The epistle of one friend to another, of a strange fire that was seen in the air both long and broad almost through all Germany, and what as well the godly as the ungodly may or ought thereof to look for or fear.  
MY due salutations remembered right worshipful brother, this shallbe to let you under stand that in the beginning of the year of our lord. M. D. LXI. wherein we are now, the third after the feast of the birth of Christ, that is on childermas day: there appeared over our city and all the borders of Swicerlande, two hours afore day the air being clear a very red fire, in manner whole together, but that white furrows or strikes came between, and it stretched out long and broad almost a furlong broad, although in another place it seemed narrower, but in length three or four times so much. So that unto all the beholders in manner a whole mile long towards the North it seemed that some village or many, or else some town had been on a great fire. And in many places the neighbours ran together as it were to quench the fire of some of their neighbours: and there were which thought that they saw in this fire of bloody colour many white furrows or strikes, very like unto bundles of spears. But it continued not long in one place, but removed many furlongs further, and when it was day or rather towards ●●ye, by little and little it vanished out of sight being first gathered together at San galley in manner of a great tower. By this ye may easily conjecture that this fire was on the higher part of the air, because it was seen so far of, and almost followed the moving of the air, & yet not on the highest air that there like unto the comets or blazing stars might be kindled by the element of fire. And this was also faithfully showed us, that it was so seen at Zurich, Glarova, Sangale, Constance and every where round about the lake of Aezon, and Venice, and so likewise at basil, and in the most part of the places of Swicerland, and the Recians or Grisons. But whether it were seen any further we shall know shortly. And in certain places between Suricke and the little town Elgia they say that flames of fire fell down to the ground and amazed therewith a certain man that travailed by the way.  
And a certain credible man of the territory of Surike told me all the matter, which he did diligently mark.  
first, when the night was clear, and yet ear it was day it became darker, even in the setting of the moon it seemed unto him as it were a certain light to rise from the earth as if divers beams and of sundry colours (as when the Sun by the drops of rain maketh divers colours) should so by and by arise from the ground as it werdrawen up toward heaven, and there gathered a redness as though a certain cloud had warred red, & stood so a little while, and anon after a certain cloud went through the midst thereof, and then was seen a shuting out of fire as it had been stars out of a burning cloud.  
The signification of this wonderful matter, right learned sir, which I have studied upon to exercise myself withal, & to stir up my mind to the author of it, I writ unto you therefore that I may hear your judgement upon the same which I much esteem.  

The signification of the wonder.  

