A Letter with a Narrative, written to the right honble THOMAS ALLEN Lord Major of London, &c. concerning a strange Sight that appeared over this City of London, in the year 1642. when the King was driven from his Parliament, Dated as followeth.  
My LORD:  
I do with all due respects (upon sight of your late Proclamation) make bold to acquaint your Honour, with a strange sight which appeared over this City in 1642. not improper for the work of next Friday. I am sorry I had not acquainted your Lordship with it, before you published your Proclamation, for it will conduce much to the work of the day, to let the People know what warning God offered to this City in 1642. and may much increase their Devotion and humiliation upon the day, or as many days as it shall please God to put into your lordship's heart, to command the people (under you) to meet again upon the like Humiliation; For this neglect hath been so long, that I fear it will require many days of humiliation before God's judgements will be remitted. There hath been many Fasts, since God sent this City warning in 42. but no proper return hath been made by this City in 17. years, to answer God again; till it hath pleased God to put it into your heart at this time (NEHEMIAH like) to command a Fast, which I hope will prove effectual as his did.  
I think myself happy, that I can see it begun in Your time, which your Predecessor did either neglect, or took no cognizance of. I hope it will be a means to preserve this City; if with reverence, and effectually performed; as I doubt not, I could have wished that you had made it Nehemiah's fast; that both Man and Beast might have fasted strictly; But for that, I submit to your Honours better judgement, and shall ever pray for your honour's health and happiniss, and the city's safety.  
Your honours to command; N. B. If your Honour doubt the Truth of what I have related, I am ready to make it good, being well known (a member of the Company of Stationers) and being Aged 78. years, not able to follow my Trade do the more give my mind to a better world. Cursitors Alley anent the Rose tavern, Novemb. the 30. 1659.   

A Narrative of the strange Apparition which appeared over this City of London in the year 1642. about the time that the late King Charles was forced away from his Parliament by the rude multitude.  
IN the year 1642. in the Christmas holidays, there appeared over this City of London, a Bow of smoke in the Firmament (in a clear starlight night no cloud seen) which had his motion over the City about three hours before it dispiersed itself. The rising of it was about Aldgate or White chapel, and extended itself as far as St. Giles in the Fields to our appearance, and began his motion over the North part of the City, moving in a perfect body (for about three hours) towards the South, till it came over the Thames, and there, and then scattered and dispersed itself. The breadth of the bow was about an Ell to our seeming: It was observed by divers Gentlemen in the Fleet which I spare not to name, Sir John Digby, Mr. thorn of Bedford, Mr. Newcomin, 2. reverend Divines, Mr. James Howell, a knowing man, and they and divers more of quality, gave their opinion, that this Apparition was not natural, but sent by God to give warning to this City, and that the Bow of smoke intimated Fire that should consume it, and that God sent it of purpose to give warning. I doubt not but many hundreth in the City saw it, but slighted it, as being smoke a common vapour that comes out of every Chimney, and appearing at that time of Night when few people were abroad, twixt Eight and Eleven at night, there could be little notice taken of it; but at the Fleet upon notice given, most of the Gentlemen of the house went up into the Leads, where you might look over all the houses as far as Aldgate, and had a full view of the manner and motion of it, which struck a great amazement into many of them, whereof I was one, and did observe it from almost the beginning, till it came over the Thames and dispersed itself. So much for the description and manner of this apparition.  

LONDON, Printed for Nath. Butter, residing in Cursitors Alley, 1659.