Apotelesma, or, The nativity of the world, and the revolution thereof with astrologicall judgements thereupon / by George Wharton ...

Of VVarre and Peace.

FOr Warre or Peace, I cannot say otherwise, then I have al∣ready in my Hemeroscope••on for the last yeare 1654, from the Place, Motion, and Nature of the Comet therein treated of: something I may Inlarge, something I may (in effect) reiterate: and the rather because my Booke for that yeare hath come to the hands but of a few, being seized on and stifled in the very Birth, by those malitious Monopolizing Stationers before men∣tioned, and a simple lying Counterfeit dispersed by them under my Name, in stead thereof, throughout the Nation.

Si magnae sint Causae, eviam ab his inter Homines magni effectus provenient, & à diuturnis dui ••urni, & à feris at{que} s••vi•• savi at{que} diri. If there happen great Causes (saith Cardan) great effects shall befall men proceeding from such Causes. And

if those Causes continue long, and with all be fierce and terri∣ble, so shall the effects be. Great and formidable Causes never wanted proportionable events to succeed them. Now forasmuch as this Comet appeared in the 8^th Period of the greatest of Cli∣mactericall Conjunctions celebrated since the Creation, can it otherwise be•• then the Fore-runner of a mighty Catastrophe in Humane Affaires? Ney, observe if it introduce not another Administration of Politic and Religion, in most of the places unto which it was verticall, or through whose Ascendent it passed. For, although it was not exactly verticall to any part of England, yet so close it comes to us, as I presume no wise-man will deny, bus wee have felt the furious effects thereof in a more then ordinary Measure already. To instance the Dissolution of Parliaments, and the Change of Government here in Eng∣land, were but needless, 'tis knowne (and wondered at) all the World over. Other Vicissitudes and Changes are approachin•• and can such be, were they ever, without Warre and Bloodshed? Tristis Cometae facies, quid ui••i magnorum Principum fata? Color plumbeus, quid ui••i mortalibus Bella & Pestem de∣nunciat? The sorrowfull face of a Comet, what else de∣nounces it, but the calamities of great Princes: What the lea∣den, dull and duskie colour thereof but warres and Plagues to Mankind?—But there are who rayle and exclaime against us for Prognosticating of Wars or Plagues, or Famine, &c. from the colour of Comets, &c. And let them so: Perhaps they may at God himselfe (for what is it they dare not do?) who in the 6^th. of Rev. describes unto us by the different colours of Horses; victory, Blood-shed, Famine, and Death or Pestilence? Peruse the scrutinously learned Dr. Hammond's Paraphrase, and Notes upon this Chapter: 'tis full of Mystery.—Death, mischiefs, and miseries unto Kings and Princes, &c. For why else did this Comet so hastily ascend the Chaire of Cassi∣opea, and vanished in that Constellation? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cassiopea se∣dens in solio Regali Personas illustres & potentes, Guberna∣cula{que} Rcipublicae moderantes: Cassiopea sitting in a Royall throne, denoteth Persons that be illustrious and powerfull, and such as steere the Common-wealth: to the first of which Death is por∣tended; to the later Depression or Destruction, Horrid Treasons and Exiles. And this not alwaies in the same or the subsequent yeare (to that wherein the Comet first appeared) but oftentimes

in some proportionable time after, when the Comet cuts the de∣gree Ascending, or some other of the Hylegiacall places in the Genitures of such persons.

Againe: Changes and Calamities of Empires and Kingdomes, &c. For, seeing that Comets are not contrary to, but over and a∣bove the ordinary Nature of Heaven, unto what else should they be referred then Empires, which are nearest thereunto of all greatest Humane things, and in which the welfare of all men consisteth? Quod in Coelo novus Cometa discurrens, hoc est in terris novus aliquis Homo, qui seu Magnitudine▪ Imperii, seu Armis, seu dogmate, praecipuam aliquam de se famam concitet, & ut Cometa terrore, sic iste vi illata, seu alia calamitate magnam generis humani partem exagitet. Forasmuch as there is in heaven a new Comet wandering, that signifies upon Earth some new or strange Man, who shall either by the greatness of his Empire, or his Armes, his determination or decree, raise up some excellent Fame of Himselfe: and as this Comet by the Terror thereof, so He by his Power brought with him, or some other Calamity, shall disquiet and trouble a great part of Man-kind▪ Now who this new or strange man is, or whether he be (yet) in the number of Man-kind, I shall not take upon me either to discusse or determine. Only this, there is at hand a Direction of the Sun to the Trine of Jupiter, which I recom∣mend to the judgment of the learned and honest Astrologer: (for if otherwise; he cannot, or will not understand it.)

