Forraign and domestick prophesies

To the READER.

REader, thou art here presented with many antient Prophesies; some of 11, and o∣thers of 1200 years antiquity: the rest ve∣ry antient; but for want of a Corrector sufficiently intelligent in the Brittish tongue, that part of the Book (viz. the Welsh) has not escaped the Press free from Errata's. The language these Prophesies were deli∣vered in is so very antient, that it differs much from what is now spoken; and upon that account I could not for the present (the Collector of these Prophe∣sies living very remote) procure any so intelligent in that Tongue, as to have warranted it free from Er∣rata's: but as the faults will easily appear to those that understand the Language, so they will (by them) as soon be corrected; and for those who only understand the English, they are to them of no con∣cernment: but if opportunity hereafter offer it self, and the complection of the time deserve it, those faults will not only be corrected (for a further satis∣faction to those who understand the Brittish tongue,) but some marginal Notes will be added for their more easie understanding: but I doubt not but they will meet with many Opposers, who oftentimes re∣sist the apparentest Truth with a sturdie defiance, be∣cause it makes not for their espoused interest; and those kinde of men reckon the most currentest Coyn

(where the very finger of heaven is perceptible) but as counterfeit, because it has not the Image of their Caesar imprest upon it; however, if thou wilt spend so much time as to look them over, thou wilt finde their Language strange, as to the late King and his Fa∣mily, his Highnesse and Posterity. What was then delivered by them, hath been ever since preserved and conveyed from age to age, and now brought to pub∣lick view: and though they seem great strangers to most men, by reason of their hoary hair, yet there are many Persons living (both of Honour and In∣tegrity) who have converst with them in antient ma∣nuscripts many years before the breaking out of the late Warrs, besides many Out-landish Authors for many hundred of years past, made use of their names and prophesies upon several occasions; but it's true, many foreign antient Writers judged Taliesin rather a Magician then an Angel, (as the antient Brittains termed him) in regard of those wonderfull things which he did, when he lived amongst them 1200 years since; and forasmuch as no account could be given of his exstraction and Genealogie. But my purpose is not to Apologize for him in either respects, but leave him to be judged by them that reade him; on∣ly I thought good to acquaint thee, That the passage concerning the original and descent of the late King, made use of in these Prophesies, thou shalt finde at large in Holingsheds History of Scotland, pag. 246. This I thought good to mention, least the Reader be possest with prejudice against the Collector of these Prophesies, who quotes that passage out of Powels Chronicle, which is very rare or not to be had. Vale.