An astrological speculation of the late prodigy. Or A clear discovery of the approaching miseries signified by that comet, or blazing star which hath so long been visible, to several countries and nations in November, December and January; in the year 1680. Being a full account of the manner or nature of its effects, and in what countries they'l be exhibited. Also the true way of judging the effects, of all other comets, and such apparitions, carefully collected from the best experimental judgments of the choicest aphorisms, and according to their fundamental, and methodical rules; now in a seasonable time manifested in a plain and homely stile; fit for the understanding of mean capacities. By Thomas Jones a lover of learning, and student in astrology; & autodidactus.

To know the significations or Effects of Comets or Blazing Stars by those following Rules of Art viz.

First, By a figure erected on their first appearance. Secondly, By their position and motion in Signs. Thirdly, By their Colour and Complexion.

IN unfolding the significations or Effects of Comets or Blazing Stars, I am forced here to make use of some terms of Art; be∣ing such words as every Reader is not acquainted with; yet for the better understanding and benefit of mean capacities I shall endeavour to Explain them as clear as I can, within the limitation of my liberty, and thus do I now adventure to speak what I may to the purpose, wishing my self one that might verifie those Scripture words. Amos, 3, 7. Surely the Lord God will do nothing: But he revealeth his secrets unto his servants. Rev. 4, 1. I looked and be∣hold a door was opened in Heaven, and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a Trumpet talking with me, which said, come up hi∣ther and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 14. 13. And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me write, blessed are the Dead, &c.

It was ever counted by all Students in Astrology, the best and pro∣perest way of Judging the effects of all Eclipses, and Conjunctions of ponderous Planets by a figure erected on the exact time of their first appearance or coming together. Also for Comets or Blazing Stars if possible might be found the first time of their appearance or congealing together, I am sure there is no Student in this way will deny, but this same way is best and properest to judge their effects also: Therefore I chuse it my first rule to give my approbation of this Comet, by this figure erected on the time of its first appearance to England, or according to the first relation we had of it from Fal∣mouth in Cornwel.

[illustration] Chart of the night sky, showing the position of the comet in relation to various constellations, as described in the text on pages 2-4, images 5-6

There are four waies to judg of Comets or Eclipses by a figure of Heaven.

1. By the nature of the Signs where they happen therein.

2. By the nature, disposition and position of the disposer of them, or the Lord of the Sign where they shall happen.

3. By the nature, disposition and position of the Ruler of the Scheme, or the strongest planet therein.

4. By the nature and signification of the Houses where they happen.

The first thing that we are to observe by this Scheme is the position of the Comet so near the Cusp of the ascendant and in the Sign Scorpio, the night House of Mars, and of Nature Cold, watry, Nocturnal, Flegmatick, fixed, and Northern, Also near some fixed Stars of the Nature of ♂, ♄, and ☿.

According to these testimonies it threatens War and great alterati∣ons in the World, animosity about Religion, and Chiefly amongst men of Martial Discipline.

Secondly, We are to consider the position of the disposer of the Comet in the tenth house and in the House of ☿ and in partile conjunction with the Back of the Lyon, a fixed Star of the Nature of ♄, and ♍ in Nature cold, earthly, Melancholy, barren, Nocturnal.

By these Constellations it signifies, that much wit and policy will be used amongst men, and with much business imployed about vile, Treacherous consultations to corrupt and Stifle good Laws, and to change governments; by their plotting and invading of Nations, and if questioned for the same, they'l 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.

Thirdly we are to consider the Nature, disposition and position of the Ruler of this Scheme, or the Strongest Planet herein; as we find here ☽ and ♀ to be Strongest, and of an equal strength also ♂ wants but one Testimony of their dignity and therefore seems to put in with them for a share: Here we find ☽ Lady of the ninth posited in the third House, and afflicted with an ▪ of ♄ retrograd in the ninth House, a strong argument that Religion will Suffer a great detriment by those that never had any. Also ♃ being retrograd in the eighth House, and af∣flicted with a □ of ♂ from the Tenth House, and with an opposition of ☿ his disposer from the Second House; an argument that Gentlemen or Persons of quality in some Countries, for shewing themselves active in regulating State Affairs, will come off with the loss of their lives. ♀ although one of the strongest Planets in the Scheme, seems not to be concern'd with any, neither of one side nor the other.

