A BRIGHT Burning Beacon, forewarning all wise Virgins to trim their lamps against the coming of the Bridegroom. Containing A general doctrine of sundry signs and wonders, specially Earthquakes both particular and general: A discourse of the end of this world: A commemoration of our late Earthquake, the 6. of April, about 6. of the clock in the evening 1580. And a prayer for the appeasing of God's wrath and indignation.  
Newly translated and collected by Abraham Fleming.  
The sum of the whole book followeth in fit place orderly divided into Chapters.  Matth. 25, 6. 
And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold, the Bridegroom cometh: go out to meet him, etc.   

¶ TO THE RIGHT Worshipful, Sir William Cordell Knight, Master of her majesties rolls: as much health, wealth, and happiness as heart would wish.  
TWo years (right worshipful) and somewhat more are now expired, since I, upon the appearing of a blazing Star in the South west, the 10. of November 1577. presented unto you a general doctrine touching that matter. Which work if it shall please you at your leisure to confer with the events that have ensued, you will say that the translation was necessary, and the publishing not unprofitable.  
A learned and expert man commorant and abiding in this City, comparing the effects following that Comet, with the significations aforegoing, & finding them strange, wonderful, and memorable, thought it not amiss to commit a matter of such importance to the consideration of his native Country, in a brief treatise called by the name of (A view of events &c.) wherein he deciphereth such issues within the compass of one year, namely, from November 1577. to November 1578, as are not superficially, but advisedly to be noted. Which work of his worthy the reading, because I am sure your worship hath seen and perused, (as no book can escape your hands, if it savour of learning and judgement) I pass over with a bare remembrance.  
So (Right Worshipful) the late Earthquake which happened the 6. of April, about 6. of the clock in the Evening 1580. to the astonishment of the inhabitants of this City dispersed in sundry places for their recreation, set me (as many more) a musing: and tossing a thousand thoughts in my head, I found in myself a quicker inclination to wonder at God's works, than to write the opinions of man's wit. Stayed nevertheless at last, it was my luck, looking among such books as I have, not many in number, nor great in value, to light upon a discourse so fit for the time, that I thought I should highly honour God, and do great good to this land, if I undertook the translation of the same.  
Persuaded hereunto in the end, I did mine endeavour, with all diligence, to bring my business about: and still finding, as I went forward, the work both weighty and worthy: besides that, so apt for this our age, as if it had been penned of purpose upon our late Easter Earthquake: I lost no labour, and spent no time, till I had done my task, which grown to some bigness, as your worship seethe, I finished in few days space, and procured the same to be presently printed.  
Performed therefore, I am bold, upon hope of your wont favour, to make it dedicatory unto your worship: the rather, because the general doctrine of Blazing stars, of my rude translation, was published two years passed under your protection: and this of Earthquakes, of the same Authors penning, and my homely Englishing, doth not crave choice of a new Patron.  
Which that it will please you to accept, with no less encouraging countenance, than you have vouchsafed my former traveles: though I suspect not the contrary, yet to beseech you it is my bounden duty. Praying almighty God to lengthen your worship's life, with increase of health, strength, wealth, worship, & whatsoever may make you fortunate: and when the date of your dwelling here on earth is done, to garnish you with the garland and garment of glory, in heaven his own habitation: where you may, to the fulfilling of all perfect happiness, behold the face of jesus Christ, by whose blood all true believers are put in possession of that unspeakable blessedness.  
Your worships by duty bound Abraham Fleming.   

¶ The Contents of this treatise, set down in a summary, as they lie orderly in every Chapter.  

1 THat our Ancients doubted of the cause of Earthquakes, & disagreed in opinion. Chap. 1.  
2 Whereupon Earthquakes engender and grow for certainty. Chap. 2.  
3 What inconveniences and mischiefs do follow after Earthquakes. Chap. 3  
4 Where and when Earthquakes do commonly happen, & how long they last. Chap. 4.  
5 That there are differences of Earthquakes. Chap. 5.  
6 What things Earthquakes do prognosticate and signify. 6.  
7 What mischiefs & evils Earthquakes threaten & denounce. Chap. 7.  
8 How long wonders and strange appearances defer & put off those effects whereof they are significations & tokens. Ch. 8.  
9 Why more strange wonders appear in these latter days, than have done in other former times. Chap. 9  
10 At what day and hour the end of this world shall certainly be, as some hold opinion. Ch. 10.  
11 What all and every one ought to do, seeing the end of this world approach. Chap. 11.  
12 A contemplation of wonderful accidents, and principally of earhquakes, as well particular as general, which have happened in the realms of England, Ireland, & Scotland, from the time of K. William the Conqueror, to the reign of our sovereign Lady and gracious Queen Elizabeth, etc. Ch. 12.  
13 A prayer for repentance, being the only thing that must mitigate the wrath and indignation of God, which how hot and heavy it is, the signs and wonders above mentioned are forewarnings. Chap. 13.    

The writer's names, whose reports of our late Easter Earthquake, etc. are printed and published.  

1 Francis Schackleton.  
2 Arthur Golding.  
3 Thomas Twine.  
4 Thomas Churchyard.  
5 Richard Tarleton.  
6 john philip's.  
7 Robert Gittins.  
8 john Grafton.  
9 Abraham Fleming.    

❧ That our ancients doubted of the cause of Earthquakes, and disagreed in opinion.  
Chap. 1.  
WHat contrariety of opinions sprang among the old Philosophers touching earthquakes, there needeth no discourse to testify: seeing that one only place of the 
* By suppressing the Poet's name, it appeareth that he overshot himself through uncertainty: But I think he meaneth Palingenius, in whose works I have read the like words in effect.  Poet, wherein he reckoneth up in a row certain particulars of Philosophy, as it were in a table, doth not altogether pass over the question of Earthquakes in silence, saying:  

But first, all other things above,  
Ye Muses whom I serve and fear,  
And won with an exceeding love,  
Your balmd oblations boldly bear,  
Vouchsafe my senses up to rear,  
And show to me the ways of Heaven,  
The course of Stars & Planets seven:   

The lack of light which dims the Sun,  
The labours of the Moon likewise,  
In their Eclipses when they run,  
And of what causes Earthquakes rise,  
What thing such forces doth comprise,  
To make the Sea with calmness still,  
And straight with storms the same to fill.   
This said the Poet both learnedly and skilfully, as all things else which he wrote. Among the profound Clarks of old there was great disagreement about the reason of Earthquakes. And as for the common sort of men, it passed their capacity and knowledge to reach to the cause of such a secret: nay shall I tell you, natural Philosophy setteth down no sure ground or determinate sentence in this doubtful matter.  
Hereupon (as Aulus Gellius affirmeth) the ancient 
* The Heathen and Pagan people may teach us what belongeth to our duty.  Romans, a people marvelous precise and circumspect in all their affairs of life, and specially in cases of religion, as also in devout service and sacrifice to their Gods: so soon as they either perceived by feeling, or understood by folks talking, that an Earthquake chanced: they commanded by proclamation, that the people should solemnly keep holiday, and betake themselves to the Temple.  
Now, because they worshipped many Gods, and therefore ignorant unto what one God above the rest to dedicate their service, they provided that by not naming any one certain God, all their Gods should be honoured: lest by choosing one specially to celebrate, & so taking one for another, the people should be deluded, and the God that wrought the wonder not a whit exalted. Which ceremony, Marcus Varro saith was observed by the decree of the high Priests: because it is doubtful & uncertain, which of the Gods or Goddesses, by the virtue of their power made the earth to tremble.  
By this custom of old Romans, 
The translator application of this heathenish denotion, for our instruction.  a people in their kind religious, we are taught what to go about in such casualties. For though they, through the multitude of their imagined Gods, knew not unto which of them chief to offer the fruits of their devotion: and yet fearing that some offence by them committed was the cause of so sudden an Earthquake: they discharged their duties (as they thought in conscience) that by seeking to please all the Gods generally, no one God should rest unappeased severally.  
Then to apply this to ourselves, that their superstition might teach us true devotion, considering that we live not in Heathenism, as did they, requisite it is, that as we are the sheep of one shepherd, & the people of one God, so in all troubles, be they never so terrible, though earthquakes, though famines, though battles, though plagues, etc. to have recourse unto him, as to the God from whom they come, being tokens of his further judgement upon us in these later days, wherein 
* The measure of our sins runneth over, and crieth out for vengeance against us.  sin is grown to a full measure, and crieth out for vengeance.   

¶ Whereupon Earthquakes engender and grow for certainty.  
Chap. 2.  
ALthough this be the opinion of the Babylonians (as Pliny writeth) that Earthquakes, gapings of the ground, and all other fearful tempests issue and come from the force and influence of Stars: yet I am of belief, that sometime the earth is shaken and made to tremble, by reason of water included and kept within it: which water being moved, the earth also is made to move by the moving thereof, as we may see in tub of water, or other vessels. Hereupon Neptune had his name, to be called Terriquasso, and Tellurimotor, Earth shaker: as some have held opinion.  
I think in like manner, that the earth is made to quake by the violence of 
* Winds the cause of Earth quakes, in what sort and manner.  winds shut up & kept close in the hollow places of the same, which winds by their stirring, do stir the earth, & so make an Earthquake. Unto which opinion Pliny long ago gave assent, supposing that nothing more than the winds, nay the winds alone to be cause of earthquakes: and that the earth is never wont to quake, but when the sea is so calm, and the air so still, that neither ships can sail, nor birds fly: all the winds being gotten into certain veins, holes, and caves of the earth, and there move by there secret rustling.  
Now, these 
* The generation of an Earthquake, & the effects which it worketh at that instant.  winds thus shut up, seeking a vent here & there to break out, and trying by all means they can make to have passage, that breaking out of prison (as it were) they might be set at liberty, and blow at large, whiles this is intended, the earth trembleth, rocketh, & réeleth as though it would fall, stones crack in sunder, towers bend forward, castles sink, houses totter to the ground, etc. An example hereof we have of our own wind and breath stopping or staying in our breast, and not having recourse in and out by interchaunge of turns, we perceive & feel thereby, that our very soul, or life being assaulted, the limbs and members of our bodies are taken with a trembling, there is stirred up within us a kind of strife or wrestling, & all the outward parts of our body, through fear fall a quivering: till this wind or breath having gathered force sufficient, find a way to avoid, and the pipes wherein it was kept burst open, it issue out with a vehement and great noise.  
Hereupon say some, that 
* The opinion of some concerning the sudden trembling of the earth.  trembling in the earth, is nothing else but that which thunder is in a cloud: and the gaping of the ground none other thing, than when as lightning bursteth forth with violence, the air which is in the cloud resisting, and trying masteries to get out and be at liberty.  
Notwithstanding these reasons 
The Translators admonition upon these conjectural reasons.  carry with them a countenance & show of credit, and therefore may the less be gainsaid: yet lest by seeking to become too wise in the secret works of God, and referring that to the course of natural causes, which come to pass by the providence of his judgement, we fall into security, from security into incredulity, from incredulity into atheism, from atheism into open blasphemy: my counsel and advise is, that our ears tickle not to hear every vain Philosopher's fancy descanting upon matters of great importance, and thereby pull from God the cause of his justly conceived indignation against the wickedness of the world, and made apparent before hand by signs and wonders, lest any living soul should find fault with his too severe proceeding in judgement.  
The next way to breed in the minds of men 
* The denial of God's divinity ensueth the derogitation of the property of his works.  a denial of God's deity, is to derogate and take from him the property of his works: to tie that to natural reason, which dependeth upon his heavenly wisdom: to ascribe that to Philosophy, which is the work of his divinity: into which follies whiles the Gentiles fell, they were near to falsehood, but far from truth: apt to err, but rude to go right: at peace with the devil, but at defiance with God: neighbours to hell, but strangers from heaven.  
This I speak not to control the favourers of Philosophy, or to discredit the professors of so sacred a science: but that I would have the 
* The wit of man mere vanity, if it be not tempered with the dew of God's spirit.  wit of man esteemed as it is, as light as smoke, if it be not tempered with the dew of God's spirit: that Arts and sciences have their grounds and principles, in some points undoubted, in some uncertain, and in some fallible: Divinity only deceiveth not, which teacheth the true God, and that he by his power shaketh the foundations of the earth: and yet all this while, I afford every profession, with their professors, that reverence which belongeth unto them by duty.   

