A brief MEMORIAL of such Passages as hap­pened presently with us in England, after the three SUNS appearance.

IN March, a generall murmuring possessed most Counties of Eng­land, and the Commonalty every where began to dislike the actions of the Parliament, and a subtill kinde of people dispersed themselves into most Counties of this Kingdom, to prepare the people to mutiny; the Parliament either not having notice, or willing to be sensible of it.

About the middle of the moneth, Ferdinando Lord Fairfax in Yorkeshire deceased, being the greatest pillar in the North for the Parliament; he dyed full of yeers, more full of honour, having most zealously in this Cause, from the first beginning, served his Country faithfully, and obeyed the commands of Parliament.

In this Moneth Colonell Poyer Governor of Pembroke-Castle, and one who had formerly performed excellent service for the Parliament, now revolts and fortifies the Town and Castle a­against them; whom Lievtenant Generall Cromwell, with much honor and gallantry surrounded with his Army, and in July took both the Town and Castle of Pembroke, as also the person of Po­yer. In this Moneth the Scottish Parliament, viz. the prevailing Party therein, Voted forty thousand men to invade us for our goods. This is that Parties faithfull keeping the Covenant, to un­do their English friends.

In Aprill Mens minds continued very unsetled, so that upon a slight occasion on Sunday, the ninth of Aprill, severall Appren­tices, and others in London, made a great Tumult, Marcht through the Strand with Colors they had taken from the Train'd Bands, with Swords, Broomstaves, Halberds, inquiring the way to the [Page 24] Muse, where Colonell Rich his Regiment of Horse then lay; and to Whitehall, where a Regiment of Colonell Baxters Foot were. Colonell Rich his Horse presently appeared, and in an instant, there was neither Colors, Boys or staves to be seen, all dispersing themselves as they might best with safety. The civility of these Troopers, even to these Youths, and to many abusive people be­sides, was very great (as I my selfe saw) who onely desired all of them to repaire to their Houses, and to be quiet, and no hurt should be done them. That night produced a new uprore in the City; so that severall Gates were kept shut by a rude people, and a Magazine in Leaden-hall the Munday after, very neer surprized, had not a handfull of his Excellencies Souldiers rescued it, and routed those unquiet people, &c.

The two and twentieth of this Moneth, the Duke of Yorke was stolne from St. James; and the whole Moneth was generally spent in contriving severall Petitions of strange consequences, to di­sturbe the Parliament: The first whereof was that of Essex, and the Common-Counsell were much disturbed about some flying reports, fathered upon the Army; but nothing appeared against the Army upon due examination.

In May, the Scots send our Parliament some wrangling Papers, unjustly laying much blame upon us, and justifying their own unworthy actions; but the g [...]dly party of that Nation, and their reverend Divines, put out a Declaration against the War; which was honorably done: After this Moneth, I never in Anglicus men­tion the name of Scot. The Surrey Men present a Petition to both Houses, of ill consequence; their foot Freeholders (who were very unruly, as I saw with my own eyes, both in the Strand and in the Hall at W [...]stminster) had some dispute and ill language with Co­lonell Baxsters foot, who Guarded the House that day; but the Colonels men, though much provoked, forbore, untill one of their Men was slain by a Surrey Broom-man or Miller (a Free­holder forsooth) but then they cleer'd the Hall, and made the simple men know, that a Souldiers Sword cuts deeper then an ill word. Indeed many of the Foot Petitioners were fellows incon­siderable, and purposely provided to make a Tumult; their Horse in number seven or eight hundred, were very civil, and some Gen­tlemen there were amongst them.

This Moneth an unquiet People in Kent rise in Armes against the Parliament, keepe their Randezvouz at Rochester, others rob [Page 25] Ships about Detford, and keepe Guards there; but these within three dayes of themselves run away: they who rose at Rochester were well cudgeld at Maidston in Kent, where his Excellency the Lord Fairfax (unto whose valiant atchievements this Kingdome stand perpetually indebted) after an hot and sharp dispute, quite routed, destroyed and tooke prisoners all that there opposed him in Maidston, to his own eternall honour, (who deeply him self in­gaged,Kent Con­quered by the Lord Fairfax.) and the perpetuall renown of those worthy Soldiers un­der his then Command. His Excellency having conquered with a handfull of Men, that Province which William the Conqueror could not with the same royall Army which obtained for him all England. In the third week of this Month, Hailstones were taken up at Walton two inches about. The 26. of this Month,The Welsh routed. eight roy­all Ships desert the Parliament. This Month Colonell Thornton routed the Welch Forces under Powell and Laughorn, two valiant men, but, who very unfortunately having served the Parliament, now to their great shame revolt: but heaven hath also delivered these men into our hands again.

In the moneth of June the Essex men seemed to rise against the Parliament, a commo ion appearng; and it was generally thought they would have joyned with Goring, who with a body of Horse got into Essex out of Kent; him and his Horse his Excellency the Lord Fairfax pursues; the Essex men (like wise people) lay down their Arms, and receive an Act of Indempnity.

In or about the first week of June, Pomfret Castle was surprized,Colchester besieged. and stands out against the Parliament. The thirteenth of this moneth or neer it, his Excellency appears before Colchester, and with a handfull of men beats the Lord Goring and Sir Charles Lucas into Colchester, where he then began his Siege,Essex and Suffolk assist the Lord Ge­nerall. the Essex and Suffolk men most honourably, and like themselves, assisting with very nume­rous and valiant Souldiers, both Foot and Horse. Divers Petiti­ons were again presented to the Parliament this moneth, of seve­rall natures; some pleasing, others not so. The twenty fourth of this moneth there was much unrulinesse at a Common Hall in London, much to the dishonour of the City, and that place, where nothing in former ages or times appeared but gravity and mode­ration.

In July the Duke of Buckingham, old Holland, A simple Uproar. and young Peterbo­rough, make a childish uproar, rise against the Parliament, are beaten, killed, taken and routed; a sufficient payment for their [Page 26] follies, who upon so weak principles intended to raise so mighty a fabrick. Prince CHARLES appears at Yarmouth. Now comes out a filthy thing called,Scots print against the Parlia­ment. The Scots Declaration, full of lyes and ill language against the Parliament and Army, penned by the Devil, or one of his Clerks. Pembroke Castle, Poyer, Powell, Laughorn, are all surrendred to the succesfull Cromwell. The Prince seizes Mer­chants Ships, demands twenty thousand pound for redemption.

These few notions I leave to Posterity, that they may see what actions immediately succeeded the apparition of the three Suns, it being generally received amongst all that allow of Predictions,In August the Scots steal and plunder in Lanca­shire, wher the three Suns were visible. that they are the Precursors of divisions, clandestine Plots, trea­cheries, breaches of Leagues and Covenants, and sudden Commo­tions against Authority: which whether the preceding discourse in some measure maketh not good, I must leave to future times to judge of.

Now followes an exact Diary of the Winde and Weather, ob­served and taken by a learned Esquire of this Kingdom, unto whose pains and great labour, my self and Posterity must stand en­gaged. His name without commission I dare not mention.

An ASTROLOGICAL Judgement up­on the Conjunction of SATURN and MARS the two malevolent Planets, June 28. 1648.

GOd almighty, from whose bounty all goodnesse and science proceeds, assisting my willing Genius, even in these tumultuous seasons, and in this nick of time when our Parliament have so few friends, and is so contemptible, in the squint eyes and depraved judgements both of some Citizens and Cavaliers (as that their pre­sent ruine is expected) I will proceed to give an Astrological Judge­ment upon this so formidable Conjunction of Saturn and Mars, the onely Basis from whence the weekly simple Mercuries fetch their lying hodge podge Oracles, which have of late so oft deluded the people, and of whose pretty cheats and malicious ignorance, now the whole Kingdom (infected therewith) cannot but be miserably sensible, and their own ingenuous Malignant Party enraged with fury, to see themselves incited and invited to giddy commotions, sudden risings, and unnaturall rebellions against this present Parlia­ment and their Country, by these so lowsey Prophets, the very scorn of Men and Schollers (who ever promise Victory unto them­selves) and whose names if I should mention, though sleightly, it were to them an eternall honour: but I leave them to receive from God and the Parliament just rewards for their many abuses, and will endeavour to support my Astrologicall Judgement with strength of reason, according to the naturall grounds of the more pure Astrologie, and with the most regular and rationall Aphorisms that the reverend Professors have left us, offering most willingly a free and quiet dispute unto any learned Astrologian of Europe, if he shall contradict my present Writing; but to our own nationall scam­bling fellowes, viz. the weekly Mercuries, I scorn to take even the least knowledge of the best of them, being meer botching Scrubs, fit for nothing but hanging.

It was well said of Cardanus Seg. 3. Apho. 122. Reconditae rationes rerum docent nos, ut illis credamus; the abstruse or more mysterious reasons of things teach us, that we credit those reasons: Qui au­tem inter multa falsa, pauca miscet vera, non est in recitando dicta ejus illi quicquam tribuendum: viz. he who delivers amongst many lyes now and then one truth, to such a one, or unto his Words, Actions or [Page 30] Writings, we should give no belief. These words pertain to the malignant Prophets, &c.

The 28. of June 1648. is now silently passed over, although predicted so fatall to our Parliament, and so destructive to us poor Roundheads, that have adventured our Stocks in their bottom: A mad and Gipsie-like Prophecy it was, that those effects (how great soever) depending upon the Conjunction, should antecede its being, &c. However, that day, and the three last days in Iune being the last limited dayes of the present Parliaments existence, are passed over, and we see with our eyes that the Parliament is not dead; and we heard with our ears that very day no more then a whirling ma­lignant murmuring rumour in London, that his Excellency the Lord Fairfax was totally defeated before Colchester, the Siege raised, the Members of both Houses fled: this is prophetically printed, and not yet retracted, though a Bulling lye, &c. Oh it is, and must needs be the worst of Causes that hath no defence but lyes, calumnies, and personall aspersions, &c. But I am to treat Astrologically.

The Subject-matterSubject-Matter. is A conjunction of Saturn and Mars, the two malevolent and worst Planets, whose influence indeed may pro­duce wonderfull alterations and mutations, but not wholly of themselves, without other concomitant causes, preceding and subsequent configurations; of which our most precious Adversaries have taken no notice: Oh Parliament forgive them, they know not how to do it.

Ergo, omi­nous to men and great Cattle.The conjunction it self fals to be in the Asterism of Taurus, now extending it self to the very 25. of Gemini: in this circuit of de­grees we have many fixed Stars; some neer the degree of the conjun­ction it self; as, the horns of the Bull, of the nature of Mars; so also, the Buckler, the Feet, and the left Shoulder of Orion, of the severall natures of Saturn, Iupiter, Mars and Mercury, which rationally and artificially commixed with the Erraticals, do many times pro­duce thunder, lightning, fiery apparitions in the Ayre, thundering and extravagant high conceptions in man. The conjunction it self is neer the Eclipticall line; Mars having no latitude at all, but verging Northward, his influence therefore the stronger: Saturn having one degree Meridionall, is posited neer such fixed Stars as are of the nature of Mercury, Saturn, Mars and the Moon: here is a pret­ty medley of fixed Stars, concomitant with the Planets: The ef­fects depending hereupon are like to be various, turbulent, &c. These fixed Stars I do mention, as much conducing to discover [Page 31] the effects of the conjunction it self; for Rigel, Apho. 66. invites our consideration hereunto; non obliviscaris Stellas fixas, & gradus nonae Spherae immobiles, in quibus fiunt eae conjunctiones & quadraturae, virtutes mansionum miscendo: Forget not the fixed Stars, and the immova­ble degrees of the ninth Sphear, in which these conjunctions of the Planets, and their quadrate aspects are made and posited, commix­ing herewith, or with their vertue, the influence of their severall mansions: unto whom consenteth Dasipodius, Apho. 9. Stellarum fixarum opus manifestius est, opere trium superiorum, earum (inquam) quae conspicuae sunt magnitudinis aut saltem mediocris cum parva latitudine, &c. The operation of the fixed Stars themselves, is more manifested or apparent by the conjunction of the superiour Planets with them, with such fixed Stars, I say, which are famous or conspicuous, or but of moderate magnitude having small latitude from the Ecliptick. The very truth is, that we have this malevolent conjunction neer un­to Oculus Tauri, a most impetuous and violent fixed Star; if we either beleeve our own experience, or the presages of our Prede­cessours, there did never happen any Eclips, conjunction, 1603 King James came in [...]o England. or opposi­tion of the Superiours neer that part of Gemini, but it produced admirable effects: let me go no further then to tell you, that the first conjunction of Saturn and Iupiter upon their entrance into the fiery Trygon, was in Sagittary, 1603. in opposition to this almost degree of our conjunction, (omitting many other examples,Fatall to the Spa­niard. we re­member the Eclipse in the 10. of Gemini, 1639. and the place of the Sun and Moon 1644. Novemb. 19. at the appearance of the three mock Suns, fatall to the Malignants ever since;) besides, this is not a conjunction of the inferiour, but superiour Planets; Quanto majus sydus est ac motus etiam velocior eo etiam opera syderis sunt manifestiora, &c. Dasipodius Apho. 8. The greater the Planet is, and the more swift his motion, so much the more manifest shall his effects ap­pear: Both Saturn and Mars in our positure are very swift, and do greatly exceed their mean motion; Saturn his diurnall motion being six minutes, and Mars his 42.

