An astronomical description of the late comet or blazing star as it appeared in New-England in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and in the beginning of the 12th moneth, 1664 : together with a brief theological application thereof / by S.D. Danforth, Samuel, 1626-1674. 1665 Approx. 37 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A36174 Wing D173 ESTC R8490 12252015 ocm 12252015 57160 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A36174) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 57160) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 888:21) An astronomical description of the late comet or blazing star as it appeared in New-England in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and in the beginning of the 12th moneth, 1664 : together with a brief theological application thereof / by S.D. Danforth, Samuel, 1626-1674. [2], 22 p. Printed by Samuel Green, Cambridge : 1665. Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library. Attributed to Samuel Danforth. cf. BM. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Comets -- 1664. Comets -- Religious aspects. 2006-09 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-09 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-11 Celeste Ng Sampled and proofread 2006-11 Celeste Ng Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN ASTRONOMICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE LATE COMET OR BLAZING STAR , As it appeared in New-England in the 9 th , 10 th , 11 th , and in the beginning of the 12 th Moneth , 1664. TOGETHER With a brief Theological Application thereof . By S. D. Psal . 111. 2. The Works of the Lord are great : sought out of all them that have pleasure therein . Job . 36. 24. Remember that thou magnifie his work , which men behold . Exod. 7. 23. And Pharaoh turned and went into his House , neither did he set his heart to this also . CAMBRIDGE Printed by Samuel Green , 1665. DU BARTAS . There , with long bloody Hair , a Blazing Star Threatens the World with Famine , Plague & War : To Princes , death ; to Kingdomes many crosses : To all Estates , Inevitable Losses : To Heardmen , Rott : to Plow-men hapless seasons : To Sailors , Storms : to Cities , civil Treasons . AN ASTRONOMICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE LATE COMET , As it appeared in New-England . I. THis Comet is no sublunary Meteor or sulphureous Exhalation , but a Celestial Luminary , moving in the starry Heavens . The Truth hereof may be demonstrated , 1 By the vast Dimensions of it's body . Some Comets have been observed by Astronomers to be halfe as big as the Mo●n , some bigger then the Moon , yea some bigger then the Earth . The exact Dimensions of this Comet , I may not presume to determine , but it seemeth not to be of the smallest size . Now 't is not easy to imagine how the Earth should afford matter for a Meteor of such a huge magnitude , except we grant the greater part of the lower World to be turned into an exhalation . 2. By the smalness of t●● Parallax . The Parallax is the Distance between the true place of a Planet and the apparent . The lower and neerer any Planet is to the Earth , it hath the greater Parallax . The Moon 's Parallax in her Perige , is one degree and six minutes . I could not by my Observation discerne that this Comet had any considerable Parallax . 3. By it 's large circular motion . If it had moved in the upper Region of the Aire , it might have finished the whole visible arch of it's Circle in a few houres : but wee saw it perform it 's proper motion with great constancy in a very large Circle , such as the aire is not capable of . 4 By it's long auration and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Had it been a Sulphureous Vapor kindled in the Aire ; it might have been consumed in a short time ; as other fiery Meteors are : but this continued about three months . 