into these words But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth out of our own mouth to burn Incense to the QUEEN of Heaven and to pour out drink offerings unto HER as we have done we and our Fathers our Kings and our Princes in the Cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem for then had we plenty of victuals and were well and saw no evil So that by MELECHET or the Queen of Heaven they understood no other thing but the Host of the Stars And therefore that the thing which the Lord blames in Israel is not that they gave heed to the Host of Heaven but that they drew them into abuse and Idolatry doth manifestly appear by those things we read in Jer. 8.1 2. Behold that which in the former Chapter he had expressed by the Name of the Queen of Heaven that very same here he calleth the Host of Heaven and that which he threatens severely to punish in them is not that they did heedfully consider the Signes of Heaven but that they worshipped them and bowed themselves unto them as unto their Gods There is furthermore another thing wherein the Israelites here greatly sinned That to wit in imitation of the Heathen they were too much afraid of those Signes of Heaven as if there was not in being a superior power on which both they and all the Host of Heaven did depend and as if those things which were there prefigured ought alwaies necessarily to attain their affect ☞ In which resâ—ect the Lord in that manner speakes to them by his Prophet Jer. 10.2 Learn not the way of the Heathen and be not dismayed at the Signes of Heaven for the Heathen are dismayed at them As if he should say I have set before the Heathen which hâ—ve not known me signes in He ven as meanes leading unto me because they have not known any other way and have not received any other Law But THOU my people ISRAEL who hast learned to know me more nearly and from me hast received the Law out of the midst of the fire which excels all other Laws return not thou unto the way of the Heathen but learn thou well the way shewn unto thee in my Law and there shall be no cause that thou shouldest be afraid of the signes of Heaven Isa 44.24 25. For as it is written I am he which have created the heavens and have bound my self to thee in an everlasting and indissolvable Covenant I am JEHOVAH making all things extending the heavens alone spreading abroad the earth by my power that frustrateth the tokens of the Lyars and maketh the Diviners mad that turneth the wise men backward and maketh their knowledge foolish Be ye only obedient unto me walk faithfully in my Wayes and nothing of those things is to be feared by you of which the Heathen are afraid But that we may come nearer to the MATTER If this were true that nothing of truth and certainty could be gathered from the celestial Signes and therefore it were prohibited to attend unto them tell me I pray thee For whom or what ends are those Signes in the Sun Moon and Stars made To what purpose To what use Why are not only the Jewes in the Old Testament * Joel 2.30 3.15 but Christians also in the New * Mat. 24.29 Mar. 13.24 Luk. 21.25 precisely sent to them as we shall hear more largely afterwards Therefore from the S. Scriptures I conclude that those signes conspicuous in the Heavens especially in these last timeâ— do necessarily portend something and therefore of right they are ceseâ—veâ—ly and diligently to be observed But some may object Suppose that Signes are given in Heaven Obj. of those things which shall come to pass on earth or ought to come to pass what doth this heâ—p me if I want a requisite wisdom to understand them as having no true and undoubted rules by which I may be able to judge of those Signes Doth not the Almighâ—y and most exceâ—ent God accuse Job of his Ignorance even in this very business of the predominion of the stars on us inhabitants of the earth asking him by way of opprobry Hast thou known the order of Heaven wilt thou set the dominion thereof on the earth As if he had said Thou knowest that thou hast no knowleâ—ge of this thing and that thou canst do nothing in this matter Job 38.33 And doth not Solomon Prov. 25.3 speâ—k concerning the heavens above us and the earth beneath us and the hearts of Kings that those three are unsearchable How then shall any man dare to attempt wiâ—hout the Note of the greatest presumption so to search out those things which are in the Heavens as thence to pick out what shall come to pas in the world And do we not see many yea of the excellentest Mâ—sters of Astrology greatly to be deceived as for example That most famous Albumazar of whom we read in his Writings he foresaw by the stars that Christian Religion should not continue beyond 1400 â—ears from after its first beâ—innings whereas to now since Christs Birth we accompt 1662 years Which term exceeds Albumazars Calculation more than 200 years *** And there have been afore 142 years since certain Astrologers which from that great Conjunction of ♄ Saturn ♃ Jupiter and ♂ Mars in Aquarius which happened in the year of Christ 1524 struck a great terrour into men concerning some imminent great Deluge though not universal so that many provided themselves of ships by which after the manner in Noahs Floud they might save themselves from the Waters whereas no such thing at all followed thereupon Many more of the like Errours might be produced Orig. