­preted to presage Luthers preaching against Indulgen­ces, and the Reformation which followed, bespoke evil it may be to the Popes Kitchen, yet it was cer­tainly the dawning of the Blessed Light of the Gospel to the Western Parts of Christendom; But however, (as he adds) if the terrorand rareness of these Prodigies do upon any Account whatsoever mind us of our Mor­tality, and prepare us for our end (as it hath effected up­on some in former Ages) or to reflect upon our own­or the publick Crimes, which may call down Gods; vengeance upon us, and to implore his mercy and fors [Page 190]bearance toward us, it may be very useful and profi­table, for sure it is, this Age has need enough of Re­pentance, and without a Comet, we want not abun­dant Notices and Warnings that if we do not forsake our horrid enormities, we cannot long escape the sig­nal vengeance of Heaven. But, saith he, the making use of them, thereby to read the destiny of Kings, Nations and Governments is Irrational, Fantastical, and Heathenish, unbecoming either a Man, or a Christian, and therefore instead of any dreadful Presages, The Blessing of the Almighty be upon the whole Israel of God, Amen.

I cannot better conclude this Subject than by in­serting the following Letter, written by a famous Pre­late of our Church, inferior to no man of this Age, either for Piety or Learning, wherein he declares his thoughts concerning the Comet in August last, 1682, which seems fully to comprize all that can be said by the wisest of Mortals concerning Comets. The Letter is as followeth.

My good Friend, It seems your Philomathematici (as your Almanack- [...]kers usually [...] themselves) and Astrolo­gers i [...] London [...] their Judgment con­cerning the New [...], [...] I shall tell you mine, though (may be) it may signify as little as theirs when they do de­clare it. 1. Then (in the General) It has been the opinion of [...] that all Comets portend some [...]. Nations, Countreys, Cities, or particular Persons; [...] Greeks [...], All Comets are fore-runners of some Calamities; And a Latin Poet and a Pagan [...]ould say, Nunquam furilibus excanduit ignibus [...]her. 2. But in particular, I believe (and I think there is good reason for it) there are three things concerning Comets which may, and other three things which neither are, nor certainly can be known; For instance, 1. Their Motion 2. Their Magnitude. 3. Their Altitude (whether above or below the Planets) may by the Parallax, and a good Mathematician be certainly known; But then there are other three things which the best Mathematicians neither do, [Page 191]nor certainly can know; For Instance. 1. Their Genera­tion, how they are produced, and of what matter they are made; 2. Their Signification, what it is which they do particularly portend, and to what Countrey, City or Person it relates. 3. Their Exit and vanishing, how they come to disappear, and what becomes of them afterward; These things none of your Astrologers and Star-gazers do, or (by any ground in Nature or Scripture, Reason or Revelation) can certainly know; They may guess, and so may you and I, and it may be as well as they, but 'tis only Conjecture, not Science, they having no ground from which they can certainly conclude their Conjectures to be true; Nay I do confidently and truly add, (and there is evident Reason for it) that neither the Pope, notwithstanding his Infallibility, nor the Devil not­withstanding all his Subtilty, can certainly know what any Comet does particularly portend, unless it please God, who only knows to discover and reveal it to them.

HAving related a multitude of Miracles and Prodigies of Nature. I shall now proceed to those of Art; The Chineses look upon themselves as the wisest Peo­ple upon the face of the Earth, they use therefore to say, That they see with both Eyes, and all other Nations but with one only, and thereupon they boast, though I know not with what Truth and Justice that the most famous Inventions which have been so lately known to us in Europe, have been no Strangers to them for many Ages past; however I shall relate [Page 193]what are most observable both in these and other Na­tions. It is likewise recorded, that Augustus Caesar having several ways adorned and fortifyed the City of Rome, putting it into a condition of bravery and secu­rity for after times, he thereupon gloried, That he found Rome of brick, and left it of Marble; and certain­ly nothing makes more for the just Glory of a Prince than to leave his Dominions in better State than he found them; Yet the vast Expences of some Princes and People had been more truly commendable, and their mighty works more really glorious, had they therein consulted more of the Publick good, and less of their own Ostentation; However it may not be unpleasant, nor unprofitable to describe them, and likewise to relate the most curious Inventions and Rarities in all Ages even to these times, which have been more favourable to Learning than the former, and wherein Arts have been thereby improved to the height;

1. But first concerning Buildings, the most famous structure we first read of, was immediately after the Universal Deluge, or Noah's Flood, for Nimrod the Son of Chus, the Son of Cham, perswaded the People to secure themselves from the like after-claps by building some stupendious Edifice, which might re­sist the fury of a second Deluge; This Counsel was generally imbraced; Heber only and his Family (as the Tradition goes) contradicting such an unlawful attempt; But the major part prevailing, the Tower of Babel began to rear its Head of Majesty Five Thou­sand One Hundred Forty six Paces from the Ground, having its Basis and circumference equal to its height: The Passage to go up went winding about the out­side and was of an exceeding great breadth, there being not only room for Horses, Carts, and the likemeans of Carriage to meet and turn, but lodgings also for Man and Beast; And (as Verslegan reports) Grass and Corn­fields for their nourishment; and admirable it is to consider, what multitudes of men there were in the [Page 194]World in so short a space, there being but eight per­sons that came out of the Ark, and now this Building was carried on by Five Hundred Thousand Men, the Foundation of it was nine miles compass; But God by the Confusion of Tongues hindred the Proceeding of this Building, one not being able to understand what his Fellow called for; which Du Bartas witti­ly describes.

