THE WARNINGS OF GERMANY. BY WONDERFUL SIGNS, and strange Prodigies seen in diverse parts of that Country of GERMANY, between the Year 1618. and 1638. Together with a brief relation of the miserable Events which ensued. LUKE 21. 25. etc. And there shallbe signs in the Sun, and in the Moon, and in the stars, and upon the Earth distress of Nations with perplexity. etc. All faithfully collected out of credible High Dutch Chronicles, and other Histories by L. Brinckmair Captain. As also a learned & Godly Sermon preached before the Lords the States at Norrimberg. Anno. 1638. LONDON. Printed by JOHN NORTON, for JOHN ROTHWELL, and are to be sold at the Sun in Paul's Churchyard. 1638. A BRIEF DISCOURSE OF PRODIGIES, by way of Preface to the Treatise following. Section 1. MOst divine is that Axiom, God Beda inter axiom. Philos. ex Arist. and nature do nothing in vain. Nature is that constant order of being and working, which God hath appointed for the creatures. Where there is order, and that order constant, and both determined by an infinite wisdom, there must necessarily be some good end propounded by the Ordainer, and all motions effectual for accomplishment. Yet the course of Nature is subject to many alterations, because there is a God above nature, who hath set bounds for the creatures, but none for him save the counsel of his will. Whatsoever the Lord pleases, that doth he in Heaven above, and in the Earth beneath. a Psal. 135▪ 6 § 2 Hereupon it follows, That even those things which come to pass according to the course of nature, are very considerable: because they are ●ffected according to God's ordination. His invisible power and Godhead b Rom. 1. 20. may be seen in them. Nothing is so small, but his providence extends to it. Praes●ntemque refert quaelibet herba Deum. In every tender grass God may be seen as in a glass. Divine prescience were far from being, as indeed V●t●●is est maxima, pert●ag●●e quem 〈◊〉. it is, all Infinite, did it not extend itself to every accident. Nothing is or moves, or suffers in any kind, but in subordination to God's eternal decrees, that his wise purpose may be effected. And what is it which we see or hear of in any of the creatures, which affords not some moral and divine use? The world is Gods great book in Folio. Every creature is a several page, in which w●e may read some instruction to further us in heavenly wisdom. The Occasional Meditations of such as are piously devoted, give us sensible demonstration of this. Profane then, and irreligious are they that look on the ordinary course of God's providence, but never look up to God in holy meditation. Whereas everything we see is like Jacob's Ladder. The foot of it is in earth, but the top is in Heaven. We should therefore look beyond our senses, and use them as a prospective glass, to see God through, that he may be brought nigh our hearts, though we be far from his glorious presence. That Philosopher seemés to have had some secret inspiration from the almighty, who being asked Apud 〈◊〉 Arist. de an. wherefore man was made, answered, coeli contemplandi gratiâ. For God indeed made us to study himself, and mind things above. Why was Adam put in Paradise? Only to till the garden without taking other care, or pleasure? rather, that by employing himself about the creatures, he might more distinctly meditate of every one to inflame his affections toward God. And what is it which affords no instruction? Toads, and such like, seeing man fly from them presently. A lively Emblem of lapsed mankind, which cannot endure God's presence, we being conscious to ourselves that we are worthy of his hatred. Seeing poor worms made by God in such a condition, that every foo●e may tread on them, and them without means to revenge or resist that hurt, we should hence learn humility, patience, and all subjection to the will of God. Every Cock crowing is a lesson of Repentance. Every sound of a trumpet an Alarm to the last judgement. And every puff 〈…〉 Pind. of breath a Memento mori. For what is our life? it is even a Vapour, appearing for a little time, then vanishing. I am. 4. 14. § 3 This supposed, it follows further. Those things which are more rare in the course of nature, diverse, A min●●i ad mi●es. contrary, or above, are more than ordinarily to be thought upon. For of every such thing it may be said, Digitus Deiesthic, God hath an immediate hand in them, they are for special use. Having therefore in the Treatise following . the wonderful things of God reflicted to us as in a glass, by an historical gleaning together of some remarkable Prodigies which of late Years have happened in Germany, with the Events which followed them, it will not be superstitious to take something along with us in reading them, touching the nature, ends, and use which is to be made of such like, according to the Scripture. The rather because they are in themselves like the writing on the Wall in Beshazzars Palace, a Dan 5. 8. which Sooth-fayers, Astrologians, and Chald●●ns could neither understand nor read. Who can read God's riddle, but they who plough with his Heifer? None know what use to make of his works, but they who meditate of them, according to his word, with the help of his spirit. Hence it is though some are careful in observing them, yet few have the happiness to profit by them. Most men profanely disregard them, being of Gallio's temper, careless of such matters. Some suspiciously abuse them. Many only gaze, and wonder. Few know what they mean, and therefore skip them over as unskilful readers use to do sentences of Greek and Latin which they understand not. To remedy this in some part, Here is my endeavour in hope of God's blessing. The work of the Lord is great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein Psalm. 111. 2. § 4. If the question be what Prodigies are, the answer may be, Signs and wonders wrought by God immediately, or by others at his appointment, to signify his pleasure aforehand touching some special mercy or judgement ensuing. The Treatise calls them Prodigies, that is predictions or foremarnings. So much the word implyesa. In Scripture phrase they are called, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signs and wonders, Joel (chap. 2. v. 38.) calls them wonders, St. Luke, chap. 21. 11) calls them fearful sights, and great Prodigia, quod ●orro dicant, dost, sut●rrap dedicant. Au. d● Civ. D●i. lib. 21 cap. 8 Omnia qu●●pe port●nta contra nauram di●mu● csse: S●dn●n sunt ●dem. c ●●nch de ep●●ih. Dei. lib 3. Cap 13. signs. St. Peter terms them, wonders in Heaven, and signs in Earth. Acts. 2. 21. Of signs some are to represent, Some for commemoration, Some to assure, Others to prognosticate, whereof some be ordinary, others extraordinary. Prodigies be extraordinary prognosticating signs. They are also called wonders, not because they are all miracles in propriety; but because they seem to be, unto such as know not the causes and effects of them, and therefore cause wondering. A miracle is that which happens beside the order of all nature, particular, and general, For a stone to move upward when it is thrown, is contrary to the particular nature of a stone, yet no miracle, because all things give way to violence. The hanging of Mahomet's iron tomb in the Air (if it be, as it is reported) is no miracle, because it may be drawn up by virtue of some Loadstone above it. But every thing is a wonder, whose cause we know not, or at lest which wise men know not. Admiration always rises out of 〈◊〉 mir●●u●um & 〈◊〉. some degree of Ignorance. There is therefore a difference betwixt a miracle and a marvel: ᵈ under the term of wonder; 3 Several things be comprehended. 1 Special rarities in the course of nature, and Quae sunt rara ●psa sunt mira Augu. in the actions and affairs of men ᵉ▪ Secondly, miracles properly so called. Thirdly, whatsoever it is which makes the wiser or greater part of men to admire, as well as fools, however it be called. Alwhich are here included under the name of prodigies. § 5 Having briefly notified the meaning both of the name and thing in hand, the next thing most necessary Novis omnia plena virg. is to consider of the author, who gives being to things prodigious, and appoints their use. That must needs be God, who is the only Alpha and Omega; The centre from which all lines are drawn, and the circumference wherein they are terminated. All predictions, whether they be natural or supernatural, must needs originally issue from him, that decrees things from eternity, and causes them to exist in time in all circumstances according to his appointment. This hath always been out of controversy, not only among Christians, but also among the Philosophers, yea even amung the very Vulgar heathen. But though all have reference to God, yet not all alike. Some things he either doth immediately, or at least wise seems to do, for both God, and nature are often clouded. Many things are effected by the Ministry of the Angels. Some proceed from me, and the course of nature, yet not without God. Those things which are most common in the course of nature, are to be counted God's a job. 38. 28. 29. works, and therefore much more those which are strange. God puts these Questions to job. Hath the rain a Father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? The answer to be made is this, God giveth being to all these things according to his pleasure, what then shall be thought of raining blood, Fire, and such like? No otherwise then according to that, The Lord reigned upon Sodom and Gomorrah, fire and Brimstone from the Lord out of Heaven b Gen. 19 24. . He threatens such aforehand, and he alone hath power to effect them. Therefore when we see or hear of any such thing, we can do no less then acknowledge in the Psalmists words, This is the Lords doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. Psal. 118. 23. § 6 But how is it that signs and wonders are said to be wrought by false Prophets? for so Moses intimates a Deut 13. 1. And our Saviour says expressly, There b Mat. 24. 24. shall arise false Prophets, and false Christ's, and shall show great signs and wonders And to like effect Paul speaks of Antichrist▪ 2. Thess. 2. 9 We read also that many signs done before Pharaoh by Moses, were also done before him by the Magicians of Egypt c Exod. 7. 11. . No doubt but Satan and his Instruments are permitted to do great things for the trial of God's Church and children, but in all they do they are no more but instruments. Therefore that Fire wherewith Jobs sheep and servants were consumed, is fuly called the Fire of God, though the Prince d job. 1. 16. of the Air was in that the Incendiary and the bellowes, and added oil to the flame. But God's wonders and Satan's differs very much▪ Oftentimes in the thing itself. * Mar●●nus Biermanus, de Magicis Actiombus Satan seems to work miracles, but God works miracles indsed. Satan also makes a show of doing many things which indeed he doth not, deluding the outward senses and the the Fantasy. He always lies against God or nature. Therefore well saith Moses, Who is like unto thee O Lord among the Gods? who is like unto thee? glorious in holiness, fearful in praise, doing wonders. e Exod. 15. 11. But in the ground and end there is always a vast and manifest difference betwixt the one and the other. All that Satan does, is out of hatred, envy and malice, to God and man. But all that God doth is in mercyor justice. The plot which the Devil prosecutes in every particular, is to rob God of his glory, to make his word of none effect, and to frustrate the salvation intended for the Elect. God's immutable purpose is to glorify himself, to fulfil his word in all the promises and threatenings, and to save those whom he hath chosen in Christ. The one intends nothing but fraud and mischief, the other to approve his goodness even to them that wilfully perish. Satan labours to bring men into Heresy, superstition, and Idolatry, to blind their eyes, harden their hearts, and wholly to corrupt them in all their ways. God would have all men come to the knowledge of the truth that they might be saved ᵃ, 1 Tim. 2. 4. if any desire to know how it may be known, which wonders be wrought by God especially, and which by Satan, let them consider, This is needless for us curiously to inquire after, and fruitless to be known. Our duty is to look upon all good and evil as coming from God, as job did, saying, The Lord, hath given, and the Lord hath taken, etc. Shall we receive good from the hand of the Lord, and not evil? And though some Prodigies be but rarities in nature, yet are we to ascribe all to God, in as much as nature is his handmaid, and even of natural things there is more to be made then a natural use. § 7 As for the matter whereof Prodigies consist, that is worthy to be considered of, but warily to be determined A confused Notion that some things are prodigious, without knowledge of the particulars, and whether it be good or evil that is portended, hath bred and nourished much curiosity and superstition, needless fears in some, fond hopes in others, there have anciently been a sort of men who have made it their study and profession to teach what is ominous, and of what: such were the Soothsayers, Astrologians, Chaldeans, and the like. But the light of the Gospel hath made all these righteousnes stars to vanish. And yet still pride, curiosity, infidelity, like bitter roots growing in the heart of mankind naturally, lead them much what in the same way. Hence it is that almost every accident is by some counted a sign of good or evil luck, according to our common phrase. To reckon up particulars in this kind, would be both tedious and ridiculous. But it must be granted that some things are Prodigious: true. And that some things are so in reference to particular persons, and families. Some to Countries, Nations, and whole States. This also cannot be denied, Whatis then the rule to know them by? No vulgar conceit, no nor every pretended reason. Nor yet all manner of experience, so far as we are to regard Prodigies. The Scripture is a sufficient rule. Therein we have multitude and variety of examples that teaches us to count of sin as a certain forerunner of divine vengeance, unless repentance intercept. And to take Repentance, Faith, Obedience, Piety, Justice, and Charity for assured pledge of God's love and purpose of blessedness in every kind. According unto these we are to regulate our hopes and fears. Humility is a special token of honour ensuing, and pride a forerunner of destruction. a Pro. He that goes on in an evil way shall not prosper at the last, though the Sun, Moon b Gen. 27. 