¶ What inconveniences and mischiefs do follow after earthquakes.  
Chap. 3.  
How unhappy and unlucky earthquakes are, what hurt they have done diverse ways in diverse places, there is great store of examples, no less horrible to hear, than terrible to tell. Old writers record, that with an 
* The effects which have followed after Earthquakes, declared by examples.  Earthquake the whole city of Lacedaemonia was so shaken, that it fell and sunk. That with an Earthquake, the greatest part of the huge and mighty mountain Taigetus, was riven and rend away, in form and fashion like a ship, and that with the fall of the same was caused a grievous slaughter. That with an Earthquake twelve cities of Asia, within the dominion of Tiberius Caesar were laid flat upon the ground in one night. That with an Earthquake, in the reign of Lotharius the son of Ludovicus the first, all Italy was sore shaken, and diverse cities and mountains in diverse places overthrown: in the year after Christ's birth 1344. That with an Earthquake, in the reign of Fredrick the second of that name, the hills Salnij were so shaken, that to the number of two thousand persons perished: in the year of our Lord 1214. That with an Earthquake, in the reign of Fredrick the third of that name, many cities and towns in the kingdom of Naples were overturned, and with the falls of houses and other buildings of timber and stone, to the number of thirty thousand persons lamentably killed: the fairest and most gorgeous places and palaces rend and torn in sunder. The memorable Earthquakes that have chanced in our age, and in the days of our forefathers, Maximilian being Emperor, in what great danger of ruin all Italy in a manner was like to fall, I pass them over untouched.  
There 
* The translators illation upon the particulars before going.  is no evil, that is to say, no punishment for sin, but it is sent from him that abhorreth wickedness, and cannot at any hand away with iniquity. As for the mischiefs which fell upon the places above mentioned, by Earthquakes or otherwise, we ought so to impute unto natural causes, that we deny not God's justice and righteousness, in recompensing offenders according to their merits. The plagues which fell upon Jerusalem, juda, Babylon, Samaria, Egypt, tire, Sidon, and other populous cities & regions, after the Prophet's sharp denunciations and terrible threatenings, were they by fire, famine, sword, or otherwise, may warn us, that Whatsoever calamity falleth upon any nation, it is sent from God as a punishment for sin.  
And surely, of this opinion am I, that none stand more in the defence of their 
* We do after a sort justify ourselves, when we refer the signs of God's judgements to sin●ster causes.  own righteousness, than such as seeming too wise in the contemplation of mysteries, refer to the conjunction & opposition of such and such stars, to winds, to vapours, to exhalations, and to I can not tell what, any kind of casualty though never so wonderful, forgetting in the mean time themselves to be offenders, and so consequently derogating from God the glory proper to his eternity, preach unto the world their own justification.  
If any thing chance contrary to common course & order, 
* The presumption of man in seeking after the secret counsels of God.  up starts one or other wizard, and he by his knowledge will be busy to bolt out the mystery which God hath reserved to his own secret counsel. This cometh to pass (saith one) of such and such a cause: the reason thereof notwithstanding unknown to them: and yet because their blind conjectures have in them some probabilities, the ruder sort of people are ready to give credit: & thus between both, the forewarnings of Gods heavy judgement are neglected, his fatherly chastisements contemned, induration of heart engendered, obstinacy in sin procured, a desperate security fostered, and the gulf of voluntary destruction opened.  
If 
* This reason of contraries is certain and infallible.  the remembrance of God's correction be a means to keep us under obedience, than the forgetfulness of such favourable dealing is the next way to wilful stubbornness: & if obedience be the sacrifice which he enjoineth us to offer in his temple, what shall we think of our contumacy and rebellion, our looseness of life, our daily violating of his law? Do not these, being monstrous, make us horrible in God's sight?  
It is a great argument that the 
* For God useth a mediocrity and proportion in the execution of his judgements.  sins of the people are heinous, when the plagues which God sendeth are grievous: that their offences are fowl and filthy, when the tokens of his wrath are strange and extraordinary. And therefore to conclude this illation, let us bow our bodies and souls under the sceptre of God's grace, lest that neglecting the acceptable time of love, the day of wrath approach, & he come with the iron rod of his power & beat us all to powder.   

¶ Where and when Earthquakes commonly happen, and how long they last.  
Chap. 4.  
SUch places as lie near the Sea are most of all shaken with Earthquakes: and as for hilly countries, they are not altogether void of this trembling: for in Autumn and in the spring-time they are most commonly subject to these casualties. Hereupon some conjecture, that neither France nor Egypt are troubled with this tempest, because Summer will not suffer it in the one, nor Winter in the other.  
We have also learned by observation, that Earthquakes chance oftener by night than by day: and that they 
* The ceasing of winds in the hollow caves of the ground causeth Earth quakes to cease.  cease so soon as the wind, which was the cause of their generation, is let lose and set at liberty, the time of their continuance to have been forty days, before they stayed: and yet there have been Earthquakes that have lasted the space of one whole year or two, saving that now and then they have ceased for certain hours and days.  
For about the year after the birth of Christ 471. in the reign of the Emperor Anastasius, we read of an Earthquake that lasted in Constantinople 
* The continuance of Earthquakes proved by experience.  full four months without ceasing: and stayed at the length, when the voice of a little infant was heard, saying: Holy, holy, holy, o mighty and immortal God have mercy upon us. Again, in the year after the birth of Christ 1094. in the reign of Henry the fift of that name, there happened an Earthquake in Italy, which continued in sundry places the space of forty days, as our elders have truly reported.  
As (thanks be to almighty God) 
* The Translators collection by the former doctrine.  we have not been greatly terrified with Earthquakes: so have we no cause to complain of their continuance. Other countries have felt the calamities of them, we behold it, and are not a whit amazed. In that we are taught by example of foreign people, what overthrows have ensued earhquakes, how long they have lasted, forty days, two months, a twelve month, two whole years, etc. to the astonishment of that age which saw and felt them: I gather, that the mercy of God was more mighty than his justice, his love above his wrath, his patience surpassing his vengeance.  
For 
* The sudden and short visitation of God sent upon us by an Earthquake, forewarneth us of sharper tribulations.  that little quivering of the earth, that small rocking of our houses, which lasted not either for a year, or a month, or a week, or a day, or an hour: yea, but a moment, may put us in mind that God hath an eye upon our trade of life, he looketh down from heaven and seethe our conversation, and passing by with a gentle forewarning, calleth upon us, that by repentance and amendment of life we might fly the terror of his judgement.  
A Father having an untoward child, first by counsel & then by correction seeketh his reformation: when neither of these serve, he casteth him out of his favour, and withdrawing all natural affection doth quite give him over: so is it like to far with us, unless we purge out of our hearts the old leaven of corruption, and become new dough of regeneration: unless we retire home to the sheepfold of our God, from whom we have gone astray: unless we leave playing the unthrifts, and look in our reckoning book how go our accounts: unless we hear the wholesome counsel of the Prophets, and stop our ears at the persuasions of the men of 
* By whom is meant all such as lay blocks in the way of the people, to stop them from coming unto God.  Anathoth: unless we take in our hands the glass of the Gospel, and labour by lamentation and contrition to scour away the blemishes of our souls.  
Let it be enough for us to have felt the mother of us all tremble, and though it had continued but the twinkling of an eye, as it lasted but a moment: yet if we have understanding hearts, let us relent, & every one of us turning over a new leaf forget our old lesson. For if we shall pass so great a wonder as this lightly over, making a small matter thereof, and esteeming Gods threatening as a toy: shall we not heap upon our heads the fiery coals of his consuming fury: shall we not turn his patience into vengeance, even in bitterness to plague us, that we shall have no shift to escape his heavy hand?  
Are we in God's fight like 
* By these speeches of comparison, the righteousness and integrity of God in judging all offenders is declared.  Gilead, are we like the head of Lebanon, are we the signet of his right hand? The people whom he so accounted he spared not in his justice, but fed them with wormwood, and gave them water of gall to drink. And shall we presume upon his long sufferance, tempting him by our continuance in sin to hasten his fury, utterly to consume and lay us waste like fire in a forest? I conclude here, with a Proverbial watchword, Hereafter comes not yet, Forbearance is no quittance.   

¶ That there are differences of Earthquakes.  
Chap. 5.  
IT is not unknown to the learned, that in the kind of moving and shaking there is great difference: for the earth may quake many ways. Now it is 
* Earthquakes some more dangerous & dreadful, some less perilous and fearful.  a dangerous and fearful Earthquake, when as the earth is rolled to and fro like a wave of the Sea: or when it beareth itself wholly to one side as it shaketh. Contrariwise it is not so perilous, when with quaking, the frames of houses and buildings crack with shrinking: and when the earth swelleth at a sudden, and anon falleth again: as also, when houses meeting together, ratle & knock one against another, by reason of interchangeable moving, the one resisting and withstanding the other. Such an Earthquake, and yet not lightly to be thought upon, happened of late in this famous 
* Where he was Preacher at that instant, before he was called to be Bishop.  city of Mentz, in the year of our Lord 1528. the 17. of February, about two of the clock after midnight, & we all, even broad waking, felt it, with no small amazement of mind.  
This 
* The Translators comparison inferred upon the premises, for our private admonition.  may serve us for a looking glass, wherein to see a representation and likeness of our late Earthquake, chancing upon the 6. of April about 6. of the clock at night 1580. For as the reverend Father saith of such Earthquakes as he hath last named, that some are more dangerous, some less perilous: setting down the manner of both: so say I in like case: for there was no such violent moving, no such terrible shaking, no such ruinous renting, either of houses or Churches, no such overthrowing of Mountains, etc. that any general calamity (God be thanked) did ensue.  
Nevertheless seeing that it pleased the Lord, in one, to show what he was able to do in all: it is wisdom so to think of Earthquakes (notwithstanding the former reasons) that the death of 
* A particular example, a general warning to beware.  one put us in mind of a general danger. This judgement God showed upon a lad, that we of riper years should fear his omnipotency, & confess that the very same might have happened unto us. This judgement God showed in a Church, where the congregation was assembled in the honour of his name, to teach us what his outstretched arm can do in profane places, among an uncircumcised multitude. This judgement God showed on the week day, that we might see his long suffering, in sparing us on the Sabbaoth, when he might as well have smitten: but that mercy upholdeth his throne.  
Tremble 
* The sound of a watch word, or Alarun bell, to all profaners of Gods sacred Sabbaoth, and specially to players, plaiemakers, and all such as favour that damnable faculty.  and quake therefore O ye shameless breakers of Gods Sabbaoth, which display your banners of vanity, selling wind for money, infecting the tender minds of youth with the poison of your profanations, & kindling in them the fire of inordinate lust, to the wounding both of body and soul. Doth not God see your filthiness, or think you that your trade of life depending wholly upon those your Heathenish exercises, are not offensive to his Majesty? Will he wink at such wickedness, & keep silence at such filthiness as is continually concluded upon and committed in your Theatre, Curtain, and accursed courts of spectacles?  
O how glorious a work should that be! how happy a day! how blessed an hour! wherein the people of God might see 
* As much is God glorified in the pulling down of polluted places, as in the building up of holy temples.  all such abominable places dedicated to Gentilism, or rather Atheism, (for who can directly say, that either God or the devil, heaven or hell, is once thought upon in the prosecuting of such shameful shows?) utterly torn up from the foundations, rend in pieces the timber from the stone, wasted with fire, laid even with the ground, and no appearance thereof remaining. And thus much touching Comedies and Comedians, by way of digression, an enormity often cried out against of God's ministers, and in a Christian Commonwealth altogether unsufferable.   