Fourthly, we are to consider the nature and signification of the House where this Comet is posited, in, we find it within three degrees of the Cusp of the ascendant, and ascending into the 12 House which signifies much Sorrows, Tribulations, Imprisonment and all man∣ner of afflictions effected by private enemies, also self undoing to those who malitiously undermine their Neighbours, and secretly invent false accusations against them.

Mr. Wm. Lilly in his guide to Astrologers gives us this account of Comets; A Comet immovable signifies Seditions; But this Com••t was movable and very Swift in motion; such he said denotes foreign Wars, and one Nation invading another. A Comet in the 12 House as this is, threatens great pestilence and Scarcity of Corn.

To know the signification or Effects of this Comet by its moving in Signs.

This Comet whilst it appeared to us had its transitory motion through these Signs, ♏. ♐. ▪. ♒. ♓. ♈.

A Comet or a Blazing Star in ♏ threatens many wicked actions among men, as Wars, Contentions, Controversies, Alterations and Changes in the World, and chiefly among men of Martial discipline, also scarcity of Waters, and scarcity of the Fruits of the earth, and famine.

In ♐ it denotes evil to great men, Controversies about Religion and Laws, also feavers and other dangerous diseases.

In ▪ they foreshew many inhuman actions as Murders, Massacres, Wars, Death to great men by poyson or other Violent means, per∣secution of many for Religion, and contempt of Religion it self, plague and famine in many places. Great Frosts, Snow, Hail, trou∣bles and calamities to most sort of people.

In ♒ a Comet or Blazing Star signifies long lasting Wars, Ter∣rible Slaughters of men; also a great mortality by a Sweeping pestilence, dark obscure Air, great Winds; Much Thunder and Lightning.

In ♓ they signifie much Strife and contention about Religion, division among Relations, and former friends, great troubles amongst great and potent persons.

In ♈, a Comet or Blazing Star is the forerunner of much mischief, as Wars, dreadful fires; The ruining of Cities and Towns by Treachery; The death of many eminent Commanders: Sharp diseases in the heads of People.

To know the significations or Effects of this Comet by its Colour and Complexion.

The Colours of this Star hath been so various as to represent at some times the complexion of all these four Planets viz. ♄, ♃, ♂, ☿, therefore we may conjecture its effects to be according to the Nature of the said Planets, which is as followeth.

A comet or Blazing Star of the Nature of ♄, signifies many frights and fears among People, murmuring and repining, Exile or Banish∣ment to many; scarcity of food, penury, grievous Sicknesses, tem∣pestuous

Winds, Shipwracks, great Frosts and Snows, a destruction of Fruit by Worms.

Of the Nature of ♃, denotes much Strugling amongst men for matters of Religion, Laws and priviledges.

Of the Nature of ♂, it Threatens much Wars, Quarrels, Sea-fights, Blood-shed, great slaughters, Massacres in some places; Change of Governors and Government, Pestiferous Winds, Terrible Thunder and Lightnings, Tempests, Ship-wracks, much Robbery by Sea and Land, Excessive hot weather at some times drying up Rivers and Fountains, Scarcity of the Fruits of the Earth: The burning of Towns and Cities, and violent feavers amongst the People.

Of the Nature of ☿, They signifie much Wit and Policy among men, and as much business to imploy it about, many slie and evil consultations, and Chiefly among men of Learning; Corrupting of of Laws, false Doctrine deluding the People in some Countries; also scarcity of Food, and Famine.

All these forementioned miseries, and Calamities are by this Comet threatened to the World in some parts or other.

To know in what parts of the World the Effects of this Comet will be Exhibited.

It hath plainly appeared to the students in this Art that the Eclipses of the Luminaries, the Conjunctions of ponderous Planets, The Comets or Blazing Stars have operated their Effects in those Coun∣tries or Nations, subject to the Signs where they happen therein.

This Comet made its progress as before mentioned, through these Six Signs viz. ♏, ♐, ▪, ♒, ♓, ♈, and therefore according to the rule of Art, and the experiences of the Ancients, we must expect that the Effects of this Comet will be manifested with some of the forementioned mischiefs in all those Countries Governed under those Signs which he passed through.

A Catalogue of those Countries I shall give as followeth.

Under ♏ are governed these Countries. The North part of Ba∣varia, The Woody part of Norway, Barbary, The Kingdom of Fez, Cattalonia in Spain, Valentia, Vrbine and Forum Julij in

Italy, Vienna, Messina in Italy, Gaunt, Frankford upon Odar.