5 By it's Visibility to all Countries and Nations . We already hear that this Comet was seen at Virginea , Jamaica St. Martha , Car●●gena and Barbados and no doubt but it was visible to the whole habitable World. But the highest region of the Aire is accounted not much above fifty Engl●sh miles from the Earth , and had this Comet been no higher , it had been impossible that other Countries and Nations so far distant , should have beheld it . Whether this Comet was created in the beginning of the World together with the rest of the Sta●s , and hath been hidden in the height and profundity of the Heavens , and at a certain time descending toward the Earth , becomes Visible and Signal to the World , I leave free to after-disquisition . II. This Comet is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Opake Body , like the Moon and other of the Planets , but Transparent and Pellucid , the Sun Shining through 〈◊〉 . The Moon is enlightened on that part onely which is next the Sun , and like a looking glasse she reflects the solar Beames , which are cast upon her : but the Sun irradiates the Comet and shines through it as through a Transparent Gemm , and illustrates a long tract in the Heavens beyond it . As the Moon , being a thick and dark Body , casts a dark shaddow from the Sun , so the Comet being a clear and Diaphanous Body transmits the light and casts a bright and shining stream from the Sun ; which alters and varies according to the diverse aspect of the Sun. III. The Coma or Blazing Stream that issues from the Comet , is no real flame , but the Irradiation and Resplendence of the Sun through the Transparent and Pellucia Body of the Comet . A Comet is denominated from it's Coma or Bushy-lock for the Stream hath some resemblance of a lock of hair . Now this Stream is not the flagrancy of the Comet , but the Beames of the Sun shining through the Diaphanous and Translucid head of the Comet ; as may be argued and demonstrated , 1. By it's site and position , which is alwaies in opposition to the Sun. Had it been a natural flame , arising from it's flagrant head , it would have constantly moved upward , as the flame of a Lamp or Torch ; unless it had broken forth by violence : but this streaming was sometimes upward , sometimes somewhat downward , sometimes westward , sometimes northward , sometimes eastward , according to the position of the Sun : neither can I imagine that any violence caused it so to move . 2. By the diverse form and figure of the stream according to the diverse aspect of the Sun. One while it was like a beard , another while like a taile . 3. By the diverse dimensio●s of the Stream . It was sometimes longer , sometimes shorter , sometimes broad●● , sometimes narrower , according as the Comet was neerer or further from the Earth . 4 By the diverse quality and colour of the stream . It was sometimes bright and radiant , at other times obscure , du●kish and faint , according to the apparent radiation of the Sun and the Comets distance from us . 5. By it's duration . Had it been a real and natural flame , it is difficult to understand how the head of the Comet could have supplied it with food and fuel for so many months together . Obj , If the Stream be an irradiation of the Sun , how comes it to be conspicuous and visible to us ? The Sun-beames passing through the etherial Heavens are not in themselves visible , neither do they terminate our sight . Answ . The only reason thereof ( that I can yet learn ) is the Refraction and Reverberation of the Sun-beames , as they pass through the Come●'s condensed body , whereby they are so congregated and so neerly united , as that they terminate the sight and become conspicuous in the Heavens . I have read of a certain semi-transparent Gemme , called the Heliotrope , that if it be put into faire water , opposed to the beames of the Sun , it doth change it's beames , and by the repercussion of the Aire , seems to shadow the clearness of it's rayes , and so induce a sanguineous colour in the Aire , as if the Sun by the interposition of the body of the Moon , did suffer an ecliptick darkness . IV. This Comet is not a new fixed Star , but a Planetick or Erratick Body , wandring up & down in the etherial firmament under the fixed stars . Some learned Astronomers distinguish these more noble and celestial Phaenomena or appearances into Fixed and Erratick . Several new Stars have appeared which are fixed . i. e. they keep the same place in the Heaven● , and the same distance from the fixed Stars . One in C●ssiopeia Anno 1572. which continued a year and four months . Another in Antinous : another in the Girale of Andromeda , another in the Whale , another in the Brest of the Swan , which continued many years . But this Cemet was A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( as Jude speaks ) a wandring Star , which kept not the same place in the Heavens , nor the same distance from the fixed Stars . V. This Comet appeared first in the Constellation of the Raven , from whence it descended and crossing the Tropick of Capricorn and some part of Hydra , it went southward until it arrived at the main topsaile of the ship : then it began to return , and going through the belly of Canis major , it again crossed the Tropick of Capricorn , and p●ssing through the middle of the Hare , it crossed the river Eridanus and the Equinoctial , and entred into the mouth of the Whale , and going through his head , it crossed the Ecliptick and so passed up between Aries and Linum septentrionale . Some took notice of this Comet in the beginning of November , and indeed it had passed through the middle of the Asterism of Co●vus , ( as I gather from it's following motions ) before I saw it . Dec. 5. early in the morning it feemed to me to be very neer the Southern Tropick , about 3. degrees southward of the Ravens bill having longit . Libra 4. D●c . 8 early in the morning I saw it in some part of Hyara ; in Virgo 28. lat . S. 30 gr . The stream overshadowing a small star in Hydra , that was neer . Dec. 16. some observed it among the stars that are in the mainmast of Argo Navis : where it had longit . Leo 23. Lat. S. 45. Dec. 17. It was seen amongst the stellae informes , which are behinde Canis major : where it was apprehended to have longit . Leo. 2. lat . S. 50. Dec. 18. The Comet came to Sirius , i. e. the great Dog , and passed through his belly . That night I saw it in Cancer 13. lat . S. 48. Dec. 19. It ascended from Canis major and crossing the southern Tropick it arrived at Lepus , i. e. the Hare . That night I saw it pass over the more northern Star in the Hare's hinder legs : being in Gemini 24. lat . S. 44. Dec. 23. I saw it as I supposed in Taur . 14. lat . S. 19. Dec. 24. I apprehended it to be in the Equinoctial which it crossed in the 44th gr . entring into the mouth of Balaena : hav●ng longit Taur . 12. 30. lat . S. 17. Dec. 25. In T●ur . 11. 30. lat . S 14. D●c . 28 , I saw it in a right line between two Stars in the head of the Whale , almost in the middle between them : in Taur . 4. 15. Lat. S. 7. 15. Dec. 29 I saw it very neer to another Star in the head of the Whale : in Taur . 3. lat . S. 6. Jan. 3. It crossed the Ecliptick in Aries 28. 30. Jan. 16. it came to Aries 26. lat . N. 3. Jan. 24. Aries 25. lat . N. 4. Jan. 31. Aries 25. lat . N. 5. 30. Feb. 4. Aries 25. lat . N. 6. 15. Since that I saw it not , nor any man else , that I hear of . If in these observations I have not attained that accurateness which the Reader desires ▪ my want of A stronomical Instruments may bespeak his indulgence therein . VI. This Comet at it's first appearance was Oriental and Maturine , afterward it became Occidental and Vespertine . At first it appeared early in the morning before the rising of the Sun , and then every day rose sooner then other , ( withall changing it's 〈◊〉 or point of the Compass in it's rising ) until it appeared in the evening , as soon as day-light was ended . VI● This Comet at first mored slowly , then more swiftly ; ●ill it came to it'● Perige : since which time it hath gradually decreased in it's motion : toward the latter end of it's apparition , it hath moved most sl●wly . From Dec. 5● h. to the 8 h ( which was the time between my first and second observation ) the Com●t ▪ s apparent motion in it's proper line upon the 〈◊〉 Sphere , was about 2 degrees & a halfe in a day , one day with another Dec. 17. it was observed by some to move about 13. deg●ees . Dec. 18 it moved 15 , or 16 degrees . Dec. 19 it moved about 13 ▪ degrees . [ I cannot precisely determine it 's diurnal motion , especially when it was so exceeding swift , because I know not certainly the hour of the night , when these observations were made . J From D●c . 25 , to 29 it moved 2 degrees & half in a day , one day with another . Dec. 29. 2 degr . Dec. 30. 1 degr . & halfe Dec. 31. 1 degr . In the beginning of Ian. it moved neer 1 degr . in a day : but toward the latter end , not one degr . in several dayes . From Ian. 5th to Feb. 4th according to my observation it gained scarce 7 aegr . VIII This Comet was continually Retrograde in it's motion , onely toward the latter end of it's apparition , it became Stationary . This Comet from the first time , it was taken notice of , until the latter end of Ian. in it's proper motion went contrary to the serte● and order of the signes , viz. from Libra to Virgo and so backward to Artes : But in the latter end of Ianuary and in the beginning of February it kept in the same degree of longirude , onely it altered it ▪ s latitude . IX This Comet hath