¶ What things Earthquakes do prognosticate and signify.  
Chap. 6.  
IT remaineth that we consider, what good or ill is foreshowed to ensue or follow after Earthquakes: a thing which all in a manner have desired to know and understand, but none have certainly noted: many demanded the question, but few given the onset to make answer. As for me, I cannot but be persuaded, that Earthquakes, how soever nature put to her hand as a joint worker in their generation, are not to be thought trifles, or to come to pass of 
* Something is meant by the happening of Earthquakes, though it pass our capacity to comprise.  nothing: but having in them an hidden meaning and secret reason, foreshow somewhat to follow either good or bad: a huge multitude of examples left in writing to verify this matter.  
And principally, to begin with the chiefest, that everlasting truth of almighty God, our Saviour Jesus Christ, the maker and Lord of every creature, yea of nature itself, he (I say in whom all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are reposed) affirmeth, that There shall be Earthquakes, and all these things (saith he) are the beginnings of sorrows, etc. Giving us to note by an undoubted conjecture, that before the last day of this world, there shall be Earthquakes, which are foretokens of universal woes to come upon all the world, and specially upon the wicked, whose torments shall be exceeding sharp and grievous.  
And thus we are taught even out of God's word, that Earthquakes happening unto us, not simply of custom, but of purpose, do signify somewhat to ensue, 
* Earthquakes are denunciations and threatenings of god's wrath against us.  & denounce against us the wrath of almighty God, therewithal admonishing us to amend our evil life, to reform our wicked conversation, to be renewed in the spirit of the inward man, and to be heavenly minded: otherwise such sorrows are like to light upon us, as shall turn to our most miserable overthrow and lamentable destruction: and here upon it came to pass, that when our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, the earth quaked and trembled.  
But of what sorrows to come are Earthquakes foretokens? First, to begin, of 
* Wars▪ fimine, and pestilence the effects of Earthquakes.  wars, whereby it is most certain pestilence and famine are engendered: pestilence by the air poisoned with the stinch of dead carcases lying unburied: famine by reason of husbandry, when plough lands lie unmanured: besides other calamities full of fear, horror, and desolation.  
Very 
* The translators confirmation of the words above written.  religiously have the Saints of God always thought of Earthquakes, albert the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness before God, dream of natural causes. And surely, such as are well affected, and have in them any feeling or taste of God's gracious spirit, after the happening of an Earthquake, will say with the Prophet David, Come and behold the works of the Lord, acknowledging in heart, that the blessings of God follow the righteous, as peace and plenty, tranquillity of mind, with other his good graces: contrariwise, his curses pursue and chase the wicked, as war and scarcity, horror of conscience, and infinite tribulations.  
We 
* Reasons of comparison, to prove that Earthquakes are not always to be referred to natural causes.  see that the rainbow appeareth in the clouds every year at diverse times: touching the generation whereof reasons (I grant) may be given: but we know that the rainbow being appointed by the ordinance of God, hath continued ever since it was first made, as a witness to the world that God will never destroy it again with water, for the truth of which word and promise, he hath left us the rainbow.  
Of Eclipses we know, there may be natural causes alleged: but let us remember that he, which in their creation made them glorious, in token of his mercy: by their defection and loss of light what else doth he thunder against us, but his justice and vengeance? For the good works of GOD are made as it were to 
* The creatures of God mourn over us for our sins which deserve a heavy day of visitation.  mourn for our sakes, who being wilfully blind, cannot see how near the day of our visitation approacheth. Again, the words of our Saviour are true, The Sun shall be darkened, and the Moon shall not give her light: and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken. With which words of our Saviour Christ the sayings of the Prophet's accord, The stars of Heaven and the Planets thereof shall not give their light: the Sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the Moon shall not cause her light to shine. Another Prophet saith in the person of God, I will cover the Sun with a cloud: And a third Prophet saith, The Sun & Moon shall be darkened, & the stars shall withdraw their light.  
Of Earthquakes also and other visions of fire, there may natural reasons be brought: but as the controversy can be decided by no wiser moderator than Christ our Saviour, and the Prophets his forerunners: so is it our parts to take their authority for truth, and not to hunt after the vain speculations of Philosophy. Before the end of the world come (saith Christ) iniquity shall abound, there shallbe rumours of wars, there shallbe 
* Earthquakes reckoned among the number of signs that shall be seen before the end of the world.  Earthquakes, there shallbe famine & troubles: all which if they be but the beginnings of sorrows, alas what calamities will follow?  
The Prophet saith that Before the great and terrible day of the Lord come, wonders shallbe seen in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire, pillars of smoke, the Sun darkened, and the Moon turned into blood, etc. So that belike Nature hath little to do in such secret matters: and as for the counsels of God, men ought rather to wonder at them, than presumptuously to scan upon causes supernatural: with whose foolishness I end this confirmation, advising them to take heed how they meddle in Gods high mysteries, lest they be destroyed by the power of his Majesty.   

¶ What mischiefs and evils Earthquakes threaten and denounce.  
Chap. 7.  
THat the case standeth as we have already said, ye shall understand by a few circumstances, which we have found and proved, partly by use and experience, partly by study & reading. Did not (I pray you) after 
* Particular examples drawn out of the Canonical Scripture touching this necessary doctrine of Earthquakes.  Earthquakes and tempests, which Mardochaeus the son of jaer saw in a dream, all nations rise in an uproar to make war among themselves: and did there not follow a day of darkness & danger, of tribulation and anguish, of sorrow and heaviness, besides an exceeding great fear over the earth?  
Did not likewise the earth tremble and shake out of measure, when Ozia the king of juda, in the pride of his mind, had taken upon him the office & charge of 
* Namely the Priests, whose charge it was only to burn incense, Ozia taking the office upon him.  another, wherewith it became him not to meddle: and then ensued the just vengeance of God against him, whereof there was a foretoken given by the said Earth quake, when he was smitten with a leprosy, & growing ugly & loathsome was compelled to resign up his royalty, and in the end miserably dying he was buried but in a homely place, even in the field, apart by himself from the sepulchres of his predecessors the kings of juda: and this was his reward for dealing so unreverently in God's service and Temple.  
The accursed jews in like manner, even to their great smart have felt, what meaning there should be in Earthquakes: yea, they have tried by their own misery most worthy of memory, what calamities are like to follow after earthquakes: the subversion of the renowned city Jerusalem herein giving proof, the destruction whereof was so lamentable, that no pen can express it, nor tongue declare it to the purpose. Of which their overthrow they were oftentimes warned, as with many strange sights and wonders, so among the rest with 
* Among all other warnings from God to the jews, of their destruction, Earthquakes was in the number.  Earthquakes, that they might be sorry for their sins, & by repentance escape the rod: which because they neglected to do, neither believing that the plagues would come upon them whereof those wonders were foretokens: nor redressing themselves in that wherein they were awry, but returning to the filthiness of their vomit, and of wilful blindness and obstinancy setting Gods threatenings from Heaven at nought: therefore were they overtaken with the bitter day of their sharp visitation.  
What (I pray you) was foretold to Lucius Martius, and Sextus julius Consuls of Rome, by an Earthquake? Even that notable war (without controversy) which took the name to be called civil, than the which war a more dangerous and deadly was never heard of in the land of Italy. The wars of the Carthaginians, were they not foreshowed by Earthquakes, many days ere they came to pass?  
Furthermore 
* Examples of later time, setting forth the fearful effects of Earthquakes.  what great mischief & misfortune an Earthquake happening in the time of the Emperor Lotharius did signify, the French men & Italians to their great pain and peril have learned. Then were kindled between the Emperor Lotharius and his brethren sore dissensions and disagréements, and not long after marvelous great wars ensued thereupon: the Normans overrunning and laying wast all Aquitania, spoiling Abbeys with fire and sword, and making havoc of certain towns in France by murder without mercy.  
In the time of the Emperor Fredrick, the second of that time, what casualties Earthquakes foreshowed to come to pass, as it is terrible to tell, so is it horrible to hear. Not long after, as records do testify, the 
* This continued course of examples, biddeth us by others harms to take heed.  whole country of Friesland was almost drowned with waters, which issued out of certain rivers & main streams near unto the sea. The Tartars invaded Scythia, Georgiana, & Armenia the greater, laying them in manner even with the ground. Poland & Hungary also felt the force of their fierceness to their no small hurt and detriment. Hereunto I may add the utter overthrow of jerusalem by the power of Cardirius the son of the great Saladinus, the fift time attempted and achieved: the temple of the Lord, and his Sepulchre only and alone left unspoiled, at the prayers and supplications of the Christians.  
An Earthquake also happening in the time of the Emperor Fredrick the third of that name, was a foretoken of that lamentable slaughter & most worthy of memory, which chanced at Constantinople: and of the conflict or battle between the Christians and the Turks at the town Taurinus: a hole and a horrible battle. I say nothing all this while what 
* He posteth over many examples untouched for the avoiding of tediousness.  mischiefs & miseries happened in the time of the Emperor Maximilian, even within the compass of our memory: huge heaps of misfortunes were seen and felt in those days: and after that not long, the Church abounding with all kind of abuse and enormity day by day diminished, etc.  
I am the more tedious and fuller of words in this case, without rebuke, that we might fall a reckoning, what this last Earthquake in our quarters should signify: & there is none but may easily guess, even by the observation of that little which we have written, and by the like estate and condition of this our age and time, that 
* Little good followeth after Earthquakes, as by the events of them in times past hath been observed.  little good is to be looked for. The signification thereof I leave to every ones particular judgement, knowing that Christian godliness and perfect religion hath utterly cast away that vain and superstitious observation of the ancient Romans, and other Heathen nations, touching signs and wonders: and referreth all things both wisely and godly to the providence of the Almighty.  
To the which providence submitting myself, I suppose every Christian reader sufficiently resolved & stayed in mind, if with me they ascribe that to God's providence, which the vain idle dotage of our Elders superstitiously observed otherwise: & avouch with lively voice, that there is nothing done either in Heaven above, or in the earth beneath, but either 
* All things come to pass either at the commandment of God, or by his permission and sufferance.  at the commandment of God, or by his sufferance: and that almighty God, according to his unspeakable wisdom, whereby he ordereth all things aright, yea even in such wonders as we see come to pass by the course of Nature, as also above the course of Nature, and against it in like manner: that God I say, every way hath a secret counsel, and doth nothing, either by commandment or sufferance, but to some end: setting before our eyes, by sundry spectacles, more than one or two, his patience & long sufferance, his anger and vengeance: calling and bidding us, whom he hath created to life and salvation, not to death and damnation, unto the banquet of repentance.  
This God therefore which foretold us of Earthquakes hereafter to come in diverse quarters, as signs and tokens of his wrath against us, and according to his foreknowledge sendeth them at times appointed, useth this kind of visitation to this end, 
* The profitable doctrine which we have to gather by Earthquakes happening in former ages.  namely to teach us, that he will not destroy all mankind at once, but that he will judge them by parts and portions, now some and then some, still leaving place to repentance, and time to convert & amend. Now, if neither by earthquakes, nor other plagues, which are the beginnings of sorrows, we will be redressed, no doubt it shall go worse with us in the end. For, if we continue in the custom of sin, which we are grown into by the trade of our life, we shall be sure that such vengeance is like to light upon us, as is due and answerable to such a wicked wont.  
And this is it which the Lord himself spoke of, foretelling what things should chance before the coming of dooms day, saying, 
* Signs of the end of this world uttered by the mouth of our Saviour Christ himself.  Ye shall hear of wars, & rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be, but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in diverse quarters, and there shall be pestilence and famine. These are the beginnings of sorrows. Which one only warning teacheth us, what the Earthquake which we lately had, forsheweth hereafter to come to pass among us, if we manifestly seeing & feeling the wrath of God kindled against us, neglect to be penitent and sorry for our sins.  
Seeing 
* The Translators exhortation touching the contemplation of the particular examples before specified.  that the Author of this treatise, of mere love (as it seemeth) hath uttered his mind, still beating upon this above the rest, even sin, sin, as the crying cause of all calamities which happen unto man: and for that more cannot be said in that matter, than he hath already mentioned, unless by annexing later examples, which have chanced since the time of his death: I account them gracious, that by others harms can learn to take heed.  
And if sin be the cause, as it is in deed, (so doth the holy Ghost report in the sacred Scripture, always after the denouncing of any plague adding the provoking cause) if sin I say be the cause of so many miseries, meet and convenient I judge it be, that we 
* Repentance the means to appease God's wrath conceived against us for our sins.  come home again with the lost child, and cry mercy for our time misspent, Father I have sinned against heaven and against the, etc. That we seek after our salvation in whom it is to be found, namely Christ Jesus, not in the morning only, that is to say, not in our flourishing years: nor yet in the evening alone, that is to say, in our decrepit and stooping age: but every hour and moment, both at midnight, at the cockcrowing, and at the dawning of the day, that having oil in our lamps, we may be ready to enter with the bridegroom as bidden guests to his heavenly banquet.  
To rehearse the examples, which are already touched, and more pathetically or effectually handled, than I can by skill comprise: it were superfluous. A good thing cannot be too much perused, and though all sweet things, be they never so toothsome, by their often use are made loathsome: yet the reading of this with deliberation, and the marking thereof with due advisement, shall increase 
* The double profit that shall redound unto us by the diligent reading and considering of the premises.  desire to begin again when it is once passed over: and a comfort to see the judgement of God poured out upon a few, that many might amend: two special means to cut off the very conceit of satiety and loathing.  
The late casualties that have been seen and felt, both in this city, and in sundry places in this land, villages and towns, both East, West, North, and South, yea beyond the Seas, do threaten unto us some heavy judgement of God, and tell us, that Our sins are written with the point of a Diamond, and with a pen of iron. It is no time now to go a gadding to the weather wise: the season serveth not, the reason suffereth not.  
For now we ought all of us to look about, seeing that 
* The sundry and manifold means which God from age to age hath used to put England in mind of her visitation.  God hath spoken unto us these many years so many ways, by the troubles of his Church, by the slaughter of his Saints, beginning correction at his own house, by monstrous births, by strange shapes, by inundations of waters, by contagions of the air, by fire in the Element, by foreign wars abroad, by tumults at home, and now of late by an Earthquake, at one instant shaking the whole Realm, as may be conjectured by the report of travelers to and from sundry coasts of this land.  
And not only on this side, but 
* By which reason it is probable, that this last earthquake in our time 1580 was general throughout all this land, and like enough universal over the whole world.  beyond the Seas, as I have heard reported, this Earthquake hath happened, with the very quivering thereof doing much harm, and far greater than any that hath chanced among us. Seeing then this Earthquake so universal (for I believe the Lord did shake the foundations of the whole earth, & it was his mercy in that we were not all utterly undone) I may conclude that it was supernatural, & being supernatural the more wonderful. For neither wind nor water could have the force, with a general moving of the whole land, to terrify the people's hearts.  
Let us be resolved, that there remaineth nothing now, but the day of our visitation. The Lord will come in his wrath, to judge and punish us, 
* The neglect of God's mercy, is the hastening of his justice.  whom in mercy he spared, and yet we the worse. For what should we look for now, but a terrible revenger? We have had the Prophets of God, we have had his law, we have had his Son, his Apostles, his Evangelists, and Disciples, we have had his Preachers, we have had the Elements, we have had even dumb creatures preaching unto us repentance: strange sicknesses, sudden deaths, and I cannot tell what chances, whereunto this changeable estate of ours is subject, have forewarned us to amend: we nevertheless, forsaking the waters of the well of life, are contented to wallow in the puddles of our own pollution and filthiness: and being lepers, regard not to be cleansed.  
What remaineth in this case, but that the Lord perform that in his severe judgement, which he hath spoken in his wrath against jerusalem, saying: Who 
* Apply this threatening (O England) to thyself, and be ashamed and sorry for thy sin.  shall have pity upon thee o jerusalem? or who shall be sorry for thee? or who shall go to pray for thy peace? Thou hast forsaken me and gone backwards, therefore will I stretch out mine hand against thee, and destroy thee. For I am weary with repenting. The proof whereof God grant we avoid. The effect of all is this, that others destruction be our instruction.   

