AN ASTROLOGICAL SPECULATION Of the late PRODIGY.  
OR A Clear discovery of the approaching Miseries signified by that Comet, or Blazing Star, Which hath so long been Visible, to several Countries and Nations in November, December and January; in the Year 1680. Being a full account of the Manner or Nature of its Effects, and in what Countries they'll be Exhibited.  
ALSO The true way of Judging the Effects, of all other Comets, and such apparitions, carefully collected from the best experimental Judgements of the choicest Aphorisms, and according to their Fundamental, and Methodical Rules; now in a seasonable time manifested in a plain and homely Style; fit for the understanding of mean capacities.  
By Thomas Jones a lover of Learning, and Student in Astrology; & Autodidactus.  
LONDON, Printed for the Author, and are sold by him, in Paul's Alley, in Redcross-Street, 1681.   

To the Courteous Reader.  
THough this be the third time I have presented my Service and weak endeavours to thy use, yet is this the first time I have appeared in this language, or in this nature, as touching Comets: I must confess that I never wished from my heart, that my opinion in Judicious ways should prove false and fail, until this time: But now I do hearty wish that I may be mistaken therein: Here is nothing but mischief and tribulation threatened, and truly had I not seen such great mischiefs and afflictions hanging over our heads for our sins, I had at this time been silent: But since by these signs we are forewarned of approaching evils, I hold it not meet to be silent at such a time; although I know it unlikely for any one in this way of writing to please all people: Yet I desire, and hope that my honest endeavours may not prove Offensive to any. We find that the old Students in this way are very backward in publishing their Judgements on that wonderful Star, as we suppose, either because they feared to err therein; or that it would incur the displeasure of some one that might return them an unwelcome reward; therefore if I do err at my first step on the Stage in this Judicious way, I hope I may be the more excusable, or if I speak darker, or shorter than I might, I desire also to be excused, in regard that the pleasing of others to my own prejudice would avail me nothing. I had adventured to publish this small Treatise of mine some months sooner, had not my time been taken up in other concerns; the further we are from the time that the Star appeared, the nigher we are to the miseries threatened by it. Therefore I think it not unseasonable to move the minds of sinners to consider it; and all that I shall now say to the purpose is no more mine than the Rules of the Ancients, and the words of my Authors. I have done nothing here with an intent to displease any one: But if any will be offended without a cause let them not blame me but their own ill nature, that will be angry with me for endeavouring to please them. I am sure there is none more diligent or willinger to please you, than  
Your painful Servant, THO. JONES.   

To his Friend the Author  
Among those noble Souls that yearly write  
Dost thou appear, my Friend, and cast thy mite?  
Go on, and exercise thy pregnant wit,  
There's them will venture that are not so fit;  
Clearly to the World thy parts display,  
Which long lay clouded to this very Day.  
I wish Urania had more such Friends,  
And less pretenders for their own self ends.  
Go on, Tho. Jones, Let the flowing Spring  
That is in thee tell's News of every thing,  
So shall thy Fame, when Death hath closed thine Eyes,  
Extend his splendour to the spangled Skies.  
Not to commend the Author is the least  
Of all my thoughts, his work will do it best;  
Nor yet to vex the prying Readers sense  
With humble words in stead of Eloquence:  
Herein I crowd these rude unpolisht lines  
To inform the Reader of these Giddy times,  
How much they are indebted, what they owe  
To him who doth his Labour now bestow;  
And eke his skill that by his piercing sight,  
His bright example may give others light.  
'Tis now a crime and quite grown out of fashion  
To encourage Art amongst the English Nation;  
Tell some of this, or other mysteries  
They'll not regard it; but will soon despise  
The Author and his works, tho'nere so good,  
And this for not being better understood:  
They'll not allow the Planets to fulfil,  
As Instruments, Gods high Decree and Will;  
Nay some there are that never will, nor can  
Attain such knowledge as belongs to man  
What wondrous Volumes is there to Espy  
In that most Various and bright shining Sky.  
Bark black mouthed envy, carp at what's well done,  
His works shall be my choice companion.  
The Welsh from Age to Age will give thee praise  
For what thou'st done for them within thy days;  
When thou art dead thy Rules of Art will be  
A Competent portion to Posterity:  
Through thine Industry, what they wanted long  
Is now prescribed in their own Native Tongue.  
Thou hast sent forth thy Rules for them, to manage  
Arts and Sciences in the British Language.  
Why take I Pen in hand to write thy Praise?  
Why hold I Torch in clear bright shining Days?  
Had I the skill or wisdom of Apollo,  
Or could I Tully's Eloquence but follow;  
Yet still should I want words and wit to tell  
Thy real worth how much thou dost excel  
And for that cause lest I detract from it  
I'll cease and make my humble Strain submit.  
W. R.   

