The works of that late most excellent philosopher and astronomer, Sir George Wharton, bar. collected into one volume / by John Gadbvry ...

To the Friendly READERS.

Gentlemen,

HEre followeth a Compendious Chro∣nology for 66 Years last past: which (till the beginning of our late plus quam civilia Bella) I have Faithfully Ex∣tracted, either from the private Adversaria of some, very Curious Observers, or the Publick Writings of others, exceedingly Eminent for their Performances. The rest, from the Store of my own Collections, wherein yet, I had either my own Eyes, or the joynt consent of both Parties, to Warrant their Entry.

The Impulsive to which, was no other, than have all Provident Husband-men, who in Planting such Trees and Fruits, as they can∣not but know (by the slender stock of their Nature) they shall never live to taste of, do nevertheless reckon it Guerdon sufficient, but to think that thereby 'tis possible they may gra∣tifie Posterity, and perhaps, therefore, have

grafted on their Memories, the Venerable Name of Good Common-wealth's-men.

For, the very All I hereby intend, is only, an Infallible, an Impartial conveyance to Po∣sterity of the following Transactions, in their due Series of Time. By the Sanguine pa•••• whereof, I would not be thought Dolores re∣novare, to set our Wounds fresh a bleeding▪ but Tristium Breviarium dulce exhibere, t•• present you with a Sweet Summary of Britain bitter Calamities.

That there is a kind of Voluptuousness i•• the rehearsal of past-Miseries, a Pleasure ev•••• in Misery it self, my own Experience ha•••• taught me.

For, although (I know) it cannot but a••¦fect any Honest Mans Heart, to reflect on th•• exquisite Cruelties, unheard-of Rapine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Blood-shed common to Vs, All, of these m••¦cerated Nations, in so narrow a period 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Years: Yet contenteth it not a little, to r••¦collect, view, and re-view, as in a Mirrou•• with what Providence those Judgments bes•• us, by what Instruments and Artifice Pe••¦petrated, with what Plots and Impieties acte•• How the Sea of our Misfortunes Ebbed an•• Flowed with the various Shapes of Alternat•• Successes: How Impetuous the Storm, ho•• menacing, how dangerous the Waves: Ho•• unequal the Temper of best composed Spirits

How inordinate the Pulse in soundest Con∣stitutions: Lastly; What, and how Wonder∣ful the Vicissitudes and Changes thence emer∣gent. And if so, then certainly from this Bulk of Miseries, may be sucked some Ho∣ney as well as Poyson.

Besides, (if Chronology be the Eye of Hi∣story) I doubt not, but that hereafter, when by the Moss of Time, our Scars are over∣grown, this despicable Brat may (Digito Monstrare) point at the Hands as well as Times that gave them.

'Tis true, a Micro-Chronicon hath attend∣ed my Kalendar several Years together: But the narrow room therein allotted, so confin'd me, that whensoever any New Matter came to be added, more or less of the Old must needs be omitted; it could not be otherwise: Inso∣much, that unless all my former Chronical-notes were still in readiness, you should one time or other be to seek for what you desired most to be informed in.

To prevent which, was the present Col∣lection of them all, into this one portable Vo∣lume; wherein you have also this Advantage (for I presume still, it will Prodesse, as well as delectare) That whereas the Aera of all my former Computations, commonly, preceded not the Commencement of the Long-Parliament; this agrees with the Year 1600. soon after which

the Two Crowns were Vnited under the name of Great Britain, the lamentable Scene in this T••agedy, as the late King CHARLES, the First that Enters.

To conclude, I declare it, That (as there are, and will be Mistakes and Defects in the best of Humane Actions, especially in works of this Nature, so) none shall more Oblige me, than such, who can and will freely, by Mate∣rial Additions, but assist me in the least; or give civil notice of any thing, that either for want of better Intelligence, or through my own, or the Printers Inadvertency, hath escaped Erro∣neous.

Dabam Bradfieldiae è Musaeolo meo, 5. Augusti, Anni M.DC.LVI.

Geo. Wharton.