From hence we may conjecture the actions and designes de­pending hereupon will be great and eminent, and impetuously,Gemini a famous Sign. furiously, and with great violence and speed be carried on and be prosecuted; and these suddenly and in a moment after this Con­junction it selfe is past. And is the Signe it selfe wherein the Con­junction is in, is Aëry, and famous amongst the twelve Signs of the Zodiacke, by reason of the many noble fixed Stars therein [Page 32] posited on both sides the Eclipticke, and the now present scituati­on of these superiors therein; we cannot from hence expect tri­viall Negotiations, or vain fantasticall Ideas, but matters of mo­ment, consultations to purpose, and those of principall eminen­cy and highest concernment of Men in Authority and matters equivolent; for cum superioribus nunquam judicia, de rebus parvis fa­cies Rigel. Apho. 39. When thou shalt judge the effects succeeding a Conjunction of the Superiors, expect from thence no small or tri­viall matters to succeed. From hence we may derive a candid judgement, of the magnitude and influence this Conjunction hath upon the generall Actions of our Kingdome of England, and the greatest persons therein Inhabiting; and particularly upon the City of London, London much con­cerned in this Con­junction. and their actions and consultations, and upon the Southerne and Westerne parts fron London or West of England; which for ought I see are to continue many dayes in great vigor and manifold action; for neither of the two Malevolents have any great impediment, but as posited in the eight. Manent ergo vir­tutes & significata erratieaerum si non combustas & retrogradas has stellas invenies, Rigel. Apho. 39. The influence of the Planets and matter or vertue of their Significations remaine and continue, when you finde their Significators are neither Combust or Retrograde, &c. Of all these Aphorismes we shall make good use in the ensuing judgement; for in our Scheame we neither have Mars or Saturne Retrograde, or Combust, but swift, direct and well dignified, essentially, or accidentally. And certainly this very Conjunction is the Prodromus of singula [...] actions, both in our own Common-wealth, and also in the Kingdome of Scotland; for it is an indu­bitable rule, according to Astrologie: Deteri orantur genera hominum per transmutationes illarum magnarum Conjunctionum cum succedentes ini­micabiliter configurantur cum figuris praeteritarum, unde una rota ascen­dunt & descendunt, que perpetuo nec uno esse, nec una forma rotantur, Rigel. Apho. 32. The kinds and qualities of men are depraved, made worse, or corrupted by the transmutation of the great Conjun­ctions, when as those Conjunctions which succeed, are inimica­bly configurated with the preceding positures of Heaven, &c. That we make use of this Aphorisme, let us consider that the Conjuncti­on of Saturn and Jupiter in the eighth degree of Sagitarius, which was celebrated Decem. 7. 1603. the same yeer when King James came into England; must be the Locus à quo, or the first assured Foun­tain or ground-worke from which, untill the yeer 1801. in an A­strologicall [Page 33] way of judgement, we must more or lesse derive a Conjecture of Humane contingencies in this Kingdome espe­cially, and in Scotland; and generally over all Europe: we must also commix therewith the two later Conjunctions of Saturn and Ju­piter, one in 1623. and the other in 1642/3. and we know that in 1603. the English Monarchy was divolved to the Scottish race,A great Plague at­tended King James his coming into Eng­land, 1603 And a greater Plague followed his death. to the exceeding benefit of that Nation, and the enriching of them that came in amongst us, but to the impoverishing of the English; multitudes of that people since having obtained vast Estates, and great Offices of trust and profit in our Kingdome; of all which they have ever known how to make the best use. In that Conjun­ction we have Gemini the Cusp of the seventh and Luna in the tenth degree, and 52. minutes; as if the vulgar did not much care for the Scots company.

In the positure of heaven 1623. July the seventh, upon the se­cond Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, in 6. 45. Leo the very tenth degr. of Gemini was the cuspe of the fourth house; in the scheame of Heaven 1642/3. Feb. 15. when Saturn and Jupiter made their last meeting in 25. 46. Pisces; the Sign Gemini did then descend on the cuspe of the seventh house, Mars being in one degree of Gemi­ni, and the Moon 15. Let us now examine for instructions sake, even for our very friends, and worst of enemies, by way of exam­ple, the casualties have happened upon any eminent Conjunction of the Planets or Eclipses of the Sun and Moon in or neer the degree of Saturn and Jupiter, or in Opposition unto it; or in the degree of the Sun or Moon, at the time of that first Conjunction in 1603. and so successively in the second succeding and latter Conjunctions of Sa­turn and Jupiter. The 16. September 1604. Saturn and Mars were in Conjunction in the tenth degree, and 17. Sagitarius, the 22. of October 1605. Saturn and Mars were in Quartile in 23. Sagitarius, neer the place of the Moon in the first Conjunction, and Mars in Virgo 14. degrees after, viz. November 5. Saturn that day transit­ing the very degree of the Moon; the Powder Treason should have been put into act. May 20. there was a Solan Eclipse in nine degrees of Gemini, 1612. Palsgrave came into England upon an unlucky aspect. the sixteenth of October following arrived the PALS­GRAVE here in London; Saturn that day in eleven degrees of Pisces, viz. in quartile dexter to the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in 1603. and sinister quartile to the Moon in that conjunction: whe­ther this his comming was any thing advantagious to our Na­tion, we all know: however, the fourteenth of February fol­lowing, [Page 34] he married the Lady Elizabeth, the most gallant, and most heroick Lady of Europe, well meriting for her Husband a farre greater person: that day Saturn and Mars being in a quar­tile aspect, Saturn in eighteen degrees of Pisces, and Mars in Gemini.

In the yeer 1618. a Comet appeared in England, in the moneth of November, the very Sign ascending at first sight of the Comet, and almost degree, viz. the nineteenth of Sagittary, being the self-same of the preceding first conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in 1603. Saturn then running through Gemini, and very neer the de­gree of this conjunction: In March following dyed Queen ANNE, a most gracious Queen, and King JAMES himself fell very sick, but recovered.

In 1623. upon the second conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, the tenth degree of Sagittary did culminate, the opposite Sign and de­gree of our present Conjunction: After which, viz. in 1625. dyed King James, and an heavy Plague in London succeeded; there fal­ling in that yeer a Solar Eclipse in the seventeenth of Pisces, which Signe was intercepted in the ascendant, in the later conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter 1623. Saturn also that yeer transiting into the Sign Virgo, which is in quadrate to Sagittary, the Sign of the first conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, and in quadrate to the Moon in that Figure: In 1635. Saturn transiting Sagittary, as also 1636. London smarted with the Plague in those yeers. Let us ha­sten to things fresh in memory, viz. that in 1639. there was a great Eclipse of the Sun in the tenth degree of Gemini, the Scots and we first then about that time began to quarrell, the Citizens of Lon­don refuse to lend the King money to be imployed against the Scots: one Parliament is summoned during the effects of that Eclipse, as quickly dissolved; the Parliament scandalized by Finch, his Majesty discontented and angry; new stirs appear, and after that, the Scots invade us again; for where he fares well, he will stay longest, and we paid them then in mony, our Souldiers being then unwilling to beat them, but now they shal have blows, &c. In 1640. when this Parliament began, the twentieth of Sagittary then culminated, and Pisces ascended, Mars in the tenth degree thereof, in quadrate dexter to the place of this Conjunction.

I have wrote thus much onely to instruct the studious herein with the constant naturall progresse and key of heavenly Astrolo­gie; which rightly understood and applied, will abundantly sa­tisfie [Page 35] the carefull Astrologer: he that is master of more time then I am, may make further experiments in this kinde, even for many yeers or ages before our time; I assure him he will have no cause to repent his labour, so beneficially improved, as thereby it may, by what I have wrote, he may easily see that there hath been no manner of calamity befallen to this City or Kingdom since 1603. but there may be a significant reason in Astrologie given for it, ac­cording to naturall causes, either from the Conjunctions of the Planets, or Eclipses of the Sun and Moon concurring with the Ra­dix of the first, second or third Conjunction of the two superiors; and although so much knowledge was not left me by any Author, or derived from any ancient Writer, yet I out of the singlenesse of my heart, freely divulge this grand Key of Astrologie to Posterity, hoping it will produce greater things hereafter, when knowledge shall more abound.

Nor could we have omitted what is immediately premised, unlesse we had given our selves liberty to be singular, and to abound in our own proper sense; a thing we delight not in, longer then our reason is seconded with Art: for many things are considerable in this Art, and severall wayes for discovery of truth, according to Rigel, Apho. 53. who saith, Fundamentum princi­pale in revolutionibus annorum mundi, est introitus Solis, in primum punctum arietis, porro multa necessaria ad hanc inquisitionem sunt, & seientia multo­rum, experimentorum & cognitionum superiorum praeteritorum temporum & magnarum Eclipsationum Profectionumque: The entrance of the Sun into the first point of Aries, is the principall and main founda­tion in judging Revolutions of the yeers of the World; yet more­over, there do many things also conduce unto this disquisition, as the knowledge of many Experiments, and the right under­standing of former and greater times elapsed; as also, the Eclipses, great Conjunctions and Profections: [by Profections, he intends the annuall Profection of the last preceding conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, the Sign ascending varying annually] as in 1642/3. the as­cendant of the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter was 27. 34. of Sagittarius, this yeer 1647/8. the 27. 34. of Taurus is the Profectio­nall ascendant of that Conjunction; through which ascendant, or Sign of Taurus, Saturn by transit hath been passing with a slow motion above two full yeers, and the day of the Sun's ingresse in­to Aries this yeer 1648. he did transit the degree and very minute almost of this Profectionall ascendant, afflicting thereby and re­tarding [Page 36] our Parliaments Designs: and furthermore, this present Conjunction of which I now treat, doth happen in Gemini, which is intercepted in the ascendant of this Profectionall Revolution of Saturn and Jupiter, ab hinc verè, ab hinc, lachrymae nostrae Anglicanae hoc tempore, non certè a Revolutione hujus ce Anni, vel ab hac tam dira & for­midabili conjunctione infortunarum procedunt, sed Deus d-abit his quoque finem. I give also in the subsequent Discourse some further Astro­logicall reason, why at present our State and this Kingdom is so disturbed, &c.

And with great reason we do adhere unto this method, consi­dering the regular and orderly disposition of the superiour Con­figurations of all times, and in every yeer: Conjunctiones totius anni oppositionesque & quadraturas si de qualitate temporis judicaturus sis, ne­cesse est ut consideres, per has autem causantur diversae transmutationes tem­porum, viz. who will judge of the quality and condition of the time, it's necessary that he consider the Conjunctions, Oppositions and Quadratures of the whole yeer; that is, b [...]th of the Luminaries and all the other Planets; for from hence are caused divers transmu­tations of the times.