1 For as much as such prodigious wonders chance seldom in this our time, and old men far stricken in age can not remember to have seen any such, therefore it is to be feared & looked for some unaccustomed hap to follow.  
2 The breedeth and bigness of it was notable, through which it was seen every where long and broad, and as it were every where near hand, where of we divine and pronunce a great evil to follow, and that not to one region alone, and therein all men to be perplexed and doubtful, to what place they may chiefly go, and where they may resist the raging fire.  
3 The colour of the fire itself like to blood what betokeneth it but war: In which the land shall abound in the blood of the slain and all things wasted with fire?  
4 And this calamity is thiefelye threatened to those people to whom so ever this wonder was scene nearest.  
5 And because it appeared before day light and of a sudden & unlooked for and in manner to all persons as yet sleeping, therefore it betokeneth the calamities approaching to be looked for to come upon many not thinking nor preparing themselves, or repenting, and over careless in themselves and not only such particular calamities to come, but shortly an uphoped judgement of the whole world.  
6 And that within a short time after this: because this burning of the air was scene every where as it had been present & near as I have said.  
7 And because it endured but a short time, therefore it maketh us hope that the persecution shall not continue long.  
8 And because by and by after it being vanished away the Sun arose, we hope the clear light of the word of god to be the end of all persecution.  
9 And that redness was not all whole together, but divided as it were with certain clear and bright spaces or furrows by the which also stars appeared, that signifieth, that in the midst of those calamities and persecutions God will comfort his elect, and in that fire shall issue out the heavenly brightness of the gospel.  
10 And now seeing this wonder was seen in the beginning of the year, therefore shall we doubt whether this calamity shall endure a whole year? For now also great motions do begin to come forth, and they will come further except god turn away great evils, or rather dare we hope because it appeared by & by after the birth of christ that is the third day after, within so many years hence, that our lord jesus Christ's doctrine willbe set furth far and broad and as it were restored again all falshold being expulsed and so the godly to look for to begin a new year and a new kind of living.  
11. And because that bloody fire appeared on childermas day we do not deut but that he which was sometime a revenger of the blood of the innocent children will now also become a revenger and punisher for those godly and faithful men, which have suffered persecution and death for his name sake. And for them which as yet remain he will be a defender and maintainer, so that finally they will acknowledge him to be a father of their cause, and by amendment of life answer thereunto and prepare them selves with prayer and sobriety for the grace that is to come.  
12. The shuting of stars as it were the falling of them do doubtless signify unto us, that the day of the great judgement is at hand. A little before the which day that such fore warning signs should be seen our Lord Christ hath warned us afore hand long a go.   
But in no age at any time hath there be seen so many and so great and strange wondrous signs every where abroad as within these few years: that we ought altogether already to consider that it is by tokens signified unto us that the latter day is not far of, and both by other wonders & chief by this which is not particular nor terrestrial but almost universal and celistiall except we utterly sleep with overmuch carelessness and security. But first must that Babylonical beast being stuffed with the blood of saints and yet not filled nor satisfied be cast down, and the sincere gospel preached again through the whole world. The which that it may very shortly come to pass we shall pray unto the almighty gracious and great God by our lord jesus Christ in the holy Ghost.  
And yet therefore we ought not to promise a careless security to ourselves that the kingdom of the prince of Christ's enemies shall decay and fall: but except we do thoroughly take heed to ourselves by and by with amendment of life, and cease to brag of a vain faith, being ourselves instruted and furnished with no good works, we shall first be punished by the same. For saying our life of all in manner for the most part answereth not to our profession we have many ways deserved most grievous punishments: and more truly than our adversaries, for this cause that in so great light of the known truth, we be kindled or moved with no fervency of sincere religion but wallow and are wrapped in all kind of vices and will almost suffer no discipline either private or public: And for the most part all Magistrates will not only have Dominion in the common wealth and in Cities, but they also will have rule in the church, but they will not commit themselves to the common discipline of the same.  
Finally, the pastors and ministers of the churches for the most part be full of ambition, conetonsnes, wantonness, and other vices, & be no better than those whom they ought to teach and feed with the word of GOD, but rather much worse.  
Wherefore it is greatly to be feared that near the day of the lord draweth upon us, and that to us that wax so cold shallbe moved and not to a few of us and privately as hath been heretofore, but a common public and universal sore of persecution wherewith we shall be warned more then enough: for from the adversaries of Christ's church and his membres (except God turn it away) shall go out the fire which hath been of long time prepared for us, & from Italy unto us and toward the North (the which way the wonder & prodegious for warning did incline) shall it come furiously upon the christians. Not withstanding we hope and humbly pray unto the most gracious and mighty god the father of our lord jesus Christ with lowly and devot hearts, that this evil may soon after be turned from us: not for us but for his name sake, and the holy worshippers of his anointed. For the blood of those which long ago already hath been most abundantly spilled & shed or consumed with fire throughout all Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and other regions (by that seven headed and horned and bloody babylon beast with whom the kings and princes of the earth have committed and do commit fornication) may now seem altogether to have burst out of the bowels of the earth with a flaming brightness, and that the same burning in the air betokening a revenging from the Lord (which is the defender and revenger of his) hath mingled together: That all men may see and understand the evident cause of this wonderful for warning. Therefore god will punish together his whom he loveth that they may be amended, and with them or at the least by and by after the enemies of his name which go forward obstinately in their malice, and in the persecution of the saints. It becometh us to acknowledge our fauts and to ask forgiveness and not to despair by and by at the first cruel assault of Antichrist whatsoever they be. For he saith that he is in danger and assaulted himself and that on every side is great falling aways from him, & lest he should utterly be forsaken he proveth all things to the extremity. We if we will continue in the sincere calling upon the Lord and remember to keep ourselves in prosperity, so many as god will have kept safe from these calamities shall prove and see a happy success and spreading abroad of the gospel, through out the whole world: and the ruin and decay of that prince or ruler which under the title of the name of Christ is against him being now of late begun wholly to be performed. For this enterprise of his as it is to be thought to be the greatest so is it to be supposed that it shallbe the last: and as he did sever this wonder from the day that was coming, even so it is to be hoped that at the clear preaching of the Gospel and the last judgement shortly coming upon it, all evil shall have an end. So we for ourselves ought for to guess well with good and valiant minds. For the almighty can if he will deliver us from all calamities, at the least if he do not those are happy ones which die strongly in the confession of his name for Christ and the truth. But unhappy are they whosoever think themselves conquerors against Christ.   

