last daies viz. All things so continue as they were from the Creation That which now happens the same likewise hath formerly happened and therefore to conclude hence any certainty are toys and phantasms of mans own imagination Which being so that we are now fallen into those times when among all peoples especially Christians who in times past were very hasty in their hope of setting up the Kingdom of Christ in all Churches Cloysters and Houses all places are full of Scoffers why do we any longer doubt but that now those daies are near in which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise the Elements shall melt with fervent heat to destroy the ungodly with all their works that there may succeed in the room thereof a new Heaven and a new Earth in which may dwell righteousness 2 Pet. 3.13 Wherefore it ought not to seem a wonder to any man that we so diligently attend to these Signes of his coming and do so interpret them But perhaps some body will say Obj. Peter doth not here speak of those things which are aforementioned viz. concerning the Conversion of the Jews and the total destruction of the 4th Monarchy and the setting up of the Kingdom of Christ on earth but of the time wherein the Heavens shall pass away and the Elements shall be dissolved i.e. of the end of the world Answ We answer what Peter affirmes touching the Heavens Earth and Elements are not properly to be understood according to the Letter as the collation of Scriptures doth shew For Christ will not by his coming destroy the works of his Father Heaven and Earth but the works of the ungodly and whatsoever curse for mans sake came upon Heaven and Earth all this he will burn up with fire and utterly purge out as a prudent Goldsmith that labours to burn not the Gold and Silver but the Dross and Dregs which adhere to the Gold and Silver But as for the substance it self of heaven earth all that God hath created all those things shall not be burnt by the coming of Christ but shall only be renewed and purged that where before unrighteousness took place now righteousness there dwelleth And where before the violent possessed the Kingdoms of the world there now the meek shall inherit Those heavens which the ungodly feign to themselves as their hope and expectation shall perish and those Elements or Rudiments of divine worship even as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * that is Rudiments is taken in this sense wherein some foolishly stick all their life time shall be dissolved and burnt yea the works of all men shall be consumed that a new heaven and a new earth may come forth wherein may be beheld by all men all things in the glory of their perfection as a pure workmanship of God the honour whereof may redound to him himself as the Kingdom and City of God the house and habitation of God and men and a certain manifestation of the Righteousness Majesty and Love of God c. And if indeed all these things ought to be so and if it be true that with Peter according to the promise maâ—e Isa 65. we expect a now Heaven and a new Earth wherein dwels righteousness 2 Pet. 3.13 it ought not to seem strange to us if before that be done a fiery Judgment preceds on earth to which these Signes in Heaven and earth have relation A judgment I say to deliver both Jews and Christians hitherto oppressed and to destroy all the destroyers and to restore all things on earth and to destroy them that have destroyed the earth Rev. 11.18 Behold now we see what signes the Ap. Peter hath set touching the coming of the Lord and how they have been fulfilled long since in an high degree so that in regard thereof nothing now remaines to be expected but the thing it self signified by those signes Now let us see moreover what the Ap. Paul that chosen vessel discourseth concerning the last times and how he limbs out in lively colours the men that shall live in that time They shall be saith he 2 Tim. 3.2 Lovers of their own selves covetous boastâ—rs proud blasphemers disobedient to parents unthank ful unholy without naâ—ural affection truce breakers false accusers incontiâ—ent fierce desp sers of them that are good traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God Having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof What seemeth to thee Reader Are our times described or is it longer yet to be expected till this kind of men come upon the Stage If thou wilt acknowledge that we are indeed devolved upon or into those times wherein every where men are found to be Lovers of their own selves Covetous Boasters Proud c. And that they also who carry a form of Godliness and would be reputed for godly do possess more of its external form than of the internal truth of it denying the very power of Godliness which consisteth in spirit and truth what wonder if we accompt the aforesaid signes in Heaven for fore Messengers and fore-runners of the consummation of those daies wherein the madness of all those men shall be made manifest to all men 2 Tim. 3.9 that some when ' at length true right cousness love of God and the sincere power of Godliness may come in their room But that it may more clearly appear that those things which we have mentioned concerning the restitution of the Jews and the end of the last Monarchy and have by this Conjunction of the Princely or chief Stars inferred that they are at the door are not meer Astrological Prognosticks but matters founded in the Word of God Let us go also to the Apostle John that beloved Apostle who was wont to lie in Christs bosom and see what he saith of this matter in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ which Christ himself by his Angel dictated to him and commanded him to write it to the Churches 1. It is there read that the time shall come wherein the Saints of God shall be made Kings and Priests to God that as Kings they may reign on earth ch 1. v. 6. ch 5. v. 10. which thing because it cannot be done without the Jews nor before the Kingdom of the Beast and of the false Prophet be overthrown it necessarily followes that if ever that time ought to come to pass wherein the Saints shall reign on earth those former things ought first to precede or go before and if they now precede and we are come to these last times the consequence is necessary that thing to be at the door 2. In Chap. 11. of this Book of Revel which is as a kind of Compendium of the whole History of the Church or Temple of God beginning from the treading of it underfoot on earth and ending in the opening of it in heaven we read that the treading of the holy City underfoot the prophesying of the two Witnesses
