SAD news FROM THE Eastern Parts, OR, A true and perfect relation of the strange Spectacles and signs, both seen and heard in the Eastern Association. Distinctly setting forth, the Names of the towns and Places where Englands Warning-Piece lately appeared.  
As also, the description of a most wonderful Sight( or Cloud) which appeared over the famous, and chief City, the Hague in Holland.  
Whereunto is annexed, several Observations, and Remarkable Passages, plainly setting forth the signification of Gods signs and Tokens to England and Holland.  
These are printed by by the original Papers, and perused by the English and Dutch Copies, and now published according to Order.  
London, Printed by B. Alsop, July 14. 1646.   

A more full and distinct RELATION OF The strange Spectacles and signs both seen and heard as well in England, as in the Netherlands, upon the same day, to wit, May 21. 1646.  
FIrst, there were heard in the air in several places in the eastern Association in England, by divers persons of very good credit, such strange Military noises and sounds, as seem to pretend wars and not peace.  
As first there was heard in Marshland not far from Kings-Linne in Norfolk, by those who could judge of such sounds, the beating as of a whole Regiment of Drums, which did beat a perfect call.  
Near unto Cambridge the same day were heard by divers sober, and credible persons; first, the sound of certain Pieces of Ordnance, as at the beginning of some battle, and the noise of many Muskets shot off, as in the time of fight. The like sound of Musket shot was heard also in Suffolk the same day.  
Secondly, there were sundry strange sights and apparitions seen in the several Countries and Places of the Eastern Association upon the same day, as followeth:  
First, there were seen at Combarron near Cambride by many persons assembled at a Muster there a Spire Steeple with swords about it, near unto New-Market toward. Thetford: there was a Pillar of a Cloud obscure to ascend from the Earth, with the hilts of a great Sword in the bottom of it, which Cloud fashioned itself into the form of a sharp steeple, which was encountered by a Pike or sphere coming down point blank from Heaven, and threatened by another Lance or Pike, with very sharp points descending out of the sky, standing ready to interpose, but did not engage itself. The first of these spheres being afterwards elevated, and drawn up a little higher; the Spire Steeple which came from the Earth fol●owed after it, and encountered with it the second time. This continued near upon two hours, and was seen by many.  
The like Spire Steeple with a Lance or Pike descending from above, and encountering it as before, was beholden by many persons, Inhabitants at Brandon in Norfolk, and by others who traveled those parts at the same time, lying betwixt Cambridge and Botsam, there was seen a broach or sharp steeple ascending out of a Cloud like a Church which removed from place to place: This steeple afterwards did split itself into three parts, of three distinct colours; the one read; the other yellow; and the third blew: one of which being highest sunk down lower, and out of it went forth a great Ball of fire towards the two towns in Cambridgshire, the one called Sopham, the other Sopham Bullbark, scorching and singing the grass and the grain as it went, and left a very hot and strong scent of Brimstone behind it; The sight of which fire, with the smoke which it caused, was so terrible to the Inhabitants of both the said Sophams, that they caused their Bells to be rung backward, as fearing a judgement, or firing of their houses from Heaven: Which sight was also terrible to many more; but they of Sopham Bullbark were the rather possessed with this fear, because that not above two years since, a chapel there, and part of the Mannor house were set on fire from Heaven.  
These Apparitions of a steeple in several places thus assaulted with Swords and Pikes, seems to fore-warn us of further troubles in or about the Church and Church affairs.  
Yet the said Ball of fire when it had ran his circuit or course, returned and re-entered into the steeple or form of a Distellatery, out of which it first issued. There was thunder that afternoon in many places, with very great store of Rain, and hailstones of a strange bigness, and of extraordinary forms: many of the said stones being bigger then Pigeons eggs, and some of them were round and hallow like rings, and were taken up and put upon mens fingers.  
At Brandon, besides the Spire St●eple opposed from heaven by a Pike, was a great Fleet of ships presented in the air, all of them under sail, and with their Flags hanged out: of which spectacle there were many beholders and witnesses: The same day there was a navy of ships seen in the air by some persons of understanding and repute at London, as they passed over the Thames, and might have been observed by many more, if they had regarded how the air was affencted. This foretells us, that we are like to have conflicts by Sea as well as by Land; yea, that our Country may be assaulted, and invaded by foreigners.  
