Catastrophe Galliæ, & Hiberniæ restitutio an impartial judgement, denoting the reduction of Ireland. This revolution, 90. ending March the 10th 1691. Also the conquering of proud Lewis, and abasing France. By Their present Majesties William and Mary, King and Queen of England, Defenders of the Faith, &c. Prophetically deduced from the characters of heaven. Also the planets attributes, according to the doctrine of Hermes. With a philosophical discourse of the four elements, and powerful influences of the heavenly bodies. Likewise, a modest defence of prophecy, demonstrated from the ten sybils, and of their wonderful prophecies of our Blessed Saviour, long before his birth. To which is added, Scutica Gadburiana, or, a whip for that scorpion Gadbury. By Richard Kirby, philo astrologus & medicus.

THE PREFACE TO THE Vnprejudiced Reader.

Courteous Reader,

I Here adventure to present thee with a small piece; Intituled, the Catastrophe of France, and Reduction of Ireland, in Two Parts; In the First, I have endeavoured to prove by plain Demonstration, the powerful Influence (and Operations) of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, on these Inferiour Elements, and Elementary Bodies; and how they were to give Light unto the Earth, on all sides, and to heat it with a various Temparature (that is, neither to burn it, nor leave it de∣stitute of heat.) Secondly, to make a Various Harmony of Times, and to inspire a Various Form into the Creatures: And Lastly, why they were Created in so vast a Number, and to what Ʋse God ordained them; and now from their Conjunctions and Aspects, (which is their Various inter∣mixing one with an other) also, by their Ascending, and Descending, the Firmament, and perpetual rowling round this Globe of Earth, I have deduced Judgement concerning the Affairs of some particular Parts of Europe (more especially, France and Ireland: Also, our thrice happy delivered Kingdom of England) and how it will go with them this Re∣volution, hoping it will offend none; and if it doth, I am sure it will be the contrary Parties, therefore I shall be the less concerned.

In the next place, I have been a little Critical upon Mr. Gadbury, con∣cerning his 89's Almanack, in shewing him the uncertainty of the Argo∣lian and Regiomoritanian Rules, in the Astral Science, and how there is no truth in any of their ways, only Hermes and Ptolomies, whose At∣tributes of the Planets, I have inserted, in the Second Part, (but its ve∣ry Mysterious to Dulconcepts) with a Phylosophical Discourse of the Four Elements, the like not extant in the English Tongue; I have likewise shew∣ed you the Falacy of the Papist pretended Transubstantiation, it not lying in the Power of Humanity: And Lastly, I have given you an Ac∣count of the ten Sybils, and their particular Prophecies, of our bles∣sed Saviour, long before his Birth; also, of two more who spoke notable things which came to pass. Now if Mr. Gadbury, or any Argolian, or Regimontanian, are minded to take up the Cudgels against me, let them know that I will shew them such Demonstrations in Starry Dialect, that they will be asham'd to own the Name of Argol, Regiomontanus, or any of their Illegitimate Associates (or Pupils) that pretends to the Art of Astrology; not that I do it in any Degradation to Mr. Gadbury, or any other, only to assure them, there are more Infallible Rules then ever they were so happy as to be acquainted with, tho I am sure, at the same time, they have met with them, yet knew them no more than the Cobler did Harry Tuder; and for their further Association with them, they are in the Marrow of Astrology, translated from Placidus, and writ by Mr. Bishop and my self (who took the greatest pains in the doing of it, tho he hath proved so Ʋngrateful to me, as to blot out my Name, claiming the Book as his own (since my absence out of London) being the true Do∣ctrine of great Ptolomy, whose Works and Name, I Honour and Apploade, requesting all those that are this ways inclin'd, to bear his Name in Me∣mory, to everlasting posterity; and thus I leave you to the Protection of him that made us all, and remain their Majesties Loyal Subject, and my Countries Friend, whilst I am

Yours, Richard Kirby