An AWAKENING WARNING TO THE VVofull VVorld By a Voyce in three Nations Uttered in a brief DISSERTATION Concerning that Fatal and to be admired Conjunction of all the Planets in one and the same Sign â™ Sagitarius the last of the fiery Tâ—â—plicity to come to pass the 1 11 day of December Anno 1662. IN WHICH It is clearly evinced as well by S. Scriptures as by the Nature of the Conjunction it self and other Antecedents Concomitants and Circumstances that the Glorious Coming of JESUS CHRIST is at hand WHEREBY 1. He will recollect the Dispersed Nation of the Jevvs 2. Abolish the man of Sin who hitherto hath obtained the Principality as well in the Church as in the world And 3. At length erect his Glorious Kingdom on Earth Autore PETRO SERARIO Amsterâ—dam MDCLXII To the READER IF any trust to Heav'ns or lights presage Some truth lift up your hearts thou present age If to beleeve what earth gives to the eye Or to the hand to feel there 's reason why Beleeve O mortals this 〈◊〉 time declines And Starres to their Maker their Pow'râ— resign O that to th' world ah which we too much trust Wee 'ld say pack hence give place to God all must Lo this world rues and so doth Babeâ— fall And whosoever stands for Babel shall He only shall escape destruction That 's firmly joyn'd to Christ in union Choose which thou'lst rather have the last hour runs Which past no scap nor choice to mortall sons The day invades wisht for in ev'ry age When God alone shall Rule this earthly Stage And with him Saints to whom the promise wâ—â— To be the Heirs thereof shall come to pass The Sign of Sagitarius The Situation of the Planets at Noon 〈◊〉 day of December is thus According to their Latitude all decline from the Ecliptick towards the North only Mars is found in the Southern Climate According to their Longitude thus they are dispersed according to the Degrees and Minutes of Sagitarius ♃ 0 9. ♠♀ 4 59. ♠♄ 9 25. ♠☿ 10 55. ♠☉ 19 46. ♠♂ 25 44. ♠☽ 27 54. â™ Well-affected Reader THere lately came forth at Groning a little Book in heir Native Language concerning this Matter Entituled WAT NIEWS and WAT WONDELIKS c. not only setting before our eyeâ— the true History of this Conjunction and the Description of the Celestial Theatre in which this Representation should â—eâ—acted together with the Properties and Operations of the Planets the Actors in this Scene but also subjoyning a very serious and most pious Exhortation by which the Author would have us admonished that we heed these things and convert in Sackcloath and Ashes that we perish not by the invading Judgments which of necessiâ—y come unâ—voidably upon the earth but that we may be graciously preserved After this Book by and by succeeded another in the German Tongue brought out of Germany unto us bearing the name of a FORERUNNER * Orig. Prodâ—omus because in it was this Concurse of all the Planets in the same Sign as some eminent and notable Mâ—ssenger and Significator of the things which shall follow that great Conjunction which shall be in the Year 1663 next ensuing Which Forerunner indeed doth excellently harmonise with the forâ—â—er Book and doth alike seriously and piously monish concerning many things esâ—ecially of the Times of the Gentiles now expiring ☜ of the Approach of the Conversion and Restitution of the Jews and doubtless of the imminent end of this world But because I perceived that among other Obstâ—cles which bolt the door against these so saving monitions and the truth therein contained whereby they are less entertained by men of the present Generation this is not the meanest that there is such small Attention lent to the Celestial Signes and so little * Orig. Fides Credit given as if what things are in the Heâ—vens are so above us as if they nothing appertained to us Touching the Sun indeed all confess it procreates to us Day and Night Summer and Winter fruitfulness and barrenness And as to the Moon none will deny that it exerciseth some dominion on earth not only on the flowing and reflowing of the Sea but also on the Humors and Complexions of men insomuch that it cannot be denied much to be our concern how these Lights are in Heaven placed and affected whether conjunct or separate whether farther distant each from oâ—her oâ— mutually near approiching whether the Moon makes towards the Sun or recedes from it Moreover who knows not how much it concernes in what place of Heaven and in what Sign and with what Associates she enters into the Bride-chamber of her Husband and what Prognosticks the skilful in Astrology are wont from hence to infer and predict But as what appertaines â—o other Planets and Luminaries of Heaven v.g. ♄ Saturn ♃ Jâ—pâ—re ♂ Mars ♀ â—enus and ☿ Mercury what Operations they have is little regarded whether tâ—eâ—â—e conjoyned or disjunct far distant from or near to each other whether their beams confluentially radiate or not whether they be opposite or collateral whether many or few convene in the same House in this or