A NEW PROPHECY: OR, A Prophetical Discourse OF THE BLAZING-STAR, That Appeared, April the 23d. 1677. Being a Full ACCOUNT, OF THE Events, & Sad Effects thereof, Which Threaten these NATIONS of England, Scotland, etc. As likewise, to FRANCE, HOLLAND, etc.  
The Reader is desired to take notice, That this Prophecy was writ Two Years ago, as will be Attested by several Persons upon Oath, and by me the Author and Observer, (Living in Spittle-Fields, London)  
john holwel, Philomath.  
LONDON, Printed at the Request of the AUTHOR. 1679.   

A New Prophecy: OR, A Prophetical Discourse OF THE BLAZING STAR, That Appeared April the 23d. 1677, etc.  
SIR,  
MAny are the opinions of the Ancients; but among the rest, the Opinion of Aristotle is the most followed: Concerning the matter and generation of a Comet or new Stars, viz. That it is composed of matter that is exhaled from the Earth, and that it is set on Fire by the excessive heat of the place where it resteth; and that makes it that it, doth continue longer sometimes than other, according to plenty of the matter whereof it consists: but by those Men, I do desire to be satisfied of these Four things.  

First, How and by what means exhaled vapours can put themselves into such forms or figures as they usually appear in.  
Secondly, How their motion can be sometimes regular, and sometimes irregular; sometimes direct, and sometimes retrograde; and sometimes fixed, as that Comet was, that was seen 1572.  
Thirdly, How and by what means they do appear, sometimes with long Tails, and sharp, very bushy; and others appear with no Tails, or if any, that very small.  
Fourthly, Whether it is possible for the matter which is exhaled from the Earth, to form a body that is bigger than the Earth itself, at that Star was, that was seen 1572. whom Tycho observed; or that which was seen 146. Years before the coming of Christ, whereof that famous Seneca speaks of, to be bigger than the Sun itself, which is 333 times bigger than the Earth itself; it may be required from whence all this Matter was exhaled, to make such a vast body as the Sun is.   
Paracelsus, that famous Philosopher, is of another Opinion; and indeed more rational; that is this, that Comets or new Stars are composed by the Spirits of the Air, by the Commandment of the Eternal God, to forewarn this Evil World, that they might amend their Lives; other ways, they may be sure to have the Judgement by them signified. For the Spirits or Angels (saith he) well knowing, that such things shall most certainly come to pass; and they doth attract the Comet a long thorough the Air, either higher or lower; and in such Parts of the Heaven, that we Mortals may the more Zealously behold it, and be the more remarkably possessed with its Significations, and so to give Thanks unto God, for not sending of a Judgement before he hath given them warning.  
These, or to this effect, are the Words of Paracelsus, which unto me doth seem to be most rational.  
These may serve to satisfy all those, that doth think, that Comets are natural; and that they came for no other end, than for Men only to look at.  
Now, I shall give you a description of the Comet lately seen; It was an Oriental Comet. It had its Head depressed; his Tail did point unto the Zinoth; but did a little incline to the North-Star: His Tail was somewhat large; but at the end, it was contracted to a point, and the very end of the Tail, did seem to be hooked like unto a Sickle.  
As to his place, it was near the upper- Star of the Triangle; and the left Foot of Andromada; which falls in Taurus, about the 17th. or 18th. degrees; having near Twenty Degrees of North Latitude, from the Ecliptic: They writ, that it had its Motion direct near two degrees in a day; but I could not see it above one; And therefore, could not observe its motion myself. When it first rose, it was of a martial-Colour; but as it did rise higher, it did seem to be of a more Lunar-Colour; but I conceive, that was by reason that day came on a pace, and took the Colour away.  
It had its first Appearance in or about the middle of Aries, and had its motion out of Aries into Taurus. And I do believe, that it ended in Gemini. It was as big as a Star of the first Magnitude. The particular relation, this Comet hath to divers Kingdoms and Countries, Emperors or Kings, is as followeth:  
Under Aries the first Sign that this Comet did appear in, are England, France, Germany, Burgundy, and Denmark, with a many more places: but these being most concerned, and the head Cities thereof, I only mention them.  
Under Taurus (the place of this Comet, when I saw it) are Russia, Swedeland, Lorraigne, Campania, Holvetia, Franconia, Ireland, with a many Cities.  
Under Gemini, (the place of the Comet, where I do believe it did end) are Sardinia, Lombardy, part of England, Flanders, Brabant, the Dukedom of Wertenburgh, Armenia, with a many Cities in those countries': all these places shall find great Changes.  
Authors say, if a Comet, of a Martial Colour, appear in the East, or North-East part of Heaven with his Head depressed (as this was in all respects) is the Forerunner of Wars, House-burning, Fire and Sword, Plague and Famine Caused by Wars.  
A Comet in Aries, is the Forerunner of great Warlike preparations, the shedding of much Blood, the death or destruction of some great Prince or Princes; and must be those Princes whose death doth cause a Change in the Government wherein they doth live; it doth show the Vulgar men to be Male contented, and inclinable to rebellion, exalting themselves: it also doth signine Invasion, little mercy shown by the Conqueror.  
If a Comet appear in Taurus, it is the Forerunner of much evil for to befall Mankind, and a lessening of their Estates; they will rebel one against the other; it shows the death of a Great King or Prince, with an Alteration of Laws and Customs: It denoteth the destruction of great Cattle, as Horses, or Cows and Oxen.  
A Comet appearing in Gemini, is the Forerunner of men, being given to all manner of bad Courses, given to strife and contention, taking great delight therein; it denotes that abundance of young Men and Children to die by sickness.  
Sir, From what hath been said, I do believe, that this Comet is the Forerunner of many evils, to befall this poor place of England, and that in a short time. I pray God bless England, from being once more invaded by the Scots; for if they do, they will find such willingness in the English to help them, that it may produce a most bloody War; but they shall not establish their Government here. The first show of this Change, or first appearance in a Warlike manner, will be about the latter end of Fifty Six or Fifty Seven degrees; I pray God bless this City of London, from being destroyed once more by Fire by the hands of an Enemy. In short, There hath not been greater Changes in no Nation nor City, than we fear, will be in this Island of Britain, and City of London, ere Seven years pass over our heads.  
France, great are the Changes that shall befall thee, a mercyless Enemy shall destroy great part of thy fruitful Country, and thy Kingdom must be given to a Prince bordering upon thy Territories.  
Holland, prepare thyself for a Change, for thy States are not to be much longer States.  
The Ancients Writ, that, that place is most Concerned, where the Tail of the Comet doth point: the Tail of this Comet pointed to the Zinoth; therefore it must signify those places where this Comet was seen, for it cannot be said for to point to any place but their own: Farewell.  
FINIS.