The Author's Imploration of Divine Assistance in this Work.  
OHeavenly Father do me help,  
Disclose these Doubts to me;  
Then virtue will not labour fear,  
Nor yet the way, tho' hard it be.  
With Aganippe's wholesome food  
Replenish thou my days,  
Thy Temple eke to come unto,  
Do thou direct my ways,  
Defend me from the Common sort  
That seek me to dispraise;  
From Brutish Clowns deliver me,  
Be thou my Guide always;  
Not worse unliked then shall I be,  
If that thou wilt me bless,  
That I, that's young and unknown, may  
Myself to labour dress.  
Thou liftest men from low Estate,  
And dost to honour great them call:  
Without thy grace the wit of man  
Would perish soon and fall;  
His voice and all would wax full hoarse,  
Nothing would sweetly sound,  
All sweet and pleasant melody  
Would fall unto the ground.  
If thou wilt me favour now  
I will ascend the Skies,  
And there thy high and Goodly works  
Consider with mine Eyes;  
Teach me figures fair to frame  
Of sundry sorts in sight,  
That I may ascend the Heaven's high,  
And bring hidden things to light.  
T. J.   

HEre in the night appeared a flaming Spire  
Like a fiery Dragon folded all in fire  
A bright Comet with a fiery Stream  
Or a flying Lance with a burning beam  
Here appeared a horned Monster, environed round  
With fiery Flakes about the Air so bound  
With a long bloody hair a blazing Star  
Threatening the World with Famine, Plague and War  
To Prince's death, to Kingdoms many Crosses,  
To all Estates inevitable losses,  
To Herdsmen rot, to Ploughmen hopeless seasons,  
To Sailors storms, to Cities civil Treasons.  
Dubartas.   

