A bloody Irish almanack, or, Rebellious and bloody Ireland, discovered in some notes extracted out of an almanack, printed at Waterford in Ireland for this yeare 1646. Whereunto are annexed some astrologicall observations upon a conjunction of the two malignant planets Saturne and Mars in the midle of the signe Taurus the horroscope of Ireland, upon Friday the 12. of Juue [sic] this yeare 1646. with memorable prædictions and occurrences therein. By John Booker.

A Bloody Irish ALMANACK for the YEERE 1646.

NOt many dayes after the Irish Cabinet, or his Majesties Secret Papers for establishing the Papall Clergy in Ireland came to publick view (which is worthy to be perused by all true hearted Protestants of England) There appeared an Irish Almanack, intituled thus, A new Almanack for the yeere of our Lord God 1646. being the second after Leap yeere, and since the Crea∣tion of the World 5595. Calculated for the Longitude and Latitude of the City of Waterford and may serve generally for all Ireland; By an Manapian. Waterford, Printed for the Yeere MDCXLVI. Which Almanack I having had sight of, and perusing the same, I found many remarkable and memorable Chronologicall Ob∣servations, agreeing so exactly with the transaction of the fore∣passed and present affaires betweene his Majesty and the bloody Irish, who are called his Majesties Catholick Subjects: That I held it a great injury to the English Nation if the same should have been smothered, and not divulged; I meane so much thereof as dis∣covers the inveterate hatred of that inhumane people against the Parliament, and the whole Kingdome of England, The other part being either Popish Saints dayes, or vulgar Observations in most common Almanacks, I passed by as not materiall to the present taske in hand, and indeede the whole of it, and all of them I judge worthy no other then the fire.

In the leafe next the Title page, Thus it is Printed. Our most Gracious King Charles began his Raigne over great Brittaine and Ireland the 27 of March, in the yeare of our Lord 1625. And hath Raigned 21 yeares compleate the 26 of March 1646. But the 27 day we write Anno Regni 22 Whom God prosper in all his Designes a∣gainst his Rebellious Subjects the ☞ ROVNDHEADS of ENGLAND.

I trust God will not heare, their prayer but turne it into Sin and Abomination, Psal. 109.7. Prov. 28.9. Hath the King Designes a∣gainst

his Subjects? Are his Subjects termed Rebells? Are they pointed out for destruction by a bloody hand, and called the Roundheads of England? O God blast all such designes! And all yee true hearted English men, looke about you, unite your selves against the common Enemy, the blood-thirsty Irish, Papists, Jesuites, and their confederates, &c, Why doe the Heathen rage and the people imagine a vaine thing? The Kings of the Earth set themselves, and the Rulers take Councell together, against the Lord and against his anointed, Saying, Let us breake their bands asunder and cast their coards from us; He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh, The Lord shall have them in division, he shall speake to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure; He shall breake them with a rod of iron, and dash them in peeces like a Potters v••ss••ll; Be wise now therefore O ye Kings, be instructed ye Judges of the Earth, serve the Lord with feare and rejoyce with trembling; Kisse the Sonne least he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little, But blessed are all they that put their trust in him, Psal. 2.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12.

The next Irish note which I observe, is as followeth; In the month of January over against the 10 day in (bloody) red letters, this Manapian, one borne in Menapia, a City or Towne in the County of Weisford or Wexford in Ireland, or Wexford it selfe, as Camden thinks in his Description of Ireland, fol. 89. mihi, sets it downe thus. The most pernitious Anarchicall Rebellion of the Roundheads of England.

It may be remembred that January the first 1641, The Parlia∣ment petitioned the King for a Guard, foreseeing a designe upon them; And the next day the Kings Answer was, He tendred their safety as his owne, and their life as the life of his children; But the fourth day he came in person to the House of Commons at∣tended with about foure hundred persons, with Swords, Pistolls, &c. to demand the five Members, which unparallel'd attempt discovered the designe of the Enemy to make warre against the Parliament, which afterward followed; yea and the next day af∣ter the King himselfe came to the Guild Hall in London at a Com∣mon Councell, to what intent, appeared in few dayes: for this tenth day mentioned in the Irish Almanacke, The King, with the Queen, Prince, Duke of Yorke, left Whitehall, and went to Hampton-Court;

ever since which time to this very day (having forsaken his Parliament, and left his people out of his protection) hath beene the most horrible, bloody, unnaturall warre that ever was in England, nay, in all the world, it being never knowne that a King against his people, his Parliament, his Kingdomes, should raise warre, till soone after that time in the Irish Calendar men∣tioned. And now let all the world judge whether this Manapian be not a most Malignant, lying, pernitious, Antichristian Irish Re∣bell, that so falsly slandereth the Parliament and Kingdome, by calling their just actions Anarchicall Rebellion, and the people thereof the Roundheads of England.

Over againg the 23 of October in the Almanack, This Hel∣hound in (bloody) red letters, writes, thus, The happy Ʋnion of the Catholicks eo die. This is that infamous, that fatlla day, the 23 of October 1641, when that unparallel'd Grand Rebellion of the barba∣rous Irish violently burst forth to the massacring & destruction of many thousands of innocent Protestants in that Kingdome by a crew of Devills incarnate, who pleade Commission for this inhu∣mane Act, and call it The happy Ʋnion of the Catholicks: This 23 day of October 1641 I could wish were marked with Carbone nigre, or for ever were deleated out of the Calendar: But when I observed that very day twelve moneth, viz. the 23 of October 1642. How just God was in punishing (though not the Irish Nation yet) the Abetters of them and their horrible Rebellion, in that memo∣rable Victory it pleased God to give the Parliaments Forces un∣der the conduct of their then Lord Generall, the Right noble Earle of Essex betweene Keynton and Edgehill against the Enemy; I am struck with admiration, and with me it shall never be for∣gotten. How the Oxford Naworths, and this Irish Manapians Almanack agree, seemes to me somewhat strange. The Oxonian calls it The Grand Rebellion, he meanes the 23 of October 1642 when the Battell at Keynton was, But I meane that black day the 23 of October 1641, when the Irish unparrallel'd Grand Rebellion burst out, which this Manapian termes The happy Ʋnion of the Catholicks, so that the Grand Rebellion in the Oxford Almanack, and The happy Ʋnion of the Catholicks in the Irish are both one; Though there was a Rebellion but in one, yet they were both united in the prosecution of a most bloody warre; what was in∣tended

by the Irish in 1641 in that Kingdome against the Pro∣testants there, was in 1642, on the same day vehemently pursued by their Confederates against the Protestants here; There is a time drawing neere when the Oxfords Almanack Grand Rebellion, and, The happy Ʋnion of the Catholicks in Ireland will be re∣membred, and both of them called to a strict account for the same.

There are some admirable Astrologicall Observations which happened on these two dayes viz. the 23 of October 1641: And that 23 of October 1642: On that in 1641 (though not visibly to be seene) was a great and terrible Eclipse of the Sun in eleven degrees of Scorpio the opposite Signe to the Horoscope of Ireland. The Moone then changing the 24 day causing such a darkenesse in him in the morning, as if he were ashamed to behold the in∣tended Irish massacring of the Protestants, which was discovered the 23 day by Owen Ockanellee then servant to Sir John Clotwor∣thy. Eclipsis Solis si fuerit in Scorpione fundamentorum ruinas, & in∣ter Ecclesiasticos ••dia, simultates, & turbas excitabunt, & plebis & turbae ignobilium interitus, diuturnaeque bellorum seditiones &c deno∣tat. Sic Jo. Anton. Giuffus in tractatu de Eclipsibus. That is, If the Sun shall be eclipsed in Scorpio, it threatens destruction of Ancient Foundations, and stirres up hatred and grudgings and debates amongst Ecclesiasticks. The death of the common, or ignoble people, and continuall seditions of warre. And Proclus sayes if the Sun shall be eclipsed in the first ten degrees of Scor∣pio, Tumultus bellicos movet, cades, odia, captivitates & proditiones machinatur. That is, It stirres up warre-like tumults, slaughters, hatred, captivities and treacheryes it doth threaten; And if in the second ten degrees of Scorpio (as this was) Regis cujuspiam perniciem, aversum exercitus animum. Part of this prediction is already fullfilled, and if God prevent it not, the residue is ap∣proaching very neere. It began to operate that very day, and hath continued in much virulency to this very time. But the next 23 of October viz. 1642: was most memorable when Mars who was Lord of the said Eclipse met in opposition to the Sun, was that Signall great Battell fought at Keynton: be∣twixt the Kings Army and the Parliaments. Both which dayes and configurations Mars was extreamely afflicted by being op∣posite

to his houses. In the first he was in Libra, and in the second in Taurus: very fatall to the Irish, and that party their Associ∣ates. I gave a touch of that in October 1642 in my Almanacke, amongst other thus much, Caedes quoque cruentae, & lites atrae hinc inde percrebescent, Edgehill Battell can witnesse this, The number that was slaine on both sides there, are not yet knowne; This 23 of October 1642: the Sun was in ten degrees of Scorpio, and Mars in Taurus retrograde in the opposite Signe and neere the degree opposing: And I well remember what Origanus says Par: 3. de effectibus. Fol: 522: Pertinet ad fidem & diligentiam Astrologorum, omnium quantum fieri potest Principum, Ducum, Comitum, Nobilium, Consulum, praecipuorum quoque Theologorum, Episcoporum, Consiliariorum, Medicorum, Genituras inquirere; Non enim magna solummodò laut est, priori consulta experientia de ipsis in specie aliquid dicere: Sed publica quoque fata ex eorum sa∣lute pendent: Quicquid enim delirant reges plectuntur Achivi: That is, It is for the credit of Astrologers as much as in them lyes to search into the Nativities of Princes, Dukes, Earles, No∣bles, Consuls. (i. e. Mayors) or chiefe Officers of Cityes or Townes, Prime Divines, Bishops, Councellours, Physicians, &c. For there is not onely great prayse (experience being had of them particularly) But the Publicke Affaires or Commonwealth depends on their wellfare: And most men frame themselves to the minde of the King. I am not ignorant of this, and have had some experience of late of this Aphorisme, And this I dare boldly say, that what ever he be from Caesarto Codrus, if he have at the time of his Nativity the tenth degree, or within five de∣grees, ante & retro of Scorpio, Leo, Aquary, but especially Taurus, culminating, Horoscopicall, The Sun, Moone, or part of Fortune in the same or neere it, He, she, or they will suffer extreamely in one kinde or other, some in their Honours, Estates, Dignities, Some in their Life, &c. and some in all of them: I know some, and those no meane ones; But, Cynthius Aureno vellit; Our King is either misled, or willfull: For the first, Take away the wicked from before the King and his Throne shall be established in righteous∣nesse, Prov. 25.5. But if he continue in this strange unheard of ab∣sence from the Parliament, whereby, not onely through the neg∣lect of due and just governing of his people, both his and their ruin

must inevitably succeed, I must remember him of Pharaoh and the Red Sea; yea God changeth the Times and the Seasons, He removeth Kings and setteth up Kings, Dan. 2.21. Who knowes but that the Hand-writing upon the Wall may be applicable to this present, miserable, deplorable time we live in? for my part I tremble to thinke to what sad condition many will be brought in short time if God Almighty prevent not: But Quos vult perdere Jupiter hos dementat. And now though these two dismall Aspects in October be past, their Effects continue; And this yeare in April are many notable meetings of the Planets in the Signe Taurus (governing Ireland) As first of Saturne and Mercury on the 12 day, Venus and Mercury the 14 day, the Sun and Saturne the 17 day, the Sun and Venus the 18 day, and Saturne and Venus the 20 day, all of them in the first Face of Taurus, between the 6 and 10 degree of the said signe; Lord, what preparations doe the Irish, and their confederate Friends the papall Party here, there, and from forraigne parts make? what Consultations, Messages, Embassyes, what Treacheries? what combinations, what Conspiracies doe they frame against the poore Protestants of England, &c? But the longest day must have an end; And on that day this yeere, Mars and Saturne Lerma Lerma resonabunt who meeting in conjunction in the midst of Taurus, will sound fearfull Alarmes in the midst of Ireland; but of these more anon.

I thought to have found in the next Moneth, in this Irish Al∣manack, viz. November on the 5 day, some commemoration of that damnable powder Plot 1605, that Popish, hellish Conspi∣racy to destroy the Parliament; but they in Ireland would be ig∣norant of that, as not long since our corrupt, ambitious Prelati∣call Clergy endeavoured to have brought the same about here, but let us in England for ever remember Gods mercy, and be thankfull in our deliverance from the damnable Treason of the Papists, on our 5 day of November, 1605. Where there was both a Plot and powder: And let us not forget the fearfull judgement of God, in the downefall of Black-Fryers upon the Papists, (the 26 of our October) being the 5 of their November, 1623. where was no Plot, nor powder. O miranda Dei Judicis aequitas, fraudis fraud•• sua prenditu Artifex, & quis alios plagis irretire parabant h••sere impliciti pedes.

The wicked people in the pit, are fallen themselves that digged it, Yea their owne feet are fast insnar'd, in hidden nets themselves prepar'd. And thereby hath the Lord been known, for having such a judgement shown In that the wicked are surpriz'd, even in the snare themselves devis'd.

They in Ireland begin their Michaelmas Terme at Kilkenny, as this Irish Almanack hath it, on the 3 day of November, on which day of November 1640. this happy Parliament in England (so much endeavoured to be dissolved) began, but their Terme and our Parliament are heterogenean, Our Parliament ere long will alter their Terme, and as their Rebellion broke forth the 23 of October, so we now begin our Terme on the 23 of October, as if one should say, all the Courts of Justice in England by a Di∣vine providence, were opened to give Judgement against the Irish for their Rebellion against them the 23 of October.

Well! This 23 of October will be remembred as a day of mer∣cie by the Parliament and whole Kingdome of England for their great deliverance out of the hands of their cruell Enemy at Keyn∣ton Battell, when the bloody Irish

His Race and all his Generation, Shall suffer utter extirpation, And in the Age that next doth follow Oblivion shall his black name swallow.

It may very well be said of Ireland, Bona Terra, malu Gens. But when that wicked Generation of men have drunke their fill of the bloud of the Saints: then shall they as deepely drinke of the Cup of Gods wrath. Quod differtur, non aufertur. The time hasteneth, and is neerer then they are aware of.