that Sign of the Zodiack men pass not as all one to theâ— Wherebâ— it comes to pass that whatsoever sign the most benigne Goâ—vouchsafeth to hold forth in heaven for the commination and monition of Mâ—nkind is totally made useless and becomes vâ—in HENCE is it that I thought I should do a work worth my labour for the Glory of God and the Good of my Neighbours if I shall as well out of Scripture as from the naâ—ure of the thing and the circumstâ—nces thereof demonstrate â—â—ese two things 1. That such sorts of Signes do without all doubt portend and foretel some grand and singuâ—ar thing 2. What that is which they portend and foretel If perhaps by the favour of God soâ—e from hence may be induced to embrace these faithful praemonitions with greater readiness of mind As for the S. Scriptures Gen. 1.14 In the first Book of Moses where is extant the â—enâ—ion of he Creation of he Sun Moon and other Stars of Heâ—ven iâ— is delivered that these were there placed to that end That they might divide the Day from the Night and be for Signes and Seasons and Dayes and Yeares To wit that the intention of God when he was about to create these Lights was this that they should signifie and foâ—eshew something on earth which God had before created viz. Not only that they should point out the times of Spring Summer Autumn and Winter and the seasons of Seed-time and Hâ—rvest of planting and pulling up c. abbreviations lengthenings or equalizings of daies with the Annual Feasts Daies Weeks and Moneths but especially that they might be for signs of those things which must be acted on earth and what there in succession of time as well in the Government of the Church as of the world should
forth that other world And that these labours and travels shall mutually follow swiftly one another Wherefore unless we will be prevented and destroyed by the unlook'd for coming of the Lord N.B. it will not behoove us to defer our repentance and reconciliation unto the last signes but ought to lay to heart those former signes which have been shewed Esdr ch 5. and that by so much the more diligently in that some of those last begin to appear But perhaps some man will say Obj. That Book of Esdras is Apechrypha and therefore deserves no credit Jerom himself rejecting it as fabulous I answer Answ Of the or dit to be given to the 4th Book of Esdras The Reasons which Jerome brings for the confirmation of his opinion are solidly confuted by M. Abraham Bartolus in his Preface to Esdras his Eagle as before that by Theodorus Bibliander a Tigurin Divine producing Demonstrations out of Joseph Scaliger and other Authors sufficiently valid deservedly to gain credit to this Book But suppose that this Book ought to be more suspected go to let us see nevertheless what Signes the Lord Jesus Christ himself and his Apostles lay before us by which concerning the end of this present world and the coming of Christ to set up his Kingdom on earth sure Prognosticks may be had which if they will agree with the Prophesie of Esdras what hinders but that this Prophesie may find belief Let us therefore hear what answer our Saviour gave to his Disciples when coming to him asked the signes of his coming and of the end of the world In those daies Mark 13. or straight after the tribâ—lation of those daies Mat. 24.29 there shall be signes in the Sun and the Moon and the Stars Luke 21.25 Behold there the signes in Heaven Now if thou dost desire to know what signes of the Coming of Christ and the end of the world shall be on earth behold the Lord presently subjoyneth in that cited place of Luke chap 21. v. 25 26 27 18. upon the earth distress of Nations with perplexity the Sea and the waves roaring ment hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth for the Powers of Heaven shall be shaken And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a Cloud with power and great Glory And when these things begin to come to pass then look up and lift up your heads for your Redemption draweth nigh Behold here a Prophesie above all exception and words of so certain and undoubted truth that heaven and earth shall sooner pass away than one title of them But what other thing doth this Prophesie sound forth than what we heard but now of the signes both in heaven and earth out of Esdras viz. In heaven in respect of the Sun Moon and Stars In earth by reason of the terrible things by which the minds of men shall be greatly distressed and made dubious And although the Prophesie of Esdras may seem in some particulars somewhat to differ from Christs predictions yet evidently it appears that on both sides nothing else is intended then the restitution of the Jews and by consequence that visitation of the Gentiles or that fiery Judgment on all peoples who have oppressed the Elect. Not that only the Jews are to be accompted those Elect which from the four winds from the four corners of the world are to be recollected and gathered together No by no means For under that word are comprehended all pious and sincere Christians of what Nation or rank soever viz. who being no less then the Jews as dispersed sheep under the oppression of false Christians and other Nations do lie troden underfoot and are deservedly to be annumerated to the truly converted Jews and genuine Children of Abraham But that we take here the word Elect as more specially belonging to the Jews the reason is this Because when our Lord Jesus Christ uttered these words he had only Jews standing before him to whom he foretold those things which properly appertained to their Redemption by which they might acknowledge that the Kingdom of God which Dan. 7.26 27. was promised to him was now at hand Luke 21.31 Unto them therefore saith the Lord When all these things shall begin to come to pass to wit these