Of the Star that appeared to the Eastern Magi after the birth of Christ.

One notable consequent of Christ's birth was the ap­parition of a Star unto the wise men of the East, the Ma­gi of Persia; whereby it was manifested unto them, that there was born a king of the Jews; which, (doubtless) the Spirit of God did reveal unto them by his inward light, without which this star-light had not been sufficient. These wise men were such as had knowledge in Astronomy, and such profound Sciences, which the ordinary sort were un­acquainted with. But they had as much need of Christ as the poor Shepherds of Bethlehem. Hereupon they take an exceeding long journey to visit, yea to worship an in­fant, which to the eye of the world was of a poor despi­sed estate; for now at his birth there was no room for him in the Inne. These Eastern Magi, or Privy-Counsellours to the King of Persia, (as is probable) come to the Court of the king of Judah, and there they ask the Question; Where is he that is born king of the Jews; for we have seen his Star in the East, and are come to worship him, Math. 2. Strange news in a Princes Court, that men of that dignity of a Countrey so far distant, and of that wisdom and learn­ing, should come to worship a Child that was born king of the Jews, a people sometime in Captivity under the Per­sian State, and now in likelihood despised by them, and that his Star should appear unto them in their own Countrey.

The Gentile Prophet Balaam Prophesied, that there should arise a Star out of Jacob, &c. Numb. 24. 17. and Zoroa­stres Justin. lib. 1. king of the Bactrians, a man excellent in all learning, [Page 4] left this as a Tradition among the Gentiles. And after­wards it was was more plainly published by the Sybiles, that a Day-star should appear before the rising of the Sun of Righteousness, This was fresh among the Gentiles until the coming of Christ; for Virgil (though misapplying the same) saith, ‘Ecce Dionaei praec [...]ss [...]t Caesaris astrum.’ Rightly applyed thus; That the glorious Star long expect­ed should precede, and foreshew the coming of the Messias, Yet Fulgentius saith, Puer natus novam Stell [...]m fabricav [...]t, Christ being born did of nothing frame this new Star. Fulgent. [...]. 2. oper. im­perfect. in Math. [...] 2. His Star, because he made it, and his Star because it bare witness of him; for the Magi being upon the mountain Victorialis worshipping their God (as Chrysostom saith) a Star did appear unto them in the similitude of a little Child, and so shewed unto them and to all others, that this Child, even the Son of God was born. And as the Poet saith,

This star was no common star, For,

1. All stars (as we see) are carryed from the East into the VVest, but this went from the East into the South, for Palestine stands Southward from Persia.

2. A star loseth his light in the day-time, the Sun a great­er light obscuring it but this star was seen night and day, becoming the more bright in the midst of the Sun's bright shining.

3. This Star shined not continually; but intermiting for a certain time appeareth again. They saw it all the way till they came to Palestine, as the guide of their journey. But when they were come to Herod, it was hidden, and then it appeared again: when they stood still, it stood still, being ordered for the best benefit of them in their journey. And being instructed at Jerusalem, that Bethlehem was the place where Christ should be born; the wisemen hereupon go to Bethlehem, and there by the conduct of the star they [Page 5] find the Babe and his mother, and down they fall and wor­ship him, and forth they bring their presents, or gifts, of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrhe.

When they had heard the king (who charged them to go, and bring him word when they had sound the young Child, [...] &c.) they departed, and Lo the star which they saw in the East, went before them, and stood over where the young Child lay. Either (it seemeth) this star appeared unto them being in the East, and then vanished out of their sight (which is probable) because it is said, The star which they saw in the East, or else, it ceased to be seen when they came to Jeru­salem, when they saw the star, they rejoyced with exceeding great joy, Math. 2. 10. The star did but appear before, now it goes leisurely (as it were) and directeth them in their way to the house where the Babe lay. This star (as one observeth) was not placed where the rest of the stars are, but in the lower Region of the Air, for otherwise they could not have known by it the place where Christ was, seeing that a star by reason of the great height, seem­eth to be over one house as well as another within a great Compass. Moreover it is noted, that this star went and stood over the place where Christ was.

One observeth, To Bethlehem the Magi come to make enquiry after Christ, whom none ever sincerely sought but Fullers Pisgah sight. lib. 2 cap. 14. they found him.

This star by moving (probably in the low Region of the Air,) sheweth them their way, by standing still at the end of their journey; Coming into the house they find the Royal Babe, and present him with gifts.

Of other great Lights, Comets, and Ominous Stars, &c. appearing after the birth of Christ.

Saul breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord, obtains of the High-priest Annas, (as it is Act. 4. 6.) and the Councel, of which he was then President, letters to the Synagogue of Damascus, that if he found any that were Christians, he should bring them bound to Jerusalem, that they might be punished. And as he came nigh to Damascus, at midday a light from heaven, above the brightness of the Sun, shined round about him, and them that journeyed with him: and when they were all fallen to the earth, he heard a voice speaking to him in the Hebrew Tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for Thee to kick against the pricks, &c..

But the men that journeyed with Saul, were so amazed, that they were speechless, seeing indeed a light, and hear­ing a sound of words, but neither seeing Christ which spake, nor understanding any thing that he spake, Act. 9. 1, 7. XXII. 5. 14. XXVI. 12. 18.

Saul arose from the earth, and being blinded with the glory of the light, being led by the hand, he comes to Da­mascus, Act. 9. 8. & 22. 11. And he was three days with­out sight, and did neither eat nor drink. Ananias being sent unto Saul, entred into the house, and laying his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus which appeared un­to thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me that thou maist receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy-Ghost, and pre­sently there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his eye sight forthwith, Act. 9. 9. 18. And Ananias said, The God of our fathers hath chosen Thee, that Thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just one, and should'st hear the voice from his mouth; for Thou shalt be a witness before all men of those things that Thou hast heard and seen, &c. And Saul arose, and was baptized, and when he had received meat he was strengthened.