How the Parlia­ment are concerned in this Conjun­ction.These things generally premised, we now come to handle this Conjunction in a more particular way. In the first place we have but a sad position of heaven (which hath representation of the Parli­ament and their Members) to begin with; able utterly upon the first sight to startle and puzzle a weak affection, or any Astrolo­ger that is weak sighted, or that is but moderately minded to the actions and honor of this present Parliament, or that hath not better then humain principles; for we have Mars their Significa­tor, because Lord of the As [...]endant in the eight house in Conjuncti­on with Saturn, a very sad Planet, nay, neer oculus Tauri, a further and more ill Omen, if not seriously considered, and artificially compared with other causes preceding and succeeding; verily the house it selfe wherein the Conjunction fals, is the worst place and house of the heavens, and most naturally and exactly signifies the sad and distracted condition of the present Parliament at this ve­ry present time of the Conjunction; it well and singularly and cleerly imports the horrible and grand treacheries, multitude of distur­bances, and slippery clandestine designes both of many in the Ci­ty, and in the severall Counties of England, yea, and in the very wals of their own houses at Westminster to ruine themselves and thereby their own Posterity, the Kingdome it selfe, this Parlia­ment, [Page 37] and all our just Rights, which for the present we have in­trusted them with. It implyes and points out a Parliament strug­ling and gasping for breath and life, wearied with labour and sadnesse, expecting more tumults, and daily more Novell diso­bediences, affronts, and thwarting of their Authority, and crossing their designes.

Nulla divisio circuli tunc pessima tamque crudelis in omnibus quam octa­va est, Rigel. Apho. 35. There is no part of the heavens so ill, so cruell and malicious in all things as the eighth house; and yet this is the very house wherein this Conjunction is at this time, and in which we finde Mars our Parliaments Significator in Conjunction with Saturne, the Author of all treachery and villany, and even such acts are now in agitation by such and such as Saturn and Mars doe signifie, viz. their own Members, to bring this Parliament (the Kingdomes best Bulwarke against oppression and tyranny) to ruine and destruction. But let it be so, viz. that such things real­ly are intended at this present, and acting by some English Change­lings and Rennagadoes from English blood and glory, and from such as are degenerated from Christianity it selfe. And let our worst of enemies boast and humour their longing fancies, and sing Lullabye to their greedy expectations, depending upon the effects of this malevolent configuration; and let them prattle li­berally and write innocently, and prophesie thunderingly a­gainst us without understanding what dire and sad effects it may produce to our Parliament, the destruction whereof these villains onely ayme at, we give them leave to be mad, yea and drunke with their own fury. Let our soule proceed with sober judgement and impartiall arguments, and deale faithfully with all sorts of people of what quality so ever; what may b [...] the dictates of this present Conjunction. As to the parts of this Kingdome, we say, it principally Designes the City of London, wherein many of the effects of this Conjunction shall manifest themselves; for unto the Signe of Gemini it is subject, as I could instance by infallible ex­periments of these and former ages. It also threatens the West of England, that part especially which is Mountainous, hilly, and rockie, verging somewhat to the South; as also the Eastern and Northeast part hereof; for I doe ever finde by experience that all ominous Eclipses and famous Conjunctions or Oppositions, greater or lesser (quoad) do as much prejudice those parts of the World, those Kingdomes, and Countries subject to the opposite Signes where­in [Page 38] the Conjunctions or Oppositions are, as much as those very Coun­tries under the Signe it selfe, wherein the Conjunction, Opposition or Eclips, Spain will suffer by this Con­junction. or Prodigie it selfe fals. And hereof Spaine was a sad wit­nesse in 1639. when there was an Eclips visible of the Sun in that very degree, viz. the eleventh of Gemini, after which, about five moneths they suffered the losse of their Armado on our coast. And much about that time our disquietnesse in the North began, and verily then also severall disorders and grievances in London were occasioned by the sharp Episcopals; for there's no mischief wherein either the hand or councell of a Priest is wanting; they are ever­more readier for knavery then goodnesse, following their Bellies more then Divinity: From whence therefore we must expect in good earnest, infinite divisions and heart-burnings, as well amongst our great Ones at Westminster, The Par­liament shall not be over­thrown. they now residing within the orbs, as it were of this City, as amongst the principall Offi­cers, Magistrates and Commonalty of the City of London, and amongst the inferiour people, both City and Parliament will be miserably sensible thereof; yet however, the main body of this Par­liament and their authority (maugre all angry Devils and Scottish faction) shall be preserved and stand: but how the Citizens, being so vast a body, will guide their actions, and their Commonwealth, their Consultations and Body-politique, themselves being now the most active people in the Kingdom,London in danger. incited mightily by the fury and heat of this sharp influence; or what shall casually happen to this City it self, occasioned by some popular tumultuous men, whom Posterity will curse, I will in part, and but in part discover, being more willing to offend by a tacite and still silence, then too much either to enrage an angry people, or discourage a religious society of men living amongst them; but in time a judgement sufficiently sharp, will descend from heaven upon some fiery spi­rits, who for a time act wrong Councels, and destructive to the good of this famous City:Admoni­tion to the City. Let the wiser sort of Citizens consider well this succeeding Aphorism, and apply it home unto them­selves, every one as he is concerned in the place he undergoes, and that in time, and without partiality to themselves, or casting dirt in the Author's face, who entirely loves the Cities welfare; for it doth significantly expresse what shall in part chance to the City of London, ere the events signified hereby be quite over: In qualibet revolutione Civitatis vel Regni, in qua Signum ascendentis ceciderit in par­titione octavae, & directio illius temporis, ibi in ocava existens Mars, cru­delissimas [Page 39] esse dissensiones, & effusionem sanginis in illa judicandum est, Ri­gel, Apho. 46. In every revolution of a City or Kingdom, in which the Sign of the ascendant of that City or Kingdom shall fall to be in the partition of the eighth house, and the Direction of that time shall be there, and also Mars, Beware Citizens of violent Counsel­lours. we may judge that there will be in that City or Kingdom most cruell divisions, and great shed­ding of blood. This is the English of the Aphorism without min­cing or jugling, and without the infinite mercy of God, War and blood will succeed in this City, occasioned by a violent and obsti­nate Party, signified by Saturn and Mars, viz. by the Souldier and the Commonalty, or inferiour people, or procured by Councels, or men violent rash and giddy, &c. I pray God blesse us from the later prediction, the first we are sufficiently sensible of, (viz. dis­sentions) since Saturn entered Gemini, and have tasted of it; and our present actions invite, and give occasion to mistrust the later mischief, viz. the effusion of blood: Saturn is here best dignified, Almans. prop. 45. Cujuscunque natura Planetarum superior fuerit, non cessabit ejus actus usque quo sit ibidem ejus contrarium. Seg. 2. Apho. 103. Saturnus cum Oculo Tauri, magna detrimenta facit generaliier; ge­nerally Saturn with the Buls eye, is the presage of great mischief: These unfortunate Planets are both in quadrate platick to Jupiter; Great ca­lamities to ensue. from which position and aspect, let us expect infinite and endlesse Disputes and Controversies about our Laws, Customs and Privi­ledges, about Religion, and with the Religious, about Cove­nants, Leagues, Jurisdictions, &c. It shews fears, jealousies, mistrusts, great waste and consumption os mens Estates, especially in this City, decay of Houses, Trades, sequestration of Revenues, the destruction and extirpation of whole Families, and they very ancient, the firing and destruction of many Houses, and of some Cities and Towns, &c.

Almans. 60. Ea que accidunt in hoc seculo, sciuntur & investigantur ex magna fortitudine superioris significatoris & ex sua elevatione. Mundane affaires, or such things as happen in this world, are known and discovered by the great strength of the superior Significator, Dearth and Fa­mine. and by his Elevation. From the sence and construction of this A­phorisme, there arises thus much; as Saturn is better dignified then Mars, we must expect a Famine and a Dearth, or scarcity of Provisions, intemperate cold blasts, great infidelity generally, as well in the Parliament and their Members, as in the City and Countrey, and prime men of every place. As Mars is most eleva­ted, [Page 40] he shewes the Sword will prevaile, though much interrup­ted by Countermands, contrary directions and Commissions; in plaine termes, it animates the Souldier, though with a fearfull or mistrustfull conception of the event of his Actions; yea, it ar­gues in the end,The Army ordained to stand, and do the Kingdom good. the Army will be enforced to doe strange things, else we must perish, and themselves likewise. Who ever therefore hath naturall English blood in him, let him take part with the Ar­my under the Lord Fairfax, and with the Parliament; so shall he live and have a being, and doe his owne Prince and Kingdome service, and restore England to its pristine glory; at present much Eclipsed by some snarling Scottified people of late encroaching upon us.The King­dom invi­ted to join with the Army. And certainly here is some greater works neer at hand, then onely the dispute of Customes or divesting some great ones of their Estates, by reason of the transmutation of the Auge of Mars, who is Significator of this Kingdome, and Lord of the As­cendant in this Conjunction: For I doe finde in Rigel, Apho. 9. Mu­tantur regna & Dominia, & fides, Sectaeque, & opiniones hominum. Dum mutantur auges planetarum, de signo in signum dico, illarum gentium qua­rum Significator erit planeta augis per mutatae, mutatioque erit ad bonum vel ad malum secundum naturam significatorum conjunctionum superiorum illorum temporum & secundum naturam signi mutationis. In English thus, Kingdoms and Governments, Leagves, Sects, and the opinions of Men doe change or vary, when the Auges of the Planets move out of one Signe into another; I say of those Nations whose Signifi­tator is the Planet of the transmutated Auges, and this alteration shall be for good or ill,A trans­mutation of govern-to be ex­pected. according to the nature of the Significa­tor of the superior Conjunctions of those times, and according to the nature of the Signe of mutation.

But lest one example or Aphorisme might be thought an incom­petent judge herein; the matter we now handle being weighty and of mighty consideration, and the times capable of this doc­trine, we produce Cardane seg. 1. Apho. 37. Per mutationes Absidum, regna, & regiones, & religiones mutant, & Planetae, vel Ascendens in his vel oppositis, vim à natura ejus contrahunt, cujus est Absis, puram in abside, depravatam in opposito, convenit igitur hos scire. The permuta­tions or variations of the Absides of the Planets, change King­domes and Regions, alter Religions; and either the Planets themselves or the Ascendant being in these Signes, or their Oppo­sites, contract vertue from the nature of the Signe whose Absis it is; pure vertue and influence in the Absis it selfe, or Sign wherein [Page 41] it is, depraved and corrupt in its opposite Sign. It is necessary to know this manner of learning; should I explain this, it were a labour of a sheet of paper, but my time is limited; I shall make use of it in our Judgement, which will be sufficient: I onely say, that Mars is the generall Significator of England, and that at this pre­sent his Absis or Aphelium is in four Signs, twenty nine degrees, fifty two minutes and twenty one seconds; that is, in twenty nine degrees, fifty two minutes, and twenty one seconds of Leo, Virgo the ascendant of the En­gl sh Mo­narchy. and that in the yeer 1656. his Aphelium will be in Virgo, and he then leaves the Sign Leo; Virgo is assuredly the ascendant of the English Monarchy, but Aries of the Kingdom: when this A [...]sis therefore of Mars shall appear in Virgo; who shall expect lesse then a strange Catastrophe of humane affairs in this Common-wealth, Monarchy and Kingdom of England? for how can Mars shew or give protecti­on to Aries or Virgo, which Signs he beholds not with any aspect? here will then either in or about those times, or neer that yeer, or within ten yeers more or lesse of that time,Great change neer 1656 or within a little time after, appear in this Kingdom so strange a Revolution of fate, so grand a Catastrophe, and great mutation unto this Monarchy and Government, as never yet appeared; of which (as the times now stand) I have no liberty or encouragement to deliver my opinion. Onely it will be ominous to London, unto her Merchants at Sea, to her traffique at land, to her Poor, to her Rich, to all sorts of people inhabiting in her, or her Liberties, by reason of sundry fires, and a consuming Plague, &c. But I fear a sad disaster to this City much before that time; to reveal it, were cause of envy;It may be extended to signifie the change of many now in of­fice, for there are few Kings to be chan­ged, and men in authority are as it were re­presenti­tative Kings. to conceal it, is a point of humane Policy. In the intervall of which time, if it be lawfull to quote Almansor, Apho. 132. Cum duae infor­tunae conjunguntur & Luna Saturno in latitudine, erit fames & mortali­tas, si vero Marti mutabuntur Reges, & erit multa sanguinis effusio, & praelia in loco qui signabitur ab ipso Signo & hoc non fallit: when the two Infortunes are in conjunction, and the Moon concur with Saturn in latitude, there will ensue a famine and mortality, (both which I much fear unto the City of London:) but if she concur with Mars, (which in this Conjunction she doth not) Kings or Governours shall be changed, and there will be much spilling of blood, many Bat­tails, or much fighting, in that very place which is signified by that very Sign it self, wherein this Conjunction is; and this fails not.