moved constantly almost in a right line , or in a great Circle , equal to the greatest circle of the celestial Sphere : but towards it's disappearing , it hath deflected a little and become ellipticall . This may be demonstrated by the Celestial Globe . Depress the Southern Pole 61 degr . ( which is the complement of the Comet 's greatest declination , ) and you may finde almost all the forementioned observations concerning the Comets place to fall just upon the Hor●zon of the Globe : but toward the latter end , you shall finde the Cometicall line to recede a little from a true circle . X. The proper Circle of the Comets motion is Eccentrical , i e. it hath a center diverse from the center of the world . This is evident 1 By the dive●sion of it's Latitude , which was sometimes southe●● , and sometimes northern . 2 By the inequality of it's apparent motion , which was sometimes swift and sometimes slow . 3 By the diversity of it's distance from the earth , which was sometimes greater , and sometimes less . XI . T●is Comet hath ascendea in Meridian Altitude above 44 degr . For it 's lowest meridian altitude with us , was 18 degr . and 40 minutes , and it 's highest , 63 degr . and 15 min. XII . The Cometical line descended to 29 degr . of Southern declination . XIII . The Comet 's Southern Limit of Latitude was 50 degr . XIV . The apparent motion of the Comet was anomalous and unequal , but it 's motion in it's proper Orb or Circle , was very neer equal and uniform . That it 's apparent motion was unequal and irregular is manifest by it's Velocity or swiftnes one while , it 's mediocrity another while , and it's 〈◊〉 or slowness toward the latter end . The cause of which anomaly and inequality , was the Comet 's Eccentricity . That the Comet 's motion in it's proper orb or circle was very neer equal and uniform , may be demonstrated by the equality of it's diurna● motion in equal d●stances from i●'s perige . For instance , I finde on the 5t● of December and on the 25t● the Comet was equally distant from it's Pe●ige , and that then it 's apparent motion was equal , viz. 2 degree and a halfe in a day : and therefore it 's true moti●n in reference to it 's own proper center was very neer equal and regular . XV. The Comet seemed to be in it's Perige , or neerest to the Earth , when it was in the belly of Canis major , which was sometime on the 18th of December . The Perige is that point of the Cometical circle which is neerest to the earth . The Apoge is the point fartl est distant from the earth . That the Comet was in it's Perige at the time and in the place forementioned may be argued . 1 From the sw●ftness of it's apparent motion on that day . All the Planets are slow in their Apoge and swift in their Perige . This Comet was apprehended to move the most swiftly on that day . 2. from the Equality of it's apparent motion in equal distances from thence : An instance wherof I gave before . 3. From the distance of the place assigned , ( viz. the middle of the belly of Sirius ) to the place of the Comet 's disappearing . In the Cometical line the distance is about 90 degrees ▪ Now according to the Theory and doctrine of Comets ▪ it was never observed that any Comet from the point of it's swiftest motion , ever ran beyond the fourth part of a circle , which is 90 degrees . N. B. On the selfe same day ( viz. the ●8th of December ) the Sun was also in his Perige . XVI . Since December 9th , the Comet hath proceeded in it's proper curricle upon the celestial Sphere , 153. degrees : and I suppose in all , since it 's first apparition , 180. degrees . XVII . The cometical circle seemeth to include and encompass the Earth . This may be Argued . 1. From the length and greatness of the visible and apparent Arch of the Cometical circle , which was very neer to if not a true semicircle . 