[Page 7] But what was revealed from the Lord to Saul at Damas­cus that he should do, St. Luke sheweth not in the Acts; but out of those things which in the Epistle to the Galathi­ans he saith hapned to him immediatly after his conversion, it appears, that among other things it was commanded him that he should not confer with flesh and blood, nor re­turn to Jerusalem, to them that were Apostles before him, but that he should go for some time into Arabia, or places near Damascus, where he should receive the knowledge of the Gospel: Not being taught of men, but by the Reve­lation of Jesus Christ, Gal. 1. 12, 16, 17. Saul then returns to Damascus, verse 17. and tarries with the Disciples there a few days, and straitway in the Sinagogue he preached that Christ is the son of God.

Of the Signs that appeared before the destruction of the City and Temple of Jerusalem by the Romans.

Eusebius saith, that Seducers and authours of lies Eusib. Ec­cles. hist. lib. 3. ca. 8. Joseph. de bello Judaic. lib. 7. ca. 12. against God, deceived that wretched people of the Jews before the destruction of the City and Temple at Jerusa­lem; so that they neither marked those Prodigious signes foreshewing the desolations to come, nor gave any credit thereunto; but as astonished, both blind and senseless con­temned the divine demonstrations.

A star stood over the City like a sword, and a Comet en­during the space of a whole year. Again, at the feast of unleavened bread, on the eighth day of the moneth of A­pril (a little before their rebellion and warlike tumult) in the night at nine of the Clock, so great a light over­spread the Altar and the Temple, that it seemed to be clear day, continuing the space of half an hour. At the same feast the East gate of the inner Temple, though of brass, and most strong, so that in the evening twenty men could [Page 8] scarce shut it, being bolted with iron bars, and strengthe­ned with long posts and pillars: in the night-time about the sixth hour was seen to have opened voluntarily of it self.

A few days after the feast (viz. May 21.) there was seen the figure and shape of the Devil. Before Sun-set there were seen in the air throughout the Countrey, Chariots and armed Souldiers marching in the Clouds, and encom­passing the City round about.

In the feast of Pentecost, when the Priests (after their manner) went into the Temple in the night season to offer sacrifice; they reported that they heard a commotion, and a ratling sound with this voice, Migremus hinc, let us go hence. The afflictions which followed hereupon were cor­respondent to the signs. Eleven hundred thousand of the Jews perished in the six moneths siege of Jerusalem. But for those that perished out of Jerusalem, Lipsius hath made Just. Lips. lib. 2. de Constant. cap. 21. a large Catalogue out of Josephus the Jew, who was a commander in that war, and wrote the History of it, which number of the dead being added to the eleven hnndred thousand that perished at the siege of Jerusalem, makes up the number of 1337490. an innumerable company, be­ing ommitted, that perished through famine, banishment, and other miseries.

Whilst diverse men were plotting and conspiring against the Emperour Domitian; among other signs which then were seen, there appeared for many dayes together round Pedocot. Mexio. histor. Roman. Imperat. about the Sun a great bright shining Crown, that did com­pass it about, which resembled the Rain-bow against foul weather, but that was a whole Crown that did environ the Sun in such manner, as it bereaved and Eclipsed the same of its brightness. Which signal, men did interpret to signifie a change and alteration in the Empire, with the death of Domitian. And in as much as Stephanus in Greek signifies a Crown, there were some which conceived, that Stephanus who was Steward to his wife and Empress Do­micilla [Page 9] should kill him, notwithstanding thev knew nothing of the Conspiracy of Stephanus and others then against him, by whom he was shortly after slain.

When Constantine the Emperour prepared to sight with Maxentius, and stood in fear and doubt of the issue of the Battel, as well for the great number of the Enemies, as for Maxentius his enchantments, wherewith he amazed the World, he was in great care and perplexity. And as he gave credit to the Christians, and was their Protector and Defender, (albeit, he was not yet baptized) but had a firm stedfast hope in Jesus Christ.) Eusebius Cassiodorus, and others write, That he saw in the Heavens a Light­some Pillar, of a Fiery Colour, in form of a Cross, and therewith he heard this voice, In hoc signo vinces, [...]n, or by vertue of this sign thou shalt overcome. The which Vision so amazed the Emperour, that he mistrusting his own sight, demanded of them that were present, whether they perceived the Vision, which when all with one con­sent had assirmed, the wavering mind of the Emperour was setled with that wonderful sight, so as he presently assured himself of Victory, and therefore caused the sign of the Cross to be made in his Imperial Standard; and joyning with the Enemy right over against Rome, near to a Bridge o­ver the River Tiber, called Pons Milvius, at the beginning of the fight Maxentius was overcharged by Constamius his Vantgard, and fled: and entring upon the Bridge which he had made of Barks and Boats near to the other; both he and his Horse fell into the River, where he was drown­ed, which Bridge himself had caused to be made; to the end therewith, to have deceived his Enemy.

In the dayes of Sigebert, Chitperic, and Gunthran, Kings of France, certain Comets and prodigious signs were seen in the Heavens. A fire falling from Heaven, consumed the City of Orleans (whereof, and the Terri­tory about it, Gunthran was King) and the City of Bour­deaux, [Page 10] together with the fruits of the Earth. There followed atmost throughout all France a malignant Cough and bloody Flux, which destroyed multitudes of men and Women; by which means that evil Woman Austigil­dis, Wife of King Gunthran, perished. The said King Gunthran died within a year following.

After the death of Theodoricus, who had made him­self Lord of all Italy, there appeared many signs in Hea­ven: In the North the Heaven seemed fiery, and certain shining Spears were seen, and the Moon was much ob­scured. And a Comet appeared at Tholouse.

Terrible signs were seen by Night in Italy in the year of our Lord 570. For fiery swords appeared in the Hea­vens, and blood distilled from the Clouds, which signified the effusion of much blood, which hapned afterwards, and many great storms continuing many dayes. The River Ti­ber was increased with so great a force of waters, that ma­ny people that lived in low places were drowned. Two Animals appeared in the form of a Man and Woman, from the Morning till Nine of the Clock, with long hair hang­ing down to the Loynes. The Water covered their other parts. And they write, That a Mountain in France, with a great Noise was cleft asunder.

