Strange News FROM BERKSHIRE, OF AN APPARITION Of several SHIPS and MEN in the AIR, Which seemed to the Beholders to be FIGHT  
They were seen by the Carrier of Cirencester and his Company, as they were upon the Road coming for London, near Abbington, on Tuesday the 26th of August, 1679.  
Of the truth of which you may be fully satisfied at the Saracens Head Inn in Carter-Lane, London  
MAny have been the Signs and Wonders of late, that God hath been pleased, to declare himself by to this Nation, as the late Blazing Stars, the Effects that succeeded them, are never to be forgot; and notwithstanding his many Just Judgements Inflicted upon us, yet we retain the same (nay rather Improve in all manners of) Debaucheries and Wickedness, that nothing but the Omnipotent Power of a Merciful God could have preserved us from utter Desolation. The late Apparitions that were observed by several persons in and about the City of London, and also by some Watermen and passengers as they were upon the Thames I will not undertake to prognosticate their Meaning, but advise all people that wish well to their present as well as future State, to lay these things to heart, and to inquire in themselves the cause of such Visitations, and seriously repent them of their past Misspent time, and possibly God may divert his Judgements that hang over our heads.  
On Tuesday the 26th. of August, one John Nibb, a very sober Fellow, and Servant to one Shearles, the Carrier of Cirencester, accompanied with five Passengers, about 2 Mile Eastward of Abbington, on their way to London, The Sun had not rose hardly a quarter of an hour, but towards the South part of the Horrizon appeared the perfect similitude of a tall Man in blackish Habit, his right hand guarded with a Broad Sword, stretched towards the South, and walked slowly that way, all which was seen by the Parties above named, but it soon vanished, and in its place the Sky Appeared in the Form of Water or Sea and Fishes of Divers shapes were perfectly discerned to leap as it were out of the Water, and fall into it again; it then looking as in a Perfect Calm at Sea, which on a sudden began to be a little disturbed, as if with Wind, and immediately upon that appeared about 100 Ships of several bignesses and several Fashions of Building; out of which Fleet was discerned some small Ships that continually sailed to and from the Fleet, as if they had been sent out as advice Ships, or had come in to give account of the condition of an Enemy; this Fleet continued in perfect view near a quarter of an hour, to the great amazement of the beholders; after which the Sky was for some time perfect Clear, and then appeared the perfect form of a very great Hill, whereon was discerned in several places the Forms or Representations of little Villages and several Woods, but the most part of the hill was plain or Rockey; on the plain part of it was clearly discerned about thirty Horsemen, well Armed with Pistols and Carbines, etc. and Marched on the plain side of the hill towards the Villages upon a full Trot, and by the shadow of a rising ground from the said Hill the sight of them was quickly lost, and the Sky as it were folded itself up, and the hill disappeared. This Relation will seem strange to many people what the effects of it will be, but it's certain the apparition was not in vain: Many may object it was only the fancy of a whimsical Brain; to such I answer, that it's not possible for 6 Persons of different Constitutions to be all seized with one and the same impediment at one and the same time, and which is more, the people were all in perfect health and sound Memory; and if the Curious are pleased to further satisfy themselves with the truth of this Relation, they may repair to Mr. Curtice In-holder, who keeps the Sarrazens-head-Inn, in Carter-Lane near the Old Change, and he or any servant in the House, will satisfy, you of the whole matter, they being all ear witnesses to the foresaid Relation, which will be atttested if required.  
Wherefore I say once more such kind of Visits as these ought not to be slightly passed by, without any notice taken of them, but all of us aught with Prayers and Tears to supplicate him that sent them, to turn away that Wrath which they Presage, that he would bless our Gracious King, and all that are in Office and Authority under him, and once more Restore this Nation to a perfect unity and concord, without which We must Expect nothing but continual Judgements upon us.  
These things should also quicken and stir up the people of God in their Duties towards him, and to break forth into admiration with the Apostle St. Paul, saying, O the depth of the Riches both of the wisdom and goodness of God, how unsearchable are his Judgements, and his ways past finding out.  
FINIS.