¶ How long wonders and strange appearances defer and put off those effects whereof they are significations and tokens.  
Chap. 8.  
BEcause we are taught by many proofs and trials, that 
* The definition or description of an eclipse, either in the Sun or the Moon.  Eclipses, (for so they call the diminishing of light in the Sun and the Moon, happening at set times, seasons, and places appointed by nature, when the Sun by the interposition of the Moon, and the Moon by the interposition of the Sun, are so covered and hidden, that they are suddenly darkened) prolong their effects and operations, sometimes more, sometimes less space: hereupon riseth a question, how long wonders are said and thought to defer their effects and workings?  
Unto which demand this answer may be made: namely, that it is 
* The effects of signs and wonders at the pleasure and appointment of God.  at the will & appointment of almighty GOD, without whose commandment and sufferance, those things come not to pass, be they either by nature, contrary to nature, or above nature. For God, by the same power wherewith he created all things, by the self same power he governeth all things, seeing he is the author and maker of all things, & able by his omnipotency, either to hasten or delay all things according to the pleasure of his will. For (saith the Prophet) he hath made all things, whatsoever he would, in Heaven, and in Earth, and in all deeps.  
But now, that same pleasure of Gods will touching the effects of wonders, and their appearances, are so hidden and unknown to us, that this is all we can do, & nothing he hoveth us so well, even devoutly to cry out with S. Paul, 
* We are taught, having S. Paul for a pattern, to stand rather amazed at the wonders that God worketh, than curiously to search out the reason of their being.  o the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God how unsearchable are his judgements? and his ways past finding out? For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been of his counsel? or who hath given aught to him first, and it shall be given and paid him back again? Because of him, and through him, by him, & in him is all in all, etc.  
Now, because it is manifest, that many wonders have their cause and original even of nature, in such sort & manner, that the very course of nature, doth thoroughly teach, as well the set seasons, as also the appointed places of such wonders: (For it hath pleased GOD to leave unto this course of nature, 
* God vouchethsafe to use the ministery and service of Nature, in sundry things that come to pass.  whose ministery and service he vouchethsafe to use oftentimes in natural things, her conditions & qualities, her operations and workings: and he suffereth nature to bear rule over natural things, and natural things to incline and yield unto nature, himself winking thereat, and looking upon as it were through a lattesse:) Hereupon it is possible, that a man may by certain conjectures and guesses gather, or by certain causes and reasons attain unto the knowledge both of the times and places when and where the effects of such and such things, seem they never so strange and wonderful, shall come to pass.  
To confirm this, I bring for example 
* Some Astronomers fail not in the prognostication or foreteliing of things to come.  Astronomers skilful and cunning in their profession, who many times know before hand, and foreshow likewise the seasons & effects of Eclipses, never failing in their prognostications: and yet there are some that hold opinion, that an Eclipse is a marvelous matter, and such a thing in deed as is monstrous, strange, and contrary to the common course of nature. Howbeit, there is no cause why we should wonder thereat more than needs, as though it were a rare thing and not to be believed: seeing it is a plain case, that the very natural eyesight of man doth behold and comprehend as well the causes as the signs appearing above him, as he doth the firmament of the Heaven, and the Spheres of fire and air.  
The Scripture in deed affirmeth, that * The stars of heaven were appointed 
Stars discern the seasons, the times, the days, and the years, so that upon them dependeth a necessary doctrine.  to be signs for the difference & discerning of seasons, times, days, and years. Which to be true and credible, we find by use and custom. For we see, that by them the husbandman doth give a guess what shall follow: and by the set seasons of the year understandeth what he should do by day, and what by night, learning in like manner at what time it is best ploughing, sowing, and reaping, which benefit he hath chiefly by being cunning in the changeable and wandering course & compass of the Sun and Moon.  
By 
* The Sphere of fire & air have a contiguity or nearness.  the Sphere of fire also, & of the air, by reason of the nearness each to other, it is given unto them of the country to conjecture this and that: whiles (as we know) flames of fire in the air, lightnings and thunders, winds and rain, hail and other tempests have their issue from thence: the foreknowledge of which things is greatly in use among husbandmen, shepherds, and mariners. These signs and appearances as they are natural, and their causes natural, so their effects being natural may be foreknown of certainty. For the knowledge of the one is the knowledge of the other.  
But to come to 
* Wonders supernatural are wonders in deed, and come not of causes natural.  wonders supernatural, of which kind are all such wonders as are to be counted very wonders in deed, the matter peradventure goeth far otherwise: because that as the causes of such wonders are above our reach, even so the effects and operations much more. Again, all wonders, though supernatural, are not like, but diverse: this also overthroweth the knowledge of man. For the more difference, the more doubtfulness. If this be so, who will not confess, that the effects and operations of such wonders are uncertain, both at what time, and in what place they shall come to pass? Concerning which matter, because some effects happen sooner, and some later, no certainty able to be known, there can be no infallible and perfect rule given.  
But to touch some signs & wonders appearing in the Heavens, this is a flat truth, that such were seen the very same year that jerusalem was destroyed, 
* Sometimes the effects of wonders do follow after, & sometimes they happen at the instant: so that their event is doubtful & uncertain: this is proved by examples.  the effects whereof were prolonged a years space. So in Genua, at what time a spring there very strangely bubbled blood, the city itself was assaulted of the Sarracens, taken, and wonderfully afflicted. In Lucania, what time it reigned iron, the very next year following the Soldiers of that country were all slain, with their Captain Crassus, in Parthia, and not one mothers son left alive. So, a little before the time that C. Caesar was murdered, it was found true by proof, that his horses would eat no provender, but pining themselves, there fell tears from their eyes so plentifully, that it was wonderful to behold. So, after the sights and visions which Daniel saw in the heaven, and told the meaning of them, there followed an overthrow of the Persian Empire, and the famous victory of Alexander.  
By all which examples, as also by certain wonders appearing at Vienna in Austria, not many years past, we are taught, that there can no undoubted 
* The doctrine touching the time & place, where wonders work their effects, is doubtful.  doctrine be set down touching the time when, & the place where, the effects of such wonders should come to pass: although the busy heads of the Heathen, no less vainly than superstitiously, have dealt in that matter. Which fashion of theirs we utterly forsaking, refer all things (as we have oftentimes said) unto the providence of almighty God.   

