of Scripture and holy Mon of former and latter Times Wherein the times limited to the Prophesied Events are more especially Considered and Compared The Contents of this First Part. Chap. I. The Text of Esdras's Prophecy out of Esdras IV. Chap. xi xii xiii in the Doway and English Translations and a very brief Exposition thereof by a nameless Author Chap. II. Merlins Prophecy of the Lion of the North Savanarola's Prophecy out of the Future History of Europe by the same Anonymous Author The Unicorn Sandivogius 's Prophecy Chap. III. Collections Astrological and Prophecies selected out of the Nameless Author of the aforesaid History Of the Comet 1678. Buxtorfes Letter out of Baudensis Grebner Magel c. Chap. IV. The Confession of the Rosie-Cross and Dr. Bambridge's Astronomical Predictions compared with those of Magel Chap. V. Tho. Pugh's Collection of British Prophecies John Ursinus 's Testimony of the Prophecy objected by P. Leo the 10th against Charles the 5th Chap. VI. Modern Predictions of Grebner Cotter and Drabritius Chap. VII Some more Modern and Domestick Visions and Prophecies The White-Hall Prophecy Englands Remembrancer The Prophecy of 83. The French Prophecy Chap. VIII Arise Evans his Predictions Chap. IX The History of the Prophetick Agat Chap. X. The Heart Prophecy Chap. XI William Postellus his Mystical Key Chap. XII Some choice Prophecies about the Authors and time of Romes destruction Chap. XIII Errata non Corrigenda CHAP. I. The Text of Esdras 's Prophecy out of Esdras ivth Book xi xii and xiii Chapters in the Doway and English Translations and a very brief Exposition thereof by a nameless Author Doway Esdras iv Chap. xi 1. ANd I saw a Dream and behold an Eagle came up out of the Sea which had twelve wings of Feathers and three Heads 2. And I saw and behold she spread her Wings into all the Earth and all the Winds of Heaven blew upon her and were gathered together 3. And I saw of her Feathers sprang contrary Feathers and they became little Wings and small 4. For her Heads were at rest and the middle Head was greater than the other Heads but she rested with them 5. And I saw and beheld the Eagle flew with her Wings and reigned over the Earth and over them that dwelt in it 6. And I saw that all things under Heaven were subject to her and no Man gain-said her no not one of the Creatures that is upon the Earth 7. And I saw and behold the Eagle rose up upon her Tallous and made a voice with her Wings saying 8. Watch not altogether sleep every one in his place and watch according to time 9. But let the Heads be preserved to the last 10. And I saw and behold the Voice came not out of her Heads but from the midst of her Body 11. And I numbered her contrary Wings and beheld they were eight 12. And I saw and beheld on the right side rose one Wing and reigned over all the Earth 13. And it came to pass when it reigned an end came to it and the place thereof appeared not and the next rose up and reigned that held much time 14. And it came to pass when it reigned and the end of it also came that it appeared not as the former 15. And behold a Voice was sent forth to it saying 16. Hear thou that hast held the Earth off a long time Thus I tell thee before thou begin not to appear 17. None after thee shall hold thy time no nor the half thereof 18. And the third lifted up it self and held the Principality as also the former and that also appeared not 19. And so it chanced to all the other by one and by one to have the Principality and again to appear no where 20. And I saw and beheld in time the rest of the Wings were sent upon the right side that they also might hold the Principality and of them there were that held it but yet forthwith they appeared not 21. For some of them also stood up but they held not the Principality 22. And I saw after these things and behold the twelve Wings and the two little Wings appeared not 23. And nothing remained in the body of the Eagle but two Heads resting and six little Wings 24. And I saw and behold from the six little Wings two were divided and they remained under the Head that is on the right side for four tarried in their place 25. And I saw and behold the under Wings thought to set up themselves and to hold the Principalities 26. And I saw and behold one was set up but forthwith it appeared not 27. And they that were second did sooner vanish away than the former 28. And I saw and behold the two that remained thought with themselves that they also would Reign 29. And when they were thinking thereon behold one of the resting Heads which was the middle one awaked for this was greater than the other two Heads 30. And I saw that the two Heads were compleat with themselves 31. And behold the Head with them that were with him turned and did eat the two under Wings that did think to Reign 32. And the Head terrified all the Earth and ruled in it over them that inhabited the Earth with much Labour and he that held the Dominion of the whole World above all the Kings that were 33. And I saw after these things and behold the middle Head suddenly appeared not as did the Wings 34. And there remained two Heads which reigned also themselves over the Earth and over them that dwelt therein 35. And I saw and behold the Head that was on the right side devoured that which was on the left 36. And I heard a Voice saying unto me Look against thee and consider what thou seest 37. And I saw and behold as a Lion raised out of the Wood roaring and I saw and he sent out a Mans Voice to the Eagle and he spake saying 38. Hear thou and I will speak to thee and the Highest will say to thee 39. Is it not thou which hast overcome of the four Beasts which I made to Reign in my World and that by them the end of their times might come 40. And the fourth coming overcame all the Beasts that were past and by Might held the World in much fear and all the World with much wicked labour and he inhabited the Earth so long time with Deceipt 41. And thou hast judged the Earth not with Truth 42. For thou hast afflicted the Meek and troubled them that were Quiet and hast loved Lyars and hast destroyed their Habitations that did fructify and hast overthrown their Walls that did not hurt thee 43. And thy wrong continualis ascended even to the Highest and thy Pride to the Strong 44. And the Highest hath looked upon the proud Times and behold they are ended and the abominations thereof are accomplished 45. Therefore thou Eagle appear no more and thy horrible Wings and thy little Wings
