scrutinies pertaining thereunto Subsect 2. Of Eclipses 1. What an Eclipse is An Eclipse is a privation or want of light in an opacous or dark body which at some times is beheld or aspected by a luminous bodie and is therefore termed of the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eclipsis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod est deficere A wanting waining failing or obscuring And this accident for such it is hapneth most truly in the opake or dark bodies of the Earth and Moon yet more vulgarly and commonly and therefore more improperly believed of the Sun whereas it is impossible for a Luminous body and such is the Sun yea fons Lucis the fountain of light to suffer either a privation or obscuration as I have elsewhere demonstrated But to stoop to the most ordinary capacities let it pass for a truth that the Sun when the Earth is eclipsed 2. The Suns Eclipse how caused The Eclipse of the Sun is caused by the interposition of the opacous and dark body of the Moon between the Sun and our sight which for a season obscureth or hideth the light of the Sun from our sight Now this only falleth out at a new Moon or when the Sun and Moon are in Conjunction But you must know that it is not every time the Luminaries are in Conjunction that the Sun suffers an eclipse but when the Conjunction happens within the limits or ordinary boundaries of an Eclipse And they are chiefly these following First if the apparent latitude of the Moon at the time of the visible Conjunction exceed 34. min. 51. sec the Sun at that time cannot be Eclipsed Secondly when the mean motion of the Moons latitude at the middle time of the Conjunction of the Sun and Moon is distant from the North Node which the Greeks term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Caput Draconis less then 20 deg 40 min. or from the South Node which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Cauda Draconis less then 11 deg 22 min. then may the Sun be eclipsed at that Conjunction Thirdly if the apparent latitude of the Moon at the time of the visible Conjunction with her and the Sun be less then the sum of their Semidiameters then may the Sun be eclipsed or at the least we may be deprived of his light but if none of these happen at the time of the Conjunction you may be confident there can be no Eclipse Now Eclipses of the Sun are either total and without duration which happeneth when the Moon hath no apparent latitude at the time of the visible Conjunction or partial which happeneth three wayes 1. when the Diameter of the Sun is only darkned as when the apparent latitude of the Moon is equal to her apparent Semidiameter it will be 2. when there is more then his Semidiameter darkned as when the Moons apparent latitude is less then her apparent Semidiameter 3. and lastly when there is less then the Suns Semidiameter darkned as when the apparent latitude of the Moon is greater then her apparent Semidiameters 3. Of the Moons Eclipse how caused The Moon being as you heard before an Opacous and dark body having no light but what she receives from the Sun by the inteâ—poâ—ition of the vast â—ody of the earth between the Sun and her comes to suffer an Eclipse And this happeneth always at a Plenilunium or an opposition of the lights But you must know that her Eclipse or want of light is not always after one and the same manner as may appear by these following reasons First by reason of the inequality or difference of her latitude which in some Eclipses is nothing at all and then the Eclipse is greater and of longer continuance or duration Secondly when the latitude of the Moon is so great that she falleth but little within the shadow of the Earth and by consequence comes to suffer the smaller Eclipse You are to understand that as the Sun is not subject to an Eclipse every time he is in Conjunction of the Moon so the Moon is not capable of suffering a defect or want of light every time she is in opposition of the Sun But if you would know when the Moon shall suffer an Eclipse and when not observe these two rules First if the latitude of the full Moon be less then the sum of the Semidiameters of the Moon and the earths shadow the Moon may then suffer an Eclipse but if her latitude be greater she cannot at that full Moon be eclipsed Secondly if the middle place of the Moon shall be distant from either her North or South Node i. e. the Dragons Head or Tayl less then 15. d. 12. m. she may at that opposition suffer an eclipse But if her middle place be farther distant she can then suffer no Eclipse at all as being out of the limits and boundaries thereof 4. Of the portents of Eclipses falling in either of the Triplicities It is notoriously known that Eclipses of the Luminaries are of a sad import and tendency to mankind generally and this according to their quantity obscuration duration and part of Heaven they fall in An Eclipse of either Sun or Moon in the fiery Triplicity viz. ♈ ♌ â™ denotes the death or exile of some famous King ro Prince c. death of whole herds of Cattle great Wars burnings of Towns many Murthers Slaughters Thefts hot violent diseases strange â—pparitions in the air many abortions in women scarcity of Fruit or Grain grand mutations chiefly in those places subject to the sign wherein the defect happens An Eclipse of either Luminary in the airie Trigon is the Precursor of Famine and pestilential diseases fierce sicknesses high and stormy winds blowing down many Houses and buildings yea the very trees by the roots But if an Eclipse of either light happen in the earthy Triplicity viz. ♉ ♠♑ it is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or fore-runner of a great scarcity or wâ—nt of grain and all sorts of things that grow upon the Earth as herbs fruit c. and sometimes it presign fies Earthquakes An Eclipse of either of the Luminaries falling in the watry Triplicity viz. ♋ ♠♓ presageth a rot or consumption of the vulgar people many rumors and discontents great seditions and expectations of Wars destruction of water-fowl and death of Fishes great inundations and overflowing of the Sea-banks This for the signification of Eclipses in general More particular judgements follow 5. What is signified by the Suns suffering an Eclipse in any Decanate or face of the twelve Signs In ♈ Sol cum laborare visus fuerit in aliquo ex primis decem gradibus ♈ crebros armorum excercituum motus portendit continuasque expeditiones insultus bellorum cum tumultu plurimo Seditiones controversias intemperiem aeris ad siccitatem potissimum vergentis i. e. When thou shalt observe an Eclipse of the Sun to happen in the first ten degrees or decanate of the Ram it generally portends