signs in heaven and earth then look up and lift up your heads and hearts He doth not say when ye shall see all these things fulfilled for that would be too late then to prepare for Redemption but when ye shall see these things begin then lift up your selves and elevate your selves above all earthly things for your redemption is near Now Candid Reader do thou judge whether by those things which we have before minded concerning all those signeâ— and those we see done in our Age in Heaven and Earth and which we still expect according to the Lords Prophesie it may not justly be concluded That even now the Redemption of the Jews and consequently the coming of Christ to his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 and the judgement by fire upon the world of uâ—godly 2 Pet. 3.7 draws nigh Neve theless for the greater confirmation of the thing and that we may manifest that those things which we have minded concerning the Restitution of the Jews and the end of this last Monarchy of the world are not meer dictates of the Stars or a simple single Prognostication formed by the present Conjunction but the matters born upon strong and undoubted foundations Come on let us hear also what the Apostles have delivered concerning this thing and whether the signes which they have given are now past or no and what thence may be concluded And first let us see what Peter handling of the last times and that fiery judgement wherewith the world of the ungodly shall be burnt hath left us in writing In the last daies shall come scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying where is the promise of his coming for since the fathers fell asteep all things continue as they were fro mthe beginning of the Creation 2 Pet. 3.3 4. Note here a SIGN That in the last daies i. e. neer the end of these daies when now the coming of Christ shall be at hand shall discover it self To wit that then scoffers shall come ☜ who walking after their own lusts will know nothing of this coming of Christ And enquire I pray diligently and make experience what answer thou shalt bring back when once by walking over the streets of the great City Rev. 11.8 thou shalt talk with men or with the Doctors and Ductors the Leaders of the people as well among Christians as others concerning the approâ—ching of the time wherein Christ will return on earth to destroy the wicked and to set up his Kingdom of righteousness thou shalt heat whether their own mouth will not betray them that they altogether speak the self same thing which is here premonished concerning the scoffers of the
in Sackcloath and Ashes and the lying of their dead Bodies in the streets of the great City are limited to certain periods of Moneths Daies and Times Which being run out the end of the world will not as yet follow but only the restauration of the holy City trampled the raising of the two Witnesses to life and that in the sight of their enemies And after these things will follow at length that great Earthquake whereby the tenth part of the City shall fall and 7 Companies of men shall be slain as also the third we and the last Trumpet Sufficiently clear therefore it appeareth to us who already have seen and do see the holy City of the Church trampled and the bodies of the Witnesses lie in the streets of the said City voyd of life that nothing necessarily is more nearly to be expected than that the fulness of the Gentiles come in and all Israel witness the Ap. Rom. 11.25 be saved and Jerusalem rise again from her trampling Luke 21.24 and shake off her dust and be cloathed with her Glory Isa 52.2 but that great City spiritually called Sodom and Egypt utterly to fall And so much the rather because now all the most excellent Chronologers and Searchers of times and who ever bestowed their labour on the computation of these 42 Moneths the 1260 daies or of the time and times and half a time are become like a woman great with child which having passed the time of her reckoning doth necessarily expect every hour the paines and labours of travel And seeing that the mean while those signes in Heaven and Earth break forth and offer themselves to open view who cannot conceive that the next change to follow as the expected birth of which all the Prophets and Apostles have prophesied is now before the door and we are now duly warned that we make our selves ready 3. We read in the 16th Chap. of Revelation Of the 7 Vials of the 7 Vials of the wrath of God to be poured out upon the earth before any man can enter into the Temple of the divine Glory ch 15.8 Surely 5 of these Vials now long since have been poured out The 1. by and by after the times of the Apostles producing that evil and malignant Uscer of false Brethren and rapacious Wolves who by degrees brake forth and brought upon the Church many troubles and griefs Rev. 16.2 The 2d. Vial was in the time of Constantine the Great about 300 years after the Birth of Christ when the body of the Church which formerly had been a separated thing from the world as earth from Sea is now again mixt with the people of the world as the earth which is again swallowed up of the Sea For then this Sea by the pouring out of the 2d Vial is made as the bloud of a dead man and every soul which lived in that Sea died by that plague ch 16.3 The 3d Vial was poured out about the 600 year after Christs Birth in the time of Boniface the 3. who was by the Emperour Phocas declared Head of the universal Church For then the Rivers and Fountains of waters were turned into bloud i. e. those spiritual Orders of Eremites Moncks and the like who from the time of Constantine the Great had kept themselves separated from the Sea of the peoples they also now began to be conformed to this Head of the Church and to be made partakers of this predominion