II. We read in several Ancient Histories of The seven Marvels, or Wonders of the World, The first whereof they reckoned to be The Walls of Babylon; This City of Babylon was seated on the Banks of the River Eu­phrates, which ran through the midst of it, over which Semiramuis built a strong and stately Bridge of a mile long, binding each stone together with clips of Iron fastened with melted Lead, and is the anci­entest City of the World, first built by Nimrod in the place appointed for the raising of the Tower of Babel, and by him made the Imperial Seat of the Chaldea [...] Kings, afterward much beautified and inlarged by Semiramis the Wife of Ninus, one of his Successors, and finally much increased both in bulk and beauty by Nebuchadnezzar, for he added a new City to the old, which he compassed about with three Walls, and made therein three stately Gates, and near his Fa­thers [Page 195]Palace, he built another more stately, where he raised Stone Works like mountains which he planted with all manner of Trees. He made also Pensile Gardens hanging as it were in the Sky, borne upon Arches four­square, each square containing four hundred foot, fil­led above with Earth, wherein grew all sorts of Trees and Plants; The Arches were built one upon ano­ther, even to fifty Cubits high; He likewise made Aqu [...]iucts for watering these Gardens; He erected an Image of Gold in the Plain of Dura sixty Cubits high, and six broad; These stately Buildings puft him up who therefore arrogated to himself the whole Glory of them, saying in his Pride, Is not this the great Babel that I have built, a City of great Fame and State; The compass of the Walls were 365 Furlongs, or forty six, (some say threescore) miles, according to the number of the days of the year, in height two hundred Cubits, and fifty Cubits in bredth, that six Chariots or Carriages might meet on the top, they were finished in one year by the hands of Two Hun­dred Thousand Workmen; The City was foursquare, and fifteen miles from one corner to another; Inso­much that Aristotle saith, It ought rather to be called a Countrey than a City, adding withal, That when the Town was taken, it was three days before the furthest parts of the Town had any Intelligence thereof; which taking of the Town must be understood of the surprize there­of by the Medes and Persians, in the Reign of Beshazzar, when Daniel the Prophet interpreted to that King the words Mene, Tekel, Peres, which were miraculously written by a hand upon the Wall as he was banquet­ting with his Nobility, and foretold the very day be­fore it was taken that God had given his Kingdom to the Medes and Perfians; All which was accomplished the might following, when Darius King of Media and Persia besieging Babylon, took it on a sudden with the help of his Nephew Cyrus the Persian in the time of a great Feast, when the King, Nobility, and People contemning their Enemies being over-confident of [Page 196]their own strength, minded only their Sports and Pastimes; which we read was surprized after this manner; The River Euphrates ran quite through the Town, round about whose banks the politick Cyrus cut many and deep Channels, into which he in a very short time drained and emptied the River, conveying his own Forces into the Town all along the dry and yeilding Channel, and in a little [...] made himself Master of it, the Babylonians being [...] in Wine and Debauchery; In the Reign of [...] Semiramis this City revolted from her, and [...] thereof coming to her as she was ordering [...] she there­upon leaving her head half drest, [...] besieged it, never ordering the rest of her hair [...] had re­covered it; Of this great Lady it is recorded, That she was born in Ascalon a Town of Syria, and exposed to the fury of Wild Beasts, but being born not to dye so ingloriously, she was brought up by Shepherds, and at full Age presented to the Syrian Vice Roy, who gave her in marriage to his only Son; going with him to the Wars, she fell into acquaintance with King Ninus, who liking her Person and Spirit, took her to his bed; This bred in him a greater Affection to her, so that he granted her at her request the command of the Empire for 5 days, making a Decree that her Will in all things should be punctually per­formed, which boon being gotten, she put on the Royal Robes, and (as some writers report) com­manded the King to be slain; Having thus gotten the Empire, she exceedingly inlarged it, leading her Ar­my consisting of one hundred Thousand Chariots of War, three Millions of Foot, and half a Million of Horse; A Woman worthy of Honour and Applause but only for her insatiable Lusts, of which the Greek Writers charge her to be very guilty. This Queen Se­miramis caused an huge Obelisk or Pyramid to be cut out of the Armenian Mountains, all of one entire stone, one hundred and fifty foot long, and twenty four foot thick, which was foursquare, and was brought with [Page 197]much difficulty to the River Euphrates, and from thence to Babylon, where she erected it to be a matter of admiration to future Ages. Babylon likewise revol­ted from the Persians in the Reign of Darius Hyslaspes, and that Victuals might [...] for the Men of War, they strangled [...] of the Women, they being then it seems [...] to be necessary Evils; when they had for [...] obstinately de­fended the Town, that the [...] had very little hope of prevailing, Zopyrus one [...] Captains mangling his body, and dis [...]iguring [...] Face by cut­ting off his own Ears and Nose, [...]ed to the Babylonians complaining of the Tyranny of the King, as if he had been thus cruel to him; The Babylonians believing his Words, and knowing his Courage, committed the charge of the whole Army to him, as a man to whom such barbarous usage had made the King ir­reconcileable; But he taking the best Opportunity, delivered both the Town and Souldiers into the hands of his Soveraign, which made Darius often say, That he had rather have one Zopyrus, than Twenty Babylonians; Here dyed Alexander the Great, after whose Death the Graecian Captains regardful rather of their own Ambition than the Common Loyalty, di­vided the Empire amongst themselves, leaving the body of the King eight days unburied; A wonderful change of Fortune, that he who living thought the World too small for his valour, being dead should find no place big enough for his Body: The Walls of this City were built of Stone, and wonderful high, strongly joyned together with Lime and Ciment grow­ing in the Mines of that Countrey, but especially in the great Lake of Asphaltites in Judea, where sometime Sodom and Gomorrah stood; within the Town were a great number of Marble Temples and Golden Images, whole Streets shining and glittering with Gold, and precious Stones; And among other Temples there was one of Belus built by Semiramis, and dedicated to Cush, or Jupiter Belus fourfquare, each side contain­ing [Page 198]two Furlorys, or a Thousand Paces, with thick Towering Walls, and entred by four Gates of polish­ed Brass; In th [...] midst thereof there was a Tower sometimes reckon [...] one of the [...] Wonders, it had an hundred Bra [...]en [...], and [...]wo Hundred and Fif­ty Towers; and [...] a quar [...]r of a mile both in height and bredth, u [...]on which were raised eight other Towers one above another, with easie stairs to ascend up to the top; where there [...] a Chappel with a sumptuous Bed, and a Table of [...]old. In the top of this Chappel were placed three Golden Statues, one of Jupiter 40 Foot long, weighing a Thousand Talents, each Talent containing 63 pounds, 10 Ounces; Ano­ther Image of Ops weighing as much, sitting in a Gol­den Throne, at her Feet were two Lyons, and hard by divers huge Serpents of Silver, each weighing Thirty Talents; The third Image was of Juno standing, in weight eight hundred Talents, to all which was ad­ded a Common Table of Gold, forty foot long, and twelve broad, weighing 50 Talents; There were also two standing Cups of 30 Talents; and 2 Vessels for perfumes of the like weight; Besides 3 other Vessels of Gold weighing twelve hundred Talents; All which the Persian Kings after the Conquest of it took away; Finally such wonderful things are written by credible Authors of Artificial Mountains, Orchards, and Gardens hanging in the Air, that they seem almost incredible; All which demonstrates the wonderful Wealth and Glory of those Monarchs in that time; But after the taking of it by the Macedonians, the gran­deur and magnificence thereof began to decline, lessening a fourth part in the time of Quintus Curtius, and was reduced to Desolation in the days of Pliny, and in the Reign of the Emperor Adrian, there was nothing left of Babylon but a poor Wall, which serv­ed for a Park for Wild Beasts, in which the Kings of Persia used to hunt, and those who have lately tra­velled thither, relate it is now so full of Lyons and [Page 199]Savage Beasts, yea, and of Robbers, and Murtherers, that Passengers are forced to have Souldiers to Guard them, from whence we may by the way observe the exact accomplishment of the Prophecy of Jeremiah. ch. 51. concerning this City, A drought is upon her Waters, and I will dry up her Sea, and make her Springs dry, and Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for Dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing without an Inhabitant; The Wild Beasts of the Desert, with the Wild Beasts of the Islands shall dwell there, and the Out shall dwell there, and it shall be no more inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from Gene­ration to Generation, and the Land shall be Desert and Dry. And it is certainly reported by Travellers that there is not nowany Town or Village near that once famous City, nor so much as a Tree or green Herb in all that Territory, but all is become a sandy Desart; For Bagdat which is now called New Babylon, is a days Journey from the place where the old City stood, and this barrenness is wonderful, considering the admira­ble fruitfulness thereof in times past, which Pliny saith, was the most fruitful Countrey of all the East, and that the ground usually yielded two hundred, and some years Three Hundred for one. Treasure of Time, Vol 1.