rumors of Wars motions of armies continual expeditions seditions and controversies great intemperancie of the air and a most excessive drought In sequenti verò decano regis carcerem c. But if an Eclipse happen in the second face of ♈ it denotes the captivity or imprisonment of a King or great Person sometimes death but always great sorrow to him or them it bodes the destruction of fruit-trees and a rottenness and putrefaction of such things as grow on the earth by the means of which both men and beasts are afflicted In the last decanate of ♈ it 's the forerunner of lamentation and wo to most men and of the death of some woman of great note also the destruction of beasts and cattle of the smaller sort In ♉ In ♉ verò denario primo negotiatores affligit c. but if there happen an Eclipse in the first decade of ♉ it denotes misery and affliction to all Negotiators Agents and Sollicitors or such as are imployed in Publick affairs many will busie themselves in unnecessary employments and bring trouble to themselves thereby it also presages destruction to corn In the decade of ♉ an Eclipse fore-tels many difficulties and discommodities to Travellers many abortions to women it presages the production of Monsters or unnatural births In the third face of ♉ an Eclipse signifies both Plague and Famine a mortality among all sorts of great Beasts as Horses Cows Oxen. In ♊ In ♊ primis 10. Gradibus Sacerdotibus in quovis ordine sacris initiatis dissentionem c. An Eclipse falling in the first 10. degrees of ♊ prenotes dissentions strifes seditions and contentions among Clergie-men of all sorts and also among Merchants and Mechaniques great hatred and contempt of the Laws neglect of godly and praise-worthy exercises breach of Contracts and Covenants In the second decade of ♊ it denotes many murthers much robbing at land manay Piracies at Sea fruitless Treaties turbulent and scurrile Petitions the common people grate the ears of their Governors withal In the third face of ♊ it portends the death of some Emperour King or eminent person various losses and crosses to the republique great trouble in the management of civil affairs much infortunacy to all sorts of people both superiour and inferiour In ♋ In ♋ decem primis gradibus aerem perturbat c. An Eclipse in the first 10. degrees of ♋ denotes much trouble in the Air men will be inclineable to wars and controversies and apt to violate Leagues and Covenants and many religious deceipts will be put in practice In the second face of ♋ fountaines and rivers are dryed up there will be much incontinency knavery and circumvention practised among men and women In the third face of ♋ many seditions and diseases are threatned unto the inhabitants of those Countreys subject to ♋ small Pox Dropsie Morbus Gallicus pains in the stomach Consumption In ♌ In ♌ denario primo summi alicujus Principis mortem c. The ☉ eclipsed in the first 10. degrees of ♌ denotes the death of some famous Prince or great person Great scarcity of grain and of all things that grow on the Earth The ☉ eclipsed in the second decade imports great tribulation and sorrow Anxiety and trouble unto Kings and Noble personages In the third face of ♌ many Captivities besiegings of Towns and Castles robbings and plunderings a profanation of holy places and a destruction of Horses by murrain In â™ In â™ decano primo calamitosum regis alicujus exitum c. An Eclipse of ☉ in the first face of â™ shews much misery and sorrow if not death to some King or Prince A slaughter of men and a dearth of corn In the second face it denotes famine Plague thin crops of corn great droughts and many seditions among men In the third decanate of â™ it threatens misery to Mercurial men as Painters Poets Printers Stationers c. they will be driven to extream want It procuceth many murthers banishments c. stirs up harsh fancies in Satyrical Poets by writing which they will reap reproach In ♎ In 10. primis grad ♎ aerem corrumpit c. An Eclipse in the first 10. degrees of ♎ corrupts the Air whence a plague ensues it incites youth to much wantonness and vain delight provision will be dear But if the ☉ shall be obscured in the second face of ♎ it denotes the death of some eminent King or Noble-man sâ—irs up seditions trouble about Customes and Priviledges 't is also the fore-runner of famine If in the third decade of ♎ it stirs up high and wonderful controversies amongst the Nobility and much damage and detriment will befal them in their Estates by prodigality it portends the rooting out of an Ancient Family In â™ In â™ denario primo tumultus bellicos movet c. In the first decanate of â™ an Eclipse of ☉ stirs up wars and tumults captivities treasons murthers dissentions and many mischievous under-hand basenesses In the second face of â™ it presageth the destruction of some King or great person and declares him averse to Wars or Armies In the last decade of â™ it denotes the coming in of some stranger-tyrant and the odiousness of the present Governor by reason of his sloth and negligence In â™ In 10. primis â™ Gradibus seditiones inter Mortales manifestas ostendit c. prenotes dangerous seditions among men and that they shall be averse to all manner of accommodations or Treaties the Prince as well as the Peasant deeming and dreading deceits in those that they hap to deal with In the second face of â™ death and destruction of those Cattle that bray as the Hart Stag Buck Ass and of the bigger sorts of beasts that are useful for the support and nourishment of man In the third decade of â™ Horses shall be prejudiced and afflicted and Armies then on foot thereby the Nobility and Gentry much crossed and they most simply and foolishly undo themselves In ♑ In ♑ decano primo infoelices habet magnorum virorum casus An Eclipse in the first decanate of ♑ portends unhappy Chances and strange casualties to attend great persons and that some King or Person of eminencie shall flit and shift his place or habitation by reason of the revolting of Nobles and vulgar people also from him In the second ten degrees Souldiers will contend with or rebel against their Commanders Emperor or King but they shall not prosper It threatens a scarcity of grain and that many people shall die for want of bread In the third decade of ♑ an Eclipse prenotes famine great penury and want to the Husbandman bad Harvests Also the tumultuous motion of a King or great Person In â™’ In â™’ primis 10. grad An Eclipse of Sol in the first ten degrees of â™’ prenotes publick sorrow and mourning to Gentlemen or men of the highest rank In the second decanate of â™’ famine and an Earthquake Monopolies Robberies Rapines and which is worse such