which the Pope arrogated to himself and of all violence upon the consciences of men Because therefore they also powred out the Bloud of the Saints and Prophets therefore the most righteous God gave them bloud to drink bloud I say in comparison that whereas they were before refreshed with living waters now they drink meer bloud as of a dead man in whom there was no life or power The 4th Vial was poured out about the year after Christs birth 1100 or 1200 and continued to the time of Reformation when the wrath of God was poured out upon the Sun i.e. the Sacred Scriptures that only light which had remained after the loss of those aforesaid Saints And deservedly is the light of the Scripture compared to the Sun because as the Sun is set in the Firmament that it may cistinguish between day and night times of daies and years so the S. Scripture consisting of a sure word of Prophesie is given to that end that it may teach us prudently to discern between light and darkness between the various dispensations of God Moreover that which Syrach chap. 42.16 speaks concerning the Sun that it doth illustrate all things and the work thereof is full of the Glory of God the same may we affirm concerning the S. Scripture that it is a light that illustrates all things and is a work full of the glory of God For never any eminent thing happened nor doth yet happen or ever shall come to pass but that S. Script foresaw it and foretold it so as if any man would have eyes deeply to view his work without all doubt he might see it full of the glory of God Moreover as there is in the Sun heat besides light from which none can hide himself Psal 19.7 which heat warmeth refresheth and enliveneth this man but torments burnes and kils another man So in the S. Script besides that light of discerning there is heat or a certain vital power from which no man can hide himself and by which some men are comforted refreshed and quickned others are tormented burned and slain And when this is done viz. that men are not warmed and refreshed by the use of the S. Scripture but are burnt and incensed that thing no otherwise comes to pass then from their evil disposition and the pouring out of this Vial of the wrath of God upon them whereby men by occasion of the Scriptures wax hot one against another and with an inordinate zeal as with fire devour one another as the Histories of those times do abundantly witness The 5th Vial may be said â—â— be poured out about the year 1520 when the Rom. Empire to wit the Throne of the Beast began signally to be obscured from whence there came much affliction upon the Favourers and Adorers of the Beast so as they bit their tongues for grief and which is more by meanes of their grief and malignant ulcers they blasphemed God The obscuring of this Kingdom consisted 1. In that about that time very many Cities and Provinces yea Kingdomes revolted from the yoke of the Roman Religion Nor was this only so but 2. This obscuring consisted also in many tumults of war which were raised by this change of Religion Which obscuring of that Kingdom at last came to that that now in the year 1619 by meanes of the Bohemian war the Axe began to be laid to the very root of that bestial Throne which Throne although it continue to this day yet is not the darkning past but out of all doubt will be augmented
past What Armies in the Heavens What Conflicts in the Air What concertations of Ships men of War dashing themselves one against another destroying each other with Fire and Sword Who is able to recite how many Monsters and Prodigies as well in Heaven as on the Earth and Sea have been seen since the last Conjunction 1603 came forth upon the Stage what terrible Tempests and unheard of Blasts of winds have been whereby not only innumerable Ships have been broken at Sea but Trees have been eracicated out of the Earth and high Towers cast down But I speak what I know happened a year or two since at Rostoch whose Tower though covered or crampt with Brass was cut a two as it were with a Sword and carried away as if with hands without the wals How many and how great Earthquakes to be trembled at since that as well in Italy as France and elsewhere have happened with which many men as in a moment have been swallowed up yea whole Cities yea whole Islands drowned or overwhelmed with Mountains as Pluyrs in Rhetia in the year 1618. How many sudden burnings have been seen here and there since that whose original no man knows Yea how many have been of which it is manifest they were sent from the Heavens as by common fame happened in certain places in Germany in the Territories of Cleve and in other Regions Out of Galata a City situated not far from Constantinople I saw it written that in the flame with which the City was burning were seen evil Spirits driving forward the Flame What rage of Famine occasioned by the dearth and want of Provision hath wasted throughout the whole body of the Roman Empire whereby Mothers were made to devour their own Off-spring and friend to kill his friend that he might eat his flesh yea and the bodies of the dead were taken up out of the graves that the barking stomack might be satiated If I would relate what prodigious things came to pass in earth and Heaven during the bloudy War of Germany Poland England Swedland and Denmark I should be too prolix or tedious and perhaps more ungrateful to tender years Of those things only which happened in England Scotland and Ireland within the space of one year there is a whole Book extant under the name of Mirabilis Annus c. which were seen in Heaven and in Earth within the year 1660. And if there should be set before our eyes what Monsters have come forth from the time of the last Conjunction as well among Bruits as men it would be horrid to hear them and unsafe