Under ♐ are Governed the Countries of Spain, Hungary, Sla∣vonia, Moravia, Dalmatia, Buda in Hungary, Toledo, Narbon, Cullen, Stargard.

Under ▪, are Governed these Kingdoms, Countries and Cities, Thrace, Macedon in Greece, New Turkey, Albania, Bulgaria, Saxony the South-west part, West Indies, Stiria, the Isles Orcades, Hassia, Oxford, Mecklin, Cleves, Brandeburg.

Under ♒ are Governed these Kingdoms, Countries and Cities, Tartary, Croatia, Valachia, Muscovia, Westphalia in Germany, Piemont in Savoy, the West and South parts of Bavaria, Media, Arabia, Hamborough, Breme, Montferrat and Pisaurum in Italy, Trent, Ingolstad,

Under ♓ are Governed these Kingdoms Countries and Cities, Calabria in Sicilia, Portugal, Normandy, the North of Egypt, Alexandria, Rhemes, Wormes, Ratisbone, Compostella.

Under ♈ are Governed these Kingdoms, Countries and Cities, Germany, Swevia, Polonia, Burgundy, France, England, Den∣mark, Silesia the higher, Judea, Syria, Florence, Capua, Na∣ples, Ferrara, Verona, Vtrecht, Marselles, Augusta, Cesarea, Padua, Bergamo.

The demonstrations of this Comet hath been so large, that I think it needless to trouble the ingenious Lover of Arts, with my farther Treatise on the significations of Comets or Eclipses, that may happen in other signs of the Zodiack; or in any other House of the Scheme, or of any other Colour or Complexion.

Now finding our approaching woes to be many, and threatned to many parts of the World; and the greatest testimonies herein denotes, That terrible and Cruel mischiefs will be done about matters of Religion: The consideration of it moves me to pray heartily to God, that I may not live to see those days, which the holy man Bishop Usher foresaw through inspiration, as he said with his eyes lifted up to Heaven and the tears running down his Checks, That his thoughts were taken up about the miseries and persecutions that were coming upon all the Protestant Churches of Christ through all Europe, which would be so sharp and bitter that the contemplation of them, had fetched the tears from his Eyes, and that it would be done by the hands of Papists, and in the way of a sudden Massacre: And that the

then Pope would be the Chiefest instrument of it; Therefore take head (said he) that you be not found sleeping and unprepared; for it is even at the door: Where we Suppose his meaning was that we should be prepared to die; or else he saw it a seasonable time to demon∣strate unto us the Words of a Prophet, Joel 3. 10. Beat your Plough∣shears into Swords, and your pruning hooks into Spears, let the weak say I am Strong. He said also that there would be one great difference be∣tween this approaching persecution and those already past: For in the former the most eminent and Spiritual Ministers, and Christians did generally Suffer most and were most violently fallen upon: But in this approaching persecution, the best of People will be preserved by God as a seed to partake of that glory which shall immediately follow and come upon the Church, assoon as ever that Storm shall be over. For as it shall be the sharpest, so it shall be the shortest Persecution of them all, and shall only take away the Gross Hypocrites and formal Professors, But the true Spiritual believers shall be preserved till the Calamity be over past.

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Prc∣phecy, and keep those things which are writen herein, for the time is at hand, Rev. 1. 3.

Since that God hath been pleased to foreshew us his approaching judgment, by a token of his fierce anger fixed in the Heavens as a torch or a fiery Sword, visible to many sinners that would not be∣hold the brightness, and beauty of his Laws, and Statutes; Now seeing that the Sword of God, is ready drawn and hastening to destroy and weed the World of the rebellious People, who went on raging in no less disobedience, than if they had proclaimed open Wars against God. It is now high time for them to awake out of Sleep, and consider and lay to heart, how near they are to fall over the brink of their pleasures, and how dreadful a condition they'l be in; when their deserved calamities shall overtake them, as Solomen tells us, 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 a Snare: so are the Sons of Men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them. Let us Praise His Clemency, who, seeing we are sinners, reprov∣eth our Sluggishness, by these Signs. When God goeth about to punish a City or Nation, he is pleased first to foreshew it with Signs and wonders; therefore let us fear the maker of this Comet,

and not the Comet it self; 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, Psal. 66. 5. Now that Gods wonderful works would Surprize us with such fear as may lead us unto God himself is the hearty Prayers of

T. J.