This is a friendly admonition to the industrious Citizens of [Page 42] London, who are the most of any in Europe concerned in the effects of this Conjun [...]tion; the Sign Gemini, as I have said, being the ascen­dant of their City. I shall not willingly expatiate or dilate upon the plain meaning of these words; the Aphorism being so signifi­cant, and the Citizens of so great capacities, so prudent and judi­cious, as there is no doubt, if God have not obfuscated their judgements, and clouded their Senators wisdom, they will be mindefull of my words;The City poysoned with Ma­lignants. though now at this present I am held of a contrary opinion to most of them, who busily endeavour the disturbance of the City (the contrary whereof I love) but it is the poysonous breath of Malignants, or a few fellow-Citizens of fiery dispositions, co-inhabiting together with vertuous men, and more graver judgements, that have so obstructed the glory of the City at this present, and clouded their former actions (which indeed were most honourable) and brought them now (in the opinion of very many) under the notion of Self-seekers, Citizens not belo­ved of the Countrey. and the Kingdoms Disturbers; and so great an odium lyes upon this City at present, generally throughout this whole Kingdom, that it is a great wonder unto me (I mean the Countries ill affection to the City) of which, by continuall Letters from severall parts I understand, and did personally hear, and was an eye witnesse at my being at the Leaguer before Colchester, July 1648. the Essex men generally as much enraged against this City,Essex men disconten­ted the Ci­tizens sent no ayde to the Lord Fairfax, but ob­structed it, they say they ser­ved not the City so when the King was at Brainford. as they against the Parliament: yet I desire not to live any longer then I should endeavour and wish all prosperity to the Body and Common-wealth of this Ci­ty, that it may abundantly flourish in Trade, Commerce and Tran­quility, &c. The least accident that can happen unto this City now at present from this Conjunction, is Sedition, Tumults and Uproars, Famine, if no blood-shed: for it is generally beleeved, that any Conjunction of the three Superiours in an ayery Sign, Ventos & seditiones pestilentiamque, sed non tamen semper movet, Card. Seg. 7. Apho. 34. high Windes are signified (as to the Weather) Se­ditions, Tumults, Hurlyburlies, and the Pestilence (as to the City) by any Conjunction in an ayery Sign, Portenditur etiam multorum homi­num interritus ex peste; which I verily beleeve shall prove true within the compasse of two yeers, and ere this Conjunction have done ope­rating, for so long time the influence hereof continues.

Having now delivered what the opinion of Authors is concern­ing this malevolent Conjunction in generall, let us a little give leave to our Genius to be studious herein, and to expatiate our thoughts, [Page 43] that we (the least of Students) may leave Posterity a small remem­brance of our indefatigable labours in this study of Astrologie, His Maje­sty pro­phesied of by Merlin 900. yeers since. be­fore our time sinking, in a fair way, now by our industry of revi­ving. I will begin gently with his Majesty, whose sufferings were ordained many ages since, as I daily finde in many old Prophesies: his Significator in this Scheam is very properly the Sun, as he is Lord of the tenth, who now is locally placed in the ninth house of heaven, but in the twelfth from the tenth; that is, in that house which signifies restraint of liberty, or in plain terms, captivity, &c. (and so is he captived at this time) there is Jupiter in the tenth house powerfull (quoad accidentally) not essentially; Ergo, it's not words, but money that buyes Land; it's not the delusive pro­mises of his false friends, whereof he hath ever had too many, es­pecially of the Scots Nation, or probably,The King impedited by the Scots, and by tumults Paris must expect present tumults: the intended assistance of his own children, signified by Jupiter, as he is Lord partly of the fifth from the tenth, can effect his liberty, or his restauration, or will France do the work; I see no sufficient willingnesse in that people, or abilities, if willing: for we see Jupiter in quartile to Sa­turn and Mars, and they in the eighth; one misfortune in the neck of another, one miscarriage after another amongst his friends; for a time and a long season blasts all assistance and hopes of friends, and all his Majesties own Designs and affairs; I mean, by means of War or Souldiers.

There is a full measure of time limited by God, which being not as yet accomplished, renders in the interim, all mans endea­vour fruitlesse, and his labour impertinent, God of his goodnesse shorten it for the good of us all; yet, its my opinion, were there not more then a naturall hand, and not a Divine power superla­tively transcending celestiall Configurations, the approaching of Ve­nus to a Sextill of Iupiter in this figure at the time of the aspect, she then in Sagittary, there should arise very many faire and comfor­table promises, and very many Missives from friends,A Sextile of Jupiter and Venus Octob. 29 1648. then good hopes for his Maje­sty. or assistance from severall parts; some from France, because Iupiter is in Vir­go the ascendant of Paris: others from Scotland, because Venus is in Cancer. But as the Moon, who is Lady of that house, doth be­hold Cancer, and not the Sun, so shall the Scots now in Armes, more regard their own private interests, lucre, stealing and filching, then his Majesties restauration; and the French will rather seem to act, then doe any thing really, having worke enough at home. But that his friends may, can, or shall reinthronize his [Page 44] Majesty by War,His Maje­sty best to depend on the Parli­ament and Army, not on the Ci­ty of Lon­don. or Tumults, against the intentions of this very Parliament (statu quo) its negative in Astrologie, and a lye, if the drowsie Malignant Prophets pipe otherwise; therefore his Ma­jesty must depend upon the uprightnesse and moderation of his Parliament and their Army; all whose hearts God of his mercy incline to doe justice equally without partiality; very little on the City of London, the Magistrates whereof being not ordained generally to concur, and besides, their Divisions seeming to be very many, one party still impeding and crossing another; nor are their Consultations ordained to be the restorers of his Ma­jesty or Monarchy, what ever their owne haughty desires may suggest unto themselves, either of their personall valours, or Purse abilities (sic est Statutum;) so that in few words, I say, this Con­junction is not the antecedent, or precursor of inlargement to his Majesties person, or restauration to former dignities by any manner of meanes,The Au­thor's de­sire for Peace, and setling his Majesty. but a Treaty, for Iupiter is his onely friend, and is the Author of Councell and Justice, Peace and tranquili­ty. I pray God give us both a Treaty, and Peace to succeed it, the thing I onely wish for in this World. Those must either be de­rived from other causes and configurations, or not be thought on from hence.

Successe of Parlia­ment.And now I am to handle this Scheme of heaven, and this Con­junction as it hath any relation or any thing to doe with the pre­sent Parliament and Commonalty of England, who now regulate our unsetled,Fixed Signs ar­gue firm­nesse and continu­ance. disordered and dis-joyted affai [...]es. The Ascendant of this Conjunction is the third of Scorpio, a fixed Sign, so are all the angles of the Figure; its in Pla [...]icke trine unto the fourth of Pisces, Ascending at time of their first sitting 1640. Ergo, the body of this Parliament shall stand firme, shall not be potentially or actually dissipated. But Mars and Saturn, which signifies the Members of both Houses,Members questiona­ble. shews great fear and mistrusts in them, and that many of them shall totter, shake and be questioned, and found faulty, not of innocency, but of connivancy with the Scots, Untill some guil­ty of trea­chery in both hou­ses be found out, we shall suffer. of horrible Plots, and high misdemenors, of treachery a­gainst the very being of the whole Parliament. Its not a time now in this present exigent of time, or my custome to flatter any. In the name of God, let the guilty betrayers of Publick trust and selfe-seekers finde equall justice with the worst of Malefa­ctors; whoever he be, Lord or no Lord, Knight or no Knight, that wrongs or abuses the trust reposed in him by the Common-wealth; [Page 45] let him dye the death; the most shamefullest of deaths. The sword of the Almighty, the just fury of the angry and ama­zed People; the uncouth clamour of thousands cry out against many of them; Justice must be done, it must not be delayed or prolonged; some must dye, some must disgracefully be turned out of their Places (for we have been and are still betrayed by some in Authority;) some must be fleeced or let blood of such stocks of Money, as have been knavishly and theevishly purloy­ned from the miserable Common-wealth. Committee men, Se­questrators, unjust Treasurers, Many people que­stioned. Receivers and Disposers of the Kings Revenues, the venerable Excisers, my quondam Enemies; all must to the Bar of Justice.

The influence of this Conjunction will squeez many hundreds of pounds from such men, to the great content of the whol King­dome, and I hope satisfaction of Gods wrath, who will be ex­treamly pleased with our Parliament when they administer equal Justice, and first begin with themselves; these things being per­formed will prove an exc [...]eding benefit unto the valiant Souldier; who by such Mens meanes and the shi [...]king devises formerly of Treasu [...]ers and Subtreasurers, have been fed with a bitt and a kn [...]cke. Yet let no Man imagine by these words, I dislike the afor [...]said callings, viz. ei [...]her [...]he Excize or S [...]questration of them who deserve it, the present State having occasion of moneys, no, I do not: I on [...]l [...] quarrell a [...] the abus [...]s and unjustnesse of ma­ny of these Officers; and I desire the State to give a full and free liberty for such men to be questioned, and all thos [...] especially,This I know to be t [...]ue by m [...] very friend, Mr. B. that under the notion of Sequ [...]strators revenge their own p [...]ivate quar­rell or malice upon the miserable S [...]bject, making their own ene­mies D [...]linque [...]ts, upon no sufficient gr [...]und, but inveterate hatred of their own, whereby some mens estates are kept sequestrated two or three yeers, and by policy and indirect means, impeded, that they cannot be heard before the Lords and Commons of that Committee, &c.

The ponderous effects of this malevolent Conjunction, Much trouble to the Parli­ment. though they shall much, and for a long time amuse and stumble this Par­liament, and especially the honourable house of Commons, by reason of the many and infinite backslidings in the people them­selves, and Members of their own house, and losses which they shall for a while sustain, and the daily and weekly contumelies, scandals, irreverent affronts in point of honour, they and seve­rall [Page 46] of their Members shall undergo: yet notwithstanding, fear not English Parliament, be not dismayed noble house of Commons, VIVE, VIVE, VIVE, thou shalt stand firm and immovable, like unto the stately Oak,The Par­liament to continue long. which scorns to buckle: it's true, some of thy rotten boughs, and unfaithful branches shall be lopt off from thee (I would they had never been of thee;) but as the main body of the tall and sturdy Oak stands untottered, or unshaken, against all blustering opposition of impetuous storms, and furious tem­pests; so shall thy main Fabrick: although many shall thy suffer­ings be, and thy patience as much; yea, even infinite! yet thou shalt overcome, and in the end acquire thy desires; and in thee, and by thy endeavours,The whole Kingdom happy in the Parli­ament and Army. with this poor Army now so scorned, the whole Common-wealth of the Kingdom of England, even to a full perfection, and to the content of the greatest part of the Kingdom shall be blessed; which they will acknowledge, when God shall open their eyes to discern what is good for them.