In the time of the Emperour Justinian the first, (as Pro­copius writeth,) for the greatest part of one whole year, the Sun gave so little Light, that it was but equal to, or little more then the Light of the Moon, the Sky being clear, and without Clouds, or any other thing to shadow the same. And so without any apparent occasion it was obscured all that time; which (as it was afterward conjectured) was the Prognostick of the Famine and want of grain, which generally ensued throughout all the World, and of the Wars and effusion of Blood which followed in [Page 11] Italy; and of the taking, burning, and destruction of Rome by Totila.

In the time of the Emperour Heraclius, (who took upon him the Government of the Empire in the year of our Lord 611.) at Constantinople Fire fell from Heaven, and there appeared a great Bow in the Heavens, so that Men thought that the end of the World was at hand, by reason of the great Thundrings and Lightnings. There followed a most grievous Pestilence, which consumed ma­ny in the Summer Months. And many Prodigies, and dreadful things appeared at this time in Greece, which seemed to portend the future Calamities under Mahomet. And in one and the same year a very bright Comet was seen at Constantinople, and a Child was born with four Feet. And in the Isle Delon, two very great Monsters were seen, having altogether humane shape. And many other things here and there like unto this did appear.

In the Reign of the Emperour Constantine IV. an hairy Comet appeared three Months, which was the forerunner of great Slaughters: And there happened so many, and so great Tempests and alterations in the air, as it seemed, that the four Elements had conspired against Mankind; for the Winds were so furious and violent, as that they overthrew many buildings, and rent up many Trees by the roots, and the rain likewise was so great, and tempestuous, as it destroyed all their Tillage, as well for Bread-Corn as all other kinds of Herbs and Seeds. And therewith fell an infinite number of Thunderbolts, and Fires from Heave, which slew a great number of Men and Cattel, especially on this side of the Alps. And af­ter a great Eclipse of the Sun and Moon, the City of Pa­pia was almost utterly destroyed by a raging Pestilence, so that the People which survived, fled to the Mountains, and grass grew in the City.

[Page 12] About the time of King Luitprand King of the Lombards, two Comets appeared in the Month of January, and the Sun was darkned, and lost his light for fifteen dayes, where­of one went before the Sun, the other followed it in the Evening.

About the Death of Pope Leo tho third, who crowned and declared Charles the Great, King of France to be Emperour, a Comet appeared, and the Sun lost his light for Fifteen dayes. This Pope died, Anno 816.

In the second year of Lotharius, Son of the Emperour Ludovicus Pius, and Grandson to Charles the great, there appeared a Comet; Hail of great bigness fell in France, which slew many men, and much Cattel. There was also seen in those Hail-stones Corn of a wonderful Length; and of an hard substance. An Earthquake also shook Italy, and in certain places divers Mountains were overwhelm­ed, and divers Cities perished. Lotharius warred against his brethren Lewes, and Charles; and a great Battel being fought, the Flower of the French Nobility was slain, and in number more men died, than in any other Battel had hapned in France ever since the Battel which was fought between Ecius and Attila, King of the Hunnes in the Fields of Catalonia.

About this time, an innumerable Company of Locusts, having six Wings, and two Teeth harder than stones, covered the Earth in France like Snow. At length being cast into the Sea, and upon Land by the Shore, there followed great putrefaction; which infecting the Air, caused a general destruction of men.

In the beginning of the Reign of the Emperour Lewes the Second, for three dayes it rained Blood at the City of Brescia in Lombardy so fresh, and so perfect, as if it had [Page 13] been of a Bull, or of some other Beast lately killed.

In the time of Edward the Son of Edgar King of Eng­land appeared a Comet, after which followed a great Dearth and Mortality to men, and murrain upon Beasts, and there arose a great contention between the Priests and Monks.

In the days of Pope Leo, VII. the Sun seemed to reign blood, as Masseus writeth. and after it followed a great Pestilence among men.

In the first year of Pope Martin III. a great Blazing Star appeared in Italy, after which followed an extream Famine. And again, the Sun appeared very dreadful. Martin died, Anno 947.

A little before the death of the Emperour Otho the Se­cond, many Prodigies appeared in Italy; for a Stone of wonderful bigness fell from Heaven in the midst of a great storm and tempest. And the sign of the Cross appeared on the Garments of many; and some of them were of a bloody colour; which many did interpret to portend great Slaugh­ters, and the Calamity of the Church. In Italy a Comet of wonderful bigness appeared, presaging the Famine which followed.

In the time of Pope John XVI. appeared a Comet, af­ter which followed both Famine and Pestilence, with terri­ble Earthquakes, which shook both Benevent and Capua. John died Anno 985.

In the third year of the Emperour Henry the Second, a Comet appeared dreadful to behold, dispersing his Flames hither and thither. And in the seventh year of his Reign there was a great Eclipse of the Sun, and the Moon seem­ee to be turned into Blood; and there was a great Earth­quake, [Page 14] and a burning Torch like a Bow fell from Heaven with great noise; there suddenly followed a great Famine, and a little after a great Pestilence raged almost all the World over, but chiefly in Italy, so that the dead were account­ed more than the living; And in Lorrain there was a Fountain turned into Blood.

Henry the Third came to the Empire, Anno 1040▪ and in his time there was seen a Fiery Beam of wonderful greatness between the South and the East, running upon the Sun, which at the Sun setting fell upon the Earth.

In the Reign of Herold King of England, a fearful Comet appeared, which lasted seven days, the English being now ready for a War.

In the time of King William the Conqueror, a Blazing Star appeared upon Palm Sunday, being the 16th. of Holin­sheds Chro­nicle in Will. Con­queror. April, 1076. about six of the Clock, when the Air was fair and clear. About the same time was a general Earth­quake in England, and in the Winter following, a Frost that continued from the first of November, until the middle of April.

In the time of Baldwin the Second, King of Jerusalem, an unusual Star appeared the first week in Lent, in the E­vening in the South West, and shined at one and the same hour for Twenty Five dayes. After this, were seen two Moons a little before day, one in the East, and the other in the West; and not long after a Comet putting forth long and flaming Hairs, appeared, which Elmerus the Monk beholding, said, did threaten the destruction of that Countrey.