¶ Why more strange wonders appear in these latter days, than have done in other former times.  
Chap. 9  
ALthough the wonders which have been seen in former times, are many, as Chronicles and faithful records verify: yet notwithstanding (as most men hold opinion) 
* More strange signs & wonders never appeared in any age, than now in these our dangerous days: the Lord have mercy upon us.  there never chanced more nor oftener than in these our latter days, as we may manifestly perceive, by examples already rehearsed. Howbeit, we have gathered but a few out of many, and neither the commonest but the chief & principal. In which collection, we have not been so precise & superstitious, as to be afraid to make mention of any, but only such as had in them an evident appearance and show of strange wonders: nor again so rash & unadvised, that what sights so ever happened, and had any likeness of a wonder, by and by to catch it by the end, & put it into our reckoning: for than we might be cast in the teeth, and not undeservedly, that whatsoever we could hit upon, had it never so little strangeness, we took it for a wonder: as Midas thought every thing that he touched to be straight ways turned into gold.  
And hereof it is, that we are certainly assured, many wonders heretofore to have happened, whereof 
* Many wonders have happened in the world which never came to our knowledge.  we are ignorant: and better known unto others than unto us: which although we had been able, upon knowledge to report, yet for tediousness sake it were peerless to repeat them in this place. For they may be so many peradventure, that it would prove an easier piece of work to find where to begin, than where to make an end: & we have had more regard in the rehearsal of examples, to keep a measure, than to seek after plenty and store in this behalf.  
Now there be some, that hearing me speak as I do, put out this question, 
* A question why more signs are showed unto us in these later times, both from heaven & upon earth, than have been seen in the days of our forefathers.  why in these our days, rather than in former times, more wonders have been seen in every place of the world? Is not this thing of itself a wonder? I make answer, that it is wonderful enough, and not without some monstrous meaning. For so many and so great wonders happening in these our days, do certainly foretell, that the end of this world is at hand, and that this age wherein we live weareth away, and seeth as an eye witness, by the wonders and signs which continually appear, that Death draweth nigh, yea standeth watching at the entry door.  
For seeing that 
* This world compared very fitly unto a man, whereby the state thereof is lively represented.  this world, in all respects, is compared unto a man: and man also himself contrariwise likened unto the world, he being called and named Microcosmus, A little world: reason concludeth, that as it fareth with man, so it fareth with the world. Now man, being a little world, is subject to decay, diseases may attach him, misfortunes may fall upon him, one infirmity or other hanging upon him, may consume him, though not his whole body at once, yet the parts thereof, though not suddenly and at an instant, yet by degrees of times: whereby in the end, the disease waxing stronger, and he weaker, that fearcer and he fainter, he may fall sick every where, and at the last give up the ghost.  
Now there are diseases incident to the world, as we think: and what are they, but 
* The effects denounced & threatened by strange signs and wonders, are the sicknesses that shall waste and consume the world.  such effects as are denounced by signs and wonders to happen unto the world? namely, Earthquakes, overflowings of waters, fieres in the element, famines, pestilences, and any other of this sort: which are none otherwise foreshowed, either presently to happen, or hereafter to come to pass, than the sicknesses whereunto men are subject, and foretold them by certain signs and tokens: as namely by their water, and other excrements.  
For Physicians (as we ourselves have also proved) by observation of Stars and Planets, can attain unto the foreknowledge of diseases in the bodies of men, be they either present, or be they to come, and that without superstition: they can also prognosticate and foretell by the inclination of complexions, and dispositions of bodies, by the set seasons, and four quarters of the year, they can (I say) foretell of health and sickness. For seeing the 
* The air altered & semblably affected as the Sun departeth from or draweth near to us. etc.  condition and quality of the air, which compasseth our bodies round about, is very much altered and changed, by the Sun drawing near or going far from us, by the increasing and diminishing of light in the Moon: it cometh to pass, that having rule over our bodies, there may be conjectures made of many things, which shall happen unto us, and which they, by their influences, together with the air, may work in these our bodies.  
Hereupon they give counsel to open the veins, and let blood, when the Moon increaseth, at which times our natural abilities are more strong and lively, and the state of our bodies replenished with more good moisture and juice: they forbidden boxing, lest because it violently draweth and sucketh, the 
* The humours of our bodies abound and are spread through every part & member of our bodies at the beginnings of Months.  humours of the body abounding and spreading throughout all parts at the beginnings of Months, more matter may be voided, than behoveth, etc. And thus (I say) may Physicians foretell something to come, not to any manner of person, but to such as have not their perfect health, but are evil affected, and apt to fall into one or other strange infirmity and sickness.  
Even so, by Ephemerides or calculations many things are foretold concerning the qualities of seasons, & touching the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon: howbeit none otherwise than when such causes work their force in the 
* The air subject to the influences or operations of the Sun Moon and Stars.  air wherewith we are encompassed, and according to the inclination whereof, be it good, be it bad, be it wholesome, be it noisome, will we nill we, we are ruled and ordered. Many prognostications of Physicians both of Arabia, and Graecia, may be reduced and brought for the proof of these causes: and not a few notes out of Aristotle's Problems.  
By the state, conditions or qualities of men's bodies also may tokens of life and death be gathered: all which, or the greater part of them, agree in this point, that 
* Signs in the sick, whereby to know, whether he shall live or die.  look what they see in the sick lying in his bed, that maketh a dead corpse hideous & ghastly, it is a sign of death drawing on. Contrariwise, if they perceive in the diseased such séemelinesses as set forth the state of a sound man, they are conjectures of recovery and health. The like we may read in the particular prognostications of Hypocrates, and in the second book of Cornelius Celsus, entreating of Physic.  
For Hypocrates, to make the Physician cunning in foreknowing and also foretelling of such issues in the sick, counseleth them to mark diligently the face and countenance. For 
* Undoubted tokens either of death, or of extreme sickness, or of life and recovery in the diseased according to the rules of Hypocrates.  if their eyes be hollow, their ears cold and shrunk together, their forehead dry and withered, their colour green, leaden, or black, their courage calm and consumed, their spittle abounding, heir knees and limbs faint and feeble, their heat more fervent & vehement than was wont to be, their sleeps heavy, their dreams troublesome and unquiet, they shall be signs, that the patiented will either be extreme sick, and so escape very narrowly, or else that there is no way with him but one, even death.  
To apply this to our purpose, when we see such wonders in the world, as are strange and fearful, when we see them often in such manner as hath not been in former times, it is an undoubted token that the world is not well, but infected with certain sore sicknesses, and like shortly to die, or else to fall into great danger: so much the rather, because signs and wonders, monstrous appearances, and strange sights, have their generation here-hence, 
* From whence strange sights & monstrous shapes, etc. have their generation and being.  either because particular nature faileth, or through the default of the matter itself which resisteth, or else by reason of the weakness of the agent or worker. Which is thought to be a token that the world is sick after the manner of a man, who is therefore called a little world.  
Hereunto may be also added, that wonders of this sort, specially such as appear from heaven, or (to speak plainer) that are meteors and impressions, do happen, when nature is somewhat disordered, as when the generation of cattle, the fructifying of trees, the conjunctions and movings of stars come to pass, but not altogether at their due and ordinary times: neither do these impressions keep always one and the self same place, nor yet hold one proportion still in respect of the patiented (as I may say) the matter whereof they are made happening to and fro.  
By that therefore which we have already declared it is doubtless, that such signs and wonders as we have last named, do prove unto us, that 
* The more strange sights and appearances, the more strange significations and meanings.  stranger and rarer sights appearing have their significations: namely the sickness of this world, and the nearness thereof to death: and to be tokens so much the rather of these things, by how much more often they happen. As truly we see in these times of ours, which in the Scriptures are therefore called The last days, wherein shall be the end of this world, foretold by signs and wonders to be at hand, by the deadly diseases which they denounce to the world, as means to bring upon it the last consummation & final end.  
For it cannot be denied, that 
* Wonders have been seen, even since the very beginning of the world, in a manner.  such signs have been seen ever since the creation of the world almost, in sundry countries & nations, of diverse people, either to the destruction of some, or to the overthrow of all, even as many as viewed them with their eyes. In time, the whole world, by reason of the parts thereof crazy and ill at ease, began day by day to be sicker and sicker, because of the miserable maladies and pitiful issues which followed after the sight of such strange wonders: so that by little and little it is like to fail & to decay, and the whole body thereof in short space to perish, seeing that there are but a few members or parts thereof, beside the heart, but have both felt and seen the calamities and ruins which have come to pass, after the appearing of certain strange signs and wonders in all places, not only in our forefather's days, but also within the compass of our memory.  
The case standing thus, we must needs grant this, when all the members of the body are smitten with sickness, that 
* For the heart cannot safely consist without the ministery and due service of the inferior members, though itself be the principal.  the heart being the principal part, is like to be in danger, which when it once faileth, the whole body sinketh down, and consequently the universal world: the destruction whereof to be nigh, these so many and horrible wonders chancing in our age, do certainly foreshow. For, the truth itself, by a foreknowledge of things to come, speaketh of these and the like signs, prophesying of the end of this world, and saying, There shall be signs in the Sun and in the Moon, etc.  
For, seeing that this world may well be compared unto 
* The stare of the world comparable to the state of Egypt, for what reasons and considerations.  Egypt, in sundry considerations, and manifold cases, it cometh to pass, that as in old time there were sights and wonders seen, whereby the overthrow of Egypt was threatened should come: so in this last end of the world signs & tokens are strangely seen in the four elements, which give understanding to all the inhabitants of the earth, that the end is at hand. Now, for that we see in these our days, such signs and tokens multiplied, how can we doubt that the end of the world is nigh? Specially, because we see things that have increased, diminish: and things that flourished, vanish: and at length die and come to an end.  
Which 
* The change of this world set down by contemplation of other countries.  alteration of the world, and the diminishing thereof we shall perceive to be come, if we think upon the days of old, and consider with ourselves, how many countries, nations, and Islands, in so few years have perished and come to nought: & how all the elements are grown out of course, quite contrary to their first nature, and being marvelously changed in themselves, keep not their accustomed condition and quality in due time and season, as at the first: & that the earth hath lost much of her wont fruitfulness, how painfully so ever it be ploughed, as we have plentifully declared in our 
* A work so entitled and named, and of this Authors own writing.  Catholics dedicated to the right renowned Charles the fift, and Ferdinand: which to repeat again in this place, were labour superfluous.  
It must therefore be confessed, that these so sundry & strange wonders happening in our days, foretell us, that the end of the world approacheth, and prophesieth against it some lamentable destruction: as certain tokens appearing in the body of man, foreshow the danger either of sickness or death.   

¶ At what day and hour the end of this world shall certainly be, as some hold opinion.  
Chap. 10.  
THat the end of this world is at hand, there is none that can justly deny, because that, beside the reasons specified in the last Chapter, we see nothing, but it foretelleth us that the same is like very shortly to be. For we may behold, according to the prophecies of Christ our Saviour, 
* The alteration & change of this world declared unto us by particular circumstances.  that there is an alteration and change of the state of all things in a manner, that the world waxeth worse and worse, and that with the prevailing of wickedness: it is like to be overturned: that in these days of ours, iniquity & sin is grown to the highest degree, that equity is rare, ungodliness, covetousness, concupiscence and lust common, the good a pray & spoil to the wicked, & every where molested & troubled, that evil men are rich and wealthy, virtuous men in poverty & contempt, all judgement confounded, laws overthrown, and 
* Men must hold fast now a days, many times more than their own, such is the iniquity of these times  that which a man hath, be it little, or be it much, it must be gotten and also kept by main strength, that boldness and violence have possession of all things, that there is no faith, no truth, no conscience, no honesty among men, no peace, no meekness, no shame, no rule in themselves nor rest from mischief: that the whole earth is in an uproar and tumult, that wars do rage in all places, that all nations are in armour, and assault each other, and that Cities nigh adjoining are at strife between themselves. If this be so, that these (as the Lord himself beareth witness) are forewarnings that the world is at an end, what remaineth but that we believe and look when it shallbe?  
Now, because I think there is not a man so shameless, that will gainsay this, it needeth not that I use many words in this matter, considering that we have discoursed at large hereof, in our 
* Works of his own compiling and so named, as is declared before.  Centuries and Catholics. It resteth therefore that we make answer in this place, to the objection of some, which demand the question, not so necessarily as curiously: At what day and hour the end of this world shallbe, whereof the scriptures of God have so profoundly spoken? Although I make answer, that it is not unknown to me, that some there are which have taken in hand to tell by account of years, when the end of this world shallbe: of which sort some have said, that four hundred years, some that five hundred years, some that a thousand years should pass and run out, between the ascension of the Lord, and his last coming to judgement, before the world should be at an end: yet notwithstanding, I 
* They are confuted and put to silence, which by computation of years gather the certain end of the world.  deny that there is any man able to know, or to show, either the hour, or the day of the end of this world: as also I hold opinion, and certainly believe, that there is not a man living, that knoweth the end of his own life, as the scripture testifieth, unless he be instructed and taught from above by some singular revelation.  
And therefore, upon this certain belief I boldly affirm, that the end of this world hath always been, & ever shallbe, altogether uncertain: and that it is not for mortal men (as the Lord saith) to know the times and the seasons, which the Lord hath put in his own will & power: yea, that man cannot comprehend the same by any natural knowledge, as the truth itself proveth, saying: 
* All the knowledge of the end of this world quite cut off in man, by the testimony of Scripture.  Of that day or hour no man knoweth, no not the Angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father: because the day of the Lord (as the Apostle saith) shall come like a thief in the night. For when they shall say peace and quietness, then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the sorrow of a woman in travel, and they shall not escape.  
By which words we are warned, that the last ruin and end of this world shall come so suddenly upon men, that when the state of things seemeth to be amended, and grown from worse to better, famine turned into plenty, war into peace, pestilence into security: then, even then, in the twinkling of an eye, it shall be consumed with fire. Behold a spectacle in Sodom. And this is the reason, as I take it, why the Lord doth exhort us every where to watch, because that as 
* An argument or reason drawn from the lesser to the greater.  no man is certain of the end of his own life, so much more ignorant and doubtful of the end of the whole world. Take heed (saith our Saviour) watch and pray, because ye know not when the time shall be. For you know not when the Lord will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning, lest when he cometh suddenly, he find you sleeping.  
It is God's will, that as well the end of our own life, as also the end of the world, should be hidden from us, that we might evermore be careful thereof, and setting our minds upon it, be ready at his coming. For 
* An allusion made to the example which Christ himself useth in the Gospel.  the suspicion which the Goodman of the house hath of the coming of the thief, is very profitable, though it keep him waking, when peradventure otherwise he would fall asleep. And surely, if it were good for us to know this secret, would the Lord have made such a short answer to his Disciples, when they put out the question to him their Master? For they held not their peace in the presence of him, but put forth their demand, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom of Israel? But he spoke to them again, and said, It belongeth not unto you to know the times, which the Father hath put in his own power. This answer had they, not ask the question of the hour, or of the day, or of the year, but generally of the time.  
Vain therefore are such, seem they never so wise and learned in the eyes of the world, which make their vaunt that they know the end of their own life, & are 
* The shamelessness of some which upon no sure ground will warrant the certainty of things most uncertain.  not ashamed to profess, though seduced by signs of birds flying, by opinions of the weather-wise, by the doctrines of Magicians, and such like sinister means, that they can tell when the world shall be at an end. But is not these men's labour lost, whiles they go about to reckon and cast account, how many years are to come, before the world shall end? Seeing we have heard, even from the mouth of truth itself, that it is not in us, nor for us to know it, and that it passeth our ability, whatsoever we are, to attain to the certainty of a secret, which God the father hath reserved unto himself alone.  
And here I can not sufficiently muse at * C. Lactantius, and diverse 
Lactantius and others of his opinion reproved, for their precise computations.  others not a few, men I confess deeply learned in matters touching the Church, and very well practised in those points, that some of them notwithstanding affirm, that four hundred years, some that five hundred years, and some that a thousand years should be accomplished and fulfilled, from the ascension of our Lord, until his last coming at dooms day. Wherein they are found false, and out of the way, as very children can tell. And therefore I think it not worth pains taking, to declare in this behalf, upon what reasons & proofs each of them build their opinions, both because I have confuted them already in place convenient, and also for that they lean wholly to conjectures of man's wit, not bringing in any thing that is upholden by authority of Canonical scripture.  
He (saith S. Augustine) who spoke these words, 
* A notable speech, whereby all Calculators & Reckoners of years, thereby to come to the knowledge of the worlds end, are controlled.  It is not for you to know the times, which 〈◊〉 Father hath put in his own 〈…〉 all Calculators and 〈…〉 to hold their 〈…〉 meddle no further in this 〈◊〉 A number of triflers therefore, very rash and presumptuous busy bodies, are to be laughed at, or rather to be contemned, a sort of foolish Heretics & Schismatics (I mean) in this our age, which seducing the simple people, dare openly affirm, and teach, both at what time, & in what moment, the end and consummation of this world shall be: notwithstanding the voice of the Gospel, which these men have always in their mouths, doth prove the flat contrary, saying, Of that day, or of that hour no man can tell, neither the Angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father, etc.  
It shall suffice us therefore to know this, that there is nothing more certain, than as time passeth away, so this world shall perish: and that 
* For the Lord as the Scripture testifieth, hath reserved this to his own counsel and secret knowledge.  nothing is more uncertain than the time wherein it shall decay. Which end of the world to be at hand, and even at the doors, not only by the holy Scriptures is manifest, (for as well the preachings of the Prophets, as the sermons of our saviour Christ have said, that it shall be shortly,) but also by the signs and wonders which have gone before it, and appeared to all the world in every place, as most assured warnings of the last day, and proclamations (as it were) from God unto us, as we have already declared by many examples, is most clear and evident.  
Now, after what manner this consummation or end of the world shall be, and what shall become thereof, whereto the glory and pomp of the same shall grow, who so is disposed to 
* Search the Scriptures, and be answered.  search the Scriptures shall easily find. But there are Preachers in the world, whose voices agreeing with the cries of the Prophets, tell us plainly that the end and ruin of allthings will come to pass, and that after a while, painting before our eyes the last age of the world, as it were weary and ready to fall. I think it not necessary also, particularly to repeat those things which have been foretold by the Prophets hereafter to happen, before the end come upon us, considering that I have omitted none of them in the work of our 
* Works and treatises of his own penning and entitled by the name of Centuries.  Centuries, whither I refer the Reader for the fuller declaration hereof, intending, God being my guide, with a few words more, to make an end of this matter.   