Nor let any Object unto me, that this is the worst Conjunction of Heaven, and these two Planets the worst of Significators for our Parliament, and thereby no such good can come unto them: Let these men speake on, but I wish them to consider what fol­lowes; Quando duae infortunae conjunguntur, fit ex eis fortuna perfecta, sicut ex duarum fortunarum conjunctione, & hoc secundum dicta Ptolomei, Almansor Apho. 7. When two Infortunes are conjoyned (as now they are) there proceeds from thence or from their influences a perfect Fortune;Good to our Parli­ment from this ill Conjun­ction. even as there doth from the Conjunction of the two Fortunes: this is according to Ptolomie. Besides, we know God almighty many times suffers to be produced good from evil. So then, let the weekly Mercurian Prophets, descant according to their manner of lying, upon this Conjunction, which they pretend to be so fatall to our Parliament, and let them with open mouthes and nasty pens deride my Predictions. I say it denotes, after a small expence of time, much happinesse (the Nationall misfor­tune considered) augmentation of friends,The Scots threatned. and a glorious con­quest of such as shall rise against them; yea, of Iockey Scot and Hamilton the unfortunate, and of as many forward men of any City, County or Countrey as shall presume to rise in Armes to offend or disturbe their Consultations, or blast their Army and its honour with reproaches, whether verball or otherwise. And were there ever a Mercury against us of any judgement, or wor­thy of my anger or labour, I would openly against him and all [Page 47] of them dispute the point in question, before never so great an Auditory (be they Schollers or Gentlemen) even of their own best friends, &c. But as nasty vermine, borne to destruction, I scorne nomination of the best of that beggerly crew of drunken Sots, who live by writing lyes against the honour of our Parliament; an account whereof they must give to God one day, &c. But I de­sire all along to be charitably understood, concerning the event and successe of my Predictions; for my meaning still is (not in­termedling with Gods divine providence) but as farre as may be seen by naturall causes in Astrologie, that such things shall come to passe. For its most true which Dasipodius Aphorisme 14. hath; Major est vis astrorum quam ut quisquam eam estimare possit, nam legum & imperiorum mutationes & naturae miracula (non inquam illa que divina fiunt providentia) quae varii ad varia referunt, ab his prodeunt. The vi­gour and influence of the Stars and Planets, and their vertue, is greater then any can well imagine; for the mutations of Laws and Kingdomes, and the Miracles of Nature proceed from hence; (I meane not those which are Miraculously disposed by Provi­dence, or a Divine hand;) the former changes I say come from influence of the Planets, though many refer them to other causes.

But if it be Objected, How comes the Parliament into so ma­ny afflictions, even at present time before this Conjunction? First, without doubt its Gods judgment upon this Kingdome. Second­ly, according to nature its thus, viz. that at this time of our Con­junction, Mars, the generall Significator of England, is Cadent from Aries his owne house; a thing very unfortunate, I confesse, as it is well observed by Bethem Apho. 14. Quando Planeta est cadens a do­mo sua, aut a domo exaltationis est ut vir, &c. When a Planet is ca­dent from his own House, or the House of his exaltation; he is like a Man absent from his dwelling house, or from his owne Towne or City. This may excellently be applyed to our present affaires; for while our Armies are the one at Colchester, Hamilton and some Scots the cause of our trou­ble. the other in Wales, there appeares an Enemy in the North, viz. Sir Marma­duke Langdale, and in Iuly the unluckie-Hamilton and his ragged Scottish Army came over Tweed, all whom I trust God will con­found, as enemies and destroyers of those good men in Scotland, our true Brethren, that have so much courage and conscience, as to say, his engagement against us, is wholly unlawfull, and who by this intrusion indeavours the breach of that League which [Page 48] hath continued betwixt us five and forty yeers, to the great ad­vantage of the whole people of Scotland; so that herein this A­phorisme hath its full influence, and effect.

But yet notwithstanding the Scots invasion and Londons failings, and those extream misfortunes which have of late, and shal further presse our Parliament in their aff [...]irs; yet seriously considering eve­ry particular which might conduce to our support, I finde that the good hand of God will not suffer them to be destroyed,Parlia­ment to flourish, maugre all their their ene­mies. for he hath ordained the North Node of Venus to be in the thirteenth degree of Gemini, and in the same Sign, viz. in five degrees, the Caput Dra­conis of Jupiter is: so that miraculously, and by the immediate and out-stretched hand of God, and by means and men contemptible, our Parliament shall continue, and not be overthrown, massacred, or enforced to flye, or submit to base or slavish terms, or treaties (I mean such as be unbeseeming for them) or the unnec [...]ssary directions and Petitions of busie men, and hairbrained fellows, who print their own sordid conceptions as Directories to our Parliament: I pray God they will now at length make good use of th [...]ir time, and of all happy occasions whereby we may come to a happy Ʋnion with his Majesty, and of a right understanding of all such things conducing to the welfare of this tottered and disl [...]cated Kingdom, as may be convenient, How it concerns the multi­tude. &c. Amongst the common people this shews great murmur­ing, repining, discontent and giddy resolutions, apt to revolt or take any part, or to receive any impr [...]ssion, gr [...]at fears and jealousies, losse in their Cattle and Corn, &c. But sith both Planets are swift in motion, I hope these great mischiefs shall not fix any great space of time, but shall grow lesse and lesse about thirty five weeks after the day of the very Conjunction it self:Great hopes in 150. days. of subd­duing our e [...]emies. and if this defection or mis­chief be not by Providence intended generall, I hope about one hundred fifty five dayes to be accompted from the Conjunction, we shall have in some measure subdued many of our enemies; yet shall not we then come to a finall end, or to a period of our troubles; for Operationes Planetarum nunquam cessant, donec contrario a Planeta vel Stella fixa, aut Signi parte contrariae qualitatis impediantur vel in Solis radios incidunt, Card. Seg. 2. Apho. 63. The influence of the Planets never cease operating, untill impedited by some Planet or fixed Star of a contrary nature to those which preceded, or untill the Planet who is principall Significator fall into combustion: We have no forcible aspect to mitigate these sad disasters, untill by tran­sit Jupiter about the two and twentieth of August, seemeth by his [Page 49] Sextile aspect unto Mars, Good to be expect­ed unto the Parli­ament in the latter end of Au­gust, and in Sp [...]tem­ber 1648. to allay and diminish part of these evils now raging: but in regard that very day the Moon suffers three oppositions, viz. of the Sun, Venus and Mercury, that Sextile aspect produceth little good, unlesse some rout or knocking of the mise­rable Scots in the North: About the middle of September both Ve­nus and the Sun aspect Mars with their Sextile, but it's in such pla­ces of heaven, that it onely supports and keeps us alive, but gives no absolute Victory, or not such a knocking one as my heart wishes; but in the latter end of September, and beginning of Octo­ber, or neer or before those times, we have very good hopes, either totally or in great measure of defeating all, or most of our ene­mies, both Cavaliers and blew-Bonnets, and to send them home as empty of plunder as they were of honesty when they came in.

But now let us see in generall,Tempera­ture of Weather. what this Conjunction may signi­fie, as unto the temperature of Weather, and season of the yeer, &c. according to Albumazar, Diff. 8. Mars si fuerit Dominus anni & in aërea Triplicitate (as now of the remainder of the yeer he is, viz. from the ingresse of the Sun into Cancer) si fuerit Directus, & non aspexerit ascendens, significat plurimas oombustiones & nocumentum ab igni­bus, & aegritudines qaae adveniunt hominibus causa sanguinis, & destructi­onem vegitabilium causa valetudinis ventorum: Mars, as now posited, signifies many Combustions, hurt by Fire, Sicknesses to man by reason of corrupted blood, no great good to the vegetable Plants of the earth. Somewhat to the same purpose he delivers of the po­sition of Saturn in Gemini; Qui si non aspexerit ascendens significat fla­tum ventorum ineessanter & fortitudinem eorum, &c. But when this conjunction of Saturn and Mars is in Gemini, and in the second or eighth, significat destructionem censuum, depressionem famae divitum & ap­parentiam egestatis & paupertatis & debilitatis in plebibus: viz. unusu­all Windes shall arise, and they incessantly molest us, &c. the con­junction of Saturn and Mars in the eighth house or second,Nobility imp [...]ve­rished. inti­mates an impoverishment in the Revenues of the rich men, and a depression of their fame and esteem, and an appearance of poverty in many of the common sort of people. And because Scorpio is the ascendant of this Conjunction, you shall hear the opinion of the same Author; Cum Scorpio ascenderit tempore conjunctionis alicujus dua­rum infortunarum apparebunt in Civitatibus super quas est (Almuzfauli) Reges pulchrarum facierum, prodigi multas expendentes pecunias & coitus; & multiplicabun [...]ur Philosophi, & Paraletici, & Medicinae, & ingenia ho­minum pauca fient in rebus quas perscrutabuntur, & multiplicabuntur guer­rae [Page 50] & bella & Depredationes insceleritate, & acuitas, & levitas, & Plan­ctus, & carcer, & carcerati, & angustiae, & tristitiae; & proditio, & ac­cusatio, & mixturatio, & interfectio, & aegritudines, & accident tenebrae in hora post horam; corroborabitur frigus hyemis & flabunt in mediatate ejus venti occidentales, & multiplicabuntur in eo pluviae, & significat mul­tum timorem in pluribus terris. When the Sign of Scorpio shall ascend at the time of a Conjunction of the two Infortunes, there will ap­pear in those Kingdoms, Cities or Countries whereof he is prin­cipall Significator, Kings, or Princes, or Magistrates pretending fair, men prodigall, expending much treasure, many confedera­cies; there will abound many learned men, or Philosophers, ma­ny will have the Palsie,Wars to be e [...]pe­cted. or Falling-evil, much use there will be of Physick, few mens endeavours shall attain the ends they desire; Wars and slaughters shall be multiplied, many depredations or inroads, with much wickednesse; much sharpnesse, great levity and dolefull laments shall be amongst men, much woe and misery to those imprisoned, and many captived; there will be treachery and accusing one another, mixing one ill act with another, killing one another, great store of sicknesse, a dark ayre, and ill season day after day; the cold of Winter will be extream, and in the midst of Winter the West Winde will blow boysterously, many showrs will fall; the mindes of men in divers parts of the Kingdom will be extream fearfull, and quite out of order. How really this judge­ment hath in part been verified,Major Hunting­ton censu­red. I need not mention in any other thing then in Major Huntington his malicious slander of Lieute­nant generall Cromwell; yet is that simple Accusation hug'd and entertained most willingly. I forbear that aspersion cast upon Major Rolfe, in regard many of the adverse Party beleeve it not, and of another valiant Souldier of Colonel Riches Regiment, ac­cused by no better a witnesse then a mad woman. But we shall not be alwayes unhappy, for God will deliver our Army from the hands of such as would willingly hang them, for their service done to the Kingdom.

The Arabick Authors most of them concur in this manner of judgement, and indeed I do more relye upon those significations attending the influence of Mars, then of Saturn, because he is Lord of the ascendant in this Conjunction, and of the remainder of this yeer in the annuall Revolution: this is my opinion, grounded upon reason; and if the event prove contrary, I wish the Ancients had left us better presidents: for it is most true that Car­dan [Page 51] observed of Ptolomey, Generall accidents not hand­led by Pto­lomey suf­ficiently. Tractatus de mundi rebus generalibus tenuius a Ptolomeo traditus est, quam pro tanto negotio expediret: viz. Ptolomey left that part of Astrologie lame, or wrote of it very slenderly, which handled the Revolution of the world, and generall accidents there­unto belonging: yet there might be some reason given for it: for in Ptolomey's time, the whole earth knew no more but one Empe­rour, and he of Rome, &c. it might as well be objected, Homerus non vidit omnia, it's not an easie labour, or as yet have there been any have waded far into it.