things will be countenanced by men in power and authority In the third face of â™’ an Eclipse foretels the death of field-Cattle and most brutish creatures and many times great inundations In ♓ In ♓ decem primis gradibus fluvios exsicâ—at c. The ☉ eclipsed in the first ten degrees of ♓ denotes the drying up or draining of Rivers and that the Sea-Coasts shall be unfortunate and fishes driven far from the shore In the second face of Pisces an Eclipse is the designator of the death of some famous or excellent man destruction and waste of fish neer the Sea-Towns it also bodes an Earthquake and the questioning of some Church-man In the last decanate of ♓ cruelty sedition and much bitterness of spirit is threatned much inhumanity among Souldiers quarrels and controversies among Clergie-men and Lawyers Thus much for Eclipses of the ☉ in any decade of the twelve signs 6. What is portended by the Moons being eclipsed in any of the decanates of the Twelve Signs In ♈ In ♈ decem primis gradib obscurat Luna Febres futurus adium incendia combustiones nembrum ac aeris siccitatem ostendit The Moon suffering an Eclipse in any of the first ten degrees of ♈ prenotes that fevers shall be very rise and the burning of Houses and destruction of woods the Air will be hot and dry and many Cater-pillars and destructive vermine will then appear In the second face of ♈ it bodes a general pestilence or fatality in most diseases In the third decade of ♈ many abortions and dangers unto women great danger or death to many feminine persons of quality In ♉ In ♉ denario primo nece c. In the first decanate of ♉ the murrain or some pernicious disease reigns generally among Cattle In the second face of ♉ it presages the death of some eminent Queen a dearth of Corn and the barrenness of most things growing on the Earth In the third decade of ♉ then follows a plague among noxious creatures and all sorts of vermine In ♊ In ♊ decem primis gradib In the first ten degrees of ♊ it denotes the incursions and rapines of enemies fraudulent negotiations violent Petitions many missives much employment for Scribes and Secretaries In the second ten degrees of ♊ the sudden motion of Armies men are careful and solicitous both of private and publique affairs Judges will take care that justice be executed In the third decade of ♊ it foretels the death of some eminent and famous man and he haply to be famous for learning In ♋ In ♋ denario primo bellum omnino concitat In the first partition of ♋ mens minds are stir'd up and excited to War Treachery and Apostacy An Eclipse in the second decanate of ♋ prenotes bitter and sharp exactions intolerable assessments and burthens to afflict and oppress the commonalty also much harm at Sea In the last decanate of ♋ there succeeds many diseases to women and sudden and unexpected death to many of the ignobler and meaner sort of people In ♌ In ♌ decem primis gradibus In the first ten degrees of ♌ an Eclipse portends a sudden evil to befal some great King or Prince or the death of some eminent and Noble person In the second face of ♌ it presages the progress of a King and a strange Catastrophe in mundane affairs In the third face of ♌ an Eclipse portends much discontentedness in people generally and shews them to be given to novelties and desirous of new Laws c. In â™ In â™ decano primo aegrotationes regum inducit c. An Eclipse in the first face of â™ denotes grand sicknesses unto Kings and great persons many discords and dissentions universally raging among them In the second decade of â™ an Eclipse prenotes destructions and calamity to Counsellors Lawyers Solicitors Secretaries and the like But in the last face of â™ mankind is generally afflicted with many diseases there will be much scarcity of bread and a paucity of all sorts of grain In ♎ In decem ♎ primis gradibus In the first 10. degrees of ♎ many hail-storms are produced much ill weather turbulent winds violent Tempests c. In the second decade of ♎ an Eclipse presages much mischief to Catch-poles Informers Petty-foggers Trepanners and such like cattle and that they shall severely suffer for their knavery In the third face of ♎ it denotes the death of some noted and eminent person and that men pretending religion shall raise seditions in the Courts of Kings and Princes In â™ In â™ decem primis gradib horrenda tonitrua fulgura protendit c. An Eclipse of the Moon in the first decade of â™ threatens oftentimes terrible Thunders great Lightnings and Earthquakes And a multitude of destructive Creatures in the waters In the second face of â™ presages that sharp and hot feavers shall afflict men and that siccity shall destroy the Olives and infect the Air. In the third decanate of â™ it is the prodromus of many murthers and seditions and all manner of wretchedness will follow mankind will be generally oppressed with many obnoxions diseases In â™ In â™ 10 primis grad Latrocinia c. An Eclipse in the first 10. degrees of â™ denotes many thefts murthers rapines In the second decade of â™ many diseases will range among horses and mules c. And the Seas will be much troubled with Pyrates In the third face of â™ generally a Plague followes and very great evils afflict mankinde and Consumptions will raign among men In ♑ In ♑ decano primo suggillationes in homines movet c. An Eclipse of the Moon in the first decade of ♑ incites men to slander scandalize and asperse one the other and signifies that a great person or man of eminency shall come to an ill enâ— In the second face of ♑ souldiers will mutiny and make uproars and make incursions upon their neighbors Countries where they will thieve much and captivate many In the third decanate of ♑ the death of a King is to be feared and many conspiracies among the people and there will be many mutinies In â™’ In â™’ decem primis grad In the first 10. degrees of Aquarius an Eclipse presages that much perplexity shall happen to a King and that his health shall be very much impaired In the second decanate of â™’ an Eclipse plagues the poor country-man and hinders his seed-time and prejudices him much otherways In the last decade of â™’ an Eclipse declares a wonderful mutation in all affairs and many times a change for the better It also prenotes a relaxation from many former oppressions In ♓ denario primo Sacerdotibus aeditibus c. When an Eclipse shall happen in the first ten degrees of ♓ it is the fore-runner of much sorrow to all sorts of Clergy-men and Church Officers And the like In the second decanate of ♓ an Eclipse is the denoter of the death of some eminent person or persons In the third face