most wicked and thy Heads malignant and thy Tallons most wicked and all thy Body vain 46. That all the Earth may be refreshed and may return delivered from thy violence and may hope for his Judgment and Mercy that made it Esdras iv Chap. xii 1. ANd it came to pass while the Lion spake these words to the Eagle I saw 2. And behold the Head that overcame and those four Wings appeared not which passed to him and were set up to Reign and their Reign was small and full of Tumult 3. And I saw and behold they appeared not and all the body of the Eagle was burnt and the Earth was afraid exceedingly 10. This is the interpretation of this Vision 11. The Eagle which thou sawest coming up from the Sea this is the Kingdom which was seen in a Vision to Daniel thy Brother Marg. Dan. vii 7. 12. But it was not interpreted to him therefore I do now interpret it to thee 13. Behold the day is come and there shall arise a Kingdom upon Earth and the fear shall be more terrible than all the Kingdoms that were before it 14. And there shall twelve Kings Reign in it one after another 15. For the second shall begin to Reign and he shall continue more time than the rest of the twelve 16. This is the interpretation of the twelve Wings which thou sawest 17. And the Voice that spake which thou heardest not coming forth from her Heads but from the middle of her Body 18. This is the interpretation That after the time of that Kingdom shall rise no small Contentions and it shall be in danger to fall and it shall not fall then but shall be Constituted again according to the beginning thereof 19. And whereas thou sawest the eight under Wings cleaving to the Wings thereof 20. This is the interpretation Eight Kings shall rise in it whose Times shall be light and Years swift and two of them shall perish 21. But when the midst time approacheth it shall be kept till a time when the time thereof shall begin to approach to be ended yet two shall be kept to the end 22. And whereas thou fawest three Heads resting 23. This is the interpretation In her last days the Highest will raise up three Kingdoms and will call back many things to them and they shall rule over the Earth 24. And them that dwell in it with much labour above all them that were before them for this cause they are called the Heads of the Eagle 25. For these shall be they that shall recapitulate her Impieties and that shall accomplish her last things 26. And whereas thou sawest a greater Head not appearing this is the interpretation thereof That one of them shall die upon his Bed and yet with Torments 27. For the two that shall remain the Sword shall eat them 28. For the Sword of the one shall devour him that is with him but yet this also at the last shall fall by the Sword 29. And whereas thou sawest two under Wings passing over the Head which is on the right side 30. This is the interpretation thereof These are they whom the Highest hath kept to their end this is a small Kingdom and full of trouble 31. As thou sawest the Liou also whom thou sawest awaking out of the Wood and roaring and speaking unto the Eagle and rebuking her and his injustices by all his words as thou hast heard 32. This is the Wind which the Highest hath kept to the end for them and their Impieties and shall rebuke them and shall cast in their spoils before them 33. For he shall set them in Judgment alive and it shall be when he hath reproved them then shall he chastise them 34. For the rest of my People he shall deliver with misery them that are saved upon my Borders and he shall make them joyful till the end shall come the Day of Judgment whereof I have spoken to thee from the beginning 35. This is the Dream which thou sawest and these be the interpretations CHAP. XIII 1. ANd it came to pass after seven days and I dreamed a Dream in the Night 2. And behold there arose a Wind from the Sea that troubled all the Waves thereof 3. And behold that Man grew strong with thousands of Heaven 25. These are the interpretations of the Vision Whereas thou sawest a Man coming from the heart of the Sea 26. The same is he whom the Highest preserveth much time which by himself shall deliver his Creature and he shall dispose them that are left 29. Behold the days come when the Highest shall begin to deliver them that are upon the Earth 30. And he shall come in excess of mind upon them that inhabit the Earth 31. And one shall think to overthrow another One City another City one Place another Place and Nation against Nation and Kingdom against Kingdom 32. And it shall be when these Things shall come to pass and the Signs shall happen which I shewed thee before And then shall my Son be revealed whom thou sawest as a Man coming up 33. And it shall be when all Nations shall hear his Voice And every one in his Country shall leave their War that they have towards each other 34. And an innumerable multitude shall be gathered in one as willing to come to overthrow him 35. But he shall stand upon the top of Mount Sion 36. And Sion shall come and it shall be shewed to all prepared and builded as thou sawest the Mountain to be graven without Hands 39. And whereas thou sawest him gather to him another peaceable Multitude 40. Those are the ten Tribes English Esdras xi 1. THen I saw a Dream and behold there came up from the Sea an Eagle which had twelve feathered Wings and three Heads 2. And I saw and behold she spread her Wings over all the Earth and all the Winds of the Air blew on her and gathered themselves 3. And I beheld and out of her Feathers grew out other contrary Feathers and they became little Feathers and small 4. But her Heads remained still and the Head in the midst was greater than the other Heads yet rested it with them 5. Moreover I saw that the Eagle flew with her Feathers and reigned upon the Earth and over them that dwell therein 6. And I saw that all things under Heaven were subject unto her and no Man spoke against her no not one Creature upon Earth 7. I saw also that the Eagle stood upon her Claws and spake to her Feathers saying 8. Watch not altogether sleep every one in his own place and watch by course 9. But let the Heads be preserved for the last 10. Nevertheless I saw that the Voice went not out of her Heads but from the midst of her Body 11. Then I 〈◊〉 her country Feathers and behold there were eight of them 12. And I looked and behold on the right side there arose one Feather and reigned over all the Earth 13. And
2. The Lion which ver 37 and Chap. 12. ver 31. came roaring out of the Wood speaking to the Eagle and rebuking her for her Wickedness is the Wind which the most High God hath kept for Rome and her Wickedness till the end even the Lion of the North of which you shall hear a Prophecy anon of the true Merlin which shall reprove the Roman Empire and cast before her her Spoils he shall set her alive in Judgment Rebuke and Correct her and deliver the rest of God's People from Affliction which are preserved on his Borders and make them joyful to the Day of Judgment § 3. In the 13th Chapter Esdras beholds a Vision of a Man rising out of the Sea and devouring the multitude of Fighters that came against him neither with Sword Spear nor any Instrument of War but only with the Fire and Storm that came out of his Mouth which is Christ the Son of Man who through a Sea of Bloody Persecutions and Tribulations propagated the Gospel over the Earth confounding and devouring the multitudinous Pagans and Idolaters fighting against Christians by the invincible force of the Gospel After a long time of the obstinate wilfulness of the Western Jews and fulness of the Gentiles he shall call to himself another peaceable Multitude even the whole Nation of the Jews out of Armenia Tartaria and the Eastern India whom God shall defend and convert to the Gospel when he shall destroy all other Nations upon Earth These are called the Peaceable People because after the Conversion of the Jews shall come that Ministerial Monarchy of the Church over the whole World that peaceable and still time when all the Nations of the Earth shall forget Fighting one against another Wars shall cease in all the World and Swords and Spears shall be beaten into Plow-Shares and Pruning-Hooks § 4. When the seventh Angel blew his Trumpet Luther began his Reformation then it was when the Multitude stood before the Lamb and sung the new Song of Moses and that nevertheless is but the Vail of the Tabernacle opened in Heaven and a great Cloud and Smoke covered that Glory But it must be 180 Years after when the