SO often as there hath been at any time sene eclipses of the Sōne or the Moone, either any Comette, or bla­syng Starre in any parte of the Heauen: Those that are Christians, haue forthwith been taught by Christe hymself to lifte vp their heades, Luke. 21.28. knowyng that their redem­ption draweth nigh (that is to saie) Chri­stians are admonished thereby, that the daie of Iudgement is at hande: When thei shall see the Sonne of manne commyng in the Cloudes with power and greate glorie, to iudge the quicke and the deade, and to giue to euery man accordyng to his deedes, that thei haue doen in their bodies, be thei good or euill. 2. Pet. 3.10. Whose comming shalbe (as Peter saith) as a theefe in the night: In the which daie, the Heauen shall passe awaie with a noyce, and the Elementes shall melte with heate, and the yearth with the workes that are therein shall bee burnt vp (whiche is as muche to saie) that all the worlde shall bee consumed, accordyng to the saiyng of our [Page] Sauiour Christe: Math. 24.35. Heauen and yearth shall passe awaie, but my wordes shall not passe awaie. Arist. lib. de caelo. & lib. 8. Phis. Yet notwithstandyng I am not ig­norant, how that Aristotle the Prince of all those Philosophers (whiche the Latinistes doe call (Peripatetici) doth labour very ear­nestly to proue that the worlde is eternall: meanyng thereby that it hath no beginning neither shall it haue any endyng. Of this o­pinion is Galenus also (that moste experte Phisition of Pergamus a citie of Asia) who liued in those daies that Marcus and Com­modus were Emperors, Galenus. and dreamyng al­so of the perpetuitie and continuance of the worlde, saith after this maner: Sēper ita ste­tit, sic igitur perdurabit. Moreouer Mani­lius writeth thus: Manilius. Non alium videre patres, alumne ne potes aspicient? (that is to say) our Fathers haue seene no other worlde, and shall our Nephewes see any other? &c. Moreouer you shall vnderstande, that a­mong the Latinistes, Plinie. Plinie doth also main­taine this opinion, affirming Mundum esse aeternum, immensum, neque genitum, ne­que interiturum vnquam. Auerrois. lib. 1. de caelo. And in like ma­ner, Auerrois a follower and imitator of A­ristotle, [Page] doeth tread so right in his Maisters steppes, that in his firste booke De caelo, Idem super. 8. Phis. Arist. he disputeth earnestly against those, who doe acknowledge that the worlde was created &c. Declaryng also the same thyng in his Commentaries, where he doeth expounde and defende the argument of his Maister Aristotle concerning the eternitie, and per­petuitie of the worlde.

I am not vnmindfull also of those wor­des whiche Peter doeth alledge in the per­son of the vngodly and wicked worldlinges, 2. Pet. 3.4. saiyng: Where is the promise of his com­myng? For since the fathers dyed, all thin­ges continue alike from the beginnyng of the creation. But ye shall vnderstande, that all these prophane and wicked reasons, and Heathnishe and vnfruitfull questions, shall bee confuted orderly God willyng in their places, by the authoritie of the holy Scrip­tures.

Knowe ye therefore first deare Christi­ans, that almightie GOD hym self doeth teache vs, by his holie Prophettes and A­postles: but moste specially by his onely be­gotten Soonne ( Hebr. [...].2. whom he hath made heire [Page] of all thinges) that the worlde was created of nothyng, and shall returne into nothyng againe. And therefore wee must not onely beleeue it, Read. Gene. 14.19. cap. 20.11. cap. 31.17 but also defende the same to bee so, as he hath vndoubtedly spoken it.

And to the ende that out of many testi­monies, a fewe maie bee recited, the Pro­phet Moises beyng a liuely witnesse of this matter, hath described the woorke of the creation of the worlde after this maner, sai­yng: Nehem. 9.6. Iob. 2.9. Gene. 1.1. In the beginnyng GOD created the heauen and the yearth, &c. The Prophetes also followyng Moises, & maintainyng the same truth: doe affirme God to be the crea­tor of heauen and yearth Especially Dauid saiyng. Psal. 89.11. The heauens are thyne, the earth also is thyne, thou hast laied the foundation of the worlde, and all that therein is. Thou haste created the North and the South &c. And againe: Psal. 102.25. Thou hast aforetyme laied the foundation of the yearth, And the heauens are the worke of thy handes. Thei shall pe­rishe, Reade more of this. Psal. 115.16. Psal. 135.6. but thou shalt endure, euen thei shall all waxe olde as doeth a garment, and as a vesture thou shalte chaunge them, and thei shalbe chaunged, but thou art the same, and [Page] thy yeres shall not faile, &c.

And as the Prophetes haue made men­tion of the creation of the worlde, Iere. 27.5. and cap. 32.17. Amos. 4.13. Esay. 43.5. ca [...] 45.12. Zacharie. 12 Actes. 4.24. cap. 24.15. Apoc. 10.6.8. Gene. 7. vers [...] 19.20.21.22. [...] 24. Luke. 17.26. so haue thei made rehersall of the consummation of the same. Especially Moises in the deluge (or the vniuersall floode) doeth verie nota­blie describe vnto vs, the type or figure of the consummation of the world. And there­fore our Sauiour Christe, alludyng vnto the same generall destruction by his Euan­gelist Luke saieth. That as it was in the daies of Noe, so shall it bee in the daies of the Sonne of man. The eate, thei dranke, the married wiues, and gaue in marriage, vnto the daie that Noe went into the Arke. And the flood came and destroied them all: Likewise also as it was in the daies of Lot, thei eate, thei dranke, thei bought, thei sold, thei planted, thei builte. But in the daie that Lot went out of Sodome, it rained fire and Brimstone from heauen, and destroied thē all. After these ensamples shall it bee in the daie when the Sonne of man shalbe reuea­led, &c. And therefore Christ saieth, that the haruest is thende of the worlde. Math. 13.39 Cap. 28 20. And in like maner: Beholde I am with you alwaie vn­till [Page] the ende of the worlde. Rom. 8.21.22. 1. Cor. 10.11. Reade more Rom. 8.21.22. &c. And againe. All these thynges were written to admonishe vs, vp­pon whō the endes of the worlde are come.

Apoc. 21.1. 2. Pet. 3.13.Out of all these testimonies, whiche I haue hetherto alledged (that in the meane season I maie omitte that, whiche is writ­ten of a newe heauen, and a newe yearth, this maie be concluded. viz. That whatsoe­uer God by his holie Prophetes and sainc­tes, hath reuealed vnto the worlde, must of necessitie bee iuste and true: But he hath taught vs (by their Ministerie) that the worlde was not onely created by God, but also shall hee consumed by hym: Therefore wee must beleeue that the worlde had a be­ginnyng, and shall haue an endyng. But that I maie omitte many other reasons, Aug. in 28. quest. in vet. Testam. that I could alledge for the maintenaunce of the same thyng. I will onely alledge the argumētes that Augustine vseth in his 28 question of the newe Testamente, whose woordes are these (to the vtter confutation of all those that doe affirme, that the worlde is eternall.)

The wordes of S. August. Res aeterna diuersitatem abhorret, cum [Page] sit nec tactu, nec visu capienda. &c. (That is to saie) That thyng whiche is euerla­styng, doeth abhorre all cōtrarietie, because it can neither bee felt, nor sene (seeyng that it is without a bodie.) But the worlde is subiect to passiōs, because that water doeth striue against fire, and fire (if it doe aboūde) dooeth ouercome the water. And for as muche as the yearth is colde and drie, and maie bee burned, because it is Res copora­lis: therefore it is a foule absurditte to af­firme, that the worlde is eternall. &c.

But lettyng these thinges passe, it shall manifestly be proued that this worlde shall perishe and passe awaie, if wee doe but con­sider the partes whereof it doeth consist, for doe we not see the yearth to be changed and corrupted? Sometymes by the inundation of waters? Sometymes by fiers? And by the heate of the Sunne? And doe we not sée that some partes of the same doe waxe old, and weare awaie euen for verie age? Doe wee not in some places also read, that moū ­taines haue falne doune, by reason of earth quakes? And Rockes haue been cracked, and broken so in peeces, that by the meanes [Page] thereof, certaine Riuers haue been (as it were dronke vp, or els, haue had recourse an other waie? Also haue ye not read, that the seas haue rebounded backe, & ouerwhelmed whole Cities, and vtterly drouned whole Prouinces? And what are these strange al­terations els, but euident argumentes that the worlde shall one daie haue an ende?