That prodigies or wonders be done or stirred up by god▪ contrary to the sayings of the Epicures.  
ARistotle in his first book of celestial speculation and. v. chapter, in mentioning of other things which he calleth fiery speculations, writeth thus. There be seen sometimes in the night the air being clear many appearings (he calleth them horrible sights) to meet in the air. As be gapings pits bloody colours the cause whereof is even the same, which is of the other aforesaid. But next before he had said that of a certain vapour or exaltation that is hot & dry kindled in the high air be made both certain other speculations, as beams, Goats, blazing stars, and also that which is called Thlora, that is a flame or burning: and he sayeth if that vapour be kindled & shut forth itself wide and broad, it seemeth oftentimes to burn like a flame as straw when it is kindled in the field. etc. Of vapours truly (by the opinion of the said philosopher) which be seen in the high air in the clear nights, some in deed burn and that long time, as blazing stars: some a short time, as flames torches, goats, shuting stars. Some other appear to be somewhat that they be not and they may properly be called horrible sights: as clouds somewh●● clear of colour, but chiefly red of colour and purple or bloody: for other colours can scantly appear, namely such as arise by the reflection of beams or such as by commixion be white & fiery. Likewise such as be called gapings or peers. etc. And there be also which think that there be such colours in deed. And it may be thought that sometime bloody clouds be in deed and sometime do appear so. For we have red often that there hath reigned blood and sometime that it only appeareth so, by the reflection of the light. Truly it is not to be doubted but that both there be and also appeareth or seemeth a bloody colour of burning in the night and of flames, chiefly seeing the flame or the inflamed matter and substance so thick. And perchance more in the winter when vapours to be inflamed or in deed in flames break out of the earth go up, by an air that is cold and moist and gross, even as of a green peace of wood the flames appear to be more red. Peradventure some being persuaded by these philosophical reasons, will think this our wondrous or strange token (or bloody colour or fire they will name it rather a flame or celesti all burning) utterly to be a natural thing, and such as the causes thereof may be sufficiently gathered out of the very bosom of nature: and to betoken nothing else but peradventure some natural effect: as some mutation of the air and of the constitution and course of the year: or some pestilence at hand or immediately following: among the signs of the which nature they learned are wont to put fiery speculations, as gapings, burnings, comets, shutting stars, & other things that by night may be perceyned in the air. For although in this time of the winter vapours hot and dry, and to be inflamed, are not wont to break out of the earth: notwithstanding (he saith) it is to be thought that they being the longer shut in the earth with great frost, being the more abundantly gathered together, break out at the length with more violence when the ways be opened, and being raised upon high in the highest air the heat being restrained by a repulsion and let, or else that that colour was made by the beams of the son then being near to the rising being either kindled or else only appearing by reflixion and turning back again: and those white furrows were beams of the Sun brought in that part only whereon the substance of the vapours being gathered together was thin. For the beams of the Sun appear much more in the high mountains then in the lower places. Also as it is written in histories, this hath also happened in other places. And great burnings have appeared for many vapours were gathered being long shut within the earth by the strength of cold, and chiefly in places of mountains whose bellies and ways be for the most part full of such vapours. These and such like things perchance men that are curious in philosophy, or also utterly godless, as Epicure and such other covetous persons will put forth, and so persuade us by this mean to fear nothing. The author Cicero of divination (sayeth) this only reason, by the opinion and testimony of the expositors of monstrous things availeth against all shows monsters and wonders. If that which could never be done, be done, if it may not be to be marveled at. And so it to be no monstrous thing or wonder that may be done. But it was some great strength which opened the shutting of the earth, by it it may appear. Because that in some places about midnight an earthquake went before: as certain watchmen did observe it at Surick, and certain other hard the shaking of iron instruments and plaits of glass, other saw gaping in manner of pits, and the day before the earth opened near unto Tubinga. So they do judge that are endued with man's wisdom. But we out of the holy scriptures, and out of the treasure of the eternal and divine wisdom, and out of the true mouth of our lord, say that such wonders be sent from god, god doing it other above nature, or contrary to nature, or else using natural things to the signifying of his will, we say and do believe it, also histories do witness, that always great calamities have followed after such wonders.   

Out of the book of julius, of prodigies or wonders: made. 505. year after the making of the city.  
T. Gracco M. Inuentio Coss. among other wonders that he rehearseth, saith: that the form of two Suns were seen in the day, the air burned there was often lightning, storm and tempest.  
P. Scipio Nasica Cn. Martio Coss. it is red, that the air in the night burned, and much lightning fell.  
P. African and Lelio Coss. rivers of blood flowed out of the earth, and in the night the air was seen to burn A star did burn by the space of two and thirty days.  
C. Cecilio Cn. Papyrio Coss. in the night the mount of Alban was seen to burn, houses burnt with lightning and tokens out of heaven. The land of Lucensis gaped abroad. In France the air was seen to burn. The Danes and the Dutchmen passed the Alps, broke the league and made murder of the romans and their fellows.  
C. Lelio. L. Domitius Coss. among otherr prodigies or wonders which he rehearseth saith: In Italy a burning torch appeared in the air, and all the air was seen to burn.  
L. Martio, S. julio Coss. in the land of Anaria the earth opened & a flame arose up, & did sheen in the element. About the land of Rhegium, part of the City that is towards the Sea was overthrown with an yearthquake.   