III. The Second Wonder of the World is reckoned to be, The Colossus of the Sun, which was at Rhodes; It was the Statue or Figure of a man, dedicated by the Gentiles to the Sun, and some say to Jupiter, it was composed of Brass, of an incredible bigness, and in height like a mighty Tower, so that it can hardly be imagined how it was raised, and made in that manner, Pliny saith, it contained threescore and Ten Cubits in height, and that it was twelve years before it was made, though many able Workmen continually wrought about it, and that it cost Three Hundred Talents, This Statue was so immeasurably great, that it seemed as if the Earth could no longer sustain it, so that what was twelve years in making, having [Page 200]stood sixty six years was pulled down in an instant by an Earthquake; After this fall, which was in the time of Pliny, many went to see, and wonder at it, for saith he, there were few men who could imbrace one of its Fingers, the least of which was greater than any other man whatsoever; standing with his two Legs striding over an Haven; between the Legs where­of Ships might pass with their Masts and Sails up; This wonderful Colossus lay there ruined for a very long time, the Rhodians being forbid by an Oracle to erect it again, or possbly pretending such an Oracle to save that charge, yet they held the Brass and the other Mate­rials thereof almost sacred, which none ventured to meddle with till Mnavias the Aegyptian General in the year 600, finding in himself no such scruple of Con­science, made a Prey thereof, for after he had over­come Constance the Emperor in a Sea-fight, and had conquered the Isle of Rhodes, he sold this Image as it lay on the ground to a Jew who loaded nine hundred Camels with the Brass thereof. Treasury of Time. Vol. 2.

IV. The Third Wonder of the World, Historians have recorded to be The Pyramids of Egypt, and if all be certain which they have written of them, they are truly admirable, they were vast and stupendions Structures, many in number, three most celebrated, and one the principal of all, scituate on the South of the City of Memphis, and on the Western Banks of Nilus, they ended in a sharp point like a flame of fire, from whence they had their name; It is related that for erecting them there were three hundred and three­score Thousand men imployed for Twenty years to­gether; They were built by the vanity of the Aegypti­an Kings, and used for their Sepulchres when dead, yet many times only to keep their Subjects in imploy­ment, and upon these it is thought the Israelites were imployed by Pharaoh, when they cryed to the Lord, and he delivered them by the hand of Moses; The largest, and chief of the Worlds seven Wonders, is sci­tuate [Page 201]most part of it on the top of a Rocky hill, which riseth an hundred Foot above the Plain, with a gentle and easie ascent, the height of the Scituation, adding to the Beauty of the Work, and the Rock to the Strength thereof; It was built for the Sepulcher of Cheops an Aegyptian King; Each side of this Pyramid is six hundred ninety three Foot according to English measure, so that the whole Circumference of the Basis and Foundation contains four hundred eighty thousand two hundred and forty nine Square Feet, or eleven English Acres of ground, the height and breadth are both the same, that is, six hundred ninety three foot; The Ascent to the top is contrived in this manner, From all the sides without, the Ascent is by degrees, the lowermost step is about four foot high, and three in breadth, which running about the Pyramid in a le­vel, makes on every side of it a long, but narrow walk; The second now is like the first, retiring inward from the first three feet and so runs about the Pyra­mid; In the same manner is the third Row placed above the second, and so in order the rest, like so many stairs rising one above another to the top, which is about nine foot square, consisting of three Stones only, yet large enough for threescore men to stand upon; No Stone in the whole Building being so little as to be drawn by any of our Carriages, yet were brought thither from the Arabian Mountains, but how brought, and by what Engine mounted is an equal wonder.

The Degrees by which men ascend, are not all of an equal depth, for some are about four foot, others scarcely three, and the higher they ascend, the more they diminish both in bredth and thickness; These are all made of massy and polished Stones, the bredth of every step being one single and intire Stone, con­taining thirty foot of stone, the number of these steps is two hundred and seven; On the North-side ascen­ding 38 feet upon an Artificial Bank of Earth, there is a square and narrow Passage leading into the inside [Page 202]of this Pyramid, containing in length ninety two feet and an half; The Structure of it hath been the labour of an exquisite hand, as appears by the smoothness and eveness of the work, and by the close knitting of the joints; It is now an habitation for great ugly Batts of about a foot long; At the end of this entrance, you must climb up a massy stone eight or nine foot in height, where you enter into a Gallery, the pavement whereof is of smooth and polished white Marble; the breadth is above five foot, and the height the like, the length of this Gallery is one hundred and ten foot; At the end of this, begins a second Gallery, a very stately piece of work, not inferior in Curiosity of Art, or richness of Marerials to the most sumptu­ous Buildings. It is divided from the former by a Wall, at the end whereof is a Well about three foot over; the sides of which are lined with white Marble; it is eighty six Cubits in depth, hewn through the Rock where the Pyramid stands; About 15 foot thence, is a square Passage of mighty Stones, exqui­sitely joined, containing one hundred and 10 foot, at the end of which is an Arched Vault, or little Chamber, the length about twenty foot, and bredth seventeen; The length of this second Gallery is 154 feet of white and polished marble, both roof, Walls and bottom, and on each side benches of the same.

At the end of this Gallery you enter into a square hole, which brings you in a little room lined with rich and speckled Theban Marble, out of which through another Passage of the same stone most curiously cut, you come to the North end of a very sumptuous and well proportioned Room, wherein Art seems to con­tend with Nature, the curious work not being inferi­our to the Rich Materials; It stands in the heart or center of the Pyramid, the floars, sides, and roof all of excellent Theban Marble; The Stones which cover this room are of a strange stupendious length, like so ma­ny huge beams lying flat cross the room, and bearing up that almost infinite weight, and mass of the Pyra­mids [Page 203]above; Of these, there are nine which cover the Roof, the length of the Room is 34 English feet, the breadth 17, and the height 19 feet; In the midst of this glorious room, stands the Tomb of Cheops afore­mentioned, of one piece of Marble, hollow within, and sounding like a Bell, but empty; For, saith Dio­dorus, although the Egyptian Kings intended these for their Sepulchres, yet it happened that they were not buried therein, For the People being inraged against them for the slavery and toilsomness of the work, and for their Cruelty and oppression, they threatned to tear in peices their dead Bodies, and with scorn and ignominy to throw them out of their Sepulchres; whereupon these Princes commanded their Friends that when they were dead they should bury them in some obscure place.