Naie I dooe saie moreouer, that if wee will giue credite to the Mathematiques, y ^t constitution of the celestiall worlde, is not thesame that it hath been in tymes paste, for so muche as the Sunne, is not so farre distant from vs now, as it hath been here­tofore. So that some dooe affirme, that the distance betwéene the Sonne and the earth (whiche is the centre of the worlde) is lesse now, by the fourth part almost, then it was in the tyme whē Ptolomeus liued. Where hence thei dooe coniecture and gather, that the Sūne (at this daie) is nerer vnto vs by 9976. German miles then it was before.

Wherefore, if there be so greate altera­tion in the superior worlde, what shall wee saie of the inferiour? Let this therefore be a forcible argument to proue, that the world [Page] shall haue an ende: for so muche as it doeth waxe old, and euery part thereof doeth feele some debilitie and weakenesse. For there is lesse vertue in Plantes & hearbes then euer was before: And more feeble strength in e­uery liuing creature then euer was before. And lesse age in men then euer was before. It remaineth therefore (of necessitie) that shortly there shall be an ende and consūma­tion of the worlde, because it is (as it were) subiecte to olde age, and therefore feeble in euery parte.

But it is not sufficient for me to affirme that there shalbee an ende, but I must also proue the maner of the ende of the worlde, whiche shall bee by fire: accordyng as it is written 2. Peter. 3.7. 1. Cor. 7.31. The heauens and the earth whiche are now, are kepte by the same worde in store, and reserued vnto fire against the day of Iudgemēt, and of the de­struction of vngodlie men. But if ye doe de­maunde of me, how the heauen that now is and the yerth shalbe burned with fire? The aunswere is easily made that it shalbee Se­cundū formam, non secundū essentiā. (As the Philosophers and the Diuines dooe af­firme. [Page] Accordyng to the saiyng of Paule. Praeterit sigura huius mundi. 1. Cor. 7.31. Whereunto I might adde the Iudgement of Heathen writers, whiche shalbee verie profitable to be considered of those that are conuersant in the readyng of Ouide. Ouid. lib. 1. metamorp. lib. 1. Metamorpho. where (speakyng of Iupiter) he saith thus.

Of the same thyng reade Lucane also lib. i. Who dooeth as it were appoint a certaine hower, wherein all the worlde shalbee con­sumed and brought to nothyng, saiyng:

Astra petent &c. Wherunto I doe referre that whiche Peter doeth set doune vnto vs, saiyng: 2. Pet. 3.20. The heauens shal passe awaie with a noise, and the Elementes shall melt with heate, and the yearth with the workes that are therein, shalbe burnt vp by sire (as hath bin before declared.) Vbi figura mūdi prae­terit non natura. For whiche cause the ma­ster [Page] of the Sentences dooeth affirme, Magister sen­tentia. lib. 4. dist. 47. that the qualities of the corruptible elementes, whiche were somtymes agreable vnto our corruptible bodies, should bee burnt vp vt­terlie in the generall consummation. And the substance of those Elementes shall haue thesame qualities, whiche through a mar­uelous mutation, shall agree with immor­tall bodies. This sentence was borowed out of Augustine lib. xx. cap. xvj. de ciuitate Dei. August. lib. 20 cap. 16. de ci­uitate dei. And seeyng that wee haue proceaded thus farre, I thinke it not to bee muche a­misse for me, to speake somwhat of the time when this daie of Doome, or generall con­summation of the worlde shalbe.

Knowe ye therefore, that the Mathema­tiques dooe dreame of a greate yere, after the whiche all the Starres shall retourne, Ad sua principia. And then thei saie, that the ende of the worlde should immediatly fol­lowe. And their opinion is, that heauen and yearth shalbe burned, when all the Starres whiche doe now obserue, diuers and sonde­rie courses, shall mete together in the signe Cancer. Euen as Berosus that Chaldaean Astronomer dooeth affirme, that the firste [Page] age (in the daies of Noe) was drouned, when all the Starres had their concurse and meetyng together, in the signe called Capricornus.

Naie there haue been some in this our age, that haue gone about to appoint a cer­taine yere, when this daie should bee. (As Hosiander and Stiphelius did) but thei wer deceiued, Hosiander Stiphelius. by the erronious spirite of the A­nabaptistes, inspired into them by Sathan, who is altogether delighted in lyes, & erro­nious opiniōs thereby (if it were possible) entendyng to deceiue all those, that thurste after the simple truthe, whiche is onely founde in the sacred Scriptures, wherein there is no mention made at all of the dura­tion, or the continuaunce of the worlde.

I knowe also that there bee certaine, whiche doe deuide the worlde into sixe ages The firste from Adam vnto Noe. The se­cond from Noe vnto Abraham: The third from Abraham vnto Dauid: The fowreth from Dauid vnto the transmigration into Babilon: The fifte from the transmigratiō vnto Christ. And the sixt and laste from the Incarnation of Christ vnto the ende of the [Page] worlde. Wherefore thei alledge, that seyng that age wherein now wee liue, is the laste age, it maie be verie fitly called aetas decre­pita, a crooked age. Seyng that the Euan­gelist Ihon doeth terme it the laste howre, 1. Ihon. 1.18. but yet neuerthelesse, how long that age (or howre) shall endure, is kept frō the know­ledge of all men.

I am not ignoraunt, yet notwithstan­dyng, how some (beeyng moued thereunto through certaine weake and feeble coniec­tures) haue (as it were) appointed out the time of the daie of Iudgement, and ende of the worlde: Bringyng forthe the Oracle of Elias, whiche thei borowe from the tra­dition of the Hebrewes, whereunto many doe giue verie greate credite. And these fel­lowes dooe affirme: That the worlde shall endure 6000. yeres: and thei dooe also de­uide those yeres after this maner. Affir­myng that 2000. yeres, should bee consu­med, before the tyme that almightie God gaue the lawe to Moises, & to the rest of the children of Israell. Thei acknowledge also that the other twoo thousande yeres should be spent vnder the tyme of the Lawe. And [Page] the laste 2000. yeres should bee expired in the Kyngdome of Christe. And thei adde moreouer that these twoo laste 2000. ye­res, shall not be fullie finished, the synnes of the worlde, should be so abundantly encrea­sed, and should appeare so abhominable in the sight of God.

I can not forget but that there are other some also, who haue faigned, that the world shall endure sixe daies, euen as it was crea­ted in sixe daies. But for so long tyme as it shall endure, thei dooe giue to euery daie a thousande yeres (whiche commeth all to one rekonyng as before). As though the Prophet Dauid would haue it to be so? Psal. 90.4. whē he saieth: for a thousande yeres in thy sight, are as yesterdaie when it is paste, &c.

Other some also are founde, who dooe thinke that the misticall bodie of Christe (that is to saie his Churche) shall liue the space of 33. yeres vpon the yearth, because Christe hymself liued so long in the worlde after he had taken his humaine bodie of the Virgine Marie: but thei doe adde to euery yere fiftie lackyng one, to make the yeres of Iubelaei. But all these thinges are but the [Page] foolishe inuentions, and dreames of mortall men. And (without all doubt) it is a misera­ble, and moste lamentable case, that we ha­uyng so many plaine, and manifest, and cō ­fortable testimonies in the holie Scriptu­res, concernyng Faithe, Hope, and Chari­tie, and other Godlie and Christian offices and dueties: wherein there is no obscuritie or darknesse at all, that wee doe altogether neglecte I saie, and despise them as mat­ters not worthie the talkyng of, and with so greate diligence and paines (I will not saie superstition) wil seme to prosecute and busie our heades aboute suche vnfruitfull questions, as are no whit appertainyng to our Saluation. But suche is the wretched­nesse, and curiositie of our age and tyme. That as the Apostle saieth: 1. Tim. 6.4. Euery man is puffed, albeeit he knowe nothyng in deede at all, but doteth about questions and strife of woordes, whereof commeth enuie, strife railynges, euill surmisynges, vaine dispu­tations of men endewed with corrupt min­des, and destitute of the truthe, &c. Let vs therefore aunswere this question (concer­nyng the time when the worlde shalbe con­sumed) [Page] with Augustine, and conclude after this maner (viz) that this is altogether a vaine, friuolous, and vnfuitfull question. For if it were conuenient, and meete for vs to knowe the tyme, who might more bet­ter enstructe vs in this poincte, then our Sauiour Christe hymself? who made aun­swere vnto his Disciples (when thei vsed this question in his presence, saiyng vnto hym. Actes. 1.6. Lorde wilt thou at this tyme restore the kyngdome to Israell? And he saied vn­to them: It is not for you to knowe the ty­mes or the seasons, whiche the Father hath put in his owne power, &c.