Seneca in his first book of natural questions and. xv. chapter describeth a wonder or strange thing like unto ours.  
Among the lightnings (sayeth he) which the Greeks call Sela, may put that fire that was in the air, & we have read it often times in histories, the which burning was so high that sometimes it was seen among the stars, and sometimes so low, that it seemed some fire a far of. A company of men of war under Tiberius the emperor (being amazed when the air for the most part of the night did burn) ran to Colone for succour, the fire not being clear but gross and smoky. Of these lightenyngs no man doubteth but they have a flame which they show, it is a certain substance of them. But in the former lightnings was a bow and a crown of some certain substance, but it pleased us not. etc.   

Out of the book of Polidor Virgil of wonders and strange things.  
IN the year of our salvation. C. xii. a burning light in manner of a tower with great brightness was seen to fall out of the air: when jerusalem was taken of the Turks.   

Wonders or strange things taken out of the rehearsal of M. Frytschy of Laubany.  
IN the year of our Lord. M. C. xl. the air was seen to bourn oftentimes, and many stars were seen to fall from out of the sky into the earht. Burning lights, fiery darts, and flying fires, were often times seen in the air. New stars were seen. Celestial fires arose many ways. There was seen in the air a bright fire, a company of horsemen and foot men to fight together, and cities, and sword, and bloody wapours, were also seen. etc.  
In the year. M. C. and. xx. There was seen in the air bloody clouds, a cross, and a white man. Even at that time men thought a destruction should come upon the whole world. It is written in Chronicles, that such strange things do signify civil wars.  
Of those things which followed, you may read at length in the Chronicles of Boem, set forth by Auentyne in the leaf. D. C. xv.  
In the year. M. CCC. lxxv. the air was seen to burn all night.  
In the. M. D. L. three fiery globes were seen in the air in the night in Misnia Lipsia, which certain students & famous men did behold.  
The year M. D. L. I. the xxviii. day of january at Vlisbon in Portugal were seen in the air bloody rods, and horrible fires, & it rained blood also. Furthermore there was such an earthquake that two hundred houses were terribly shaken and thrown down in the which shaking more than a thousand men perished.  
The year. M. D. L. FOUR the first day of February at Cathalane a city of France, after the mustering of the host which the king of France had commanded to be done in that place, a wonderful strange sight was seen about the Moon. For a great fire arose from the East part, & went to the west. And the Moon seemed in manner of a mighty great fire brand. The flame of this fire raged with great noise, often casting out blazing sparks in the air, none otherwise then when a smith beateth upon hot iron: thus saith Fritschius. Aristotle nameth such fire a goat.   

The answer of a godly learned friend unto the aforesaid letter or Epistle.  
THy letters. V C. were given unto me with the book of wonders. For the which your gentleness I give you most hearty thanks. At your departure you did declare all things abundantly and very plainly. In the mean time I pray God that for his mercy sake he will turn all things to the best. For to stir you up, I have added many things which you shall here read.   