Locus Solis in ♊		13°. 30′
Locus Jovis in ♓		11. 34
Latitudo ejus M. D.		.1. 0••
Ascentio Recta Solis		76. 24
Asc. Recta M. C.		85, 9
Distantia Solis à M. C.		.8. 45
Declinatio Solis Septentr. supra Terram		22. 54
Circulus Positionis		7. 9
Descentio obliqua Significatoris		108. 34
Descentio obliqua Promissoris		133. 49
Arcus Directionis		25. 15
Tempus Directionis (secundum Naibodoe Institutum)	Anni 25. Di. 2••6. Hor. 12
Quod incidit in Annum 1655/6 Ianuar. 11.

Tartareae fugiunt volucres, fugit at•••• Calig••: Et metus atque Horror, Sole Ori••nte fugit. A te (—) Radiis sic pulsae, recedat, Inque suam fugiat Ge••s inimica Stygem. Te nascence, Gomes Phoebo, Stella aureae fulfit, E••••luc•• insolita splenduit aucta Dies. Vim geminam Flammae praestes, Tu (—) sa Ure Hostes! Populum Lumine restituas!

When that ferall and fatall Comet appeared in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeare 1618. it was the judgment of Keple•• (a great Mathematician and Astrologer) that because there were two other Comets pre∣ceded it the same yeare, and the last was dissected or separated into two parts, Imperium Turci••um dilataci••s futurum, & quasi in duo dividendum, quorum alterum Orbem Meridionalem, alterum Septentrionalem esset amplexurum. That the Turkish Empire should be enlarged, and in a manner divided into two: one of which should comprehend the Southerne, the other the Northerne parts of the world. And there is an ancient Pro∣phesie translated out of the Hebrew into Latine, by one Be••echo∣bus (a learned Bishop) which runs to this purpose, viz.

Deus tradet nos, &c.

God shall deliver us into the hands of Barbarians and Sarazens, Persia and Cappadocia to captivity and slaughter, Syria Hee shall drive into a Wilderness, and the People thereof into Bondage: Cilicia shall perish by the sword, Greece and Affrick be destroyed: the Egyptians and People (inhabiting the East parts) of Asia shall pay a grievous Tribute. Spaine, France, and Germany shall be devoured by often Warres of the Romans, some shall be slaine, the rest put to flight. And so the sons of Jsmael with their entrance shall obtaine the North, East, South and West. All Nations shall be under their yoke and tribute: They shall possesse and become Lords of all the rich Ornaments, Gold and Silver of rich Men, and of the sacred Temples: Then shall there be great Tribulation, and the Passage of the Sarazens shall be from one Sea to another, and their Countrey not to be tra∣vailed through: Their way shall be called the way of an∣guish and sorrow.

Melanchton also writeth, that he was told by a Noble-man Ambassador at Constantinople of a Prophesie among the Turks, which saith, they should conquer Hungary, Poland, and some part of

Germany: and that afterwards their Empire should declin••▪ Neither was Melanchton himselfe of other opinion, inasmuch as it was his usuall saying, Quando T••••ea veniet in Germaniam, veniet per Polonia••: When the Turke invade•• Germany, he shall come through Poland: Nor is it otherwise, if wee judge thereof from the Tayle of the Comet in 1652. (as Philip Lant∣grave of Hassia did the coming of the Spaniard) which threa∣tens the mischiefs thereby signified from the North-East; that is, by the way of Poland.

Learned Men (also) there are, who by no contemptible Arguments of Scripture, prove, That yet there is a notable Calamity to be brought upon the Christians by meanes of the Turkes, before the last day: And (to goe no farther then common Reason) what signifie those notable appearances of them every where, especially after the sight of this Comet A^o. 165•• in Silesia, and against the Hungarians, yea (which is more) the Emperour himselfe? The manifold preparations and excursions made but the last yeare against all Defenders of the Christian name, and particularly the King of Poland: who was then also inva∣ded by the Muscovites, and thereby made lesse able to withstand that only common Enemie of Christendome.

Much more might be added to inculcate the danger Christen∣dome is in, by meanes of the Turke pointed at by this Comet•• But a people there is will think I have writ too much, if at all any thing of this Nature: However let such know, they may i•• time have more reason to repent their ingratitude to God in neglecting such Ostenta, then I shall for my reverend regard thereof, and the diligent search I have made thereafter.