9 and Stars should seem to fall down and worship him, as they did sometime to joseph. And he that feareth God, and escheweth evil may be confident that all shall work together for the best, though Hell were for the present let loose upon him. Yea, though God himself should make a but of him to empty his quiver in. Four hundred Prophets may say to Ahab, Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper. Yet Ahab falls there, for he had sold himself to work wickedness. Rome's merchants will not believe her fall, but they shall certainly see and lament it c Rom. 19 Babylon says I am, and none else besides me. I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children. But these two things (saith God) shall come to thee in a moment Isa. 4●. 8. and 9 in one day, the loss of children and widowhood, they shall come upon thee in their perfection, etc. In sinning there be some circumstances which are more immediate harbingers of judgement, and so likewise many particular sins. Backsliding, as in Solomon. Presently hereupon God stirred him up adversaries. Raeshnesse in things which require a weighty consultation, as in Rehoboam. Self-will, as in josias. Impudence, as in Absalon. But I had rather leave particulars to the studious Readers observation. So on the other side humility, wisdom, patience, importunity in prayer, diligence in well doing do more especially demonstrate God's purpose to manifest his especial mercy. But those praedions which we have now especially to consider, are of another sort. § 8. To speak more fully of the Matter of Prodigies, in general▪ I conceive it is some special accident happening by the providence of God. The things about which such accidents happen are divers, and according to the difference thereof we may count of 3. kinds of Prodigies, Natural, Moral and Divine, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Natural are those special accidents which fall out in the particular or general course of nature. Of which some are Celestial, some Elementary. Celestial I call those which happen about the heavenly bodies. As about the Sun, Moon or other Stars. By Elementary I mean those which happen in the Elements themselves, or those things which are compounded of them. Moral Prodigies are those which consist in the affections, passions, words, or actions of men. Divine I call those wherein (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) some divine * Qui portentorum numerat multitudinem que historia gentium con●inentur. Aug. impression is more conspicuous or necessarily to be acknowledged. For each of these kinds there is mutiplicity of Instances to be had almost in all Histories, but it shall suffice me to particularise in some few out of Scripture. That extraordinary Eclipse which happened at our Saviour's passion a Mat. 27. 45. , at which the greatest Philosophers, that then were, much admired. The plague of darkness in Egypt b Exod. 10 21. , and the apparition of Angels and heavenly visions, whereof we often read in Scripture, were Prodigies Celestial. Of Elementary we have more variety of examples, The Fire which consumed Nadab and Abi●● c Levit▪ 10. 2. , Fitry Prodigies. That which fell from heaven on the Captains and their companies, sent by Ahaziah to Elijah, d 2 Kings 1. 10. The pillar of Fire which was for safe conduct to the Israelites in the night time e Exod. 13. 21. 22. . The fire & urimstone which fell on Sodom and Gomorrah. The Cherubims and flaming Sword which God placed before paradise. Gen. 19 24. Gen. 3. 24. Airy. The cloudy pillar which was Israel's guide by day. The Manna wherewith they were fed in the wilderness. The plague of Hail in Egypt. That on the army of the Five Canaanitish Kings in Iosh. 101● Ioshua's time. The dividing of the red Sea. Watery. And of jordan. Christ's walking on the water. Water issuing out of the rock, And out of the Jaw bone of an Ass. Bitter Water becoming sweet by casting in Salt. Earthy. Earthquakes, Famine, Extraordinary fruitfulness, Excessive multitude of Birds, as of Quails, among the Israelites, or of Flies, Beasts, or creeping things, as among the Plagues of Egypt, The strange peregrination of Creatures, from their wont habitation, as the coming of the creatures into the Ark. These and many such like particulars are counted Prodigies, and for distinction sake natural, because some thing in itself natural, is the subject of them. As for moral Prodigies that which is passed in the former Section shal●suffice, because it is but a schedule that I have to write, and not a volume: for divine prodigies, so called in a more especial manner, these following are most apparent. Isa. 38. 8. The Sun and Moon standing still as in Ioshua's time. The shadows going back 10 degrees on Ahaz his Dial in Hezechiahs' time. The new stars appearing at our Saviour's birth. The rending of the veil of the Temple, and the resurrection of dead bodies, at the time of his crucifying. etc. These are sufficient to show us what is to be counted prodigious, and what not. For all particulars we have no instance. Things new and strange may daily happen as God sees cause to conclude this part of the matter in hand, let this note suffice. Whatsoever happens extraordinarily and rarely to us or to any of the creatures, hath more or less of the nature of a Prodigy in it. Such was the strange fight in the nombe of Rebekah, Nebuchadnezars, Pharaohs, and pilate's wives dreams. The carriage and speech of baalam's Ass. The falling off of the Chariot Wheels of the Egyptians, as they drove in the red Sea. Dagons prostrating before the Ark. § 9 Sufficient being spoken of the Matter, the next thing necessary to be touched is the form, to show what makes any special accident to be a Prodigy, that is (as I conceive) the aptitude which such accidents have in themselves, or by divine institution to portend the futurition or manifestation of something as yet not existent, or not known. As for example, Blood happening extraordinarily in rain, in sweat, or in the use of bread or otherwise, doth fitly betokenwarre, murder, execution of malefactors, or persecution. But how comes the Rainbow to be a sign the world shall never be overflown again by an Universal Inundation, whereas naturally it signifies rain. This it could not do if God had not appointed it for such an use. It may be demanded what I think of experience. If it be found by observation from time to time that after such an accident in one kind, such an event in another follows, may not that accident thenceforth be taken for a certain sign of such an event to ensue? I answer, God is unsearchable in his ways. No observation whatsoever will enable us to trace him. As the way of a ship in the Sea, or a Bird in the Air, so are Gods ways. Experience therefore is but an uncertain guide, because the course of God's providence is a perfect maze or Labyrinth. There is indeed no variance nor shadow of turning betwixt his will at one time, and his will at another. (I speak of his absolute will) Neither is there any difference betwixt his will in decree, and his will in deed, and he often doth the same things over again, for kind. Yet there is so much variety for circumstances, that its impossible by all observation to conclude for certain, from that which doth happen in one kind, to that which shallhappen in another. This notwithstanding the argument from existence of the sign, to the futurition of the thing signified, concluding only probably and indefinitely, cannot justly be gainsaid: for instance, Thus to reason is very useful. After a Comet or blazing stars appearing and vanishing, some great personages do commonly expire. This experienc● out of many Histories confirms, Therefore such a 〈◊〉 now appearing, its likely some of the Go●● of the Earth shall dye like men, and all of 〈…〉 just cause more than ordinaril●●●pr●pare ●or death, especially such as Herod. Bat ●●her matter calls me to it. § 10 〈…〉 the ●●nall cause of prodigies, that is diverse in diverse re●e●c●s. The common end is that Go● may beglorified by us in beholding his works, and spelling out of them his infinite wisdom, I psa nomint indict ●in●m rei. Monster sane dicta pe●hi bentà. monsirando. etc. Aug quo supra. power, and goodness, whereunto prodigies conduce no little, because they minister master for an invincible argument against an Atheist or Epicure; and strongly prove both God and providence. The proper end of them is either near or remote; That which they serve for more immediately is in general, to intimate some change in the condition of them, to whom they have reference: But sometimes they serve to bring to light that which was hid, or to make that known which was secret; as when Satan appears for a time where some body lies buried in secret, and then vanishes, or when extraordinary trouble of mind falls on some, that thereby they may be brought to disclose some secret sin, the revealing whereof may tend to God's glory. Some of them do more especially serve for comfort, some for terror. * Cum Deus puuitur●● est gen●ens vel orben● prod 〈◊〉 id 〈…〉 Herod. Some serve to terrify for a while, as the burning Bush, but leave comfort in the issue, a● that did. And the Angels wonderful behaviour in the presence of Sampsons' parents: some serve to strengthen the faith of G●d● children in time of great discouragement; orwhen the 〈◊〉 to some special service: some serve to invite and call all, of all sorts, to repentance and amendment of life. Those which serve to this end are in a more peculiar manner The Prodigies, and such are those which are instanced in, in the following History▪ Comfortable ones may happen to the wicked, and terrible to the godly, to harden the one, and humble the other. That the one may prepare for correction and profit by it, the other in God's just judgement perish everlastingly. If the Question be when fearful Prodigies happen in a Country where there be two contrary sides of different professions in religion, how it may be known whether of them they concern. I answer, the only necessary thing is, for each private person of what sort soever, whose abode is in such place, to take it to himself, and to examine his heart, ways, and spiritual estate, that he may reform himself according to the word of God, lest he also perish. Many are too prone to cry woe unto others, but at last are forced to say (with him mentioned by josephus, where be speaks of the lass destruction of jerusalem.) woe unto me also. God is not wont to send general judgements, till all flesh more or less have corrupted their way: and therefore it behoves all of all sorts▪ howsoever different in the profession of religion to humble themselves, and study reformation really▪ not inpr●tence. * ●●e 〈…〉 P●oba●●, 〈◊〉 ●act. 〈…〉 16. If they of Germany do so, and then send out a dove from their Ark, she is likely to return with an Olive branch in her mouth. In the mean while so long as every one looking on his neighbour says, Truth is on my side, Thou art an heretic, and therefore the destruction threatened is to thee, but I shall escape: God that is no respecter of Persons finds just matter of offence in both, and on which side peace and Victory will rest, as touching sense is yet uncertain. But we know who they are that cry peace, peace, to themselves: that for temporal things dream of a fifth Monarchy, and for Church affairs would fain force all to do as they do, that is, to put their Noses under the Pope's girdle. And though here I digress a little, I hope it will be pardoned. § 11 As for those particular Prodigies which the History at hand makes mention of▪ the Reader may well admire at them, and happily revolve these questions in his mind. Whether there were such things as are here related▪ Whether they are truly Prodigious or no. Whether those Events here adopted to them were portended. Whether the like things have not happened elseywhere without like effects or consequences, with more of likenature, if he be either cautious, or scrupulous, to alwhich I have only this to answer. If any credit may be given to such Histories of German affairs, as commonly fall into the hands of the learned, from Mercurius Gallo-Belgicus; it is certain that Africa was not anciently more famous for Monsters than Germany hath for many years been of Prodigies. The particulars hereafter mentioned make not a fourth part of what might be collected in like kind. And if Prodigies be taken in a large sense, as they are here to be understood, the matter doth well answer the title. But this must needs be granted, this or that single prodigy may happen, and yet no remarkable judgement follow. For God may shake his rod often, before he strike once. And many times he threatens, but to try. But when Heaven and Earth, Sea, and Land did all make one outery, and strike up an Alarm, no other could be expected, but that God should march on apace in fury after. It is but a gentrall intimation of this or that judgement, that Prodigies do make necessarily. But what else could be expected but shedding blood on earth, when it reigned blood from heaven. Battles in the Air were most lively pictures of the same to be on earth. So that we may truly say, God wrote his mind in most lively Characters, and hath punctually fulfilled what he threatened. It seems they were confident of longer peace, or else God needed not to have read them so many Lectures of blood: what particular judgements are signified by particular Prodigies may well be guessed by the Prodigies themselves: for my own part I believe, admire, and adore, and shall wonder at him that can do less. I do every day expect the like and greater, because our Saviour hath so largely prophesied in this kind in reference to ourtimes, which all the Evangelists have recorded. The latter days shall be short beyond expectation, and Christ come sooner than we are aware, and therefore the signs of his coming must needs be expected, whereof strange Prodigies are one. § 12 And now hoping this may satisfy such as have anycandor; its high time to draw the Arrow to the head, and hit the mark I shoot at, which is to point out the Christian use which godly fear and reverence teaches us to make upon the knowledge of these dreadful things. To which end there are some cautions to be premised. I Seeing God is the author of Prodigies, we must religiously observe them, and by prayer seek from him instruction and grace, to fit us for a holy improvement of them to his glory and our own benefit; Saying as Paul, when Christ spoke to him in a vision out of Heaven, Lord what wilt thou Act. 9 6. have me to do? And with prayer we must join all diligence in studying of his holy word, for thence it is that all necessary instruction is dertved. Be we sure to make use of Prodigies according to this rule, and light will come out of darkness, comfort out of fear. Secondly we may not be too curious in searching after the particular evils which Prodigies foreshow, much less to know their circumstances, when, where, and how they shall happen. It is enough for us, and great mercy from God, that we have, aforehand, so much as the noise of his coming to afflict. In the state of Israel, God was wont to threaten in the Father's days those Judgements which he purposed to their posterity, and yet upon those threatenings, he expected present repentance. And surely that Memento given by Christ unto the Angel of Sardis, is necessary for every Church and state to apply vato themselves in these days: Remember how thou hast received, and heard, Rev. 3 3. and hold fast and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. A third caveat is that, which God himself jer. 10. 