Paul Grebners PROPHECY Concerning These TIMES. WRITTEN In the Reign of Queen ELIZABETH, Anno 1582. Taken out of the Original Copy from Trinity Colledge in CAMBRIDGE. with a Paraphrase thereupon, By a Person of Honour.
THIS Prophecy received from an Honourable Person, coming so opportunely to my Hand, I thought it but Duty to transfer it to the publick View; not daring to commit so great a Sin in the secret Concealment of a business of so general a Concernment.
Touching the Author Paulus Grebnerus, he was a great Astronomer, and a man of surpassing Piety, and known Integrity, whose Erudition likewise and excellent Endowments, have received a publick Character from this and other Kingdoms.
His Prophecy here need no Panegyrick; and a farther Amplification, by way of Apology, would prove impertinent where so many thousands have been so throughly prepossest in the Truth of his Predictions.
In a word, Schismaticks (that speak evil of Dignities and despise Prophesies) may perchance persist still obstinate; I am sure all Royallists will rest here well satisfied.
For my part, I shall therefore pray for the Conversion of the First, and Confirmation of the Last; wishing the one more Faith, and the other better Fortune.
Farewel.
Grebners's Prophecy.
PAulus Grebnerus was here in England with Queen Elizabeth, Anno 1582. and presented her with a fair Manuscript in Latine, describing therein the future History of Europe, here and there limming in Water-Colours some principal Passages.
Dr. Nevil, Clerk of the Closet, being in favour with the Queen obtained this Book of her, and bestowed it on the Library of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge, where it hath been published to the view of all persons, till about five or six years ago, by much perusing and ill handling it was much slurred and defaced.
In his Predictions,
He describeth the Troubles of Russia, and the Election of a Swedish King SIGISMƲND by name, to be King of Polonia, by which he shall irrecoverably lose his own Inheritance.
That of the Swedish Race there should be one GƲSTAVƲS ADOLPHƲS by Name, that should take heart from the Distractions of Germany to invade the Empire with a small Army; fight many Battels prosperously, but should at last perish in a pitcht Field.
[Page 2] That about that time should Reign Rex Septentrionalis nomine CAROLUS, qui ducit Ʋxorem Mariam Papisticam, ex quo evadet Regum infelicissimus. Tunc populus ipsius Ditionis eliget sibi alium Imperatorem, Comitem; qui durabit in Imperio tres annos aut circiter. At postea idem Populus eliget alium Imperatorem Equitem, non ejusdem Familiae nec Dignitatis, qui detrudet omnia sub pedibus suis: durabit aliquantò longiore tempore: & post hunc eliget nullum.
Post hunc apparebit quidam CAROLUS è CAROLO descendens, cum immensâ Classe in Litore Ditionis Patris sui, & cum Auxiliariis Danicis, Suedicis, Holandicis, Francicis posternet Adversarios suos, & administrabit Imperium perfelicissimè, & longè latéque dominabitur, & erit CAROLO Magno major.
Englished thus,
About that time a Northern King shall Reign, CHARLES by Name, who shall take to Wife MARY of the Popish Religion; whereupon he shall be a most unfortunate Prince. Then the People of his Dominion shall chuse to themselves another Commander [or Governour] viz. an Earl; whose Government shall last three years or there about. And afterwards the same People shall chuse another Commander [or Gov [...]r] viz. a Knight not of the same Family nor Dignity, who shall trample all things under his Feet: He shall endure somewhat longer time: and after him they shall chuse none at all.
After him shall appear one CHARLES descending from CHALES, with a mighty Navy, on the Shore of his Father's Kingdom; and with Aid from Denmark, Swedeland, Holland, France, shall overthrow his Adversaries, and shall govern his Kingdom wonderful happily, and shall bear Rule far and near: and shall be Greater than CHARLES the Great.