But time will enlarge more Authors; and indeed Antiquity is much to be discommended, either for revealing so little, or ob­scuring so great a benefit from us; for Escuidus (who onely of all the Ancients writes most copiously of Revolutions onely upon a Conjunction of Saturn and Mars, wherein Mars is elevated above Saturn in Gemini, saith, Multae guerrae, multae aegritudines & mors in eis; Pluviae, tonitrua, & corruscationes, page 32. Many Wars, much de­bate, many sicknesses and death ensuing from thence, rain, thun­der, sights, apparitions, or Meteors in the Ayre; the words in­deed are significant, yet short. But Albumasar had he been right­ly Translated, I conceive, had spoke more truth; for he saith, Mars in Gemini Dolores aurium in hominibus, & variolas, & Morbillos, & interfectionem in septentrionem, cum multo Latracinio, & eruntnocumen­ta hominibus, preter tonitrua & coruscationes, causa vehementis frigoris, &c. Mars and Gemini imports much infirmity in Peoples eares, the small Pox and Measels, slaughter in the North,Bloodshed in the North. much theevish­nesse; Men will also suffer many other detriments by reason of the excesse of cold weather. And besides, in his Flores, he saith, Si Saturnus in Gemini erit, & Latitudo Meridionalis & etiam Orientalis à sole significat calorem temporis, cum paucitate pluviarum & multitudi­nem Pestilentiarum, & multos morbos mortalium, & infirmitatem regum & magnatum; & si Mars in eodem signo, fuerit & Orientalis, multitu­dinem pluviarum & pustularum hominum. By reason of the mixture of Mars with Saturne, much Raine; Saturn in Gemini alone sig­nifies no such thing; here is signified the Pestilence amongst men; an infirmity afflicting Kings and Nobles; aboundance of people languishing with the small Pox.

I shall say something concerning the City of London in the words of an Author of no mean esteem, viz. Johannes Escuidus, Somewhat to the Ci­ty of Lon­don. page 39. When you find a Conjuction of the superiors in Gemini, [Page 52] or an Eclips in that Sign. Apparebit in civitatibus & regionibus su­per quas est signum Geminorum Dominator: nimia consideratio in scien­tiis; etiam quae sunt super naturam ut sunt Theologia, & scientiae supe­riores ut Astronomia & Scientiae Prophetiae, & Fidei; & accident eis aegritudines, & hominibus, dolores capitis, mors in animalibus cum mul­to fl [...]tu ventorum calidorum venenosorum in quarta estivali; & modico flatu in quarta au [...]umnali; & multiplicabuntur plavie in quarta hye­mali, & significat multa tonitrua & ventos horribiles destruentes reddi­tum & praecipue in partibus meridionalibus multiplicabuntur messes in plu [...]imis clim [...]tibus, & erunt aborsus Praegnantium & mors in Pueris, & significat multitudinem fructuum hordei et dattilorum, cum salute Arborum.

There will appeare in these Regions and Cities, where the People are subject to the Sign Gemini, too much consideration and conceit of their own Wisdomes, or too great an esteeme of their own judgements; yea, even of and in such things as seem to be above nature,These must be expected the next Summer. as in Theologie and in superiour Sciences, viz. kow­ledge of Astronomie, Prophecy, Faith, men shall be troubled with infirmiti [...]s in the head; death of Cattle shall succeed, many high Winds, sultry infections, or poysonous in the Summer quarter; little Winde in the Autumnall quarter; much Raine in the Win­ter season; much Thunder; horrible Winds, destroying Mens yeerly Revenues, especially in the Southerne parts; store of Corn in many Climates; Women subject to many abortions; the death of Infants or yong Men; store of Dates or Barley, &c.

A doubt­full sea­son as to the Wea­ther, and famine th [...]ea [...]ned.From hence we may conceive a doubtfull season as to the Wea­ther, and not many over-plentifull crops of Corne (the whole scope of this Conjunction threatning a Dearth and Famine) I mean generally. I might be more copious, but the principall thing intended from this Conjunction, is, mu [...]h affliction to those Families that had beginning in 1603. and since; it shewes not his Majesties restitution by words, tumultuous Petitions, or the Sword of the Scot; it doth not designe the failing, falling or dis­solution of this Parliament, or of his Excellencies Army, by or from the many clandestine Plots either of the City, Scot, English or Irish, or some, or any of their own Members.

Losse to the Citi­zens.It intimates great losses and detriment unto the City of London, impoverishment of many of her Children, little Trade or Com­merce, want of provision, of Victuals, by reason of its excesse [Page 53] deernesse. I pray God it prove not a Plague, as well as a Famine.The whole Kingdom invited to joyn with the Parli­ament and Army. It is the resolution of my heart to serve God; and its my earnest desire, that as many of the Kingdom as either know me, or have any esteeme of my person or works, that they leave molesting the Parliament with unnecessary Petitions, that they stand firme, and as one man joyne with the Parliament and Army against all op­posers; whereby they shall preserve the Liberty of this Kingdom, their own Priviledges; and, I hope, re-estate either his Majesty, if God have so decreed it, or some of his Posterity; how ever, I stand resolved with my whole heart to pray fo [...] his Majesties re­storing to former Dignities, if God see it good; to serve the Par­liament, and this Army now under the Command of his Excel­lency Thomas Lord Fairfax, with all my strength and might, as the onely meanes upon earth to secure us and all our Fortunes: nor will I ever cease to wish all prosperity to the City and Citi­zens of London; unto whom, and unto the whole Kingdome, God for his mercies sake grant Peace, Prosperity, thankfull and obedient hearts:

The NATIVITY of Duke HAMILTON.

HIS Majesty, were he any way inclinable to Astrologie, and should see this mans Nativity, might well say unto him, And thou also James Hamilton, hast aspiring thoughts, and one day intendest to be a greater man, then bare James Duke Hamilton.

It's not possible his Majesty should be angry with me, or any of his Royall Race, that I intermedled with the fate of this man, for he hath been the most unthankfull and unfortunate man that lives, unto his Majesty and his Designs; and as to the Parliament of England, how maliciously ingratefull he now appears, let the whole Kingdom, and all Europe judge at present, and Posterity re­tain it in everlasting memory hereafter.

He appeared so unthankfull, and did his Majesty so many dis­services, that in Oxford he stood committed by a generall consent [Page 57] of the King's Counsell;His Maje­sties grace to Hamil­ton. and when his life might well and justly have been taken from him, his Majesty out of his gracious clemen­cy did not permit it, but spared him, contrary to all mens advice, and onely sent him prisoner to Pendennis in Cornwall, where he con­tinued in durance, untill in 1646. our Parliaments forces released him; he came to London, and had other civilities from them; yet now in 1648. in requitall of their favours, he onely, yea,Hamilton unthank­full to the King and Kingdom. he and his envious faction, have provoked the Scottish Nation to wave the Covenant, (no cause being given by us) to become perfideous, and to raise an offensive War, and to invade our Kingdom with a considerable Army; nay, to enter our Country with that Army, as in July last he did, to permit plundering, robbing, stealing, and all manner of insolencies against the English; himself being the Ringleader of this Army, or (if you will have it so) their Cap­tain Generall: To the Kingdom of England it self, he is most mis­chievous, who having had the greatest part of his education here amongst us, and augmented his fortune exceedingly, by the boun­ty of his Prince, and some Monopolies and Revenues of his Place; yea married a princely woman of our Nation, had children by her: now I say, after this to invade us, and to make the quarrell betwixt us and the Scots irreconcilable, when as we were before well united. For these considerations I fear his sin is unpardonable as unto us English, &c.

Verily his Nativity is not inconsiderable,Judgment on his Na­tivity: but a very promising one; doubtlesse his Stars incline him to atchieve very great Pre­ferment, to soar high, and to adventure dangerously to obtain it: for having the Luminary of the time, viz. the Sun, angular, po­fited in the tenth, the Moon in a sinister Sextile to Mercury Lord of his ascendant, and he placed very auspitiously in the mid-heaven, very neer unto many eminent (though turbulent) fixed Stars, of great magnitude; the Planet himself stationary unto Direction, reception also happening betwixt the Sun and Moon, the Dragon's head in the ascendant, Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn all in their own houses; these configurations well thought on, his own ex­traction being also noble, and his Sovereign not living in Scotland, the people themselves a stubborn, stiffe necked people, apt to com­motions, deadly feudes, and to be rebellious againg their Prince: all these things rightly considered, might move a moderate Astro­loger (for such a one, I have heard by his own familiars, he him­self is) to promise a smattering of Regality unto this Duke; I assure [Page 58] you, the Stars declare a fit capacity for such a thing, a minde suf­ficiently inclinable thereunto, a pretty ambition, or the like, unto that we call Soveraignty, or unto most high Designs: for we will expresse things in modest terms.

It shall be now ou [...] part to discover whether he shall attain the thing desired,Whether Duke Ha­milton shal obtain a Kingdom. yea or no? viz. a Kingdom, which some of his own Nation have not failed publickly to write, he earnestly desires.

In regard the three superiour Planets are all under the earth, and all retrograde, and that Saturn is in opposition to the Sun, both the Sun and Moon peregrine, the Moon falling into the eighth house, ergo, the Luminaries shall not design, or do in present or in future any royall Dignity unto this Duke, or in plain terms, the Crown of Scotland; it's Mercury alone of all the Planets, because pofited in the tenth house, with that assistance he receives from the Moon, as also Oculus Tauri, neer the cusp of the tenth house, that hither­to hath advanced him to the severall Charges and Preferments he hath had in England and Scotland: So then we must in an Astrologi­call judicature account the Planet Mercury his principall Sngnifica­tor of honour; you shall have our judgement therein, in pag. 623. of the Introduction what that may signifie.

What Mercury signifies when he designs honour.When Mercury hath signification of Honour, and aspects the Lumina [...]ies, Honours encrease speedily in the beginning, and do also continue for a while; but in the end, he shall partake of great difficulty in preserving them; for Mercury is an unstable Planet, &c. Again, when Mercury is moderately fortified, he threatens ru­ine; yet the Native shall not fall totally, for his Ʋnderstanding shall preserve him. [This hath been in some measure exactly verified severall times in the passages of his life; for whenas the Duke hath formerly been suspected of treachery or disservice to his Majesty, and he questioned,Hamilton not born to be suc­cesfull in War. he ever got off again by one trick of Wit or another, or by his Policy, and so evaded.] His Stars are totally unfortunae in poynt of Warfare; he neither can or shall ever per­form any action of Honour by Commands, as a Generall over Armies: let him be accounted (as he is) one who hath the greatest reach of humane Policy, for advance of his own proper Designs, of any man alive; yet therein will he never be succesfull, or so much happy, as that any honour, or good in the end shall accrew unto him thereby. I say no more, but that this very Duke is his Majesties worst enemy, both in Action and Councell, retards his Majesties Designs, and destroyes them, is not ordained ever to ad­vantage [Page 59] his Majesty: Let the Prince beware of Hamilton's Councels;He once hanged an English Gentle­man in Germany, one Mr. Geo [...]ge Ha­mond, as I am infor­med. unto Scotland he is a firebrand, to England a malicious enemy, to mankinde it self no friend. For a farewell I say unto him, The eight and fortieth yeer of his age will fatally afflict him, if the fury of the people spare him so long, or the rage of an incensed Nobili­ty slaughter him not sooner: he is very neer danger at present. In his eight and fortieth yeer, Luna is directed ad oppositum Martis, &c. let himself see what it signifies.

Since this was finished, God's Name be praised for it, his Duke­ship is wholly routed by the valiant and fortunate Cromwell, and he fled to the Mountains of Wales: Let him ever be so valiant and so fortunate, as to be well beaten, and to run away from the pursuit of our English Armies.

His rout was the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth of August 1648. to the glory of God be it wrote, and honour of Cromwell: Our Army under the Lieutenant-general being not nine thousand; Hamilton's one and twenty thousand. Thus God blesses Covenant breakers and perfideous men with shame and dishonor, and so he will ever I hope. If the Scots have any more stomack to fight, let them be sure their Duke Hamilton will make such a Gene­rall as we desire.