Resp That a Prodigie hath a Natural cause is resolved in the affirmative by most Meteoroligists and the greatest Students in Nature And the Learned Plutarch in the fifth Book of his Symposiaques Phâ—losophically concludes That it is our ignorance only of things that makes them seem to us both prodigious and miraculous whereas saith he were the true cause known or hunted out the wonder would quickly abate or seem less And that which before was deemed monstrous and miraculous would become very common if not contemptible Dubartas as Translated by J. Sylvester agrees it thus in fol. 15. He not deny but that a learned man May yeild some reason if he list to scan Of all that moves under Heav'ns hollow cope And the great Master of Reason himself concludes That such things which be strange may be derived both from Natural causes and also include God the chief and best cause of all things by whose admirable providence each thing is ordered and by whose unspeakable wisdom each particular is decreed Yea even in the course of Nature he both foresaw and appointed how things should happen although in respect of our weakness and want of skill the searching of them out be too abstruse and hard Lucretius puts so much weight in the scale to prove that Prodigies have a cause in Nature that he seems to neglect the first cause and endeavoureth with the strength of Reason and pregnancie of Rhetorick to perswade men to believe so or else to bring them within the verge of his check Caetera quae fieri in terris coeloque tuentur Mortales pavidis quam pendent mentibus saepe Efficiunt animos humileis formidine divûm 1.6 Depressosque premunt ad terram propterea quod Ignorantia causarum conferre deorum Cogit ad imperium res concedere regnum Quorum operum causas nulla ratione videre Possunt haec fieri divino Numine rentur c. Thus Englished by one Those Bug-bear Meteors which the Tim'rous eyes Of pavid Mortals wonder at i' th skies And those unfrequent Prodigies that appear On earth while their weak souls are fool'd by fear Are the sole charms that do Emasculate And cheat mens minds to a belief of Fate And some vindictive Numen for because Men understand not Natures Cryptick laws Nor ber occult Efficiency they flie To salve their ign'rance to divinity And idly rest in this whatere befal 'T was caus'd by providence that disposeth all Here although Lucretius be in some part excellently Philosophical and seemeth therein to agree with the learned Plutarch before cited yet is he somewhat defective in this that he goeth about to exalt the positive power of Nature or second causes above the superlative power of the Deity unto which if Nature be not concatenated and this in all its operations it most certainly becomes empty of all power to act Yet I will say again so far in favour of this eminent Author that it is below the courage and true spirit of a Philosopher or one acquainted with the secret wonders of Nature to startle at every uncouth I might have said not common 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Apparition in the Heavens An evil I must needs confess unto which the vulgar Pate and heart doth unnecessary obeisance too too often It is reported of Charls the Great that beholding that new Star which presaged and preceded his death he was very inquisitous and desirous to know what it portended one who writ his History Enigardus by name returns the words of the Prophet Jeremiah for answer Et à signis coelorum ne consternemini quia consternantur Gentes ab illis Cap. 10. v. 2. i. e. Fear not the signs of Heaven though the Heathen be afraid of such Unto which the prudent Emperour replies Nè quidem metuere ejusmodi signa sed signorum opâ—sicem causam i. e. That he did not indeed fear any signs of that Nature but the Maker or cause of those signs A lesson most worthy to be learned of every man as well Philosopher as Christian And it is most certainly true that second causes very seldom suffer any detriment or suspension either in their motions or actings by God which is the first and chief cause he never denying or suspending or with-drawing that Concurrence or Conjunction of himself with them without the which they presently cease to act but only upon especial designe to be a remembrancer to the world that Nature and the chain of second causes are not Autocratorical i. e. they do not perform what ordinarily they do perform independently and of themselves but that he is the Soveraign Lord of them and hath all their operations in his hand Vide Mr. Good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fol. 7. Dubartas illustrates it farther fol. 16. God the great God of Heaven sometimes delights From top to toe to alter Natures rites That his strange works to Nature contrary May be fore-runners of some misery The learned Dr. Fulke in his Book of Meteors resolves that Prodigies and Apparitions are the declarative signs and tokens of Gods Power and may be termed and looked upon as Miraculous but not so as they should want a Natural cause Nay the greatest Sons of Learning always accounted Nature nothing but the Art of God Thales Milesius one of the seven wise Greeks examining the sweet Harmony and Musical Symmetry and proportion of the Universe and observing how orderly and decently it is governed and conserved most wisely sets up his rest in this golden resolve that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is the Artifice or workmanship of God The excellently Learned Philosopher and Astronomer Hieronim Cardanus in his first Segment calls the Heavens or Nature the Instrument of God by which he worketh enforceth and effecteth every thing From all which we may clearly conclude that God doth nothing contrary to the order of second causes or the power of Nature but doth rather act Nature in an extraordinary way to shew that he hath by his over-ruling power a soveraignty sufficient to do what he pleaseth and is not tied to one way or manner of working When God sent a Star as the happy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of mans redemption from slavery before the coming of Christ it was a Star not miraculous but natural For had it been a Star miraculous how then should the Astrologers or wise-men have seen or come to the knowledge of it by the Science of the Stars True it is that this Star was acted in an extraordinary way and its motion might be miraculous it being moved for to declare the greatest of miracles Yet this proveth not but that the Star might be an ordinary Star though made use of in an extraordinary way I very well know that may great Clerks there are who contend it was a Star created on purpose for that so wonderful and miraculous work viz. The declaring of a Saviour to the world And one in a Rhetorical verse hath asserted as much Novâ coelum