The signification of the strange wonder.  
AS all men do confess with one mouth, this unaccustomed strange wonder to signify some great evil to these countries: so I think the causes of the said evil, to be so near unto us, that it shall pierce the eyes and minds of all men. And seeing for the most part the calamities of mankind be sermons of repentance, although the common people through error do allege many other causes of evils notwithstanding this fire of the air is an evident argument & token of the wrath of god, that without it be a few I think there is none so foolish or so mad, which understandeth not that it is to come. We believe verily that we shall not be cast out of bliss, because it seemeth that we shallbe so punished for our sins: because that the cross & adversity doth bring always more profit unto the church, than rest and slothfulness. Of this cometh the common Proverb.  
The blood of the Martyrs watereth the Garden of the Lord.  
But although our enemies far exceed us in all kind of evil, yet notwithstanding we be not much inferior un to them. Superfluity is a profitable instrument & occasion, you will say the most part of us do want it, not superfluity. Religion also on our part is a little neglected & beginneth to be gainful, no less truly than the Romans in time passed. For we shall find but a few divines which will vouchsafe to seek poor Christ in the cottage and stable. Many of them covet fat benefices, for the which they serve none otherwise than they would serve for the sacrifice of the altar. For that cause is there so much hatred, so much privy backbiting which increaseth daily and hourly more & more, that there is none more divided than they, in whom ought to be most love & concord. These be the times which Eusebius setteth forth in the beginning of his his eight book upon ecclesiastical histories: who desireth any Dioclesian which may restore the weak members unto their health again.  
God truly governeth his church by fire, the which name is called in scripture cross and persecution, which notwithstanding as I hope shall not be long, no more than this monstruous fire was long, which lasted with us no more than an hour, and that before day light. For the Psalmograffe compareth the fury of the ungodly like unto fire amongst the thorns, which maketh a fervent fire and when it appeareth to be most vehement, then suddenly it falleth and is turned into ashes.  
But although this fire with his heat did in wrap the highest mountains, therefore not only the base states but also the high monarchs shall come to ruin: notwithstanding the stars which shone between, that is, the ministers of the church shall not be put out of their seat: which setting the word of god before their face, shall shine in dark night of persecution by the clear light of the gospel until the day wished for ware bright, and the Sun of righteousness shine upon men. But one star was seen to fall from heaven, which being drawn by the fire did furrow in the midst. It is to be thought, that one doctor or other, either for fear of the great threatening, or else being drawn by hope of some promosion, shall be cast out of his degree. Therefore the Lord is to be prayed unto, that he will defend us standing in the confession of a sincere faith. For this cause it is good for all godly men to think that the scourge of the lord is afore their doors: whom notwithstanding they by the moving of chances shall get, god only knoweth which ruleth the causes of all things. We will only bring those things which be like the truth, and seem not dissagreble from the word of God. For the word of the lord ought to be a lantern to our feet, and a light to our steps. By it we may learn better the cause of our adversities, then may be perceived by any such wonders, which god sendeth commonly for the reprobate and stiff necked men, amongst whom the word of God taketh no place, that all their exscuses may be cut away. Notwithstanding I do not deny that there be Sermons of repentance, which not withstanding they that are destitut of the government of the word of god do take never the latter. For we see ungodly and wicked men which being associate with the unbeleving jews, require a sign from heaven, which if it appear, then with full voice they cry out, our sins require such wonders: but they of the part of the evangelical doctrine, do bear these things patiently and derive part from themselves to other, and every one that speaketh of repentance with the mouth, seldom doth it in deed. The only Christians in whom the light of the word of god shineth knowledge their sins, and by the help of god studieth to reform their life to a better state, whom in these present calamities this one thing can comfort them, that they understand god by his singular grace to turn their deserved pains into martyrdom: through which is caused that they also comfort themselves, in whom is this gift of God, that not only they believe in Christ, but also suffer for his name sake. For although our sins be great, yet nothwythstanding we shall not feel the fury of the chief enemies of Christ, but for the sincere confession of the faith, which we may decline from if we will go from the doctrine of the gospel. The almighty and great God for his divine grace, and singular aids of the holy ghost, vouchsafe to keep us Amen.  
The author answereth again to this first epistle: and approveth it, notwithstanding (saith he) the stars which fell out of that fiery wonder, I had rather interpretate to signify the adversary of Christ with his, which as hitherto have been counted as stars, and shall fall headlong out of heaven as Lucifer did. etc. That is they shall fall from that usurped authority which they now have, which the author of all wonders and effects grant. So be it.   