The Tomb is cut smooth and plain, without any sculpture or ingraving; The outsides contain in length 7 Foot, 3 Inches and half; in depth 3 foot, 4 Inches, and the same breadth, the hollow part with­in is about six foot long, the depth two foot, where­by it appears that mens bodies are as big now as they were Three Thousand year ago, for it is near so long since this Tomb was made; The charge whereof was so great, that though the workmen had no other Food but Garlick, Radishes and Onions, yet it cost that King eighteen Hundred Talents. Some with great labor and pains have climbed to the top of this Pyramid, but being above, they have seemed as it were to lose their sight by looking down, judging themselves to be above the clouds, whereby their Brains were much troubled; Next to this in bulk and beauty, is said to be the Pyramid of a Daughter of Cheops, who, as Authors report, to finish her Fathers undertaking, and raise her own to the height, pro­stituted her body to all Comers, requiring but one stone toward the work from each one of her Custo­mers; Treasury of Time.

Not far from this Pyramid are the Egyptian Mum­mies, [Page 204]which are the Graves of the ancient Egyptians, into which are descents like the narrow mouths of Wells, some near Ten Fathoms deep, leading into long Vaults hewn out of the Rock with Pillars of the same; Between every Arch lye the Corps, ranked one by another of all sides, which are innumerable, shroud­ed in a number of Folds of Linnen, and swathed with Bands of the same, the breasts of many being marked with strange Hieroglyphick Characters; The Linnen being pull'd off, the bodies appear solid, un­corrupt, and perfect in all their dimensions; To keep these from Putrefaction, they draw the Brains out at the Nostrils with an Iron Instrument, filling the head with preservative spices, then cutting up the Belly with an Ethiopian Stone they take forth the Bowels, cleanse the inside with wine, and so stuffing it with a composition of Myrrhe, Cassia, and other odours, they closed it up again; The same the poorer sort effected with Bitumen, fetched from the Lake of Sodom, where­by they have been preserved to this day having lain there for above Three Thousand years. Clarks Mir­rour, First Part.

On the Bank of the River Nilus stood that famous Labyrinth, built by Psammiticus King of Egypt, situate on the South side of the Pyramids, and North of Ar­sinoe; It contained within the compass of one con­tinued Wall a Thousand Houses, ( Herodotus says, three Thousand five hundred) and twelve Royal Palaces all covered with Marble, and had one only entrance, but innumerable turnings and returnings, sometimes one over another, and all very difficult to such as were not acquainted with them. The Building was more under ground than above, the Marblestones being laid with such Art that neither wood nor cement was im­ployed in any part of the Fabrick; The chambers were so ordered that the doors upon there opening gave a Report no less terrible than a crack of Thun­der; The chief entrance was all of white Marble, a­dorned with stately Columns, and most curious Ima­gery; [Page 205]Having got to the end of it, a pair of stairs of ninety steps conducted into a gallant Porch or Portico, supported with Pillars of Theban Marble, which was the entrance into a fair, and stately Hall, the place of the General Convention, or meeting of the Nobles of the Kingdom, all of polished marble, set out with the Statues of their Gods; A work which afterward was imitated by Dedalus in the Cretan La­byrinth, though it fell as short of the Glories of this as Minos the King who was at the charge thereof, was inferiour to Psammiticus in power and Riches. Hey­lins Cosmography.

The lake of Maeris was likewise a most admirable work, undertaken and finished by Maeris one of the Egyptian Kings, which for greatness and colour is like the Sea; It is about six hundred furlongs from the City of Memphis, the circumference thereof contain­ing some hundreds of furlongs, the depth fifty fa­thom or three hundred feet, many Millions of men were imployed several years about it, the benefit of it to the Egyptians, and the wisdom of that King can­not be sufficiently commended, for since the rising of the River Nilus is not alwayes alike, and the Coun­trey is more fruitful by the moderateness thereof; He digged this Lake to receive the superfluity of the waters, that neither by the greatness of the Inunda­tion, it should cause Marishes, or by the scarcity of water the Earth should not yield her strength; [...]he therefore cut a ditch from the River to this Lake fourscore furlongs long, and three hundred feet in breadth, by which sometimes receiving in, and some­times diverting the River, he gave at his pleasure a sufficient quantity of water to the Husbandmen; In the midst of this Lake, King Maeris built a Sepulcher, and 2 Pyramids, each of them an hundred fathoms high, placing upon them two Marble Statues, fitting on a Throne; one representing himself, the other his wife, designing hereby to make his Memory Immortal; The [Page 206]Revenues which rise by the Fish of this Lake, he gave to his wife to buy sweet Ointments, Ornaments and Jewels, which was so great that it amounted to above a Thousand pound a day; For it was mightily re­plenished with Fish of Twenty sorts, so that very many were continually imployed in catching, and salting of them. Diodorus Siculus Hist.

5. The Fourth Marvel or Wonder of the World was the Tomb of Mausolus King of Caria, a Province in the Greater Asia, built by his Queen Artemisia, who as Historians report, so dearly affected her husband, that she is by many recorded as an absolute pattern of Conjugal Affection; After his death she lamented his loss with extraordinary Sorrow and Complaints, and resolved to erect a Tomb or Sepulcher for him answerable to the extream Love she had for him, and such indeed it proved to be being accounted for rare workmanship, and costly magnificence one of the Worlds Wonders; The Stone of the whole Structure was of most curious Marble, four hundred and eleven foot in Circuit, and 25 Cubits high, supported with Thirty gallant Pillars, excellently ingraven; This building was open on all sides, with Arches 73 foot wide, framed by the most exquisite workmen of that Age, and the perfection of the work was so admi­rable, that ever after all sumptuous and beautiful Tombs were called Mausolaea, of which Martial thus writeth,

It is recorded, that Artemisia after the death of her Husband lived in continual Tears and mourning, and that she died before the Work could be fully finished, having drunk the bones of her Husband beaten into Powder, which she buried in her own body, as the choicest Sepulchre she could provide for him.