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Answ but let these suffice We answer If this be granted that those things which are seen in the Heavens are truly Signes and Preludes of those things which shall come to pass on earth and for the understanding of them there is need of certain and undoubted Rules and Precepts to discern all things aright Yet that remaineth firm and irtefragable that we are bound to attend to those signes and to apply our minds as much as in us is to those premonitions set forth in the Heavens instantly to pray for and expect in faith greater wisdom and understanding as they have done who ever at tained to any certainty in this Science And moreover to set before our eyes those general Rules which have been delivered to us by the more skilful in this Art For albeit those precepts partly by the multiplicity and subtilty of them and partly by the prevalency of a certain superiour cause which can invert and make void all these things are not alwaies found firm and undoubted yet if we seek of God our certainty he can equally in these as in other businesses and Sciences of the world which considered in themselves are also full of uncertainty establish our hearts and lead us into all certainty of truth and give to
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
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
arise and might manifest himself Which thing is intimated by Moses when he saith V. 15. That they may be in the Expansion of Heaven to enlighten the earth i. e. To give a discerning of things to be done on earth For as for what concernes the external Light of the day that the Sun solely supplies to us and for what concernes the Light of the night the Moon alone would be sufficient if nothing else were to be desired But there ought to be more light present with us than that whereby one man by sight discernes another one Animal another and body from body may be distinguished To the end it may be well with man on earth and the whole Orb of the world below may subsist it behoves that there be a certain other sort of Light which descendeth also from on high and is nourished from above to wit a Rational Light of discerning and clearness of understanding from whence divers Arts Sciences Negotiations and Governments as well Ecclesiastical as secular are invented and polished to perfection And that Light is called in the School of Wise men Sideral or Astrary because it depends upon those Stars of which Moses affirms that they were therefore constituted in the Expansion of Heaven that they may enlighten the world And forasâ—uch as this light exists first in the Heâ—vens viz. in the stars and Pranets before it shines on earth and is there manifested what wonder if any man discernes the tokens and preludes of those things which are imminent to come to pass on earth by the constitution of the Heavens so as he be endued with sufficient understanding even as we see in a prudent and skilful Physiognomist how be is able oft-times to deâ—ermine and foresee what a man carries in his breast or will befâ—ll him by his Eyes Counâ—enance and Lineaments But some man may say Obj. If the stars are constituted so to illuminate the world how is it that Moses so vehemently dehorteâ—h the people from them when he saith * Deut. 4.19 20. Take heed lest thou lift up thine eyes to Heaven and when thou seest the Sun and the Moon and the Stars even all the Host of Heaven shouldest be driven to worship them and serve them Which the Lord thy God hath IMPARTED unto ALL NATIONS under the whole Heaven But the Lord hath taken you and brought you forth out of the Iron Furnace even out of Egypt to be unto him a people of Inheritance Answ c. We answer that by this very Text it is clearly evinced that this observation of the Stars is good in it self and the gift of God For unless it were in it self good and laudable how could it be said as it is expresly here said by Moses That the Lord thy God hath IMPARTED these to ALL THE NATIONS under the whole Heaven Can it be said indeed that God imparts any evil And that to all Peoples under the whole Heaven But I will declare as the very thing is whoever he be that is obliged to a better and higher matter he presently slips and prevaricates as oft as he lets down himself to that which is lower Forasmuch therefore as the most bountiful God hath revealed himself more clearly and nearly to this people than to any other speaking to them out of the midst of the fire and singularly given them holy Laws and Institutions as he had not done to any other people it became them likewise to order their lives not according to the manner of other peoples who had not received these Lawes but according to the mode which God of his special grace had taken care should be declared to them whereby an Access for them unto God himself was in all cases prepared so as they might be perfectly instructed by him Otherwise they would have held it necessary to consult the Sun Moon or Stars for events counsels and direction Besides the thing from which Moses so vehemently dehorteth the Israelitish people is not that they attended to the course of the Sun Moon and Stars and contemplated the work of Divine Providence in the Heaven But only they should not suffer themselves to be driven by them in bowing before them to worship them for Gods as was wont to be done among the Gentiles who attributing to the Stars and Planets names of Gods they erected to them Statues and Temples and gave them the worship of Gods And this they did with so great fervency of zeal that when after a time by the light of the Gospel the fraud of Satan begâ—n to be detected these peoples by the Faith of Chrut being accused of Idolatry were soon set on fire into a huge madness