This aunswere whiche thei did receiue of Christe, a man would thinke would suf­fice any Christian, seyng Christe his owne Disciples, did neither enquire of the houre, the daie, or the yere, but simplie proposed their question of the tyme, vnto whō Christ made an excellent aunswere, as is afore de­clared. Agreeable vnto whiche place is the testimonie of Christ Iesus hymself, saiyng Of that daie and of that howre knoweth no man, Math. 24.36. Math. 13.32. no not the Angels that are in heauen, (neither yet the sonne of man) but the Fa­ther [Page] onely. And again Paule saieth. 1. Thess. 5.1. Of the tymes and seasons brethrē I haue no néede that I doe write vnto you: for you your sel­ues knowe perfectly, that the daie of the Lorde shall come euen as a Theefe in the night. For when thei shall saie peace and saffetie, then shall come vpon them sodaine destruction: as the trauaile vpon a woman with child, and thei shall not escape. But ye brethren are not in darknesse, that that daie should come vpon you as it were a Theef. Ye are all the children of light, and the chil­dren of the daie, wee are not of the night, neither of the darkenesse. Therefore let vs not sleepe, as others doe, but let vs watche and be sober, &c. For it is in vaine for vs to goe aboute to make a computation of those yeres, whiche are remainyng in this world or to appoincte the daie, or howre, yere, or tyme when it shalbe consumed? Seeyng it is not our partes and duties to knowe, and searche these thinges: as we haue heard out of the mouthe of the truthe hymself Christe Iesus. Wherefore albeeit the Deuill our cōmon aduersarie, doeth labour by all mea­nes to fill our heades, with infinite and vn­profitable [Page] questions (settyng a side all suche as are necessarie for our saluatiō) yet let vs that are Christians, prepare our selues to watchfulnesse, and Christian meditation and praiers: so often as we dooe heare any mētion of the daie of Iudgement, for feare least when Christe our Maister commeth, he finde vs sleepyng, &c.

Let vs therefore staie, and rest our sel­ues here, not seekyng curiously into the se­cretes of almightie God, againste his Di­uine will and pleasure. And yet notwith­standyng, to the ende we maie bee perswa­ded of the certaintie therof, and of Christes godlie care and brotherlie loue and affectiō, shewed towardes vs: He hath lefte behynde hym some thyng in the woorde of GOD, concernyng this matter, whiche is necessa­rie for our comforte, and enstruction.

Math. 24.22.First, that those daies shalbe shortened for the electes sake. Whereby he doeth giue vs to vnderstande, that the nomber of those yeres shall not bee accomplished, and fulfil­led, whiche otherwise were appoincted, vn­till the consummation of the worlde.

Secondly thesame Christe, hath added, [Page] thus muche for our learnyng, that seyng it is not expedient for vs, to knowe the tyme of the consummation of the worlde: yet not­withstanding, there should appeare certain signes and tokens of thesame, by the course whereof we maie easily coniecture of the e­uentes followyng. Whereby our Sauiour Christe hath declared, not onely his singu­ler loue whiche he beareth towards vs: but also sheweth how muche he dooeth tender our saluation, in that he doeth sende signes and tokens, in heauen and in Earth, as the forerunners of his seconde commyng vnto Iudgemente. Whereof some are partly knowne of vs, because thei are familier vn­to our sences: and some of them also are vn­wonted and strange, so that we maie true­ly saie, that it pleaseth almightie God, by suche monsters of Nature, to admonishe vs of our dueties, and obedience, whiche wee owe vnto his diuine Maiestie. For as whē we see the body of man (whiche is the prison of the soule) to be subiecte to many infirmi­ties: As namely, when we sée the haire of a mannes head, to beginne to shed and fall a­waie, or els to waxe white: the eyes to wax [Page] bleared, and dimme of sight: The stomack to bee weake, and vnapte to digestion: the eares to be deffe, the tongue to falter: The knées to be ready to bowe vnder a manne: and all the members and partes of manne, to bee féeble and brought into subiection (as it were) through Biles, and Vlcers, and o­ther diseases whatsoeuer, that are incidēt to the Nature of man: and at the present sight thereof wee can saie, that those signes dooe presage, that death is imminent, and not farre of from that man: And in like maner, as whē we se the tiles of any edifice or buiding to bée broken, the walles to beginne to tot­ter, the roffe to bée ready to fall doune, the postes and principall timber to beginne to shrinke out of their iointes, the foundation to be rotten, &c. Forthwith we can saie that thesame house, is ready to decaie and come to vtter ruine, for lacke of a good tenaunt, or Landlorde that should kéepe the same in due reparation: Euen so can not we chuse, but confesse, that all these late horrible, and monsterous monsters of Nature (I speake as well of men, as of bruite beastes) whiche are daiely seen in this our age: Besides the [Page] manifolde straunge tokens, and vnwonted signes, whiche are oftentymes euidently seene in the Sonne, and in the Moone, and in the Starres, and in all the hoste of Hea­uen: Are (as you would saie) the Vlcers, and Biles, naie I maie saie plainlie, the blaines of the whole worlde: and doe verie notablie prognosticate, and foreshewe vnto vs, the vniuersall dissolution, and destruc­tion of the same.

No lesse then the Starre that stoode o­uer Hierusalem like vnto a Sworde, (and also the straunge Comet whiche endured for the space of a whole yere: the Deuill in the figure and shape of a man: An armie of souldiours seene in the cloudes, marchyng about the citie, with a nomber of horsemen and chariotts: with this voice y ^t was heard in the Temple, saiyng: Lett vs goe hence. Besides other euidēt and vgly shapes, &c.) did foreshewe and Prognosticate vnto the Iewes, the destruction that should come vpon the Citie of Hierusalem, and the In­habitauntes thereof. Who contemned not onely these demōstrations of their destruc­tiō (that was imminent): but also like blind [Page] and sencelesse beastes, would not giue cre­dite vnto those wordes, whiche Christ hym self, (while he was conuersant in the earth) did vtter against Hierusalem. Who when he was come nere vnto it, Luke. 19.41. he behelde it, and wept for it, saiyng: O if thou haddest, euen knowne at the leaste in this thy daie, those thinges which belong vnto thy peace. But now are thei hid frō thine eyes, for the daies shall come vpon thee, that thyne enemies shall caste a trenche aboute thee: and com­passe thee rounde, and kéepe thee in on eue­ry side: And shall make thee euen with the ground, and the children whiche are in thée: and thei shall not leaue in thee, a stone vpon a stone, because thou knewest not the sea­son of thy visitation.