In the year 1094▪ in the Reign of William Refus, King of England, many hideous sights were seen in England, as Hosts of Men fighting in the Air, flashes of Fire, Comets, and falling Stars, and such like Prodigies. And the same year both England and Normandy were sore vexed with Mortality both of Men and Beasts, insomuch that Tillage [Page 15] of the Ground was laid aside in divers places, by reason whereof there followed great Dearth and Famine.

About the year of our Lord 1100. Fiery Swords appear­ed in Heaven, which being dispersed through the whole Heaven, were seen the greatest part of the Night, and ve­ry many Stars seemed to fall from Heaven upon the Earth. And the smoak went out with an hissing, as by Waters poured upon it. A most sharp Winter followed, and a great Famine followed it, and a Mortality of Men, and murrain of Beasts, both Wild and Tame; and Birds fighting together in great Numbers, destroyed one ano­ther; Moreover, a great Earthquake in Italy lasted the space of Forty days; so that divers Towns and Villages were overthrown. And the Moon being in an Eclipse, was turned into a bloody colour. And a Woman brought forth a Monster, having a double Body, having also be­fore the Face of a Man, and behind the Face of a Dog. About this time died Johannes de Temporibus, who had been an Esquire to the Emperour Charles the Great, hav­ing lived 361 Years.

In the Seventh year of Henry the First, King of Eng­land, upon a Friday night in the first week in Lent, there was seen a strange Star between the South and the West, which appeared every Night at an hour, and so continued for the space of Twenty Five dayes; and over against that Star out of the East appeared a great and bright Beam, which stretched it self toward the said Star. And not long after were seen two Moons, one in the East, the other in the West.

In the Thirteenth year of the same Kings Reign, at Fabian. Chronicle. Shrewsbury was a great Earthquake, and at Nottingham from Morning until Evening. The River of Trent was so dryed up, that men went over on foot dry. Thereupon followed an hard VVinter, great Mortality of People, and scarcity of Victuals by reason of the great murrain of Beasts. A Comet, or Blazing Star appeared in a strange form, for rising in the East, when once it came aloft in the [Page 16] Firmament, it kept not its course forward, but seemed to go backward, as if it had been retrograde.

About the year 1157 three Suns appeared together in the West; after two hours the other sailing, that which was in the middle did also set. After the same manner in the next year three Moons appeared, and in the middle of one the sign of the Cross. These signs were interpreted by some to be a token of the grievous discord of the Cardinals in the Election of the Pope; and of the Princes in the Elec­tion of the Emperour. Earthquakes about this time where almost every where, and did shake some Provinces many years, especially Syria, and Silicia▪ in which many Cities did long shake, and some of them were overwhelmed with great destruction of People.

In the third year of John, King of England, there were seen in Yorkshire five Moons; one in the East, the second in the VVest, the third in the North, the fourth in the South, and the fifth (as it were) set in the midst of the other, having many Blazing Stars about it, and went five or six times encompassing the other, as it were the space of one hour, and shortly after vanished away. The following VVinter was extreamly cold, more than the natural course had been aforetime; and in the Spring time there fell such abundance of Rain, as caused the Rivers to swell with high­er floods then they had been accustomed, which caused great inundations. This Kings Reign was full of troubles; Pope Innocent III. Excommunicated and deposed him, and put England in interdict, bestowed it upon Philip August, King of France, upon condition of Conquering it, and after­wards takes off the Interdict, receives homage from King John, and makes England a fee of the Roman See, and that King his Vassal.

In the year of our Lord 1256▪ in the Reign of King Hen­ry III. many wonders hapned. A Comet appeared; the Sea rose with most high Tides; Rivers were so filled with abundance of water by reason of the great and conti­nued Rain, that wonderful Flouds followed there­thereupon; [Page 17] and many high Buildings were beaten down by the force of Tempests.

In the same Kings Reign, there appeared a Comet very dread­ful to behold, for the space of 30 days together. Moreover on the Coast of England, there was a great Battel among the Fish­es of the Sea, so that there were eleven Whales cast on Land, beside other huge and monstrous Fishes, which appeared to be dead of some hurts received: And one of those mighty Fishes coming into the Thames alive, was pursued by the Fisher men, and it could scarce pass through the Arches of London-Bridge. At length with Darts and other such Weapons, they slew him before the Kings Mannor at Mortlack whither they followed him. There was also a great sound heard the same Year in sun­dry parts of England at one and the same time, as if it had been the noise of some mighty Mountain that had fallen into the Sea.

A Comet of notable magnitude appeared in the Heavens in the Year 1263, rising from the East, above three Months with great brightness, and did send forth his rays to the midst of Heaven, setting towards the West: When he first appeared Pope Ʋrban IV▪ began to be Sick, but in the same Night that Ʋrban Dyed, he began to disappear.

Soon after the Corronation of Edward I. King of England, there hapned such an Earth-quake with Lightning and Thun­der, and therewithal the appearing of a Burning-Drake, and a Blazing-Star, or Comet, that the people were filled with great fear and astonishment.

In the time of Wenceslaus the Third, King of Bohemia, there Appeared in the Heaven a large Comet, which did presage the great Destruction which followed; in which Year upon Saint Andrew's Day there hapned a great Earth-quake, which lasting divers Days by Intervals, overthrew many Buildings.

In the Year 1314, Three Moons Appeared together in the Heaven, and a Comet was seen in the North, which lasted Three Months: It vanishing, in the same Year in the Month of November, Phillip King of France dyed, a Boar breaking the Legs of his Horse as he was Hunting, he fell from his Horse, of which fall he dyed shortly after.

[Page 18] In the Ninth Year of King Edward the Second, before Christ­mas, a blazing-Star, or Comet, Appeared in the North part of the Firmament, for the space of a Month together: After it followed a woful Famine, for Victuals was so scant and dear, and other Grain raised to so high a price, that the poor people were constrained through Famine, to eat the Flesh of Horses, Dogs, and other wild Beasts, and many starved, having nothing to feed upon throughout the Land. After this Dearth and scar­city of Victuals, ensued a great Mortality of people; so that what with the War with the Scots, and with the Famine and Pestilence, the people of England were wonderfully wasted and consumed.