Kingdoms of this World become the Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ and those be destroyed that destroyed the Earth For then and not till then shall the Temple of God be fully opened in Heaven and the Ark of his Testimony the very same Model which God shewed to Moses in the Mount shall be seen at Jerusalem not in a Tabernacle but in that Temple which the Power of God shall make Then shall lastly the four Beasts the Elders with all the Angels of Heaven and all the Creatures of Heaven Earth and Sea and under the Earth fall down before the Throne and give Glory Honour Blessing and Praise unto him that sitteth on the Throne and to the Lamb for ever and the four Beasts shall say Amen Thus far that Anonymus in his brief Exposition on Esdras § 5. If this find kind Acceptation a fuller and more particular Exposition of this Prophecy will be Published which is now Collected out of several learned Commentators If any think it improbable that the middle Head the Roman Empire can be determined and die in Torment but not by Blood and Conquest but as it were in its Bed as is here foretold Esdras iv Chap. 12. ver 26. On the contrary nothing seems to me more probable than that the German Princes to extricate themselves from the Troubles the House of Austria have brought on them first by Civil Wars and now by the Emulation that is risen betwixt it and France should after this Emperours Death that they might not offend France forbear to choose a King of the Romans and be thence-forth governed by a Vicar or the Diet Parliament or Common Council of the Empire And it is also very agreeable to Daniel's Prophecy from whence we may expect that there will be daily more and more Breaches made of the Western Empire into smaller Divisions but no Coalition into one Head or Empire till it be throughly Reformed Our Author here as some others takes it for granted as the Presumptions of those Times he lived in gave him confidence to believe that Spain was the right Head and would destroy France the left whereas the contrary is in our Times much more probable To us the matter is not worth disputing whether shall first perish since both must CHAP. II. Merlins Prophecy of the Lion of the North. THe Northern Kingdoms shall be wasted by Reapers The Southern Principalities shall end in Dust Cruel Wars shall be scattered by the Winds their growth and continuance by Bastards All these things shall hardly be accomplished when a Prince of Royal Stock shall come forth crowned from the Northern Parts as to his own People unexpected but desired by Foraiguers who because he shall bear a Rampant Lion shall therefore be called a Lion He shall not rest till after he hath called a Synod and after dissolved it by Threats he shall advance his Conquering Arms against his Enemies and by woful Success shall harrass the Territories of Neighbour Princes He shall exceed Alexander the Great in Valour and Cyrus in Success He shall cross the Seas and be saluted Emperour by many Kings a certain ancient City shall he lay even with the Ground In the interim a warlike powerful Prince from the East shall provoke him to Battel against whom the Lion shall march with all his Forces and pitching his Camp on this side Euphrates shall expect him § 7. If the Prince shall come over the River the Lion shall be overcome but he shall pass his Army over the River and give his Enemy a bloody Defeat and be Master of all the East Whilst these things are in Action divers Petty Kings from India shall break into Syria with mighty Armies and provided for Battel shall wait for the Lion about the Valley of Jehosaphat where they shall by him be wholly cut off Not long after shall the Lion himself decease after that with eminent Piety he shall have established the Kingdom of the Fugitives i. e. Perhaps banished Jews § 8. There was living in King Lucius's days Merlin the first a Scot he is the true Merlin if any Prophecies of his could be found great Credit were to be given to them He was a great Friend of King Lucius and his daily Companion Of his there is but one Prophecy extant which is found in that Ancient Prophecy of Ninius of Bangor who yet lives in MS. King Lucius the first Christian King but yet unconverted from Paganism to him Merlin Prophesied That within less than a Sequi-decumane period of Time 1500 Years the Eagle's Head should be cloven in two one part whereof Agar i. the Agarens the Turks shall burn with Fire and Japhet the Northern Nations the Isles of the Gentiles the other after the grand Revolution of Days c. See The Future History of
in England and Germany Yea did not that new star in Casiopaea 1572 and that remarkable Comet 1577 plainly from Heaven remonstrate That howsoever the Evangelical Churches of France by the Massacres there and the Low-Countries by Fire Sword and Halter must be for a time grievously afflicted yet maugre Satan and all his Hellish Furies they should at length Flourish and Triumph over all their cruel Adversaries Besides these Regions of Europe a blessed Light hath in this Age shined to another World which did long sit in most fearful Darkness I mean the East and west Indies I am verily persuaded that the new Star which appeared so long from September 1604 till January 1606 about two Years and four Months in the foot of Serpentarius having coincidence with the great Conjunction of the three superiour Planets and that other so many Years in Cygnus doth promise being with this present Comet 1618 conformed a more clear illustration of those remote Regions with the resplendent Light of Salvation And a little farther he saith These Stars give us hope that his other gracious Promise of the Calling of the Jews he means as appears in his Margent shall be shortly accomplished And Jerusalem be trodden down by the Gentiles till the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled Which certainly saith the Doctor shall precede the second Coming of our Blessed Saviour fore-runner whereof he Christ saith shall be signs in the Sun Moon and Stars To draw nearer Home continues our Doctor not by the Rules of Vulgar Astrology whose Precepts I esteem no better than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phantastick Dreams but directed by these Caelestial Hierogliphicks in which I may say as the Poet long ago Sapientibus per ambages fata Eloqui Fatuis Magistrum prorsus esse inultilem The Fates by winding Riddles Wise Men teach In vain to Fools though ne're so plain you Preach Thus far Dr. Bambridg who wrote this Treatise at London and dated it December ult 16.8 § 30. Before I had read these Passages in Dr. Bainbridg in whose phrase you see what the temper of these Times of King James's Reign were I thought fit to make some Observations on Magel's words concerning the Star seen in Cusiopaea's Chair only which since I thought better to set down here together with what I think remarkable on the other two and his Comment on them and the Châ—â—ets 〈◊〉 Observ 1. First then when he contrary to all Prognosticators and 〈…〉 the Event which followed upon the Comet of the Year 1618 predict 〈…〉 but good to be expected from Comets and new Stars and particularly good success unto the Gospel and relief unto the true Professors thereof It must here be diligently noted That the Affairs of the World and its Kingdoms stand on quite different Foundations and are acted and governed by quite different Rules and Principles from those of the Kingdom of Christ and the Gospel It must not therefore seem Contradictory