¶ What all and every one of us ought to do, seeing the end of this world approach.  
Chap. 11.  
FOrsomuch as it is certain, after the rehearsal of so many testimonies worthy of credit, and warranted by the things themselves which are now done in the world with such confusion and disorder: beside that, very manifest, even by the signs and wonders which have appeared both in heaven and in earth, that The most terrible and fearful day of the Lord is at hand, and the end of this world very nigh, even at the door: we see that there remaineth nothing else but this, if we regard our own safety: namely, 
* The mutual service & duties required of us, and thought most convenient for us to prosecute in these latter days of the world.  to exhort one another by all means that we may, not to abuse the good grace of almighty God, not wilfully to wink, when we see such great store of light, but to have our eyes open, and to behold the strange sights and wonders, which we have seen even within the compass of our memory: knowing for a certainty, that these and such like are as it were proclamations made unto us from almighty God, whereby he calleth us to repentance, and therefore not to be contemned, as nothing pertinent or belonging unto us.  
For it is as true as the Gospel, that God is long suffering, exceeding patiented, and full of forbearance, doing what he can by these signs and wonders to soften the hardness of our heart: and he had rather show us the terrors of his judgements, and the threatenings of his right hand, than lay the same upon us in his vengeance. Let us not flatter ourselves, because we are Christians, therefore God will forgive us though we do not repent. No no: he 
* Herein appeareth how just and unpartial a judge God is, in the execution of his punishments.  spared not the Angels, but when they had transgressed, he thrust them down into hell; and therefore doubtless he will not spare or forbear us in our sins. Again, let us not deceive ourselves, supposing peradventure that such sorrows as are to come, are not so horrible, as we have set them out in this behalf. For God himself hath foretold and said it should be so, who neither doth lie, nor can lie, swearing with an oath, that it should so come to pass: Verily verily I say unto you, heaven and earth shall pass, but my words shall not pass.  
Neither let us, to be brief, cocker ourselves too much, & become careless, because the woes whereof we are forewarned will not come yet, it will be long first ere they take effect. For 
* Examples of God's judgements powered upon unrepen.  so did many use to say of the flood in noah's time, of the fire & brimstone in Loathes time, of the destruction of dust and ashes? Do you not think that they themselves, if they were able to speak, would say thus to us? 
* A supposed or imagined speech.  Alas wretches, what mean you to run up and down from place to place after the vanities of this world? Alas why do you overwhelm yourselves in the seas of sin and wickedness? Look upon our bones, and let your own greediness grieve you, your own misery make you afraid. We were once as you be now: and as we are, so shall you be.  
And therefore, to return thither from whence I have strayed, let us weigh with careful consideration, and in weighing, let us tremble at the fearful end of this world, and having the day of our own death continually before our eyes, let us hasten, as much as we may, to amend our life miss. Let us not neglect the time, because our good God forbeareth us vile offenders, and his anger cometh forth but slowly to take vengeance: for this slowness shallbe recompensed with grievousness of punishment, and his lame leg (if I may so speak) shall never leave, till it have overtaken the swift running sinner. This is doubtless, that how much the longer God looketh for amendment at our hands, and we regard it not, so much the more grievous shall his judgement be against us: which to be so, the Scripture by many examples hath not slenderly proved.  
Now, if we think (which thought be far from us) that 
* The danger of this cogitation is set forth in a parable of the Gospel, by our Saviour himself, to show what a shrewd sin security is.  it will be long ere the end of this world come, and thereupon every one of us set at nought the consideration of our own falls, who are more miserable? Are we not (I beseech you) suddenly smitten with death, and our souls taken out of our bodies, we looking for nothing less, whiles we very willingly and in the pleasure of our minds, are well content to tarry in this forsaken world, and determine with ourselves of matters of long continuance? But who are happy? Even they that always have before their eyes, either their own death, or the end of this world, and that make haste to be found in a readiness when that hour cometh.  
Let us therefore be mindful one with another, that we walk in the mids of the snares of the Devil, and in consideration thereof let us always 
* The furniture which S. Paul setteth down by parcels in the 6. chapter to the Ephesians, is necessary for every Christian in this case.  be provided, that whensoever the Lord layeth his commandment upon us, being set free from all blots and blemishes of sin, we may enter into his rest. Let us not persuade ourselves, that the time is long which we have to wear out in this world. For it may be, that God will call us upon such a sudden, that we shall not have an hours respite given us to repent. Alas, let us remember the words of our Saviour, saying, Verily verily I say unto you, the hour is come, when all that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they which have done well, shall come forth into the resurrection of life: but they which have done ill, into the resurrection of judgement.  
Now therefore let us take our choice, & determine with ourselves what to do in this life, that according to our deserts, we may either rejoice with the godly, or be tormented with the wicked worlds without end. 
* Whole some admonitions, if we have the grace to follow them: which the Lord God grant unto us.  If rewards will not win us to become better, let punishments make us afraid to wax worse: and if it be not in our power to despise this present world, and to cease from the custom of sinning: yet let us at the least do what we can to redress ourselves by righteousness. If we have wandered like wantoness in our youth, let us now repent and be reform in our age: and the evil deeds which we have done in sinning, let us renounce and forsake by amending. For behold how the world, not by little and little, but (as I said) altogether beginneth to come to ruin and decay: yea, it hath failed already many ways, and at this present it draweth nearer and nearer to his last destruction: as we have been taught by many tokens, all which with one consent agree upon that matter: & every thing that we see vanisheth like a cloud, & passeth away like the evening shadow.  
Behold the events of things which were foretold us long ago by the very truth itself, are now in these days of ours more than apparently perceived. 
* Manifest proofs of the latter day to be at hand, & nearer than we think. The Lord God amend us, that we be not overwhelmed in our wickedness and sin upon the sudden.  All goodness (as we plainly see) is taken away and banished, all mischief and evil, day by day, doth more and more abound, in such sort & manner, that there is not a man able to open his mouth, and so bold as once to gainsay, that the last times are come upon us, considering that the works & fruits of these dangerous days are so rise among us, & in continual use & practise. For in the latter days (saith the Apostle) shall be perilous seasons, and men shall love themselves, they shall be covetous, high minded, proud, blasphemers, stubborn against their parents, unthankful, mischievous, void of love, without peace, fault-finders, accusers, dishonest, unkind, cruel, traitors, froward, ambitious, lovers of pleasures more than of God, having a show in deed of godliness, but yet utterly denying the force and power thereof in their life.  
Is 
* Very children in comparison can say no less, the iniquity of these our days are so spread through out all places.  not every place of the earth (I pray you) full of such men? Do not all corners of the world swarm with them, in such manner, that the words of the Lord are more verified in us of this latter age, than of any people of old: saying, All have gone back and started aside, all are become unprofitable, there is not one that doth good, no not one? For now doubtless is that hour come, according to the testimony of eternal truth, wherein Iniquity doth abound, and the charity of a great many is waxed cold. For which cause, the Lord threateneth against us his kindled wrath and indignation, and foretelleth us by horrible signs, strange wonders, marvelous visions, monstrous shapes, and such like fearful appearances, as it were by proclamations made from heaven, that he is coming to judgement, and admonisheth us earnestly to repent and amend, still shaking his right hand of revengement over us, but sparing to smite: telling us nevertheless, that except we repent, we shall all perish.  
And God grant 
* The Author's conclusion of this necessary treatise, written for the benefit of us in this age: God give us grace well to use it.  that having so many warnings, both in heaven and in earth, by the voices and outcries of such strange wonders, we would at length shake off sloth, and awake: not setting at nought the sounds of these trumpets, these true proclamations from heaven, & heavy threatenings of God, whereby we are called & compelled to repent. God grant we may so do, to whom be all laud, praise, dominion, power and majesty now and evermore.  
Amen.   