In the Year 1337, in the Tenth Year of the Reign of King Edward III. a Comet, or Blazing-Star Appeared with long and terrible Streams passing from it, which continued thirty Days. Soon after the French burnt South-hampton, which they almost wholly consumed to Ashes, and did many other mischiefs with their Ships on the Coasts of England.

In the Year 1351, in the North there Appeared a Comet in the Month of December, which being extinct, violent Winds followed, and a Coelestial Beam was seen to glide along the Heavens, the former part of it burning. And they write, that before the Death of Pope Innocent VI. there was so great a re­fection of the Sun, as the like had not been before seen.

In the Month of March, in the Year of our Lord 1402, and third Year of Henry IV. King of England, there Appeared a Blazing-Star, first between the Eastern part of the Firmament, and the North flashing forth Fire and flames round about, and lastly, shooting forth Fiery streams towards the North, fore­shewing (as was thought) the great effusion of Blood which fol­lowed about the parts of Wales and Northumberland.

In the Year 1438, there was a great Eclipse of the Sun, and divers Wars and Dissentions followed. A Comet also Appear­ed, and there followed a slaughter of Men in Liege.

In the Three and Thirtieth Year of the Reign of Henry VI. King of England, during the Civil Wars between the Houses of Lancaster and York, a Comet Appeared in the Month of June, the Beams whereof extended it self into the South, of which King Henry and his Son felt the sad effects.

[Page 19] In the Year 1456, a Comet was seen in the East in the month of June, in the Fifteenth degree of Cancer, a very great Earth­quake followed on the 5th Day of December, at Eleven a Clock at Night; And another on the Thirtieth Day of the same Month, such as in the memory of Man there had not any where been seen the like for vehemency; especially in Apulia, Naples, Beneventum, and many other Cities and Towns round about, many Temples and Pallaces, and other Houses, were over­whelmed, with the Destruction of many Men and Cattel. The like hapned at Cajeta, Capua, Aversa, and the rest of the Cities of old Campania.

In the Year 1457. another followed, which they called a black Comet, in the Month of June, in the 20 degree of Pisces, which was seen for the space of a month, and did variously affect the minds of Men.

A great Comet Appeared throughout the month of January, in the beginning of the Year 1472, in a Fiery colour, with long and black hairs bending towards the West, whose body was a­bout the entrance of Libra; afterwards it bended it self onely in the North, that it might be judged that it went out without the Zodiack, and it continued Fourscore days. But this Comet being scarce dissolved, another Appeared, of a fiery hair, which seemed to be seated in the Sign of Aries, and its Tayl stretch­ed out it self towards the East: A grievous Drought follow­ed, and a Pestilence, and most cruel and bloody Wars in ma­ny places.

There were Two Comets seen before the Battel of Crescy in France, where though the English got a great Victory over the French by the Sword, so it seemeth (as our Chronicles do re­late) that the Sword of the Destroying Angel slew a multitude of the English at home.

Phillip the first, King of Spain, and Father to the Emperour Charles V. being at Tudele of Duero, there Appeared a strange Comet in the Firmament, foreshewing (as they said afterward) the Approaching Death of King Phillip, which happened soon after in the City of Burgos, to the general grief of all his Sub­jects; the Comet still Appearing, whereunto he did Attribute his Death, saying often in his pains and agonies, Ha Cometa, [Page 20] ha Cometa. He dyed in the Year of our Lord, 1506, haveing Reigned one Year and Ten Months: His Body was laid ma­ny Years after by his Son Charles in the Royal Chappel of Gra­nado, having remained in divers places.

In Queen Maries Reign, in the Year of our Lord, 1556, a Blazing-Star was seen at all times of the Night, on the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth of March, a little be­fore the Burning of Thomas Cranmer, Arch-Bishop of Can­terbury.

The Horrid Massacre of the Protestants in France, being Acted August 24, &c. 1572, a Grave Writer relates, That about a quarter of a Year after, Viz. November 17. there Ap­peared a Star in the Constellation of Cassiopea, Mirae magnitu­dinis, & perspicua luce praefulgida, of Wonderful bigness, and very resplendent with a perspicuous light; He saith, That many Men passed their Judgments upon it, Eruditorum (que) hac dere jactati versus; Beza hath divers Verses upon it, I take it the last was this,

Pointing (I suppose) to the French King, Charles the IX. and others, Authors of and Actors in that Barbarous and Bloody Tragedy. He addeth, Illa totos novem menses in coeto Emicait. That Star shined clearly for the space of nine whole Months in the Heaven. The King himself Dyed May 30. 1574. about one year and three quarters after the Massacre; and one year and an half after the appearing of the Comet. Of whom my Author saith; Profluvio sanguinis illum laborasse certum est. Constans vero fert fama, illum dum evarijs corporis partibus sanguis emanaret, in lecto saepè volutatum, inter horribilium blasphemiarum diras, quibus ab ineunte aetate assuetus erat, Monmoren ciorum nomen saepè concita­tâ excandescentiâ solitum appelare. Quum vero magna erat veneni suspitiorut vomitus facilior esset, ajunt pulvinaribus impositum, cer­nuo capite, & Paulo erectoribus sursum pedibus, tantam sanguinis vim projecesse, ut paucas post horas Mortuus fuerit: inter ultimas autem voces meras Blasphemias auditas fuisse.

[Page 21] It seemeth before he died he laid Siege to Rochel, because the Protestants there stood upon their Guard, and would not put themselves into the Butchers hands; where the Duke of Au­merle, Uncle to the Duke of Guise, was slain, and about twenty thousand others; whereof many (not most of them) were Actors in that prodigious Cruelty: and the rest seemed to have made themselves accessary to it by this after Act, in joyning with the Murtherers to root out the remainders of the Protestants.