Certain Eglogs taken out of divers epistles of credible men, and certain printed books, printed at Norynberghe and Vinaria, briefly set forth upon the same wonder: so that it doth agree with those epistles or letters set out afore, which were almost omitted.  
THat monstruous fire was not seen at August, Vindelictorun, nor near about it, but it was seen not far from August: as about Neurzan, Landspergen, Norinberg, and in the dukedom of Wirtenberge, in Belgic, and also toward hungary, within three days after Christenmas, but not in all these places on one day: So that many of the neighbours thought that it did burn, and ran to quench it: and the fire falling from heaven in another place made them sore afraid: This did a certain noble man write in his epistle or letter. We read in a printed leaf that this fire was seen toward Eccelshemy, Frochhemy, & Bamberge: likewise at Campodune and in many other places. And a credeble man wrote unto us that it was seen in the region of ulme and in Athesina: Likewise at Lindavia, and in the monarchy of Bavaria, near unto August (notwtstandynge it was not seen in the city of August) also toward Vienna, and about Anwarpe. In the book printed at Vinaria, we read that this strange wonder was seen, the air being clear & no clouds at all, so that it occupied the fourth part of the heaven with such brightness that one might easily see and perceive any thing. For the fire was great broad and long (in manner as if some great city had been wholly all of fire) dissevered with three white strikes or furrows of the which the one part appeared of the colour of blood tempered with some other thing, and the other part was somewhat thicker, & the last part at the going away of it, it was compassed about with a dark and thick cloud. Other said that the white strikes were seen at the beginning with the fire, not being very red about the midst, but a certain clearness mixed with redness, through which also the stars appeared. In some places warning was given by ringing of the belles to quench the fire. The foresaid fire, as far as men could judge, removed from the East unto the West: other writ that it began from the North in ●●aner of a cloud: and it seemed as it were casting flames of fire from it like unto stars. At the first it was seen three days and a half, at the lest an hour and a half afore day, it lasted about an hour and an half, and vanished away almost an hour afore day. Out of letters written from Constance to us. The next day after Childermas day in the air were seen certain great and long spears: two crosses the one of them was white, what the other was it is not showed, and a rod was seen in the air in manner of red blood, so that some were ready to cry fire. Certain fishermen that were on the river about two of the clock after midnight did see this great and bright monstrous thing which continued until two a clock, but toward Turgavia and Heluitia was seen a star with five several beams which were about three yards long, & in other places it seemed in manner of a Hunter's staff.  
The report goeth, that about Rotevilla a certain heat was heard in the air, even as it had been liquor boiling in a pot, the which by and by went down into the next hill, and there within a while after it made the same noise in the earth that it did before in the air. And as the letters do testify, which were sent from Memminga.  
On Childermas day between five and six of the clock in the morning, more than the space of an whole hour, was seen in the air a great and an unaccustomed redness, toward the north: in manner like unto the fashion of an hemicycle and then it removed somewhat toward the south, and bare before it the likeness of burning fire, by reason whereof in certain villages the bells were rung to give warning, to help to quench it.  
In another part of this redness appeared white furrows: the which by and by went out of sight like unto red fiery flames, so that they were seen shining by reason of the brightness of the flame.  
Another part of it was discoloured and all red in manner of blood, and terrible of sight. The air at first was not perceived, and through this redness the stars were seen to cast out their beams. A man that watched in a tower at Suricke, said that about midnight he felt an earthquake.  
And a certain craft's man which was a glazier marveled at the sodden shakings of the glass in the night, where of I marvel that it was noted of none other, nor seen any where else that we can hear. Out of another epistle written by a certain learned man. This wonder of the fire in the air was not seen at Berne, but in the field there were many that saw it. I hear of nothing that was seen beyond Berne toward France, nor at Friburge, nor at Lausanne. They do show of a certain monstruous thing seen in the field of Berne there appeared a fiery globe in the which a bear and a lion seemed to fight together. In the dominion of Gruenensis they writ that a globe of fire did fly so near a village, that a husband man was afraid of the burning of his house, because the fire was seen so near unto the top of the house. These things I write by report to satisfy your request until I know them more certainly. Thus said he.  
Another writeth that in the field of Berne was seen another wonder of an host of men fighting together but the author I know not.  
Also after this foresaid wonder of fire that was seen in the air, that is the thirty day of December, which was the last year. M. D. LX. at eight a clock before none, there was seen a fire to arise about Bade of Helvetia with a great thick cloud. And when the husband men of Regenspurge (which▪ town is in the field of Surick) saw it they ran together being ready to quench it: by and by it vanished away, so that it was not perceived whether any fire had been in that place or no. Not withstanding, this also may be thought to be a certain wonder.   

❧ The interpretation of the strange wonder, set forth by the author, written unto a friend of his dwellung in Vindelick a country of Germany.  
I give you most hearty thanks, that you do part amongst us your interpretation upon that fearful and monstruous sight, which you did not only see in the air at Helvetia and Ranie, but at Algea and through out all Suevia, except at Auspurge, in which no man, no not the watch men, did see any thing that day, when not withstanding it was seen two or three mile of, and the good neighbours there thought Auspurge did burn, and they did lamentably behold the dukedom of Wirtenberg Franconia & Thuringa, at the same hour and moment when ye did see it. I have no natural philosophy that thereby I might conjecture it to come, for in such a dead and cold time there could not happen such vapours nor such exhalations, that might cause such fire to appear every where: nor yet was the cause of the earthquake known among you, seeing it was heard to be no where else. Therefore I come to your interpretation: and I hope that Christ will come shortly & revenge his word▪ & judge the world by fire: without you had rather thus to expound it, that in all places where this fire was seen, the fire of the gospel shall so purely cleanse the people that all sparks and ashes shallbe blown quite away. But at Bavar and Austria where this fire did not appear, they shall perish in darkness, except God be merciful unto them.   

❧ Of certain other strange tokens and wonders.  
THe day before the fire was seen in the air, that is the seven and twenty day of December, in the end of the year. M. D. LX. between the town of Tubinga and the duke doom of Wirtenberge and the village of jesingam, which is two miles distant from Tubinga, suddenly in a certain field there appeared a golf which was sire and thirty foot deep, twenty foot broad. and about the earth no more than a common pit, round of compass, containing of depth in water nine foot. Other spread false rumours abroad & say that it was of such a depth that it could not be expressed. Also it is said, that it reigned blood about the same time in many places of germany.  
The thirteen day of December, the year. M. D. LX. at Vienna and Austria, there was an earthquake and a great tempest, and fearful lightning. Towers, houses, and the Cathedral church of Saint Steven was burnt with lightening. The air was seen burn a long time, as a certain noble man of Vindelicke in his letters doth witness unto us.  
We know for a surety that lately in France, when the king had assembled the head men of a citi together into his own presence: behold there appeared a great comet over the city which continued as long as the assembly endured: that is. xxviii. days, in the year. M. D. LX. in the month of December.   