It is recorded of Charles the Great, that (beholding and dreading the New-starre which presaged and preceded his D••ath) hee was very inquisitive what it portended. Eginard•••• (who writ his History) returnes the words of the Prophet Jeremy (cap. 10. 2.) for answer, Et à signis Coelorum nè co••∣sternemi••i, quia consterna••tur Gentes ab illis. Feare not the Signes of Heaven, though the Heathen be afraid of such. Unto which the prudent Emperour replies, Nè quidem me∣tuere ••jusmodi Signa, sed Signorum opisiccm Cau••a••••: Hee did not indeed feare any signes of that Nature, but the Maker (Cause,) of the signes. A most wise saying, and fit to be written in Letters of Gold. For, as Herodotus tells us, Cùm Deus pu∣••iturus

est Gent••m vel Orbem, prodigiis id solet priùs signifi∣care: when God is about to punish a Nation, a Countrey, or Citie, he is first wont to give warning thereof by Prodigies. And shall we dare to flight or contemne such warnings? Medi∣na (also) in the 2^d. booke of his Paraenesis cap. 1. declares himselfe of the same mind, Loquitur Deus (saith He) cum ho∣minibus non modò humanâ linguâ per sacros Vates, ut à pecca∣tis avocentur, et resipiscant, sed nonnunquam ipsis Elemen••is in Formas & Imagines diversas ad corundem terrorem compositis▪ God speaks unto Men, not only with the Tongues of the Holy Prophets, that they might be reclaimed from sin and amend their lives, but at sometimes by the Elements themselves disposed into severall shapes and images, thereby to affright and ter∣rifie them. And such was the Fiery Spheres seen in the Aire, before the Sabins invaded the Romans. Such were the images and signes of armed men in the Aire at the conflict of the Greeks with the Persians Such was the sight of the Ravens in the Aire before Alexander the Great his passing from Media into Babilon: such were the Prodigies precurring and concurring the death of Caesar. And such were all those published by Garibus in his Book de Phaenomenis ostentis, from the yeare of Christ 1641. to the yeare 1650. amongst which the second Systeme ob∣served in the East Febr. 24. 1642. under the Constellation of Orion, concerned this Nation▪ not a little, as hath beene found by long and wofull experience.

Johannes Tackius (a German Doctor of Physick, and a learn∣ed Astrologer now living, in his Coeli Anomalon) informes us, that in the Earledome of Arctois, this Comet extended forth an arme, and brandished a flaming sword, towards the North and West parts of the Earth.

He sayes likewise, there were seene in Germany many other Prodigies, and some he instances, viz. Horrible Winter-Thunders, and the pregnant soyle labouring of a Dropsie, (i. e.) an indundation. The miraculous suddaine rising of a Foun∣taine. A Mountaine cleft asunder in the Country of Thuringia (in the Province of Saxony) and which (one part severing from the other) removed to another place. In another Terri∣torie: Chasmata, or Disruptiones, that is, great gapings or openings in the Heavens: In some places terrible flames of Fire: Jn others, Voices were heared in the Aire. And that to such as

dwell near the Mountaines of Wetteravia, a Starre was seene, which shewed at the first with very bright Beames, but soone after assumed the shape of the bowed Moone (but greater then she is wont to be) casting out Flames from the middle cavity thereof a sad spectacle, and hurtfull to the eyes of those that beheld it. And that although the face of this mock moone was fiery▪ yet it cast so clear a light upon the Earth, that the hedges were perceived to be waxing greene. At last (saith he) it tooke the shape of a ••ithe or sikle destitiute of a handle, and without any flames; in which manner it vanished. And this (he sayes happened on the 12. Calends of Febr. 1653. Luna fer•• silente.

The same Tackius likewise instanceth Letters hee received from Persons of credit, wherein hee had notice given of a Rainbow that appeared about the same time, the night being cloudie, and a great murmuring or noise heard in the Clouds, which Rainbow was not of sundry colours, as it usually ap∣peares, but exceeding white, and projecting a clear light upon the Countrey of Alsfeld: which that it was not the light of the Moone, being so near the time of the New moone, may be safely, concluded without any more adoe. Other Prodigies (he saith) there were every where observed almost throughout all Germany, but that for brevities sake he omitted them.

Now what else should this Sickle signifie, but the excision of Men and Nations, who in respect of their sius, are as a field of Corno ready for Harvest? see Rev. 14: v. 14. and so to the end.

What the renting and removing of Mountaines, but the Discords of Kingdomes, and the Minds of great Personages de∣parting or differing one from another? ••ot, what are Moun∣taines, but Great men, set in the Highest places, and lifting their Heads above other Mortalls?

What else signifie Inundations or the Over-flowing of Rivers, but the entrance of strange People into the Land •• [The waters which thou sawest, where the Whore fitteth, are Peoples, and Multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues. Rev. 17-15▪ See the learned Hammond's Paraphrase upon the Text.

And▪ the Appearance of a decoloured Rainbow, what is it, but a token of the wrath of God?]

This Author further tells us, That in Autumne 1652▪ they had a monstrous growth of Mast or Acorner in many

places of Germany, resembling the Heads and Teguments of the Turks. That the Comet was attended with great and destructive Fires in many places, as at Paris, Constantinople, and elsewhere•• so also, that Jserloo (a towne in the County of Marchia) and the Prison at Rudels••ad, with many other Houses▪ perished by Fire. I could wish no honest Men had cause to complaine of the like here in England.