¶ A contemplation of wonderful accidents, and principally of earhquakes, as well particular as general, which have happened in the realms of England, Ireland, and Scotland, from the time of William Conqueror, to the reign of our sovereign Lady and gracious Queen Elizabeth, etc. Also a commemoration of our late general Earthquake the 6. of April, about 6. of the clock in the Evening. 1580.  
Chap. 12.  
Having waded thus far in the due description of Earthquakes, their generation, their instant and consequent operations, and yet not sufficiently persuaded, that this my present and unpolished treatise will answer the expectation of the Reader, if I leave it lame and halting upon one leg: 
* The determination and purpose of the Translator, in this 12. Chapter, being the conclusion.  I have determined in this twelve Chapter, which shallbe the conclusion, to leave foreign countries and their wonders: and coming nearer home, to offer unto the view of the inhabitants of this land, the horrible Earthquakes that have happened as well in particular places of this Realm, as generally through the whale region: that we may see how the Lord, from age to age, hath given testimonies to the world of his omnipotency.  
And because admonitions, which consist but in words, uttered either by voice, or expressed by pen, prevail not so much (as were to be wished) in this wicked world, as do 
* Examples represent unto us the good or bad estate of our forefathers.  examples, which are lively representations of the heavy chances, whereunto our predecessors have been subject: neither yet the threatenings of God in his wrath, by the mouths of his Prophets, terrify the hearts of evil livers, as do the dreadful signs and wonders which he vouchethsafe to give, as tokens of his hot indignation: hereupon (as sorry that we which have so long lived under grace, should become graceless, and utterly void of that spirit which should conduct every Christian) I have undertaken to recapitulate or rehearse unto you, according to my promise & purpose, the times when, and the places where Earthquakes have happened, as I find them truly recorded in Chronicles, which I have searched diligently: to report justly to the people of this land, that 
* This is not the first time that God hath spoken unto us by Earthquakes.  God hath spoken unto us many years past, even by such means as of late he used, wherein his long sufferance appeareth, upon the which I counsel no man over boldly to presume, by security in sinning, lest judgement and confusion fall upon him suddenly. And first we will begin at London the Metropolis of this land, & by degrees of years proceed to declare what Earthquakes have chanced in other cities and shires of this our native country.  
It is recorded in the Scottish Chronicles, that in the reign of king Eugenius, it reigned blood at York, that in sundry places trees were blasted, and thereby withered and died: but (O wonder!) that the market place, or rather 
* Many houses swallowed up and sunk in Cheapside by a gaping of the earth.  Cheapside in London did open and gape, so that a great hole appearing in the earth, many houses were swallowed up and sunk: neither is it to be thought that no harm, in such an exceeding danger, happened to the inhabitants. Think we, the same God, who wrought that wonderful work in this City, was not able with the late Earthquake to have done the like here in London? Yes, yes, his almightiness is perpetual, his will remaineth unchangeable, & his arm is not shortened.  
Again, in the time of king William the Conqueror, in the year after the birth of Christ 1077. there happened in March a 
* A general Earthquake over the whole realm of England.  general Earthquake throughout all England: and in April next & immediately following, a terrible blazing star appeared to the horror of the beholders. Although this Earthquake now named, shook the foundations of all this land: yet, in so much as there is no mention made that it chanced in other countries, thereby we may gather, that being inferior unto this our late Earthquake in universality, (for so far as I can understand, both by travelers beyond the Seas, and by strangers borne, it is supposed that it was general, and that the whole frame of the world trembled therewithal, far greater harms happening there, than here, the Lord be thanked) it could not import or foreshow such a plague as this threateneth against us, nor include in it so secret a meaning. The Lord in mercy deal with his people, for in judgement none shallbe able to abide his presence.  
Again, in the time of the said king William the Conqueror, in the veare after the birth of Christ 1084. there chanced an Earthquake, which although it was but 
* A particular Earthquake and yet supernatural: the reason may be read in the rehearsal of the history.  particular, yet may it seem to be supernatural. For, at such time as king William, among all other cruelties executed upon English men, pulled down whole towns, villages, churches, and other buildings, thirty mile's compass, to make thereof a forest, which at this day is called by the name of New forest, it pleased God, beside the lamentable outcries of afflicted people ringing about the Tyrant's ears, to give a token by the earth, which at that instant shook and roared, of his indignation against that unnatural destroyer for his accursed dealing.  
As for him, who by his power might presume somewhat further than a private man, I think he was not so merciless a spoiler, but that in this our age there may be found, millians I fear (I would to God I did lie) which excel him by many degrees. For the world is grown unto this abomination, in these days, that 
* The craftiest man accounted the wisest, as the world goeth now a days.  the craftiest man is counted the wisest, and he that hath most circumventions in him to overshoot his brother, is had in estimation. As for simplicity and plain dealing, it is so little thought upon, as if it had never been in the world. No marvel then, though God by universal signs sent throughout all corners of the earth, foreshow the sharpness of his sword, wherewith he meaneth to come girded, & wound us in his wrath, our iniquities are so outrageous, so manifold, and detestable.  
Again, in the reign of King Henry the first of that name, in januarie, in the year of our Lord 1165. there happened a marvelous Earthquake, in the Isle of Elie, in Norfolk, in Suffolk, and other places, the vehemency whereof was such, that with the trembling of the same, men had not the power to stand upon their feet: buildings also were sore shaken, and steeples so rocked, that the bells knolled therewithal.  
And in the reign of King Henry the second of that name, at Oxenhale within the Lordship of Derlington, in the year of our Lord 1179. the 
* These examples may be looking glasses for us, if we had any grace.  earth did lift up itself on high like a mighty tower, and continuing so from nine of the clock in the morning till the evening, it fell down at length, with a horrible noise: & swallowed up with the sudden and violent sinking of the same, left a deep pit in place thereof, as a witness to the posterity of that strange wonder. These documents or lessons as they are not usual, so ought they not negligently to be thought upon: and therefore, woe to the wicked, that are grown so senseless and void of feeling, that no judgement of God can soften their stony hearts.  
To proceed in our examples, for we mean to tell you of later Earth quakes, some in the days of our grandfathers, our fathers, and our own. On Monday the week before Easter 1185. in the reign of the said King Henry the second, there happened 
* The second general Earth quake that I read to have happened in England.  a general Earthquake throughout all England, yea such a one, as the like had not been heard of in this realm, since the beginning of the world. This Earthquake was so violent, that stones which were couched fast in the earth, and driven in with rammars, were removed out of their places, buildings of lime and stone overturned, houses of timber shaken in shivers: and among the rest, the great Church of Lincoln was rend from the top to the bottom. After this Earthquake there followed a universal Eclipse of the Sun, and such terrible thunder, lightening and tempests, that both men and beasts were destroyed, houses burned up, and much harm done very lamentable to report.  
Our 
* A brief note given of our Earthquake, 1580. by way of digression.  Earthquake chanced on Wednesday in Easter week, about the same time of the year, whereby though the like dangers fortuned not as by the other: yet being more general, (for the frame of the whole earth, as it is thought, trembled therewith) I may not so boldly as truly affirm, that the like was never heard of since the creation. The events of which Earthquake we leave to the secret counsel of God, to bring to pass by his providence, beseeching him to power into our hearts, the spirit of true repentance, that by converting & turning from our wicked ways, we may escape the plagues which otherwise we are like to feel.  
Moreover, in Scotland, at what time king William surnamed Lion, wore the crown, from the Twelftide till February, in the year of our Lord 1199. there chanced continual and terrible Earthquakes incessantly day by day: & not only there, but elsewhere, to the great ruin of many buildings, besides diverse other inconveniences, which may be presupposed to follow such tremblings. But to come nearer home, in the reign of King Henry the third, in the year of our Lord 1222. there was 
* A view of wonders in Warwikshire & elsewhere.  an Earthquake in Warwickshire, a general thunder throughout the whole realm, a blazing star, and great dearth of corn, all which plagues concurring and running together, into what perplexities the minds of people were driven, I leave to the contemplation of the well advised reader. Again, in the reign of the said King Henry the third, there happened in diverse places of England, and namely about London, in the year of our Lord 1247. a terrible Earthquake, wherewith (as in such chances is commonly seen) houses went to wrack, etc. A little before this Earthquake, the sea, by the space of three months together, ceased from ebbing & flowing: and shortly after this Earthquake in like manner, such unseasonable weather ensued, that the quarters of the year did vary from their natural & ordinary course, the spring-time unpleasant & changed into Winter.  
Furthermore, to knit one to another, and so to make an end of these tragical reports, in the West country, about 
* An Earthquake at Bath and Welles in the West country.  Bath and Welles, there was such an Earthquake, that some buildings were turned topsy-turvy, and some sore shaken, the tops specially & upper parts of steeples, turrets, chimneys, etc. came tottering down: this Earthquake was in the reign of the said King Henry the third, in the year of our Lord 1248. Again, in the reign of the self same King Henry the third, in the year of our Lord 1250. there happened 
* An Earthquake at S. Albon, & the quarters there abouts: also, terrible thunder & lightnings upon Christmas day, etc.  an Earthquake at S. Albon, & the quarters there abouts, with a great noise & rumbling under the ground as though it had thundered. In which very year (a note worthy the marking) even upon Christmas day, it thundered and lightened out of measure in Norfolk and Suffolk.  
Here you see, in the reign of one King four earhquakes, particular & general, whereunto if I should add the innumerable wonders that appeared otherwise, the miseries that followed after, and the outrageous troubles which were in his days, I should meddle with a long & a wearisome labour, and lament to behold the calamities which have fallen upon this land. Moreover, I find that in Ireland, in the year of our Lord 1266. there chanced an Earthquake which did not a little hurt to that country: & more harm in process of time did ensue thereupon, than was done at the instant. For, besides the present perils, within a while after, the very effects of Earthquakes, and the plagues whereof they are foretokens, fell upon the people, namely, dearth and mortality.  
To come a step or two forward, in the reign of King Edward the first of that name, in the year of our Lord 1274. 
* An Earthquake with other strange and fearful sights, to the astonishment of people: * also, a third general Earthquake over all England.  there chanced such an Earthquake in divers places of England, such terrible lightning and thunder, the vision of a burning Drake, and a blazing Star, that the people being at their wits end, thought dooms day to have been come upon them: and the year next and immediately ensuing, being 1275. there happened * a general Earthquake throughout all this realm, wherewith, among other hurts that were done, the Church of S. Michael on the hill without Glastenburie was thrown down to the ground: not long after which chance, it reigned blood in the country of Wales, a bloody token of bloody battles, which shortly after followed.  
Again, in the reign of King Richard the second, in the year of our Lord 1382. it is recorded, that in one week two Earthquakes happened in sundry places of this realm, and namely in Kent: the first being so vehement, that it overthrew Churches & other buildings of timber and stone: the second so violent both 
* An Earthquake & Waterquake, both at one instant.  upon land and water, that even ships in havens by knocking one against another, were so bruised, that the repairing of them cost much money. Thus far we have run through the reigns of the Kings of this land, and we see still by contemplation, that God hath never withheld his hand from working wonders in the world. Now let us mark what Earthquakes have been heard, felt and seen of late memory, even since the fortunate advancement of our most gracious sovereign Lady ELIZABETH, by the grace and providence of almighty God, of England, France and Ireland Queen, etc. Gathering by them such necessary doctrines, as may redound to the benefit of us all.  
In the 
* The great plague wherewith this city of London was lamentably visited.  time therefore of the great plague, when God with the broom of his justice swept many a house in this city clean, not leaving so much as an innocent child alive, such was his wrath against us for sin, when the pestilence was so common and contagious, that in one years space there died twenty thousand, three hundred, three score and twelve persons, even then, beside other crosses, which it pleased God to lay upon us, as dearth of victuals, and poverty, than I say, 
* A particular earthquake in the reign of our gracious Queen Elizabeth.  an Earthquake happened in diverse places of this realm, specially in the shires of Lincoln, and Northampton, where (as in such chances we see come to pass) much harm could not choose but be done. Shortly after, in comparison, from the first of December, till the twelfth of the same month, it thundered and lightened continually: but on the last day at night so terribly, as no man living yet no place can comprehend it: that our posterity, if it please God to prolong their pilgrimage in this life, may tell their offspring what wonders GOD hath wrought in these times, and that he is able, when it is his blessed will, to do greater things among the people and nations of the earth, I will register this wonder.  
To 
* A leap from London to other places of this realm, where the Earthquake was forcible.  leave London therefore as peerless to be named, the falling of chimneys, the cracking of houses, the shaking of windows, the trembling of tables, the quivering of channels, the marveling of men, the wondering of women, the astonishment of both, the talking of God's judgements, the fearing of his vengeance, the suspecting of great danger, the prophesying of dooms day, the confessing of sin, the blaming of all estates, the complaining against pride, the exclaiming against envy, the crying out against the abuse of the Sabbaoth day, the finding fault with a thousand enormities, (for the people's mouths were full of common places at that instant, but alas that sudden zeal being vehement, could not be permanent, devotion died when danger ceased, and 
* We wonder no longer at God's worke● than whiles we see them present.  all was counted but a nine days wonder) the inveighing against diverse disorders in these days, the wishing of all well, some saying Lord have mercy upon us, some Jesus save us, some praying in the Church, some playing in the fields, some merry at home, some sporting abroad, some busy about their affairs, some looking over their accounts, some leaping, some dancing, some tumbling, some vaulting, some piping, some singing, some bowling, some dicing, some carding, some shooting, some wooing, some surfeiting, some sleeping, some eating, some drinking, some jesting, some gibing, some scoffing, some taunting, some brawling, some fight, etc. that I 
* Our unreadiness if God had come to judgement, at that instant, when he afraid us with an Earthquake.  think if the general day of judgement had come upon us, as this was but a forewarning of it, we had all been found no less unprovided, than were they in noah's flood, we had all stood in the state of condemnation: and therefore exalt and magnify God's mercy, which is above all his works, and endureth from generation to generation.  
To be certain of this Earthquake, how far it was effectual, to what Countries it stretched, what people it amazed, I have had conference with diverse, some saying that it was general, some that it was extraordinary, some that it was in Cales, Antwerp, and Brabant, some that it was in sundry places of Flanders, some that it was in Norfolk, and Suffolk, some that it was at the 
* The Isle of Elie shaken, notwithstanding the round compass of waters about it.  Isle of Elie, a soil as it were cut off from all the Country, by reason of waters lying round about it, and yet coming thither it shook all the towns, and made a stone or two of great bigness, to fall from the Minster: some that it was general, some that it was supernatural, some that the like was never seen, (and I am of that opinion) some saying this, and some that, according as they were moved upon the sudden chance. Among a number that have complained what hurts their houses have sustained, some that XX. pounds, XXX. pounds, nay an C. pounds will not repair the ruins of the same, I cannot hear of one that lamenting the decay of conscience, equity, righteousness, honesty, charitableness, etc. doth one good deed toward their restitution. A strange oversight, or rather a senseless security among men.  
Here I could largely discourse upon the particular enormities of this our wicked age, as 
* Some crying sins of England named, by them to judge the abomination of the residue.  pride, ambition, covetousness, extortion, usury, dissension, oppression, injury, blasphemy, slander, fornication, bribery, subtlety, evil talking, and worse walking of all degrees in their calling: but because this point is already touched in place convenient, and diverse diversly have discoursed upon this our late & sudden Earthquake, whose names are rehearsed in the beginning of this book, one among all sufficient to report the truth of so terrible a trembling, but all jointly, though many, yet too too few, by pen and ink to set out so marvelous a matter to the world, that the hearing of God's wonderful works might breed a fear of his heavy judgements, I conclude with this prayer following.   