From whence also those cruel persecutions derived their occasion But if the Gentiles had not abused these cesestial Creatures unto evil If they had suffered themselves to be led as by the hand unto God by these works of God as we may see it in Job and his Friends and as is still on record to memory in the Jews Historicals the like thing of the sons of Seth in the former world and of Noah Abraham and Melchisedech in the â—â—â—er and present world before the Law was given And of Moses Daniel Shadrach Meshech and Abednego under the Law of whom it is written * Act. 7.22 〈◊〉 1.4 that Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians c. As also of the Magi living out of the Law and without the Law * 〈◊〉 legem sine lâ—â—â— de gentious If I say they had not bowed themselves before the Host of Heaven but by this thing they had learned to bow the knee before God the Creator of all things worshipping not the Signes of future things which he hath set before us but the hand it self that put them viz. the Counsel and wisdom of the Oâ—nipotent God verily they had not sinned and it would have been far from them to persecute any man who should attempt to bring them nearer unto God I conclude therefore that from this dehortation of Moses Deut. 4.19 20. it cannot be concluded that these celestial Signes ought not to be observed and attended unto but only that we ought not too much to adhere to them either to bow down to them or to worship them or because of them to neglect that which is better and nearer as it happened oft in Israel through the seducements of the world and of the Prince of the world Consult Jer. 7.18 and thou shalt see how the Lord shewed to his Prophet what was prepared in the Cities of Judah and streets of Jerusalem viz. The Children gather wood and the Fathers kindle the fire and the women knead the dough to make Cakes to the QUEEN of Heaven Melechet that is to the Host of Heaven and to poure out Drink-Offerings unto other Gods Yea see in Jer. 44.17 18. How as well the men as the women of Judah did backslide to that degree of Idolatry that they brake forth
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
us that we may see and discern what others cannot see and discern As for that place of Job this only is intimated If any man will rightly and fundamentally know the order of heaven and the dominion thereof on the earth he ought to learn it of God who alone setled all these things and therefore it is not meet for Job or any other man to glory before God And for that saying of the wisest King neither doth thaâ— intend any other thing than to teach us That these three in themselves are unsearchable to wit Heaven as being too high and sublime the Earth as being too deep and the heart of a King as being too much hidden unstable and mutable So that from hence it cannot be concluded that a man that feares God and cleaves to him may not be endued or gifted by God with such wisdom and understanding that he cannot understand the things which are in Heaven above him and in the earth beneath him and in the hearts of Kings without him No by no means For Solomon himself in the Book of Wisdom Chap. 7. V. 17. testifieth the contrary where he compileth a Catalogue of those things which he was taught of God by Wisdom God hath given to me certain or true knowledge of the things that are in Nature that I might understand the constitution of the world the force of the Elements the beginning middle and ending of times the vicissitudes of Solstices the variety of Seasons the Circuits of years and situation of stars the natures of Animals the furies of Beasts the strength of the winds and the cogitations of men the differences of Plants and the qualities of Roots All these he saith he learned of God as well those things that are made in Heaven above him as those in the bowels of the earth beneath him and also those things that seem to lie hidden in the recesses of mans heart For as he addeth v. 21. All such things as are secret or manifest them have I known For Wisdom which is the Artificer of all things taught me Seest thou therefore how all things may be obtained by Wisdom as well the knowledge of those things which are in Heaven as those on Earth and in the very Closets of the heart Therefore he who hath not this wisdom but doth desire it let him ask it of God and seek it where it may be found Neither let him say What advantageth it me that God hath put certain Signes in Heaven seeing I understand them not and so many who have assumed to themselves skill in them have so enormously stumbled and exposed themselves to scorn For we see the same things to happen in all Sciences Orig Prophetiae Arts Negotiations yea even in Prophesie and the Gospel which is called the Word of Truth Where if one or another be certain in his Art and Science thou shalt find ten remaining uncertain For where thou maiest find one true Prophet with whom there is the sincere Word of God there an hundred will present themselves who challenge to themselves the same word and carry before them in external gesture and habit the shew or shape of a Prophet when as they are not And where thou shalt find one who purely delivers the word of Truth thou maiest muster up an hundred who wrest it to the private sence of humane corruption Are therefore all Arts and Sciences to be despised and to be accompted and reputed in the same rank as we see at this day the Celestial Signes reputed Certainly if this were so there were an end of all Science Art Prophesie and all Doctrine of Truth And all things as uncertain