All whiche thynges came to passe four­tie yeres iuste after the passion of Christe, Anno dn̄i 73. who, in his life tyme, (through his Diuine power) foresawe those thinges, should hap­pen whiche he foreshewed, in that Prophe­cie. And with weepyng teares, (as the E­uangelist Luke doeth witnesse) he bewai­led their greeuous miserie. Iosephus lib. 6. cap. 11. de bello Iudaico And therefore, our Sauiour Christ, did not without iuste [Page] cause vpbraide the Iewes, for their impeni­tencie, and hardnesse of harte, and vnbelefe when he saieth vnto them: O Hierusalem, Math. 23.37. Hierusalem, whiche killest the Prophetes, and stonest them whiche are sent vnto thee, how often would I haue gathered thy chil­dren together, as the Henne gathereth her Chickens vnder her winges, and ye would not? Behold therefore your habitation shal­bee lefte vnto you desolate, &c. And in deede it came so to passe, for accordyng to the sai­yng of Christ, there was so greate distresse within the lande of Iuda: and Gods wrath was so heauie ouer the people of Hierusalē, that thei were ledd captiue into all Natiōs and were trodden doune vnder the feete of the Gentiles, &c. Luke. 21.24. And what other thyng was this I praie you but a greeuous ruine and destruction of the Iewes? Beeyng also a liuely figure of the consummation of the whole worlde: whiche I am certainly per­swaded is not farre of. For as our Sauiour Christe, before Hierusalem was besieged, and destroied, Luke 21.20. did vse these wordes vnto the Iewes: When ye see Hierusalem besieged with souldiers, then vnderstande, that the [Page] desolation thereof is neere, (and it came so to passe. Luke. 21.20.) Euen so lett vs bee perswaded that if those signes, whiche Christe hath shewed, should goe before, his second com­myng to Iudgement: haue manifestly ap­peared, in the sight of all men, and can not be denied, but that thei are already fulfilled: there remaineth nothyng then, but that we should looke for the sonne of man to come in the cloudes, with power and greate glo­rie. Let vs therefore, consider the nomber of the signes, whiche are mentioned in the holie Scriptures, whiche are called either, signa precedentia, vel concomitantia mū ­di interitum (that is) either signes goyng before, or els the signes that shalbee ioyned with the consummation of the world. Con­cerning the whiche signes: Read that place where Christe his Disciples came vnto hym a parte, Math. 24.3. saiyng. Tell vs when these thynges shalbee, and what signe shalbee of thy cōmyng, and of the ende of the worlde? Vnto whom Iesus made aunswere, Verse. 4. and saied: take heede that no man deceiue you: For many shall come in my name, saiyng: I am Christ, and shall deceiue many. And [Page] you shall heare of warres, and rumours of warres: see that you bee not troubled, for al these thynges muste come to passe, but the ende is not yet: For Nation, shall arise a­gainst Nation, & Realme against Realme and there shalbe Famine, and Pestilence, and earthquakes, in diuers places.

Now if we will examine our owne sel­ues, and rippe vp our owne hartes, we can not denie, but that these thynges haue been already fulfilled, whiche Christe hath here forespoken: call therefore to remembrance that where as Christe saieth: first, that ma­ny shall come, in my name, saiyng: I am Christe, &c.) How that in the third yere of the raigne of the Queenes Maiestie, Anno. 1561. the tenth daie of Aprill, one Willyam Geffray was whipped frō the Marshalsie in South warke, to Bedlem: for that he professed one Ihon Moore to bee Christe our Sauiour. And you shall finde that the same Ihon Moore also, was whipped, vntill he had cō ­fessed, Christe to be in heauen, and hymself to be a sinfull man.

As touchyng the rumor of warres, and the risyng of Nation against Nation: and [Page] Realme against Realme, the greetious in­uasion, and daiely siege, that the Turke maketh against Christendome, the bloodie broiles betweene the kyng of Spaine, and the Estates of the lowe Countries, the bloodie battell fought betweene the Kyng of Portugale, and Amole Moluco Kyng of Fess, Anno. 1578. August 4. and diuers other worthie persona­ges. The preparatiō of the Pope into Ire­lande, the Ciuile warres and late bloudie Massacres made in Fraunce, also the pre­sent warres betweene Englande and the rebelles of Ireland, can witnesse, that these signes are also come to passe alreadie.

Concernyng Famine, thinke vppon the dearth of Corne that was in the fifth yere of Queene Marie, when Wheat was sold for fowre Markes the quarter, and people were driuen to eate bread made of Acorns, but especially (which is the greatest dearth of all) call to mynde, the Famine of the woorde of God, whiche could not then bee preached, but in corners, so that the people had well nere perished, for want of Spiri­tuall foode.

As touchyng the Pestilence, whether [Page] that hath not raigned in many places of the worlde of late: call to mynde the yere of the Lorde God 1563. wherein from the firste of Ianuarie 1562. vntill the laste of De­cember followyng, there died of the plague within the Citie of London, and liberties thereof 20146. As the Chronicles doe witnesse. That I maie omitte to speake of the Pestilence that was since in other pla­ces of the realme, as namely in Norwitch, Rye. &c. Also of the plague that is now in Paris, where there dieth 3000. in a weke. And that in the meane while also I saie no­thyng, of that greeuous plague, that hath raigned in Italie, and Spaine, and els where, &c.

Moreouer, I nede not (I hope) to make any proofe, whether there hath been any yearthquakes already, in sondrie places of the worlde? Seing that I (am perswaded) that the remembraunce of the late yearth­quake, whiche happened the sixte of Aprill laste 1580. is not yet quite forgotten, of those that feare GOD, and thirst after his commyng. Whiche earthquake seemed to be vniuersall, or at the least, to be perceiued [Page] and felte, at that verie tyme, in the moste parte of Christendome, whiche is miracu­lous, and wonderfull. These thynges ther­fore whiche our Sauiour Christ hath fore­shewed to be the foreronners, of his seconde commyng, are truely verified, and fulfilled already, so that he is altogether blinde, who will not se, and (for the moste part) bereft of his senses, who neither can, nor will vnder­stande thesame. But to proceade (notwith­standyng all this, Math. 24.8. whiche hetherto hath been spoken.) Christe doeth affirme moreouer, that all these are but the beginnyng of sor­rowes. For then shal thei deliuer you (saith he) vp to bee afflicted, and shall kill you, and you shalbe hated, of all nations, for my na­mes sake: whiche thyng hath been alreadie verified in the late persecution, of faithfull Christians, in Queene Maries daies. And since that tyme in Fraunce, and Spaine, and other places, there hath been thereof, to muche experience, if the will of GOD had been otherwise. Verse. 10. More ouer he saieth: And then shall many bee offended, and shall be­traie one an other, and shall hate one an o­ther. And hath there not been many offen­ces [Page] bothe giuen and taken? Yea oftenty­mes more offence taken, then occasion hath been giuen? Was there euer the like trea­sons, and treacherous conspiracies, com­mitted in any age, As hath been in these our daies? And was there euer more bitter hatred showed betwixt one and other, then is at this present? I am perswaded the like enemitie betweene partie and partie was neuer seen, as is in this our age? otherwise there would not be so many brabbling mat­ters sette abroche almoste in euery Courte in Englande as there be. &c.

Moreouer Christe sheweth that many false Prophetes shall arise, and shal deceiue many: for proofe whereof, what saie you to the swarmes of Anabaptistes, whiche doe sowe their Deuelishe doctrine almoste in euery place in the worlde? And is not this verified also thinke you? Of the secrete re­uelation of H. N. and of the deuelishe dar­nell, and cursed doctrine of Dauid George, and Christopher Vitell, and diuers others the cheefest Pillers of the familie of Loue? Whose bookes of damnable heresies, di­rectly againste diuerse of the moste princi­pall [Page] Articles of the christian faithe: are scat­tered abroad in many places of this realme to the greate disturbaunce, and breache of that vnitie of faithe, which ought to be kept in the bonde of peace. But thākes be giuen vnto God, the Queenes Maiestie, by her graue and learned Counsaile, hath taken suche order, that not onely all suche bookes shalbe called in againe: throughout y ^e whole Realme, but also that the Sectaries them selues shall bee attached, and committed to close prison, there to remain till either, thei shalbe purged and cleared of their heresies, by recantation: or els by the Lawes of the Realme, to suffer the iuste sentence of con­demnation for their demerites: and to bee condemned as heretiques. The heresies whiche thei maintain, as thei are infinite in nomber: so are thei also full of blasphemie.

1 As namelie, thei affirme that thei dooe liue so perfectly, that thei synne not.

2 Also that who soeuer is one of their cō ­gregation, is either as perfecte as Christe, or els a very Deuill.

3 Thirdlie, thei denie with Arrius, that Christe is equall with the Father, in the po­wer [Page] and substance of the Godhead: groun­dyng that opinion out of this place of the Scripture, where Christe saieth: Ihon. 14.27. My Fa­ther is greater then I. Not consideryng that Christe saieth in an other place. I and my Father are one, &c. Ihon. 10.30.