I had some Astrologicall reasons to have inserted unto this present Discourse, A Solar E­clips in 0. 3. of Can­cer. June 10. 1648. designed their ruine whereby I probably conjectured the downfal of this pre­sent Army of the Scots: but because God hath already confounded them, I forbear to publish that piece of Astrologie: yet I give the Scottish Nation, so many of them as have not sold themselves to wickednesse, this Admonition.

To the whole KINGDOM.

A Scandalous and lying sheet of Paper this Moneth of August 1648. issued forth from some impure Pen, greatly to the di­shonour of many worthy Members of the House of Commons, who therein are unjustly charged with severall sums of Money pretended to be given unto them by the Parliament. Although I am not ignorant how freely this Libell or Budget of Lyes is ac­cepted for truth, both in the City and Countrey, and how hard a matter it will be to divert the streame of mens fancies, already poysoned with pre-occupation; yet I am confident that what I shall informe unto our own Kingdome, being grounded upon sufficient arguments and undeniable truths, will abundantly sa­tisfie many mens judgements, and inforce a Recantation in all noble spirits of their former sinister misapprehensions against all these Members of Parliament whom I shall nominate (all Mem­bers of the House, I neither can or dare, or will excuse.) In the name of God let the guilty suffer according to Merit, and those who justly deserve it; let the justice of the House of Commons cleer their Wals of all such impure Birds as have any way defiled the honour and esteem of a Parliament. In the behalfe of all these whom I mention, I professe sincerity, I flatter none, but write impartiall truths, nor am I obliged to any one man of these I name, even for civill curtesies, except unto Bolstrod Whitlocke, Esq; one of the honorable Commissioners for the great Seal, and Robert Reynolds Esq; formerly one of the Parliaments Commissioners in Ireland; besides these whom I vindicate, there are, I am assured, [Page 61] many more who are innocent even of the least corruption; but having no direction from them, let some other Pen proceed to their defence.

There is one clause in the Libellers sheet, which is a generall Charge against all the Members of the House, I have thought good to check this notorious untruth in the first place; he saith thus:

Every Member of the House of Commons, Charge. being in all 516. are by their own Order allowed four pounds per week a Man, which amounts to one hun­dred and ten thousand pounds a yeer.

Tis true, that in June 1645.Vindicat. the House taking into considera­tion the necessities of divers Members, many of them having their whole Estates lying in the Western parts, and for full three yeers together they had received no benefit out of them, the same being all that time under the power of the Enemy and actually seque­stred, did Order upon the desires of many of them (who never askt as long as they could take up monies at interest upon their own credits) that they should have four pounds a week for the maintenance of them and their Families,No Parli­ament man had allow­ance of 4 l. a week a­bove one yeer. out of the King and Queens revenues, who did then and all the time before, take and receive the profit of the Estates of the said Members, the which was granted to, and received by seventy three of them and no more, for one yeer onely, they refusing to receive it longer, their Estates being reduced unto them, the which allowance was never desired, given to, or received, either by the said Denzell Holles, Ed­mund Prydeanx, Roger Hill, Francis Rowse, Nicholas Love, Dennis Bond, John Bond, Luke Hodges, John Stephens, John Ashe, Thomas Ceely, Ro­bert Blake, or John Venn, whose whole estates then lay in the We­stern Counties, and were no wayes profitable to them during the whole time of the late troubles. This is the very truth imparti­ally related; all the whole sum which these seventy three Mem­bers had in one whole yeer not amounting unto fifteen thousand pounds, to maintain seventy three Families; many of these Gen­tlemen being of that quality as formerly they expended yeerly out of their own Revenues some one thousand, some two thou­sand pounds per annum. I appeal unto the whole Kingdome whe­ther these Members, who faithfully did their duties even in those ill times, and whom no worldly calamity or threats could inforce to desert the Publique Cause of the Common-wealth, have not well merited these petty sums the House conferd on them; not out of the Publique Stock (as the impudent lyer affirmes) but out [Page 62] of the Kings and Queens Revenues, who having these Mens E­states sequestred in their hands, were gainers annually of at least forty thousand pounds a yeer. You now see this mountain of Lyes, this one hundred and ten thousand pounds per annum, proves a little Mouse; a thing of fifteen thousand, and that but for one yeer, and not out of the Publique Treasury; and this Money con­ferred on such brave Spirits, whose Names deserve to be eternal­ly recorded in the Monument of Fame, for being so faithfull and so constant to the Common-wealth, notwithstanding their world­ly pressures.

Charge. Bulstrode Whitlock, Commissioner of the great Seal, worth 1500. li. per an. and had 2009. li. given him out of Master George Minn's esttae.

Vindicat.Master Whitlock, (a Gentleman of much honour and gallantry) after his faithfull service performed in Parliament, and their ser­vice, from the very beginning, and oftentimes adventuring his life for them, after his laying out of his own purse great sums of money upon severall occasions, in their service, and in four jour­neys upon Treaties for Peace, in some whereof the Parliament gave no allowance, and in the rest far short of the expence: in sa­tisfaction of those his great disbursments, and of his being ex­treamly plundered, his chief Mansion-house demolished, his Reve­nue taken away for many yeers, his Estate disposed of by the Kings Party, and his losses amounting to the value of above ten thou­sand pounds, the Parliament were pleased to alow him two thou­sand pounds out of Moneys seized upon by them:He is a Counsel­lor at Law very lear­ned, and in great pra­ctice. They did like­wise make him one of the Commissioners for the great Seal with­out his knowledge, which is not of the value mentioned in the pa­per, and thereby took him from his employment in his profession, which was of more benefit to him, and from his future expectati­on therein.

How willingly this Libeller would asperse any man of honour, it's evident, by his malicious urging such triviall matter unto this my noble Patron, as a blemish. This is that Master Whitlock, who in all Occasions, Consultations and Debates, so judiciously and modestly hath demeaned himself, and in his now place of Judica­ture, so equally distributes justice, that I challenge all the whole p [...]ck of malignant Scriblers, to mention, if they can, one syllable of his injustice: But upon so pure a soul, no dirt will fasten.

Charge.Roger Hill, a Barrester of the Temple, in no practice, nor of a considera­ble Estate, till this Parliament; hath now from the House, the Bishop of [Page 63] Winchester's Mannour of Taunton-Dean, being the best of England, and worth 12000. li. per an. when the Estates for lives determine.

How injuriously this shuffling fellow deals with Master Roger Hill, I shall make it presently appear:Vindicat. This Master Hill had before this Parliament as good practic [...] as any of his standing, and was one of a considerable fortune in money; and it's well known that in 1640. he contracted with Sir Aribur Ingram, for a Mannour in Dorsetshire, and was to pay for it more money then half the pur­chase of T [...]unton-Dean: but that bargain not going forward, he now hath purchased at most dear rates Taunton-Dean; yet not all the Mannour, but part of the bare Rents and Casualties never to be improved: The income of all the whole Rents, as it's returned from the Records themselves, are under 900. li. per an. It's also well known, that Master Hill hath the Park (anciently belonging to the said Mannour) by descent from his Father, whose Ancestors almost two hundred yeers have injoyed the same, being purchased by them from the Bishop that then was, and severed from the Mannour; so that above twelve parts of thirteen of this Libeller's yeerly value is taken off, and he stands recorded for a grosse Lyar and Incendiary, whose sole ayme is to dishonour those Members who have most cordially stood firm unto this Parliament, as this Master Hill hath done, to his very great honour, and everlasting renown. By what I have wrote, you finde Master Hill abused, and the Parliament charged with manifest untruth; for a Turk or a Scot might have had the purchase of Taunton-Dean at as easie rates as Master Hill.

Oliver St. John, by Ordinance both Attorney, and Solicitor to the King, Charge. worth what he please to make it; and hath rhe passing of all Pardons upon Compositions; worth 40000. li.

Oliver St. John, Vindicat. neither Attorny nor Solicitor by Ordinance of Par­liament; and if the Pardons had come to 40000. l. he could have had it by vertue of his Place, though no Member of Parliament; & he would be beholding to the forger of the List, if he could make it appear, that much more then a fortieth part of 40000. li. hath been received, or is due for such Pardons; and the slanderer him­self knows, that by reason of his attendance on the Parliament, and the distractions of the time, his Place is not at all conside­rable, to what it would have been without a Parliament, or hath been to his Predecessors, who have made more of it in one yeer, then he hath done in seven. But the Common-wealth [Page 64] might have been beholding to this great pretender of their good, if he had acquainted them with any illegall or unjust vexations of the Subject by him done, by colour of his Place; which perhaps some of his Predecessors have been guilty of.

Charge.Francis Thorp, a receiver of publike moneys in Yorkshire, and char­ged by some of his Countreymen for detaining 25000. li.

Vindicat. Francis Thorp was never receiver of any publike moneys in York­shire, nor in any other place; nor did he ever buy, purchase, or farm any thing of the State; nor hath he ever received 4. li. per week, or any other sum from the State: and therefore he is confi­dent none of his countreymen will charge him, and is very sure none can justly charge him with detaining either 25000. li. or any other sum to the value of a shilling.

What a villanous Incendiary is this Libeller, thus to traduce this worthy man with so hainous and so false untruths; but it's scandall enough against any man, that he stand firm to his Coun­trey, &c.

Charge. Sir Thomas Widrington, a Commissioner of the great Seal; worth 1500 l. per an.

Vindicat.All the North of England know the integrity and justnesse of this Knight, and we in the South doe well know the benefit of his practice, before the Houses made him a Commissioner of the great Seal, did far surmount the Annuall sum this Lyer menti­ons, as conferd on him by the Houses.

Charge. Sir Gilbert Gerrard, much in debt before the Parliament; pay-master to the Army, and had 3^d. per pound allowed, besides Gratuities; worth 60000^l. and now Chancellor of the Dutchey; worth 1200^l. per an.

Vindicat.The whole County of Middlesex can informe this absurd Ly­er, that Sir Gilbert Gerrard was neither indebted or necessitated for moneys before the Parliament; and how little benefit he hath re­ceived by his being Treasurer; or his allowance of 3.d. per pound, it is publikely known, more then 1000. li. for all his 3. d. per pound, I could never learn he received: He is too noble, and too much a Gentleman to receive gratuities; but in doing curtesies to his friends, and in affection to the common good, he is inferi­or to none: Being charged with threescore thousand pounds; loe, but one appeares: he is now its true Chancellour of the Dutchie, Nomen sine re; I am confident, it hath not hitherto bin worth to him so much money as would buy halters to hang up a dozen of such scandalous Lyers.

John Bond (son to Dennis Bond,Charge. a Parliament man) made Master of Trinity hall in Cambridge, which Master Selden refused to accept of.

Master John Bond hath the repute of a learned man,Vindicat. and is made Master of Trinity hall, which Master Selden refused to accept of: this is a grand offence for one Scholler to be preferred in the room of another; Don Quixote doubtlesse was of councell in framing this information.

Sir Thomas Walsingham, the honour of Eltham,Charge. that was the Earl of Dorsets, the middle Park and house, which was Master Whites, and hath cut down 4000. timber trees.

Sir Thomas Walsingham is most unjustly charged to have cut down 4000. timber trees out of his Majesties Woods: one Bently, Vindicat. Sur­veyor of his Majesties Lands, hath publickly affirmed in print that the totall of the Wood sales from Midsommer 1644. till Midsom­mer 1648. amounts to 602. l. and so much he makes it appear he hath paid in to the Receivers: though Bently was formerly a Scrivener, yet sure he may now be beleeved. If 4000. timber trees had been cut down and sold, the price thereof would have amounted to more then three times the sum Bently mentions.

Robert Reynolds had 2000. l. given him; besides Abingdon hall,Charge. and the Lands, worth 400. l. per an. Hath bought a good peniworth of Bishops Lands; hath 20000. l. beyond Sea, as he made appear upon his marriage.