and dead must be buried in the profound darkness of Ignorance and Confusion and there eternally lie buried Thou seest therefore that for the dotages or mistakes of some in the knowledge of Astrology and falsly challenging to themselves the knowledge of the understanding of the Celestial Signes all Observation of the stars and Prognostications are not by and by to be vilified But let us proceed to the second Member of this our Dissertation that by the nature it self of the Conjunction we may demonstrate That necessarily some grand and singular thing is here portended That therefore thou maiest better perceive the nature of this Conjunction or concurrence of all the Planets in one and the same Sign of the Zodiack take this similitude Whensoever we see all the Rulers in any City An apt Siâ—aile or Commanders in an Army of Souldiers convent in one place and there take counsel together presently we thence conclude some grand thing is in agitation The same thing therefore may be here concluded when we see the Planets so convent and lay their heads together For look what the Rulers in a City and Commanders in an Host are the same are the Planets in the Host of Heaven Other stars in the Firmament continue in their fixed distances one from the other and have no peculiar motion as every one of the Planets hath his own proper motion each wheeled about in his own sphere after his own manner Therefore ancient wise men considering the Analogy or proportion between the Macrocosme the great world and the Microcosme the little world said by the fixed stars of the Firmament were represented the firm Limbs of out body and by the Planets our inward bowels which by their motion and influences move sustain and act the whole body What wonder then if we beholding of December next * 1. 1662. For Serarius wrote this afore the said day of December last the Members of the greater world as the Rulers of the Aethereal and Elementary Orbs convening in one and the same house laying their heads together we conclude that doubtless some grand thing is to be agitated in the Heavens which is in a readiness that unexpectedly it may break forth And that by so much more certainly by how much we have been taught by long experience that as often as divers Planets come together they alwaies bring forth some notable change on earth First of all when the two supreme Regents of the world ♄ Saturn and ♃ Jupiter concur or come together which indeed manifestly appeares to be done three waies Their Congressure or coming together the first way is every twentieth year or in precise speech within the space of 19 years daies 315 houres 19. And is called by Astrologers the special or least Conjunction of ♄ Saturn and ♃ Jupiter because Saturn and Jupiter concur in the signes of the same triplicity Their congressure or meeting together the second way is every 200 years or in precise speech once within 198 years and 336 daies And is called the Trigonal or middle Conjunction whereby the same Planets ♄ and ♃ i. e. Saturn and Jupiter concur or meet in another Triplicity or Trigon * Orig. Trigonum Their Concurrence the third way returnes not under 800 yeares or in precise accompt after the term of 795 years
and 214 daies And is called the greatest and total Conjunction Which comes to pass when ♄ and ♃ i.e. Saturn and Jupiter having wandred over all the Triplicities return to the same Goal or bound from whence they first set forth And although upon all these 3 modes of Conjunctions of the supream Planets ♄ and ♃ Saturn and Jupiter alwaies some signal Changes in the world have followed yet notwithstanding they alwaies have by far been of the greatest moment which have followed the Great Conjunctions or Congressures of the third way or mode For example ☜ From the Fall of Adam there have been 7 of these Great Conjunctions Or if with Kepler and other the most famous Astrologers we may annumerate also the First in the very beginning of the world then from that time to our age are numbred 8 of that sort of Conjunctions For the first is numbered in the time of Adam upon which followed the Fall of all Mankind The second in the time of Enoch which was received with Tyranny Robberies building of Fortifications and walled Townes 3. In Noahs time which was entertained by the Deluge of waters whereby transgressors were blotted out from the face of the earth 4. In the life of Moses Which was welcomed in by the Israelites going out of Egypt the promulgation of the Law and the rise of the Commonwealth of Israel in Canaan The fifth in the daies of Isaiah upon which followed 1. The transportation of the 10 Tribes of Israel into the Land of Assyria who to this day have not returned and anon after that of the two Tribes Judah and Benjamin from whence nevertheless after 70 years Captivity they did return 6. From the time of Christ which was accompanied and followed by the rise of the Roman Empire and the total destruction of the Israelitish Commonwealth 7. From the Age of Charles the Great upon which followed the Division of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western as also the Invasion of the Turk into the land of Promise and that Reformation sprung up in the Church whereby the Kingdom of the Apocalyptical Beast began to be obscured These things therefore being thus weighed N.B. what notable Changes these 7 former Conjunctions have brought into the world when nevertheless they consisted but of the concurse only of two or three Planets how can it be otherwise judged but that necessarily a greater change is portended under the eighth great Conjunction of them which happened in the year of Christ 1603. in Sagitarius under which we yet travel in pain and sob And so much the rather that this * By This I suppose he means this Decemb. ◠11 Anno of Chr. 166◠of which he treats and by That he means that in 1603. concurrence of all the Planets in the same fiery Sign of Sagitarius followed that in so short a time For my part those thoughts I confess spring up within me That even as anciently in the Feasts of Israel and their great Solemnities which lasted eight daies it was cautioned that the last day was alwaies to be reputed for the greatest day with which the Feast was concluded Levit. 