if from the same Stars great Confusions Distractions and Destruction be signified to the Kingdoms of the World or some of them and yet quite contrary Settlement Order and encrease of Power to the Gospel the Kingdom of Christ in the same Confusions from the same Stars for the things of this World being founded on the fickle Purposes Designs and Counsels of inconstant and mortal Men all Shakings and Confusions do disorder and confound them but the things of God and true Religion depending on more solid Principles the general Good of Mankind and the Glory and Counsel of God they found Settlement and Establishment by God's Providence and Blessing in the most unsettled Times like those Trees that gather faster Rooting by stormy Winds § 32. Observ 2. Whatever may be condluded of Astrological Rules this seems by our Experience in the effects of the aforesaid Comet to be most certain that the time and place of the appearance and motion of Comets shew the place and time of their expected effects these new Stars therefore as they are Northern must have signification of some Northern Monarchy § 33. Observ 3. It seems at least to Heathens and Unbelievers who by Astrology have made a Language of the Stars to themselves according to which they guess at or believe they understand Affairs to come God in Mercy or Judgment wonderfully condescends to give such Men warnings according to their Capacities who heed not his Word nor the Prophecies of holy Men which would therefore be sent in vain unto them These Warnings therefore he sends them sometimes by extraordinary Stars as at Christ's Birth to the Wise Men of the East sometimes by extraordinary Inspirations as by Balaam sometimes by Visions as to Balaam sometimes by Astrologers as in this case of these new Stars But here as I observed above if Astrologers would conclude by those they call Malevolent Aspects c. that the Affairs of Good Holy and Heroick Princes would be Unsuccessful they should mightily mistake For in their Concerns in whom God his Glory and Kingdom is concern'd that is Infallible Astra regunt Homines sed regit Astra Deus The Stars some Men command But Stars are in God's Hand § 34. Observ 4. From these Considerations I hope I may be partly authorized to conclude that the Stars in Cassiopaea's Chair and others fore-mentioned so observed by the great Tycho Brahe and other Astronomers his Scholars and Contemporaries and Followers and by those our Northern Wise Men so interpreted as above may without any great Absurdity be said to hold some Analogy to that Star which appeared to the Wise Men of the East at the time of our Saviour's Birth That the significator of his Life on Earth was moveable these the Precursors of his Reign fixt because they were to signifie that Kingdom to be Born Risen again or Revived in the World and particularly according to their Situation in Heaven in these Northern parts of the World about the Year 1572 or 1600 which must prevail over the whole World and abide till the end of it § 35. Observ 5. I farther commend to Observation from our learned Doctor and Astronomer's Discourse That if Comets and new Stars do so certainly and precisely operate according to their Place Appearance Time and Motion and the latter co-operate as more particular causes with the Northern fixed Stars as more general causes than the late frequent Comets and the Commotions they signifie to those that understand give credit to them and are under their Dominion and not exempt by some special Providence do also strongly co-operate to the raising or preparing Matter for the Fourth Monarchy which we expect and not the petty designs of the private Ambition of any Prince King or French or other how formidable soever they may seem at present whatsoever their Confederacy be or whoever combine with them Nor need any Christian's Heart fail because of them their Leagues or Unions or whatever Confusions we see feel or fear to be brought by them for all these little
or greater Commotions Shakings or Concussions of ill founded Powers and Governments make way only for the grand Revolution by which those Things which are well founded and settled by Divine Decree and Providence to work together for his Glory in the common good of Mankind and Advancement of Christ's Kingdom to that End shall be brought about perfected settled and unmoveably Established And this even in their Astrological way those who give credit thereto must be forced to allow or admit me to conclude because the superiour new Stars fixt and of longer continuance more mighty and universal operation or signification for Good must needs prevail over over-rule and wear out and so survive and make use of the Operations of the lesser mischievous weaker more restrained and less durable Effects and Significations Now such are the Effects or Significations according as our learned Astrologers tell us of the lesser Modern and less durable Appearances Comets c. compared with the said new Stars in Cassiopaea Cygnus and Serpentarius Attendants on this new Monarchy or as Postellus fains to call it Christ's second Birth or new Birth of the World or Renovation and new Edition of the Gospel And it is very probable that he gave the Reformation that name of Christ's second Birth and return into the World in contemplation of that new Star which was by our Northern Magi so received and interpreted as discovering the Fourth Monarch and the place of his Birth to those that understand Heaven's Language § 36. Observ 6. Seeing then we may conclude that whatever Commotions and Revolutions happen in the Christian World make for the interest of the Fourth Monarchy how contrary soever they may for the present appear to it and its designs So as that our Doctor tells us upon his Observation that Comets themselves as in Luther's time and since are Monitors of Ecclesiastical Changes and those for the better to the greater Liberty and Freedom of Protestant Churches and others tell us they make way for the Fourth Monarchy I will therefore here adventure farther to discover what I have observed whereby it may better appear what Church and what Monarchy was signified and indicated by these new Stars to whose Interests all these Commotions must finally cooperate And first as to the Church and Reformation pointed out by that Star in Cassiopaea's Chair it is manifest that it can be no other than that of the Reformed Protestant of the Church of England and those that are protected under it and subscribe to its Confession and the Monarchy as manifestly appears to be the British of England Scotland and Ireland united in the Person of King James in one Monarch to which France and the other Reformed Churches there as of right they ought so will in due time be united the Transition being much more Natural and Facile from the French to the English Religion and Liberty than from the British to the French Dominion For upon view of our Church History I find that the Articles of the Church of England being the common Confession of the Reformed Protestants to which with very few grains of Allowance as well Calvinists as Lutherans may without scruple indifferently subscribe were formed in the Convocation at London 1563 in which the Reverend Pious and Learned Alexander Nowel Dean of Pauls was Prolocutor and the same were in the Year 1571 by Soveraign Authority enacted and established to be the publick Confession of the English Church in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth § 37. And about the same