Master Reynolds hath served from the first beginning of this Parliament, was sent one of the Committee into Ireland, Vindicat. in Octo­ber 1642. where he conflicted with indefatigable pains, in promo­ting the War against the Rebels for five moneths, to the exream h [...]zard of his life, both by Sea and Land, hath been out of purse above 1800. l. in ready money, these six yeers, for the service of England and Ireland; and by taking away the Court of Wards, hath lost 800. l. per an. at the least; in his practice. For all which ser­vice and sufferings, he is rewarded with this groundlesse malici­ous falshood: namely, That the Parliament hath given him 2000. l. in money, and Abingdon Hall, worth 400. l. per an. Meer lyes and for­geries; And that he hath 20000. l. in money beyond the Seas: of all which there is not one word true, or that hath any colour of truth. And for his good peniworth of Bishops Lands, which he is there said to have over and above; it was so good in his esteem, that when he had contracted for it, he would not have gone on with his bargain, had he not been compelled thereto by an Ordinance of [Page 66] Parliament, and offered both before the Contractors and Trustees for Bishops Lands, to give 500. l. to any one that would take his purchase from off his hands; neither ever had he any Office or employment of advantage by the Parliament. The truth of all which I do undertake to make good to a title: And by the scan­dall cast upon this Gentleman, who hath thus faithfully served the Parliament, the world may judge what credit is to be given to that malicious Libeller, in those things he hath belched out against many worthy Members, on purpose to wound the Parlia­ment, whose honour ought to be precious amongst all true English men.

Charge.John Ash, given him out of Master John Coventrey's Composition, 4000. l. out of Sir Edward Moseley's, 1000. l. out of Master Edward Phillip's 1200. l. out of Sir John Stowel's estate 8000. l. And (which is worth all this) is the great Chair-man at Goldsmiths Hall. Is not this better then clothing?

Vindicat.About three yeers since, there was presented to the house of Commons an account of 10900 l. which Master Denzill Hol­lis, Master Nathaniel Fiennes, Colonel Popham, Colonel Strode, and Master John Ash, had disbursed for the service of the Parliament at Sherburn, Bristoll, and in the County of Somerset, when the Earl of Bedford came with an Army into those parts: most of which mo­ney was borrowed upon Bond of some Citizens of Bristoll, and Gentlemen of that Countrey, by the Gentlemen above named, to­gether with other Gentlemen of the County of Somerset; the house of Commons did order, that out of the fines and compositions of Sir John Stowell, Sir Edward Moseley, and Master John Coventrey, the said disbursments and engagements should be discharged, and Master John Ash was ordered to receive the money, and to discharge the disbursments and take up the Bonds: and of this 10900. l. there hath been paid onely 7400. l. by Sir Edward Mosely, and Ma­ster Coventry; which money hath been employed according to the foresaid order; Sir John Stowell refusing to compound, there hath not been one penny received out of his Estate by Master John Ash; and by reason thereof, there is unpaid 3500. l. of the said engage­ments: The Creditors to whom the same is due, call upon Master Ash for their money, and he is daily solicited and clamoured up­on for the same: and this is all the benefit that he hath gained by the said fines and great sums received; though that foul scanda­lous [Page 67] paper doth charge him with a great gift of 14000. l. which is notoriously false, the matter in truth being as abovesaid: Master Colborn a Scrivener in Budge-row, hath been employed by Sir Ed­ward Mosely to provide some part of his fine, and he can inform to whom the same was assigned by Master Ash, for the discharge of the said Order of the house of Commons.

And whereas he objects, his being Chair-man at Goldsmiths Hall, as a blemish; could but this sneaking Lyar have heard one syllable of sinister dealing in Master Ash, I am confident he would have preacht it abroad merily; but his fair deportment and in­tegrity is such in that place, as none complain: so that he may justly bid defiance to the Devil, and to such Hell-hounds as this Informer.

Francis Pierpoint hath the Archbishop of Yorks Lands lying in Not­tinghamshire. Charge.

Francis Pierpoint Esq; hath no Bishops Lands.Vindicat.

William Pierpoint hath seven thousand pounds given him, Charge. and all the Earl of Kingstons personall Estate, worth 40000 ^l.Vindicat.

William Pierpoint Esq; hath no Bishops Lands given to him, but he did for a valuable consideration in money by him paid, pur­chase part of the Lands belonging to the late Archbishop of Yorke in Nottinghamshire.

Both Houses of Parliament have given the Fine of Henry Earle of Kingston of neer seven thousand pounds set at Goldsmiths-Hall to his Brother William Pierpoint, in consideration of above twenty thousand pounds, by him lost for the service of the Parliament. And for that the said Earl his Brother had but an Estate for Life in his Lands, the next immediate remainder being in the said William Pierpoint. So as else in truth, the Fine, if paid, must have been paid by the Lands of the said William Pierpoint, the said Henry Earl of Kingston having no personall Estate, and his Debts deli­vered in at Gol [...]smith Hall to be above 19000 ^l.

William Pierpoint had also given him by the Parliament a Coach and six Horses of his said Brothers the Earl of Kingston, which is all whatsoever that hath been given to him by the Parliament.

William Pierpoint had no part of the personall Estate of Robert Earl of Kingston his Father.

Francis Pierpoint was made Executor by the last will of his Fa­ther Robert Earl of Kingston, and by order of Parliament was to [Page 68] have the benefit of the Executorship, which by reason of these times hath been of little value to him.

Charge.Oliver Cromwell, Lievtenant Generall, hath 2500 ^l. per an. given him out of the Marquesse of Worcesters Estate, for which 4000 ^l. per an. is set out at the rate of 2500 ^l.

Vindicat.Lievtenant Generall Cromwell hath 1500 ^l. a yeer assigned him of the Earl of Worcesters Estate. He had spent a great part of his own Estate while he attended the Publique service in the Armies, &c. It was the free gift of the House without his seeking. And when the House had passed it; he freely gave to the service of Ire­land 1000 ^l. per an. for five yeers to come, if he shall live so long, and the War of Ireland so long continue, to be paid half yeerly, and the first 500 ^l. to be paid out of the Michaelmas rents now next coming; and of this all the Gentlemen of Ireland here in Town can be witnesse; who the next day after he had made this offer in the House, came to his Lodging to give him a solemn thanks for it.

Charge.John Birch, formerly a Carrier; now a Collonel.

Vindicat.The next mentioned in your List is Collonel John Birch, of whom you onely say he was sometimes a Carrier, but now a Col­lonell. A very short Charge, and to judicious men a great com­mendation, where your invenomed Pen can throw no great im­putation; but because you have so little knowledge of him, give me leave a word or two.

This is that Collonel Birch, who for his manner of life, before this time of Warre, followed Merchandizing in the West of Eng­land, living in Bristoll; and had occasion to deal in Goods brought from most parts of this Kingdome; I suppose therefore you cal­led him a Carrier; yet this Carrier, if so you call him, when Re­ligion, the Liberty of the Subject, and Priviledge of Parliament were in danger, at severall times supplied the Parliament or their Armies with two thousand pounds at a time at least; and of his own particular was out for them one and twenty hundred pounds before he ever drew sword in the quarrell; but when he saw that would not serve, he hazarded his person in all conditions, from a Captain to a Collonel, and Commander of a Brigade by which meanes he carried you out of divers good Towns. And Gratitude would have put you in minde, rather to have given him thanks [Page 69] for sparing so many of your lives, which were at his mercy.

It seems you charge him with no Office, onely he is a Collo­nel; you have reason to curse the day he had that Office; and though he have no more then the name of a Collonell at present, yet rather then the old cause shall want assistance, I have reason to be confident, you will have the second part to the same Tune.

Sir William Purefoy, Collonell, and Governour of Coventry,Charge. fought resolutely against the crosse in the Market-place at Warwicke, and against the ancient Monuments in the Earls Chappell in St. Maries Church there; for which he had 1500 ^l. given him; but when he should have fought with the Enemy, hid himselfe in a Barley-field; for which a Water-man at Tem­ple-stairs, (that had bin his Souldier) refused to carry him. Vindicat.

The late Earl of Essex in his Martch to relieve Glocester, sent his Orders to Collonell William Purefoy to meet him in the way with five hundred Horse, under his Command; the Collonell enters Cambden, intending there to quarter, but having five seve­rall advisoes by his Scouts and others, that the whole body of the Enemies Horse were quartered within four miles, and had know­ledge of his being in Cambden; a Counsell of War being called, it was agreed to remove into the Fields adjacent to the Town; and so they did, and there were Cocks of Barley there, wherewith the Horse were refreshed. The Enemy within two hours entred the Town with two thousand Horse, intending to have surprised them; but missing their Design presently retreated. This is all Corn-fields or Cocks of Barley the Collonell ever remembers; and herein he is much to be commended for his discretion. He was never Governour of Coventry: and for wronging of Tombs or Monuments of antiquity at Warwicke or elsewhere; its false and untrue; he hath too much extraction of noble blood in him, to doe the least wrong to their Memorials. For the one thousand five hundred pounds mentioned; its true, he had so much mo­ney, but it was according to the allowance other Commanders of his quality had; his just due came to two thousand five hun­dred pounds, but he willingly accepted of one thousand five hun­dred pounds, and quit the thousand pounds to the State. This is the very truth.

Thomas Westrow, Captain under Sir Michael Livesey,Charge. was nothing worth, untill a Captain and Parliament man; and now hath gotten the Bi­shop [Page 70] of Worcester's Mannour of Hartlerow, which proves he hath two good and beneficiall Offices.

Vindicat.Captain Westrow having a trained Troop in Kent, went out with Sir Michael Livesey, and some other Deputy-Lievtenants of that County, to help their neighbours of Surrey and Sussex upon a pinch; and having before given and lent above four hundred pounds to the Parliaments service, was willing to have the spend­ing of some money that way himself, and therefore for the more speedy compleating of his Troop, contributed many Horse and Arms, beside new coats to each of the Riders; and the Enemy be­ing wholly broken at Aulton and Arundel, and those Countries quit, he return [...]d home, when he had spent neer two hundred pounds more then his pay. He bought Hartlebury, belonging for­merly to the Bishop of Worcester, about August last, for a valuable consideration, to countenance that businesse, when few else durst meddle with Bishops Lands.

Charge.Nathaniel Fiennes, Colonel, once Governour of Bristol, Thereby hangs a tail.

Vindicat.Master Nathaniel Fiennes, for his pains and services of all kindes, for these eight yeers, never received any thing by way of compen­sation, or of his Arrears, or of the weekly allowance given to others, though he was plundered, and his Estate lay a long time under the power of the enemy: and for his being once Colonel and Governour of Bristol, and the tail at the end thereof, there is none now but such as are wholly made up of envy and malice, who is not satisfied, that it is onely a tail of malicious lyes and slanders, wherein God himself, the righteous Judge hath vindica­ted him. But the malignant Author of that List, should have be­thought himself, that there is another tail at the end of that tail, which reacheth indeed their once great Generall Prince Ru­pert, Plunder-master not of Kent or Surrey, but Plunder-master generall of all England, who hath got more by the sad calamities of this Kingdom, caused by him, and those of his Party, then all he Members of Parliament put together.

Besides these untruths alleaged against the persons before named, he mentions many Offices to be conferred by the Parliament on [Page 71] their Members, which they enjoy by Patent under his Majesty, and not by any gift of the Parliament, were I not straightned in time I could vindicate most of the Members in this first Century; for where this Libeller stumbles upon one truth, he tels forty lyes for it; and where he mentions large sums conferred on some and not received; you must understand those Members smell on his owne Faction; for I know they have received part, &c. All I ayme at, is to informe the Kingdome rightly, which in what I have now done shall be justified against all opposition. I wish there was no cause of complaints against some; but to condemn the upright and vertuous without hearing; or equally to accuse all, is certainly a peece of great injustice. The Members of the Houses now seeing themselves not spared, I hope will hereafter be sensible of the reproaches those few friends they have left are subject unto by abusive Pamphlets, and yet no order taken for suppression.