for women great with child to read them Only this one will I declare of which I have undoubted certainty to wit that in Tannum a City in Norway in the Province of Wensussel about the Kalends of January 1661 there was an Infant born which was heard to cry in his Mothers womb 12 times Woe to Denmarke Woe to the whole world Therefore all these things which we have seen to follow the last Conjunction and now also to precede before the concutrence of the Planets in the same place are a demonstration to me that of necessity some grand and singular things hereby are signified even such things as I have but now noted But some man may perhaps say It is not a thing so past remedy and given for gone as is presumed by us The Conjunction of all the Planets is not a matter so unwonted and rare that it should seem to portend a fiery judgment as that Conjunction in the time of Noah portended the deluge The reason is because as Seth Calvisius in his Chronological work doth testifie there was observed also a Conjunction of all the Planets in the year of Christ 1186 Sept. 16 the third day of the week the first hour of the Day upon which notwithstanding no such or the like thing followed I Answer That reason is not sufficient to break the force of our Argument 1. Because that Conjunction of 1186 although it fell within the bounds of a Conjunction yet was it not in one Sign as is ours but in diverse Signes the great Luminaries being in Virgo and the rest of the Planets in Libra 2. Because that Conjunction in 1186 being in an earthy and ayry Sign must necessarily be meeker than this in a fiery Sign or than that in a watery sign in Noahs time 3. Lest notwithstanding any man should repute that Conjunction in 1186 to be of no moment let him consult the Histories of 1186 and he shall see that by and by in the year following it Jerusalem was taken by Saladine the King of the Saracens and that New Jerusalemitish Kingdom was taken away from the Christians Nor were there wanting other horrid things The Sea in Sicilia contrary to its Nature went backward to the drowning of 5 millions of men In Italy it rained Hailstones of the bigness of Goose Eggs. Carina a City of Sicilia was swallowed of an Earthquake and in that 20 thousand men perished Also a fiery Beam was seen in the Heavens and other portentous things of that nature So that that Conjunction also departed not without some notable operation or effect as well in the air as in the earth 4. Let men know that we do not put the whole stress of our Prognostication in the naked Conjunction For unless Antecedents Concomitants and Subsequents founded as well in S. Scripture as in experience did add weight to the thing we should not write these things with such confidence Let us now therefore come to CONCOMITANTS from whence may be concluded at least probably concerning the end of this world and the imminent approach of the future Verily I do not think it lightly to be esteemed that care is so taken by the providence of the all-fore-seeing and fore-disposing God that on the day preceding this Conjunction viz. December 10. should fall the Lords day of the 2 Advent wherein are those words of Christ Luc. 21.25 And then shall be signs in the Sun and Moon and Stars and upon the earth distress of Nations with perplexity the Sea and the waves roaring mens hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on earth for the powers of Heaven shall be shaken And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory As if that our blessed God to whom all his waies are known from eternity had besides this concurrence of the Planets and agitations of the celestial powers expresly commanded that also this Prophesie and exhortation of the Lord Jesus should be read of all and inculcated precisely on that very day which immediatly goes afore that Conjunction if perhaps yet in this last moment of time some would consider and use means to be saved See now we have given it forth demonstrated both out of the S. Scriptures as also from the nature of the thing and divers both antecedent and concomitant circumstances That these
after a sort in the punishment of their sins hoping in this that the measure of their punishments and chastisements will at length be fulfilled that God may again have mercy upon them And whereas formerly they were so averse from the Christians that not in their greatest necessity would they receive of us any support or almes now it is come to this pass that they not only gratefully accept of a morsel of bread giving God thankes for it but also come and desire the same of us Which indeed is no obscure sign on earth that their conversion and redemption draweth nigh Even as of old in Egypt then was the time at hand that Joseph would make known himself to his Brethren and receive all his Fathers Family into his protection when it fell out that his Brethren thinking no such thing came to receive from the hand of Joseph whom long since they had sold and delivered him into the hand of strange Nations bread and succours for the support of life And if now the Mercy for the Jewes is at hand to wit the Revelation of the true Joseph among them it necessarily followes that the judgment of Babylon is at hand and of necessity the destruction of the last Bestial Monarchy as afore we have often advised is before the doores For hear how Jeremiah chap. 51. knits these two together namely the Conversion of the Jewes and the Subversion of Babylon For he saith v. 5. Israel and Judah shall not alwaies be left of God the Lord of Hosts in widdowhood because their Land was filled with transgression because of the holy one of Israel c. And immediately in v. 6. Fly ye out of the midst of Babylon and deliver every man his soul be not cut off in her iniquity for this is the time of