time a Catechism agreeable to the same Articles was Published and by Authority enjoyned to be taught in Schools with this Title Catechismus brevis Christianae disciplinae summam continens omnibus Ludimagistris Authoritate Râ—â—ia commendatus Of the Articles a late Church Historian hath these words The English and Latine Articles of the Church of England set forth in Print in the Year of Christ 1571 when they were first Ratified by Act of Parliament whose being as obligatory bears not date nine Years before from their composition in Convocation but hence from their Confirmation in Parliament So that there was hardly a Years difference betwixt the publication of the Articles of the Reformation of the English Church to the World and the appearance of that Star in the Chair of Cassiopaea giving the whole World warning and the Wise Men aim to look our for some second glorious discovery of the Gospel § 38. And as for the Monarchy of Great Britain that was yet more Illustrated by the appearing of two new Stars the one two or three Years before and the other a Year or two after the Union of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland in the Person of King James That which was the Precursor and Harbinger as it were of this Northern Monarchy was the forementioned Star in the Breast of the Swan 1600 and that which followed and attended on it was the Star in the foot of Ophinchus in the Year 1604. Nor can I see why any should condemn him of Presumption who should from the Analogy of the Star in the East directing the Wise Men of those parts to the King of the Jews our Saviour born about that time argue that the use of these may probably be partly to shew to the Wise of our Times and Parts when and where the true Reformation and Reforming Monarchy must rise For as the Star in the Chair of Cassiopaea one of the most glorious in the Heavens generally speaking and amongst the most Glorious those of the North more especially and the most conspicuous part of that Constellation her Chair it self most resplendent was most proper to signifie the second Edition as I may say or new Birth of the Gospel or second Birth of Christ as Postellus would have it brought into the World by a Virgin Queen about the time of that Stars appearance and then spread newly all over Europe as it had been conceived by her Authority some nine Years before So in like manner the Star in the Breast of the Swan and that other in the foot of Serpentarius attending at like distance on the Birth of our British Monarchy are as apposite to demonstrate it to our Northern Wise Men that of the Swans Breast its time and place and that in Serpentarius foot its principal design and work namely the ruine of that Serpentine Brood which are the present support and foot of the Roman Court their Home and Harbour and Hope Keeper Holder up and Maintainer of the Serpent and his Kingdom which he pretends unto in Heaven the Temple and Church of God I say again That as the Star in Cassiopaea's Chair An. 1572 shewed where when and by whom the second Edition of the Gospel or second Birth of Christ's Kingdom was wrought namely here in this Island by a Virgin Queen who in the Year 1571 Enacted the true Reformed Christian Faith So the Star in the Swans Breast 1600 and Serpentarius foot 1604 shews what Kingdom
Europe Pag. 49. where you have also the rest of Merlin's Prophecy at length Future History of Europe Pag. 34. § 9. Jerome Savanarola was Burnt at Florence An. Dom. 1498 a Martyr against the Corruptions of the Roman Church He prophesied of Luther's Reformation of the Persecutions of the Valtoline Piedmont Merindol and Chabriers and other places in France and of the Troubles of the Duke of Mirandula and of Pope Julio the II. All which most evidently came to pass The wise Statesman and Historian Philip Comines hath in his Commentaries recorded him for an Holy Man and a Prophet His Prophecies are extant in the excellent Works of Francis Mirandula He prophesied That being the French King had neglected the Reformation of Italy and the Court of Rome to which that holy Man exhorted him he should lose all he had Conquered but should return in safety c. And that in the last Times Jews Turks and Moors should be Converted unto Christ that a Man like Cyrus with a numerous Army of true Professors should come over the Alps and destroy Rome and ruinate all the Kingdoms and States of Italy That grievous Wars Blood-sheddings and Massacres should arise in the World by a Northern King for an happy Reformation and consequently to fall upon them who oppose it who should carry the Gospel out of Europe into a vast and unknown World in the end of Time The English Plantations and Discoveries in the East and West give light to this Prophecy and hopes they may fulfil it § 10. The tenth Figure in a Collection of Prophetick Emblems found in some German Libraries of about 400 Years standing Published above 100 Years since represents an Unicorn ramping up against a Pope clad in all his Pontifical Robes and pushing off from his Head his Triple Crown with the end of his Horn and a Frier sitting by upon his Knees On this the Publisher thus Discants Since the Pope is Mighty needs must there come one more Puissant and Mightier than he that shall lift him out of his Nest and overcome him and so shall the Hypocritical Devotions and Devices of his saveling Priests and Jesuits not be able to support him It is well known that the Unicorn is the Supporter of Great Britain's Arms and that it is peculiar to his Majesty's Family and that they brought it out of the North with them This Collection was Translated out of a German Author in Edward the 6ths time and then Published by Walter Linn whose Admonition to his Reader in those ticklish Times as seasonable for ours See below at the end of this Book § 11. Michael Sandivogius that most excellent profound Philosopher and adept Chymist is by some thought to be still alive and ready to assist with endless Treasures this Northern Monarch when he shall declare himself and enter on his Work he in his Treatise of Sulphur Printed at Colon 1616 now commonly sold in Shops hath these words of the New Northern Monarchy here inserted § 13. Jam illa tempora adveniunt in quibus aroana multa Naturae revelabuntur Jam illa Monarchia quarta Borealis incipere habet Jam tempora appropinquant mater scientiarum veniet majora elucidabuntur quam in his tribus praeteritis Monarchiis factum est quoniam hanc Monarchiam ut veteres divinarunt plantabit Deus per unum ex Principibus omnibus virtutibus ditatum quem fortasse nobis jam tempora produxerunt Habemus enim in hac parte Boreali Principem sapientissimum ac bellicofissimum quem nullus Monarcharum victoriis superat humanitate ac pietate nullus excellit Monarchias Philosophi non secundum potentiores sed secundum cardines Mundi numerant Imprimis Orientalem postea Meridionalem jam vero Occidentalem habent ultimam Septentrionalem in hac parte Boreali expectant In hac Septentrienali attractive polari Monarchia Miserecordia Verit as obviabunt sibi Pax Justitia osculabuntur se Veritas de Terra orietur Justitia de Coelo prospiciet unum Ovile unus Pastor Scientiae multae sine invidia Quod ego cum desiderio expecto § 12. Now those Times are coming in which many secrets of Nature shall be revealed Now that fourth Monarchy of the North is about to begin Now the time is at hand the Mother of Sciences will come greater things shall be discovered than have been in these three last Monarchies Because God