Henry Duke of Anjou, and King of Poland, succeeded his Brother Charles, by the Name of Henry the Third, and became very despicable; the Duke of Guise giving him Check-mate, his Subjects slighting him, and adhering to Guise. The King finding him too strong for him, took a course to Entrap him, sending for him to Blois, under pretence of making him Go­vernour over the Kingdom under him, and caused him there to be Stabbed with his Brother the Cardinal. And thus fell a­nother principal Contriver of, and Agent in the Massacre; and it is thought in the same Chamber where that Cockatrice-Egg was hatched. But upon this Execution the French were more enraged against their King then ever, taking the Government of the Kingdom out of his Hands, as if he had been already dead, and setting up the Duke of Mayenne, Brother to Guise, as their Chief, who by the help of the Spaniard, headed the Faction, and carried on the Design. The King reduced to great extre­mity, was constrained to desire aid from the King of Navar, and his Protestant followers, whom he had so cruelly persecuted; who proved faithful to him, being in a likely way to have re­established him: But one James Clement a Jacobine Monk, stabbed him about the year 1589.

His younger Brother the Duke of Alenzon, being chosen by the Netherlanders for their Governour, and Protector against the Spaniards, and most unworthily taking advantage of that trust, they reposed in him to oppose their Liberty, and Tyran­nize over them: the Plot being discovered, and both his de­sign and Honour being lost, he Dyed in the flower of his Age, as was thought, of Grief, before his Elder Brother. Thus these three Sons of King Henry the Second, were taken away in the space of seventeen years after the Massacre, or therea­bout, [Page 22] without Issue Male, besides an Elder Brother Francis the Second, who Dyed very young before that Tragedy: And the Crown was Translated to another Family, namely, that of Bourbon. Henry of Navar being called by his Predecessor from the remote parts of the Kindom (Providence so ordering it) as it were to receive the Royal Diadem on the other side the Protestants, who seemed almost extinguished (divers of the Po­pish Nobility joyning with them for Politick ends, and Aid coming in from Germany, especially under Castmire of the Pa­latine Family) they obtained better Conditions, and enjoyed their Liberty in a more setled way than formerly.

Upon the 8th. day of October, in the Two and twentieth year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, Anno 1580, immedi­ately after the New Moon, there appeared a Blazing-Star in the South, pointing towards the East with its Streams; which was seen every night (the Air being clear) more than two Months: Shortly after there arrived upon the West-Coast of Ireland, a certain company of Italians and Spaniards, sent by the Pope to the aid of the Earl of Dasmond in his Rebellion, which were defeated by the Lord Gray of Wilton, Deputy of Ireland.

In the Reign of King James, in the Year of our Lord, 1618. there appeared a Comet with a very long Tayl, seen here in Eng­land, and in other Countries, for almost two months together. After it followed the dreadful Calamity of Germany; Prague was taken in the year 1620. and the Palatinate was lost. And the Edicts of the Emperour Ferdinand the Second, were published in Bohemia and Moravia, in the Year 1624, against all the Gospel Ministers, commanding, That whosoever re­fused to forsake their Heresie (as their Gospel-profession was called) and come into the Bosome of the Church (namely of Rome) should depart from their Native Country, and never return more. Of the Comet that appeared in the year 1618 aforesaid, Antonius de Dominis, Bishop of Spalato, who saw it, saith thus: Cometes qui his diebus pobis fulget, est unum xe phe­nomenis Spalat. de Ecclesiast. Repub. li 5. P. 166. Astronomicis, ex ijs quae Phenomena vera sunt, non Phan­tastica, et Oculum fallentia: et tamen res est vera et realis, Exha­latio nempe acc [...]nsa et ardens.

A terrible Comet appeared in the Year 1652. which the Mother princess, the Mother of Racoci, prince of Transylvania, [Page 23] saw with her Court, living, and being then in the Castle of Munkary, there came forth the debates of divers Astrologers, describing his Pale face, and the Compasses of his most swift course, as scarce was ever of any Comet before. Comenius tells us, that himself hapned to see the Judgments of four divers Comen. Histor. German. Prophet. Authors, not disagreeing in the Event; Michael Guller the Si­lesian very neer touching the Mark. This proved Ominous to the House of Prince Racoci. In the Year 1657 and 1658. the Prince going with an Army into Poland, and not entring into an agreement with the Turk and Tartar, but hiding his En­terprize from the Turk he conceiving a suspition of Rebellion, sent the Tartar upon his back; and shortly after came Letters in a threefold course from C. S. the Secretary of the Prince of Transylvania, Historically relating the Ruine of his Prince.

And for the two Comets that appeared in the Year 1664. divers Astrologers then gave their Judgements, conceiving, That that in the Morning being Red and Fiery, portended War; That in the Evening being of a Pale and Melancholick colour, signified Death and Mortality; and some of them did shake their heads, fearing sad Consequents upon the appearance of two such Stars so suddenly after each other; and ye know what sad Effects followed the next Summer ensuing, Viz. In the Year 1665. namely, the of the English with the War Dutch, and that Devouring Plague that swept away above an Hundred Thousand Persons in the City of London and many Hundreds also in divers other places of this Kingdom.

Anno 1677. A Comet appeared in April, the next Year the Hellish Popish-Plot, was by the mercy of God happily discover'd.

And now again, God hath shewed us other Signs in Heaven, by the appearance of two New Prodigies, one appeared in the South-East in the Morning, the other in the Evening. What else (I pray) doth God by these Signs seek to shew, than his Wrath to an Impenitent World? He is the God that maketh Signs and Wonders in Heaven and in Earth, Dan. 6. 28. There­fore whosoever feareth God, let him say with David, Come, and see the Works of the Lord, how Terrible he is in his Doings to­wards the Children of Men.