Herodotus Cum Deus puniturus est gentem vel orbem prodigiis id solet prius significare i. e. When God intends to punish a Nation Countrey or City he is first wont to give them notice thereof by apparitions or Prodigies And this shall suffice for answer to the three Questions and for the first Section also viz. of some disquisitions touching Prodigies SECT II. Being a brief Catâ—l gue of the most remarkable Prodigies sâ—en and observed since the birth of Christ together with the effects that have succeeded them ABout the time that our Lord and Saviour was born which was in the year of the world 3849. and 43. year of the raign of Augustus Caesar many wonderful and remarkable Prodigies shewed themselves in the Heavens and this more frequently then in former years as Josephus in his Jewish Antiquities testifies Which unusual sights occasioned the Magi or wise men of those times in theiâ— predictions to conclude That some more then ordinary person would arise or appear in the world which presages some learned Persons applyed to Augustus Caesar who then raigned prosperously But the more divinely inspired interpreted them to signifie him who as the Prophet Isaiah saiâ—h should have his government upon his shoulders Even the Saviour of the whole world Now the Birth of Christ among Christians being accepted of as the most principal Epochae I adjudged it convenient to dig so far intâ— the golden Mines of Chronologie and History and hand unto the world a brief of all the Principal Prodigies and Apparitions since that time together with their effects which take as followeth An. Chri. Prodigies Their effects 5. Many Prodigious births in Germany Armies in the Air seen at Rome Tiberius obtains a victory against the Cauchi in Germany he subdues the Lumbards The Pannonii rebel A very great Famine in Rome 6. 10. A terrible Ecliâ—se of the Sun And Prodigious storms of rain and hail in Germany The Pannonian war is ended The second German war began Varus defeated and killeth himself The Illyrians subdued by Tiberius Ovid banished Româ— 12. In Cyprus a great Earthquake that overthrew many Cities Christ disputes with the Doctors A great and tâ—rrible Comet then seen Athenaeus slain by the fall of a House Antipater and Philip build Caesarea Philippi and Bethsaida in honour of Augustus Caligulâ— born Augustus granteth the Tribunes power to Tiberius 13. 15. The light of the ☉ was seen apparently to fâ—il The Heavens seemed to burn Fierâ— Beams fell from Heaven Bloody Comets seen Lightning sâ—â—â—kes out the first letter of Caesars Name Vitellius born Agrippa slain and Julia starved to death Germanicus overcometh the Bracteri and Arminius A counterfeit Agrippa raiseth Forces and cometh to Rome Is betrayed to Tiberius and executed Caesar dyeth Ovid dyeth 16. 17. The River Tyber overfloweth Rome Thirteen Cities destroyed with an Earthquake Noysome Flyes in great swarms and companies in Germany Guiderius in Britain refuses to pay Tribute Germanicus overcomes the Chatti and Cherusci and Angrivarii Drusus Tiberius Son rebels but is subdued by Camillus Piso corrupts Tiberius Army in Germany 18. 22. Blood rained in Rome Great flocks of Grashoppers Armies fighting in the Air seen in Poland and at Rome c. Pompey's Theatre burned Sejanus favourite to Tiberius is executed for aspiring his Son strangled his Daughter first deflowred by the Hangman then put to death Drusus is poysoned 23. 29. An Army of Souldiers seen in the Air at Rome Fiery Torches a blazing Star like a sword with many other wonderful Prodigies now seen in Germany The Arabians defeat Herod The City Tiberius drowned Tiberius turned Tyrant and in stead of being called Claudius Tiberius Nero Thâ—y named him Caldius Biberius Mero Otho is born 30. 34. A very great darkness in the day-time which continued from six a clock until nine and yet no Eclipse of the ☉ for it was at a full Moon Christ the Saviour of the world was crucified Agrippina wife to Germanicus starved to death by Tiberius Tacitus saith Tiberius caused now above a thousand to be slaine in Rome 39. A very great light seen in the Heavens and a voyce tancountred Saul going to Dama cus saying Saul Saul wâ—y persecutest thou me This Prodigie was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Pauls conversion Some would have this to have hapned in the 35 yeâ—r of P C. Caligula would be worshipped as a God commands it executeth divers Knights and Gentlemen 47. The Heavens seem wonderfully to burn A Comet of very great magnitude appeaâ—ed for many dayes together Lightning fell from Heâ—ven upon the standards of the Pretorian Souldiers Vespâ—sian goeth into Britain taketh the Isle of Wight The Romans overcome the Picts in Scotland Herod dyeth 20000 Jews slain between the Gates of the Temple Messalina foâ—câ—th Salvis to repudiate his wife marries her they both are slain 48. 50. A Phoenix seen in Egypt And an Island of thirty fuâ—longs in length aâ—peared in the S â— which was n ver before seen A very great Famine in Rome Vertidius banished by Claudius Vannius expelled his power Domitian born The whole Country of Trevers is wasted by Clodomore 57. 53. Three Suns appeared at one time in Rome And in and about the Coasts of England for certain dayes the Sea seemed as blood Claudius poysoned by Agrippina 3000 Romans defeated in Scotland Agrippa poysoneth Silanus he poysoneth Narcissus for 17 Millions of money and he also poysoneth Britannicus 54. 56. A Comet of a very great magnitude appeared for a long time together in Italy Nero begins his Acts of villany Cartismand Queen of the Brigantes rejects Venutius her Husband he wars against her The K. of Scots taketh her buryeth her alive 59. A terrible Eclipse of ☉ The Stars also were seen Nero's supper burned with Lightning An Earthquake at Rome ☉ eclipsed again and again viz. 3 times visible in 3 yeers Many Jews perish at Caesaria Nero commits Incest with his Mother The Britains slay 70000 of the Romans and Suetonius destroys 80000 of them as he comes from Anglesey Saint Mark writes his Gospel c. 60. 61. 63. A great Comet appears and lightning falls before Nero's Table A very great inundation in England Rome is fired by the meanes of Nero he rejoyces in that villany This yâ—ar the Jews rebâ—l and many of them are slain 64. 66. The Ocean seemed blood A prodigious accident at Colchester in England viz. the image of victory turned back An Earthquake in Asia A Comet appeared six months Another Comet and three Suns together Gessius Florus slain by the Jews Bodice aided by Corbred King of Scots killeth 70000 Romans Vespasian sent against the Jews The Romans take Jamnia and Lydo The Gadarens yeeld Nero attempteth to cut the Isthmus in Peloponnesus 67. 69. An Earthquake A strange bird of notable greatness seen at Rome A blazing star Two Eclipses of ☽ contrary to astronomical demonstration she appears black and bloody Armed men seen in the air Jerusalem taken by Titus