4 Thei doe affirme, that the Resurrecti­on is paste alreadie with Hymeneus and Philetus: Whiche concernyng the truthe haue erred, 2. Tim. 2.18. and dooe destroye the faithe of certaine.

5 Thei do refuse to suffer persecution for their Religion: because thei saie that their bodies are the temples of the holie Ghoste: wherein thei doe deny the wordes of Christ who saieth: Math. 5.10. Blessed are thei whiche suffer persecutiō for righteousnesse sake, for theirs is the kyngdome of heauen. &c. These with an infinite nomber of other grosse errours, doe this deuelishe family of Loue maintain in their blasphemous bookes, whiche I doe omit for breuities sake. Onely haue I gi­uen the worlde a taste of a fewe of their o­pinions, that by the consideration thereof, all men maie maie take heede of the reste of their Pharisaicall Leuine, and damnable [Page] doctrine, whiche is set a broche in their sedi­tious Bookes firste made in the Dutche tongue, in the name of H. N. and lately translated into Englishe, haue been secret­ly brought ouer from beyonde the Seas into the Realme. The titles whereof are called Euangeliū Regni▪ or a Ioyfull Mes­sage of the Kingdome. Documentall sen­tences. The Prophecie of Loue. A publi­shyng of the peace vpon earth, and diuers others, which (for auoiding of tediousnesse) I will not recite at this present.

Math. 24. verse. 12.And furthermore Christ saieth, ver. 12. that because iniquitie shalbee encreased, the loue of many shalbe colde, but he that endu­reth to the ende shalbe saued. Was there e­uer I praie you more iniquitie? Did synne and transgression so aboundantly raigne e­uery where, as it doth at this present? Was Christian loue and brotherly fellowshippe, more cold at any time then now? No true­ly: Suche wickednesse at this daie is rai­gnyng generally, vpon the face of the earth, that if it were not for the electes sake, that these wretched daies should bee shortened, it were not possible that any fleshe should [Page] bee saued. But to conclude, our Sauiour Christ addeth verse 14. Math. 24.14. That this Gospell of the kyngdome, shalbe preached through the whole worlde, for a witnesse vnto all Nations, and then shall the ende come.

Now (I hope) that there is no man so impudent, that will deny these Prophecies of Christe, to bee alreadie fulfilled. For so muche as the Gospell hath been so vniuer­sally, and plentifully preached throughout the worlde, that there is none who cā excuse hymself in the daie of the lorde, and saie that he hath not heard the sounde of his Gospell preached, and published vnto hym by those, which are appointed to be the stewardes of suche holie misteries: but rather thei must needes confesse, that greate hath been the multitude of the Preachers, &c. What rea­son can there bee alledged to the contrarie then, but that the consummation of the worlde is imminent? Seyng that Christe who is the truthe, the waie, and the life hath spoken it. Of whō it is written, Math. 17.5. that a voice came out of a Cloude saiyng: This is that my beloued Soonne in whom I am well pleased, heare hym. Hereunto I doe adde [Page] that, which is writtē by the Apostle Paule.

2. Thes. 2.1.Now wee beseche you brethren, by the commyng of our Lorde Iesus Christ, and by our assemblyng vnto hym. That you be not sodainly mooued from your minde, nor troubled neither, by spirite, nor by woorde, nor by letter, as it were from vs, as though the daie of Christe were at hande. Lette no man deceiue you by any meanes. For the daie shall not come, except there come a de­partyng first (that is to saie Apostasie, or a deniall of the Christian faithe) and that the man of synne be disclosed, euen the sonne of perditiō, whiche is an aduersarie, and exal­teth hymself against all that is called God, or that is worshipped, &c. Well, all these signes ye see, haue been already paste, and wee can not deny, but that wee haue seene, and yet doe daiely see an infinite nomber of Antichristes, whiche deny the manifest and vndoubted truthe, and fall to Poperie, and all abhominable Idolatrie: so that the daie of the Lorde can not bee farre of, but must needes be at hande.

Moreouer I beseche you, harken what Christe saieth (speakyng of certaine signes [Page] whiche shall goe before the commyng of Christ to Iudgement. Luke. 21.25.) There shall bee si­gnes then (saieth he) in the Sonne, and in the Moone, and in the starres: And againe, Math. 24. [...]9. immediately after the tribulation of those daies, shall the Sunne be darkened, and the Moone shall not giue her light: and the star­res shall fall from heauen, and the powers of heauen shalbe shakē. Esay. 13.9. The Prophet Esay also saieth thus, Behold the daie of the lorde commeth cruell, with wrathe, and fearce to anger: to laie the lande waste, and he shall destroie the synners out of it. For the star­res of heauen; and the Planettes thereof shall not giue their light, the Sonne shalbe darkened in his goyng sorthe, & the Moone shall not cause her light to shine. Of this read more Ezechiell 32.7. Daniel 7.13. 1. Cor. 15.2. &c. Iol. 2.31. Also the Prophete Ioell saieth: that the Sonne shalbe tourned into darkenesse, and the Moone into bloud, be­fore the greate and terrible daie of the lorde come. By all whiche sondrie testimonies is signified, that all the creatures of God, as well in heauen aboue, as in the yearth be­neth, whether it be the Sonne, the Moone, [Page] or the Starres: or any parte of the hoste of heauen aboue, or the yearth beneth: (shalbe (as it were summōs, to summon the whole world, vnto Christes tribunall feate of iud­gement. Whiche kinde of Sommons, the vngodlie & impenitent synners, shall euery daie, contemne more and more, vntill the verie Iudgemēt daie. Before whiche tyme bothe heauen & earth (notwithstāding) shal after a sorte, resemble the countenaunce of an angrie Iudge, the rather, to stirre vp all wicked synners, to repent their vngodlie li­ues, and to tourne vnto the Lorde: Beeyng mooued thereunto, by these and suche like signes, and tokens of Gods wrathe, whiche shall euidently appeare, vnto all the whole worlde, before the ende, and consummation of thesame, (as hath been before declared): And then shal thei see the Sonne of manne come in a Cloude, with power and greate glorie. Wherefore, let vs diligently call to our remembraunce, whether any of these forenamed signes bee passed, yea or no-(that is to saie) whether there haue been, many and verie often Ecclipses, of the Sonne: and likewise of the Moone or whether [Page] the Starres, haue seemed to fall from heauē? Or the powers of heauen, haue been at any tyme moued, or shaken, yea, or no? It can not bee denied, but that there hath been of late yeres, more wonderfull and straunge sightes seen, bothe in the Sonne, and in the Moone, and in the starres (cleane against the order of nature) then euer was seen, in any age here tofore.

Haue we not read of twoo Moones that shined at one tyme, in the seuenth yere of kyng Henry the first? Did ye neuer heare tel, of those fiue Moones that shined at once in the seconde yere of kyng Henry the se­uenth? Haue yee not founde in the Chroni­cles, how that the Sonne hath appeared, as red as bloud, and so continued the space of sixe howers the laste daie of October, in the fiftene yere of Kyng Edward the se­conde? But to come more nerer to our time haue ye not heard, how in the yere of the Lorde 1543. And the xxxv. yere of the raigne of king Henry the eight, there chan­ced fower Eclipses, one of the Sonne (the 24. of Ianuarie) and three of the Moone, whiche was a marueilous thyng to behold. [Page] That I maie omit to speake of the strange Eclipses of the Sonne and Moone, these yeres laste paste. But because, I haue he­therto spoken sufficiently of signes and to­kens, whiche haue been seen in the Sonne, and in the Moone: for so muche as our Sa­uior Christ, Math. 24.29. doeth make mention also, that the Starres shall fall frō heauen, I thinke it moste meete and conuenient for me, to speake somewhat of blasing Starres: And so muche the rather, because at this present so iuste occasion is offered vnto me, by the reason of a blasyng Starre, whiche did appeare, at the firste, in the Iudgement of those, whiche are learned Astronomers, in the signe called Pisces, the tenth daie of October 1580. and was left in Aquarius, (The motion thereof beeyng retrograde, contrarie to the common course of other moueable Starres) and yet doeth it conti­nue still to bee seen, and vewed of all men, albeit it doeth not lighten the aire with her glimmering beames, and glistring bright­nesse, so muche as it did at the firste appea­ryng thereof, beyng set on fire by Gods di­uine councell, and prouidence, that by the [Page] sight thereof, we might be aduertised of af­ter clappes: And so to prepare our selues, spedely to turne vnto God by faithfull, and vnfeigned repentaunce, that wee maie bee the more readie, to meete hym, in the cloudes with ioye, at his commyng: or els, through the hardnesse of our harte, whiche can not repent, iustly to suffer, the bitter­nesse of his sharpe iudgement, and so heape vp (as a treasure vnto our selues) wrathe, against the daie of wrathe, and of the decla­ration of the iuste Iudgement of God.