¶ A prayer for repentance, being the only thing that must mitigate the wrath and indignation of God, which how hot and heavy it is, the signs and wonders above mentioned are forewarnings.  
Chap. 13.  
O 
* This prayer is necessary for every private householder, ●o use with his family.  Almighty God, thou just judge and severe punisher of sin, which hast not spared thine own people, being the lot of thine inheritance, but hast for their transgressions executed thy sharp and bitter judgements upon them, sometimes by sword, sometimes by 'samine, sometimes by pestilence, sometimes by captivity, according as it pleased thee, under whose rod of correction they often lay groaning, we the sinful people of this realm of England, perceiving by most apparent tokens, that thou art highly displeased with us, and by the remembrance of thy manifold visitations in times past called to an acknowledgement and confession of our sins, our vile sins, our abominable sins, our damnable sins, beseech thee with all submission to have mercy upon us, and not to proceed in judgement against us: for alas we are then utterly undone.  
We are not able to answer in our own behalf 
* We cannot excuse the least sin that we have committed.  for the least offence which we have committed, there is no pleading before thy Majesty for our excuse, thou wilt admit no shift, thou wilt allow no proof, whereby to maintain our own cause: for thou art righteous in thy judgements, uncorrupt in thy proceedings and unvariable in pronouncing sentence. Lo (most merciful Father) we wretches 
* For the reward of sin, as S. Paul saith, is death, and except that God's mercy set in foot, eternal damnation.  subject unto death & damnation through sin, fall prostrate before thy face, and being penitent and heavy for our misdeeds, most humbly beseech thee to be favourable unto us, and upon trial of our amendment by the assistance of thy spirit, to withdraw the whip of thy wrath, wherewith thou forewarnest us we are like to be scourged. We have kicked up the heel against thee, like unbroken Colts, the Ox hath known his masters stall, and the Ass his owner's crib, we have not regarded thy way, but far inferior unto them in due performance of service, have neglected all care of obedience to thy Majesty.  
Our 
* Here would be reckoned up all such sins, as our own consciences cast before us. with a set purpose to amend.  unthankfulness (O Lord we confess) is wonderful, our contempt unmeasurable, and our security monstrous: nevertheless, thou that hast power to renew our secret cogitations and thoughts, to make that straight which is crooked, the hard soft, the rough smooth, the sour sweet, the sick sound, the dead alive, vouchsafe to turn this ingratitude, and unthankfulness of ours, into the contrary virtue: our contempt into obedience, our security into carefulness, that seeing the signs of thy wrath and indignation kindled to consume us, we may be sorry for our sins and be saved.  
It is not 
* The names of the idolatrous Gods, whom the superstitious Gentiles worshipped.  Adrammelech nor Anammelech, whom we have offended: it is not Ashima nor Ashtaroth, whom we have dishonoured: it is not Baalim nor Chemosh, whom we have provoked: it is not Dagon nor Milcom, whom we have despised: it is not Molech nor Nergal, whom we have forsaken: it is not Niohaz nor Nisroch, whom we have contemned: it is not Succot-benoth nor Tartak, whom we have renounced: finally, it is not any abomination of the idolatrous Gentiles, whom we have displeased: we abhor and utterly detest all such fornication and uncleanness of the Heathen. But it is thou (O almighty GOD, whose seat is the Heaven, and whose footstool the earth) against whom we have transgressed: thy laws we have violated, and not lived within the compass of thy commandments.  
Our 
* This confession must be made with a zeal and fernencie of spirit.  bodies we have defiled with the filthiness of concupiscence, & every member and part of it hath been accessary to the committing of many an outrageous sin: our very souls also (O Lord) we confess, are defaced, and have lost their glory through the stains of our infinite transgressions: so that both within and without we are polluted, poisoned, and like to perish, except the Mithridatum of thy mercy, which is a present & sovereign salve against all sores, preserve us from this peril.  
Thou (O most merciful Father) as tendering the estate of us thy children, hast vouchsafe by sundry signs and wonders, as foretokens of thy plagues prepared for our punishment, to call us to repentance. Our 
* The mercy of God hath showed itself by sundry signs to all ages.  forefathers have not wanted these warnings, and we are not without them, so marvelous is thy mercy. From Heaven thou vouchsafedst to visit us, and hast commanded the earth to call upon us: visions of fire have declared thy judgements, blazing Stars thine indignation, mortal plagues thy vengeance. Our progenitors have lain groaning under the yearks of thy sharp rod, that we their posterity, by their chastisement might be drawn to amendment.  
O the unmeasurable mercy of thee our almighty God O thy long sufferance! O thy fatherly kindness! O thy unspeakable pity & patience! Thou 
* It is the mercy of God & his long sufferance, that we have not been destroyed in our sins.  hast forborn us even in our wilful offences, and hast spared us when we deserved justly to be smitten. Thou hast powered plenty upon us, and prolonged our peace, and yet (ungracious children) we will not obey thy voice. O Lord, bear with our imbecility (we beseech thee,) for thou knowest we are but dust and ashes, frail and feeble, unconstant and variable, corrupt and mortal. It is not in us to direct our own ways, but the working of thy spirit in us: and therefore we acknowledge our own vileness, and falling flat before the throne of thy presence submit ourselves, both bodies & souls, to thy good pleasure and will.  
O Lord look upon our humility, behold our submission, regard our heaviness, despise not our contrition, hearken to our prayers, and ponder our supplications, which we power forth before the throne of thine incomprehensible Majesty. And though 
* Our offences and misdeeds are more than the hairs of our heads.  we have been startbackes, though we have been stubborn, though we have been rebellious, though we have been merciless, though we have been covetous, though we have been murderers, though we have been deceivers, though we have been hypocrites, though we have been contemners, though we have been liars, though we have been blasphemers, though we have been riotters, though we have been wantoness, though we have been drunkards, though we have been irreligious: finally, though we have been never so bad (as we cannot brag of one sparkle of good in this lump of frail flesh) yet we beseech thee to cast an eye upon our accursed case, and vouchsafe to raise in us the virtue of repentance, of true and unfeigned repentance, of sincere and hearty repentance, of Christian and perfect repentance: that we may sob & sigh at the sight of our sins, which are so many & so grievous, that the remembrance of them striketh us down into desperation, unless thy mercy shine from Heaven upon us sinners sore distressed, and minister due consolation.  
O Lord 
* God must be hearty prayed unto, for in him it resteth only to reform all disorders in us: who of ourselves are able to do nothing that is good.  God most mighty, most gracious, most bountiful, most righteous, the giver of all good gifts, the wellspring of all felicity, the treasure of everlasting blessedness, create in us a new heart, and plant in us a right spirit, reform that which is amiss in us, and make us that are carnal spiritual: lighten our minds with the lamp of thy grace, that we may through repentance, which we most humbly beseech thee to establish in our hearts, for sake our former conversation, and begin to lead a new life, both we & our families, wives, children, and servants, endeavouring by the good government of thy spirit, to bridle the wildness of our wandering desires, that they exceed not the limits of thy law: to amend our manners, to put off our old disguised garment of uncleanness, and to cloth ourselves with a suit of new raiment, namely, of regeneration: whereby 
* The means and ways to be reconciled unto God, out of whose favour and love we are fallen.  being renewed, we may honour thee our Lord GOD almighty, Christ thy Son equal with thee in deity, and the holy Ghost the third person in Trinity: obey our governors, reverence thy preachers, love our neighbours, secure the comfortless, help the widows, maintain the orphans, offer no wrong, but deal justly in all our affairs: that by our conversation thus reform, we may be reconciled unto thee (O our good God) again, and escape the plagues which thou hast denounced against us, by strange signs and wonders.  
We are frail, fleshly, corrupt, sinful, and without the assistance of thy spirit unable to bring forth the fruits of the Gospel. In consideration whereof, we exave at thy hands (O heavenly father) the gift of thy grace, which may sanctify our souls, and purify our bodies, that both our souls and bodies may be made acceptable and sweet smelling sacrisices, to offer unto thy divine Majesty. Put away from us, by the 
* For the word of God, beside temporal blessings which it bringeth to them that follow it in life & conversation, is the savour of life unto life, etc.  fruitful preaching of thy word, all kind of enormities unseemly for our vocation: and (as nothing is unpossible unto thee) vouchsafe that this our age upon whom the ends of the world are warranted by undoubted forewarnings to be come, may see those happy days, which have been prophesied by the mouths of thy messengers: that the Wolf should dwell with the Lamb, and the leopard lie with the Kid: the Lion and the Calf keep together, the Cow and the Bear be at agreement: the sucking Infant play upon the hole of the Asp, and the waned Child put his hand into the Cockatrice nest: that thy spirit reforming us, and knitting our hearts with the knot of mutual charity, we may live in love without dissembling, & favour each other without grudging, casting off all cruel affections, which transform men into monsters, in whom thou (O God) hast vouchsafed to express the image of thy Majesty.  
The end of all is this, which we beseech thee (O merciful father) to establish in us: namely, 
* For in these two points consisteth the sum of the law, and so by sequel the fruition and enjoying of everlasting life.  the fearing of thy name, and the keeping of thy commandments: for hereupon dependeth the whole duty of man: knowing that thou (O Lord) wilt bring every work unto judgement, and every secret thing, even our very thought, whether it be good or evil, to account.  
These blessings we beseech thee (O gracious God) grant us, with the increase of thy love and favour, for his sake in whom thou art well pleased, Jesus Christ the just, to whom with thee (O Father) and the holy Ghost, three persons, and one immortal, invisible, incomprehensible, & only wise God, be all laud, praise, honour, power, majesty, and dominion, world without end. Amen.  
Give GOD the glory.  
FINIS.   

1580.  
OS HOMINI SVBLIME DEDIT  
¶ Imprinted at London by Henry Denham, dwelling in Pater noster row at the sign of the Star.