I have briefely run over these Irish Notes which this Manapian in behalfe of that Kingdome of Ireland, and to the same end as Naworth and Wharton the Oxfordians publish theirs in malice a∣gainst the Parliament and the Kingdome of England have done; Thereby discovering themselves to be a most Viperous Genera∣tion: There are some other observations I might have made on the Popish Saints dayes, which in this Almanack are very thin: I hope in the next that is written, there will be none at all. And

had this Irish Manapian beene as learned in Astrology as Wharton is, and predicted as much as he did upon the Kings (unfortunate) march the seventh of May the last yeare, I should have hoped the like successe as ever since hath befallen that Party. My Friend Master Lilly in his Postscript to his Starry-Messenger lately Prin∣ted, hath sufficiently refuted that Bloxford Astrolo-gazestar. We neede not feare either of them, one more then the other. There is a lying Spirit in the mouth of all of them. 2 Chron. 18.21. Their Religion, their Learning, is one and the same; their Knowledge in Astrology very neere of kin. There is not a Lunation, that is, A New Moone, Full Moone, or her other Quarters, mentioned throughout this Popish Calendar, that is truely set downe; Some of them twelve houres, some a day, some two dayes, and many three dayes erring from the truth. I am sure of it never a one of them fitted to the Meridian of any part of Ireland, for which it was intended, nor for England, against whom it was penned, printed and published; So that if the Oxford Writers take their Observations, and ground their Judgements from the Lunations in the Irish Almanack, we shall not neede to be dis∣mayed at their pradictions, And the fayre weather in the Irish Almanack will prove foule to them, when the English come to correct the Printing Presse at Waterford.

I am now come to the end of the Calendar, and in the next page I finde set downe, The rising and setting of the Sun for eve∣ry first and fifteenth day of every moneth in the yeare. Why? God maketh his Sun to rise on the evill, and on the good and sendeth raine on the just, and on the unjust. Math. 5.45. There is likewise the length of the day set downe; If they please to remember the Battell at Naseby the last yeare, they will have small cause to re∣joyce the 12 of June this yeare, (or not many dayes after.) Truely the longest day will be for ever fatall to the Irish and their Con∣federates, if my Astrologie faile not, and they know it seldome does.

After this Table followes A Compendious Chrono∣logy of things Memorable.

• • From the Creation to Noahs Flood, Gen. 5.7.11. -1060 Yeares.
  • From the Flood to Abraham, Gen. 11.32 12.4. Act. 7.4. -356 Yeares.
  • From Abrahams birth to Terah's death, Gen. 11.32.12.4.- 80 Yeares.
  • From Terah's death to Israels delivery, Exod. 12.40, 41. -434 Yeares.
  • From that time till Salomons Temple, 1 Kings 6.1.- 484 Yeares.
  • From the building of Salomons Temple to Christ.- 1032 Yeares.
  • From Christs birth till this yeares end. -1646 Yeares.
  The full Sum from the Creation to this yeares end is 5092 Yeares.

This Irish Chronologer hath computed by his false Arithme∣tick the abovesaid numbers of yeares to be 5595, as he sets down both in the Frontispice of his Almanacke, and in this place, but both are equally erroneous. It is true, Non levis inter viros Doctos rerum historicarum annotationibus existit controversia: That is, There is no small controversie amongst learned men in their An∣notations of Historicall matters; Truely, there is great diversity amongst them in many memorable Chronologicall Computati∣ons; But never any that ever I read of computed lesse then 1656 yeares from the Creation to the Flood; So that this Irish account is short of the truth (in this very particular) no lesse then 596 yeares; now if we adde these 596 yeares to 5092 they will make

in all 5688 which is too many by 93 yeares, so that there is no truth at all in this compendious Chronology: Methinks when I see 88. I call to minde that Annus ominosus & fatalis, The Spanish In∣vasion, Cum formidabilis illa Classis Hispanica profligatur ab An∣glis Duce Francisco Drake; That terrible Armado, The lively portraiture whereof is represented in those curious Works in the Lords House now in Parliament at Westminster; But as that Ar∣mado then was Ventorum Ludibrium and was by Gods providence totally defeated by the English; So the Irish Rebellion will have like successe.

Then follows the remainder of this Compendious Chronology with

• Since the destruction of Troy 2830 yeares.

This may be something neere truth, for all Writers agree that it was before Christ 1183 yeares; now if we adde 1646 being the yeares since Christ Birth, to 1183 the yeares before his Birth, they will make 2829 since the destruction of Troy.

Then followes, since Bartholenus entred this Island of Ireland 4235 yeares, who this Bartholenus I cannot learne, but it seemes he came in the yeare of the world 1360, which was 296 yeares before the Flood, which I prove thus. If you sub∣stract 4235 yeares from 5595 there will remaine 1360, and if you substract this 1360 from 1656, (the yeare of the World when the Flood was) there will remaine 296. I beleeve he was one of the Off-spring of Cain, though Camden relates (in his description of Ireland, fol. 64.) that the Irish Historiogra∣phers say that he was a Scythian, (and then he came of Magog) who descended from Japeth, and that he fought right doughty Battells with Gyants: In these times men lived many hundreds of yeares, but when the Flood came all the People of the Earth were drowned, save eight Persons, which were Noah and his wife with his three sonnes, S••m, Ham and Japeth, and their Wives: Now amongst all these there was never a Bartholènus, and if there had been any such a one, doubtlesse he had perished amongst the rest in the Flood; If he came not from Cain before the Flood,

surely he descended from Ham who was the Father of Canaan after the Flood; from these three sonnes of Noah, all the Earth was overspread; now Noah cursed Canaan and said, a Servant of Servants shall he be unto his brethren; To what purpose this Bartholenus is mentioned to have entred Ireland, or who he was, it much matters not, neither if the Irish came from him, or from whom else; this I am sure of they are now a People farre excee∣ding the most barbarous Caniballs, and inhumane bloudy men that ever I read of in any History: Here may be moved a que∣stion, why Canaan being cursed, he should possesse the most fer∣tile place and part of the World, a Land flowing with milke and Honey; so may I say of Ireland, why such a good Country should be bestowed on so wicked a People, I much wonder at it; it rather shewes a blessing then a curse, and that they should rather be Lords then servants; but as one sayes, Cum Israelitae deletis omnibus istis gentibus (viz. Sidoniis, Tyriis, Hethaeis, Jebu∣saeis, Amorhaeis, Gergesaeis, Hevaeis, Cannanaeis, &c. terram Ca∣nanaeam ingrederentur: tunc sauè manifestata est veritas maledicti∣onis Nohae, dederuntque paenas impietatis suae, ejecti & excisi per populum Dei, quem tandem triumphare oportet; It is just the State and Condition of Ireland as then of Canaan; And they must looke for the like measure of punishment by the English and Scotish Nation, as Canaan did by the Israelites.

Then follows, since the building of the City of Waterford by Sitaracus 1491 yeares. This Sitaracus it seemes was about the yeare of Christ 155. About which time, Valentinian an E∣gyptian, that damnable Heretique, spread his wicked Tenents, and about this time lived Higinus the first that stiled himselfe Pope of Rome; This City by the Irish is called Porth-Largy, as Camden sayes in his description of Ireland fol. 79. And was built by certain Pyrates of Norway But I make a great questi∣on of the Antiquity of it, neither is it to purpose: Onely it is observable that Pyrates were the founders of Waterford. I am sure of it Printing was not then used, but it seemes now they have got a Printing Presse there; Whether it and the materials came from Rome, Doway, Rhim••s, or any such other Popish place I know not; But they there, and at Oxford of late and now,

print base and railing Pamphlets, and lying Almanacks, and in them most grossely abuse the Parliament and Kingdome of England, who no doubt ere long will suppresse their Presses.

Now followes since the building of the City of Rome, 2397 yeares, about the yeare of the world 3198. It is a great dis∣pute amongst Chronologers and Historiographers when Rome was built; Some of them as Berosus and R••usner say. The first foundation was layde in the yeare of the World, 2341 by Roma daughter to Atlas, or Kitim King of Italy, about thirty yeers before the Birth of Moses: Some, yea the most thinke, that it was built by Romulus and Remus, as Livy, Dion, and others relate; The Story is thus.

Procas King of Latium, or the Latines, having left his King∣dome, (after he had raigned three and twenty yeares) to his two Sonnes Amulius and Numitor to rule by yearely turnes: Amulius having gotten possession, keepes the Kingdome by strong hold, and causeth Numitor his Brother to live privately; And because Amulius would not live in feare of Numitors is∣sue, he enticed Lausus or Egestus, Numitors Sonne to goe hunt with him, and then and there slew him; And caused his daugh∣ter Rhea, or Ilia, to become a Vestall Virgin to keepe her from marriage, or children; But he was deceived; For in the fourth yeare of his raigne, which was (as some suppose) in the yeare of the World, 3158. She was great with childe (by an unknowne man) but many thinke (by Amulius himselfe in disguise) because he knew she should dye, if the breach of her Vow appeared by a great belly) and was delivered of Romulus and Remus at a Birth; For which she was buried quick, or beaten to death with Rods. But Dion saith, she was saved at the request of Amulius his daughter, but Romulus and Remus were delivered to some to be cast into Tiber in a cradle, which could not be effected, because the River was overflowne; So they were left upon a Banke. Faustulus the chiefe Shepheard to Amulius, being at Court, having heard their doome, Followed, Found, and carried them to his wife Acca Laurentia, called by the people for her lust: and the Stewes of her Lupanaria, Lupa,

Hence arose this Fiction, That they were nursed by a Shee-Woolse. She delivered them to a woman that had lost a childe a little before of her owne. At the age of eighten yeares, these Brothers fell out with Numitors Shepheard about feeding of their Flocks; But when Romulus was absent, Remus was car∣ried before Amulius, who upon their Complaint delivered him to Numitor to put him to death; but Faustulus perceiving the danger, revealed their birth to Romulus (who reputed Faustulus till that time to be his Father) and to Numitor, upon a consulta∣tion, they assaulted Amulius, slew him, and restored Numitor to the Kingdome, who gave leave to them, to build Cityes; Romulus chose the Mount Palatine, and built Rome, and this was Anno Mundi. 3198 as the Irish Computator reckons, I will not much trouble my selfe concerning the truth of this Story: Onely it is observable that Rome was built, founded by Bloud, Murther, Lust, Treachery, &c. And I know not why I may not suppose the Irish Nation to come from that Lupa; For they are all of them of the same Religion, with those, nay, of Rome, the Whore of Babylon; That Countrey of Ireland hath had many Wolves in it, but never more then now. And Cam∣den in his description of Ireland Fol. 83. sayes, some of the Irish and such as would be thought worthy of Credit, doe affirme that certaine men (in the County of Tipperary) are yearely turned into Wolves; Whether it be a meere fable, or no, I matter it not; Unlesse that malignant humour of unkind Me∣lancholy predominate in them, and so cause that disease which Physicians call Lycanthropia, and so they imagine themselves to be transformed into Wolves: However, that malignant hu∣mour hath reigned amongst them above this foure yeares. That now the people are become more salvage and bloudy then Wolves, or any other creature whatsoever; But this Parlia∣ment the Physician that can under God cure all distempers of Church and State, will cure Ireland of its Lycanthropia.

England was many yeares ago rid of Wolves, by destroying them. And I have read that King Edgar imposed a taske upon Ludwall, a Prince in Wales, to present yeerely to him three hun∣dred Wolves or their skins for a Tribute, which he did for three

yeares together; But the fourth yeere he gave over, protesting he could find no more. What King Edgar did I know not, but thankes be to God there are no Wolves in England (but of the Irish breed) Though there hath beene an endeavour to bring over, hath beene, and now are, and are daily expected some Wolvish Irish in England; This I am sure of, This Parliament hath passed an Ordinance of the 24 of October 1644 That no Quarter shall be given to any Irish man nor to any Papists whatso∣ever borne in Ireland which shall be taken in hostility against the Parliament, either upon the Sea, or within this Kingdome or Domi∣nion of Wales, But that they shall be excepted out of all Capitulations, Agreements, or Compositions with the Enemy, And every such per∣son to be put to death; Nay, any Officer by Sea or Land, that shall be remisse, or negligent in the observing the Tenor of this Ordinance, shall be reputed a Favourer of that Bloody Rebellion in Ireland, and shall be liable to such condigne punishment as the Justice of both Houses of Parliament shall inflict upon the••. I trust this Ordinance will be throughly, and duly prosecuted, and then I hope both Kingdomes will shortly be cleared of the Wolves of Ireland, or the Wolvish Irish.

After the building of Rome comes, since the Captivity of Babylon by Cyrus 2284 yeares; This should seeme to be in the yeere of the world 3311, as the Irish Computator reckons. But herein severall Chronologers have their diversitie of Opinions: This cannot possibly be true; for Cyrus began to rule over Persia in the first of the 55 Olimpiade, which was Anno Mundi, 3390. So that here is 89 yeeres difference of this Computation; And in the yeere of the World 4409 Cyrus invaded Babylon, and conquered it, &c. And in Anno Mundi 4420. being the end of the 70 yeeres Captivity, as Scaliger and others thinke, he was in a second battell with 200000 men defeated by Tomiris Queene of the Scythians, where himselfe lost his life: Tomiris cut off his head and threw it into a vessell of blood. And now let the Irish remember her saying to dead King Cyrus, After blood thou didst thirst, and with blood thou shalt be satisfied.

Next ensues since the desolation of the Temple of Salomon: 2251 yeares. This should be in Anno Mundi 3344. In which

yeare there was no such thing done; It is true, the Prophet Je∣remiah, Anno Mundi 3340, foretold of the destruction of the City Hierusalem and Temple, which came to passe twenty yeares after: For Anno Mundi 3360, Nebuchadnezzar tooke it, and destroyed it as Helvicus &c reckons.

Then comes, since Augustus Caesar began his Empire 1686 yeers, And this after the Irish Accompt was Anno Mundi 3909. But here are seven years errour. For all Authors begin it Anno Mun∣di 3902. And then the fourth Monarchy began in Julius Caesar, who ruled Emperour but five yeares; After him came Augu∣stus Caesar, Anno Mundi 3906, and reigned 56 yeares, and in the 41 yeare of his reigne, which was Anno Mundi 3947, Our Saviour Christ was borne: Or as the received opinion is, Anno Mundi 3949. Now if we adde this 3949 to 1646, They will make 5595: The yeares since the Creation, as our Irish Chro∣nology reckons.