To know the significations or Effects of Comets or Blazing Stars by those following Rules of Art viz.  
First, By a figure erected on their first appearance. Secondly, By their position and motion in Signs. Thirdly, By their Colour and Complexion.  
IN unfolding the significations or Effects of Comets or Blazing Stars, I am forced here to make use of some terms of Art; being such words as every Reader is not acquainted with; yet for the better understanding and benefit of mean capacities I shall endeavour to Explain them as clear as I can, within the limitation of my liberty, and thus do I now adventure to speak what I may to the purpose, wishing myself one that might verify those Scripture words. Amos, 3, 7. Surely the Lord God will do nothing: But he revealeth his secrets unto his servants. Rev. 4, 1. I looked and behold a door was opened in Heaven, and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a Trumpet talking with me, which said, come up hither and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. 14. 13. And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me write, blessed are the Dead, etc.  
It was ever counted by all Students in Astrology, the best and properest way of Judging the effects of all Eclipses, and Conjunctions of ponderous Planets by a figure erected on the exact time of their first appearance or coming together. Also for Comets or Blazing Stars if possible might be found the first time of their appearance or congealing together, I am sure there is no Student in this way will deny, but this same way is best and properest to judge their effects also: Therefore I choose it my first rule to give my approbation of this Comet, by this figure erected on the time of its first appearance to England, or according to the first relation we had of it from Falmouth in Cornwell.   Chart of the night sky, showing the position of the comet in relation to various constellations, as described in the text on pages 2-4, images 5-6 
There are four ways to judge of Comets or Eclipses by a figure of Heaven.  
1. By the nature of the Signs where they happen therein.  
2. By the nature, disposition and position of the disposer of them, or the Lord of the Sign where they shall happen.  
3. By the nature, disposition and position of the Ruler of the Scheme, or the strongest planet therein.  
4. By the nature and signification of the Houses where they happen.  
The first thing that we are to observe by this Scheme is the position of the Comet so near the Cusp of the ascendant and in the Sign Scorpio, the night House of Mars, and of Nature Cold, watery, Nocturnal, Phlegmatic, fixed, and Northern, Also near some fixed Stars of the Nature of ♂, ♄, and ☿.  
According to these testimonies it threatens War and great alterations in the World, animosity about Religion, and Chief amongst men of Martial Discipline.  
Secondly, We are to consider the position of the disposer of the Comet in the tenth house and in the House of ☿ and in partile conjunction with the Back of the Lion, a fixed Star of the Nature of ♄, and ♍ in Nature cold, earthly, Melancholy, barren, Nocturnal.  
By these Constellations it signifies, that much wit and policy will be used amongst men, and with much business employed about vile, Treacherous consultations to corrupt and Stifle good Laws, and to change governments; by their plotting and invading of Nations, and if questioned for the same, they'll pretend to be as innocent as Lambs; and truly so they may as Romish Lambs, which are always of a more infernal quality, than heretic Lions as they call them.  
Thirdly we are to consider the Nature, disposition and position of the Ruler of this Scheme, or the Strongest Planet herein; as we find here ☽ and ♀ to be Strongest, and of an equal strength also ♂ wants but one Testimony of their dignity and therefore seems to put in with them for a share: Here we find ☽ Lady of the ninth posited in the third House, and afflicted with an▪ of ♄ retrograd in the ninth House, a strong argument that Religion will Suffer a great detriment by those that never had any. Also ♃ being retrograd in the eighth House, and afflicted with a □ of ♂ from the Tenth House, and with an opposition of ☿ his disposer from the Second House; an argument that Gentlemen or Persons of quality in some Countries, for showing themselves active in regulating State Affairs, will come off with the loss of their lives. ♀ although one of the strongest Planets in the Scheme, seems not to be concerned with any, neither of one side nor the other.  
Fourthly, we are to consider the nature and signification of the House where this Comet is posited, in, we find it within three degrees of the Cusp of the ascendant, and ascending into the 12 House which signifies much Sorrows, Tribulations, Imprisonment and all manner of afflictions effected by private enemies, also self undoing to those who maliciously undermine their Neighbours, and secretly invent false accusations against them.  
Mr. Wm. Lily in his guide to Astrologers gives us this account of Comets; A Comet immovable signifies Seditions; But this Com●t was movable and very Swift in motion; such he said denotes foreign Wars, and one Nation invading another. A Comet in the 12 House as this is, threatens great pestilence and Scarcity of Corn.  

To know the signification or Effects of this Comet by its moving in Signs.  
This Comet whilst it appeared to us had its transitory motion through these Signs, ♏. ♐.▪. ♒. ♓. ♈.  
A Comet or a Blazing Star in ♏ threatens many wicked actions among men, as Wars, Contentions, Controversies, Alterations and Changes in the World, and chief among men of Martial discipline, also scarcity of Waters, and scarcity of the Fruits of the earth, and famine.  
In ♐ it denotes evil to great men, Controversies about Religion and Laws, also fevers and other dangerous diseases.  
In▪ they foreshow many inhuman actions as Murders, Massacres, Wars, Death to great men by poison or other Violent means, persecution of many for Religion, and contempt of Religion itself, plague and famine in many places. Great Frosts, Snow, Hail, troubles and calamities to most sort of people.  
In ♒ a Comet or Blazing Star signifies long lasting Wars, Terrible Slaughters of men; also a great mortality by a Sweeping pestilence, dark obscure Air, great Winds; Much Thunder and Lightning.  
In ♓ they signify much Strife and contention about Religion, division among Relations, and former friends, great troubles amongst great and potent persons.  
In ♈, a Comet or Blazing Star is the forerunner of much mischief, as Wars, dreadful fires; The ruining of Cities and Towns by Treachery; The death of many eminent Commanders: Sharp diseases in the heads of People.   