2. From the Duration and long continuance of it's Apparition , which was about three months . XVIII . The true and real magnitude of th● Comet was constantly one and the same , but it 's apparent m●gnitude was Various and Diverse . At it's first appearance it seemed but small , at length it appeared far greater , sometime it seemed to be very neer halfe as big as the Moon after that it decreased successively , till at last it appeared like a cloudy star . The Reason wherof is evid●nt ; at it 's first appearance it was very high in the Heavens , and therefore it 's diamete● seemed less : afterward it descended lower and neerer to the earth , and then it 's diameter encreased : at length it went up higher & was removed further from our sight , and then it 's basis together with the angle of the optick Cone was diminished , until at last it disappeared and vanished out of sight . XIX The true colour and splendor of the Comet was alwayes one and the same , but it 's apparent colour was various and diverse . At first appearance it's colour was pale and obscur● : afterward bright and radiant , at length it grew very obscure and faint like a cloudy star . In the West Indies it appeared fiery , red and dreadfull . XX The Coma or Stream that came from the head of the Comet , was alwayes cast into that part , which was diametrically opposite to the sun . When the C●met's irradiation was from the southeast , it 's streaming was toward the northwest , when it 's irradiation was from S. S. E. it 's streaming was toward N. N. W. when it's irradiation was from the South , it 's streaming was toward the north , when it 's irradiation was from S. S. W. it 's streaming was toward N. N. E. when it's irradiation was from the S. W. it 's streaming was toward N. E. XXI . The Comet in respect of it's stream , hath been of a diverse figure according to the diverse aspect of the Sun. Comets in respect of their figure are distinguished into Barbate , Caudate and Crinite . A Comet is barbate , when the stream like a beard , goes before the body of the Comet . Caudate , when the stream like a tail follows the body of y e Comet . Crinite when the stream goes right up into the Heavens and seems like a hairy-lock to be wound up about the Comet 's head . This Comet , while it was Oriental , was Barbate , the stream going before its body , like a beard . When the Comet became Occidental , it was Caudate , the stream following the Comet 's body like a tail . But it could not be properly Crinite , in regard of the greatness of the Comet 's southern latitude at the time of it's opposition with the Sun. XXII . The stream hath appeared of a diverse height , breadth and extent , according to the diverse position of the Sun , and the Comet 's distance from us . The stream was not alwaies of the same height in the Heavens with the head of the Comet , but sometimes higher , and sometimes lower . Neither was the 〈◊〉 of the stream alwaies one and the same , but it was sometimes broader , and sometimes narrower . The length and extent of the stream was also diverse : Dec : 8. It was apprehended to be 38 degr . long . Dec. 17. 20 degr . Dec. 30. 15 degr . Jan. 6. 14 degr . Ian. 25. 7 degr Ian. 31. 3 degr . XXIII . This Comet hath been vertical to all countries , that lye between 29 degrees of Southern Latitude and 15 degrees of Northern Latitude . The Comet is said to be Vertical to any people , when the Body of the Comet passeth over their heads . This Comet was vertical to the chief Islands of the East Indies , as also to Guinea and to the most of the Southern part of Africa : likewise to Peru , Brasilia , Guiana , Castilia deloro , nova Andaluzia , and to several of the Islands of the West Indies , as Trinidada , Granada , Barbados , Matalino , Dominica and many other . XXIV . The stream which came from the Comet hath turned about and pointed toward most countries and Kingdomes in the habitable World. XXV . This Comet is not evaporated nor dissolved , but it is ascended higher toward it's Apoge and so departed out of our sight . If the Comet be no vapour but a Celestial planetick luminary , moving constantly in it's Eccentrick orb , and if the stream thereof be no real flame , but the irradi●tion of the Sun through the Comet 's head , it will necessarily follow that the Comet is not consumed , dissipated or exting●ish●d , but rather ascended toward it's Apoge , i. e. the farthest point distant from the Earth , and so being buried in the deep abyss of the Heavens , becomes inconspicuous to us . XXVI . This Comet hath followed upon a notable Conjunction of the Superiour Planets , Saturn and Jupiter . Astronomers observe , that Comets do many times follow a Conjunction of the Superior Planets . The last Year , October 10th , was a great Conjunction of Saturn and Iupiter in the 13th degr . of Sagittarius . A Brief Theological Application of this strange and notable Appearance in the Heavens . 1. THE Holy Scriptures , which are the Authentick and unerring Canon of truth , teach us to look at Comets , as Portentous and Signal of great and notable Changes . Joel 2. 