After this followes, since Hierusalem utterly destroyed by Vespatian 1563 yeares: This should have beene Anno Christi 83. But then there was no such matter, for it was in Anno Chri∣sti 70: So that there is an errour of thirteene yeares defective, then there will be since Vespatians destruction of Jerusalem, 1576 yeares, as most Authors agree.

After this followes, since Ireland first received the Catholicke faith by the preaching of the glorious Saint Patrick 1221 yeares, And this was Anno Christi 425. About this time, this Patrick lived: Caelestine the first being Pope of Rome. The Nestorian here∣sie was much spread abroad; Many strange things have beene reported of this Patrick. In memory of whom the 17 of March the Irish celebrate as a Festivall. (But I shall take a course to crosse him out of the Calendar) Hiberniae fuit Episcopus primus, & imago illius exprimitur Serpentibus ad ejus pedes abjectis, quo∣niam Divina illius virtute hoc mirabiliter fieri traditur, ut nulla venenata bestia ibi vivat. Petrus Galasinius ex Beda, lib. 1. cap. 1. Histor. Angl. That is, He was the first Bishop of Ireland, and his Image is portrayed with Serpents cast under his feete: for that by his divine vertue, it wonderfully came to passe that no venemous Beasts can live there. This is a miracle indeed, if it be

true; Surely Panrick extracted all the Venome of Serpents, Toades, and such like odious creatures then in Ireland; And by his preaching infused the same into the people. There were be∣fore Patrick came such like creatures there: and there be now in Ireland more Venemous and Serpentine people then the very creatures themselves can be in any other Countrey in the world, which this late Horrid Rebellion doth sufficiently evince; But I hope there will be a Reformation there, as well as here, more glorious preaching then that of Patrick, or all Popish Bishops, Priests Jesuites &c. And the Faith (Catholicke indeed) not in a Popish sence; Though I conceive this Manapian, should have said since Ireland first received the Popish Catholicke faith, &c. This had beene to purpose, and then I should not have excepted against it.

The next Chronologicall Observation is, Since England first received the Catholicke Faith 1463 yeeres. If he had said since England first received the Christian Catholicke Faith, &c. it had beene somewhat neere truth; For King Lucius beginning his rule over the Brittaines, hearing of divers miracles wrought by the Christians, and amongst the rest, of the plenty of Water in time of distresse and want thereof; as of the great Victory obtained Anno Christi 173 for the Emperour Marcus over the Marco∣manni, & Quadi by the prayers of the Christian Legion, which he called Fulminatrix, sent to Eleutherius then Pope of Rome to send him some learned men into Brittaine, to instruct the people in the Faith; whereupon he sent Damianus and Fugatius, who Baptized King Lucius and his people; He was the first Christian King of Brittaine, and lived neere the time of Christian Religi∣ons Primitive purity, when Popish Catholicke Religion was not heard of: If any of the Popes were ought, this Pope Eluthe∣rius was none of the worst, He prohibited the superstitious re∣fusall of eating any thing which was mans meate, Et primus erat Episcoporum Romanorum qui non periit morte violenta. King Lu∣cius built Peters Church in Cornhill London about 430 yeeres be∣fore Pauls Church, which was built by King Ethelbert, who began his raigne Anno Christi 596.

After follows, since Henry the second arrived at this City of Waterford, and the first Major of it, 474. yeers. This is neer an historicall truth; for Anno Christi 1170. or thereabout; at what time that ambitious, turbulent, fiery spirited Arch-bishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket was slain: This King Henry the second had wars with Ireland, and the next yeer he subdued it; and I suppose King Henry the second at his comming to Waterford, made it a Major Town (and indeed as most men that have been there report it to be the second City in all Ireland, and that the Kings of England have granted great priviledges to the same:) Who this Major was, our Irish Chronologer doth not name; I beleeve he was an English, not an Irish man, for I cannot con∣ceive otherwise, but they were then rebellious as now; so that there is greater necessity of correcting their present rebellion, by a new supply of valiant English men, who if they land at Waterford, the present Major may chance to be displaced, and the Citizens lose their liberty.

The next is since the use of Guns, invented in Germany, and the first making of Powder by a Fryar, Bartholdus Swartz, 263. yeer. This doth not much differ from the supposed time of their known use in Christendom, although I have read that in the time of Charles the great, who flourished about the yeer of Christ 800. Camoscus Frisiae Rex Slopeti ictu Hollandiae Comitem, cum duobus filijs transuerberavit: and Roger Bacan our famous Historian who flourished about the yeer or Christ 1280. makes mention of Gun-powder; and I beleeve what Petrus Maffeus writes, that Guns were of great antiquity, and known in China many Cen∣turies of yeers before they were used in Christendome: How∣ever let us suppose, that Bartholdus Niger vulgo Swartz Monachus Franciscanus & Alchymista usum Bombardae vulgavit pro ut nunc est anno Christi 1380. as Alsteed sayes in his Chronologie, Orig. var. pag. mihi. 256. I think the Adage, Turdus sibi malum cacat, or as we in England have it, he hath made a rod for his own breech, will be exactly verefied this yeer: Look to it all ye Irish Popish Fryars, Monks, Jesuits &c. and the rest of that rabble of Locusts, there are new Guns, new Ordnances inventing, preparing, that will purge and cleer the three Kingdoms of all of you.

Now this Irish Chronologer, Bellarmine like spets forth ve∣nome

and rores out, which since Lutheranism, Calvinisme, and such like heresies began in Germany 128. yeers; he that would be throughly satisfied touching this worthy Doctor Martin Lu∣ther, this Malleus Paparum & Papistarum, may be pleased to peruse the second Tome of Acts and Monuments, or the Book of Mar∣tyrs, written by that reverend and learned man, Master John Fox, p. 60, 61. & deinde, of the last Impression 1641. he shall have his life and doctrine at large described; he flourished in the yeer of Christ 1515. &c. This is he of whom John Hus at the time of his Martyrdom prophesied, 1415. Centum Revolutis annis Deo Re∣spondebitis; and Hierom of Prague 1416. at his Martyrdom, who said, Post Centum annos omnes vos Cito; now 100. yeers after Mar∣tin Luther began first to write against the Pope, which was ex∣actly verified; Reformation began in his time, he opposed the Popes supremacy, writ against his pardons, Decrees, Buls, and so stoutly defended himself against them, that he was excom∣municated by the Pope, and men hired to kill him; nay, the Devil, the Pope, the Emperour, and almost all the Christian world were against him, and by open force and secret fraud sought his destruction; yet God miraculously preserved him for about thirty yeers space, in despight of them all, and at last he dyed in hia bed in peace at Islebia in Germany, the 18. of Febr. 1546. from whence his body was removed to Wittenberg, and there was buried the 22. of February 1546. it being just 100. yeers since, this Febr. 1646. at what time I write this: and now I may adde a third Prophesie or prediction, to cite all Irish Priests, and popish Fryars, &c. Quod post centum annos Luthero re∣spondebitis; this Chronologer most falsly accusing him of heresie whose sound doctrine hath so confuted the errours of those ignorant times, that to this day the Papists could never answer him, but most maliciously traduce him: As for Master Calvin, he was a most reverend, orthodox man, and flourished about the yeer of Christ. 1535. cotemporary with Bibliander, Marlorat, Viret, Musculus, &c. all learned, and men very excellent; it is most true, that from the yeer of Christ 800. to the yeer 1520. Paucae novae Haereses sunt Ortae, multa autem fuerant Scismata; ubi ex∣cellunt Scismata Pontificum Romanerum; that is, A few new heresies sprung up, and many were the Schisms, but those of the Ro∣man

Popes, Bishops, exceeded them all, Alsted Chron. heresium, pag. 390. And a little after the same Alsted saith, Verum tamen enim vero, non fuerint heretici illi Doctores, sed Reformatores hereticae pravitatis in Regno Antichristi Romani; these Doctors were not he∣reticks, but Reformers of the hereticall pravity, or corrupt∣nesse in the Kingdome of the Pope, the Roman Antichrist; in∣deed if you will look a little further in Alsted, he will tell you, that ab hoc anno, viz. 1520. Ʋsque ad nostram Aetatem pestilentes hae∣reses ab inferis fuerunt revocatae, nam Principio Anabaptistae furere caepe∣runt, &c. Anabaptists, Antinomians, Socinians, Ubiquitarians, Arminians, &c. were very busie, and these were the Hereticks here meant, though for my part I suppose the greatest Hereticks are Papists, Jesuits, &c. and of all in the world those in Ireland the most damnable.

Next followes, since the vertuous and holy Queen Mary of Scotland was beheaded in England, 46. yeers. Here is a manifest errour, for if so, then she should have been beheaded Anno Chri∣sti 1600. but that was not so, for she was beheaded at Fothring∣hay Castle in Northamptonshire, the 18. of February 1587. which was 13. yeers before this Computist reckons; her body was buried at Peterborow, and 25. yeers after, viz. 1612. her body was removed to Westmninster; she was born the 5. of December 1542. on which 5. of December 1560. Francis the second King of France, who was her first husband dyed, being married to her 1558. the 13. of October; if you please to read Buchannan, that learned Scotchmans books, though they were prohobited 1584. some are extant, they will tell you more: I have read in Alsted, in his Chronologia Regni Scotiae Maria haec Anno 1558. nupserat Fran∣cisco Regi Galliae; quo defuncto, redijt in Scotiam, ubi nupsit Henrico Arli, sive Stuarto; quem interfici curavit; unde in Insulam est deportata post elapsa in Angliam, Anno 1568. postquam 18. Annos captiva fuisset detenta, ibi est decollata; and in Saturni Ephemeride, Dedicated to King Charles pag. 382, Sub Titulo Scotland, it is there said, that in the yeer 1564. she fell in love with the Lord Darnley, son to the Earl of Lenox, got a Dispensation from the Pope for consangui∣nity, and created him Earl of Rosse; the next yeer after, he is made Duke of Albany, marrieth the Queen, and is proclaimed King; and that yeer that Duke of Chatteralt with divers Lords

being put to the Horn, fled into England, but returning are re∣conciled: The yeer 1566. Earl Morton and others fled into Eng∣land, and having murthered David Risius the Queens Minion in her Chamber, Thaunus in his History, Tom. 2. fol. 307. sayes, He∣mo vili conditione Citharaedi filius nomine David Rizius, Angustae Taurinaurum natus; and a little after, he saith, Faeminam per se praecipitem postremo impulit Rizius, qui plus apud eam, quam aut aequum aut ipsi decorum esset poterat; Earl Morton returneth into Scotland, and is pardoned; that yeer King James was born, and the next yeer, viz. 1567. the King her husband was murthered by Earl Bothwell; which Earl marrieih the Queen, she goeth against the Discontented Lords, and is taken, Bothwell flies into Denmark, and there dyes in prison, the Queen resigneth, makes an escape, raiseth forces, flies towards France, and is cast on the English shore; much more may be read of her in the Scottish History, to which I refer you: I shall use the words of Cambden in his de∣scription of Northamptonshire, speaking of Fothringhay Castle, fol. 511. As for that disaster which even here befell unto another most mighty Prince, Mary Queen of Scots, I had leiser it should be enwrapped up in silence, then once spoken of; let it be forgotten quite, if possible, if not, yet be it hidden, as it may, in silence.

The next Chronologicall observation is, since the birth of our gracious King Charles, the 19. of Novemb. 46. yeers. This I beleeve is true, for I have often heard it reported, that he was born at Dunfermling in Scotland, the 19. of Novemb. 1600.

Then succeeds since King Charles his return from Spain, Octo∣ber the 5. 23. yeers, this I remember was in Anno 1623. and it rained all, or most part of that day at London.

Dic rogo cur toties Descendit ab Aethere nimbus Grandoque de Coelis sic sine fine Cadit? Mortales quoniam nolunt sua crimina flere, Coelum pro nobis solvitur in Lachrymas.

Then follows, since the Birth of Prince Charles, May the 23. 15. yeers: This is erronious, for our Prince Charles was born the 29. of May 1630. which is 16. yeers since, at the revolution of this yeer 1646. and I very well remember the last of May be∣ing

but two days after his birth, there was a great Eclipse of the Sun in Gemini, the 19. degree, which was visibly beheld here, and most part of Christendom; all Authors agree, that eclipses are very ominous, and we have had sad experience there∣of of late yeers.

Now comes again that memento with a witnesse, viz. since the happy union of the Catholikes, for defence of his Majesty, his royall Issue, &c. which day is to be kept holy, for a day of Thanksgiving, being October 23. 1641. five yeers: I have said enough already of this infamous 23. of October, and I hope it will be remembred, to the perpetuall ignominy of the bloody Rebels of Ireland.

And after that, are renumerated severall victories since that Rebellion burst forth, obtained by the Irish Confederates for his Majesty against the Round-heads: I will not trouble my self or the Reader to mention them, for I am confident they will sing O hone very shortly. And the Irish,

Their dayes a number small shall make, Another shall their Country take; Their Children Vagabonds shall be, Walk up and down most wretchedly; God shall them put to endlesse shame, And quite cut off their hatefull name.

If I should tell this Irish Chronologer of the severall wonder∣full Victories it hath pleased God to give the Parliaments For∣ces in severall parts of the three Kingdoms against a potent, powerfull, malicious, tyrannous and numerous Army, since the beginning of this Parliament, or since the most horrible Rebel∣lion of Ireland was kindled: I should exceed and swel into a vo∣lume, I will only desire all the three Kingdoms to (nay all the world may) take notice of Gods, great and wonderfull mercy he hath shewn to the Parliaments Forces, in obtaining severall Victories against, and strong holds taken from the enemy since June 1645. to this present February, which may be read in a small Tractate, entituled, Englands Remembrancer, abstracted in a short Catalogue lately printed; the number there computed be∣ing

seventy, all within ths space of seven moneths; and since the publishing thereof, many more great victories; but amongst the rest, I will only mention the surrender of Chester (the back∣door for Ireland) to that faithfull man to his Country, Sir Wil∣liam Brereton; and now if I should tell the Irish, they are never like to hear or say Masse there, or ever see their Unhallowed Candle again lighted, which was extinguished the second of Fe∣bruary last; they may chance to storm, fret and fume at me, and and curse with Bell, Book and Candle; all which will doe me or any man else as much hurt just as the howling of an Irish Wolf, or the barking of an Irish Wolf dog does the Moon.