2. gives by the Prophet jeremy, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven. For the heathen are dismayed at them. Where a things are forbidden. The one is learning the heathens way, that is, to worship the creatures themselves, or to use any part of their Idolatrous service: The other is excessive fear upon the sight of all unpleasant aspects in the heavenly bodies, without any true fear of God who causes them, and in whose hand it is to hasten or prolong, increase or diminish, or totally remove all threatened evils. The grosser sort of ancient Idolalaters Ezech. 8. thought the Sun, Moon, and other stars to be Gods, and Eclipses and such like to be signs of their anger, whereupon they feared exceedingly unto astonishment, and addicted themselves by diverse rites and ceremonies to pacify them. Many times the Israelites were much subject to like Idolatry, against which God there instructs them. This place therefore does not condemn all fear upon the sight of prodigies, as unlawful, but the abuse of fear, when it is placed on the creature, not on God, and leads not to true piety, but to will worship. Or when it so captivates, that we think it in vain to seek God by repentance, and do hereupon despise him, and harden our hearts, and commit all intquity with greediness. Of all things such a fear is most to be feared. As for such whom a lively faith hath incorporated into Christ, and a true fear of God in his judgements, made penitent and obedient according to God's word. Prodigies should rather comfort them, than otherwise. joel having said in one verse, The Sun shall be turned into darkness, and the Moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come, saith immediately in the vexed verse, It shall come to pass that who soever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in jerusalem shall be deliverance. Our Saviour speaking in Luke. 21. 31. like manner of the Prodigies which shall happen partly before the destruction of jerusalem, but especially before the end of the world, and of the fear which shall be in many, said to his disciples, When these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh, Christ the accomplisher & finisher of it. Thus much for caution. § 13 Now for the uses themselves, who will not hereby be assured of a general judgement coming on apace, seeing these forerunners of it. I speak both of the Prodigies, and of the things which follow and accompany. The order of the signs of the latter day is this. First false Prophets. Many shall be deceived. Iniquity shall abound. Secondly, persecution, and by means thereof Apostasy in some, great misery to others. Then Wars, Famine, Pestilence. Prodigies, interchangeably, till false Prophets, and all deceived by them be rootea out of the earth. And as touching wars, judgement must begin at the house of God. Therein false Prophets arise, as Acts. 20. Paul says, from among yourselves &c. Their rising is like the opening of Pandora's box, the original of alevil. And certainly the church's negligence in not convincing them by doctrine, and suppressing them by discipline in the particular Churches wherein they first appeared is the corner stone of all, and therefore it is fit gods churches should be first in the course of Judgement, who are first in the course of sinning. The third course of signs which are now most conspicuous shall continue till the first error be discovered and amended, and that evil which it hath brought in be removed, I mean particular Churches be rightly stated, and faithful in administration of all public Ordinances, etc. § 14 In the mean while▪ for a second use, let every one of us learn hence, To search and try our ways, and turn unto the Lord our God, lest our security prove prodigious unto us. Be we more careful to know Gods will, and to profess that we know, and live according to our profession; in one or other of these specialties we all fail. Yea wherein is it that we fail not? see the state of the seven Churches of Asia, as St. john describes it, and I fear whatsoever is reproved in all them together▪ will be found among us, but little of that which they are commended for. Were it not that God is jealous of his own honour, and (in his own phrase) fears the wrath of the enemy, lest our adversaries Deut. 32. 27. should behave themselves strangely, and say, our hand is high, the Lord hath not done this, we also ere this time had felt the effect of many prodigies which have been among ourselves. But I hope God will shortly stir up some in a more especial manner, to bring God's wonders among us in remembrance. This for the present may serve something to awaken us. And if we regard neither the voice of God on earth, by his Ministers, nor the voice of God from heaven by his wondrous works, though Noah, Job, and Daniel were among us, they shall deliver but their own souls. God must deny himself, or we perish if we continue impenitent, The name of reformation which we have in our mouths, will no more help us then the jews crying. The Temple of the Lord, We be Abraham's children. In many abuses there is not so much as a colour of reformation, as in the matter of sacrilege for one. It was after josiah had reform many things, that his heart was tender, and smote him upon hearing of the Law. Perceiving thereby there were yet more abuses in the Land than he at first was ware of. Antichrist had made all places like Augean stables. They do therefore surely need a continual cleansing. The God of all grace fill us according to our measure with wisdom and zeal, that we may grow from beauty to beauty in his eyes. § 15. And seeing God is so gracious, as by all means to manifest himself and his intended judgements, he hath not left himself without witness, but we are altogether without excuse. Let him have the praise which is due unto his name, who abounds toward us in all means of grace, whereby we might be made wise unto salvation. Thy Word, O Lord, is sufficient of itself to warn all the World. Thy Works are the utmost that we can ask or think: what shall we say of thy wondrous Works from day to day! Oh thou holy one of Israel. All this is that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, Rome 3. 4. and overcome when thou art judged. It will be thy glory that thou hast showed us signs in Heaven above, and wonders in Earth beneath, But it will be our misery if we regard them not, or if regarding we do not bless thee the Almighty, or if blessing thee in words we repent not and amend. Of ourselves we are able to do none of all this. Let it not always be said of us as it was sometime of thy Deut. 29. ● people Israel, Yet the Lord hath not given you a heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear unto this day. For thy Annoyiteds' sake pour upon us thy spirit, give us hearts according to thine own heart, and cause us to walk in thy ways. Truth Lord, thou mayst leave us to ourselves, and let us perish: if thy Grace were not free for thee, to bestower not, it were no grace. If thou sayest, I have no pleasure in you, do to us as seemeth good in thy sight. Yet be pleased to remember thy Covenant. And for his sake who hath sealed it with his blood pour out his spirit among us. Work knowledge in our minds, submission in our wills. Yea sanctify us we beseech thee throughout. Oh love us, and cause us to love thee, and then we know assuredly that all things shall work together for the best, Amen. If any thing offend thee Christian Reader in this Prologue, consider herein I tread an unbeaten path, wherein it is easy to err. The way itself is rough, my spare hours for such employment few. Importunity of others, and arguments drawn from the public good, have stolen me from myself to do others service in this business. If it seem strange I make so much a do to usher in a small Pamphlet, consider not the book, but the subject. In Prodigies God comes in, as riding on a Cherub, and flying on the wings of the wind. How then can just exceptions be taken at one for coming before to cry * Gen. 44. 43. Bow the knee? my boldness pardoned I am content to bear all other blame. In Magnis est volxisse Satis. Errors in the Preface. In the first Sect. r. Axiona●a. for him r. himself. In 2. Sect. them r. him for fooler foo●e. 3. Sect. for suspiciously r. superstitiously, for paedicant r p●rdica●●. 5. Sect. for No is in mar. 1. jovis so, mer men▪ in 7 Sect. so pledge ● pledges in mat-tom r. revel. for prediens r. p●edict●ors in the 〈◊〉 Se●t r. which ate adapted. DREADFUL, AND PRODIGIOUS ASPECTS WHICH have happened, and appeared in the Air, Water, and on Earth, beyond the common course of nature, in divers parts of Germany, since the beginning of these late bloody broils in that Country, from the y●er● of our Lord, 1618. to this present time; together with brief observations of the issues, and Consequences ensuing after 〈◊〉. AMong the many troubles, and turmoils (Courteous Reader) which have long time roved, and raged not only in Bohemia, but also in diverse other places of Germany, there appeared a terrible Comet with a The blazing Start great blazing tail, which was as terrible as visible. It appeared first, October, 26. 1618. in the sign of Scorpio, and the tail thereof was extended betwixt the Spicavirginiss, and Arcturus, towards Polus Septentrionalis. Afterwards it took its progress in Signo Librae, continuing its course from the Ecliptica to Topico Cancri, from East to West, or Northerly. It was to be seen, often in a clear Sky, in the East: In Bohemia and Ausiria, it appeared, at first, with red; in other places with a Saturnish pale-red colour, for the space of 27. days, and in some places longer. This fearful, & ominous Link or Torch the Omnipotent jehovah had constituted, and ordained in the Pulpit of the Heavens to be a Preacher of Repentance; that sinful man might see, and discern, that for incorrigible sin he was resolved to plague and punish them if they timely prevented not the threatened danger, by seeking grace, and speedi'y fying from sin the sole cause thereof. For in as much as the ●●cure, and bood-winckt-World had long despsed, and neglected the gracious reclaiming voyee of his sacred Word, in the public preaching thereof by his vignant and diligent Ministers, and refused to hear those charmers, charm ● they never so wisely, running on in their accustomed course of sin, and transgression, refusing to be reclaimed, and living all their days in sensual impenitence, as if God regarded not their doings, and took no notice of their desperate rebellions; Therefore the Almighty Lord God, as merciful, as just, sent forth these his prodigious signs, in the Sun, Moon, and Stars of Heaven, as certain forerunners of his wrath, and of imminent, and eminent Plagues and punishments on them, if not speedily prevented, thus (if it were possible) to awaken men from they even dead sleep of sin, to timely repentance, and true reformation of life; but otherwise to show and assure them that he would come suddenly, and severely upon them, and bring all those evils, and miseries on them, which those hideous, and ho●●ed lignes did portend unto them. Of which his proceeding in former ages manifold examples are extant, both in the sacred Scriptures, and in other various, and volummous Histories, which, for brevity's sake, I here of purpose pretermit. This Comet herein mentioned hath been indeed a certain harbinger, and forerunner of the Lords high indignation, and future punishments, wherewith (since it appeared) the secure world hath ●in sound whipped, and severely corrected▪ ●ea the great Miseries and Calamities, which poor dilacerated Germany hath, since its appearance, ●elt and found, are as unspeakable, as deplorable, hardly to be lively delineated by man's tongue or pen. For that is now completely (if not too fully) effected, which is spoken of in Comets, that never did a Comet appear, which was not accompanied with much evil and misery. And Claudianus the Poet writ thus of their operations. — Bellacanunt, ignes subitosque tumultus, Et▪ elandestinis surgentia fraudibus arma, Civiles etiam motus, cognataque bell● Significant.