❧ Of wonders or strange things seen in the country of Pymont. Taken our of the letters written to a certain prince in the year. 1560. in the month of December.  
AT Chirasyn a fire was seen in the air which lasted three hours. At Travilla it rained blood as many hours, that is to wit, three honures. At Fosan were seen as it were, three fiery comets. In the plain next un-sentaly there appeared a great numbered of horsemen in the air. At Caragnan there was seen an earthquake which sounded like the wheels of a wagon. At Pinaroly was seen in the air the manner of a fiery linen cloth: and many other strange wonders were seen in sundry other places.  
Of the heavenly goat (for so Aristotle calleth it) there was seen at Cathaline, a notable town of France commonly called Cholos, in the year of our lord. M. D. L. FOUR the sixth day of the month of March, between seven and eight of the clock at after none, about the Moon a burning fire, in the which was seen, as it had been the point of a spear, going from the East unto the West, & casting out flames and fearful great burnings. As Conrade Lycosthenes writeth in his book of monstruous and strange wonders.   

❧ Of strange wonders and prodegious things, seen in the air in the beginning of the year. 1556.  
IN the beginning of the year of our Lord, a thousand, five hundred fifty and two: On a sunday after Christenmas day about the evening tide, was seen with us that dwell about Lavinga (as a certain country man of ours writ in a letter to a friend of his) a great lightning and it thundered erceadinglye, and not far of from us, a house standing in a village was stricken with lightening and burnt down.  
And the air opened very wide and broad, and did belch out great and bright flames of fire. The which tempest was about nine of the clock at night, many of the people were wonderfully astonished and sore afraid in so much that many of them were dumb a long time after.  
Out of another Epistle or letter of the same wonder: the same day at night in Bohem, Silesia, and Misnia, there was a terrible tempest, and many men, cattle, great towers and churches were stricken with lightning and perished with fire. Also it rained blood and fire. A town of Melnicca four miles distant from Praga, all the ground of it was well nigh consumed with fire. The church of our Lady at Praga was burnt with lightning: and the church of S. Anne that is in the mount was like wise burned. Two Churches being about two mile distant from Lipsia, were also burnt with lightning. And it reigned blood abundantly in the same place: and two camels were seen in the air devouring a harnessed man.  
In the same year. M. D. L. U●. the eleventh day of january, at August and Vindelick toward the Alps, in the night the air opened, and burned for a while most fearful to behold, and seemed to threaten to be the latter day. At Miccenhusa in Bavaria, there was seen in the night such brightness, that the candle light in Zeta waxed dark, and when the candles were put out, the brightness of the air sufficed them for light, three hours space.  
The same year of our lord a thousand five hundred and three score, the fifth day of September in the town of Marchia and Custerine, at nine a clock at after noon. Innumerable flames of fire did shine on every side in the air with great brightness. And in the mids of the element there appeared two fiery beams. To conclude, as I read moreover, in an unknown author, a voice was heard which said woe, woe, unto the church. Thus sayeth james Fincelius, writing of the wonders done in his time    

