An ephemeris for the year 1654, being the second after leap-year by Nich. Culpeper.

1654. December hath XXXI Days.

When eq•••••• justice 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 sacred hand Lopt the ill branches off the tree may stand And bear much fruit▪ Knowledg and Vertue grow Where Iustice lives; I hope 'twill here be so; For the Celestial Bodies all report, th•• Y•••••• will ••••d in 〈…〉〈…〉 handsom sort.
M. D.	W. D	L 〈◊〉〈◊〉.	〈◊〉〈◊〉	O
M	D	〈◊〉〈◊〉
1	t	2	31	8	10
2	g	1	〈◊〉〈◊〉	8	11
3	〈◊〉〈◊〉	0	32	8	12
4	b	0	S	33	8	12
5	c	1	38	8	13
6	d	〈◊〉〈◊〉	39	8	13
7	e	3	34	8	13	First quarter half on hour before 1 in the morning
8	f	4	19	8	13
9	g	4	51	8	13
10	〈◊〉〈◊〉	5	6	8	13
11	b	5	D	1	8	13
12	c	4	35	8	13
13	d	3	51	8	13	Full Moon at 6 at night.
14	e	2	48	8	13
15	f	1	36	8	13
16	g	0	17	8	13
17	〈◊〉〈◊〉	0	M	59	8	12
18	b	2	11	8	11
19	c	3	12	8	10
20	d	4	3	8	9	Last quarter 3 quarters past 2 at night.
21	e	4	40	8	8	〈◊〉〈◊〉
22	e	5	13	8	7
23	g	5	D	12	8	6
24	〈◊〉〈◊〉	5	6	8	5
25	b	4	48	8	5	Nat. Dom.
26	c	4	17	8	4	Stephen.
27	d	3	40	8	4	Iohn.
28	c	2	45	8	3	〈◊〉〈◊〉. New 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a little after 6 at night.
29	〈◊〉〈◊〉	〈◊〉〈◊〉	45	8	3
30	g	〈◊〉〈◊〉	41	8	2
〈◊〉〈◊〉	〈◊〉〈◊〉	〈◊〉〈◊〉	〈◊〉〈◊〉	〈◊〉〈◊〉	8	2

Observations on DECEMBER.

ABout the beginning of this Month Magna Charta it self seems to me to be called in que∣stion; and that great Liberty which so many has sought after in their stout contending for the privi∣ledges of Magna Charta, is found out to be nothing else then what this poor pitisul Nation, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it was unluckily vanquished by a Bastard, by fair terms 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the hands of the Conqueror: 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 suit with English mens 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at this time; it is a real truth indeed, we have not so much liberty, or to speak more properly, we are not in greater bon∣dage then Magna Charta tyed us too. The cause of this I conceive to be in our former 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who when they should have been 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the liberty of their Subject, spent their time in consultation how far the bounds of a Forrest must go, who must keep 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Park, and who must not; who must keep Hounds, Greyhounds, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Dogs, and who must not; what price must be payd for shouting of Pigeons, Partridges, and Phesants: and thus they sweeped the Liberty of the Nation up and down, as the maid swept the sur-reverence about the house, till at last she lost it: But the year seems to me to end in a bet∣ter posture, pretty pleasing to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Commonalty, and not without great hopes of our desired Liberty.