To know the significations or Effects of this Comet by its Colour and Complexion.  
The Colours of this Star hath been so various as to represent at some times the complexion of all these four Planets viz. ♄, ♃, ♂, ☿, therefore we may conjecture its effects to be according to the Nature of the said Planets, which is as followeth.  
A comet or Blazing Star of the Nature of ♄, signifies many frights and fears among People, murmuring and repining, Exile or Banishment to many; scarcity of food, penury, grievous Sicknesses, tempestuous Winds, Shipwrecks, great Frosts and Snows, a destruction of Fruit by Worms.  
Of the Nature of ♃, denotes much Struggling amongst men for matters of Religion, Laws and privileges.  
Of the Nature of ♂, it Threatens much Wars, Quarrels, Sea-fights, Bloodshed, great slaughters, Massacres in some places; Change of Governors and Government, Pestiferous Winds, Terrible Thunder and Lightnings, Tempests, Shipwrecks, much Robbery by Sea and Land, Excessive hot weather at some times drying up Rivers and Fountains, Scarcity of the Fruits of the Earth: The burning of Towns and Cities, and violent fevers amongst the People.  
Of the Nature of ☿, They signify much Wit and Policy among men, and as much business to employ it about, many sly and evil consultations, and Chief among men of Learning; Corrupting of of Laws, false Doctrine deluding the People in some Countries; also scarcity of Food, and Famine.  
All these forementioned miseries, and Calamities are by this Comet threatened to the World in some parts or other.   

To know in what parts of the World the Effects of this Comet will be Exhibited.  
It hath plainly appeared to the students in this Art that the Eclipses of the Luminaries, the Conjunctions of ponderous Planets, The Comets or Blazing Stars have operated their Effects in those Countries or Nations, subject to the Signs where they happen therein.  
This Comet made its progress as before mentioned, through these Six Signs viz. ♏, ♐,▪, ♒, ♓, ♈, and therefore according to the rule of Art, and the experiences of the Ancients, we must expect that the Effects of this Comet will be manifested with some of the forementioned mischiefs in all those Countries Governed under those Signs which he passed through.   

A Catalogue of those Countries I shall give as followeth.  
Under ♏ be governed these Countries. The North part of Bavaria, The Woody part of Norway, Barbary, The Kingdom of Fez, Cattalonia in Spain, Valentia, Urbine and Forum Julij in Italy, Vienna, Messina in Italy, Gaunt, Frankford upon Other.  
Under ♐ be Governed the Countries of Spain, Hungary, Slavonia, Moravia, Dalmatia, Buda in Hungary, Toledo, Narbon, Cullen, Stargard.  
Under▪, are Governed these Kingdoms, Countries and Cities, Thrace, Macedon in Greece, New Turkey, Albania, Bulgaria, Saxony the South-west part, West Indies, Stiria, the Isles Orcades, Hassia, Oxford, Mecklin, Cleves, Brandeburg.  
Under ♒ be Governed these Kingdoms, Countries and Cities, Tartary, Croatia, Valachia, Muscovia, Westphalia in Germany, Piedmont in Savoy, the West and South parts of Bavaria, Media, Arabia, Hamborough, Breme, Montferrat and Pisaurum in Italy, Trent, Ingolstad,  
Under ♓ be Governed these Kingdoms Countries and Cities, Calabria in Sicilia, Portugal, Normandy, the North of Egypt, Alexandria, Rheims, Worms, Ratisbone, Compostella.  
Under ♈ be Governed these Kingdoms, Countries and Cities, Germany, Swevia, Polonia, Burgundy, France, England, Denmark, Silesia the higher, Judea, Syria, Florence, Capua, Naples, Ferrara, Verona, Vtrecht, Marselles, Augusta, Caesarea, Milan, Bergamo.   