— Thus englished. They show fierce wars, fire, sword & sudden broils, And by clandestine craft, fast springing toils, Uncivill-civill jars, and homebred flames They signify, etc. Pontanus also writes thus of them. Ventorum quoque certa dabune tibi signa Cometae — Et●am belli motus, feraque arma minantur; Magnorum & clades populorum, & funera Re●●●▪ Comets are certain signs of future things (Kings Threatening fierce Wirres, much blood, and death of Of the estate, & co●aitió of this our present Comet ancient Astrologians have thus written. Verba docent, et signa monent, et poena probabit, Nisubitò in melius vitam convertimus, 〈◊〉 Words teach, signs preach, and punishments make That want of true repentance proves our bane▪ (plain, Which altogether the following years being fulfilled & verified, is notable to all the Christian world to take warning by: and to declare the misery W● (after this appearing blazing Comet) Germany felt, would require many volumes. How many fruitful Countries, Dominions, and Territories are through these last wars totally ruinated; the Cities, Towns, and Villages therein spoiled, and made pillars of fire and smoke; the Churches lying desolate, the woods being cut down, the earth untilled, and lying waste. The bloody and cruel dealing of inhuman soldiers, especially of the Crabats, in many goodly▪ Townes and Cities, is scarce credible, which furiously have plundered the places, torturing the Inhabitants most barbarously; ravished women even to death; poured dunghill-water and vinegar into the throats of men and women; tied chains and cords about their heads, and have twisted them so hard, that they have fallen down dead upon the ground; some are hanged up by the privy members▪ s●wed off the legs of some, rubbed off the flesh from the legs of others to the very bones; tied the arms of others backwards, and so hanged them up by those distorted parts; drew many through the streets of the Cities stark naked, brake and wounded them with axes and hammers, and generally used them with such barbarous cruelty, that many begged to be shot or slain instantly, rather than to live, and be partakers of such misery. Some they have roasted alive, and sacked the Cities miserably, that they spoilt what they could not carry away. All the corn and provision of victuals, have they taken away with them, and left the places so bare, that many of the best rank, for the space of 8. days after, saw not one bit of bread, but were glad to feed upon roots and water: spoilt the Inhabitants of their garments, exposed them to that nakedness, that neither man, woman, nor child have had clothes to put on. No man indeed can be ignorant of the miserable condition of all Germany. No man can think of it without a sorrowful heart: none that hath not put on the Stoics stupidity, can hear it without compassion. Such civil wars were never without strange prodigies, and this as in the beginning it was threatened by this said Come●, so in the continuance the uncouth condition thereof was still made apparent by those strange things, which happened out of the common course of Nature, which I shall endeavour to declare, as followeth. A●no 1619. in the month of December the water which doth run through Sixto a City in Hungaria (where in the year 1588. an exceeding gre●t battle was fought betwixt the Turks and Christians) Water and ice turned ●●bloud. turned to blood, and the ice therein was likewise blood-red, which at many places was transported. This perhaps hath been a forerunner of the bloody encounters and skirmishes, which happened afterwards 1621. in the same places and thereabouts, betwixt the Imperiali●●s and Bethlem-gabors' Army where Bethlem-Gabor fought a bloody battle against the Imperialists under General Bucqnoy, and routed their whole Army, and put to the sword above 2000 of them upon the place. About Midsummer, Anno 1620. another hard conflict happened near the City Sixto where Bethlem-Gabor lost 600. men: and on the Imperial side some 400. amongst which was the Marquis Palav●●ino an Imperial Commander. Seen at Groningen A great Blassing Star and 2 Armies onein the North totherin the South and the Northern Army beaten 1619 At wien water turned into blood for 8day es and 3▪ Suns and 3 Rainbows in the Sky 1619 Two Army▪ fight in the heavens. In the same month December, Anno 1619. at Groningen in the Dukedom of Brunswick, appeared a great blazing Star, and two Armies, one in the East, the other in the North, fight against each other in the Heaven, so long till the Army of the North was slain and defeated. This islued out, Anno 1626. the 25. of August, where few leagues from this place a fore battle was fought betwixt the King of Denmark and the Imperial General Tilly▪ in which the King lost the field, and 4000 of his Army were slain and taken prisoners; amongst them were also slain 4. Danish Colonels, and a Landgrave of Hessen. Of the Imperialists lost their lives some 3. or 400. upon the place. We will not speak much of another conflict, which happened in the same Dukedom, when the forementioned Star was seen▪ where 500 were slain upon the place near Calinberg; nor of the bloody massacre, done by the Imperialists in the City of Munden in the said Dukedom, where 2500. Citizens and Soldiers were put to the sword most miserably by the Imperialists, the 27. of August, Anno. 626. Three Rainbows and three Suns appearing in the heavens. At Wien in Austria, the water in the Ditch was to be seen like blood for the space of 8. days: likewise 3. Rainbows appeared, and 3. Suns in the Heaven, in the beginning of April. Anno. 1619. here in the same place, and City, and in the same year, the 25. of October a great, and bloody fight was at the Donaw-bridge in the same Town of Wien, betwixt the Bohemians, and General Bucquey: in which encounter were slain on the Imperial side 4500. and of the Bohemians some 1000 and a great many wounded, which were brought with Wanes into the Hospitals of Wien. Anno 1620. about the months of April, some strange fignes, and prodigies of future misery appeared in Polonia: where it rained blood, in so much that the drops of them fell abundantly down from the tops of the houses, whose signification not long after was th●s: that the Tartarians with an Army of 40000. men invaded Polonia, with such cruelty▪ as is scarce credible, killing in one place more than 3000. of the Polonians. Likewise in the same year the grand Turk with 90000. men falling into Walstady had a bloody encounter with 12000▪ Polonians under the leading of the great Chancellor of their Kingdom, who himself with the whole Polonians Army was slain, very few of them escaping. Anno. 1621. in the month of March happened a terrible prodigy in Austria, where two Armies were to be seen in the Heaven by clear day light, fight Battles together with great ●dnance ●d Canons dis●arging n the ●eavens. thundering of Ordnances, and Canons. In the same Country, Anno. 1623. in the month of January at Lintz, just over the City two Swords standing against another, and two strong Arms fight a pitched Battle together, were seen, and observed by the inhabitants, with great terror, ● Sword●●tanding ●gainst oh▪ her seen ●y the inhabitants. and heaviness. This City of Lintz in the year 1626., was besieged, and many times assaulted by the Austrian Boors, but were beaten off with loss of 500 men. These Boors many thousand strong falling upon some Imperial forces under the conduct of Duke Adolff of Holstein, touted and defeated them utterly, the rest being glad to run away. This was afterwards revenged by Pappenheim, who with an Army of 6000. Horse and Foot came against them, putting to the Sword 3000. of them upon the place, and took many prisoners, who afterwards were executed in the same City of Lintz. At Prage and Heidelberg the 5. of Febuary, Anno 1622. were seen three Suns and three Rainbows, a sharp conflict happened before this City of Prage in the beginning of January Anno 1632. betwixt the Imperialists and the Saxons, under the Baron of Hofkirch, who defeated 900. Crabats, and took 11. Cornets of them, 3. Ensigns, and almost every man of the Imperialists were cut in pieces by the Saxons before the gates. Concerning Heidelberg the seat and the chiefest City in the Palatinat, the same Town was by the Imperialists for a long time besieged, assaulted, and at the last taken by force, with great loss and slaughter of the inhabitants. Neckergemund a lesser Town, 3. English miles from Heidelberg, was likewise the same time, Anno 1622. surprised by the Imperialists by furious assault, wherein the Garrison, doing some resistance against them, with the inhabitants, both men, women and children, were put to the Sword. Anno 1634. in july was also the City of Prage, by the Saxons, and Swedes, besieged; which by the space of 3. days plied voon the Town with Canons, and were replied unto from thence in the like kind, with great loss 〈◊〉 both sides; 900. men of the Saxons, and Sw●d●, being slain: of the imperial Carrison within, consisting of 1400. men, under the command oh both the Generals, Coloredo, and Don Balthasar, 600 lost their lives. In the month of April, Anno 1622. in the Country of Darmstad were found Trees, whose leaves dropped blood. This Country afterwards in Leaves of Trees drop blood. the same year was grievously invaded both by the Imperial, and Spanish Army, as well of Count Mansfeld, as Duke Christian of Brunswick; many bloody encounters and skirmishes happened betwixt them; and especially a sore Battle was fought not far off between Duke Christian of Brunswick, and General Tilly, whose Army consisting of ●2000. of Foot, and 140. Cornets of Horse, continued a great fight for the space of 6. hours with Duke Christian at Hochst. But the Imperialists more in number beat the others, and dispersed them, which flying to the Bridge, so thronged, and wedged in one another, that a great many were thrust into the River Ma●n, wherein as many were drowned, as were killed in the Battle. At Minefeld and Malants the Shikles were seen blodey K Men drew there hands out bloodey when they Cut the Corn Anno. 1623. about Midsummer many bloody signs and aspects appeared in diverse Countries, and places. In Bohemia in the County of Podybrat a well for some days was turned to blood. At A Well turned to blood. Tursin a Town 3. or 4. leagues from Egra, in a Citizen's house, the table, the wall of the parlour, and the chairs sweated blood, in so much The Parlour walls table, and chairs sweat blood. that it began to run in the parlour. What bloody encounters happened in the next, and other years in those places, is too well known: where 4000 of the Bohemiant under Count Mansfeld were slain: some 300. of the Imperialists not long after lost their lives also by the Sword: 5. troops of the Elector of Saxonies' Horses, lying then at Rakonick in Bohemia, were at once knocked down by the Imperialists; scarce 120. of them escaping with their lives. What if we should remember the bloody tragedy acted by the Imperialists at Egra, where the Imperial Generalissimo Duke of Fridland himself, with 4. others chief Commanders, was murdered, and massacred the 25. of February, Anno. 1634. In the Territories about the Rhine, and Hossen Darmstad in this 1623. year, in diverse Towns, and Villages, were seen bloody signs and tokens, Bloody signs seen on ho●s s, & walls. on houses, stones and walls: how prodigious this hath been at Mingelheim, where 2000 of the Imperialists were put to the Sword by Count Mansfeld, the ways side by the River Rhine towards Germersheim being strewed with their dead bodies. Also next year following in a Battle at Wimpsen betwixt General Tilly, and Marquis of Durl●ch, 5000. were slain upon the place. In the month of january, Anno 1632. the Swedish General Rhinegrave taking the Town of Kinchberg by assault, put to the Sword 147. Imperialists, and Spaniards therein. Not long after the Rhinegrave in another occasion lost 300. of his men by the Spaniards Sword. Sickles in the l●ield bloody. About Meyenfild and Malantz, the Sickles, and the hands of the labourers in the Meadows were seen bloody. What cruelty, and shedding of blood by the invasion of the Spaniards in those places afterwards hath been, would require a large relation; where the Inhabitants, without respect of Sex or condition, have been miserably massacred. This is notable amongst other cruelties there committed; The Spanish, and Imperiale Army coming from the Rhine, passed by Gall into those parts, Anno 1635. where the Catholics to secure themselves from being made a prey unto them, marked their dwelling houses with the sign of the Cross, then thinking themselves as secure from injury from that Army, as Rahab was by hanging the scarlet thread at her window, from the victorious Sons of jacob at jericho; or Israel by striking the blood of the paschal Lamb upon their posts, and lintels, from the destroying Angel. But as the grounds of their hopes were most different; So the issue was most unlike. These were the first which felt the effects of their insolency, being pillaged, and murdered without distinction of age, sex, calling, or place; men and women in religious orders being forced in their Monasteries, and an Agent sent unto them from the States of the Province, precipitated by them from an high Rock. It rained blood. In the Dukedom of Wirtemberg at Herbrechtingen and Hermeringen, the 16. of July, Anno 1622. it rained so much blood, that it fell upon the hands, and clothes of the labouring men, and was to be seen upon Trees, Stones, and other places in the fields. How many thousands of the Inhabitants of that Dukedom in those last wars, and especially after the Battle, and in the Battle of Norlingen have lost their lives, is too well known to the Christian World: in which bloody Battle how many thousands on both sides were slain, no man had certainty of it. Amongst which were many brave Colonels, and chief Commanders, as the marquis of Auspach, 5. Colonels, diverse Captains, and Officers all dead in the bed of honour. Anno 1634. the 24. of Aug. The 26 of December, Anno 1624. for the space of 10. or 11. hours it was observed in Fiery beams▪ coming forth of the Sunnc stand in opposition to it. Bohemia, that the Sun was changed first in diverse colours; at the last fiery beams came forth out of the Sun, which for a time held their opposition against the Sun, than they went away, and vanished like a smoke in the Air, and at last fell down with a noise like Rackets. Two days before, in Silesia happened an horrible prodigy, as if two Armies in the air continued a great fight and skirmish against one another. How many skirmishes and conflicts have fallen out in these two Countries the years following, is needless to remember: remarkable alone is the siege of the City of ranckford upon the borders of Silesia, which the King of Sweden took in by assault, Anno 1631. to the terror and slaughter of 2000 Imperialists, which were out in pieces upon the place, besides those that were drowned, and others found dead in Cellars, Chambers, and elsewhere, as many more perchance. 300. Swedes also there stain, and 100 hurt. At Lansbergen in the front of Silesia, 300 Swedish soldiers, over-confident of their valour, were put to the sword by the Crabats: which Town the King the 15. of April took in by assault, with slaughter of 300. Imperialists: but of his own men no less than 600. lost their lives. In this time at Cressin in Silesia, 200. Imperialists attempting the recovery of the same Town, were slain by the Swedes. An Ancient in red habit seen in the air: also a chariot with 2. horses, an infinite number of men. A strange prodigy in the heaven happened at Gierslet in the Dukedom of Anhalt the 12. of May, Anno 1624.