30 , 31. I will shew wonders in the Heavens and in the Earth , Bl●od and Fire , and Pillars of Smoak . The Sun shall be turned into Darkness , and the Moon into Blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord come . Luke 21. 25 There shall be signes in the Sun , and in the Moon , and in the Stars . Acts 2. 19. 20. I will shew wonders in Heaven above , and signes in the Earth beneath : Blood , and Fire , and Vapor of Smo●k . The Sun shall be turned into Darkness and the Moon into Blood before the great and notable day of the Lord come . II. The Histories of former Ages , do abundantly testifie that Comets h●●e been many times Heralds of wrath to a secure and impenitent World. Take a few Instances . A little before the Achaick Warr ( as Seneca reports ) there appeared a Comet fiery and ruddy , which cast a clear light , whereby the night was enlightened . Anno Christ ▪ 56. There appeared a Comet . The same Year Claudiu● died , and bloody Nero succeeded who slew his Mo●h●r , his Wife and his Master Sene●● ▪ and exercised a great deal of cruelty and wickedness . Anno 323. There were diverse Comets which preceeded the Pestile●● He●esie●● of Arius . Anno. 337. A Comet appeared before the death of Constantine the great , and innumerable evils followed . Anno 602. A great Comet appeared , which preceded , if not presaged the slaughter of Mauritius the Emperor , and the Supremacy of the Bishop of Rome . Anno 675 , & 676. There appeared a Comet 3 moneths , at which time the Saracens greatly afflicted the Roman Empire . Anno. 729 Two Comets appeared , and the same year a great Plag●e invaded the World. Anno 814. A terrible Comet appeared before the death of Charles the great . Anno 1066. A Comet appeared a long time to the whole World : the same Year England was many waies afflicted by William Duke of Norman●y , and at length subdued . Anno 1618. There appeared a great Comet : the same year brake forth the Bloody Wars in G●●ma●y . Anno 1652. There appeared a Comet at the beginning of Mr. Cottons sickness , and disappeared a few daies after his death . The next year strange and notable changes of state happened in England . 'T is true , some Comets have been thought to presage good to the World , as that in the dayes of Augustus before the birth of Christ . [ I intend not that miraculous Star , which appeared to the Magi. ] Another before the death of Nero : Another before the reformation by Wickliffe : Another before the reformation by Lut●e● : but most commonly they are observed to precede , if not portend great Calamities . Anno 79 Upon a Comet followed horrible Winds , an E●●●h-quak● and Pestilence . When some sh●wed 〈◊〉 this Comet , fearing it might portend his death , he answered merrily that this Prod●gie noted not him , but the King of 〈◊〉 . For faith he , he nou●isheth his hair , but I am bald . But not long after , Vespasian died . III. The Commination of wrath according to Scripture , is to be understood after a conditional 〈◊〉 , i e. 〈◊〉 an implicite reservation for Gods altering a●d revoking his threatned dispensation upon repentance intervening . Jer. 18. 7 , 8. At what Instant I shall fpeak concerning a nation ●●d concerning a Kingdome , to pluck up and to pull down and to destroy it : if that nation against whom I have pronounced , turn from their Evil , I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them . Jer 36. 3 , 7. It may be the house of Judah will hear all the evil , which I purpose to do unto them , that they may return every man from his evil way , that I may forgive their Iniquity and their Sin. It may be they will present their supplication before the Lord , and will returne every one from his evil way : for great is the Anger and the Fury , which the Lord hath pronounced against this People . Jonah 3. 10. And God saw their works that they turned from their evil way , and God repented of the Evil , that he had said , that he would do unto them , and he did it not . IV. This Blazing Star being in conjunction with diverse other awful Providences and Tokens of Wrath , calls upon us to awake out of security , and to bring forth fruits meet for Repentance . A Eew Instances of some late awful Providences . 1. Earth-quakes . About two years ago viz. Ian. 26 , & 28. 1662 , 63. The foundations of the Earth trembled , and some of our houses rock't like a cradle , 6 , or 7 times did the Earth shake under us in the space of 2 or 3 dayes . It was then thought and said , that these Earth-quakes might portend the Lords shaking the foundations of our Churches and of our civil state . 