and many thousands slain Otho killeth himself Cerealis with Forces goeth into Germany The Samaritans invade Maesia Rotterdam in Holland built Dardanus tyrannizeth in Scotland and slaine by Corbred c. Cesennius Petus expelleth Antiochus 70. 71. 72. 76. Many strange and wonderful voyces heard in the Heavens A great blazing star or Comet this year viz 77. The Silures subdued by Julius Frontinus Hadrian born A very great Pestilence in Rome Alienus Marcellus conspire the death of Vespasian are executed for it 77. 78. This yeer there fell unto the ground three Cities with the force of an Earthquake in Cyprus Most part of Britain is subdued by Agricola he putteth Karanoth the King to flight and the Scots also Vespasian this yeer dyeth of a Flux 81. A terrible Comet now appeared The Tomb of Augustus the Emperour opened of it self Flames of fire issued out of the Hill Vesuvius Haldanus the Sweve restored to his Kingdom from which he was expelled Titus dieth Lynus a Bishop of Rome Martyred Domitian repudiateth his wife marryeth with the widow of Titus 82. 89. Blood rained in Germany Three Suns were seen at once in Poland and there hapned much lightning and thunder that consumed many brave buildings The Emperour sends two Armies against the Goths and they are both routed Philosophers and Mathematitians expelled Rome Britain reduced to a single Province and at the Emperour 's own dispose 90. 98. An Elm-tree saluted Appollonius Tyaneus and spake to him with a distinct voice The Sun is this year eclipsed And a great earthquake in Naples Cocceius Nerva dieth Two Saxon Kings rebel against Froto he overcometh them and maketh them his Tributaries S. John writeth his Epistles Rome and France fall at odds The third Persecution began 99. 107. A very great Earthquake in Asia Many prodigious sights in the air as fightings c. in the Elements seen and observed in Spain The French and Saxons plant Colonies in Germany The Saracens and Arabians subdued A Bishoâ— of Jerusalem crucified Babylon and Seleucia taken Nero's House is burnt 112. An Earthquake in Galatia At Rome Lightning from Heaven consumes the Temples of the Gods An Earthquake at Antioch Great Lightning and strange and unwonted winds Together with horrible noises in the Earth The Romanes reduce several places into Provinces Jews rebel in Egypt and kill 200000 men They force those which survive to eat the dead They slay 2â—0000 in Cyprus and at last are slain themselves The Chaldeans rebel Lucius sent against them he recovereth some Towns 114. 120. In 120. there hapned a great Earthquake in Nice And in the yeer 123. hapned another there Britains Scots and Picts rebel Christians put to death in Asia Britains reduced by Adrian Apollodorus slain by Hadrian 123. 134. This year there happened two very great Earthquakes in Palestina And Milk in a Prodigious manner was also rained at Rome Christians persecuted by the Jews The Jews rebel against the Romans Julius Severus goeth against them Armenia and Cappadocia are wasted by Pharosmanes 140. In 140. a great Earthquake happened at Rome A great fire also that destroyed 340 houses which were environed with water In 142. a Serpent seen in Arabia The Northern Britains rebel Lollius subdueth them L â—t instituted by Thelesphorus a Priest of Rome Mogalgus groweth odious to the Nobility of Scotland and at last they murther him 142. 152. Frogs rained at Constantinople And three Suns appeared there at the same time with a Star a Rainbow Polycarpus Martyr'd Aurelius Caesar seeing a wonderfull fire at Rome causeth the persecution to cease by an Edict from himself Hermogenes ran out of his wits and dyed 162. A very great Earthquake in Bithynia The Surges of the Mediterranean Sea in a calm elevated themselves to the top of a mountain far distant from it and cast the foam a great way upon the main land Britains repine at the Roman oppression and reb l Agricola subdueth them The fourth persecution began Vologesus King of the Parthians invades the Empire Verus goeth against him and hath good success Divers sects spring up this year and impede the progress of Religion 167. This year there was seen a wonderful fire in the Heavens which seemed to pass from the East unto the West French renew their Anâ—ient league with the Germans The Germans with an Army enter the Empire as far as Italie Pertinax is sent against them and repels them 170. Wolves howled hideously in Flocks neer Rome Crosses were seen to sweat with tears Rain mingled with fire falls from Heaven at Prema The Senate adjudge Cassius an enemy to the State and be is slain by the Souldiers In this year was great jarring among the Bishops and Church-men of most Nations concerning Religion 177. A great and Terrible Earthquake and many inundations at Rome This year there were many strange fires seen in the Air and some to fall thence The Marcomanni and Quadri rebel again The Emperours go against the Scythians and overthrow them Smyrna in Asia quite destroyed Antonius gives a great sum of Mony toward its repair 183. Great swarms of Locusts were seen to cover the ground and in many places to destroy Corn-Fields and Meadows A great Earthquake in Asia A Temple burnt in Alexandria The Britains war is ended by Marcellus The Scots and Picts go back again Daci rebels and is reduced to obedience by Albinus and Niger Scots of the Isles rebel Goths do much harm in Austria 187. The Stars were seen all the day long at Rome And some Apparitions hung streaming down in the very middle of the Air. Perennius and his Son executed for treason Apollonius being accused for a Christian is sentenced and executed Hunno of France wars with the Romans 190. At Rome there fell a wonderful Lightning from Heaven upon the Capitol and the fire increasing did burn the Library and all the houses neer it Cleander who possâ—ssed Perennius's place is excecuted to please the people 2000 die in a day of the Plague at Rome Commodus removeth the head from the Colossus and putteth one of his own upon it 192. Stars in the day time continually appeared All kinds of Creatures contrary to their Natures brought prodigious births this year Fire consumed the Temple of Peace The Temples of Peace and Vesta c. burnt at Rome Commodus groweth ridiculous and the people taking notice thereof he excecuted many of them Commodus is strangled by Martia his Concubine Pertinax is consul 87 days and slain by the Souldiers 194. A Characteristical Prodigie in the Heavens Flames of fire descended from heaven The Stars also appear very bright in the day time King of Scots slain by a Musitian for causing one of his kindred to be executed Severus goeth against Niger whom he beat three times and then slew him at Antioch-Herod besiegeth Byzantium 3 years together 195. There were seen at Rome three stars about the Sun very glorious An Eagle alighted on the Image of a souldier Bees wrought their Combs upon