Of certain wonDERFVLL STRANGE visions and marvelous tokens.  
¶ Out of the Prolong of joachim Camerary of Pabe, in the Chronicle of Nicephorus, translated by him into Latin and expounded, which book was printed at basil by john Oporinus.  
AFter that I chanced to live in that time in the which the common wealth hangeth either in miserable ruin, either in pernicious alteration, or else in very vehement and troublesome affairs. truly (good reader) I can not heartily rejoice, nor inwardly be merry, with any riches or honour that is coveted or desired in the public weal. For I pray you what is done or attempted almost in any place, that pertaineth not unto the decay of the common wealth? What obstinacy is in men? What malice and hatred? What covetousness and greedy gathering? What desire of revengement? What ambitious lust to rule? Not withstanding these things be covered, and do cloak themselves under most honoste names, as constancy, magnanimity or baliaunt courage, severity, and dignity or honour. And by the law of God and man, many are compelled to obei their malice. amongs these things nothing almost is done by deliberate counsel, and neither is any pains taken in providing and looking diligently to things of importance, neither any changing of sentence or any correction for vice. All things be lawful to them that be in authority and are mighty. Holy things are made unholy: public things are made private: peace is turned into strife: so that there is no order set in things. Every state, and degree, and condition, is given over to mocking and disdaining. Deadly hatred is exercised in every place: to the fulfilling of the which hatred help is soon called from every side. They do practise cruelty and tyranny like unto the brutish Barbarians. The which being of themselves most silthye and vile, do all things contrary to the laws and ordinances of the elders: the common wealth which the good men left unto their posterity, among these, must of necessity perish and utterly decay. But although the situation of the stars, and many strange and monstruous things do foreshow we and warn us of this: not withstanding the most evident tokens of the mutations of the former causes, by the which may lawfully be taken most certain conjectures of that which is to come. Which to declare in a few words shall not be (as I think) disagreeable to the matter. And the foretellings of astrologic, of the moving of stars, of the eclipsis and conjunction of the Sun & moon and of the flames of the comets, be almost known unto every man: other wonders also for their oftenes do the less move men's minds. But what visions have been seen aswell by the that waked as them that slept (enter pretated by soothsayers) it were to long to declare or rather infinite.  
One thing I do remember well, (if a man may lawfully speak on this fashion) I did see in my dream one holy and heavenly likeness or picture. A certain good and godly man did see with in these few years in a vision (as it seemed unto him) a great army of men did skermishe and fight together, and were ready with their weapons in their hands to fire villags, towns, & cities, and to waste & destroy the fields: many men fell down: yet not withstanding it could not be perceived who had the victory Also this battle was so intermeddled that it could not clearly be seen of whom it was done nor against whom. In one place also he beheld, and saw five writings or scriptures, of five distinct and changeable colours, in the which was showed divers names & divers sentences, which were seen in the air after this manner.  
Black for the jews, and Moses law. white for the Christians and only faith of Christ. yellow of the pardons of the bishop of Rome. Red for the Turks, Saracenes, Mahometh the messenger of only God. Yelowishe, for the works and liberties of the Anabaptists. What these things do signify can not be hid to any man that will study to know what shall happen within these few years, and what is now done.  
About the same time, the manner of a long history was seen in the clouds: which afterward was set forth in a picture, drawn out and published at Belgic, in this manner hereafter following.  
There appeared an armed man on horseback with a spear charged in his hand, and ready for to run a course. And besides this, was seen the likeness of the Emperor Charles the fifth, with a crown upon his head: and near unto it a hogs snout, somewhat higher there was seen two Lions ramping and leaping against three other Lions: and a little beneath them, two great Dragons spuing out flames of fire.  
And after this was seen great armies of men of war, aswell by sea as by land, and every where was cruel burning of towns and castles and villages. And there was also seen in the air a Peacock without feet having no wings: and near unto him there was a Dragon. Also in the same place was an Eagle having the greatest part of him hid behind a bank: and about the bank was a little Egle. Likewise was seen a Lion crowned lying on his back, whom a Cock did strike on the throat. After this there were gathered together many and divers beasts, with horrible forms and shapes: and all monstruous beasts, except the wild Unicorn which the Greeks do call Monoceros and a very fair and great huge Elephant. By and by another army of men appeared again burning and destroying: and a Cock defending himself against a Lion whose head was seemed to be cut of.  
And last of all, there was seen a great lake, in the which were drowned (as they do declare) towns, and great Churches, their steeples being seen to appear above the water: and a Camel was seen alone upon the bank, with his head in that lake drinking. Wonderful many flaming Dragons were seen, breathing out flames of fire and much venom every where.  
Unto me truly these things seem not unpossible to chance, specially and chief to those people which do trouble and molest the world in this our age, with great vexations and sore afflictions.  
Furthermore, it is declared unto us, that this year there are very many monstruous births, both of mankind, and also of many and divers other kinds of beasts.  
Among the which, was the notable great Monkecalfe (that is a call like a Monk) and before him an Ass, a man, and a fish, of mixed forms and divers shapes. And after that there came forth another monster which was a fish like a Monk.  
For in the bowels of the man was found iron (as we have often times proved it true) what doth that signify but inward commotion or civil hatred or strife?  
Therefore these things showing themselves so often times, and so wonderful, verily we ought to understand and to think, that the moving and working of nature is wrested out of frame, and the state and condition of men to be turned out of course, & that the effects of nature being weak & sick may no longer continue nor endure: for even as monstruous births do not live long, so likewise the degenerate and monstruous state of this corrupt world shall not last long.  
As I do remember (and as I said before to certain men which told me, that a maid at Rhenie lived without meat and drink) I did tell them how that she could not live long nor continue without food: as if one should say, it were a wonderful and a marvelous thing to be done, if that common wealth should not decay and perish, where the rulers (which ought only to nourish and to uphold the same) either be not able to govern it, or else be far absent and a great way from it.  
But we see most manifest signs and evident tokens of forewarning.  
For as by the rising and the going down of the Sun, we know the coming of the day & the night. So in like manner I do suppose, that after the breaking up and dissolving of the law and discipline of the christian common wealth, some great fall and destruction must of necessity follow, and after like sort we may conjecture other jeopardies and dangers for to come.  
¶ To God be all honour and glory, for these and all other his wonderful works, declared and showed unto us. So be it.  PSALM. 19 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth the work of his hand.  

Imprinted at London by Roulande Hall dwelling in Golding Lane at the sign of the three arrows. 1561.