Vates astrologicus, or, England's astrological prophet, fortelling what is likely to befall Great-Britain and Ireland, particularly the great and famous city of London as also France, Holland, Spain, Germany, Poland, Italy, Sicily, Apalia, Bohemia, Turkey, and indeed all Europe, but more especially the see of Rome, for twenty years together, beginning March 10, 1683, and ending March 10, 1702 : likewise astrological judgments of the effects of that famous triple conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, being thrice repeated in that regal sign Leo, the great dignities of the Sun and Jupiter : also some remarks upon the eclipses, and more especially upon that great and famous visible eclipse of the sun, July 2, 1684 : with twenty years predictions from some of the most eminent mutual aspects of the planets, and eclipses of the luminaries, and annual revolutions of the sun : here are also many hieroglyphicks representing the future state and changes of the world : to which is added a treatise of the pestilence, both for the prevention and cure thereof / by Richard Kirby.

TO THE IMPARTIAL and UNDERSTANDING READER.

DEar Country-men, if the time now present, and those I see approaching, make me the doleful Messenger of more Misfortunes, the indifferent Reader will, I hope, excuse me, for Truth is Truth, and a Horse is a Horse, if I may so call it; no profit hath induced me to put Ink in Pen, and Pen to Paper; nor no desire of Fame by publishing a Work of this Nature, which of it self is so contrary to the Opinions of most Men; besides, many will despise this Work for my meanness, and want of Education, being my self no Collegian of either Ʋniversity; it's not set forth with Eloquence, our Art denying us that Lustre, but Truth is Eloquence, and Eloquence is Truth; no ignorant Mans envy do I care for, I have hitherto lived, and shall still, so long as the Divine Providence is over me; but I could wish no man would carp at the Subject I write of; yet since it is easier to Carp than to Copy, let them Carp that will; but let none mistake my meaning, in this Subject: When I write this Planet, or that Constellation did, or doth such a thing; I mean the influence of that, or that Planet is such, or such, according to Natural Causes, it inclines, God permitting, to such or such Acts, &c. Let Man live meerly as a Natural Man without spark of Grace, the influence then predominates, but where Grace rules, the Stars obey, this I mean in Mens Qualities: The general good do I aim at, and that men fore-knowing the Evils to come, might more patiently abide them, and with less trouble of mind receive them; it's probable this may procure me many Enemies, be∣cause

its of Astrology, but why it should I know not; if they are both Christians and Protestants, so am I: Do these Honour their King, I do, whom God Preserve, and send him many a happy and prosperous day to live. Let my willingness to serve my King and Country bury my failings, I write Cordially; Scotland and England shall in full measure of time ruine the greatest Enemies of the Protestants, and make them flee like Chaff be∣fore the Wind: God is now doing a great Work, his Glistering Signs affrighten our Enemies, for their horrid Plots against us, he shakes his Darts over them, and inclines to punish them with a sharp Sword. The great God of Heaven has been exceeding merciful unto us in delivering our Nation from to∣tal Ruine, and we may truly say, Si deus nobiscum, quis con∣tra nos. He useth in all sublunary affairs fit means and proper instruments to perform what he intends, against which there is no resisting.

Rich. Kirby.

Fullham, February the 10th 1683.