Now seeing these Signs in the Heavens are of God, let us [Page 24] take heed that we do not despise God in his Works. Among the Romans, when the General caused a Purple Coat to be hung out over his Pavilion, and the Trumpet to sound, what Souldier in the Camp durst to Neglect it, and not take notice of it as a Sign of Battel? How much more when the Lord of Hosts holds forth his Flagg, and displayeth his Ensignes, sig­nifying what he is about to do; and if not making it known what it is in particular, yet shewing, that he hath some spe­cial Work in hand, how carefully should we observe these things, and prepare for the worst that may happen. But the blindness of Carnal Reason darkens the minds of many world­ly-wise persons, that they cannot see far off, as the Apostle speaks in another case. Carnal Reason is of too low a stature in this case, our thoughts must climb the Sycamore-Tree like Zacheus; or we must get up into our Watch-Tower like the Prophet Habakkuk; we must take our standing higher, and look above the whole Creation, and seriously think of the Creatour, God himself, the first mover and Principal Worker in all these things.

Moreover, Men and Women are so generally in love with the World, and do so earnestly desire, mind, seek, and affect earthly things, either their Pleasures, Profits, or Earthly hopes, &c. that they have no leisure to mind the special works of God, which are Signs of the times, and give Warning of things at hand. Therefore, saith Solomon, Eccl. 9. 12. Man knoweth not his time; As the Fishes that are taken in an e­vil Net, and as the Birds that are caught in the Snare, so are the Sons of Men snared in an evil time, when it falls sud­denly upon them. As the Bird wholly minding the Bait, is ta­ken in the Snare which it minded not: So the Sons of Men wholly minding the profits or pleasures, or other things of this World, heed not the Signs of the times, and so are snared in an evil time.

The love of Sin also possessing the Hearts of Men, keeps many from discerning the Works of God: It is Wonderful to consider, how the people of Israel were besotted this way, so as not to see the visible and apparent signs of the times, as they had before their Eyes; The Thunderings and Lighten­ings [Page 25] upon Mount Sinai, the sound of the Trumpet exceeding loud, the Voice of God striking an awful Terrour into their Hearts, the Cloudy Pillar every Day, the Pillar of Fire every Night was continually as a shining light before their Faces; the Glory of the Lord often Appearing: Bread sent them down all the Six Days of the Week from Heaven; the Rock becomming as a Fountain of Water to them in the Wilderness, which Water followed them in their several stations: Were not these Signs to them of an extraordinary time, wherein God was more than in an ordinary manner present with them, and would be sanctified in them, si [...]h he had brought them so neer unto himself: And yet, as if it had been but an ordin­ary time, and as if they had had no more to do with the onely true God than other people; nor any more special relation to him, as if he had done no more for them than for the Aegypti­ans; they gave themselves over to divers sins, as to foul Idola­try (it seemeth) in the sight of Mount Sinai, to lusting after Quails and Delicates, to commit Fornication with the Daugh­ters of Idolaters, and then also to joyn with them in spiritu­al Whoredom and Service of their Idols: Some of them to Ambition, contending with Aaron for the Priesthood, whom God had called and consecrated to that Office; so strangely had the love of Sin bewitched and blinded their minds, that without regarding the Signs of the times, they ran into the Snare, and oftentimes brought many stroaks upon them­selves.

Great also is the security of Men and Women: This is a general Disease to which the World is subject, and as the old World was in a dead Sleep of Wretched security, until the Flood-Gates of Heaven, with the noise of an unresistable Judg­ment Awakened them, when they Awoke to see themselves pe­rish; neither Noah's Preaching, nor the knocking about the Ark before, could Awaken them; so there are many who lye slumbering and sleeping in deep security, and no loud crys from the Word do Awaken them to make them open their Eyes, to see the signs of the times, that they might either avoid the evil which the time is about to bring forth, or embrace the Good which the opportunity of the time offereth to them.

[Page 26] Gods Judgements are there most heavy, where his greatest mercies are most Abused: Jerusalem had had such mercies, as no City under Heaven since the beginning of the World in some respect; and these she most grievously Abused, and was most unthankful to the Giver; and therefore the Lord brought on her such misery as no City ever felt: No City had sinned like Jerusalem, none had such mercies against which they could sin; no City suffered like to her, when once the Lords Abused patience turned into Anger and heavy displeasure: This should Awaken England, which is the Field which God hath Sowed in his Love, but through our unthankfulness seem­eth to have buried or lost a multitude of mercies: No Nati­on under Heaven at this present, hath so many mercies to reckon for as we: If the Lord should deal in Justice with us, what people since the beginning of the World hath deserved greater punishments? If every Parish, every Family, every Person, would look into themselves, and see what mercies, what means they have had, or might have had for Soul or Bo­dy, what Catalogues might they make, and what wrath might they think they had deserved? Let us all look home, and know, that nothing shall plead more strongly against impeni­tent and unthankful persons at the last day, than mercies them­selves.

The Great God of Heaven and Earth doth not onely speak to Men with the Tongues of Prophets, Apostles, and Teach­ers; but sometimes also by the Elements, Composed or wrought into divers Forms and Shapes. if we will believe what is Credibly reported, the Heavens have been of late Chequer­ed with Strange and Prodigious Sights: but what is most Re­markable, is, That a Comet or Blazing-Star, for many Weeks have been Visible to all, or most parts of Europe, and other places, as the Gazettes testifie; and there's so many people in England, nay in London, that by Occular Experience can Sub­scribe to the truth of it, that there needs no further Narrative.

When God intends to punish a Nation, Country, or City, he is first pleased to give them notice thereof by Apparitions or Prodigies; and there hath never been any notable Appa­rition or Prodigy seen in the Heavens, but it hath been atten­ded [Page 27] in the Sequel with some more then ordinary Troubles, or Change here on Earth, according to this Illustration of Dubar­tas: Viz.

Thus much of Prodigies in general, now to know the Sig­nification of each particular Comet, for they have not all one and the same portences; we must, according to the Docu­ments of Astrologers, observe their Colours, place, and moti­on in the Heavens, &c. And that I may be well understood by those for whose sakes I undertook this Task, viz. the Vul­gar or Common people of this Kingdom; I shall not strive to use any Cramp words or Quaint Language, but in a homely and plain Stile, deliver unto them, the Signification of this Blazing-Star, according to the Rules of Art; as followeth.