The last Chronologicall observation (I perceive) troubles them exceedingly, and that is, the downfal of their Dagon, the Crosse in Cheap-side, which in base railing language he utters thus; Since Cheap-side Crosse was pulled downe, the third of May 1643. and immediatly after all other Crosses from off the top of Steeples in and about London, by a crew of Antichristian Parliamentary Round-heads, enemies to Christianisme, 3 yeers. Indeed it would trouble any Saint, any Christian, any Heathen to lose his God, or have his God taken from him, or his God forsake him; but for a wooden stone, golden, silver, leaden, iron gilt god, a headlesse, mouth∣lesse, earlesse, noselesse, handlesse, footlesse god; is none but a pa∣pistical, senslesse Irish Man-Apian, or a meer man that hath as much understanding as an Ape, would be troubled at it; I doe much admire at this third day of May, as at any day in all the yeer; the Papists, Irish, and all Romanists, &c. celebrate the third of May as a great Festivall, in commemoration that the Crosse of Christ on which he suffered, was found about Anno Christi 326. on the third day of May, by Hellen Mother to Con∣stantine the great, with the other two Crosses (on which the two Thieves suffered) unperished, as Ruffinus sayes; and the third day of May is thus noted in the Almanack, Inventio Crucis: Saint Cyrill sayes, the whole world is full of pieces of this Crosse, and yet by a continuall miracle (as Paulinus saith) it hath never been impaired; and the County of Tipperary in Ireland, is called The County of the holy Crosse of Tipperary, and enjoys certain peculiar freedoms, granted in honour of a piece of Christs Crosse, there sometimes preserved; thus were Christians in ancient times per∣swaded;

and incredible it is, what a confluence there is even yet of these sottish, popish, Irish Manapians, continually upon devo∣tion thither, as unto an holy place, so firmly do they persevere in the old, blind Religion of their fore-fathers, which the care∣lesse negligence of their Prelats, Bishops and popish Priests and ignorance together, hath beyond all measure encreased, when as there be none to instrust and teach them otherwise.

It is true, that third of May, 1643. the Crosse in Cheapside was totally subverted and pulled down to the ground (yea, that morning Dagon was falled on his face to the ground, the head of Dagon and the palms of his hands were cut off, no not so much as the stump of Dagon was left unto him) by vertue of an Ordi∣nance of Parliament, and by the assistance of godly and honest men, friends to true Christian Religion, but are enemies to, and have taken a Covenant to pluck up popery root and branch.) And not long after, the crosses from off the top of many Stee∣ples: Yes and in divers Churches and other places, many popish and superstitious pictures, crosses, crucifixes and Romish Trin∣kets, &c. were demolished, defaced and burnt; which are cer∣tain fore-runners of the finall and utter destruction of Rome: Me thinks when I read Revelations the 18. I hear one crying mightily saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of Devils, and the hold of every foul Spirit, and a Cage of eve∣ry unclean and hatefull Bird, and therefore it is high time that we come out of her that we be not partakers of her sinnes, and receive not of her plagues.

Now having briefly run over the Observations in the Alma∣nack, and those others in the compendious Chronology of things memorable; I thought to have found in the Prognostick part thereof, some Oxonian Irish predictions against the Parlia∣ment and Kingdom of England, but God be thanked it is hid from their knowledge, and the evill they have wished thereunto will redound and fall upon themselves: There are some moneth∣ly Observations touching planting, grafting, sowing, and such like affairs, &c. but what they sowe another shall reap, &c. now in the conclusion of all, as if he were a profound calculator, an Astronomer indeed, he says, there will be three Eclipses, two of the Sun, and one of the Moon, but none of them to be seen; Only

he doubts that of the Moon the 17. of July; I will put him out of doubt, and doe tell him, that there are five Eclipses this yeer viz. three of the Sun, and two of the Moon, whereof only one of the Moon visible in Europe, and that is already past; which was on Wednesday the 21. of January last, about six of the clock in the morning, the beginning thereof being about four of the clock in the morning, I my self saw; but immediatly after, by reason of a very thick mist and foggy vapour, the light of the Moon, and visibility of the Stars was taken away from us about London, that it could not be observed; this Eclipse this Irish Manapian takes no notice of, as if there were not such a one to be seen in the Heavens; but I shall tell him, it belongs to them, and the best of their friends; the effects begins now to operate; some short Observations I have made in my Almanack of this yeer, to which I refer you: As for the rest of the Eclipses, in re∣gard none of them are to be seen in any part of the Christian world, I will not mention them; only I said I will put him out of doubt: And again, doe tell him, that the Lunar Eclipse the 17. of July next, shall not be seen in any part of Europe, much lesse in Ireland; for the beginning thereof will be about three quarters of an hour past one of the clock in the afternoon, the middle about five of the clock, and the end about seven of the clock, all which time, for the most part of Europe, the Moon is under the earth, and the Sun gloriously shineth above the Hori∣zon: Indeed the Inhabitants in Finland, Litvania and Muscovia shall observe the Moon to rise Eclipsed; and they that live in Kirkithay, a Country in Tartary, in Turchestan, in India, within and without Ganges, and in the Gulf of Bengala, and in Sumatra, and places neer thereto, shall have that Eclipse in their Miridi∣ans or midnight-sted: But those that are in Anian and Quivira, shall have the Moon to set Eclipsed; now for that the Sun is above the Horizon when this Eclipticall full Moon happeneth, being the 17. of July; and because the Eclipse is past when the Sun setteth, the Moon then rising: There is no such doubt to be made as this Irish Almanack would possesse his Country-men withall, notwithanding that Kingdom of Ireland amongst many other places, shall partake of the effects of that Eclipse, and of some others as well Lunar as Solar, lately passed, whose

effects now most strongly operate, together with a notable Conjunction of the two Malignant Planets Saturn and Mars, which happeneth this yeer on Friday the 12. of June, forty minutes past seven of the clock in the afternoon, in the longi∣tude of 17. degree and a half, and latitude 53. degrees and a half, agreeing neerest to that of Dublin, being the chief City in Ireland; the position of the Heavens there at that time, being as followeth:

[illustration] figure contains many astrological symbols in addition to text

A Coniuction of Staturne & Mars on friday the 12 of Iune 1646 at Dublin in Ireland

Before I proceed to give judgment Astro∣logical upon this coe∣lestial Position at the time of this notable Conjuction; it is to be observed, that ther is a certaine Sympa∣thy or Antipathy a∣mongst the twelve Zodiacal signs, which manifest Experience witnesseth, agreeing or disagreeing with certaine Countries, Kingdoms, Cities and places of the earth; our Predeces∣sors being most wise men, by accurate observation, have diligently marked many notable events that have hap∣pened in divers such places; as the irruptions of people thereinto, devastations of Countries, Earth-quakes, Pesti∣lence, Famine, scarsity of Victuals, unaccustomed tem∣pestuous winds, inundations of Floods & Rivers, and many other such casualties, which they have observed to have succeeded not long after any notable and great Eclipses, especially of the Sun, or ominous Conjuctions, Aspects

and great Oppositions of the superiour Planets, and they have found that sign of the Eclipse, Conjunction or As∣pect to have a great consent and admirable congruence with such certain places: Hence it is, that from famous mutations and calamities to certain Cities and Coun∣tries happening, they have found out the Signs whereun∣to they have been subject, although many places may be questioned. As for Example:

IN the yeer 1419. there was a Quadrate Aspect of Mars and Saturn, Mars in the latter degrees of Taurus, and Saturn in the latter degrees of Leo, the supposed Sign under which Bohemia, among many other places is; and there was that yeer, on the 26. day of March, a little before noon, a great Eclipse of the Sun in the 15. degree of ♈ Aries, ♂ Mars being governour thereof: After which followed a great tumult in Bohemia; Joannes Ziska, a noble Captain, and a man descended from a great Family, one very ingenuous and skilfull in Military Affairs, favouring the Hussites, being sore grieved for the death of John Hus and Hi∣erom of Prague, raised a mighty Army, to the number of 40000. whom he called Thaborites; almost possest himself of all Bohemia, subverted the Monasteries and Idolatrous Temples, pulling down, and breaking in pieces the Images and Idols, driving away the Priests and Monks, which he said were kept up in their Cloysters, like Swine in their Styes, to be fatted: His Army en∣creased, and in the yeer 1421. (having lost before one of his eyes) lost his other eye by a Shaft, when he besieged the Town of Raby, but from hence being carried to Prague, was cured of his wounds, and would not (though he was blind) forsake his Army; and the next yeer defeateth the Emperour, and was Victor in many battles against the Pontificians; and in the yeer 1424. he was striken with sicknesse, and dying, he gave order that a Drum should be made of his skin, to terrifie the enemy. Now others suppose that Kingdom to be under ♋ Cancer, because that in the yeer 1424. there was a great Eclipse of the Sun the 26. day of June, in the 14. degree of Cancer, in the evening; the ef∣fects succeeded the next yeer, viz. 1425. at what time three pow∣erfull

Armies from Saxony, Franconia and Bavaria, entred into Bohemia, in three severall places, but they all fled without sight of an enemy, and left their Tents to the Bohe∣mians.

In like manner Saxony and the maritine Cities neer there, are supposed to be under the Sign ♑ Capricorn, because after some great Eclipse or unfortunate Aspects of the superiour Planets being in the same afflicted, some notable calamity hath happened thereunto; so in the yeer 1548. there was a Conjunction of ♄ Saturn and ♂ Mars, in ♑ Capricorn, in the Moneth of February, foreshewing the many troubles that hap∣pened soon after in Saxony.

So also the City of Venice is said to be subject to the Sign ♋ Cancer, for that many wonderfull events have happened to that City, when an Eclipse or great Aspect of the superiour Planets hath happened in that Sign, or in the □ Quadrate or ☍ Opposite Aspect thereof; so in the time of Maximilian, the first Emperour in Germany, 1505. who made peace with the Venetians, (there was a ☌ Conjunction of the higher Plante•• in ♋ Cancer) they were extreamly put to it, and suffered much by him, and he by them: And 1508. the Emperour, Pope and the French, enter in League at Cambray against the Veneti∣ans, and the next yeer after, they took divers places in Forum Julij, and other places from the Venetians, and in few yeers after, strange transactions of Affairs happened between the Pope and them; the French and them sometimes on one side, sometimes on the other, as Historians relate.

In like manner the famous City of Noremberg (amongst ma∣ny others) although the time is uncertain of the first founda∣tion thereof, yet from notable events, and admirable, unusu∣all accidents which have happened unto the same, it is strong∣ly conjectured to be under the Sign II Gemini, for when a no∣table Conjunction happened in ♍ Virgo, which doth afflict the Sign II Gemini by a □ Quadrate, and ☿ Mercury be unfor∣tunate, then some ominous matter hath happened thereunto; and so likewise if any Eclipse be in the said Signs, as in the yeer 1448. the 29. of August, was an Eclipse of the Sun, in the

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15. degree of ♍ Virgo, in □ Quadrate to ♊ Gemini, with whom ♄ Saturn mixed his malicious influence; Marchio Albertus, Sir-named the Achilles of Germany, fought nine battles with the Norembergers, and was Victor in eight of them, with great destruction to the Citizens.

So likewise in the yeer 1551. was a great Eclipse of the Sun in 17. degrees of ♍ Virgo, ♂ Mars being elevated in the middle of Heaven, above the Eclipse, but placed in his Detri∣ment in ♎ Libra; a little while after which, Albertus Marchio, the son of Casimir, besieged the City, the Suburbs were spoiled and the Citizens were compelled to dishonourable conditions of peace.

So likewise in the yeer 1560. another Eclipse of the Sun happened in the eighth degree of ♍ Virgo, in Quadrate to ♊ Gemini; in which Sign of Gemini, ♄ Saturn was in 22. degrees very much afflicting ☿ Mercury, who was Lord of the said Eclipse in 22. degrees of Virgo; by which means the evil fore∣shewn by the Eclipse, was duplicated, or much encreased, and the effects continued to the yeer 1563. in which space of time many thousands of the Norembergers were swept away with the plague.

I might reckon up many other places which Histo∣rians make mention of, but I shall much exceed my intenti∣ons, I will only remember some few Observations concerning England; and all or most Astrologers think it to be under the Sign ♈ Aries, for that when any Eclipse or great Conjunction happeneth in that Sign, or the opposite Sign ♎ Libra, or the □ Quadrate Signes, ♋ Cancer or ♑ Capricorn, some memorable occurence hath befallen that Kingdom; as in the yeer 1345. there was a totall Eclipse of the ☽ Moon the 18. day of March about 9. of the clock in the night, in the 6. degree of ♎ Libra opposite to ♈ Aries; in which yeer, such unusuall tempests, and violent winds, with great rains and inundations happen∣ed throughout the whole Summer, and likewise in the time of Harvest, that in the Northern parts Corn, and alll manner of Grain and fruits were corrupted and putrified, and for two yeers following, was a great scarcity of all things, and much

famine, and a great mortality amongst Sheep: And in the yeer 1346. the 28. day of August, was a most terrible battle fought between Phillip of Valoys, King of France, and Edward the se∣cond, King of England, at Cresse, where the English with 10000. men, overcame 60000. French; the King of Bohemia was there slain, together with 30000, men, 11. Princes, 89. Barons, and 1200. Knights; and in the yeer 1347. King Ed∣ward winneth Calice, John Copland defeateth the Scots, takes David King of Scotland prisoner, who is sent to the Tower; Copland was made a Banneret, and rewarded with 500 ^li. per annum; and in the yeer 1348. was such a mortality and pesti∣lence amongst men, as scarce hath been known the like, 50000 were buried in the Charter-house Church-yard; and many strange matters happened in those times, which our Histories and Chronicles mention, to which I refer you.

So likewise I will remember that terrible Eclipse of the Sun, which was on the second day of October, 1605. about one of the clock in the afternoon, in the 19. degree of ♎ Libra, being the opposite Sign to ♈ Aries, under which England is supposed to be subject: What a horrible, unheard of, damna∣ble treason of the Papists was discovered the 5. of November following, I hope will never be forgotten in England: If I should but remember the Eclipse of the Sun which happened on Friday the 29. of March 1633. in the 19. degree of ♈ Aries, I should be over-tedious, I will refer you to my Almanack for that yeer and some yeers following, in which the tyranny of the Prelats in these times manifestly appearing, I my selfe not escaping their fury; So also that Eclipse of the Moon the 8. of Octo. 1641. in the 26. degree of Aries: or that of the Moon like∣wise the 4. of April 1642. in 25. degrees of ♎ Libra, and ano∣ther of the Moon the 27. of September following, in the 15. degrees of ♈ Aries; or that of the Moon likewise the 17. of September 1643. in 4. degrees of ♈ Aries, I should but rub the gold horse back, and put your in mind of the sad and deplora∣ble condition (too fresh in our memory) this poor Kingdom of England is in.