The demonstrations of this Comet hath been so large, that I think it needless to trouble the ingenious Lover of Arts, with my farther Treatise on the significations of Comets or Eclipses, that may happen in other signs of the Zodiac; or in any other House of the Scheme, or of any other Colour or Complexion.  
Now finding our approaching woes to be many, and threatened to many parts of the World; and the greatest testimonies herein denotes, That terrible and Cruel mischiefs will be done about matters of Religion: The consideration of it moves me to pray hearty to God, that I may not live to see those days, which the holy man Bishop Ʋsher foresaw through inspiration, as he said with his eyes lifted up to Heaven and the tears running down his Checks, That his thoughts were taken up about the miseries and persecutions that were coming upon all the Protestant Churches of Christ through all Europe, which would be so sharp and bitter that the contemplation of them, had fetched the tears from his Eyes, and that it would be done by the hands of Papists, and in the way of a sudden Massacre: And that the then Pope would be the Chiefest instrument of it; Therefore take head (said he) that you be not found sleeping and unprepared; for it is even at the door: Where we Suppose his meaning was that we should be prepared to die; or else he saw it a seasonable time to demonstrate unto us the Words of a Prophet, Joel 3. 10. Beat your Plough-shears into Swords, and your pruning hooks into Spears, let the weak say I am Strong. He said also that there would be one great difference between this approaching persecution and those already past: For in the former the most eminent and Spiritual Ministers, and Christians did generally Suffer most and were most violently fallen upon: But in this approaching persecution, the best of People will be preserved by God as a seed to partake of that glory which shall immediately follow and come upon the Church, assoon as ever that Storm shall be over. For as it shall be the sharpest, so it shall be the shortest Persecution of them all, and shall only take away the Gross Hypocrites and formal Professors, But the true Spiritual believers shall be preserved till the Calamity be over past.  
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Prcphecy, and keep those things which are written herein, for the time is at hand, Rev. 1. 3.  
Since that God hath been pleased to foreshow us his approaching judgement, by a token of his fierce anger fixed in the Heavens as a torch or a fiery Sword, visible to many sinners that would not behold the brightness, and beauty of his Laws, and Statutes; Now seeing that the Sword of God, is ready drawn and hastening to destroy and weed the World of the rebellious People, who went on raging in no less disobedience, than if they had proclaimed open Wars against God. It is now high time for them to awake out of Sleep, and consider and lay to heart, how near they are to fall over the brink of their pleasures, and how dreadful a condition they'll be in; when their deserved calamities shall overtake them, as Solomen tells us, Eccl. 9 12. Man knoweth not his time; as the Fishes that are taken in an evil net; and as the Birds that are caught in a Snare: so are the Sons of Men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them. Let us Praise His Clemency, who, seeing we are sinners, reproveth our Sluggishness, by these Signs. When God goeth about to punish a City or Nation, he is pleased first to foreshow it with Signs and wonders; therefore let us fear the maker of this Comet, and not the Comet itself; whosoever feareth God let him say with David, Come and see the works of the Lord, how terrible he is in his do towards the Children of Men, Psal. 66. 5. Now that Gods wonderful works would Surprise us with such fear as may lead us unto God himself is the hearty Prayers of  
T. J.    