6. The Fifth Wender of the World was, The Temple of [Page 207]Diana at Ephesus in Ionia a Province of Asia. Pliny saith it was built by the Amazons, and contained four hundred Twenty five foot in length, and two hundred and Twenty in breadth, so artificially contrived that it was two hundred and Twenty years in finishing; It was founded in a Lake, to prevent the danger of Earthquakes; and it is said, that a great quantity of Coal-dust and Wool were laid under the Founda­tion to secure the moist places; It had one hundred and Twenty seven Pillars of Marble seventy foot in height, of which Twenty seven were most curiously ingraven, and all the rest of Marble polished each of these Pillars were erected at the charge of so many Kings of Asia; The doors of the Temple were of Cy­press, which after four hundred years were as fresh as if they had been new made; The roof was of Cedar; The Image of Diana, which the superstitious vulgar were made to believe came down from Jupiter out of Heaven, was made by one Camesia, some say of Ebony; others of the Vine, which having many holes was fil­led up with Spikenard, the moisture whereof closed up the rifts; It was adorned with rich and unvaluable Gifts, It was contrived by Ctesiphon, and after it was finished was fired seven times; But last of all by Ero­stratus, who observing the Soveraign Magnificence thereof, was resolved to burn it to get himself a Name; which he did accordingly, but to disappoint him, the Princes of those Countreys (as some Authors affirm) forbid that any man should speak, write, or record his name, yet all this was to no purpose, for latter Historians name him, and call him Erostratas; This glorious Temple was burnt the same night that Alexander the Great was born, which gave occasion to that witty scoff, That Diana (who was counted one of the Goddesses of Midwifry) could not attend the Preservation of her Temple, being then busied at the birth of so great a Prince; Some write, that this Temple was afterward rebuilt, much more sumptuous and magnificent than before, and that the Master of the work was named Democrates.

7. The sixth Wonder of the World, was the Idol or Image of Jupiter Olympas, which stood in his Temple at Achaia, between the Cities of Elis and Pisa; This Statue was much renowned as well for artificial per­sections, and admirable Workmanship as for the great­ness thereof, being no less than sixty Cubits high, com­posed by that excellent workman Phidias of Gold and Ivory, Some say, that Phidias was taxed with only one imperfection, that he had not proportioned the Image to the bigness of the Temple, because he had made it sitting and so large, that if the standing upright were considered the Temple would no ways have been able to have contained it; In honour of this Jupiter the Olym­picks Games were instituted by Hercules, and cele­brared on the Plains near this City in the year of the World 2757. The exercises in them were for the most part bodily, as running in Chariots, running on foot, wrastling, fighting with Clubs and the like; But yet there repaired thither Orators, Poets, and Musicians, and all that thought themselves excellent in any lau­dable quality to make Tryal of their several Abilities, the very cryes who proclaimed the Victories contend­ing who should cry loudest, and best play his part; The rewards given to the Victors were only Garl [...]ds of Palm, or such slight remembrances, and yet the Greeks no less esteemed this small sign of Conquest and Honour, than the Romans did their most mag­nificent Triumphs, those who were Conquerors there­in were met by the Principal Men of the City wherein they lived, and a Passage was broken through the main VValls of the Town for their Reception, as if the ordinary Gates were not capable of so high an honour, or able to afford them entrance; The Judges of these Games were some Citizens of Elis appoint­ed for that purpose; Of these Games Horace thus writes,

VIII. The seventh Wonder of the World was The Tower of Pharos, which stood in an Isse of that name near the City of Alexandria in Egypt, a mile distant from the Land, but joyned to the Continent by Cleopatra Queen of Egypt upon this occasion; The Rhodians then Lords of the Sea, used to exact some Tribute and acknow­ledgment out of every Island within those Seas, and consequently out of this; Their Ambassadors being sent to Cleopatra to demand this Tribute, she detained them with her 7 days, under pretence of celebrating some solemn Festivals and in the mean time by mak­ing huge dams, and banks in the Sea, with incredible charge and speed, she united Pharos to the shoar, so that it was no longer an Island; which finished, she sent away the Rhodians empty handed, with this witty jeer, That they were to take Toll of the Islands, but not of the Continent; A work of great Rarity and magnifi­cence, both for the bigness of it, taking up seven Fur­longs of ground, and for that incredible speed where­with it was finished; As for the Watch-Tower called Pharos, by the name of the Island, it was built by Pto­lomy Philadelphus King of Egypt for the benefit of Say­lors, (the Sea on that coast being very unsafe, and full of flats,) to guide them over the Bar of Alexan­dria, Deservedly esteemed one of the Worlds seven Wonders; It was of a wonderful height, ascended by de­grees, and having many Lanthorns on the top, where­in Lights were burned every night flaming like a Bea­con for direction to Seamen; It was erected of Mar­ble, marvellous in curious Workmanship, and scitu­ate upon a Mountain incompassed with Water, the chief Workman was Sostratus, who ingraved on the work this Inscription; Sostratus of Cnidos, the Son of Dexiphanes to the Gods Protector for the Safeguard of [Page 210]Saylors; This Inscription he covered with Plaister, and thereon ingraved the name and Title of the King who was the Founder; to the end that the Kings name being soon wasted and washed away, his own which was written in Marble might be eternized to Poste­rity as the Founder thereof. Nigh unto Pharos, Cae­sar pursuing Pompey into Egyt, and having disconten­ted Plolomy the King thereof by demanding pay for his Souldiers, Caesars Navy lying here at Anchor, was as­saulted by Achilles one of young Ptolomys Comman­ders, Caesar himself being then at Alexandria, but hearing of the skirmish, he hastned to Pharos, resol­ving to succour his Navy in Person; but the Egypti­ans coming upon him on all fides, he was compelled to leap into the Sea, and swim for his life, and though to avoid their darts he sometime dived, yet he still held his left hand above water, and in it divers books (some say his Commentaries) which he carryed safe to his Ships, and incouraging his men, got the Victory; It is said, That Egypt hath only two doors, the one by Land, which is the strong Town of Pelusium, or Damiata, the other by Water, which is this Pharos. Heylins Cosmography, lib. 3.

IX. Having related The seven Wonders of the World I shall now proceed to some other famous Structures, and among them we read of none more magnificent than the Temple of Solomon, but that being at large described in the Holy Scriptures in the Books of the Kings and Chronicles; I shall therefore rather give a description of the City and Temple of Jerusalem as they were, when destroyed by the Romans aforementioned, Jerusalem was compassed with a Treble VVall on every side, save only that part which was inclosed with in­accessible Vallys, for on that side it needed only one VVall; It was built upon two Hills, one opposite to the other, separated by a Valley, which was wonder­fully replenished with Houses; One of these Hills whereon stood the upper part of the City, was far higher and steeper than the other, which K. David [Page 211]compassing with a VVall, called The City of David; On the other Hill, called Acra, stood the lower part of the City, opposite whereunto was another Hill lower than that, which at first was divided from it by a large Valley, but when the Asmonians reigned, they filled up this Valley, and cut down the top of Acra, that it might not hide the Temple; VVithin one of the Valleys was Siloam a Fountain sending forth abundance of clear sweet water; The outmost VVall by reason of the Valley about it, and the Rock where­on it stood was impregnable, being strongly built by David, Solomon, and other Kings; A fourth VVall was begun by Agrippa; In humane Reason had this VVall been finished, the City could never have been taken, for the Stones were 20 Cubi [...]s long, and 10 Cubits broad, so that it could neither have been easily under­mined, nor battered with Engines, but he built this VVall only 10 Cubits high, and then gave it over, fearing lest Claudius Caesar should think he designed to rebel. Yet afterward the Jews raised this VVall twen­ty Cubits high, made a battlement two Cubits high, and the Tower three Cubits, in all 24 Cubits high, Besides upon the Wall were three Towers, twenty Cu­bits broad, and 20 Cubits high, built foursquare very strongly; within these Towers were rooms to dwell in, and Cisterns to receive rain water; The third VVall had ninety of these Towers, and between eve­ry Tower were two hundred Cubits space, the second VVall had 14 Towers, and the old VVall had 60, the compass of the whole City being 33 Furlongs.