I will set down these following Tables, wherein you may

understand unto what Signes Astologers have placed (out of continuall observation and experience) many Countries and Cities, that thereby you may see when any Eclipse of the Sun or Moon, or notable Conjunction or Configuration of the superiour Planets happeneth, what places are subject or like∣ly to participiate of the influence of any such Coelestiall posi∣tion under such Signes, their ☍ opposite and □ Quadrate A∣spects; these Signs following.

Aries,♈ Taurus,♉ Gemini,♊ Cancer,♋ Virgo,♍ Is opposite to Libra,♎ Scorpio,♏ Sagitary,♐ Capricorn,♑ Aquary,♒ Pisces.♓

And this As∣pect is an aspect of perfect enmi∣ty and hatred; and this is six Signs asunder.

So likewise these Signs following doe behold one another, though not so violently, yet they doe disagree very much in Nature and disposition, viz. by a Quadrate.

Aries,♈ Taurus,♉ Gemini,♊ Cancer,♋ Leo,♌ Virgo.♍ Hath a Quadrate Aspect to ♋♑—♌♒—♍♓—♎♈—♉♏—♊♐.

Thus Aries beholds Can∣cer and Capricorn, by a Quadrate □; Taurus be∣holds Leo and Aquary; Gemini beholds Virgo and Pisces; Cancer be∣holds Libra and Aries; Leo beholds Taurus and Scorpio; and Virgo beholds Gemini and Sagittary, by a Quadrate Aspect, which is called an Aspect of imperfect emnity, or faigned friendship, or trecherous amity, &c. and this is three Signs asunder.

But there is another manner of the Signs beholding one another, two wayes, viz. by a Trine Aspect, which is an As∣pect of perfect amity and friendship, and is when Signs of one Triplicity of Nature behold one another: As

• ♈ ♌ ♐ are of the fiery Triplicity, hot and dry.
• ♉ ♍ ♑ are of the earthly Triplicicy, cold and dry.
• ♊ ♎ ♒ are of the aiery Triplicity, hot and moist.
• ♋ ♏ ♓ are of the watry Triplicity, cold and moist.

Thus we see the fi∣ery Tri∣gonagrees with the earthly Triplicity in drinesse, and with the Aery in heat; and the earthly triplicity agrees with the watery tri∣plicity in coldnesse, and with the fiery triplicity in drinesse, & sic è converso. These three Signes doe behold one another by a trine △ aspect; and for the most part when any of the signes of one nature is well qualified or affected, by a certain sym∣pathy and agreement, the other signes of the same qualitie participates of the same good or evlll influence: and this As∣pect is foure Signes asunder.

The other Aspect is called a ✶ Sextile, and is more imper∣fect then the Trine: and the Signes doe thus behold one ano∣ther, viz.

♈ ♉ ♊ ♋ ♌ ♍ Hath a Sextile aspect to ♒♊—♓♋—♈♌—♉♍—♊♎—♋♏

Here we see the fiery tri∣plicity agrees with the Ae∣rie in heat, the Earthy with the Watery in coldnesse; the Aery with the Fiery in heat, and the Watery with the Earthy in coldnesse by a ✶ A∣spect: and this is when Planets or Starres are two signes a∣sunder.

Now I shall set downe the twelve Zodiacall Signs, and such places, Kingdomes, Countries and Cities as have experimen∣tally been found to have been subject to the said Signes: and they are as followeth:

Ʋnder ♈ Aries these Countries.

England North and East part, France, Germany, Suevia, Silesia the higher, part of Polonia, Burgundie, part of Den∣mark, Basternia, Syria, Palestine.

Ʋnder ♈ Aries these Cities.

Naples, Capua, Ancona, Ferrara, Florence, Verona, Ber∣gamo,

Ʋnder ♉ Taurus these Countries.

Russia, Polonia the great, the North part of Sweathland, IRELAND, Lorraigne, Campania, Helvetia, Rhetia, Fran∣conia, Parthia, Persia, the Islands Cyclades between Europe and Asia, Cyprus, the Sea towns of Asia the lesse.

Ʋnder ♉ Taurus, these Cities.

Bononia, Sena, Mantua, Tarentum, Panorme in Sicily, Pe∣rusium, Parma, Caput Histriae, Brixia, Tigure, Lucerne, Nantz, Metis, Herbipolis, Carolstade, Liepsig, Posnania, Gnesna, No∣vagrade.

Ʋnder ♊ Gemini, these Countries.

Sardinia, part of Lumbardy, South & West part of England, part of Flanders, Brabant, the Dukedome of Wittemberge, Hircania, Armenia, Mariana, Cyreniaca, Marmarica, Aegypt the Lower.

Ʋnder ♊ Gemini, these Cities.

Carduba in Spaine, Viterbiurn, Coesena a City in Lumbar∣dy, Turin, Vercelli, Rhegium, Lovaine, Bruges in Flaunders, LONDON, Mentz, Kitzing, Hasford, Bamberge, Villacum, Noremberge, though Schoner and Cardan say it is under Sa∣gitary, yet Garcaeus proves it for many reasons to be under Gemini.

Ʋnder ♋ Cancer these Countries.

SCOTLAND, Granado, part of Burgundy, HOLLAND, Zeland, Prussia, Numidia, Africa, Bithynia, Phrygia, Col∣chis, Carthage.

Ʋnder ♋ Cancer these Cities.

Constantinople, Tunis, VENICE, Genoa, Lucas, Pisa, Millain, Vincentia, Bern, YORK, Saint ANDREWES in SCOTLAND, Lubeck, Magdeburge, Wittenburgh, Gorlick,

Ʋnder ♌ Leo these Countries.

Gallia Togata, being part of Lumbardy, the Alps, Italy, Sicyly, Apulia, Bohemia (but Garcius thinks it to be under ♋ Cancer) part of Turky, Aemilia, Sabina, Phaenicia, Chal∣dea, Orchinia.

Ʋnder ♌ Leo these Cities.

Damasco, Siracusa, ROME, Ravenna, Cremona, Ulms, Confluence, Prague, Lintz, Cremusium.

Ʋnder ♍ Virgo these Countries.

Achaia, Greece, Creet, Croacia, Carinthia, Arthesina, the Dukedom of Athens, Mesopotamia, Babylon, Assyria, part of Gallia Comata, part of Rhyne, Sylesia the lower.

Ʋnder ♍ Virgo these Cities.

Hierusalem, Corinth, Rhodes, Papia or Pavia, Sigina, Brundusium, Cuma a City in Campania, Aretium or Arezzo, Novaria a City in Italy, Tholouse, Lyons, Paris, Bazil, Hey∣delberg, Erphord, Uratislavia.

Ʋnder ♎ Libra these Countries.

Austria, Alsatia, Livonia, Savoy, Daulphine, Bactriana, Toscanye, Caspia, Seres in Aethiopia, Thebaida, Oasis a Country in Aegypt called Azagar, Trogloditica a Country in Aethiopia, Sundgavia.

Ʋnder ♎ Libra these Cities.

Lisbone, Arles, Gajetta in Italy, Lauda a City in Maurita∣nia, Suessa, Placentia, Felkirk, Friberge, or Carda Bianca, Argentina, Spiers, Frankford ad Maenum, Hala in Suevia, Winpina, Heilbrunna, Frisinga, Mospachium, Landshut, Vi∣enna in Austria, Anwerp.

Ʋnder ♏ Scorpio these Countries.

NORWAY, Bavaria the upper, Metagonitis now called Biledulgerid in Numidia, a Region in Affrica, Comogena a Country in Syria, Cappadocia, Idumea, Mauritania, Fes, Gethulia, Catalonia.

Ʋnder ♏ Scorpio these Cities.

Algiers, Valentia in Spain, Trabezond, Urbine, Aquilegia, Pistorium, Camerinum, Tarecisium, Forum Julium, Messa∣na, Vienna Allabrogum, Aichstade, Monachum, Gedanum, Frankfod upon Oder.

Ʋnder ♐ Sagittary these Countries.

SPAIN, Dalmatia, Sclavonia, Hungary, Moravia, Missi∣na, Geltica, Thyrrenia, Arabia the happy.

Ʋnder ♐ Sagittary these Cities.

Toledo in Spain, Volaterra a City in Hetruria, Mutina, Narbon, Avenion, Colonia Agrippina, or Colen, Studgard, Rottenburg, Judenburg, Buda, Gascovia.

Ʋnder ♑ Capricorn these Countries.

Macedonia, Illiria, Thracia, Bossina, Albania, Bulgaria,

Ʋnder ♑ Capricorn these Cities.

OXFORD, Mechlin, Juliacum, Clevonia, Berga, Gaunt, Vilna, Brandenburge, Augusta Vindelicorum, or Ausburg, Constance, Derthona, Faventia.

Ʋnder ♒ Aquary these Countries.

Amazonia, Sarmatia, Tartaria the great, Wallachia, Mus∣covia, Swethland the South part, Denmark part, Westpha∣lia, Mosell, Piemont, Bavaria part, Aethiopia, Sogdiana, Me∣dia, Arabia the desert and stony.

Ʋnder ♒ Aquary these Cities.

Hamborough, Breme, Mountferate, Pisaurum, Trent, Saltz∣burgh, Ingolstade.

Ʋnder ♓ Pisces these Countries.

Cilicia, Calabria, Portugall, Galitia, Normandy, Phasa∣nia, Nasamonia in Lybia, Garamantes, Lydia, Pamphilia, Aegypt the higher.

Ʋnder ♓ Pisces these Cities.

Alexandria, Hispalis Compostella, Parentium, Rhemes, Wormes, Ratispone, &c.

Now having shewn what Signs are appropriated to certain places, and what places Ancient and Modern Astronomers have in many respects found subject to the influence of the said Signs, which hath its ground from the like reasons as

are experimented in Nativities; for as when any terrible E∣clipse of (the Luminaries) the Sun or Moon shall be in the Ascendant of any man or woman, in the mid-heaven, or the part of fortune thereof, or in the opposite or Quadrate place to any of these in the Nativity; or when any of the infortunes or malignant Planets, Saturn or Mars, shall passe by any of those places, or shall aspect any of them hatefully, it threa∣tens destruction or death, or some eminent danger, or evill successe in affairs to such a man or woman, especially if any evill direction shall happen at or neere the time of such Eclipse, Conjunction, Aspect or Transit; and of the truth of this, innumerable examples might be given: So likewise those Kingdoms or Countries, Cities or places that have any fami∣liarity with the Sign wherein the Eclipse doth happen, or in that wherein any notable Conjunction or other great Aspect is, for the most part they have had grievous and sore afflicti∣ons and troubles, as I could instance in many examples be∣sides what I have spoken of.

But I shall proceed to some observations touching the dis∣mall Conjunction of Saturn and Mars, in the 14. degree 27. minutes or Taurus, both of them culminating with that fatall Star Caput Algol, or the head of Medusa, so ominous to, and ob∣truncating some great personages heretofore, and no lesse mi∣nacious to others now living, who if they had some faithfull Spurina about them, to tell them of their iminent danger, might perhaps, if not prevent, yet mittigate that evill influ∣ence impending, or otherwise being forewarned, might be the better provided against an inevitable storm; but not to meddle with particulars (only I could wish men were more observing of the true time, or neerest that can be of their nati∣vities, together with some Accidents (as imprisonment, banish∣ment, sicknesse, & many other casualties incident to man kind) for the verification thereof, which I have given notice of in many of my Almanacks heretofore) I will therefore come to the generals of this Conjunction; and as I said before, it hap∣peneth on Friday the 12. of June 1646. 40. minutes past 7. of the clock in the afternoon, in the Meridian of Dublin; it hap∣peneth

in the fourth house, two degrees distant from the bo∣dy of Venus, who some three days before, viz. the 9. of June is corporally with Saturn, declining Mars, whom she finds so debilitated, as if she had no mind to conjoin with him; Sa∣tun and Mars are peregrine, that is, out of all dignities; and when any Planet is so, he is as it were a man deprived of all he hath, or sequestred from his estate; and unlesse the neer∣nesse of Venus by her corporal presence, and the Sextile Aspect of Jupiter to them both, doth abate of their evil positure, it is a very ill meeting of them to those places and people they have influence upon, which are under Taurus, Scorpio, Aquary, and Leo, with is the second Quadrangle of the Zodiaque, and most concerned in this Conjunction, which happens in Tau∣rus the night house of Venus, where she her self is, and indif∣ferently well fortified and irradiated, and doth separate apace from these two malevolents; yet the Moon (who conveys the influence of all the heavenly bodies upon all sublunary crea∣tures) hath more to doe in the said Conjunction then Venus, for it is her exaltation, and she hath a triplicity and face therein; but if we observe how unfortunately shee is placed in the very degree of her fall; for as shee is exalted in three de∣grees of Taurus, so she is abased and cast down in three degrees of Scorpio, in which she now is exactly, and is placed in the tenth house, which is the house of Rule and Dominion, Kings, Princes, &c. the position will hold, whether it be re∣duced to London or Edinburgh, so the Scheam will serve the three Kingdoms; and Mars who disposeth the place of the Moon, and the most part of the mid-heaven, is in his Detri∣ment in the opposite house; and the next day, the ☽ having been in a friendly Trine to the Sun, meeting the like Aspect, from Jupiter imniediatly fals into the opposition, a most hatefull Aspect of Saturn, Mars and Venus, Quando Planeta est in Aspectu sui hostis, est ut vir timens hostem suum; that is, when a Planet is Aspected of his enemy, he is as a man that is afraid of his foe; and such is the condition of the Moon now; Quando est cum hoste suo, est ut virpugnans cum hoste suo; that is, when a Planet is Aspected of his enemy, he fights with his

foe; so is the Moon now, having two malicious enemies; Quando est cadens a domo sua, vel a domo exaltationis suae, est ut vit absens a domo sua, aut Civitate sua; that is, when a Planet fals from his house or exaltation, he is as a man absent from his house or City; so are Mars and the Moon now; Quando Planeta est ca∣dens, est ut vir vexatus & timidus, he is as a man vexed and fear∣full; so are Mars and the Moon at this time; Planeta in domo non sua, est ut vir in domo aliena pulsans, jam deprimitur judicium suum, nec est ei authoritas; a Planet that is not in his house, is as a man knocking at another mans door, his judgment is de∣pressed, and is without authority; so are Saturn, Mars and the Moon now; Ex Centiloquis Bethem, 10, 11, 14, 18, 27. cum duo infortunae conjunguntur & Luna congruit cum Saturno in latitudi∣ne, erit fames & mortalitas; that is, when the two infortunes are conjoyned, and the Moon shall agree in latitude with Sa∣turn, there shall be famine and mortality; Si vero Marti muta∣buntur Reges, & erit multa sanguinis effusio, & praelia in loco qui sig∣nabitur ab ipso signo, & hoc non fallit, propositio Almansoris 132. that is, if the Moon shall agree with Mars in latitude, Kings shall change, and there shall be much effusion of blood, and great wars shall be in that place signified by that Sign: And this fails not, indeed the Moon hath five degrees, Saturn two de∣grees fourteen minutes, and Mars but 46. minutes, all of them having South latitude; the Moon agreeth neerest with Saturn thougn their latitude is of one kind, viz. South: But I be∣leeve the whole Aphorisme will be in force, and not any part thereof mittigated, notwithstanding the interposition of those friendly beams of the Sun and Jupiter, which in my opi∣nion are very weak, and not able to effect or procure that ex∣pected relief and assistance to these Taurists and their Con∣federates.