But that which I read in him with greatest admiration, is that hee reports out of Gaspar Lib. 3. viz. That in the year 1554. not farre from the Citie of Harmstad in Transilvania, this following writing was observed in Heaven, in faire, and legible Characters;

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.

And that at Freiburge the same year, on a very faire day, Dn. nostrum Jesum Christum Iridi insidentem conspectum fuisse: Our Lord Jesus Christ was beheld sitting upon a Rainebow, as if upon his Tribunall, to denounce the universall Judgment.

Now what I pray you should such signes (beheld 100, years ago) signifie, but that like as our Fathers before the Floud (whom God had indulged or respited 120. yeares for their conversion, and doubtlesly no lesse forewarned by Prodigies) wee might be exhorted to repentance and amend∣ment of li••e, and with pious lamentation and mourning unto God, divert or extenuate the calamities approaching upon the World?

But to draw somewhat nearer our own times, it may here be not unworthy our notice, That within the space of 55. yeares last past (this present being included) there have beene no fewer then 212. Eclipses of the Luminaries, viz. 125. of the Sun, and 87. of the Moone: whereof 71. wee (the Inhabi∣tants of Europe) the other 141. they of Asia, Affrica, India, and about the Antartique Pole (not without great Horror) have observed: Besides, two great Conjunctions, two now Starres, and six Comets.

And what signifyed those Clashings and strange Apparatio••s in the Heavens, and those gapings of the Clouds Anno 1644. those Parelii or Mock-suns the same and the 3 following yeares here it England, but the troubles and changes which have since followed?

What that irruption of Waters at Amsterdam in the begin∣ning of the year 1650?

What that Inundation at Bilbo in Spain the following yeare, 1651. but Populorum et Gentium bostilium adventum? The Inroades of People and Nations (their Enemies) into those parts? Cardan Lib. 14. de Rer. var. pag. 703.

What the unseasonable antedated growth of Apples and other Fruits? The breeding of Rooks three Moneths before their accustomed time (which my selfe can testifie upon my owne knowledge, three years ago in the Place where I dwell,) but the too soon and untimely accesse of mean and unworthy per∣sons (such were many of the last dissolved Parl.) to Nests or Places of Honour and Trust: and the abortive issue of their too too prominent Designes and Actions?

What the three yeares last past, whilest the Heavens were as Brasse, and the Earth as Iron (Deut. 28. v. 23.) but Inopi∣am & diram Necessitatem, A Dearth and dire Necessity to en∣sue? Card. lib. 11. de Rer. var.

What the warm-blood that rained at Poole in Dorsetshire Iune 20. 1653. & those dreadful claps of Winter-Thunder and Light∣ning, Decemb. 19. 1653. and the fierie Leamings soon after the following Spring (observed in the Heavens for severall nights together,) but that—which I must be silent in?

I find recorded in Suetonius a very memorable Accident occasioned by a Flash of Lightning, which struck out the first Letter of Caesar Augustus (his name) inscribed upon his Statue: wherupon the Augures divined, Centum solos dies posthac victurum: That he was to live but just 100. dayes after, which number the Numerall Letter ••. betokened: and that it would come to passe, that he should be registred among the Gods, because AESAR (the residue of the Name C AE∣SAR (in the Tusean Language) signified God.—But to proceed,

What else should be portended by that Prodigy seene in March 1654▪ in the Northerne parts of England, viz. Two Armies encountering one another, but the Warres, Bloodshed and Slaughter that hath and is to succeed within these Dominions of England and Scotland?

Not fearing to get up, not falling downe, Diverts the thoughts of c••••ming to a Crowne:

[Great things, and things incredible are they That Catalin attempts, to▪ make His way, The greatest Evills He can, the blackest Sin, What not, to make Him more then Catalin?] Nor shall gray haires (despairing of successe) Repose in quiet, or adventure lesse: Galba's stiffe-Limbs (when aged seventy three, And buckled up in warlike Armory) To gaine an Empire, stoutly durst withstand The treacherous bl••wes of Otho's bloody hand.

And lastly, (but not the least to be taken Notice of) what the two prodigious Swarmes of Bees (those Monar∣chicall Creatures) that came murmuring through the Aire, (as if offended at all Governments but their own;) one, the 13. of Iune the last year 1654. in London (the Metropolis of England▪) where it fixed upon a man as he passed the streets in Covent-Garden: The other (upon the 21. of the same Moneth and in the same Citie) which clung to the end of a Cart▪ near Somerset House in the Strand, but what these times will never indure to heare of?

Such Conjectures (for more they must not now be called) as have antiently been passed upon the like Prodigies and their Issue, Virgil informes us of, Aeneid. lib. 7.