2. The late removal by Death of some of our eminent Prophets and seers , who were as eyes unto us in the Wilderness , and the Charen of Israel and the Horse-men thereof . April 5th , 1663 , That burning and shining Light , who shone in the Church of Boston , and gave light to the whole Colony and Country , Mr. John Norton , a man eminently accomplished , was taken from us , and translated to an higher Orb. Of whom New-England was not worthy . Iuly 20 1663. That bright and radiant Star , a Star of the first magnitude , Mr. Samuel Stone , the strength and glory of Connecticut , rested from his labours and sorrows , and fell a sleep sweetly and placidly in the Lord. A little before Him , Mr Iohn Miller and Mr. Samuel Newman , faithful , painful and affectionate Preachers of the Gospel , were also taken from us by death . Thus our Pillars are cut down , our strongest Stakes pluck't up , and our breaches not repaired . Is it a small thing in our eyes , y t our principal Congregations & Head-townes , should be so sadly bereaved , as they are at this day ? 3. The sad Mildew and Blasting , whereby we have been greatly afflicted the last Summer , and some ofus the Summer before : our principal grain being turned into an husk & rotteness . 4. Severe Drought this last Summer , which burnt up the Pastures and the latter growth . 5. Early Frosts , which smote our Indian Corn , and greatly impoverished our latter harvest . Unto these and some other no less threatning Visitations , is superadded this strange and fearful Appearance in the Heavens , which is now seconded by a new Appearance this Spring , concomitant to the translation of our Honoured and Aged Governour , Mr. John Endicot , from hence to a better World : By all which doubtless the Lord calls upon New-England to awake and to repent . To this End Consider . 1. What a jealous eye the Lord hath upon us , observing how we carry and behave our selves at such a time as this . Ier. 3. 8. And I saw , when for all the causes , whereby backsliding Israel committed Adultery , I had put her away . and given her a bill of Divorce : yet her Treacherous Sister Judah feared not , but went and played the Harlot also . 2. What the Lord expects and looks for from a people so highly favoured and priviledged , and so awfully warned and threatned . Zeph. 3. 7. I said surely thou wilt fear mee ; thou wilt receive Instruction : so their dwelling place should not be cut off ; howsoever I punished them . 3. How sadly will the Lord Jesus expostulate with us , if we fall asleep in the hour of the Passion and Agony of the Gospel . Mat. 26. 40. He cometh unto the Disciples and findeth them a sleep , and faith unto Peter , what could ye not watch with me one hour ? each word is very Emphatical 4. The danger of being surprized by temptation before we are aware . Lam. 1. 9. She Remembred not her last end , therefore she came down wonderfully : she had no comforter . Rev. 16. 15 Behold I come as a thief , Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments , lest he walk naked , and they see his shame . 5. The singular blessing reserved for the Vigilant and penitent . Hab. 3. 16. When I heard my belly trembled ; my lips quivered at the voice : rotteness entred into my bones : and I trembled in my selfe , that I might rest in the day of trouble . Luke . 21. 36. Watch ye therefore and pray alwaies , that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass , and to stand before the Son of Man. To Conclude : God forbid that any of us , should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wandring Stars , Eccentrick and Erratick in our motions , as all Seducers and Impostors are : for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever . Jude , 1. 13 ▪ but the Lord , grant that we may all become fixed Stars in the new Jerusalem , which cometh down from God , observing the Heavenly order prescribed in his holy word , and shining as light in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation , clearly reflecting that pure and preciou● light , wherewith we are irradiated by the Sun of Righteousness : and then we may assure ourselves , Christ will still hold us in his right hand and not suffer us to be cast down from Heaven but enable us to finish our course with joy , & at length translate us into the Kingdome of the Father , where we shall shine forth as the Sun , and as the brightness of the firmament , and as the Stars forever and ever . Amen . FINIS .