Guido Bonatus, in parte 4. Astronomiae, fol. 556. cap. 66. says, Cum fuerit Saturnus in Tauro, fueritque in Angulo directus, significat contentiones & bella, &c. that is, if Saturn shall be in Taurus di∣rect in an Angle, he signifies contentions and wars: And Al∣humasar says, there shall be tribulations and injuries, and trem∣blings and Earthquakes, the destruction of Cities, Towns

and Houses; and Guido says of Mars, in Capite 86. fol. 572. Si fuerit in Ta••ro significat ventos validos venturos, & destructionem fru∣gum, similiter & Arborum & hoc ex causa Caloris excedentis debitum & naturalem modum, significat etiam multitudinem nubium atque nu∣bilarum; pluviarum quoque ac tonitruorum & fulgurum; that is, if Mars shall be in Taurus, he signifies very strong winds, the de∣struction of fruits, and also of Trees, and this to proceed from an undue and disproportioned heat, exceeding its naturall temper and constitution; also very cloudy weather, with abundance of rain, thunder and lightning; Albumasar says, significat mortem mulierum & Vaccarum, & significat bella ventura inter Cives Orientis & Cives Occidentis; that is, it foresheweth to death of Women and Kyne, and that there shall be war between the Citizens (people) of the East, and those of the West: Haly parte octava de Juditiis Astrorum cap. 7. says, Si Sa∣turnus in quarta domo fuerit, & ibi malificus, significat quod res & aedificia cadent, minuentur plantationes, abscindentur aquae, & erit in populo diminutio, & paupertas, & gens illius Climatis erit obsessa, & non audebunt exire de suis villis propter timorem inimicorum fuorum; quod eo fortius erit & magis affixum, si quarta domus fuerit Signum fixum, quia tunc erit damnum fortius & durabilius; that is, if Saturn shall be in the fourth house, and be there malevolent, it signi∣fies tha•• houses & buildings shal fal, come to decay and perish, planting or seting shall be diminished, waters cut off, the people shall be lessened or abated, there shall be poverty to them, and people of that Country shall be obsessed or besieged, they shall not dare to goe out of their Towns (Ci∣ties, Castles or Countries) by reason of the fear they shall have of their enemies; and this shall be more affixed (certain) if the fourth house shall be a fixed Sign, and the hurt (dam∣mage) or losse, shall be more strong and durable: This Apho∣risme agrees exactly with the position of the malignant Pla∣net Saturn at this time in every respect: Furthermore Haly sayes, in parte 8. de Juditiis Astrorum cap. 25. Si quando Mars junctus fuerit cum Saturno struet quilibet alteri fraudes, & deceptiones & erunt inter homines percussiones & vulnera, etiam accidet regi impe∣dimentum & labor ab homine qui est de terra parittionis illius signi in

quo junguntur; that is, if Mars and Saturn shall be conjoined, one man shall seek to entrap another, there shall be many fal∣sities and deceits, much woundings, fightings and quarrel∣ings; and impediment danger and trouble shall happen to the King, from a man which is of that Countrey under the divi∣sion of that Signe: And a little after, in fol. 392. Si applica∣tio Lunae cum Saturno fuerit adecima per oppositionem Accident Regi∣bus & Populis placita & discordiae, & Capientur multi de populis prop∣ter discordiam Regum cum ipsis, & propter magnum metum quem ha∣bent de eis. If he application of the Moone to Saturne shall be by opposition from the tenth house, there shall be many de∣bates and differences happen to the King and People; and many of that People, by reason of such differences between them shall be captived or taken, through the great feare they shall have of them. The sum of all these Aphorismes amounts to thus much, That in regard at the time of this Conjunction the mid heaven is so extreamely afflicted, and Mars Lord thereof, which is significator of men in greatest authority, whether they be Kings, Princes, Lords, or other great per∣sons and Potentates, whether they be of the Families and race of the O's or Mac's, who so domineer and Lord it with their Galloglasses and Kernes in Ireland; or whether we take our judgement from the Moon, who is significatrix of the People there so miserably posited, I cannot pronounce other then ruine and destruction to those great ones, subversion of their ancient Families, and ruine to their stately Buildings, Cities, Townes. Towers and Castles. That People shall be in most miserable and deplorable condition. We see the Con∣junction is in Taurus, under which, amongst other places, Ire∣land is posited; and that the signes Leo, Scorpio and Aquary, are sharers, and must participate in this influence; Famine, Scarcity, Plagues and terrible warfare shall happen to ma∣ny places under those Signes. If they expect ayd from Fo∣raigne parts, they will be frustrated; Me thinkes I behold all the States of Europe involv'd in this Quarrell; the French and Spaniard Matching, the Hollander busie, the POPE thundering his Bulls and Excommunications,

the Turke making great preparations, so likewise the Germane, Dane, Swede, Polonian, Venetian, nay what State in the Chri∣stian World is not disquieted? If I should recount the Eclipses and great Conjunctions of the superior Planets in Signes, to which most or all Countries in Europe are subjected, and the events that have succeeded within these few yeares in these places, I might rather make an History then a succinct dis∣course; there were not long since two or three Eclipses of both the Luminaryes in the Signe Leo, the effects of all which are strongly operating, and for many yeares together will pro∣duce admirable and unexpected occurrences, I believe the progresse of Saturne through the Signe Taurus, out of which he will not fully free himselfe till the end of March 1648. will be very fatall to Ireland, and most chiefely he will powre out his influence upon that place rather then any other; For if we consider the present condition thereof, since the Rebellion there broke forth, The horrid Murthers, and cruell slaughters by them committed upon many thousands of English Prote∣stants, whose bloud cryes for vengeance, doe authorise me Astrologically to pronounce a fearefull doome of Fire, Sword, Plague, and Famine to follow that bloudy Nation, Let me tell the Spaniard, French, or what other Nation soever that is ayding or assisting them, they must not escape the Divine vengeance which God by the Starres, his Coelestiall Ministers doth me∣nace them withall; If the Pope send his Agents to prosecute their Designes, he may chance loose his Triple Crowne in this unjust quarrell they have raised. The Divell may rage for a season, Sed si Deus nobiscum quis contra nos, The fight from Heaven, the Starre in their Courses fight against (CaesAR) Sisera; I hope I shall speak truth, if I tell the French, Spani∣ard, or any other friend, the Irish or their Associates have, that though they never made greater preparations, yet with as like successe as that Invincible Armado in 88 had, at what time fourescore of the Spanish Ships were lost with not so few as twenty thousand men. The windes and Seas fighting at that time for England, which was many yeares before threatned by the proud and insulting Spaniard; This Armado consisted of

130 Ships, nineteene thousand two hundred and ninty Soul∣diers, eight thousand three hundred and fifty Mariners, two thousand and fourescore Gally-slaves, two thousand sixe hun∣dred and thirty great Ordinance: which Navy having been three yeares in preparing (and at no small charge) within one moneth was often beaten and at length put to flight, (and as I said 20000 of their men being slaine, and not above one hun∣dred of the English were missing) the remainder of their Na∣vy some in their slight were cast upon Scotland, and some up∣on Ireland, and those few that escaped returned with a great deale of dishonour into Spaine, above 700 Souldiers and Sea∣men were cast upon the Scottish shore, who were afterward sent over to the Low-Countries but those which by Tempest were driven upon Ireland found a harder measure, for the wild Irish of their owne accord slew many of them: I suppose their cruelty is not inferiour now to what it was then, but suppose the French, Spanish, Irish Jesuite, Popish Fryer, Priest, and the whole rabble of Antichristians in all the World were com∣bined together, against England, let but an English man name 1588. or 1605. And without doubt the proudest and most cru∣ellest of them all will be daunted, and sink down with amaze∣ment; so powerfull hath God showne himselfe in those times. That in the first the King of Spaine himselfe acknowledged the misfortune that befell him to have been the handy worke of God, and gave thanks to God and his Saints, (causing the like to be done throughout Spaine) that it fell to be no worse. And for that in 1605 certainly it was the eye of Gods Pro∣vidence that discovered that horrid deed of darknesse, the Gun-Powder Treason invented by the Divellish Papists, to the destruction of the Parliament, and so consequently to the whole Kingdome.

Let us looke back to the yeare 1587. (In which yeare Mary Queene of Scots was beheaded) for the position of Saturne, and we shall finde that from the first of March that yeare, to the middle of Aprill 1589 he walked through Taurus, the Signe under which he now is &c. under which Ireland is subjected as I said before, In the moneth of August the 28 day was an

ominous opposition of Mars from Scorpio, to him in the 16 degree, and if we observe this memorable yeare 1588. Upon the 28 of May Saturne and Mars were in Conjunction, in the 19 degrees Taurus not farre from the place they now meete in, not many dayes after which that Spanish Fleet was disco∣vered on our English Coast. If we examine our Chronicles we shall finde most Memorable Passages in divers parts of the World, to have happened this yeare: Was it not unusuall and strange, that Polonia this yeare should have three Kings usurp∣ing the Title, while the fourth viz. Stephen Battori was yet unburied? Namely Sigismond the Sweden, Maximilian the Emperours brother, and Henry Valoys King of France, of which three Maximilian in the beginning of this yeare was ta∣ken Prisoner, his Army overthrowne by meanes thereof, ma∣ny thousands of men, women, and children, carryed away Captives by the Tartars, Thus saith Gallobelgicus, and further that Suetia was all on fire with tumults, and lost certain places of strength to the Muscovite; The Muscovite himselfe ranne mad and lost his wits. The King of Denmarke Frederick the second dyed; In France the Barricados of Paris, the flight of the King from thence, The slaughter of the Duke of Guise, and his brother the Cardinall of Lorrayne; The death of the Queen Mother, the poysoning of the Prince of Condee; and the Over∣throw which the King of Navarre gave unto Duke Mercury, (all which Les derniers troubles de Fraunce do testifie) and gave that Kingdome sufficient cause to thinke that yeare 1588 to be an extraordinary yeere, At the same time the Duke of Savoy prepared his Army, and surprized Carmagmall, the King of France his chiefe Magazine in Saluze. The Turke suffered great overthrowes in Hungaria. And in Constantinople by reason of false moneys, wherewith the Jauizaryes were payd their wages, they fell into a Mutiny, and compelled the Emperour of the Turks to deliver unto them his chiefest Favourites to be put to death, and that likewise they might remove his Officers at their pleasure, yet they were not coment herewith, they set fire on the Jewes Houses, spoyled their goods, and by that meanes above twelve thousand of their Houses were burnt

downe to the ground in the same City. The Hungarians were continually molested with the the incursions of the Turkes; The Sophy of Persia dyed. And (if I may use the words of Gallo∣belgicu••) ab ortu Solis us{que} ad occasum, nullus firmè remansit lo∣cus in quo non miratu dignum aliquid hoc Anno contigerit. That is, from the rising of the Sunne to the going downe thereof, there was scarce any place in which something worthy Memory did not happen. This yeere Regiomontanus foretold, (a little be∣fore his death at Rome, viz. 1475. one hundreth and thirteen yeares before it came to passe) to his effect.

The Translation whereof as I have read in Dutch is thus.

Tausen funfhundert achtzitchtacht Das ist das iar, das ich betracht, Geth in dem de weltnixt under Geschicht doch groz merklich wunder.

Post mille expletos a partu Virginis Annos, Et post Quingentos rursus ab Orbe datos: Octogesimus octavus mirabilis Annus Ingruet, is secum tristia Fataferet. Si non hoc Anno, totus malus occidet Orbis: Si non in nihilum terra, fretum{que} ruet: Cuncta tamen mundi sursum ibunt at{que} retrorsum. Imperia, & Luctus undi{que} grandis erit.

Which is thus done into English by me.

From Christs Birth count a thousand yeares compleate, And adde five hundred more with eighty eight: That yeare approaching! All men will affright: With woefull Terrours, which on them will light. If the whole World to ruine do not run, Or into nothing Land, and Seas be done: At least, most Kingdomes topsy-turny turne: And men on all sides grievously shall mourne.