23.36 John 7.37 So also do I judge in this matter that of all these 8 great Conjunctions this last is to be accompted for the greatest After which there is nothing more certain to follow than the Period of Esaus time and the destruction of the Beasts Dominion and false Prophet That now at last the time of Jacob may succeed and the Kingdom of JESUS CHRIST and of his Saints may be established on Earth For if some greater thing is hence to be expected than ever any Conjunction afore produced what other thing can this be than the Restitution of that Kingdom so long promised and desired and which the Apostles themselves expected by Christ to be erected Acts 1.5 and the final ruine of the Kingdomes of unrighteousness in this world that another world may succeed whose Glory may be meet for God only and to him ascribed Upon the third great Conjunction aforesaid the former world perished and another came forth as if called up from the dead At the fourth Conjunction the Lord chose to himself one only Nation out of all the peoples that had in this new world corrupted themselves which he brought out of the house of Egyptian bondage and brought them into a certain Land where he himself would govern them At the Fifth Conjunction the Kingdom of Israel for the sins of that people was cleft and parted into two Kingdoms of which one was transported into Assyria not returning to this day the other into Babylon for a little time Upon the Sixth Conjunction followed the dispersion of them also which returned from Babylon which continues to this day throughout the Provinces of the Roman Empire Upon the Seventh Conjunction this very last Monarchy of the Romans underwent the same Lot as the Kingdom of Israel suffered For as this was first divided and afterwards one part of it after another was torn and carried away So this last Monarchy of the Roman Empire was first divided into Eastern and Western the first whereof the Turks now long since have invaded and possessed And what now I pray can remain to be expected upon this 8th Conjunction but that the remnant-part of the Roman Empire have the same fate as ancient Jerusalem had Truly if we consult the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles that grand and general mutation which we whether Jews or Christians do expect and is to be expected will appear to be no other than that in the room of the present Kingdoms of the world the God of Heaven will set up a Kingdom N.B. which shall dissipate all other Kingdomes Dan. 2.44 And that terrible Beast of Daniel to wit the fourth Monarchy of the world which hath troden underfoot broken and crummed the whole Earth into morsels and that little and blasphemous horn shall likewise at length being brought to Judgment be deprived of their Dominion and utterly destroyed So that at last the Kingdom and the Power and the greatness of the Kingdom which is under the whole Heaven is given to the holy people of the Most High c. Dan. 7.26 27. To wit this is that change which we Christians with ourstretched neck do expect that shortly it shall comes to pass that the scattering of the holy people shall have an end Dan. 12.7 that ere long the Redeemer comes out of Sion who shall take away infidelity from Jacob Rom. 11.26 And that voice of that strong Angel who by his gloriousness shall brighten the whole earth shall ring over the whole world saying Babylon the great is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of Devils and the hold of every foul Spirit and the Cage of every unclean and hareful Bird. Rev. 18.1 2. What I say is it that we Christians since once the Kingdom of the Beast hath been obscured do so anxiously desire and in all
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
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
until that day wherein the Beast shall be taken and cast into the Like of Fire and Brimstone Forasmuch therefore as these 5 Vials are already poured out and the obscuring of the Beasts Throne is dayly more and more encreased what I pray comes next to be expected by us but that the sixth Vial which is now pouring out shall make way for those Kings that shall come from the East of whom Baruch makes mention c. 5. v. 5. c. that the Stone out out of the Mountain without hands of which Dan. 2.45 may cast down break in pieces and destroy all the Kingdomes of the earth and in stead of them that stone may fill the whole earth And if this be that thing which comes next to be expected by us what marvel if we refer these signes in Heaven and Earth now concurring to this Matter and that we look upon them as foretellers of the Jews Conversion and the subversion of the last Monarchy of the world 4. We read also in Revel 17. That a time will one day come when the 10 Horns of the Beast on which the Harlet sits which 10 Horns are 10 Kings who have long adored the Beast and have committed fornication with