Lilly's Strange and Wonderful Prognostication &c.
MAny and dreadful are the Judgments that have been inflicted upon this sinful Nation, therefore we ought to humble our selves before the great God of all the Earth who yet may be intreated to turn a side his wrath, and avert the evil he has just cause to inflict upon us: Nay when, we consider his great deleverances, how can we but say, That He has been a God of Mercy, slow to Anger, and of great goodness, abundantly pardoning transgression and sin, where there is the least impress of Repentance. Then since the superior Constellations or Planets, with many other Configurations of the Heavens have ever since the Creation of the Ʋniverse been as the book of the Almighty set open for us to read his Wonders in, and to own his Omnipotence, let us hearken first what the greatest Astrologer of our age in his prophetick Judgment on this ensuing Year 1681 does prognosticate and assure us will come to pass.
He affirmeth that when Jupiter in the Figure, or most excellent position of Mercury, elevated where that Planet has most dignity, though in opposition to his own, it does prognosticate as yet Tranquility and a right understanding of affairs amongst the Counsels of this Nation, and that the Nobility and Magistracy of the Kingdom shall consult for the best, and continue for the most part firm to their trusts, and that there shall be a settlement [Page 4] of the publick Affairs beyond the vulgar expectation; and that they that have been formerly of no esteem, shall be advanced to great honour by reason of their good conduct in affairs; and that the King will be pleased to condescend to the advancement of such as their deserts shall raise, and have a right understanding with his people and truly Loyal Subjects; but remove all evil Counsel, and much diins [...]ourage such as seek to raise Dissentions and Evil Reports in and of the Government, and in some measure hazard his own Interest for the safety and good of the publick.
The positions of Saturn to Mercury in the eleventh House, denotes that there will happen some division, and that many Friends w ll fall at Variance and many have mistrust of each other, so that hot d [...]spute: in many places are likely to arise, and animosities lye brooding in their breasts, the which may be much prejudicial to some notable underhand Affairs intended; many vain and needless Fears in this year shall be augmen [...]ed by such as thirst after Innovation [...]nd change in Government but in a short time they shall be dispersed; Many sh [...]ll repine and cavel at and against the Decres and actions of Authority and the Pop [...]sh party use their utmost endeavours to promote their declining Cause; but Heaven will frustrate their most evil Designs and make them fruitless. Nay, they wi [...]l go so far as once more to attempt the Invalidating the Kings Evidence, but fall without success; Then let the great City of London beware least Sedicious agents [...]pread false Rumors within her Walls, and endeavour to draw the hearts of the [...]e [...], from their [...]ue obedience; which if it should take effect, [Page 5] which Heaven prevent, it would cause a Jealousie between Prince and people, whilst our adversary or common Enemy would gain advantage thereby, and perhaps it might be a great help to the pernicious Designs they have on foot.
By the many Eclipses of Both Luminaries that have happened in these two years past, it is probably Conjectured, that several strange events are prognasticated: Mars and Venus being Rulers of the spring Quarter, that there will be Wars and Tumults in many places of Europe; and that mens minds will be strangely altered, several being Imprisoned for their Illegal proceedings; and many shall be tryed and brought to their just punishments: Some shall dye upon Scaffolds, and others upon Gibbets. The Eyes of Authority will now be open, and no longer deceived by feigned pretences. Many losses at Sea and Land, by reason of Shipwrack and Diseases: Among Cattle shall happen surfeits, Agues, Dropsies, Consumptions, and Feavors, shall be very frequent this Year, and many shall dye; and several great Changes shall happen both in States and Empires.
Thus have we given you a just and particular Account of many things which the Supperior Orbs do [...]ictate shall come to pass in the ensuing Year. And now I shall think it necessary to lay open to your view, the Causes, Effects, and prodidious Consequen [...]es of the late Commet, or Blazing Star, whi [...]h was seen in the South-West, one the 11th. of December, 1680.
A Description of the late Comet.
THe first appearance of it was in the Sign Sagitarius, or the Latter end of Scorpio, when we had Advice of it from Falmouth in the London Gazette, about the begining of November, and since it hath past Sagitarius, and is now in the sign Capricorn, about the 23 Degree, for it was observed on the 12th. of December by a very worthy person, to be about five degrees of Capricorn, and it's diuinal Motion about 1 Deg. 30 minutes and by the Addition of it's diurnal motion, it reaches to, the 23d. as aforesaid at the time of writing, being 24th. of December, the Star hath about 10 Deg. North-Latitude and about the bigness of a Star of the fourth Magnitude with a Stream or Blaze pointing Easterly of about 60 Degrees in length, the Star of a P [...]le Leaner color and also the stream or Blaze by way of Judgment according to Art, there are two things to be considered. First the places of the Comet in the Zodiack; secondly, where the stream points. To [...]he first, I do believe it hath past part of Scorpio and all Sagitarius, therefore let part of France, and part of Germany, and Spain look to it for they either offensively or defensively shall batter themselves or some other people, and inasmuch as it is gotten into Capricorn, I pray God keep the Dominions of Great-Brittain in peace, because under Capricorn is the North part of Scotland, for it is much to be feared that [Page 7] the Scots may once more Rebel against England, and I must f [...]rther take a Cognisance of its passing Sagita ius a sign opposite to Londons Ascendant, where that great Conjunction fell of Saturn and Jupiter in the yeare 1663. From which Mr. Richard Edlin predicted that great Plague which happened in 1665. In short, I fear England, but more especially London will be incident to an infectious Ayre, from thence proceeds raging Pestilential Diseases, Rumours and Real Wars, and home bred Divisions, poisoning, open and private Murders let England beware of Flatterers, and treat its Neighbours in a posture of Defence, to conclude this part, let the Inhabitants of London prepare for death, for indeed a plague is threatened, and God keep back the fury of bloody minded men.
Then considering that the point at its disappearing tended south-east, [...]et the Inhabitants of other places prepare to feel its effects as well as we, but not so soon by way of Digression, if I consider the two great Conjunctions of saturn and Iupiter, which fall in the sign Leo the Ascendant of Rome in the years 1682, and 83. I cannot but think there will be a Total dessolution of the popish power within a small time after, for I am perswaded that the work is begun already as to the Humane part and according to former Observations much after the nature as it was in one great Conjunction in Leo when Rome was taken, and the then present pope Consigned but these Two Conjunctions being in one, and the same Sign happening in the space of one Year, [Page 8] which configurations have not happened for the space of above 2000 years, therefore it must needs shake Rome a [...]d change that place in quality, and indeed these Conjunctions have relation to all the whole World [...] for it is an undoubted truth that the destruction of one state is the advancing of another, and by so much may the Conqueror behold his owne Victory. The World was never always in one position, nor hardly will. The Reverend Mr. Perkins, one of the Fathers of the st [...]tes in many places that they do not for the most part continue above five or six Hundred Years at the most without being sack't by strangers; then let the Reader consider whether a great part of Europe is not near great Alterations, England according to that doctrine cannot but be very sensible of the sad Effects, I shal now conclude with this Astrological prediction.
That within this fi [...]e Years all Europe shall go near to be up in Arms.