Gods vengeance he will render to her a recompense Behold so soon as God shall have mercy on his people presently he will gird himself to render vengeance on Babylon for her injustice Pride and all Oppression towards the miserable dispersed sheep of Israel As in the former Chap. the Lord complained saying The sheeps my people are destroyed their shepwards made them to go astray they went from Mountain to Hill forgetting the place of their lying down all that found them devoured them and their adversaries said we offend not because they have sinned against the Lord the habitation of Justice even the Lord the hope of their Fathers Jer. 50.6 7. Hear also how Joel joynes these two together viz. the Conversion of the Jews and the Judgment of the Heathen which oppressed them as mutual consequents chap. 3.1 where he saith Behold in those daies and in that time when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem I will also gather all Nations and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel whom they have scattered among the Nations and parted my Land and they have cast Lots for my people and have given a Boy for a harlot and sold a Girle for wine that they might drink Note here how swiftly the one shall follow the other Even so soon as the Cup of indignation is removed from Sion so soon shall it be drunk to the Daughter of Edom. The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished O Daughter of Zion He will no more carry thee away into captivity he will visit thine iniquity O Daughter of Edom. He will discover thy sins Lam. 4.22 As if the Lord had said Thou hast seen how I have visited and discovered the iniquity of my people how I have led them captive among all Nations that these being admonished by their example might be wiser and might more diligently observe my Commandments than they have done But because thou hast done no better but worse than they and in stead of the Mercy with which thou shouldest have been enclined towards my people and the righteousness with which thou oughtest to have convinced them of unrighteousness thou hast done altogether the contrary thou hast used no mercy towards my people and by thy unrighteousness hast hardned them in their iniquity and whilst thou diâ—st these things thou wouldest justifie thy self fixing thine eyes not upon thy self but upon them thou sawest not the Beam in thine own eye but didst the More that was in thy Neighbours eye meditating in thine heart This people suffereth condigne punishment for their facts because they rejected the Lord Jesus who was the hope of their Forefathers and that in raging against them we cannot sin Yea thou hast perswaded thy self that in thy afflicting crucifying and killing of my people thou hast done my work and rendered my revenge Joel 3.4 But I assoon as the iniquity of my people shall be finished even as I have done to them so will I do to thee I will visit thee and discover thy abominations And as thou hast exercised no mercy towards my people so no body shall pity thee As thou hast done so shall it be required to thee in the Cup thou hast drunk to others shall it be drunk to thee Yea the double thereof Rev. 18.6 As to the Time of the Conversion of the Jews and the restoring of the Kingdom of Israel of which all the Prophets are full and by consequence the end of the terrible 4th Beast of Daniel that it is at hand that also may be sufficiently demonstrated by those Signes which are prescribed in the Old and New Testament some at least of which I will touch And 1. out of 4 * otherwise the 2 of Esdram 5.1 2 c. of Esdr 5.1 2 3 c. V. 1. Nevertheless as concerning the tokens behold he daies shall come that they which shall dwell on the earth shall be â—aken in a great number and the way of truth shall be hidden and the Land shall be barren of Faith 2. But iniquity shall be encreased aâ—â—ve that which thou now seest or that thou hast heard long ago 3. And he Land that thou now seest to have root shalt thou see wasted suddenâ—y 4. But if the most High grant thee to live thou shalt see after the THIRD TRUMPET that the Sun shall shine suddenly again in the night and the Moon thrice in the day 5. And Blond shall drop out of the wood and the stone shall give his voyce and the people shall be troubled 6. And even he shall rule whom they looked not for that dwell upon the earth and the fowles shall take their flight away together 7. And the Sodomitish Sea shall cast out fish and make a noise in the night which many have not known but they shall all hear the voyce thereof 8. There shall be a Confusion also in many places and the fire shall be oft sent out * Margin Sâ—aked again and the wild Beasts shall change their places and Menstruous women shall bring forth Monsters 9. And salt waters shall be found in
the sweet and all friends shall destroy one another then shall wit hide it self and understanding withdraw it self into his secret Chamber 10. And shall be sought of many and yet not be found then shall unrighteousness and incontinency be multiplied on earth 11. One Land also shall ask another and say Is Righteousness that maketh a man righteous gone through thee And it shall say No. 12. At the same time men shall hope but nothing obtain they shall labour but their waies shall not prosper And these are partly general signes and partly particular which God foretels shall come to pass afore he shall again gather together Israel and render to the Inhabitants of the earth according to their waies All which signes without doubt have been abundantly enough fulfilled The Inhabitants of the earth have heaped up to themselves much Revenue great Treasures of Silver and Gold mean while no Faith no Truth can be found among men That Countrey in which Esdras then lived when this Vision happened unto