will plant this Monarchy as the Ancients have foretold by a Prince enriched with all manner of Vertues whom happily Time hath already brought forth For we have in this Northern part a most Wise and Warlike Prince whom no Monarch doth go beyond in Victories or excel in Humanity and Piety This Northern Monarchy God the Creator of Nature and all things will without doubt bring to light greater secrets in Nature than in those Times in which Tyrant and Pagan Princes reigned But the Philosophers reckon these Monarchies not according to the number of the more Powerful but according to the Cardinal or principal Points or Quarters of the World First The Eastern after the Southern now we have the Western and expect the last of the North in this Northern Climate But of these farther in my Book of Harmony In this Northern Monarchy where the Polar attraction is Mercy and Truth as the Psalmist speaks shall meet together Peace and Justice shall kiss each other Truth shall rise out of the Earth and Justice shall look down from Heaven There shall be one Sheepfold and one Shepherd There shall then be many Arts without Envy which I also do earnestly desire and expect Do thou also Courteous Reader call upon love and fear God reade over my Writings diligently and thou mayst foretel to thy self good things And if thou shalt through the favour of God and help of Nature whom thou must imitate arrive to the desired Haven of this Monarchy then thou shalt see and say that all things that I have said to thee are good and true So far Sandivogius CHAP. III. A Nameless Author of The Future History of Europe Printed 1650. Pag. 9. Sect. IV. § 14. THe design of this Author in this his Book appears by many Passages therein which I have elsewhere transcribed to be to persuade the Parliament to return to their Obedience to the King and Church In the place fore-quoted declaring the effects of the Blazing Comet An. 1618. he saith That as it appeared 37 or 38 Days so it shewed that for the space of 37 or 38 Years from 1618 to 1656. First Germany Livonia Swedland with other Northern parts of Europe then Scotland England and Ireland should feel the terrible effects thereof in War c. Then he proceeds in these words This Comet was strengthened by a fearful Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter An. 1616. July 18. the effects of both which not confined to Germany c. were to end in the Judgments of God upon Europe for neglecting the Overthrow
House of Charles and it seemed to me a glorious day and about two in the Afternoon on a sudden my Brother was gone This he interprets to be Christ's departing and absenting himself for a season I know not how nor where and as I lifted up my Eyes the Sun by degrees became dark so that the Stars appeared about it By appearance of Sun and Stars in darkness he understands the destruction of the King and Nobles Pag. 73. At which darkness the Sheep did cry and run to seek shelter as they use to do in those parts when a Darkness comes before a Storm in the holes of the Rocks Pag. 74. He calls it Graig wen i. the White Rock because its Stones are white And the foot of it Gale ronnw i. they will give Light and saith that over this was the Sun when it became dark upon it these Sheep he interprets to be God's People that adhered to God and the King And all the Light of Heaven was taken away that it became so dark as Pitch then appeared by a Mad-man's House that lived there when I was a Boy a great Bon-fire and People making Merry about it This Mad-mans House was under y Graig goch i. the Red Rock on the South side of Sunny-Day River the Stones thereof are red like Blood he interprets it to stand for the South part of England Pag. 74. And them at the Mad-mans House that made themselves a Bon-fire to signifie an adverse Power set up without God's Approbation Standing directly opposite on the contrary side of the Sunny-Day River to Bringrugog the dry Hill whence Relief came to restore the King i. Scotland as he shews afterwards But as I still waited and looked for some Light above I espied a little white Cloud breaking forth in the North-east This North-east Hill from whence this glorious Appearance came was Kadder û du ruse i. Arise the House of Charles the highest Hill in Britain and as he supposes in all the World in which Hill is the ever-running Bishops Well whence the Sunny-Day River hath its head source Pag. 73. After that the Skie appeared and on it the King's Arms as it is upon Blew in some Churches and it rid upon the Heavens very terribly towards the South-west The appearance from the North-east did signify the King 's Rising again and coming upon his Enemies from that Coast Pag. 73. Now the South-west against which the King's Arms rode upon the Heavens so terribly he interpreteth Pag. 74 to be the Red Rock on the South side of the River aforesaid where the Bon-fire was kindled and North but more Westward Moil-dunkyra i. Baal kindle Fire and stands for Ireland And as the Light appeared abundance of Water sprung out of a dry Hill Northward Pag. 74. He interprets this dry Hill from whence he saw the Springs of Water gush out on the North side of the River Sunny-Day and opposite to the Southern Red Rock and House of the Mad-man and Bon-sire with them that rejoyced at the destruction of the King and Nobles by the name of Bringrugog i. Gogs strong Hill to be Scotland for Gog saith he is the chief Prince of the Gentiles quoting Gen. 10.2 3 4 5. Ezek. 38.2 3 6. 2 Esdras 13.5 6 7. § 87. This Vision seen in Aug. 1635. when he was a Prisoner for his Testimony of God's Justice upon these Kingdoms for their Sins so long before the Irish kindled the Fire or the Scots or South of England combined against the King and when there was no appearance by any humane Sagacity that the Gold Streamers as they were called under General Monk from Scotland should encrease to such strength mingling with the Sunny-Day River from Bishops Well i. the Royal Party as to build what they had overthrown deserves in my apprehension not only to be received as a Voice from Heaven by what Spirit or Instrument soever ministred or uttered but is to me a Pledg and Earnest that what hath been acted here in Great Britain the little World will in God's time and probably very shortly be acted over again and perfectly fulfilled on the Stage of Christendom first and consequently in the Universal World and that the Monarchs of Great Britain shall be as remarkable in that grand as in this lesser Revolution This brief account I am contented to give the Reader of this Vision here that I might not too much trespass upon his Patience I purpose in the following Discourse to set down this Vision in the Author's words and the Exposition thereof at large and my Thoughts of it and a Comparison of it with the other most remarkable Prophecies here above collected who have the same Notions of the North South and West as Evans § 88. Another Vision which he saw in the Gate-House whilst he was God's Witness and Prisoner there An. 1637. being the third in number he sets down Pag. 76. in these words It seemed to me that I was in a very little white Chamber alone and as I looked about me the Chamber grew bigger and bigger until at last it became a great Garden that contained all the World and I could see no end of it c. Pag. 77. He interprets this Vision thus Now the little Chamber and the growth of it signifies the Kingdom of Christ growing from hence until it contain the World From hence i. Great Britain His meaning