against the French Egbert of Kent dieth Lothaire slain with a Dart. The Visi-Goths overcome the Gascoigns 687. A very great Comet at Christmas neer the Constellation which is called Virgiliae Mock-Suns seen in England Great controversie in Rome about a new Pope King of Scots slain by the Picts The Emperour defeateth the Sclavi Kenwin the west Saxon dieth 722. In Campania Wheat was rained from Heaven also Barley and Poulse in other parts of Italy Two Comets of great Magnitude were seen in this year The French recover many of their possessions They goe into Germany and subdue the Bavarians and Almans Italy began to chuse themselves several Dukes this year 735. In England a most prodigious Hail Fire seen to flame in the Heaven at Rome An inundation at Constantinople The French enter the Territories of the Goths and destroy their Castles The Lombards aide the French and expel the Romans from the siege of Bononia Pelagius dieâ—h 746. Oyl rained in Spain A Comet in the fashion of a Sword seen this year Crosses fell from heaven upon mens garments An Earthquake in Palestina Fire rainâ—d in many parts of France A Pestilence in Constantinople for three years which devoured so many that they wanted men to bury their dead Selred the East Saxon slain Emperour beats the Saracens at Cyprus The Huns General slain in Transylvania 761. In the month September this year there hapned a very great ecilpse of the Sun A blazing Star in the East for many days together Ethein of Scotland invadeth Northumberland and is slain A rebellion in Galloway The Bulgarians invade the Empire Dominico deposed by the Venetians for his tyranny his eyes put out 778. A great Eclipse of the Sun Armies of men seen in the Heavens at France It this year rained blood also Earth and ashes fell from Heaven at Rome Telerick the King of Bulgaria is expelled by his people Ethelred leaves England Alswald is murthered by Siga The Spaniard against the Moors they are aided by the French The Emperour slays 6000 men of the Saracens 794. The River overfloweth its Banks and doth much prejudice A very great Earthquake in Crete and Constantinople Alphonsus killeth 70000 of the Moors takâ—th Lisbon from them The Danes invade England but all of them almost perished The Armenian Legions rebel 808. The Sun and Moon this year eclipsed contrary to Nature Armies of men appear in the Heavens Mercury seen in the Sun like a black spot Blood rained in Holland The Moors expelled Barcinoâ— Th. Pâ—cts wast Scotland The Bulgarians kill 6000 Greeks and take Sardis The Danes subdue Frizia The Saracens disperse themselves into divers places under six Princes 820. A great and wonderful storm of rain fell that rotted all the Corn in the Fields and inundations that hindred the Countrey-mans sowing Fiery apparitions often seen in the Elements Emperour sends three Armies against the Hungarians A great Famine and Pestilence in France King of England slain by the East-Angles Asia is wasted Constantinople besieged Regner King of Denmark expelled 840. Sparks of fire like stars were seen to run up and down the Heavens A Comet appeared in ♈ A great Eclipse of the ☉ Swarms of Bees in Westchester in England The Saracens overcome by the Emperour Danes invade England and do much mischief there The Moors wast Italy and are expelled The Saracens take Amorium and many Captives Lothair wars with his Brethren and 100000 men slain  This year was prodigious for many Earthquakes Hayls and whirlwinds and many wonderful Thunders and Lightnings that happened in most parts of the world The people of Toledo and Corduba rebel The Scots overcome the English who aided the Picts The Danes enter the Thames with 250 ships They take Canterbury and London and expel the King 870. Great Hayl and Thunders and Lightning at Rome Lightning burnt a Church at Worms An Earthquake in England Danes expell'd Holland Saracens expell'd Ancona They war against the Persian The Danes land in Fife and challenge Pictland for their King 882. The Sun so much obscured that the Stars appeared in the sky in the day time An Earthquake in Normandy A blazing Star this year which was Vertical to Spain Britains invade Scotland Constantine their King is killed Saracens break into Italy and are expelled by the Emperour The Sclavi wast Austria and Bavaria Guido rebels and joyns with the Saracens against the Emperour 912. Four Rainbows seen at once in Scotland Fiery Torches seen in the Air. Many great Floods in Saxony A great Comet and stars were seen to run glittering to and fro in the heavens Vandals invade Greece and many Cities become their Tributaries Saracens take Calabria and many Cities in Italy The Emperour sickneth and dieth 't is thought for his losses to the Hungarian 928. Divers mock-suns seen in Italy and Spain A winter wonderful for the excess of cold Emperour subdues the Vandals and wasts their Countrey The Pope is imprisoned and strangled The Scots assist the Danes but are overcome 940. The Sun appears for certain days together as if it bled Three Comets for a fort-night together were vertical to Germany An Earthquake in France Gonsalvus poysoneth Sancho with an Apple The Russians in a malicious manner persecute the Christians The French King and the Emperour reconcil'd divers Conspirators against the Emperour executed 956. This year produced many strange Prodigies As that wonderful Hayl at Oxford in England Strange lightning killing many Priests in France Mighty Thunders and tempests c. Hungarians invade the Emperour are reconciled to him Bishop of Saltsburg calls 100000 Hungarians into Bavaria they are all slain there and the Emperours eyes pluckt out The Italians war with the Pope 968. Fire fals from Heaven A great Earthquake in France A Comet also appeared Crosses from Heaven fell upon mens Clothes Wonderful encrease of vermine as of Rats and Mice The Empress with Zimisces conspires the death of the Emperour Besda overcomes Leo Phocas who rebels in Asia and sendeth him and 100 of his confederates into Chios Donald murthereth the King of Scotland for refusing to pardon a Thief of his acquaintance 979. An Earthquake in Scotland Armies of fire seen a whole night together in the air This year also there was one born in Rome having two heads Harold King of Denmark is slain by an Arrow The Danes land in Scotland and waste divers places the Scots put them to flight They land in Kent and spoyl the Isle of Thanet 992. Fire rises out of a River saith my author and burns many places in Rhene In Spain three swords appeared in the Heavens like fire The Duke of Bavaria dieth The Danes invade England with a very great Fleet. The King of Denmark is slain by one of his servants 1002. In Lorraine a Fountain of water turned into perfect blood A Comet very horrible to behold casting out flames on every side The Danes being worsted at Oxford fly to Church and are there burnt Otho poyson'd with a pair of Gloves A