Therefore, in the title of this treatise, I doe tearme this Starre, whiche is seene at this present: A blasyng starre (or a burning Beacon, &c.) set on fire by gods prouidence to warne the whole worlde, of dreadfull warres, betweene God and those, that doe goe on still in wickednesse, and will not bee touched, and moued to repentaunce. And I was partely moued, so to name it, for this consideration. For as in Englande (and in moste places of the whole worlde besides) Beacons are placed vppon the stipest and highest hills that maie be sene farthest of: & in tyme of warre, and of the inuasion of the [Page] enemie, into any Nation, are (night and daie) watched and set on fire, to signifie, and declare vnto the inhabitantes thereof, that some greate perill and daunger is nigh: E­uen so this Comet, is as it were, set on fire in the height of the aire, by the Almightie power and prouidence of our eternall God, to the ende that so many as shall behold the same, maie be admonished and stirred vp, by the consideration therof, to auoide suche after clapps, (by their faithfull repentance) as should otherwise fall vppon them, in the iuste Iudgement of almightie God.

Aristotle.I am not ignoraunt, how Aristotle, and diuers other Philosophers, dooe define, a blasyng Starre, to bee but an yearthly va­pour, somewhat thicke, and clammie, and fatte in substaunce, whiche beeyng drawne vp, by little and little, from the bowelles of the yearth, into the vpper region of the aire (nigh to the Sphere, of the fierie element) is there set on fire, and through heate made thinne, till it be cleane dissolued, &c. Whiche opinion of Aristotle, albeit it bee thought to bee worthie of credite, and subscription in the iudgement of moste Philosophers (who [Page] with one consent, and assent, doe agree, that blasyng Starres dooe spryng of naturall causes) yet notwithstandyng all godlie di­uines, for the moste part are of this Iudge­ment, that the Lorde God hymself is the o­riginall aucthour, and principall worker of this Starre (as of all others) makyng it, an immediate messenger, and minister of his will, accordyng to the tyme, and place, as it beste pleaseth his diuine, and eternall maiestie. Who seyng that we, bee suche an obstinate, and stiffenecked people, that wee will not bee moued to loue hym: neither in respecte of his long sufferaunce, and lo­uyng mercie, shewed all waies towardes vs: neither yet in respecte, of that moste sweete, and comfortable voice of the Gos­pell, whiche hath been preached full .xxij. yeres vnto vs, by his faithfull seruauntes, and Ministers: Dooeth now in his secrete councell goe an other waie to woorke, and by fearfull Eclipses of Sonne, and Moone and by glisteryng flames of fierrie Come­tes, and other suche like monstruous signes and tokens in the heauen, and in the earth: doeth goe (I saie) about, to enforce and cō ­pell [Page] vs, (against our willes) to be mindfull of the latter daie, whiche is not farre of: If we will giue any credite, to the woordes of Christ, who immediatly after, he had made mention, of the signes whiche should bee sene, in the Sonne, and in the Moone, and in the Starres: doeth forthwith adde these wordes, Cū haec videritis euenire, cogno­scite quod prope est regnū dei (That is to saie. Math. 24.33.) When ye se all these thinges, knowe that the kyngdome of God is nere, euen at the doores. Luke. 21.28. And againe: when these thinges doe beginne to come to passe, then looke vp and lift vp your heades: For your redemp­tion draweth nere. Behold the Figge tree, and all trees, when thei now shoote forthe ye (seyng thē) knowe of your owne selues, that Sommer is nere: So likewise ye whē ye se all these thinges come to passe, knowe you, that the kyngdome of God is neare. Verely I saie vnto you: This age shall not passe, till all these thynges bee doen: heauen and yearth shall passe awaie, but my woor­des shall not passe awaie. By that whiche hetherto hath been spoken, you see how al­mightie God, is not onely the creator, and [Page] gouernour of Nature it self, and of all Na­turall causes, but also, he is suche a one, as in the worke of this blasyng Starre, is to bee acknowledged and confessed, to bee the onely efficient cause. And therefore he one­ly (and not the blasyng Starre) is to bee feared, and had in reuerence, consideryng that he is of power able, not onely, to cha­sten vs, with temporall punishementes, for the amendement of our liues, in this wret­ched worlde: But also, in his Iustice, maie condemne vs to eternall death and destruc­tion, in the kyngdome of darknesse, where there is euerlastyng fire prepared, for the Deuill and his angelles. For whiche cause I can not deny, but I must needes confesse that (for the moste parte) blasyng Starres are a token and signe of greate horror and feare: and do prognosticate of some strange wonder, and dooe threaten some imminent euill, and mischeefe, commonly vnto that parte of the yearth, towardes the whiche, thei seme to cast their beames moste direc­tly. And therfore those Philosophers, which haue written of the effectes of blasyng star­res, haue founde by good experience, that [Page] sometymes thei dooe signifie drouthe, and barronnesse of the yearth: whiche made Au­gustinus Niphus to witnesse, that after the appearyng of a Comete, Anno domini 1506. (whiche was about the 22. yere of the raigne of kyng Henry the seuenth there followed, within twoo yeres after, suche a drought in Lumberdie, that from the mo­neth of Ianuarie, vnto Nouember after, there fell no Raine at all in that Countrie. Sometymes also after the appearyng of blasyng Starres, there followeth (moste commonly cruell and greate windes, and mightie tēpestes, with haile stones of suche a bignesse, that through the same many houses are throwne doune, and often times are cōsumed and burned with fire, through the windes: As almoste the whole countrie of Scotlande, was once wasted by fire the 9. of Ianuarie. 1251. a greate Comete of maruelous bignesse, hauyng been seen be­fore in Scotlande for many daies. (Anno 1248.) Sometymes thei dooe signifie the death and change of Kynges and Princes, and the alteration of kyngdomes & cōmon­wealthes: As maie appeare Anno 1116. [Page] When Chichester was burnte, there was sene a blasing starre, & the Moone, not long tyme after, semed to bee turned into blood: after the which Maude the Queene of En­glande died, & was buried at Westminster

Likewise Anno do. 1165. appeared a mightie Comete in Scotlande, burnyng out with twoo long beames. And within fourtie daies after died Malcolmus the iiij. Kyng (by name) of the Scottes, as the Chronicle reporteth.

Moreouer Anno 1214. in the moneth of Marche, twoo Cometes of a maruellous bignesses verie fearfull to behold, appeared in Scotlande, the one going before, and the other followyng the Sonne, in the whiche yere that moste happie, and good Kyng Willyam died, after he had rained fourtie and nine yeres.

Likewise Anno 1538. appeared a Co­met, after the settyng of the Sonne, which was placed in the signe Pisces, and the taile of it lookyng towardes the East, and shor­tly after died the Duke of Saxon.

Also Anno 1539. the sixt daie of Maie appeared a Comete, whiche endured bur­nyng [Page] three weekes, and not long tyme af­ter Isabell the wife of Charles the fift Em­perour, died in trauaile of childe, in whiche yere also died George y ^t duke of Saxonie. And in the same yere, (as some doe write) there appeared three Cometes in the mo­neth of Aprill, after the whiche the Duke of Cleaue died, and also the Bushop of Trent and diuers other noble personages.