Between the North and West part of the City upon the outmost Wall stood the Tower Psephina, which was raised 70 Cubits high, so that in a clear day one might from thence discover Arabia, and the utmost Confines of Judea, even to the Sea. Just opposite to this, was the Tower Hippicon built by Herod upon the old Wall, which for bigness, beauty, and strength, surpassed all others in the World, It had four Cor­ners, each of which was 25 Cubits broad, as many [Page 212]long, and 30 Cubits high, and in no place hollow; On the top was a Well to receive Rain Water 20 Cu­bits deep; on the top of all were Houses 25 Cubits high, divided into many Rooms; Above them were battlements two Cubits, and Turrets three Cubits high, so that in all it was 85 Cubits high. Herod likewise built a second Tower, in bredth, length and height 40 Cubits, in form of a square Pillar all solid, and not hollow within, and above this a Porch 10 Cubits high, adorned with Turrers and Pinacles; Over the midst of this Porch he built another Tower, distin­guished into very handsome rooms, and sumptuous Baths beautified on the top with Turrets and Pinacles, so that the whole height was near 90 Cubits; Lastly he built a third Tower which he called by his Queens name Mariamne, 20 Cubits in height and breadth, all of solid stone, not hollow, having more stately and magnificent Lodgings in it than any of the former, it was in all 5 Cubits high. These Towers though they were very high, yet by reason of their situation they seemed much higher, for the old Wall whereon they were built stood upon a Rock which was 30 Cubits high, whereby their height was much increased, nei­ther were they built of ordinary stone, but all of white Marble, each Stone being 20 Cubits long, 10 broad, and 5 Cubits thick, which were so curiously joyned together, that they seemed to be all but one stone; Within the City was the Kings Palace, surpas­sing all in the World for largeness, and curious Work­manship; It was invironed with a Wall 30 Cubits high, adorned with goodly Towers round about, Beautified with Houses for an hundred of the Nobili­ty▪ The Variety of the Marble wherewith it was built was admirable, all sorts being therein used though never so scarce to be found; In every room were many Vessels of Gold and Silver; and several Porches round about adorned with most curious Pillars; There were in it very many pleasant Walks, adorned with all manner of Trees, and Gardens beset with Foun­tains, [Page 213]which spouted up water on high, and Cisterns beautified with divers brazen Statues from which ran out water continually.

The Temple was built upon a Rocky Mountain, the Plain on the top whereof was at first scarce big enough for the Temple and Court, the Hill being very steep, but the people every day bringing Earth thi­ther, they at last made it plain and large enough; and with wonderful Curiosity and Labour inclosed the Hill with a Treble Wall, which was not effected in many Ages, with the cost of all the Holy Treasure offered to God from all parts of the World; The Foundations of the Temple were layd three hundred Cubits deep, and in many places more; The stones thereof were 40 Cubits, the Porches were double, supported by many stately Pillars 25 Cubits high, all of one piece of white Marble, the tops of them were of Cedar so exactly wrought, as astonished the Behol­ders; These Porches were 30 Cubits broad, and the compass of all was six Furlongs, The Courts were cu­riously wrought, and paved with all sorts of stones. The way to the inward Temple was all inclosed with stones wrought like Lattice work which were 3 Cubits high of Curious Workmanship; To this there was an ascent by 14 steps, and above it, was foursquare, and inclosed with a Wall by it self, 40 Cubits high on the outside, and all covered with stairs to ascend up to it, and within it was 25 Cubits high, At the top of the 14 stairs within the Wall, was a level compassed with a Wall of 300 Cubits which had Gates in it, and between the Gates were Porches opposite to each other, reaching from the Wall to the Treafury, supported with mighty Pillars, All the Gates were co­vered with Plates of Gold and Silver, only one was covered with Corinthian Brass, which for beauty far ex­celled the other, dazling and surprizing the Eyes of the Spectators, In every Gate were two Doors each of them 30 Cubits high, and 15 broad, and on each side they had seats 30 Cubits long, and 40 in height, each of [Page 214]them supported with 2 Pillars, 12 Cubits thick, only the Gate which was covered with Corinthian Brass was [...] Cubits high, and the Gates 40, more richly ador­red than the rest; Lastly the Holy of Holies, or Sanctum Sanctorum was scituate in the midst of all, and had 12 stairs to go up to it, the fore-part of it was an hun­dred Cubits high, and as many broad; backward it was 40 Cubits, on each side it had as it were two shoulders, rising up in height 20 Cubits; The first Gate was 20 Cubits high, and 25 wide, and had no doors, to shew, That Heaven was always open, &c. All the sore parts were guilded, and all within was cove­red with fine gold; The inward part was divided in­to 2 rooms, whereof the first only might be seen, which was in height 90 Cubits, in length 40, and in breadth 20. Round about the Wall was a golden Vine, whereon hung many Grapes in Clusters all of Gold, every cluster being about six foot long; It had golden Gates 55 Cubits high, and 16 broad; It had curious hangings of the same length, admirably wrought with purple, violet, and scarlet silk, all the Fabrick was so exquisitely and richly wrought, that none could possibly imagine any Workmanship it wanted; For it was all covered with a massy plate of pure Gold which astonished the Beholders; The top was all set with Rods of Gold, sharp like Pikes at the ends, lest Birds should sit thereon and defile it, The stones wherewith it was built were 45 Cubits in length, six broad, and as many thick; Josephus Hist. lib. 6.