By the account we had of this Comet first from Falmous, in the West of England; it was then of a Bright and clear Col­our, but its Tail was of a pale colour towards the end. So then we may conclude, the Star was then of a Jovial nature, but its Tail of a Saturnian Hue; and by the said account, it was then in the Caelestial Sign Scorpio, but is now in the Sign Aries, and the Star really Saturnian so well as its Tail: it is true, when it had but newly past the Conjunction of the Sun, [Page 28] and first became Occidental, its Tail was very Red, and at least Sixty Degrees long; but there was then a Tincture, or mix­ture of the aforesaid Colours in it. Its Tail is not Forty Degrees long now, and will be shorter as the Star gets further from the Sun. Now it being since its first appearance, of the Colour of the Planets before Nominated, and likewise of the Colour of Mars and Mercury, for Mars claims the Redness of its Tail, and Mercury will put in for a share, by reason of its various Colours; therefore we may expect, that accor­ding to the nature of those four Planets, will the effects of this new Star be: which is as followeth.

A Comet of the nature of Saturn, signifies many Frights and Fears among people, Trouble, Vexation, Murmuring, and Repining; Exile or Banishment to many: scarcity of Food, Penury, grievous Sicknesses, Plague, Consumptions, Agues, and other Lingring Distempers: Tempestuous Winds, Ship­wracks, Inundations, great Frosts and Snows; a destruction of Fruits by Worms or Catterpillars.

A Comet of the Nature of Jupiter, as this was at its first appearance, denotes much strugling among Men for matters of Religion, Laws and Priviledges, strivings, Wrastling and encountering each other: it signifies a plentiful and Fertile time, pleasant Salubrious Air, Seasonable Winds and Showers; and truly it is well we have some Significations of good, to buoy us up under the many mischiefs portended.

Now its Tail being sometimes Red, viz. of the Nature of Mars, signifies Wars, Quarrels, Sea-Fights, Slaughters, Blood­shed, Tumults, Massacres, in some places change of Gover­nours and Governments; pestiferous Winds, terrible Thun­der and Lightnings; Tempests, Shipwacks, Thieves and Robbers will abound on the Land, and Pyrates at Sea; exces­sive Hot Weather at sometimes, drying up Rivers and Foun­tains: scarcity of the Fruits of the Earth, Firing or Burning of Houses, and violent Feavers among Men.

[Page 29] It being of Various Colours for sometime, as I told you be­fore, Mercury will have a share in its Effects, and then it denotes much Wit and Policy among Men, and as much business to imploy it about: Astrologers say, that it signifies the Death of Great Men, Wars, Sicknesses and scarcity of Food: many men will imploy their Wits about Vild and Treacherous things, and when they have done, if questioned for the same, pretend to be as Innocent as Lambs; and truly so they may, as Romish Lambs, which are always of a more Infernal quality, than Heretick-Lyons, as they call them.

In the next place I shall give you the signification of this Star, in relation to the Signs of Heaven it has already past through, which is, Scorpio, Sagitarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, and is now in Aries; but how much farther it will go, time must be the Informer.

A Comet or Blazing-Star in Scorpio, signifies Wars, Conten­tions, Controversies, alterations and Changes in the world, and chiefly among men of Martial Discipline; Trouble and Animosities among Princes; a scarcity of Waters, and fruits of the Earth, Damage to Merchants by pyrates, and much grief to Teeming Women.

In Sagitary, it denotes Evil to Great Men, Controver­sies about Religion and Laws, Feavers and other dangerous Infirmities.

In Capricorn, a Comet doth signifie many Wicked Acti­ons among Men, Murders, Thefts, Robberies, Wars, Plague and Famine in many places; Troubles and Calamities to most sort of People; the Death of Great men by Poyson, or other violent means: Persecution of many for Reli­gion, and Contempt of Religion it self; great Frosts, Snows, Hails, &c.

In Aquary, it denotes long lasting Wars, terrible slaugh­ters, many kinds of Crosses and Cruelties; and in some places a sweeping Plague or Pestilence; dark obscure Air, great Winds, Thunder and Lightnings.

[Page 30] When a Comet appears in Pisces, it signifies Eminent strife and Contentions about Religion, Devisions, Seperations, and Alienations of Relations, and former Friends: Strange and Prodigious Apparitions in the Air; scarcity of Fish, losses and crosses in Sea-Voyages, much troubles amongst great and Potent Persons.

Lastly, This Comet being in Aries, is the fore-runner of much mischief, troubles, War-like preparations; the Death of some Eminent Person, which will cause or occa­sion great Consternation in the Country where it shall hap­pen: sharp Diseases in the Head and Eyes of people, and a Rot or Murrain among small Cattel.

Stella Barbata, or Caudata; A Star with a Beard, or long Tayl, as this Comet hath, denotes the Death of Great and Noble Men, and Wars in those Countries unto which it points its Tayl: and we may conclude, that in regard from its first appearance, it took its progress towards the Sun, its Effects will be manifested in a great measure on Emi­nent persons, and Ineminent Actions; and I need not go about to tell where, or in what Countries the significati­ons of this Star will appear; but in short acquaint you, That it hath already taken up a large part of Europe, so well as other parts, for its Theatre.

Thus far have I adventured to speak of this Blazing-Star unto the World, and in so doing I well hope I have Offended none that I ought not to have Offended. I would have none to be constartned or affrightned at those Presages, though they be according to the true and experienced Rules of Art; but ob­serve the Prudent and Wise saying of Charles the Great, when he was beholding the New Star that presaged and preceeded his Death, he was very Inquisitous and desirous to know what it signified; One who stood by answers him in the Words of the Prophet Jeremiah, Chap. 10. ver. 2. Fear not the Signs [Page 31] of Heaven, though the Heathen be afraid of them; Ʋn­to which the Emperour replyed, That he did not indeed fear any Signs of that Nature, but the Maker or cause of those Signs. A Wise Saying, and deserves to be Written in Letters of Gold.

I know some Critical Persons will be ready to say, that I have given no Mathematical, or Astronomical accout of this Star; to which I answer, neither can it reasonably be ex­pected that I should, any more than I have, considering the streightness of my Limits: I leave that therefore to those that shall Write a more Large Discourse hereof, to certisfie the Learned.