sort think them to be sublunary Meteors aâ—ising from the most subtile breathings or vapours but not so much inflamed as illustrated of the Sun There are some also who judge them to be made or generated de Novo in Heaven and of a Coelestial matterâ— and by degrees afterward they are corrupted And others there are that think them to be both generated and governed by the Angels and Intelligences But that opinion which seemeth most agreeable to reason and to the Nature of Comets is that they are ingendred of ignean and fiery vapours consisting of abundance of Viscous Clammy Sulphurous and compacted matter attracted or drawn from the earth Or to speak with Aristotle The matter of which Comets or blazing Stars consist is an exhalation hot and dry fâ—t and clammy attracted or drawn by vertue of the heavenly bodies into the highest Region or part of the Air and sometimes into the Starry Region where it is closely conglutinated into a great lump by reason of the constant and continued supply it hath from below so long as there is a working to exhale it and it being thus compacted and exhaled is set on fire in convenient time by the excessive heat of the place where it resteth It sometimes continues long in burning and sometimes but a little while according to the paucity or plenty of the matter whereof it consists And this may serve for the matter of Comets 3. of the Colour of Comets The colours of Comets are much to be noted in their significations and portents as the writings of the Antients testifie at large but their opinions hereof are several Some there are that hold that the colours of Comets are principally three viz. 1. If the matter of which they consist be rare and thin then are they transparent cleer and of colour white 2. If their substance be thick and â—iscous then is the colour ruddy looking like unto fire 3. If the matter or substance whereof they consist be very thick then the colour of them is like to burning of brimstone or of a blew appearance Astrologers generally hold that there are Comets of seven several colours according to the number and colour of the seven Planets viz. 1. Some Comets appear of a splendent yellow gold-colour and those are attributed to the Sun 2. There are those that be of a leaden pale ashy colouâ— and termed Saturnine 3. Those that appear very bright cleer and glorious are called Jovial Comets 4. But if they appear of colour red and rutilant they are termed Martial 5. Those Comets that are of a bright illustrious silver colour belong to the Planet Venus 6. When any of them appear of divers colours as azure red yellow blew green c. you may be confident they pertain to Mercury 7. If any Comet appear of a pale brightish white the Moon will own the colour And this may satisfie for the colour of Comets Astrologers judge of their effects as well by their colours as by their forms or figures or time of continuance as may appear at large by their writings unto which I refer the desirous Reader 4. Of their final cause Most Philosophers and Naturalists agree that Comets are the Embassaâ—ours or Agents of a highly offended Deity and the Denuntiators of misery to mankinde But this Opinion being too general they have furnished us with Reasons for a threefold end that is to be observed in the coming of Comets 1. Natural or Physical 2. Political 3. Theological First Comets are or may be sent for a Natural or Physical end that they may by their attractive strengths and vertues draw up the spirits breathings and pestiferous winds which are gathered together from Metallique liquors in the Earth into the air from the common seat and place of mankinde that thereby we may partake the less of their malice For saith one by being burnt out and consumed there they are the less able to hurt us then if they were below And if they should remain in the Earth as sometimes they do they would then rend and shake it or if they should remain in the neer neighbouring air they would infect or poyson us sooner then by their being above For if the air be infected when they are on high and a great way from us much more would it be infected should they be below and neer us Secondly They may be sent for a political end and in this respect they are taken for heralds or proclaimers of future calamities and miseries that men thereby being fore-warned may be fore-armed and provided either to shun the threatned disaster or mischief or else with patience and moderation endure the common and inevitable misery It is a most certain truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Never yet did any Comet appear but it was the messenger or declarer of some evil They are ordinarily the prenuntiators of the death of Princes Plague and Famine of the people which things in the body politick are as the bleeding a vein in the body natural also Wars Inundations Earthquakes and Tempests Thirdly in respect of their Theological end I agree with that learned Authour Dr. Swan that they are either a sign of calamity or else the efficient cause of them If a sign of calamity then their end is to be Monitors Instigators and admonishers to repentance But if they be the efficient cause of misery and calamity then are they sent as the instruments of punishing some such enormous malice and contumacy as would not be kept under or restrayned by any humane law or device whatsoever Most true it is That Comets and indeed all prodigies were always looked upon as the threatning eyes of divine vengeance or the tongue of an ireful and greatly offended Deity The learned Naturalist Pliny tells us that a Comet is a terrible Star for the most part and is not eâ—sily purged away by sacrifice c. And the eminently learned Meteorologist Fromundus lib. 1. cap. 3. after a large Discourse of this subject concludeth Cometem non esse Physicam causam calamitatum c. That a Comet is not a Physical cause of Calamities but rather a sign at the pleasure of God using the same to a natural end to terrifie and amend Mortals as he useth the Rainbow to signifie the Covenant â—â—â—e between him and mankinde And although Comets may be fortunate or â—â—â—m so unto some yet are they sent for this very end viz. to denounce more sorrowful things and to heap up the death of Princes and the calamities of the People And thus much for the end of Comets The Earth in vain did never gaze When Comets in the Skies do blaze Those that would judge of or be acquainted with the particular portents and significations of Comets may adhere to the writings of Astrologers where according to the place motion duration figure and colour of all Comets or blazing Stars they may meet with singular and experienced Aphorisms which will be conveniently assisting to all necessary and industrious