Jerusalem was a principal City in Josua's time, when Adonth [...]zek was King, who was slain by him, yet did the Jebusites hold it almost four hundred years after, till David won it, though the Inhabitants did so much rely on the place, that they boasted their lame and blind men should defend it. 2 Sam. 5.6. David ha­ving conquered it, strengthned it with a Castle, and beautified it with many Palaces. And after his time, Solomon inlarged, and further beautified, and fortified [Page 215]it extreamly. The Pallaces, Gates and Walls could not be matched in all the World; it had an hundred and fifty thousand Inhabitants besides Women and Children; The Trench about it was sixty foot deep, cut out of the Rock, and 250 foot broad, the like scarce ever heard of; Not long after, Shishak Kin Aegypt took and sackt it, and became Master not only of Solomons [...]es, but of all K. Davids spoils which he had taken from many Nations. 2 Kings 14. It was again plundred, and part of the Wall broken down by Joas King of Israel in Amazia's Reign. 2 Kings 16. Not long after Ahaz the fifteenth K. of Juda impove­rished the Temple, to present Tiglathpilnezer with the Treasures thereof, and Manasses lost what remained. 1 Chron 5. And Nebuchadnezzar laid this glorious City with the Temple, Pallaces, Walls and Towers thereof, even to the Ground. 2 Kings 19. It was built again by Nehemiah, Chap. 12.34. and again the Temple and City were spoiled by Bugoses Leiutenant to Artaxerxes, Then by Ptolomeus the First; Then by Antiochus Epi­phanes; And again by Apollonius his Deputy; After which it was taken by Pompey, and robbed by Crassus in his Parthian Expedition; yet all the losses that the Temple and City sustained, were repaired by Herod the Great, who inlarged the City, new built the Tem­ple, and adorned it with many sumptuous Works, and left it in a more stately and glorious condition than it was in the days of Solomon. Lastly about 40 years after the Death of Christ, the sins of the Jews being come to the height, it was destroyed by Titus the Ro­man General, who made it so desolate, that they which saw it afterward, could scarce believe there had ever been such a City in that place, only he left the 3 Herodian Towers, as well for Lodgings for the Roman Garrisons, as to make his Victory more glorious; yet afterwards some of the despised Jews began to build and inhabit some part of the City; but after 65 years, as aforementioned, when they began to revolt again Aelius Adrianus the Emperor slew many Thousands [Page 216]of them, and overthrew the three Towers of Herod with all the rest, not leaving stone upon another as our Saviour had foretold; But when his fury was ap­peased, he took one part without the VVall, where­in stood Mount Calvery and Christs Sepulcher, and made it a capacious City, which he called after his own name Aelia Capitolia; And in the Gate toward Bethel, he caused a Sow to be cut in Marble, and set it in the Front to despite the Jews, making an Edict, That thenceforth none of them should ever enter in­to that City, not dare so much as to behold, or look toward it from any high place; Yet the Christian Re­ligion flourishing in Palestine, it was inhabited by all Nations, especially Christians, and so it continued five hundred years; And in 639 it was taken by the Egyp­tian Saracens, who held it above four hundred years. In 1099 it was regained by Godfrey of Bullein, who be­ing elected King, refused to be crowned with a Crown of Gold, since Christ for whom he fought, was there crowned with Thorns; It continued to him and his Successors for 88 years, till in 1197 it was retaken by Saladine King of Aegypt, and lastly in 1517. the Turks beat out the Aegyptians, and hold it to this day, calling it in their Language Cuzumbarec, or The Holy City; Raw­leighs Hist. World.

X. The City of Nineveh as it was more ancient than almost any other City, so in greatness it excelled all those that were famous in old time. The Plot or ground of it is said to be four hundred and eighty Furlongs; The Walls were in height one hundred foot, and the breadth of them such, that three Cha­riots might meet on the top of them; On the Walls there were Fifteen Hundred Towers, each of them Two Hundred Foot high, it was called Tetra­polis, as being divided as it were into four Cities, Nineveh, Resena, Forum, and Cale, and was reckoned three days Journey in the time of Jonas the Pro­phet.

11. The Capitol of Rome seated on the Tarpeian Rock seemed to contend with Heaven in height, and no doubt but the length and depth were every way answerable; The excessive charge that the Emperor Domitian was at in building it, Martial after his flattering manner hath wittily described, and which may be thus tran­slated.

We may partly give a guess at the Riches and Or­naments of it by this, that there was spent only upon its gilding above Twelve Thousand Talents; It was all guilded over, not the inner roof only, but the out­ward covering which was of brass or Copper, and the doors of it were overlay'd with thick Plates of Gold, which remained to the Reign of Honorius. After the great overthrow of the Romans by the Gauls near the River Allia, those that escaped fled to Rome for secu­rity, filling all the City with trouble and fear, but the People not judging themselves safe there, got all away out of the Town, only a small number of the most resolute put themselves into the Capitol, resolving to indure all extremities; The rest escaped to the City of Veios, where assembling together, they chose Furius Camillus (whom some time before they had disobliged) to be their Dictator, but he would not ac­cept of the Dignity unless the Senators in the Capitol gave their Legal consent thereunto; This was very difficult, because the Gauls had environed it round about with their Troops, yet one Pontius undertook this dangerous enterprize, and coming to the River Tyber, he swom over upon a piece of broad Cork, and landing on the other side, he went softly, that way where he saw no light, and therefore supposed there was no watch kept, and so climbing up the steep [Page 218]craggy rocks, he with much ado got to the top where being espied by the Roman Centinels they assisted him, and brought him to the Senators, who received his Message, and immediately dispatched him with an answer, so that he returned back to Ca­millus the same night; Next day one of the Gauls walking about that place, chanced to espy the prints and footsteps of a man upon the Rocks and Grass which grew thereon; this he discovered to his Fellows, who thinking the Romans had now shew'd them the way, they took the opportunity of a dark night and ascended the Hill the same way without being disco­vered either by the Men, or the Dogs who both kept guard there; but were now all fast asleep; But it was the good fortune of the Romans that there were certain Geese, dedicated to Juno, and kept at the Publick Charge near her Temple, they being fearful by nature, and easily affrighted by the least noise in the night, and being also kept very hungry by reason of the scarcity in the Capitol, may be supposed to have slept the more lightly, so that perceiving the Enemies with their glittering Armour, they flew a­gainst them, and filled the whole place with a fearful and unusual cry, which awakened the Romans who suspecting the matter▪ ran presently to the wall, and beat back their Enemies, throwing them down head­long, by which unusual means the Capitol was saved, all the Gauls being forced to hasten off, or to leave their dead bodies at the foot of the Hill they had newly climbed; In remembrance whereof, for a great while after, upon one day in the year they carried a­bout in Procession a Dog hanged on a Gallows, and a Goose sitting in a little chair of state upon a rich and sumptuous Cushion. Camerareus Medit.

12. Suctonius thus describes that house of Nero, which Nero himself called Domum Auream; The Golden House; In the Porch was set a Colossus, or Image shap­ed like himself, of one hundred and Twenty foot high; The spaciousness of the House was such, that it had in [Page 219]it three Galleries each of them a mile long, a stand­ing Pool like a Sea, beset with buildings in manner of a City; Feilds in which were arable grounds, Pa­stures, Vineyards and Woods, with a various multi­tude of tame and wild Beasts of all kinds; In the o­ther part thereof all things were covered with gold, and distinguished with precious stones, as Mother of Pearl, &c. The Supping Rooms were roofed with Ivory planks that were moveable, for the casting down of Flow­ers; and had Pipes in them for the sprinkling of Oint­ments; The Roof of the Principal Supping Room was round, which like the Heavens wheeled about perpetu­ally day and night; This House when he had thus fini­shed and dedicated, he so mightily approved of that he said, He then began to live like a Man. Suetonius Hist. Lib. 6.