I mention this Astrologicall Prediction, and these many oc∣currences that happened this yeare, yet in the memory of man to the end, remembring what having already bin passed, we may in some measure conjecture of the like Accidents to happen in these our dayes. It is true, Saturne passeth through a signe once in two yeares and a halfe, so that in thirty yeares he runneth through the Zodiaque or the twelve Signes. And as often as he returneth to his place, Quadrate or opposite Aspect, for the most part there happeneth extraordinary mutations in many parts of the World, according to the diverse and various posi∣tions of the other Planets to him, and amongst themselves, and the Ingresse of the Sun to the Cardinall poynts with Eclip∣ses &c. if we looke in our Chronicles for the yeare 1593 (in which year Saturne was in Leo in Quadrate to Taurus) and so to the end of 1595 and upward, we shall finde the Irish to re∣bell: The story wherof is at large in Mr. Camden and others: And if we come neerer to our time, viz. In the years 1600 1601 and 1602 all which time Saturne was in Scorpio, we shall finde not onely them to rebell againe, but the Spaniards then landed, and had got footing in Ireland, but were with great losse to them driven out, with many other remarkable Passages worthy me∣mory by all true spirited English men. I could much inlarge my selfe in these Historicall observations, and make them very fitly applicable to the Coelestiall Motions of the superiours Starres and Planets, I suppose what hath already been spoke will suffice to informe any man of understanding, I do not say that because there hath such & such things happened to such and such places, when such and such Conjunctions and Aspects of the Planets or Eclipses have been, that the like must necessarily happen there againe at the like Congresse of the Heavenly bodyes, No. Ipse Opifex Rerum voluit haec ordinatissima Coelicorpora, esse in Signa, tempora, dies & Annos: God the Creator of all things willeth that these orderly Heavenly Bodyes shall be for Signes, times, dayes and yeares. Rideat igitur qui velit, & cum suo detrimento, summo cum periculo conjuncto abiiciat, & securè & superbè con∣temnat has qualescun{que} significationes Coelestes: Deus se derideri non patietur. Phryx non emandatur nisi plagie. Prudentiores faci∣lè

hinc haud dubie Divinitus admoneri se animadvertent, ut discant matura poenitentia & vera conversione, & ardenti pietate ad Deum confugere, & antevertere, & praecavere, Iram Dei horrendam adversus nostra multiplicia peccata, & paenarum futurarum gra∣vitatem.

The Irish have ever beene most rebellious and treacherous to the English Nation, and of late have most barbarously and in∣humanely murthered many thousand innocent soules. Now they are at the height of their cruelty, and God is powring out his overflowing cuppe of wrath and vengeance upon them, and their adherents. Jamque securis ad radicem posita est, ut in fru∣gisera arbor excidatur, & in ignem conjiciatur. When God threatens a Nation, People or Family, he divers wayes fore∣warnes them, before he sends his Judgements upon them: sometimes in the sea, upon the land, in monstrous births, in the fire by strange apparitions, unusuall tempests: sometimes by Comets in blazing Starres, very often by Eclipses of the Sun and Moone, and more usually by the Configurations of the Planets amongst themselves and the Hebdomaticall Lunations, which if men would search into, they might observe most ex∣cellent matters to contemplate upon, and raise their thoughts to an exceeding height of Admiration of the most wonderfull workes of the omnipotent Creatour.

I doe much wonder at the harsh unadvised censure of many men: Divines and otherwise learned enough, that say nothing can be foreseene by the starres or their configuration: I must tell them Astrology is as ancient as our first Parents, (but the Antiquity of it doth not alone worke upon me) that it is al∣lowed by Universities, Princes, Sages, Philosophers, from the first Infancie of the world to this very time, and will be admi∣red as long as the Sun Moone and Stars move in the Heavens. It depends upon as good grounds as any Art, It deales not by signes and effects, but by causes, whereof the motions, configura∣tions, and positions of the Heavenly Bodyes are grounded upon Mathematicall demonstrations, and the propertyes or virtue of the Heavenly Influence, upon the observation or knowne experience of great learned men even from the beginning of the

world. And if the Divine will doe not counterchecke the or∣dinary course of nature, or the matter of those Elementary Bo∣dies here beneath, be not unproportionable, and thereby unapt to receive their impressions: there is no reason why in a na∣turall and physicall necessity, Astrologicall Predictions made according to Art should not succeede and take effect. It deales not with rare contingents unknowne or undeterminate. But with these things which fall out for the most part, such as are performed by Art and nature; It deales not with mans will simply and directly, but accidentally it doth; It deales with mens inclinations, dispositions, temperature, affections and humours; It meddles not with miraculous workes, nor with fatall necessity, except some contingency be joyned with it, nor with Gods secrets: It is necessary for Physicke, Policie, Husbandrie, Navigation, Military Discipline, for health; It can yeeld reasons which other Arts cannot, as in Clymactericall yeares, Criticall dayes: Why children borne in the eighth month most part are not vitall. Of Tides: Why Customes, Rites, Manners, Lawes and Temperaments, be divers in people inhabiting in severall Clymates: Why certaine Seasons be turbulent; Why some yeares be dangerous. And many other things which may be read in that great Booke (of the most wise God) the Heavens; The Stars therein differing in glory and brightnesse, one from another: but whose motions are most wonderfull Regular and Harmonious, which stares like seve∣rall letters, some being capitalls and others of lesse size, being as it were set together. A man endued with an apt Genius and Knowledge therein, may not onely spell, but in some reasona∣ble measure reade the admirable Worke of God therein in their influentiall and secondary government of all sublunary Crea∣tures.

Faelices anima quibus hac cognoscere primum, Inque Domus Superas scandere cura fuit.

On the other side I doe pitty the blinde ignorance of some o∣thers (who thinke themselves as learned as wise) that not knowing the motions of the Planets and starres if they chance

to see a starre in the day time, doe wonder at the same, posses∣sing themselves with some strange conceit of some great mat∣ter to ensue such an Apparition: So it was in the yeare 1625, when a little before the death of King James, the glori∣ous Planet Venus being occidentall of the Sun, and in her great∣est distance from him was thought to have beene a Comet or some nova stella, being Sunday in the Afternoone, the Moone and she seemed to touch one another: or that as Kepler sayes she did quasi haerere in sinistro Cornu Lunae which I my selfe be∣ing at Yorke then with some others observed in the West part of the Heavens.

So likewise what great wonder and amazement there was in the yeare 1630 at that time when Prince Charles was borne, the same starre Venus being then in great distance from the Sun, and orientall or rising before him, was seen to goe before the Sun all day for the most part, I will set downe the words of Johannes Johnstonius in his Thaumatagraphia, Capite 3. Admi∣rand. Coeli Artic. 2. de stellarum luce &c. Nona deni{que} Junii hujus Anni, visa una in Anglia ante meridiem, cum Gratia Deo propter nativitatem Principis Walliae agerentur, visam eandem codem tempore Diepae in Gallia, a Gallis quibusdam accepimus; That is, the ninth day of June in the forraigne account, (the 30 of May being Sunday in the English account) of this yeare one was seene in England before noone, when thanks were given to God (at Pauls Church in London) for the birth of the Prince of Wales: And we received intelligence from certain French men, that the same Starre the same time was seen at Diep in France; But by leave of this Learned Gentleman I doe not accompt this a wonder, for it is usuall with Venus once or twice in the yeare to shew her selfe in the day time, being in her greatest distance from the Sun either when she is orientall, or riseth before the Sun, or occidentall and setteth after him, and this may be easily demonstrated out of her Theory, If she presignified any thing she was the prodromus of the miseries that since have ensued to this Kingdome. And now at this very time the Royall party in some places as I am informed, flatter and promise themselves strange matters by reason this Starre

Venus (none of them having so much Astronomy, as to disco∣ver what she is) appears so bright and glorious in the West after Sun-setting; if she betoken any thing, I suppose she ap∣pears to our gallant Generall, and the rest of the Comman∣ders & Souldiers now in the West, as a bright lamp, to disco∣ver the darke, blinde corners of the West, the unknown wayes of the enemy there and in Wales, to reduce that miserable wast∣ed Country, which God be thanked is in a good forwardnesse.

I never observed or read that the simple appearance of any Star in the day time, foreshewed any thing, except what Hie∣ronomus Cardanus in lib. 14. de varietate rerum, cap. 70. mentions, whose words I will set down as they are there, Stellas quoque die sereno bis vidisse Mediolani me memini cum tota Civitate; alteram splendidissimam Anno 1511. cum pulsi sunt Galli; aliam Anno 1535. subobscuram cum mortuus est Franciscus Sfortia secundus: sed & tunc quod sine filliis mortuus fuerit, mutatus est princeps, transiitque in Ca∣rolum Imperatorem Civitatis Regnum, variato rerum statu; that is, I remember my self twice to have seen Stars in a cleer day at Millain, the whole City being spectators, one very bright Anno 1511. when the French were expulsed, and the other Anno 1535. somewhat obscure or dark, when Francis Sfortia the second dyed, but then he dyed without Sons, the Prince was changed, and the government of the City passed over to the Emperor Charles, with a various state of affairs. I know not whether if God have so ordered the motion of the Stars, that Stars appearing in the day time should foreshew any thing; for my part I beleeve it not in that simple apparition; it is not proper for the Stars to shine or appear in the day: God made two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser to rule the night; he made also the Stars, and God set them in the Firmament to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darknesse, and God saw that it was good, Gen. 1.16, 17. verses. This I am sure of, that they work by their influence incessantly day and night upon all creatures: Nay, in many places of Scripture, God would not tell us of the do∣minion of the Stars upon the earth, and the creatures there∣in,

if they had no force, power and influence; in many places therein, they are called the Host of Heaven, and the Armies of Heaven, therein amplifying the most wonderfull divine pow∣er and might of God, by the force, influence and energeticall operation of these glorious creatures; in some places, God expresly distinguisheth between the sweet influence of the Ple∣iades (or the seven Stars) and the binding influence of Orion, under which two Constellations being of clean opposite na∣ture and effect, God comprehends all the rest of the Stars, and as it were by the figure of Locution, he puts the part for the whole, thereby manifestly giving us so much understanding, as to conceive all the other Stars of Heaven have their several particular vertues: God sayes, He will hear the Heavens, and the Heavens shall hear the earth, Hosea chap. 2. ver. 21. whereby we may be informed, that the fruits of the earth doe not ve∣getate, nor have their dependance upon one, two or moe constellations, but upon the whole Heavens.

We may read in Deuteronomy chap. 33. ver. 13, 14. that Mo∣ses amongst his blessings upon the twelve Tribes, he blessed Jo∣seph in these words, saying, Blessed of the Lord be his Land, for the precious things of Heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneth, and for the precious fruits brought forth by the Sun, and for the precious things put forth by the Moon: Where no man can deny but the vertues of the Heavens and the Stars are stirred up by the two Luminaries, the two great Lights, where the encrease of the earth is referred to the comfortable influence of the Sun and Moon, who are there said to bring forth, put forth, or thrust forth the fruits thereof, as the Original hath it: Quae quae{que} Luna protrudit, they are not only thus declared in the Scriptures evidently to exercise their dominion in vegetable things alone, but they are further created for, and to the ser∣vice of men: Nay, there is no speech nor language where their voyce is not heard; that is, there is no place in all the world, where they doe not operate and have influence.

We read in Deuteronomy 4. chap. ver. 19. that God in his exhortations to the Israelites, bids them that they should not so lift up their eyes to Heaven, as that when they saw the Sun

and the Moon, and the Stars, even all the Host of Heaven, they should be driven to worship and serve them, God ha∣ving divided them unto all Nations under the Heaven.

By w^ch distinction we are not to understand the light which they cause between day, and night, and the seasons of the yeer; but we must understand the Ministery of the Stars to have a further construction, nay, if there were no Stars in heaven, the Sun and Moon would be sufficient to distinguish between night and day, Summer and Winter, and the other seasons of the yeer; without question the influence of the Sun, Moon and Stars, extends to the constitution and temperature of man; it is evident, that those that are lunatick, whose distem∣per followes the course of the Moon, have their intermissions of their grievous fits as the Moon is wel irradiated, and on the contrary most grievously tormented as she is afflicted, which is evident by the judgment of all Physitians; Nay, certainly we read in 1 Chron. 12. chap. ver. 32. that the children of Isachar, by their skill and knowledge of times, could advise the Israelites in their actions; for the words are thus (and the children of Isachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to doe: And if so, then of the successe, which is confirmed by innumerable ex∣amples in all Ages; and in Scripture we read (as I said before) that the Stars in their courses fought against Sisera, Judges chap. 5. ver. 20. By which it is evident, that they have do∣minion over men, &c. Many Expositors understand this place of Scripture, that this fighting from Heaven was by hail, rain and Tempest, and true it is (saith the Author of Astrologomania (G. C. or George Carleton, sometime Bishop of Landaffe, after∣ward of Chichester, or the publisher thereof, T. V. B. of D. or Thomas Vicars Batchelor of Divinity) fol. 105. That the Stars by their cosmicall rising or setting are observed to further rain and tempest; for in the next words of the Text, it fol∣loweth, the River Kison swept thtm away, whereby is decla∣red the inundation of the River caused by the hail and rain which fell from Heaven, whereby the Canaanites were over∣thrown by the Tempest from heaven and drowned in the Ri∣ver: This is evident by the Text.

And because the Scripture mentions so much in that place, and no more, and that many Translators have so expounded that Text, must it be inferred thence, that the Stars have no other influence but in the causing of hail, rain, tempests, &c. must the Stars be concluded from all other influence? all the Creatures of God are at his command, and are used as In∣struments to doe his will in the protection of his Church, and against his enemies; God most miraculously plagued Aegipt, with turning their waters into blood, and destroying their Fish, and sent Frogs, Lice, Flyes, Murrain, boils and blains, hail, with Locusts and darknesse among them, and the death of all their first born, and at last, Pharaoh (pursuing the Israelites) with all his Host, were drowned in the red sea. Thus God wrought wonderfully, and beyond the course of nature: But in this place it is said, the Stars in their courses fought, &c. under correction, besides that exposition; I un∣derstand by courses, the various motions, configurations, and divers Aspects, the Sun, Moon, the rest of the Planets and Stars have to one another, and amongst themselves; and by their fighting, &c. I understand likewise, some notable configura∣tion or position of the Stars or Planets, from whost influence (God having so appointed from the beginning) they cause wonderfull mutations in the world; and it is usuall, when the superiour Planets are in Conjunction, Quadrate or Opposite Aspect to one another, very forcible; they doe not only cause rain, hail and tempests, &c. but wars, murther, and great dissen∣tions, & other great changes have followed such positions of those Stars, as I could instance in all Ages, in innumerable, undeniable examples; I have named some already, I will only repeat the words of that most excellent man Henricus Rantzo∣vius, a noble Dane, &c. in his Examples of Astrologial Predi∣ctions upon great Conjunctions, fol. 112. where he, amongst other notable matters, sayes, in that Book, which was the third Edition of it, and printed at Colen in the yeer 1585. An∣no Domini 1583. Habuimus Conjunctiones, Planetarum sedecim om∣nes in Piscibus, inter quas fuit etiam Saturni & Jovis, Anno 1584. Quatuordecim Conjunctiones in Ariete, & Eclipsim Solis & Lunae in

Tauro, Anno Domini 1586. Conjunctiones etiam in Ariete tredecim & unam in Tauro, Solis & Mercurii: Deinde Anno Domini, 1588. Conjunctiones duodecim in diversis signis: Has absque dubio sequentur nefaria Consilia, ac facta, motus, seditiones, bella, caedes in Civitatibus Regnis & Provincis, inaudita genera morborum, Pestis: Obitus mag∣norum Regum, ac Dominorum, infinitae dissentiones, ac novae diversita∣tes opinionum in Religione, ac denique ingentes calamitates in toto or∣be terrarum, ut multi rerum coelestium periti opinantur, colligentes haec ex eventibus quae secutae sunt praterlapsas Conjunctiones quas recensui: That is, we have had in the yeer 1583. sixteen Conjunctions of the Planets, al of them in Pisces, amongst which was a Conjun∣ction of Saturn and Jupiter: In the yeer 1584. there was four∣teen Conjunctions of the Planets in Aries, and the Sun and Moon Eclipsed ih Taurus: In the yeer 1586. there will be thir∣teen Conjunctions of the Planets in Aries, and one in Taurus of the Sun and Mercury, and afterwards in the yeer 1588. twelve Conjunctions of the Planets in divers Signs; without doubt after these (Conjunctions) will follow or succeed mischie∣vous, villanous and wicked Counsels, and detestable Acts, commotions or troubles, seditions, wars, slaughters or kil∣ling in Cities, Kingdoms and Provinces, unknown or unheard of diseases, the plague, death of great Kings and Lords, Infi∣nite dissentions, and new diversities of opinions in Religion, and to conclude, very great calamities in all the Countries of the world, as many skilfull men in coelestiall matters suppose, gathering these things from the events which are to follow these forepast Conjunctions now rehearsed.