is more plainly set out by him Pag. 50 51. where reproving England then a State for its Sins he hath these Passages Their Valour speaking of the Army being found so that no Sword could overcome them until the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Ephes 6.17 came against them to which Sword they suddenly and willingly submit And I see by the Word of God as I have manifestly proved that we of this State are the greatest Sinners that ever were But where Sin aboundeth Grace aboundeth much more Rom. 5.20 21. That as Sin hath abounded unto Death Enmity and Division amongst us so now the Grace of Repentance in this state and submission unto the Lord 's Anointed understand him first to Christ and to the King for Christ's sake might bring us to Love and Union and to act in Righteousness unto Eternal Life by the Power of God and our Lord Jesus Christ in us And whereas it is said of this State Dan. viii 23. That it shall be broken without hands 2 Thess ii 8. And the Lord shall consume it with the Spirit of his Mouth Understand him of what ever is Antichristian in it It is only to shew as like sayings Isa xi 4. Dan. xi 45. what mercy and grace of Repentance this State shall have offered to them but Mercy being refused Judgment followeth to avenge the injury done to Mercy in refusing it and Mercy rejoyceth against Judgment Jam. ii 13. It follows And ye Pope Turk and Spaniards that keep out the Word of God lest it should discover your Sins know for a truth
Cloud on the contrary side but darker and the Hand or some other part of the Angel unperfect The Owner and Workman thinking by farther polishing to bring this Angel to better Colour Form and Perfection applied it again to the Wheel which by two turns only quite ground out the Image of the Angel and wholly frustrated their expectation and discouraged them from working any farther on that side fearing to lose what was as it seems hid under that Angel and now appeared not shadowed in a white Cloud as the Faces on the Pope's side but drawn as it were to the Life in painting Colours namely at the two opposite Oval-ends of the Stone where the Angel's Head and Feet did appear before the Resemblances of Charles the First and Oliver Cromwel The Face of King Charles was of a pale wan and not lively Colour and hew but his Features exactly and perfectly represented with the Hair of his Face rough as they Painted him who imitated the Pictures drawn of him shortly after his Death in painting Colours and his Neek also bloody red as if he had been newly Beheaded By turning down his Picture on the opposite end of the Oval appeared the resemblance of Oliver Cromwel painted to the Life with a red flaming Nose and Countenance his Head bare but Armed downwards from his Shoulders and there rounded of no other armed Picture on either side The Owner hath exposed this Stone to sale at Rome and else-where but demands a greater rate than any Chapman thinks reasonable to be given for such a Curiosity It is believed that if the Owner durst gently rub the Angel side and polish it a little more the Picture of Charles the Second would appear perfectly therein which now is scarce discernable save only by such excellent Eyes as have been used to draw Work or Paint in minuture Because § 92. It happens also in the same manner on the other side that some Faces are discerned by good Eyes which are altogether imperceptible to them of weak sight For my part I rather believe that if the Angel had not been polished off besides these two Images which now appear as the contrary Poles of the Protestant Reformed World other Faces would have been discovered in his Robe and other parts of that Image as probably the King of Sweden and Denmark at least though the Lutherans in their Persecuting vain may justly expect to be devoured themselves in the Babylonian Romish Confusions whilst they seek to Devour and Persecute other Protestants more fiercely and intollerably in some places than the Papists themselves in Germany and have by their uncharitable Vehemency destroyed in a manner all the Churches of their own Confession in Lithuania protected by the Reformed Gentry there so long as they would own their friendly Accommodation and Comprehension whereby they brought them to partake equally with themselves in the publick legally established Liberty which is by their froward needless Separation much weakned and endangered at this Day That neither the Princes nor States of Italy nor the King of Spain nor Portugal are seen in the other side of the Stone may be from this Reason That Spain is comprized under the Emperour in the House of Austria and Italy under the Pope as chief Heads and the States having no certain Princes can have no Representatives in these Maps of the opposite Worlds neither on the one side nor the other I have proposed my thoughts let every one Philosophize thereon after his manner freely I oblige none to my Conjectures § 93. 1. That which is to my present purpose and I would farther commend to the Reader 's consideration concerning this Stone its Description and History is That it seems to have been produced either by the immediate Finger of God or by his Hand-maid Nature wonderfully and curiously guided by his Providence as in the exquisite Needle Work so the Psalmist's Hebrew hath it of Man's Body formed in the Womb. We reade in History that King Pyrrhus had a Stone in which were some Resemblances which those Times would needs attribute to Apollo and the Nine Muses but the Circumstances considered this Stone is in many particulars far more curious and admirable which I need not specifie the Reader will easily collect its prerogatives above that of King Pyrrhus and from its singular and admirable Properties be incited not to dispise his Providence whose Finger produced it § 94. 2. As I have above noted that this British Monarchy hath by its Mottoes on its Silver and Gold Coin current all over the World proclaimed it self to be the Kingdom of Christ by owning his Cross for its Standard and him under God its supreme Hope and Guide and by the glorious Stars and Language of Heaven our Reformation and Kingdoms were proclaimed from the Caestial Court and declared to the World to be owned by God as his So our healing Angel Gold Coin and Badges of the Honourable Order of the Garter representing the Battel of Michael and the Dragon though hid under the title of an unknown St. George interprets what Angel it is that hath hitherto though unknown protected and fought for and will hereafter though invisible defend assist and promote this British Reformation and Monarchy against the Plots of Rome and force of all Idolatrous Mahometan and Heathen Tyrannies namely that very Michael who with his Angels fought against Satan and his Angels and did at last prevail to drive him who sat and ruled as God in God's Heavenly Temple the Churches professing God's Name into the Mahometan and Heathen World in this Generation now shortly coming as we hope will partly fulfil that Prophecy and also in His appointed time subdue the whole World unto the Scepter of his Son the Grace and Peaceable Government of truly most Christian Princes and Defenders of the Faith of God's Elect. § 95. 3. That which seems most surprizing that in this Stone and in Arise Evans's Prophecy 1650 inserted above O. Cromwel is allowed as a principal Agent and armed by comparing the Stone and Vision together receives and gives much illustration to the predicted successes of our Northern Monarchy which as in his Generalship it gave a great blow to Spain so may in some his more just Successors to the command of the British Arms pass on through France to Rome § 96. 4. From what hath been said and observed of this little Stone thus curiously wrought and painted without Hands wherein God by his own Finger or that of his Hand-maid Nature hath shew'd his Power and Wisdom not only unimitable but as to the manner of his Working unconceivable there being nothing that I can call to mind to which it is second or to which it may be resembled save the wonderful impressions of Fancy and Memory wrought by the Animal Spirits upon the soft substance of the Brain that and this compared altogether incomprehensible in their Combinations Dispositions distinct Order Production and regular Eduction will I assure my self