▪ which continued from 6▪ till 8. clock at night, and was observed by the Inhabitants of the same Town in this manner. First of all came forth out of the clouds an Ancient, with a red Hungarian habit: after him followed some grave men clothed in the like habit. Thirdly, came forth a Chariot with two horses of diverse sprinkled colours, and another Chariot with four armed horses. Suddenly did break out of the clouds an infinite number of people, like a swarm of Bees, with such aforesaid Hungarian habit, and with Hungarian hats upon their heads with great Feathers. After them followeth a man sitting upon horseback, with a great long robe, putting the people before him. After this did follow a Comet, iuxia aquilam with inclining head. A quarter of an hour after came forth another Army, consisting of many horses, and foot, and Chariots, having hoods of broad rands with Feathers. In the midst of the Army appeared a man alone, drawing before him a long red cross, before which he made some prayers with extended hands. These the following Army presently routed and defeated. All these Forces marching towards the Towns of Aldershliben, Hirshliben, and turning at the last-towards Sandersliben, with red clouds oppressed vanished away. The day before it reigned blood at Wemsham in Bohemia, and likewise two Armies appeared in the air skirmishing together. This portentous prodigy issued out perhaps in the bloody battle which was fought at Dessaw● bridge, in the same Dukedom of Auhalt, the 25. of April, Anno 1626. where Count Manifield came with his Army before the Imperial Sconce, against which he cast up 3. Batteries, from whence he night and day thundered upon the Imperialists. But the Duke of Fridland coming to succour the Imperialists, utterly defeated the Mansfieldish Forces, whereof were slain 3000. upon the place: amongst them 3. Colonels, and other Officers. Of the Imperialists 1000 also slain. The day before that the prodigy happened at Giersleb▪ it reigned blood about Fridberg in Silesia, and two Armies also appeared in the heaven fight for a long time together. Three years after happened a bloody encounter about the same place, ●e●re the Town of Fridberg. For the Duke of Fridland fo●ding Colonel Pechman with 7000▪ Horsemen and Dragoners to pursue the Danish and Weinmarish troops, there began a sore fight betwixt them, where at the last all the Danish forces were ruinated and killed, 10. Companies of them taken prisoners, the Imperial Commander Pechman himself, with diverse other Officers slain. A strange Tempest. Anno. 1624. the 8. May, a strange Tempest happened at Ratisbon, full of admiration. When there was a great calm with a little rain, two dark Clouds met together, which suddenly belched out a wind intermingled with fire, and raised such a Tempest, as hath not been known in the memory of man. It was first perceived near the Wood before the City, where it tore up the Trees by the roots, and, as in a moment, drove them to diverse places; and thence extending itself to the City, overturned more than two hundred houses in the Town and Suburbs, which had not a chimney left standing, nor a piece of the roof to cover it; not sparing the Churches, the Church of Emerant besides the shattered windows, having one of the Steeples laid fat to the ground, and the other broke off in the middle: two of the chiefest Steeples being blown down, with the destruction of a Cloister, which cannot be well repaired with many thousand Florins. This was the progress, yet the end was more wonderful, both in its time of duration and the bounds of the Tempest. It was then supposed to be raised by some damned Sorcerers, who by the assistance of the Prince of the Air had caused this outrage. The instrument of this desolation was limited both to time, place, and persons; the time lasted not above a quarter of an hour: the Hurricane (so we may call it, though the true one was never seen in Europe) did not dilate itself beyond the City, where it rend up some few Trees, and killed four men. This City of Ratisbone was ten years after this strange Tempest, Anno 1634. in the month of May, straight besieged, and assaulted, by the Imperial and Bavarian Army, consisting of 30000. Foot, and 15000 Horse, when they night and day battered it with an hundred pieces of Ordnance, but were valiantly every Battle repulsed by the Swedish Garrison and the Inhabitants, with the slaughter of 4000 Imperialists in the last assault. Many brave Commanders, and Officers, lost their lives in this siege. The Garrison and Citizens having for a long time behaved themselves stoutly in defence of the City, even to the admiration of the Imperialists, who had lost before it by their own relation 8000. men that were slain upon the place; 6000. others who had run away; made 15000. Canons shot upon the Town; cast above 2000 Granades into it, endured 465. sallies from within the City, at last they surrendered it to the Imperialists upon honourable Conditions. Strange kind of Fruit. In the year 1625. the 6. of March, at Mors a Village near to the City of Frankendall, was found a strange kind of prodigious Fruit, on a pear Tree, which was brought from a Country man to the Town Clark with great admiration of the spectators. It was a branch not round, as a natural branch or sprig, but broad of about an ell in length, and the delineation thereof was transported to many places, and some the Goverrnour of the Town himself afterwards sent to the Spanish Infantin at Brussel. Whether this prodigy hath portended the miserable devastation and desolation of the whole Palatinat, is needless to make mention thereof. It is too well known to the Christian world, what and how much this Country the years following hath suffered, and long felt the misery of war, famine, and the plague; and doth not only continue to this present in the same condition, but the flame thereof hath set the neighbour Countries on fire, which are sensible of the like miseries. Therefore great need of repentance have such who do enjoy the contrary, I mean peace and tranquillity and are disburdened of those afflictions with which other people are encumbered: for. Verba docent, et signa movent, et poena probabit, Ni subito in mclius vitam convertimus, actum est. In this before mentioned Village Mors, wherein this prodigy of Fruit was found, were 9 Troops of Spanish horses under Don Philip de Sylva, who was then General of all the Spanish forces in the Palatinat, and in the Bishoprics of Mentz and Triers, whoafter a long fight were utterly routed & defeated by the Swedish Commander the Rhinegrave, Are, 1631. The Town of Franckendall was repossessed by the King of Bohemia their natural Lord, Anno 1632. the Spaniards therein would never treato with the King of Sweden about it, but with the Prince Palatines ministers, to whom they condescend to deliver it, but: it is lately conquered again by the Imperial Army, with most lamentable sufferings of the Inhabitants. Multitudes of Croweskilling Each other they baskits of them were Carried into the City in Selesia 1625▪ near Troppaw in Silesia, in the Month of February, Anno. 1625. a great multitude of little Crows (Corniculae) appeared in the Air, which fought as it were in a set Battle, and skirmished so eagerly, killing many amongst themselves, that the Boors gathered some sacks full of them dead, and transported them unto the City. The year after, Anno. 1626. fell out a hard and sharp fight, betwixt the Imperialists, and the Weinmarish Forces in this place. The Imperial Commanders Schaffgotch, Dona, Colorede, and Hexted, with an Army of some 1000 men of Horse, and many Foot, attempting to assault the Weinmarish troops in their Camp near Troppaw, were still repulsed; and in the end 7. Companies of the Weinmarish●allying ●allying out of the Camp, slew and routed the Imperialists, 4000 dead corpses being found of them upon the place, and many Officers slain; and so the Weinmarish got an happy victory of their enemy, although they were more in number. Another, but more bloody, conflict fell out few Leagues from this place the 3. of May, Anno. 1634. where the Saxonian Army, under the command offield-Marshall Arnheim obtained a memorable Battle, and brave successful victory against the Imperialists: where the onset, and first shock of the Battle was hot and fiery, continuing with great obstinacy, and bloody opposition, for the space of 6. hours: the Saxons Canons being three times lost to the Imperialists▪ and three times with much slaughter recovered again from them by the Saxons. The Curassiers, and Crabats did show much valour and resolution for the most part of the Battle, till in the end the victory inclined to the Saxon side. Of the Imperialists were slain upon the place of Battle above 5000. amongst whom were two General Majors, 1. Colonel, 1. Colonel Lieutenant, 4. other Officers of account: Coloredo the General, Trost and Winse, both Colonels, were grievously wounded; and most of the Captains of the Foot forces were slain. Of the Saxons party slain about 400. whereof ●. Ritmasters, 5. Cornets, and 4. Ancients, and 100 of them hurt: 36. Ensigns, 9 pieces of Ordnance, 27. Comets won▪ in the field. In the end of February, Anno 1625. in diverse places of Silesia was as exceeding great Tempest Thunder and lightning. with thundering and lightning, as hath been since the memory of any man. At Breslaw the spires of the Elizabeth, and Mary Magdalene Churches, the foundation of the Statehouse, and many fine dwelling places, were overturned into the Town; great Trees, and a new strongly-builded Bridge before the swinith port, were torn up by the roots, that the next day following nothing of them were seen, but driven to diverse places: many fair houses were utterly demolished by this strange Tempest. At Nissa a lesser City than Breslaw, the chiefest. Church therein was struck with a terrible thunder, and the Tower was thereby battered to the very ground work, and foundation, the 9 of September, 1627. At Breslaw, Anno 1628. a strange prodigy also was observed by the Inhabitants of the same City, with great wonder and astonishment: The Moon appearing much bigger than usually, and four great Ordnance or Canons were first seen in the Air, with great terror; and afterwards heard shot off with uncessant thunders, and volleys one against another. After that, before the gates of this said City of Breslaw, some sharp conflicts fell out about the 26▪ of August, Anno 1632. betwixt the Imperialists and the Swedes: who pursued the flying Imperialists unto Breslaw. After some encounters the Imperialists called to the Citizens on the walls, to assist them, by shooting at the Swedish, and Saxons, which they refused: some skirmish being made on both sides, the whole Swedish and Saxonian Army appearing with their great Artillery, and being come within half an hours march of the Imperial leaguer, they ranged themselves into Battaglia, advancing with their Canon playing before them, and beat the Imperialists over the River Oder, who set fire upon their own quarters before the Town, and in haste retired themselves with Baggage, and Ordnance over the Bridge; which in three places they put fire unto. This had the Imperialists not done, they had been all undone. The Swedish were at this day in hot skirmish with them: The next day, in the morning, they began again the fight, continuing till 8. a Clock: at which time shooting was given over on both sides. The Imperialists towards evening retire a little, and send much of their best Baggage, with 4. great pieces of Ordnance (each drawn by. 20. on 24. horses) to be taken into Breslaw, for fear lest they in their retreat should be forced to leave them to their enemies. The Guns were taken in. The most part of the Imperial Army in the mean time forsook their own leaguer, and retired into that suburb on the other side of Breslaw, the Swedish continuing their assault, upon those left at the Oder: but at last the Imperialists in great haste retired themselves from Breslaw, some North eastward, to Namstaw; others North-west-ward-to Auris, whence was thought they would have gone, out of the Country. News afterwards was brought, that other Swedish had slain 200. horsemen more at Olaw-Bridge. Whilst the Swede was thus employed about Breslaw, the Saxons follow the Caesarians towards the pass at. Olaw, where all day, and night, the Saxon Ordnance so thundered into the Wood, that so soon as ever the Saxons came over the Bridge, the Imperialists took the rout at it, leaving 2. pieces of Ordnance behind them. There were 1200. Imperialists said to be slain. October the third did Breslaw accord with the Swedish Commander Dubalt, yielding to maintain those 600, Foot, and 1000, horsemen, which he already had about the Cathedral Church, which is in the Suburbs. At Hamborow the 3. of May, 1627. a prodigy was seen in the Heaven not without terror of the Citizens, and Inhabitants. It appeared first a circle, and therein the accustomed face of the Sun, but in the edge of the circle five other Suns, round about the first appearing Sun, with an interposed Rainbow; afterwards two other Suns with another part of a Rainbow, one extending towards the West, the other towards the South, were to be seen; at the last all this vanished in a burning smoke. This City of Hamborow lieth upon the front of Holstein, wheresome leagues off, betwixt Bredenborg, and Itz●ho, in the same year the Imperial Count of Slick fought a Battle against the Marquis of Durlach, than Commander of the Danish Army, where the said Marquis lost the field, his Army routed, and a great many of them slain upon the place, 32. pieces of Ordnance, and 42. Ensigns taken by the Imperialists whereupon they suddenly surprised the Fort of Bredenborg, putting to the sword all that they found in Arms. Not long after, this Count of Slick having notice that 24. Danish Companies, with 200 horsemen were enquartered about Froyborg some miles distant from Hamborow, he with all his forces over▪ took them, cut in pieces 300. of them, 3000. of the Danish horsemen sticking in moorish places were all taken prisoners. Betwixt Hamborow, and Stoad in the end of April, Anno 1632. happened another conflict: General Pappenheim being come with an Army of 10000 horse and foot into Stoade, had the passage into Keydinger land open; where was a Swedish Regiment of General Major Leslyes, and 4. Companies of Colonel Monroes enquartered; upon these falls Pappenheim, cuts them off all, taketh 19 Colours, and some Captains and Officers prisoners. At Sanderborn in Pomerland Appeared a great Army and the northern side prevailed This 1628. year was full of portentous prodigies, which were seen in many and diverse places. At Sunderbory in Pomerland, the Heaven being open, an Army appeared coming from the Northern parts, the Avantguard thereof being pioneers and Musketeers; hereupon did follow great pieces of Cannons and Ordnances: the rear was concluded by Cavalry or horsemen. Another Army came forth on the other side against the first, where began a fiery, and hot skirmish betwixt them: but the victory inclined to the Northern Army. At last a right fiery beam followed upon the Northern Conqueror, which beam put forth fiery rays or beams, and continued thus prodigiously for the space of some hours. A prediction of a great Astronomer of the English Nation, and his judgement upon that great conjunction of Saturn and jupiter, July, 18. Anno 1623. is this; That the effect of that conjunction would be felt in the North, and North-East parts of Europe in particular: and in general over all. That it would produce Wars, Famines, Plagues, etc. Places subject to this he nameth, Italy, France, Bohemia, Silesia, and Germany. Of Provinces he nameth Prusia, Brandenburg, Stiria, Hassia, and Saxony: yea, he descends to Cities; naming Rome, Prague, Magdenburg, Coblenz betwixt Mentz and Cullen, Vlin, Brunswick, Augsburg, etc. He says it is likely to go hard with the Roman Empire, Clergy. Jesuits: he speaks of a King