I shall hereunto adde some particular predictions out of the same Rantzovius, pag. 99. Friderici secundi imperatoris Astrologus ab eo interrogatus, cur tantum honoris Rudolpho, Haspurgensi Comiti pauperi in Aula sua tunc versanti, exhiberet, respondit, mortuis tuis filiis, quorum adhuc decem supersunt, ipse, & posteri ejus ad tua Regna pervenient, Author Albertus Argentinensis, quod exitus ipse probavit. Nam Anno Christi 1273. Calend. Octob. Rudolphus a Germanis prin∣cipibus Francofurti in Regem Romanum eligetur, cum Basiliam obside∣ret, & hodierno adhuc die videmus Rudolphi posteros Regnum Neopolita∣num & Ducatum Austriae, & Sueviae una cum Imperio & Regno Neopolita∣no obtinere. Modernus nam Imperator Rudolphus ab eo nomen & ditiones

haeditario jure accepit, & Philippus Hispaniae Rex ex eodem natus Regnum Siculum & Neoplitanum nactus est. That is, The Astro∣loger of the Emperour Frederick the second, being asked by him, why he showed so much respect to Rudolph the poor Earl of Habspurg, then frequenting his Court: To whom the A∣strologer answered. Thy Sonnes being dead, of whom ten are yet living, He and his Posterity shall attaine to thy Kingdoms; which the event proved, for in the yeer of Christ, 1273. the first of October, Rudolph besieging of Basill, was elected by the Princes of Germany at Frankeford to be King of the Romans; and to this day we see the posterity of Rudolph to enjoy the Kingdom of Naples, the Dukedoms of Austria and Suevia, to∣gether with the Empire and Kingdom of Naples: for the late Emperour Rudolphus, by hereditary right received from him, both his name, dominions and Empire, and Phillip King of Spain, proceeding from him, obtained the Kingdom of Scicily and Naples: This Frederick the second was elected 1212. he raigned 38. yeers, he dyed 1250. the Empire was void 22. yeers, though Conrade his Son, and Richard brother to Henry the third, King of England, who was Earl of Cornwall, were elected in the interim; and in the yeer 1273. this Rudolph was elected Emperour, and so continued seventeen yeers nine moneths and sixteen dayes; it being sixty yeeres before this prediction came to passe for ought I read to the con∣trary.

In pag. 97. in the same Rantzovius, thus I find; Magister Christianus Astrologus Pragensis, Ladislaum Jagellonem Regem Polo∣niae per Sacerdotem praemonuit, ut mortem sibi imminentem praecave∣ret, quod multi Planetae conjungerentur, & fieret Eclipsis Lunae sub Terra; mortuus autem nihil ominus est eo Anno, qui fuit Annus Do∣mini 1434. Anno Aetatis 49. That is, Master Christian an Astro∣loger of Prague, admonished Ladislaus Jagello King of Poland by his Priest, that he should beware of imminent death, for that many Planets were conjoyned this yeer, and there would be an eclipse of the Moon under the earth; notwithstanding that premonition he dyed that yeer of our Lord, which was 1434. in the 49. yeer of his age.

In the same page, the next adjoyning observation is thus, Jo∣annes Picus Mirandulae Comes, edidit Librum adversus Astrologos, hi (inter quos fuerunt Bellantius Senensis, Antonius Sirigatus Florenti∣nus, & Angelus de Catastivis Carmelita) ut Artem veram ostende∣rent, illum annum aetatis 33. non transgressurum predixerunt, ex dire∣ctione Ascendentis ad Martem, quemadmodum hinc inde editis constat: that is, Joannes Picus Earl of Mirandula, published a Book against Astrologers: These men (that is to say the Astrolo∣gers) amongst whom were Bellantius of Sena, Antonius Sirigatus a Florentine, and Angelus de Catastivis a Carmelite, that they might shew it [Astrology] to be a true Art, they foretold the said Picus that he should not escape the 33. yeer of his age, by rea∣son of the direction of the Ascendant to the body of Mars, as it appears in the writings published upon this occasion: I mention this the rather for that it is most appa••••nt these three men were Astrologers, and by Astrology foretold to this Picus the time of his death, who flattering himselfe with a false comfort, as if he could wrangle away Death by writing against Astrology, indeavouring to prove the Art vaine, his death concurring exactly with the time predicted, confirmed the same Art to be true, and more actually confu∣ted that which he had written against it, then if all the world besides had conspired to answer him.

I have rehearsed these things, and been the larger upon them (though I could shew above one thousand examples of rare observations Astrologicall,) and many of my owne ex∣periment) to cure that Episcopomania, or, An examination of Sir Christopher Heydons Defence of Astrology. For would any man, but a man not well in his wits T. V.B. of D. pub∣lish and Print, that the Astrologer foretelleth that is true, by the helpe of Satan; that Astrologicall predictions depend not upon naturall Causes; that Astrologicall predictions stand not by learning, but by some instinct; that Astrology con∣sidereth the fortunes onely of Fooles and wicked men; that the first Inventor of Astrology was the Divell; that the A∣strologer attaineth not to his intended end in a Prediction without the helpe of Magicke; with many other absurd

Tenents. I will tell you a story of himself, as he writes it in his Epistle Dedicatory, where he says thus; That those pre∣dictions doe not always fall out jump and true as they would bear us in hand, but that either the Devil doth misse some∣times, or that his Instrument doth mistake his informa∣tions; this I am able to justifie and make good by a plain sto∣ry of my self when I was a child, and went to School at Car∣leil, where I was born; there came an odde fellow about the Country, he was reputed a cunning man, and so called, for that he took upon him to tell fortunes; the fellow was dumb or at least faigned himself speechlesse; but certain it was, he had an instinct or familiarity with some Spirit: This fellow being on a time in my Fathers house, there were some there more simply honest then religiously wise, made signs unto him, to shew what should be my fortune, and another School-fellow's of mine that was then present: Whereupon this Wi∣zard having looked earnestly upon us both, and paused a lit∣tle; For my School-fellow, he takes me a low stool and gets up upon it, with a book in his hand, and began to act after his fashion, sign••••ying thereby that he should be a Preacher: And for me, he took a pen and a scrole of paper, and made is though he would write, signifying thereby, that I should be a Scrivener: Now so it fell out, that my School-fellow proved the Scrivener, and I prove the Preacher: By which it is plain to be seen, that either the Devil himself did misse, or his In∣strument was mistaken in his informations: Thus far he that proved a Preacher and Bishop would have been, if the dumb man could have spoken, he would have told him so; A dumb man and tell fortunes! Risum teneatis Amici!

What's all this to Astrology, or to Astrologicall predicti∣ons, or to any man professing Astrology, bounded within this definition? Astrologia est Doctrina, quae ostendit vires stellarum, cognitas perpetua experientia, & qualitates temperamenta, & inclina∣tiones in elementis & corporibus hominum, ortas a Luce, & motu stel∣larum, quibus qualitatibus, temperamentis & inclinationibus, respon∣dent suae quaedam Actiones, nisi aut Divinitus, aut aliis causis fortiori∣bus impediantur. For the more satisfaction in this matter,

I referre you to my Almanacke for the last yeere 1645.

I will only repeat what I mentioned in my Prognostication for the yeer 1643. (in some Astrologicall remembrances) and so close up this Discourse. In my Observations of the Re∣volution of the yeer 1640. amongst others, I observed that Belliger & iracundus Mars Anni hujus, Dominus, Vim irae & Rabiei passim Capricornistis, & toti ejus Quadrangulo tam Dirum in medium immittit, ut parum tranquilitatis illis remansurum sit, & quod malum maxime Conjunctio Martis & Saturni tribus vicibus hoc Anno in Aquario, Humano generi Hispalensis authoritate, igne & gladio ex∣asperabit, Rosea Jovis prosapia (that is, Archbishops, Bishops, Prelats, &c.) contentiones & multa nova percipiet, & collabentur desiderabilia ipsorum, & claudicabit sanitus eorum: I could wish T. V. B. of D. would English this to the Episcopals and their party that cannot understand more then English; and in the same Revolution of that yeer, having found Jupiter and Mars to have been in Conjunction the fift of March, in five degrees 34. minutes of Capricorn, where Jupiter is cadent, and at the Suns entrance into Aries that yeer, Mars was newly separated from Jupiter; I thought it a strange Conjunction, and that no doubt it would produce as strange matters concerning the per∣sons signified by Jupiter and Mars, or the Jovialists and Martial∣lists: Whereupon searching some of the Masters of Astrono∣my, I found in Guido Bonatus, his Astronomia, 4. part, cap. 34. these very words; Si fueris suspicatis utrum in Anno quem revoluit sint futura praelia, seu dissentiones & unde excitentur & a quibus; As∣pice illi rei secumdum modum quem tradiderunt nobis Antiqui, & spe∣cialiter ille reverendissimus predecessor noster Albnumazar, qui fuit in Revolutionum Annorum scientia, etiam in omnibus aliis partibus A∣stronomiae proficuus, & valde astutus & audax; Eriges enim tunc fi∣guram ad Revolutionem Anni. & constitue Ascendens & caeteras Domos, & Planetas omnes in Domibus in quibus fuerint, & aspicè Martem, & vide a quo ipse separetur, vel a quo sit tunc seperatus; Dixit enim Albumazar, quoniam ille est qui misit eum, & qui exita∣vit Bellum, quamvis fuerit fortuna ille a quo separatus fuerit Mars, etiam si fuerit Jupiter, tamen erit excitator Belli de personis, quae significantur per Jovem, & de potentioribus & possibile erit, quod

sit de genere Episcoporum & similium; Thus far Guido Bonasus: I am sure there was then such a Conjunction, and that then Mars was newly separated from Jupiter; there was then Bellum Episcopale; How at that time and since to this day, the effects have answered, let the world judge; and then fearing what since hath come to passe, in another place of that yeers obser∣vations, I made use of these words, Da pacem Domine in diebus nostris, S. B. (Samuel Baker, then one of the Bishops Chaplains and a Licenser) expunged all this, and defaced it with a De∣leatur; I wonder how they love truth or peace, that will not suffer us to speak of (praedict) or pray against War? was not there good ground of fears and jealousies? If we should re∣member the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon 1639. and since that time, and the great Configurations of the Planets, such as the Conjunction of the two Malignants, Saturn and Mars, three times in 1640. viz. in June, August and September, and the Quadrate of them in the end of December. 1641. and the beginning of January 1642. and thereto adde the Conjuncti∣on of Jupiter and Mars the middle of May; as likewise the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars again in the same yeer, the 27. of May, with other great Conjunctions and Aspects of the superior Bodies, and compare the times, occurrences; we may easily see God forewarns us of his judgments by his Heavenly Militia, what bloody murthers, treasons and trecheries, what unheard of cruelties have been acted in Ireland by the Rebels there, the powder-plotting-blood-thirsty Papists and their Adherents, persons popishly affected? was there not great cause of Fears and Jealousies? such a fire is kindled, that it is even come to our own doors, threatning us with unnaturall intestine wars: This and much more I mentioned in that yeers Almanack, and thereto I refer you.

I have but one note more to commend to the Irish, and I have it out of the above mentioned Rantzovius pag. 101 in these words; Richardus de rebus Hybernicis; attendendum est hoc loco, unum insigniter diem Hypernicis infestum & quasi fatalem illux∣isse: Limericum die Martis Brittanni expugnabunt die enim Martis Guesfurdia fuit dedita, die Martis Waterfurdia ab obsessoribus oc∣cupata

die Martis Dublinensis Civitas armis oppressa: that is, Richard (or Richardson) of the Affairs of Ireland; in this place [that is Ire∣land] it is to be observed or listned unto, one day hath appeared famously hurtfull, and as it were, fatall to the Irish; the Brit∣tains or Englishmen, expugned or won by assault Limerick upon a Tuesday; Weixford was yeelded up upon a Tuesday; Waterford was possessed by the Besiegers upon a Tuesday; and the City of Dublin was oppressed by war upon a Tuesday; I know not why a Tuesday, yea every Tuesday throughout the yeer should not be fatall to the Irish, for in this last Conjun∣ction, I have made this Discourse of; Mars (to whom Tuesday is appropriated, and therefore it is called Dies Martis) is most unfortunately placed: To every thing there is a time, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven, Eccless. 3.1. The Lord hath made all things for himself, yea even the wicked for the day of evil, Prov. 16.4. That which hath been, is now, and that which is to be, hath already been, and God requireth that which is past, Eccles. 3.15. But enough at this time.

Notes

• Spurina pre∣dicted the fa∣tall day to Ju∣lius Caesar the Ides of March