In the yere of the Lorde 1540, the se­uenth daie of Aprill, happened a great con­iunction of the Planettes, and there appea­red also a marueilous Eclipse of the Sōne, whose beginnyng was before the Sonne risyng, and did endure in the same Eclipse twoo whole howers after it was risen. Al­so there was sene aboute the same tyme, a maruelous straunge Comete in the euen, after the whiche there followed so greate a drought, that Hay, Corne, and all kinde of Pulse were verie scarce. And the same yere the Castell of Prage (a noble Citie in the kyngdome of Bohemia,) with the Ca­thedrall Churche were burned with fire: and many fearfull fires happened in sonde­drie places thesame tyme.

Moreouer Anno 1547. in Heluecia in Germanie, were sene in the aire twoo ho­stes of men of warre, and twoo Lions grée­uously and terriblie fightyng together, so long that the one semed to bite of the others head quite. And the yere followyng the x. daie of Februarie, was sene in Saxonie (a Countrie also in Germanie) a fire frō hea­uen, that fell vppon certaine Cities, and twoo hostes of menne were sene in the aire, runnyng and skirmishyng one against an other, besides diuers other straunge sigh­tes, very wonderfull to beholde. And yet in these daies it will not sincke into the heades of many, that there maie any suche strange sight appeare in the aire, because wee can not render a naturall reason thereof. And therefore this maketh moste men to doubt, whether the laste straunge sightes, whiche were sene in Rome 1580. Ianuarie 18. and in other places, (the reportes whereof are extante in print to bee sene) bee true or no?

Also in the yere of our Lorde 1551. the 28. daie of Ianuarie, there appeared a bloudie rodde, and sondrie fearful fires séen [Page] in the ayre ouer Lisborne, the cheef Citie of Portugall: and there it rained bloud also, after the whiche followed suche a fearfull yearthquake, that about twoo hundred hou­ses were greeuously shaken, and throwne doune, through the fall whereof aboue a thousande persones were slaine.

And here also I can not forget to speake of that greate blasing starre, whiche was to see to, in forme of a Broome (or a bundell of roddes) whiche appeared in the yere of our Lorde 1531. the ninth of September ouer Mentz, a Citie in Germanie, whiche did betoken a heauie burthen of Gods venge­aunce, not onely to the state temporall, but also to Ecclesiasticall persones.

But to proceade Anno 1551. the 21. of Marche at Madeburge in Germanie, a­bout seuen of the clocke in the mornyng se­uen Rainebowes, and three Sonnes were sene, and in the euenyng the same daie thrée Moones.

Also Anno 1553. was heard a wofull crie, saiyng: Woe Woe, twise together, be­sides the sounde of Belles, and the noyse of Trompettes. And at the same tyme it hap­pened, [Page] that at Duryngia the Trees and Hearbes, did not onely sweate bloud: But fearfull noises were heard also euery night. After the whiche Mauricius the Duke of Saxon, fought in battell with Alberte of Brandenburge, and at the same tyme (be­yng smitten with a Bullet) died the thirde daie after the battell.

Moreouer Anno 1554. the firste daie of Februarie, in the Citie of Catalane in Fraunce, there appeared a marueilous sight aboute the Moone, like vnto a greate fire, arisyng from the Easte part, and decli­nyng towardes the Weste: and the Moone it self appeared like to a firebrand in sight: And moreouer this fire in thaire, did burne with a greate noyse, and often tymes did caste forthe flames, and sparkes of fire: In the like sorte as a hotte burnyng Iron, is wont to dooe, beeyng beaten vpon a Smi­thes handuile.

And the 26. daie of Maie followyng it rained bloud also, not farre from the toune of Dunckelspuell in Germanie. Also there were seene three faire Rainebowes, and so many Sonnes and Moones, and two blou­die [Page] Crosses. And the 11. daie of Iune fol­lowyng, aboute fiue miles distaunce from Norinberge, in Germanie: there was sene in the Sonne a bloudie rodde, and many companies of horsemen iustlyng together in the aire, whiche so did continue, for the space of twoo howers, in so muche that it caused men greatly to feare, that Doomes daie was at hand: After the whiche strange sight, Frederick the duke of Saxonie, died the same yere. And after that, a notable toune in Germanie, was wasted with fire.

Also in the yere of the lorde 1555. were sene in the Citie of Duringia, three Son­nes the tenth daie of Februarie. And more­ouer at Lunēberge was seene in the aire, a greate companie of Souldiers, at the right hande of whom there stoode an Aungell, holdyng a fierie sworde in his hande, and a child was there seen sodainly, emongst the people, which did earnestly exhort the peo­ple generally, vnto hartie repentaunce: Af­firmyng Goddes Iudgementes to bee at hande. And when he had thus exhorted the people, he vanished sodainly out of their sight, and no manne could afterwardes tell [Page] where he was become.

And in the same yere within the boun­des of Polonia, were heard and seene a greate companie of Dogges barkyng and fightyng together, and many of them were torne in peeces. After the whiche fighte, there followed greate warres, and man­slaughter, betweene the inhabitauntes of Polonia, and the Moscouites.

Also in Duringia (the Sonne shinyng cleare) there appeared in the aire, a bright sworde like vnto a Turkie blade, directing the poinct toward the South, and the edge towardes the East.

Moreouer Anno 1557. on the nineth daie of Marche, there were sene thre Son­nes, and a verie faire Rainebowe, and the 17. daie of the same monethe followyng, there fell fire from heauen.

Also in an other place, a fierie Globe was sene: and it rained bloud, in so muche that lumpes of bloud, like to the bignesse of a mannes hande, did droppe from heauen, in the sight of many: and in eche droppe were sene certaine figures, like to mennes faces. And vppon Sainct Laurence daie af­terwardes, [Page] the Sonne appeared all blou­die: after the whiche the Frenche Kyng fought a greate battaill with Philip Kyng of Spaine. And after that saincte Quintai­nes was taken, &c.

Also Anno 1558. there appeared a ve­rie fearfull Comet, whiche continued bur­nyng many weekes. After the appearance of whiche Comete, was seene a straunge sight, and no lesse fearfull to behold. For the 21. of August the daie beeyng cleare, and the weather calme, (twoo howers before Noone) the Sonne beyng then verie clear also, was enclosed, about with a greate cir­cle, whiche was of many colours, like vnto a Rainbowe, and continued so in sight for fower howers and a halfe, to the greate feare and amasement of all suche, as beheld thesame. And suche a fearfull sight (as Plu­tarche reporteth) was sene before the death of Caesar.

Moreouer Anno 1562. Heauen was sene to burne in many places of Germanie and a celestiall firebrande, shined by night in the aire, and stretched from the Northe vnto the Southe. Also, a greate bande of [Page] souldiers, were seen in the aire, whiche see­med to shed muche bloud doune. And in the moneth of Aprill following, the Sonne ap­peared maruelous bloudie, as well at the risyng, as at the settyng, and continued so for three daies together.

Also Anno 1564. and in the sixth yere of the raigne of our gracious Queene Eli­zabeth, the 7. of October at night, all the Northe partes of the Element seemed to be couered with flames of fire, proceadyng from the Northe Easte, and North West, towardes the middest of the firmamente, where it staied afterwardes for the space of an hower, and so descended West.

Also Anno 1572. and the 15. yere of the raigne of the Queenes moste excellent Maiestie, the 18. daie of Nouember in the mornyng, a Starre was sene Northward, verie bright and cleare in the constellation of Cassiopeia, and it semed so straunge: as from the beginnyng of the worlde, the like was neuer sene: for in the iudgement of the moste experte Astronomers, (and suche as are moste skilfull in the Mathematiques in this our tyme and age) that starre which [Page] did then appeare vnto our sighte, was no Comete, but mere supernaturall, directly opposite to the Starre, whiche appeared at the Natiuitie of our Sauiour Christe, and placed in the verie intersection of Aequino­ctium Terrestre, and therefore maie wor­thely be tearmed or named a signe, vnto the whole yearth. As more at large appea­reth in a Booke, whiche was written by that worshipfull gentleman maister Tho­mas Digges, called Alae, seu Scalae Ma­thematicae, where the miracle is by demō ­strations Mathematicall, plainly and most manifestly proued. Vnto whiche booke I doe referre all those that are desirous to be resolued of that Starre sufficiently.