the whore shall in that agree together hat with hatred they persecute the where and make her desolate and â—â—ked chap. 17.16 And we know who is that Harlot and who are those Kings which have so long served her viz. the Kings of France Spain Poland Hungary Behemiah England Scotland Portugal Suedland and Denmark All which together with the Pope lifting up himself as the Head of the Catholick Church nad their rise And because we see that in many of these Kings there hath been long since a mind that if they could would long ago have devoured her flesh but concerning the rest of the Kings which hitherto have adhered to the Harlot 't is evident that they also are gone into parties and dissent from her and begin to prepare war against her who thence may not conclude the death of that Whore Gerariae and by consequence the destruction of that Gerarian seven-headed-Beast to be before the doores And albeit there were no signes of this extant in Heaven yet to quick-sighted men and they who believe the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles those signes of it on earth which we see with our eyes and touch with our hands N.B. may be sufficient Behold now I have demonstrated that that same faithful exhortation of the aforesaid Book Printed at Groning and written upon occasion of the instant Conjunction of all the Planets in the fiery Sign of â™ Sagitary is most worthy to be heedfully observed and to be laid up in the inmost Closets of our hearts seeing the matters there set forth are not vain Phantasmes of mans Brain ☞ of idle figments of superstitious Astrology but a sure certain truth founded in Nature and on the Scriptures agreeing not only with the Tradition and Experience of the Ancients but also with the Predictions of the Lord Jesus Christ himself and of his beloved Apostles Peter Paul and John Therefore I will conclude with the words of our Lord full of Consolation and Love Luke 21.8 c. And when these things begin to come to pass then look up and lift up your heads for your Redemption draweth nigh 29. And he spake to them a Parable behold the Fig-tree and all the Trees 30. When they now shoot forth ye see and know of your own selves that Summer is now nigh at hand V. 31. So likewise ye when ye see these things come to pass know ye that the Kingdom of God is at hand Go to let us lay aside whatsoever might hinder us Be we like to Servants who with their Loynes girt and their Lamps burning expect their Master Let us shake off the dust of the Earth and lift up our heads with our hearts heaven-ward clearing our selves from all Impediments before it be too late that is before those last signes invade which shall unexpectedly slay the world For those things which Christ foretold Luke 21. shall come to pass are more than begun to be fulfilled And unless we make hast those last Signes which shall immediately accompany Christs coming will be now present and come upon us unaware Now the Figuree hath begen to put forth her leaves now her branch begins to wax tender Yet truly those natural Branchek of that same Noble Olive-tree of which Paul speaks Rom. 11. begâ—n to be tender as I before noted for I speak not of a thing unâ—â—pâ—rienced acknowledging themselves to be great sinners giving Glory to God and justifying him in all his Judgments exercised upon them and submitting themselves without any resistance to all afflictions reproaches and punishments and anxiously expecting if at any time God will remember them and have mercy upon them Moreover do not those signes of the end of this world aâ—â— of the Beasts last violence and of Government every where overtuâ—hing it self begin to bud forth Therefore whosoever will not be upâ—â— are destroyed and perish with the world it is of necessity that he hasten For most certainly the Summer is at hand i.e. that glorious Kingdom of God of which all the Prophets have prophesied of which also Christ so often monished his Disciples and they us supporting us continually with that Consolation is now at the door O blessed Summer and with all Prayer to be desired in which all those excellent fruits shall be presented to the eyes of all in Production whereof God and Christ have laboured so many thousand years whereby at 〈◊〉 the most bountiful God may be truly acknowledged praysed and sanctified among all peoples and inhabitants of the whole world for the works of his hands and for the unspeakable riches of his Grace Truth and Love and Faithfulness towards Mankind O blessed Kingdom where God alone shall be Kingiâ—â—â— vvhich to him only vvho hath redeemed us vvith his precious bloud from among all peoples all povver and vvisdom and honour and strength and riches shall be given vvith one consent of all Creatures vvhether Angels or men The God and Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST who by the Gospel of his Son hath called us unto that Kingdom open in us our understanding to lay these things to heart that conforming our selves wholly to these things we may be meet to have our part in the delicacies of this Summer and the ineffable Glory of the Kingdom of our Lord JESU CHRIST Blessed for ever Amen Adde to the Book the Prophesie of Tobit chap. 14. v. 3 4 5 6 7. The Pourtraiture how the Planets stood above one another every one according to his Altitude yet all of them under the same Sign Sagittarius Decemb. 1 12. In pag. 40. lin 9 10. at the words the destruction of that Gerarian seven-headed Beast read if ye please thus the destruction of that Carrieress Porteress or drudge-bearer of the seven-headed Beast FINIS