him to wit the Land of Babylon from that time it became desolate in divers places now upon a sudden the light hath shone forth by night as if it had been day and by day such clowâ—ings of the Light of the Sun hath suddenly risen that the Moon hath thrice in the day presented it self conspicuous and with its brightness hath supplied the defect of the Sun In divers places now a few Weekes since in Poland Bloud was seen to drop from wood and to rain from Heaven Yea also a Stone seemed to utter a voyce as often as certain voices divinely articulated to strike a terrour into men were heard as proceeding out of the stones of a Wall the credit of which thing is asserted among Historians As for the Commotions and Insurrections of peoples whereby new Lord-Rulers have come unexpected upon the Inhabitants of the Earth how frequently hath that happened and to this day happeneth Who shall declare how often the Fowles of Heaven have transported themselves to other haunts because of warlike commotions That which is said of the Sodomitish Sea without doubt hath long since been fulfilled Especially this our most fruitful Age is most frequently famed for horrid Earthquakes sudden Conflagrations as afore mentioned the flight of wild Beasts from place to place abortive Births both corporal and spiritual and horrid Monsters As for Waters and Friends how often canst thou find sweet waters in Salt Friends contending against Friends post-poning the League of amity behind the present Interest Which being so the Prophet justly subjoyneth that then Wit shall hide it self and understanding withdraw it self into its secret Chamber and shâ—â—â— be sought of many and yet not be found then shall unrighteousness and incontinency be multiplied on earth And that he that will seek righteousness though he run from Land to Land from the River to the Sea from one quarter of Heaven to the other yet shall he find none For where now can be found the true knowledge of God and the genuine understanding of the Sâ—cred Scriptures How many have sought it with all their strength and yet have not found it When ever was iniquity more abounding so that it possesseth and fils all Courts Temples and Cloysters So that as concerning the Righteousness which justifies i. e. truly renders men just before God there is no more of it perceived at this day than as if it had never been in the world Finally when ever was seen on earth more vain hope in men and frustraneous labour Behold then seeing all these signes are fulfilled what else may be inferred but that the receiving and restauration of the Jews and the visitation of the Inhabitants of the earth conjoyned to it whereby God will render to them according to their works are at hand If thou defirest yet nearer signes whereby thou maiest be instructed more fully concerning that precious time wherein the Omnipotent God will begin to draw near to visit the Inhabitants of the earth and put an end to the dispersion of the Jews and the humiliation of Sion see in the same Book chap. 6. Where thou wilt find the God of Esdras thus speaking v. 20. And when the world that shall begin to vanish away shall be finished or sealed then will I shew these takens The books shall be opened before the Firmament and they shall see altogether 21. And the children of an year old shall speak with their voyces and the women with child shall bring forth unâ—imely children of thret or four moneths old and they shall live and be raised up 22. And suddenly shall the sown places appear unsown the full storehouses shall suddenly be found empty 23. And the TRUMPET shall give a sound which when every man heareth they shall be suddenly afraid 24. At that time friends shall fight one against another like enemies and the earth shall stand in fear with those that dwell therein the springs of the Fountaines shall stand still and in three houres they shall not run 25. Whosoever remaineth from all these I have told thee shall escape and see my salvation and the end of the world Behold concerning these signes I cannot â—ay they are all aâ—ready fulfilled Albeit of some of them I am confident their beginnings â—e now conspicuous as 1. That of the Books opened before the face of all peoples under the Firmament viz. in the Bookes of mans Conscience which hither to have been as it were locked up and sealed by Superstitions and Traditions of men and Worships imposed with violent force although by them notwithstanding all men at length are to be judged These Books I say are begun to be opened before the face of the Firmament so that all men universally shall look into them and read them and upon their insight and reading of them they shall be astonished and humbled Even as that good King Josias when the Book of the Law sometime lost was found again and read before him 2 King 22. For the time cometh wherein the work of the Law as written by the hand of God in the hearts of men shall be clearly laid open and that by that saving Grace which now begins to shine forth to all men As to the Second concerning children of a year old speaking if that be understood of simple speaking we have often seen it in our Age Even as thirdly That also that sown places are suddenly unsowâ— and full sterehouses are suddenly found empty But as to that that the women with child shall bring forth abortives of 3 or 4 moneths old which shall remain alive and be educated and that â— TRUMPET shall sound to be heard over the universal world to the terrifying of all the Inhanitants of the earth and that last earthquake whereby the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 shall for 3 hour as be stoâ—â—â—ed hath come to pass this I cannot affirm But these signes I judge shall be as the last labour and travel of this present world to produce and bring