to the Ingenious Readers excuse my boldness in proposing it to them as an Emblem of the World and its Contents and the opposite Parties divided and strugling in its Bowels as Esau and Jacob in their Mother's Womb emblems of these for the Birth-right the Supreme Dominion in matters Spiritual and Civil annext to the double portion of the First-born in Christ's Family that is his Church Jerusalem above the Mother of us all and her Nursing Fathers § 97. 5. Lastly If in a Transient Vision or Dream in some Prophet's Head or in some prodigious Appearance in the Air there had been exposed to publick view on one side the Pope and with him the Emperour French King and all the rest of the Mahometan Heathenish and other opposite Powers known Enemies to the Protestant Reformation and Persecutors thereof and on the contrary part in Heaven a glorious Angel as here in our Stone and none with him but the present King of Great Britain and some one most remarkable British Captain-General compleatly Armed the Chief or only Protectors of that Reformation None could have refused me liberty to have interpreted and applied such a Vision or Prodigy as I have done those in this Stone no less Admirable I think then I may with more rather than less Reason expect favourable Construction and interpretation of my Application of those Appearances not transient but permanent and to be seen of all at such a time as this the vileness and smalness of the Stone not tending to the diminishing but advancing our attention and his Honour who chuses such small and contemptible things to teach yea to confound the Greatest and most Glorious and sends the Foolish to learn Knowledg from Brutes Insects and Inanimate Creatures Here I can allow Pictures Laymens Books In est sua gratia parvis § 98. On the wonderful Prophetick Stone brought by Mr. Martin Eylers from Hambrough wherein after it had been about seventy Years kept in his Family the small Face formerly unknown was about twelve Years since discovered to be that of Pope Alexander the 7th and under his Figure those of the present King Lewis the 14th and Dolphin of France Leopoldus Emperour of Germany John Casimire King of Poland and several Mahometan and other Modern Princes by those who know them on the one side and on the other side Charles the 1st and Oliver Cromwel alone HAd Rome's Impostors who at their high Mass Made airy shades for their blest Saviour's pass And be ador'd and by their Prelates care In circular Letters pedled that false Ware About their France known how by subtile Art Or Nature's Pencil such forms as these t' impart To any rich Materials at their will Long had the World of Wonders had its fill Witness those Bloody Crosses wherewith these Stained their Faith more than the Japan Trees And that false Spanish Egge upon whose white False Knaves false Ink false Sense false spell'd did write Through its unstained Shell to justifie Th' Immaculate Conception of Mary Had Rome the skill such Pictures to command Such Laymens Books in every Nich should stand Their Foes in Hell damn'd in Effigie Our Princes given to Satan we should see We have a surer Word of Prophecy We need no teaching Stones to verify That our Kings rest under th' Almighty Wing Of Heaven's Protection and need fear nothing No faithful Israel but a faithless Breed Of Bastards call for Signs and Wonders need The faithful Flock only know hear rejoyce In the sweet Accents of Christ's Heavenly Voice When to Mad Prophets God doth condescend To shew his Angels Sword it makes attend But converts not New Stars Comets that blaze Wonders in Heaven Stones harder Hearts raise Dreams Visions Prophecies fulfill'd astonish Plagues Fires and bloody Swords fright admonish But Lazarus return'd or Hell on Earth Cannot prepare that Soul for a new Birth Who mingles not the Sacred Word he hears With Faith A Prodigie that Man appears Of Folly who in the clear shining Sun To shew the way lights his dim Torch at Noon And would persuade Men follow ' gainst Sense Eyes And Faith for Gospel Light Romes Vanities Who th' Emblems of the Sacred Writ dispise Less regard Dreams Visions or Prophecies The Faithless see the evil and run thereon The Faithful see and scape destruction By the same Notice ev'n by Scripture Light Who see not Michael and the Dragon fight Cannot learn how on a dim Agats side Heav'n from the World its Kingdom doth divide On this Amphisbene Leviathan Whilst the Mogul Persian Tartarian Thick pil'd like Scales do lie and here do lurk The Pole Russ and the less and greater Turk At opposite Extremes A Wonder strange In one Popes head so many Monarchs range Themselves and fight in such diversity ' Gainst Christ and single Christianity Now Austria now France Triumphant draws Unsettled Multitudes to Roman Laws A Martyr'd Prince under a Cherubs Wing None but Christ's white Bands to his part can bring Who by the Eye of Faith discern the Stone Cut without Hands a Spiritual Force alone Dividing Britain Holland Germany Denmark Sweden and Switze from Italy Spain Austria Poland and the rest at Trent Whilst Rome was with its wisest Clerks intent To settle its new Creed to them nor Ston Nor Star nor Dream nor Sight nor Vision Are needful That Finger which doth make here These mighty Monarchs like small Motes appear Which their Seats Motions and Designs doth bound After his Will in the Worlds greater round Suffices to direct them who observe His Works and Words so they shall never swerve Our Guardian Angel's not withdrawn he 's near He doth to prove our Faith but disappear Whilst we our grosser Senses seek to fill Our Faith we foil and our Devotions spill Who in the dark pressing their Father's Hand Strength and direction thence seek firmest stand If this check the Presumptuous make-attent The weak to better Lights I 've my intent Der Wunder-Stein spricht § 99. BIn ich nicht sage mir ein wunder volles wesen Ich bin bey jederman ein unbekanter stein Doch Kenn ' ich alle welt Dis kanstu klarlich lesen Wixt nur wie sichs gebuhrt dein Auge fleisig seyn Ich bin ein kleiner stein doch ubergros zu nennen◠Pabst Keyser Konige die Haubter dieser welt Sich gegen mir verpflicht erzeigen und erkennen In dem dem leven nach sle seint in mir gestelt Ich bin in meiner arth vor seht gering zu sehatzen Doch wan man mit bedacht mich umb und umb betracht So bin ich uber Golt und alle ding zusetzen In mir hat die natur ihr Meister-stuck vol-bracht Ich sag ' ihr Meister-stuck was kan sie bessers machen Nichts ist in dieser welt so kunst-und-wondervoll Besihe stuck vor stuck von allen ihren sachen Nicht eines findestu dem ich nach geben soll Dis ist kein wunderwerck wan sie was macht volkommen und bildet dis und das durch eine