ADVERTISEMENTS  

To all Booksellers and all other Dealers that deal or shall deal in Welsh Almanacs within the Kingdom of England and the Dominion of Wales.  
Gentlemen,  
I Thought I had mentioned enough in the Epistle of my Almanac for the year 1681. to acquaint all that could read Welch, that the whole Liberty and Licence of making, and setting forth of Welch-Almanacks, belongs to myself only, being settled upon me, by his Majesty's Patent, and favour; Also by Covenanting with the Company of Stationers of the City of Lon●●n for the full time of my natural life; Notwithstanding all this, several dealers in North - Wales have presumed to deal and traffic with another Welch-Almanack made by another person, which was not discovered to me, until the time of sale was over, or else they that dealt in them had been better acquainted with me before this time: Had I any way been deceitful or unkind to my Country, either in not taking care and pains to write as near the truth as another could by rule of Art; or in holding the rates of my books higher than Ordinary, or above the Common price of others; they might have had something to say for themselves; But seeing that I have first manifested my love, and respect to my Country, in letting them enjoy plenty of that which none other would under take for their sake, until I shown them the way, and that I have also sold them at as easy rates as any one could afford them, I cannot conceive what interest or reason should any one have in stifling my endeavours, unless it be to show their voluntary disobedience towards the King and his Laws. I thought fit once more to repeat unto you in public Print as I told you before, that the whole liberty and licence of making, and setting forth of Almanacs in the Welch-tongue is settled upon myself alone, all the days of my life by his Majesty, and by the Company of Stationers of the City of London, and they straight charge, command and prohibit, all other Writers, Printers, Booksellers and all other dealers, and all Subjects whatsoever, that they nor any of them at any time or times, shall not Print, nor cause to be Printed, nor receive from any parts beyond the Seas, any other Almanac or Almanacs, nor yearly Calendar of what title soever in the Welch-tongue, but what is written and set forth by me, during my natural life. Having thus far certified you of the truth, had it been untruth I durst not have published it in Print, therefore I desire and advise you, not to abuse him who never abused you, and who hath also showed his best endeavours to serve you for your good, but if any do hereafter during the time before mentioned, deal, trade or traffic in the aforesaid prohibited goods, I do hereby assure them, that I will speedily come myself, or send my Order; not only to seize on the goods, but also on them that Traffic in them, and will proceed against them according to Law, and not only myself alone, but also the Company of Stationers of the City of London, as they are bound in Articles to it, will assist me in prosecuting and subduing of all them. It may be that some will be loath to let the Country enjoy the benefit of this small Book for fear it should discover their former transgressions: to those I say that they shall not be questioned for what is already past, unless they show their unkindness in stifling of this also. I hope there is none that can take offence at what I have written here unto them. I am sure that no rational man will be angry at me for forewarning him of the danger that might befall him. But if any one be so resolute as to disregard forewarning, and do what may cause him to repent of, let him not blame me but himself, as for my further information I shall refer it to the reader as followeth.   

Faithful Reader,  
WHosoever thou art that hast received any benefit or pleasure by a Welsh Almanac, thou art hearty desired by him that made it first for thy sake, that thou wilt not conceal from him the abuses put upon him by Such as presume illegally to scatter abroad their seditious Libels under the Title of a Welsh Almanac, merely for the Lucre of thy money, at what time soever hereafter thou shalt see or understand that any Booksellers, Shopkeepers, Pedlars, or any one else whatsoever do deal or traffic by retail or wholesale in any other Welsh Almanac or yearly Calendar in the Welsh Tongue besides mine; My humble request is that thou wouldst be pleased to show me so much favour as to send me a speedy account of it: viz, the name of him or her that selleth them, and the Town or Village where he or she lives in, in a letter directed to me in Paul's Allcy in Redcross-Street, London.  
To him or her that will give me the first information of the above mentioned, I do hereby promise and engage myself to pay unto him or her the full Sum of 20 s. in Lawful money for his reward, and that within three weeks after I receive his letter, and to defend him from the ill will and malice of his neighbours, I will send him my direction and Order to receive the said 20 s. about 15 miles from his home, or in what Town himself shall desire it, that his neighbours may not know the discoverer thereof.   

TO all Dealers that deal or shall deal with John Braynton, or John Jackson partners and Haberdashers of small Ware, at the sign of the George in Cateaten Street, London.  
TO prevent your disappointment of Welch-Almanacks by writing for them to the foresaid John Braynton, or John Jackson, I thought fit to acquaint you that the said John Braynton, and John Jackson, shall not henceforth Correspond any farther with me, and that, because I was forced to sue to an Execution before I could recover my Money for the parcels of my first Almanacs which they had of me to furnish their Country Customers.   
FINIS.