Moreouer in the 17. yere of the raigne of the Queenes Maiestie, the 14. daie of Nouember about midnight, diuers strāge impressions of fire and smoke, were sene in y ^e aire, to procede forth of a blacke cloude in the North, declinyng towardes the South whiche continued after that maner, vntill the nexte mornyng. And the nexte daie fol­lowyng, the heauens from all partes did seeme to burne, and the flames did meete [Page] together ouer the heades of all those, which behelde thesame: and this light burnyng flame, did seeme to arise as it were, round about from the Horizon.

Also in the yere of our Lorde 1577. the tenth daie of Nouember at night, there ap­peared a blasyng Starre in the firmament with a long streame (or taile) proceadyng from thesame, and stretchyng the beames thereof directly towardes the Easte, verie wonderfull to beholde. And the same Co­mete endured for the space of 99. daies, shi­nyng euery night vntill eight of the clocke, that the same discended: and when the matter thereof was quite dissolued, and her splendant brightnesse vtterly extinguished, in the Iudgement of those that bee experte in the rules of Astronomie, it rested it self nere vnto the seate of Cassiopeia. The ef­fectes of whiche Starre, are better kno­wen vnto them then vnto me. But yet in the meane season, I would not haue you vnmindfull of those boysterous blastes of windes, and terrible tempestes, and mon­sterous Snowes: Also the greeuous ship­wrackes, whiche haue happened since in [Page] moste places of the worlde, beside the high floudes, and wonderfull inundations of waters, Morraine of beastes, and barron­nesse of grounde, whiche happened not one­ly in this Realme of Englande, but in di­uers other countries, since the appearyng of the same Starre. That in the meane sea­son I speake nothyng, of the greate and greeuous sedicions, and treatourous con­spiracies: that haue been put in practise in the Regions rounde aboute vs. And all to bryng in Idolatrie and Poperie into En­lande again (if it were possible) which the al mightie God, by the ministerie of our most gracious Prince, and her honorable graue, and wise counsaile hath miraculously staied hetherto. And I hope shall doe, if wee haue grace to be thankfull vnto God for the same

Hetherto ye haue heard (deare Christi­ans) how that by common experience, the flowyng of waters beyonde their boundes, the barronnesse of the yearth, the scarcitie of victualles, the Plague and Pestilence, with greate windes, and tempestes: the al­teration of Common wealthes, and war­res betweene Nation and Nation: As al­so [Page] the late dreadfull yearthquake, with the newe and moste gētle, and louyng remem­braunce, whiche the Lorde sent afterwar­des, throughout diuers places of Christen­dome, but especially in Englande and Spaine, &c. And many other calamities, which happened since besides, maie truely bee named the effectes of the former bla­syng Starre, whiche was seene the tenth of Nouember 1577. &c.

And now hath the Lorde God kindeled an other Starre, this laste tenth of Octo­ber 1580. the firste appearyng whereof (with his continuaunce) whiche hath been in Aquarius, hetherto hath been before de­clared vnto you, by the reason of the confe­rence that I haue had with those, who are expert in the studie of the Mathematiques: the proceadyng whereof, with his couler, motion, and effectes I leaue onely to their handlyng, whom I knowe to be hable (and I hope also are willyng) to resolue the worlde fullie thereof, when opportunitie shal serue. In the meane while (that I may vse no longer delaye) this maie bee conclu­ded of a certaintie: that it is the good plea­sure [Page] and purpose of almightie God, (of his inspeakeable loue and mercie, shewed al­waies towarde vs) that this straunge Co­mete (or blasyng Starre) should now ap­peare euen whilest that wee are rocked in the Cradle of synne and securitie, and are whollie giuen vnto all maner of abhomina­tion: to premonishe and forewarne vs of af­terclappes (that is to saie) to threaten, and prognosticate condigne punishemente, to light vpon all persones generally, who daie­ly and howerly doe (of let purpose and ma­lice, wilfully offende, Gods diuine Maie­stie) and doe continually wallow and perse­uer in their wicked and abhominable synne and transgression. For whiche cause Al­mightie God would haue as well Prince as people, to looke into their former abho­minable and sinfull liues: And when thei haue cōsidered the horror and lothsomnesse therof, forthwith to frame their hartes, and to prepare their mindes, to be earnestly pe­nitēt and sorowfull for the same. And wher­as before, we can not deny, but that euery one of vs hath erred and gone astraie, and frō the highest vnto the lowest (yea, frō the [Page] Prieste, to the Prophete,) haue been so secure and carelesse of our dueties, that we haue wilfully contemned, the Iudgemen­tes of GOD threatned against vs, by his faithfull Preachers and Ministers: knowe you therefore (deare Christians) that it is now the good purpose, and diuine pleasure of almightie God: (aswell by this burnyng Comete, whiche now appeareth: as also, by the late dreadfull yearthquake, but moste cheefly by that supernaturall Starre of all others, that was seene in Cassiopeia, with other suche strange and wonderfull sightes and monsters in Nature) to moue and stirr vp all the sorte of vs (beeyng moste wret­ched and miserable sinners) to be mindfull of the Iudgement daie. And beforehande to examine and rippe vp, euery manne his owne harte and conscience, and diligently to seeke, and search the causes of the wrath of almightie GOD in our owne selues by the reason of our manifold and greuous sinnes: and hauyng founde the cause of his heauie displeasure against vs, to bee in our owne rebellious Nature, wee ought euery one of vs to iudge our selues, that wee bee [Page] not Iudged of the Lorde. And albeeit some doe offende his diuine Maiestie, more gree­uously then other some: yet would not our good and gracious God haue any of vs all, to esteeme hymself to bee free from blame, either voide of sinne: But rather (as before I haue declared) he would haue vs euery one with all expedition, to renounce our for­mer wickednesse. And by bowyng our sel­ues doune before his Tribunall seate, and stoupyng vnder the mightie scepter of his kyngdome, he would haue vs confesse, that wee haue all sinned. And by our faithfull repentaunce, and vnfeigned conuersion vn­to his diuine Maiestie, (in wepyng, fasting and mournyng) to preuente the sharpe sworde, and the smart roddes and whippes whiche he hath in his iuste iudgement pre­pared in a readinesse, for to whippe and pu­nishe vs withall, if wee goe onwardes in our former rebelliō, as we haue doen here­tofore. Therfore let euery man, or woman of what conditiō so euer thei be, apply that, whiche hetherto hath been spoken vnto thē selues, and knowe this for an vndoubted truthe, that albeeit we haue deserued to bee [Page] vtterly cutte of and destroied, by the sharpe sworde of Gods diuine indignation: and al­beit these vnwōted and strange signes and tokens, whiche he sendeth daiely emongest vs (bothe in the Sonne and in the Moone, and the Starres, and in all liuyng creatu­res) bee presages of his heauy displeasure, that he hath taken against vs, and also no­table forewarnynges of a moste greeuous calamitie and destruction, that he shall in e­quitie and righteousnesse bryng vpō vs, by the reason of our filthie sinnes: yet notwith­stādyng, if that we will but euen in this the daie of his louyng and mercifull visitation, tourne vnto hym with all our soule: If so bee that to daie we will heare his voice, and not harden our hartes, &c: If so be (as Ioel saieth) that we will rent our hartes, and not our garmētes, and turne now vnfeignedly vnto the Lorde: we shall finde hym so mer­cifull & louyng a God, that he will receiue vs againe into his fauour. Yea he will be so glad of our conuersion, and amendement of life, that he will haue compassion vpon vs (if he see vs truely penitent) naie he will fall vpon our neckes and kisse vs, and bring [Page] forthe the beste coate, and put it on vs: and putte a ryng on our hande, and Shooes on our feete, and kill the fatte Calfe for vs, and make vs merie, after that he hath receiued vs home vnto hymself saffe and sound: (that is to saie) whereas heretofore we were euē deade by the reason of sinne and wicked­nesse, he will make vs aliue againe, and quicken vs by the Resurrection of Christe Iesus. And whereas wee haue hetherto wandred verie farre, and gone astraie like loste Sheepe: he of his fatherly kindenesse and mercie, will bryng vs home againe vp­pon his backe vnto the Sheepefolde of his sonne Iesus Christ, who is the cheef Bis­shoppe and Shepherd of our soules, vnto whom with the Father, and the holie ghost, three persones and one God bee all praise and dominion for euer. AMEN.