of a true Religion that should do all this, and much happiness that should succeed it. How this observation hath even now been verified, we need not feed the humour of the times: true it is, and cannot be denied, that in the year 1630. following, Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden, having conquered many Towns from the King of Poland, both in Prussia, and Livonia, came with an Army of some 12000. men out of the Northern corner of the world, and landed first in Pomerania, not very far from Sunderborg, where the foresaid prodigy was seen: where he first beat out the whole Imperial Army, nor ever returned he out of them, but with the Olive Branches, the emblems of Victory. But these Northern trophies upon his next neighbours, as they had much of glory; so have they much of credit in them: but chronicle, and belief, must strain hard to make his German conquest any thing probable with posterity: and were they not written in the times of doing, and acknowledged by his enemy, scarcely would the legend be more apocryphal. For what belief (not easily to be abused) could persuade itself, that two third parts of Germany could (and by him that entered with 12. or 11000. men) in two years, and 4. months' space, be wrested from so puissant an Emperor? A might Empire and a potent, formidable for its greatness, confident upon the power of its colleagues, and upholders: vast in extent, terrible for its arms and Captains, renowned for its conquests, beyond expectation successful in all its enterprises, and that knew no bounds but the alpes, and the Ocean. And yet this Empire, with its Armies or Garrisons, that did hold so many Princes at a bay, was itself constrained to take the yoke, which sweden Gauntlet put upon it. In less than 2. years and a half this Northern Lion did all this: what might he more have achieved, had he gone on another year, and two months, and filled up the time of that malicious and false prediction, which the jesuits, had cast abroad of him? They comforted their creduious Novices with his being Antichrist; and that he should reign 3. years and a half, and no longer. At Bishein a Village near the City of Strasburg, 2 Females joined together. a poor woman brought forth a strange monster to the world the 11. of March, Anno 1628. which was two females, whose bodies were joined together, the extern members, as hands, feet, and heads, being perfect and whole, but only seen in them one heart, and one lungs. This prodigy if it hath forerun the many and fearful outrages committed in the wars near and about Strasburg the years following; and those great damages, which usually accompany the wars, and the unruly Soldiers, I know not. Certain it is that these continued wars, these grievous Impositions, these violences, injuries and ravages in those parts would scarcely be believed: and to pass by also the great famine and plague, which for a long continuance have followed this prodigy, no man can be ignorant, how the people and inhabitants of that Country have been tortured for their money, had their cattle driven away, their houses firedand and all comers driven out of the same Country. The Soldiers neither observed martial discipline, nor moral honesty: neither keeping the Laws, nor fearing God. Virgins, and women have been ravished upon the high altars. And if the weekly contribution were not paid at the Soldier's pleasure, than the inhabitants were presently spoilt or killed of them. Thunderbolt did much hurt Strange was that Thunderclap which fell at Brig in Silesia, wherein the Immediate power of God appeared. A thunder Bolt about midday, May, the 29. Anno 1628. fell upon one of the Churches of the same Town, broke down the door, slew a poor woman in the porch as she was praying, wounded in its course many poor women and children. After this the same thunderbolt, routed towards the Church in the Suburbs, struck the Minister as he was reading, doing him no more harm but that it singed the hair of his head, nor the people which fell down and prostrated themselves to the Earth at the instant. A strange thunder fell upon the Church at Sagan, another Town in Silesia, the 13. October, in the same year, whence it burst forth by a window, attended with such winds, rain, hail, storms, and tempests, that it tore up the Trees by the very roots, blasted the Herbs, and fruit-Trees, and so harrowed the Country for a league about, that the loss was esteemed of a great sum of money: I can only say with the Prophet, it is the glorious God, which makes the Thunder; marvellous are his works, and that my soul knoweth right well. Besides this Thunder and tempest, afterwards appeared just over the Church fiery beams like a sword and a rod, the Bells in the steeple began to sound and Sword, & a Rod appeared. ring without help of man, and 3. miles of the heavens for the space of an hour seemed open and fiery. Betwixt this Town Sagan, and Steinaw both situated in Silesia, a hot skirmish happened the 17. of August, in the year 1632. following; where the S weeds and Saxons forces came before the Imperial leaguer under Don Balthasar di Maradas consisting of 12000. men. The Swedes cruelly with 20. pieces of Ordnance thundered both upon the Town Steinaw and the Imperial leaguer. The Swedes, and Saxons Cavalero charged, and fell upon their horse quarters; their horsemen after a charge or two, were defeated: some 4000 of their foot having thrust themselves into the Fort of the same Town. In this fight were some 2000 Imperialists slain; the rest of the horsemen running towards Sweinitz, and Breslaw. At Griffenbery another Town betwixt Sagan, and Brig in Silesia, the Swedish General▪ Bannier was entered in a set Battle with 15000. Imperialists under the conduct of their General Coloredo the 29. of june, Anno 1634. and: got a noble victory; where the Imperialists lost some 4000 men slain upon the place. Another Town in Silesia, by name Olaw, felt the like misery of the bloody wars, with more grievous punishment. After the Battle at Lignith the Saxon Army marched towards the same Town, wherein the Imperial Governor being advertised of the Saxons coming, burned the whole Town to the ground, and betook himself into the Castle; from thence the Saxons did go to Orls, a lesser Town than this in Silesia, wherein the Imperial Governor Don john de Languiall yielded to the mercy of the Saxon, and was taken prisoner, with his 300. Soldiers. S●llaw a City in Silesia suffered also much calamity, and was plundered at the same time by the Soldiers in their fury. For the Saxon Army, though not with strong opposition took, the same City by assault; the issue on both sides was bloody. A very miraculous thing happened in a Soldier at Geismar in Hassia, Anno 1630. Two Soldiers lying for a safeguard in the same Town, the one at night makes his complaint to his fellow Soldier, who lay with him in one bed, for taking much cold, to whom the other answered, that he did not believe it in regard that his body was very hot, and wet, entreating him to touch, and feel his side. Which when he had done, finding his hands exceeding wet, which were as it were glued or congealed together, suspected some had event; First looks upon his hands in the shadow of the Moon, and apprehendeth his hands to be bloody: being hereat much terrified, called for a Candle; who find● the Soldier very weak, and his left side and the sheets of the bed to be bloody: and whereas their endeavour was to wash off the blood of his side, presently cometh forth more, and more blood; at length after a space of an hour it ceaseth of itself. Three handfuls of blood, or thereabout was taken out of the sheets: this, with the relation of other circumstances, they presented in the morning to the Captain and Commander of those two Soldiers, who enquired of him, how he had felt himself that night; the Soldier answered, that he had been in great anguish of heart, and was afterwards restored to his former health. It cannot be concealed, how many and several Armies and Forces since have invaded this goodly Country of Hassen, and especially about the time when this prodigy happened on the Soldier. The 2. next years after, how barbanously and inhumanely the Inhabitants thereof have been used by the Imperall Army, and that against all reason, without any cause, and besides all colour of right and justice: they are yet still sensible of them; and wh●ch was worse than all this, if the Prince with his poor subjects did at any time complain or sue for justice or redress, they were but scorned and rejected for their labours, contrary to all Laws and rights of nature; as also against the peace of Religion and of policy, all Constitutions, and Articles of the Roman Empire: yea, they have endured the most barbarous usage that might be, in the said Country of Hassia; namely in quarterings, taxations, burnings, robberies, sacking of their Towns, and Villages: yea, also, and of putting to the sword innumerable innocent Subjects of all sorts. During all which proceedings of the enemy, and most lamentable sufferings of the Inhabitants, the worst hath been of all, that notwithstanding those infinite complaints, prayers, cries, and lamentation, they were never able to obtain any pity of their cause, or any Christian compassion towards them. The Norinberg Carrier, with some company in his journey towards Hamborow passing by the Town of Coburg at night in the month of May, Anno 1630. observed with great admiration a prodigious fire going into the Town and out of the Town, as if some discharging of great Orduance were heard, for certain hours after this. Before the Town of Coburg General Wallenstein presenting his Canons in the year, 16●2. following, the Town being there▪ upon entered, the Duke's Palace within the Town fell also to the Soldiers ransacking with the rich householdstuff, and a great part of treasure. The Town being thus mastered, the strong Castle standing upon a Rock without the Town, was next summoned. The roise of the summons is answered by the thunder of the Canons: which being louder than the sound of the Trumpet, would not let the offered conditions to be harkened unto. Wallenstein's Ordnance therefore are sent to reply upon Dubatals Canons, who had then the command of it. Wallenstein having shot a breach in the lower parts of the Castle wall, he prepared all things to give a general assault upon it. Five hundred Soldiers thereupon being commanded into the dry Graft or Moat of the Castle; Other from the Town side with continued Volleys of small, and great shot, entertained the besieged Dubatel having with good diligence also brought down some new pieces of Ordnance, he so seowers the Imperialists, that a many of the assailants already half way mounted, came fluttering down headlong into the Moat. Wallenstein perceiving the Castle to be strong, high situated, well provided, and the besieged resolved for defence; after that one repulse had been given him he retreated, Anno 1634. At Hall, in lower Saxony, in the beginning of May, Anno 1631. the Water was turned to Water tur▪ ned to blood. blood, which miracle was beheld with horror of many of the Inhabitants. Great alteration about the middle of the said month of May, in the same year followed in this City. First as it was taken by Tilly, so was it retaken by their natural Lord the Administrator of Hall, and Magdenburg from Tilly. But presently repossessed by Tilly's Forces. Hither General Tilly, thus wounded in the Battle of Leipsig, made shift to fly that night, and had his wounds dressed by the Town-barber of Hall. This City of Hall is but 7. Dutch miles distant from the place of Battle, wherein the Imperial Army was quite defeated and beaten out of the Field, being miserably slain and trodden down in the chase. And had the King of Sweden had but 3. hours more of daylight, scarcely had, 1000 Enemies come off alive. One of the high- Dutch relations doth affirm, that there were, 15000. of the Imperialists slain upon the place of Battle, or in the chase; the same night and the days following. Tillies manly heart ('tis said) could not refrain his tears, when he perceived his brave old Soldiers, and Army, which was called invincible, consisting of 44000. brave men, thus going to wrack. The chase and slaughter being done, which continued all the next day, the 10. of September, the King besieged Hall, which the next day was yielded unto him. The Castle he took in September, 12. where he took an Imperfall Sergeant Major, and a Captain prisoners, redeeming a Colonel with some others that had been taken prisoners at Magdenburg; The King sending for the Duke of Saxony, and other the great commanders of his Army, to come to Hall, unto him. A council of war was there held, which way to keep the enemy from gathering head again, and how to pursue the victory. Anno 1632. Papp●nheim took in again this City of Hall, did not omit that spoil, and barbarisine upon the City, as was reported. Part of the Bridge he burned, and blew up some of the work es: Clapped a petard to the Castle gate, in which then was a Swedish commander, with a garrison of 200. Soldiers. However the leader of Pappenheins Salliers was there shot dead, and fell, his men forced from the the Castle to retire, being after some skirmishing beaten into the Town again. At which instant a messenger of Wallenstns overtook him, to return back with all his forces to wards Lutzen, in which bloody Battle he was also strucken with a bullet of a falconet. At Madenburke a Captain's wife dieing in Childbed desired to be ripte up she had a Child as bige as a child of 3 years old on his hind a head peace and a breast plate Great boots and a bag at his side At Frawenstein ●6 miles from Dresden a woman hauemg● bought bread and going to cut it thereout I showed blood 〈◊〉 In the time of the siege of Magdeburg a City Captain's wife dying in childbed, desires to be ripped: the child was found, a boy almost as big A Child taken out of the body of a woman as big almost as one of three years old. as one of three years old. He had an headpiece and an iron breastplate upon him; great boots of the french fashion: and a bag by his side, with two like musket-bullets. This horrible prodigy hath doubtless portended the deplorable destruction, and dire abodement unto the same City; which fell out the 10. of May, Anno 1631. when a general assault, by the Imperialists was made upon the Town; the walls were in a trice mounted, the Town entered, and the Soldiers fell to killing. Falckenberg the Swedish commander therein, after valiant resistance was slain with a shot, the administrator hurt and taken. Whilst all thus goes to wrack, a mighty fire breaks out (how none knows) it being a great windy day, all was on the sudden become one great flame: the whole Town was in twelve hours' space, wholly turned to cinders, excepting few fisher houses. Six goodly Churches are burnt: the Cathedral was by the Monks, and Soldier's diligence preserved. Twenty thousand people at least were herein killed, burned, and smothered: six thousand being observed to be drowned in the River Elve. Tilly, Walloons, and Crabats never use to give quarter, or beg any: So that all were killed. 