XIII. The Amphitheatre begun by Vespasian, but fi­nished and dedicated by Titus was most famous, the height whereof was such, that (saith Marcellinus) the Eye of man could hardly reach it; It was built and reared up (saith Cassiodore) with Rivers of Treasure poured out; It contained only upon the Steps and Degrees sufficient and easie Seats for fourscore and seven Thousand Persons, so as the vacant Places besides, might well contain Ten or Twenty Thousand more; And it is admirable to consider (saith the L. Montaign in his Essays) what mighty magnificence the Roman Emperors used in their Theaters, It was wonderful (saith he) to cause a great quantity of large Trees all full of green branches to be brought from far, and planted in Plots yeilding nothing but dry gravel, repre­senting a wild shady Forrest, divided in due and seemly proportion; And the first day to put into the Thea­tre a Thousand Estriges, a Thousand Stags, a Thou­sand Wild Boars, and a Thousand Bucks, which were hunted and baited by the common people; The next day in the presence of all the People, an hun­dred great Lyons, an hundred Leopards, and three hundred huge Bears were baited and torn to peices; The third day three hundred couple of Gladiators or [Page 220] Fencers combated, and murdered one another, as in the Reign of the Emperor Probus; It was also an ex­lent sight to see those huge wondrous Amphitheatres all inchased with rich Marble, and curiously inriched on the outside with carved statues, and all the in­side glistering with precious and rare Imbellishments; All the sides round about were invironed and repleni­shed from the ground to the very top, with three or fourscore ranks of steps and seats all of Marble, co­vered with gallant Cushions, where might be conve­niently placed an hundred thousand men, and all sit at ease; The plain groundwork of it where Sports were acted, were so ordered by Art, as to open asun­der with holes, and gaps like hollow Caves, out of which issued wild Beasts appointed for the Plays; Af­ter which, the whole floor of the Theatre was imme­diately overflown with a very deep Sea, wherein were all manner of strange Fishes, and Sea Monsters, with a great Navy of Ships ready rigged, and provi­ded for a Sea-fight; In an Instant all was dry and smooth again, and the Fencers entred and fought with each other; Lastly to compleat the last Act of one day only, the whole floor was forthwith cleansed, and strowed over with Vermilion and Storax instead of Gravel, and a solemn banquet brought forth enough to entertain that almost infinite number of People; they have sometimes caused an huge steep Mountain to arise in the midst of the Amphitheatre, all overspread with fruitful, and flourishing Trees of all sorts, on the top whereof gushed out streams of water as from a Fountain; Other times they have brought forth a great tall Ship, floating up and down, which opened and split asunder of it self, from whence issued out four or five hundred wild Beasts to he bai­ted, and then closing again, it vanished away without any visible help; sometimes they caused water to spout gently from the bottom of the Theatre, which bubbling up to the very top, sprinkled and refreshed that vast multitude; And to preserve themselves from [Page 221]the violence of the weather, they caused that huge compass to be overspread sometimes with purple Sails, all curiously wrought with the Needle, sometimes of Silk and other colours, all which was done in the twinkling of an Eye, either to spread or draw it back again; The Nets likewise which they used to put be­fore the people to save them from the danger of the wild baited Beasts, were all woven of Gold Thred. Montaigns Essays. lib. 3.

XIV. The Bridge of Caligula was a new and un­heard of Spectacle, it reached from Puteoli to Bauli; three miles and a quarter, he built it upon Ships in a few days; Over this he marched with the Senate and Souldiery in a Triumphant manner, and in the view of the People; Upon this he feasted, and passed the night in dalliance and Gaming; A Marvellous and great work indeed, but such as the vanity thereof de­prived it of Commendation, for to what end was it raised but to be demolished? Thus sported he, (saith Seneca) with the Power of the Empire, and all in imi­tation of Xerxes a Foreign Frantick, unfortunate and proud King, Hakewels Apology.

XV. Wales anciently extended it self Eastward to the River Severn, till by the valour of Offa the great King of the Mercians, the Welch or Brittains were dri­ven out of the plain Countrey beyond that River, and forced to betake themselves to the Mountains, where he caused them to be shut up, and divided from Eng­land with an huge Ditch called Offa's Dike, which began where the River Wie comes into the Severn not far from Chepstow, and extended fourscore and four miles in length, even as far as Chester, where the River Dee is mingled with the Sea; which was a very stupendious work; Concerning this Ditch, there was a Law made by K. Harold, That if any Welshman was found with a Weapon on this side of it, he should have his right hand cut off by the Kings Officers; Heylins Cosmography.

XVI. China is bounden on the North with Altay and the Eastern Tartars, from which it is separated by [Page 222]a continued Chain of Hills, and where that Chain is broken off, with a great Wall of four hundred Leagues, or Twelve hundred English miles in length; It was built (as they say) by Zaintzon the 117 King thereof, it was six fathom high, and 12 yards thick, and was twenty seven years in building by the conti­nued labour of seven Millions, and Fifty Thousand men: Herberts Travels.

XVII. Ptolomeus Philopater built a Ship (saith Pan­cirollus) that the like was never seen before nor since; It was two hundred and eighty Cubits in length, fifty two Cubits in height from the bottom to the upper Decks; It had four hundred Banks, or Seats for Ro­wers, four hundred Marriners, and four thousand Ro­vers; And on the Decks it could contain Three Thousand Souldiers, There were also Gardens and Orchards on the top of it, as Plutarch relates in the life of Demetrius.

XVIII. The Escurial or Monastery of St. Lawrence in New Castile in Spain was built by K. Philip 2. A place of such Magnificence that no building in times past, or the present is comparable to it; The Front toward the VVest is adorned with three stately Gates, the middlemost whereof leadeth into a most magnificent Temple, or Monastery, wherein were one hundred Monks of the Order of St. Jerom, and a Colledge; the Gate on the right hand openeth into divers Offices belonging to the Monastery that on the left hand to the Schools and outhouses belonging to the Colledge; At the four Corners are four Turrets of excellent Workmanship, and for height Majestical; Towards the North is the Kings Pallace, on the South part are divers beautiful and Sumptuous Gallerys, and on the East side several Gardens and Walks very plea­sant and delectable; It containeth in all eleven several Quadrangles, every one incloistered, and is indeed so brave a Structure, that a Voyage to Spain were well im­ployed, were it only to see it and return. Heylins Cos­mography.