2. days after Tilly came into the Town, and finding some hundreds of women and children in the Church, he gives them their lives, and some bread to maintain them. How inhuman a devastation of this so ancient and goodly Hanse Town, the County of Tilly, and Pappenheim had then made, no Pen can express it. The cruelty of which fury, no man can discover one half to the world, that agoodly City should be reduced to such ruins: as if Hannibal had done it, and not Tilly; Hannibal who had the art by fire and vinegar, to moulder away, the Rocks and Mountains into crumbles; for the forcing of his own passage. The 18. and 19 of June, Anno 1631. at Asherleben in the lower Saxony, towards evening a terrible prodigy was seen, and observed in the Heaven. Two strong Armies met together, ● Strang-Armies met in the Air, one out of the South, the other out of the North. and prepared themselves to a pitched Battle. One came forth out of the South, and the other marching up out of the North. After a long fight the Northern Army obtained the victory from the other. This Prodigy was seen the said two days for the space of an hour in the clear heaven. After the Battle was ended, a Man in a long coat appeared two several times, bearing a bow, shooting and prostrating the leader or commander of the Southern Army. Betwixt this Town Aschertlben, and Tangermund, in the month following, July the 8. happened a sharp conflict betwixt the Swedes and Imperialists, Pappenheim then Commander of 4. Regiments of Crabats, and others, and the expulsed Garrisons thereabouts being sent by Tilly to hinder the King of Swedens proceedings in those places. The Rhinegrave therefore with some Swedish Forces being there abroad, Pappenheim falls upon on them; of whose approach the King having intelligence with all the horse he could make, and some 2000 Musketeers came time enough to make one in the Battle. Pappenheims Foot were almost all cut off, most of the horse ran away. Himself escaped first into Asherleben▪ from whence he hasted towards Magdenburg, there to expect his master the General Tilly. It was said that some 20. Companies of the Imperialists were here defeated, and some 14. Ensigns taken. Tilly being come back unto Wolmerstad, few leagues from As●herleben, upon the 16. or 17. of july, he first of all dispatches away 4. Regiments of Horse for his vant Curriers, to stay the King whilst himself with his whole Army might come up to him and to tempt the King to a pitched Battle in the Field. These gallant troops, most of them old Soldiers, were Pappenheims men, and very forward therefore now to revenge their follows, marching towards the King's leaguer, and took up their quarters about Tanger. The Swedish charging presently tumbles down a many of the Imperial Curassiers; Colonel Bernstin, who was their leader, himself being slain, thus were 1500. slain, all the 4. Regiments defeated. This defeat was given, Tilly himself being in the sight of it. Tilly resolving now upon a revenge, july, 21. forwards he sets towards the King brought some 26000. men along with him, and all these full of anger, resolution and desire of revenge; 3. several times assaults the King in his trenches, but was beaten off, and with such a tempest of shot, chain-shot, murdering shot, and what ever was cruelest to do execution, showered in amongst the Imperialists out of the King's camp, that there was made a miserable butchery. Tilly at length retired from the King, leaving five hundred starved horses behind him. Some report him to have lost 6000. or, 7000. men: perchance in all these 3. great defeats of P●ppen●eims, Bernsteins' and his own. Upon the fatal seaventh of September, this 1631. year in the bloody Battle of Leipsig, General Tilly himself was twice or thrice wounded with Pistall-shot, and his whole Army slain, and routed, as is already mentioned. Upon the place of Battle which the enemy had left for the King of Sweden, there sat a ●locke of Birds; which being sprung by the Kings coming, took their fight directly over Tilly's Army; and fetching there a circle about (and that also the Romans would have accounted an happy presage) they turned again towards the King's Army: as who should say, we went to fetch you victory. But the King had a better presage on his side then a slight of Birds, God with us, which was the watchword; and that which the Roman General sometimes preferred before the Birds: Romano milite dignus, Ensis adest augur; his valour namely, and his sword. General Tilly, Anno 1632. received also another, but more mortal shot of a Musket in the thigh, a little above the knee, in the conflict at Lech betwixt him and the King, whereof he afterwards April, the 20. died within the Town of Ingolstad, after the taking of 4. splinters out of his thigh▪ Few years before the long, cruel and bloody Battle was fought at Lutzen, the water in the Town ditch of Lutzen, was turned to blood, which prodigy was fulfiled upon the 6. of November▪ Anno 1632. wherein the bloody encounter in continual exercise lasted from 9 in the morning until night; in which the Swedes did overthrow the whole Imperial Army with slaughter of 9000. men upon the place: many a ●rave man died of the anguish of his wounds miserably; who might otherwise have been cured. The King of sweden Majesty himself, (as was said) out of the greatness and heat● of his courage, having made a charge upon the Imper●all curassiers, was there over-laid with a number of men, and did receive a shot in the left arm, which▪ he scarce feeling at first, would needs have led on still. But perceiving by and by his royal blood to gush out abundantly, in his retreat was shot thorough the body. Whose death indeed is never enough to be lamented, and so this dying Conqueror did seal the Religion, and liberty of the Germans Nations with his blood; and to whom the more ingenuous Imperialists at Prague, were heard to give this honourable Testimony, that he was the bravest enemy, and the best Captain, that ever was in Christendom. And so the Swedes, and protestants Army found themselves to have gotten ●ut a doleful and a woeful victory; losn●g that incomparable Conqueror who was, alone, worth 2. Armies. But he is dead; and that as heartily bemoaned of the Germans (to speak of him no more) as of his own subjects, who yet profess their loss to be unspeakable. And in both their Chronicles shall his Sacred memory be made famous, and his Name shall live in their mouths, and be honoured. About the death of this glorious King of Sweden, some singular, and miraculous Prodigies happening also, had affrighted the people in Swedland: amongst others, in the self same hours and times, when this Battle of Lutzen was fought appeared just over the Castle, and Royal Seat of Stockholm A Virgin with a Candle, & Handkerchief. a Virgin or Damsel at night, holding in one hand a burning Candle, in the other a white Handkerchief, which she cast about. Besides it was noted and observed, that all the doors in Castle, although they were shut and locked, three several times did open themselves. A River not of small account in Swedland, lost the same time his water, insomuch that all the day long a man might go thorough with a dry foot. In Smaland a Province of that Kingdom, the Bells without help of man began to sound, with great disheartening and terror of the Inhabitants. At Bushein a village betwixt the Towns of Frawenstein, and Fribery, in the dominion of the Sheter of Saxony happened a strange Prodigic in the beginning of April, Anno 1623. where first A double rainbow, one white, the other black. in the Ayrc was seen a sign of a twofold Rainbow, the one white as Snow, the other exceeding black: besides this another sign appeared of a fiery colour. The next day from eleven till two of the clock in the afternoon, another aspect of a high white colour reappeared. Besides all this, at Frawenstein a woman having bought some Loaves of Bread, and turning homewards to her dwelling place, as she was dividing the Bread, blood came thereout. Blood running out of a loaf of Bread. This Frawenstein, being a pretty Town upon a Hill some 16. English miles to the South of Dresden, was taken by the Imperialists by a bloody assault, the 3. Of October following, in the same year 1632. For finding some opposition, the Imperialists do carry the Town by Scaladoe, and put all both Soldiers and Inhabitants most miserably to the Sword for it. October the 4. they assault Friberg, a handsome Town upon the River Mulda, some 10. English miles to the West of Frawenstein. The Town also was hard laid at by the Imperialists, being no way able to hold out a general assault, which was the next day threatened them, and a general destruction withal, if they yielded not; which the 5. October was done. near this Friberg, Holcks men, who was then chief Commander of those Imperial Forces, taking, (I know not what) high displeasure at a certain Minister of the Country (a man of rare learning) first of all hewed him miserably in pieces with their swords, and then sung him to their Dogs to be eaten. But the Dogs, as astonished at such savage cruelty (o stand, and wonder) would not so much as touch, or lick a drop more of his blood. Whereupon his friends the next Homo 〈◊〉 ●u●u● day gathered up his pieces, and interred them. And lest this should seem incredible, the Author of Le soldat Su●dois avows, that the Crabats Men metamorp osed into Vipers. showed themselves ingenious to invent new torments for the poor Inhabitants: and that it was frequent with them for want of Dogs-meate, to feed their Curs with humane flesh. This if it may be true, though the Dogs were the Man-eaters, yet the Crabats surely were the Cannibals. At Kempten in Swabeland, a strange Prodigy, A strange Abortive and abortive was borne of a Citizen's wife in the month of August, Anno 1632. his head was altogether fat, and without ears; the hands stretched out all bloody 'twixt the flesh and skin, whose left hand held a rope, the belly thereof having too pricked wounds, and the left knee twice broken, a cord being about it. This goodly Town was held by the Imperial Commander Bray, and being strongly besieged, and many times furiously assaulted by the Swedes, at the end of six days it was surrendered upon composition in the month of May, in the year 1633. The Commander went to Reitaw, where he was beheaded, because he so slightly surrendered the said Town. The 18. of March, Anno 1634. was this Town of Kempten the second time taken by Gustavus Horn by assault; and whereas the Imperial Colonel with his Carrison had retired themselves into the Castle, both place and men were enforced the next day to yield upon hard conditions. Many bloody ●●●irmi●es are fallen out about this Town, where the Imperialists were often times beaten to the very gates of Kempten. What misery the years following this Town felt, and the Country thereabouts, when it was besieged and taken by the Imperialists again, cannot well be expressed. It was brought to such extremity of famine, not much inferior to that of Samaria, and jerusalem, recorded in holy Scripture, or Saguntus in Spain, and Perusium in Hetruria, or Tuscany a Province in Italy, mentioned by profane Histories; many brave Citizens out of, this and the neighbour Townes were compelled by necessity to bear Arms, thereby to get their livelihood. Horseflesh was sold for high prizes, Dogs, Cats, and Vermin, were as good as Venison: all commerce being cut off, Bread-Come was not only at an excessive rate, not to be purchased with money: so that the spruce Citizens, which formerly held the Country people as Boors and Clowns unfit for their society, might well discern that their labours were not to be despised, their dead wares standing in no parallel of Use with the Fruit of the Field, gotten by the industry of the rough handed Ploughman, and the blessing of God. In the month of February. Anno 1633. at Dobenshutz, a Village in the territory of Althenburg Blood springing out of a fish▪ pond. in a fishpond sprang forth blood which caused an exceeding ill stink, so that if passengers had touched it, they could not wash off the stink in 3. days. This Country indeed hath been this year and the others following lamentably ruined and plunged: the Soldier's licentiousness, God punis●●●th fathy thy beastly ans with stenches, & ●●thy gavottes. exercising their wont cruelty and beastly ravishing, hath been unheard of. Many fair Towns were forced, spoiled, and burnt to ashes for resisting, and diverse of the Villages, as well as the foresaid Dobenschutz, put on fire, and the Inhabitants thereof most miserably Friday and 〈◊〉 ●●●cleann●sse. slaughtered. Here were the women, yea, Ladies, Gentlewomen, and others like beasts and dogs yoked, and coupled together, to be sent into the Woods and ravished: who for resisting had their clothes stripped off, their bodies whipped, their ears cut off, and so sent home again. Hereabout got the Soldiers and Crabats together some thousands heads of cattle, and Savage ●●●city. what beast soever could not, or did not readily follow them, they either houghed or killed; lest (as they said) it should serve some heretics. The rest I omit, not so much for Frevities' sake, as for horror: not listing to relate the Barbarismes, and sheddings of blood committed by the Crabats as if they had fall'n in not to make wars, but desolations; or as if they had believed, that a Country was never thoroughly conquered, till it were utterly by sword and fare destroyed. Gustavus Horn, Swedish field-marshal, with the Rhinegrave, and a Landgrave of Hessen, being come to Bibrach the 6. of March, Anno 1633. a portentous Prodigy appeared about 8. clock in the evening right over the Town; two long Swords were seen in the Air, the one fiety, the other red as blood. Many hard encounters fell out about this time, and about this place, betwixt the Swedes and Imperialists. Horn's people were supposed to have killed 600. Crabats in a few days, near and about this Town of Bibrach: and so many of Duke de Ferias men, who had a new Army of Spanish and Italians brought to aid the Imperialists, died by the way, by frost, sword and famine, that betwixt ulm, and Bibrach were found 1000 dead carcases. And so the Catholic Generals were then glad to make towards Bavaria, having scarce brought away the third part of their Army; Spanish, Jtalians, Germans, and Burgundians. This Town of Bibrach, not long after Gustavus Horns departing, was retaken by the Imperialists by assault: the Garrison laying down both Arms and Ensigns, to have their bare lives saved. Some months after four Regiments of the Imperialists, betwixt this Town and Isne, were surprised and ruinated by the Swedes, which invaded their quarters, took a Colonel with many Officers prisoners, putting a great many to the sword: 600. other Imperialists having been abroad, were also overtaken and killed the most of them. In the month of March, Anno. 1634. Gustavus Horn besieged the City of Bibrach again, in the which lay 1300. men, offering upon his first approaches a fair agreement, which the Imperial Governor of the Town refused: then planting his Ordnance, he battered the Town so long, till he won the enemy's works, and made a breach into the walls. Then the Governor sending a Trumpet out of the Town, desired reasonable conditions; else that he would defend the Town to the last man; And that first of all he would burn and blow up all the Protestant Citizens, which he had already locked up into the Town-house, and into a cellar. This being refused, for that he had already denied first good offers. After all this, when as all things were ready for the assault, and the Swedish troops advanced towards the breach, the Evangelicall Ministers together with diverse women came forth of the Town making a most pitiful cry and entreaty to the Swedish General, signifying it would cost all their lives, for that the Townhouse was already undermined, and the Mine filled with powder, and that they certainly expected to be blown up immediately. Out of commiseration therefore to those poor people was offered another agreement unto the Governor, and granted them liberty to march out with their swords only: which was accepted. At Dresden june, the 23. Anno 1634. happened another Prodigy; where towards evening at five of the clock, the Sun was first seen as white as Snow, and then suddenly becoming dark, as if a mist went over it: It appeared first in form of a Crown, and then like a Feather; red as blood, in which postures when it had continued by the space of half an hour, it returned to his orbicular shape, but retained the sanguine hue till it went down, and the Moon at her rising, retained the same bloody aspect till she was not to be seen in that Horizon. I know not whatsoever the Physiologers babble of natural causes, yet such alteration in the Heavenly and Airy bodies is always prodigious. Memorable was that observation of the ancient Astrologians to this purpose. Speaking of the fearful blazing Star seen 1618. that it did presage— 1. Violenta et superba Consilia, dissidi●, proditiones et rebelliones. 2 Latrocinia, et subsessiones viarum, solicitudinem Auxietatemque Animorum. 3 Regum et Principum interitum, bella, pestem, et morbos varios. 4 Religionis legum, et institutorum mutationem, novarum rerum inexplebilem cupiditatem. I shall not dispute of the effects but expect them: a Luxuriant wit may happily play on either side, and presage probably good or evil to either party. I dare not meddle here; my wish is— Deus omen in hosts Convertat— and my prayer shall still be: Pour out thine indignation, O Lord, upon the Heathen, and thy wrath upon them which have not called upon thy name. Blood and Brimstone from Heaven. About the middle of june, Anno 1634. at Berlin in the marquisdom of Brandenburg it rained Blood, and Brimstone. The next year following in the month of November, before the gate of Itzeho, a Town in Holstein it rained thick blood; whose drops instead of ink have represented right natural Blood in writing. How many bloody conflicts and encounters the same year and the next following happened betwixt these two Countries, no man can fully apprehend or believe, unless such as have seen it with their eyes. And to avoid all other bloody passages, whichhave raged most cruelly in those parts, yet still in remembrance is the last bloody and sore Battle, which was fought in the month of October, Anno 1636. at Witstock, in which were slain 7000. of common Soldiers upon the place, on the Saxon and Imperial side, and many others more, which fell by the sword of the Swedes in the prosecution. 6. whole Regiments being totally ruinated, besides those great Commanders who lost their lives also, namely the two General Majors, Wilsdorp, and Goliz, 5. Colonels, besides Rittmasters, Captains, and diverse Officers both of Horse and Foot 1500. prisoners taken, amongst which were 170. Officers, 143. Cornets and Ensigns, 14. pieces of Ordnance, and 8000. Wagons were lest to the Swedish conquerors. Of the Swedes were also slain upon the place of Battle 1000 and upwards; amongst which there were of account two Colonels, 4. Lieutenant Colonels, and sundry Ritmasters, Captains, and under officers. At M●lnick where the Rendezvous of the Saxon Army was, in time of prayer, july the 24. Anno 1634. was a strange apparition in the Air, which is thus delivered by Letters bearing date the same day— That about evening, when our Electors Chaplain was at prayers, there appeared a sign in the Sky, like a fiery Beam: when he had finished his course, and the Lieutenant General Arnheim his Chaplain Sceptre seen red, and fiery. did his Office, there appeared another in a form of a Sceptre fiery-red, just over the house where he made his sermon, as soon as prayers were done, and the Chaplain had spoken Amen, the sign vanished: It was seen of many after this. The Crabats, like Vermin in a Warren, worse than Bandits, have ransacked, plundered, and pillaged what places soever they came unto, in these Countries, this year, and the other following: they spared neither Nobleman's Houses, Churches, nor Cloisters, but robbed, and dismembered the Country people, ravished the women, deflowered the maids, burned the Villages, and Towns, and did such mischievous insolences, as those Rhodopes, and Dolopes would have started at. Man and beast, and Fowls of the Air, all seemed now to be at an irreconciliable difference, and Germany must be the stage whereupon they played their prizes: at Hessen, in the month of March, Anno 1635. there met together 2 Armies of Birds fight two Armies of strange Birds, which fought, as it were, in a set Battle: and near Straubinge, upon the Danubie multitudes of Dogs had their randevouze, which fought so eagerly, that the whole vicinage was not only affrighted by the Prodigy, but, as if they would not admit of any agreement, but such as themselves liked of, when the Governor of Ratisbone had sent out against them 4. companies of his Garrison, with Muskets and other Military instruments to assault and slay them, they left their hostility, a strange Enemy coming upon them, set upon the Soldiers, and in despite of their shot and weapons devoured nine men. Multitudes of Strange dogs fought so Eagerly and slew each other that the Governor of Ratisbone sent 4 Companies of Muskets against them and 9 of the men were slain by the dogs The Conduit at Isenach rane blood for 2 hours together 1637 Strange Prodigies terrifying the hearts of the people, while the Princes and peers were in their jollity in the Diet at Ratisbone: Mars, and Saturn reigned abroad, and war with his grim attendants, Famine, Pestilence, Fire, and destruction also raging abroad in the Roman Empire. What might happen by the fault of a careless or unskilful Mason, not well bedding or cementing the stones, at the building of a new Steeple at Vienna, was by the construction of the vulgar sort counted ominous. The spire of Shotten lately built fell down suddenly the 19 of December, Anno 1636. about the time of the Coronation of the new King of Romans at Ratisbone, and demolished the new builded Church: and that was made portentous, the rather, being accompanied with another of the same time at Rome; where a great blazing Star, called by the Naturalists Cometa Crinitus, appeared for a space, and then vanished away suddenly over S. Paul's Church with a noise: and divers Monuments, placed in the Church, fell down, and were defaced utterly. Now it would relish of over much boldness to peep into the Ark of the Divine Secrets, nor can we conclude any particular consequences to have been portended by the accidentary fall of the aforesaid new Steeple at Vienna; yet doubtless the comet, though caused by the meeting of secundary and natural causes, was the significator of what ensued about that time, and not long after. Within the space of a month the Emperor Ferdinand the second, who had long been sickly at Ratisbone, and then removed to Vienna, exhaled his last spirit, February the 5. Anno 1637. betwixt 8. and 9 of the clock in the morning, to the great grief of the Court and City, which had prepared triumphs and tournaments, and in much bravery determined to receive the new King of Romans: but by this occasion laid aside their gallantry, put on the face of sorrow, and by their dejected looks and mourning apparel, showed their anxietic for his loss, who so long had steered the ship of State to their content, and was then taken from them, when the tottering Empire freshly assaulted and ransacked by strangers, required such a Nestor, as by sage directions grounded upon mature deliberations might preserve it from fear of utter ruin. Some prodigies happening in sundry places of the Roman Empire before the meeting of the Princes in the electoral diet at Ratisbone, did dishearten the common people, and made them despair of any good issue by that treaty. One was at Wells in Austria, the sudden uncovering of the Emperor's house of pleasure, where he was lodged, (by a violent tempest, and this was accompa●ned with two others at Lintz, the first whereof, was the sudden fall of an Arch of the Bridge made over the Danuby, which the Emporour had no sooner passed over, but it tumbled into the River: the other this; Three carved Eagles, placed upon the house of a Burgess of Lintz, being broken down, by the fury of the Tempest, were mounted by the same violent blast into the Air, shattered there sundry ways, and the one in the end fell upon the house appointed for the assembly of the Province, the other upon the Statehouse, and the third upon a public Aqueduct. Anno 1636. Distracted wits upon every light occasion, project terrible things: These conceits were fond, and superstitious, not rational, and sound. The harsh beginning of the Diet, and the first session was more to be feared, as a fatal Prognosticke of no happy conclusion, than those antecedent accidents. A bloody time was in the Electorate of Saxony, and a general fear was conceived by the adjoining Princes, that the fury of war would not be confined there: the hearts of the people were terrified by a strange Prodigy, which though it admits no particular interpretation, was as terrible as portentous. A conduit running Blood The conduit at Isenach Anno 1637. situated in the midst of the Marketsted, suddenly instead of water poured out blood, and so continued for the space of two hours, before it yielded again that Element, for which that aqueduct was ordained. A bloody time ensued it betwixt the Imperial Generals and Banniers●orces ●orces: where few days passed Without shedding of blood in those parts about the same time. And the miserable condition of that Dukedom of Saxony, and the detriments and most total ruin thereof, can not be delivered without an accent of grief: which desolation was made, not only by the Swedes the enemies, but also by the seeming friends the Caesarians, who spared not to burn those places to the ground, where they find not as much provision, as they demand for their Armies: and the several Conflicts betwixt the Swedish and Saxonian Armies, were not without the effusion of much Christian blood, but the blood so shed was not taken away by way of murder, (War justly grounded, is continued lawfully; the Sword is oft a just decider of controversies, and though it be accounted one of the great Plagues sent by GOD, it is not attended with any injustice in the execution) black murders and horrid treasons hatched in darkness, what ever the pretence thereof may be, are not only unexcusable, but detestable also to GOD, and man. Peace, the benefits whereof have not for many late years been sensibly discovered to the Germans, was now, and especially in this Country of Saxony, the general desire of the people: the Boors, which lived by tillage, and feeding of cattle, hoped that these years the Swords would be turned into Ploughshares, and the Pikes into shepherds Crooks; the Merchants, whose free traffic was stops by these Military broils, began to feel poverty, coming upon them, more than the armed men against their enemies, and longed for an open trade, and several persons, according to our humane condition, qui facilè credsmus, quod volumus, upon each slight occasion, gave out, that a truce for time of years, if not a certain and firm peace, would be concluded betwixt the Crown of Sweden and its Allies, and the King of Hungary, and his adherents. But the misery of that Country was not yet come to the height: the Elector himself lost almost his whole Country: Moissen the chiefest City of Mionia, Eulemberg, Grim, Borne, Debitz, Bitterfeld, Belgeren and Hall, yielding instantly to the Swedish Conquerors; having no hope of relief by any Confederate Army; only Dresden of all the umbilical Cities of Saxony, did hold still out, yet not without fear of being made the spoil of strangers, the Imperial Armies being so far from their succours, that their march, and places of reft, were unknowen to the Citizens. The Swede was by this succease grown terrible to the Commons of the Empire▪ some accounted him as an authorised executioner of divine justice, upon the Saxon, whose juggling dealing had brought this misery and desolation upon his Dukedom. A woman at vienna appeared Crying Nothing but woe unto you woe unto you A strange Worm in the shape of a man. Anno 1637. the water at Weimar again turned to blood. A strange Worm in the shape of a man, with perfect Lineaments, and a golden Crown upon his head, was found in a salad at an Herb-womans' shop at Coblentz, and which (if not prestigious) was most terrible, A woman appeared in a mourning habit, in Stephens the Cathedral Church-yard at Vienna, june the 18. 1637. which, with an accent of sorrow, from 11. to 12. at night yelled out woe unto you, woe unto you; often repeating those words, and nothing else: the Bells without help of man rung suddenly, to the great affrightment of the people, who descanted upon the Omen, doubting such horrid consequences would ensue it, as presented themselves to their sevetall fancies. A new time of trouble began then, fire and sword raging in the most and best part of Germany, not only casually, but by the arbitrement and will of such as used that devouring element, to the damage of those with whom they were at enmity. FINIS.