Lastly, betwixt New-Market and Whitford bridge, three men appeared in the air grappling together, and haling or tugging each other; whereof one at the first had a sword. This number of the three Combatants & the steeple which was split or divided into 3 parts, or lesser steeples, seems to threaten further divisions in the three Kingdoms if not hostility, among three sorts of religious men. The Lord grant that the Inhabitants of the three Kingdoms, & more especially those of the English Eastern Association may so speedily and thoroughly turn to the Lord, and to cleave to him that by his Spirit of Truth and Unity, they may bee made one new people, serving the Lord in the Truth and Unity of his Spirit and may be made subfirment to each other in love and peace, through Christ Jesus, Amen.  
But whatsoever our future sufferings may be, we are not likely to be scourged exercised, or tried alone; for upon the same day of May according to their old style & account there were many fights, no less strange and terrible seen at the Hague, the chief City of the Court of Netherlands or the Low Countries, as followeth:  
1. There appeared betwixt twelve and one of the clock in the afternoon, in a very clear and bright day, a round circled about the bigness of a round table, of the colour of gray paper, which seemed to be the theatre of the Spectacles and Sights afterwards presented.  
2. There appeared there without a lion and a Dragon which fought ferafully against each other, and the Dragon did terribly spit or spew forth much fire upon the lion, but in conclusion the lion overcame the dragon, and so the dragon vanished leaving the lion behind him in that place.  
3. There were incontienly seen with the lion a great multitude of soldiery or Warlike people, and there appeared a Dragon like the former with a great Army or boast likewise as well horse as foot, every Troope & Company of which Army, had a Trumpeter before them who were perfectly seen to set their Trumptes to their mouths which Armies began to troope and march, and so warred against the other side, that it was doubtful to the Spectators who should have the day or get the victory, all which forces afterwards vanished, the two Generals the lion and the Dra- still abiding in fight.  
4. There appeared a King with three Crowns upon his head sitting upon a royal throne & having many attendants round about his throne who afterwards disappeared leaving the lion and the Dragon still in view.  
5. There appeared a great heap of mens hands, and in another place were seen a great company of mens bodies, which were headless, which also afterwards vanished, but the lion and the Dragon continued still in fight.  
7. There appeared a very great Fleet of Ships from the South West, which moved towards the South East near unto the lion and the Dragon, where the fight had been. There were many men with their bodies seen above board or upon the Decks of the ships, who handled their tackling, or were observed to hoist up their sails. These ships did drive one against, or thorough another, as in a Sea-fight. After this, all stood still, and was quiet, and the lion and the Dragon embraced each other, and so fell off, or disappeared.  
Lastly, there appeared a great Cloud, which was not there before, and continued for a space, but a wind came, and driven that away; so all was silence and clear again.  
This was seen( saith the Dutch Copy) by many hundreds at the same time, but the signification thereof is known to God.  
Yet that God who caused all this to be seen, intended to signify thereby what he is about to do especially in those parts; And we hope it shall neither offend his Majesty, nor displease any sober and judicious persons to make a wholesome application of these things, with probable and conjectures and observations thereupon.  
First the lion and the Dragon cannot represent our blessed Saviour, and his grand Adversary the devil, for they can ' never be reconci●ed as the lion and Dragon were in conclusion. Therefore in all probability these with the rest of the spectacles in this eminent and remarkable Apparition, must represent the future actions, and transactions of some illustriou● persons and States now upon the Earth, and shortly to be accomplished.  
There have been of late some passages and predictions of future jars, yea war to break forth betwixt the States of Holland who give the lion, and the Kingdom of France who are yet in league together; but what relation the Dragon hath to France is to me unknown.  
It is well known, that not onely the Elector Palatine, but the States of Holland, yea most Princes in Europe give the lion one way or other; so that the lion may concern all Europe in general, though it may reflect upon Germany in special, and the States of the Low-Countries more particularly. The Dragon may signify the Turk, yet an enemy of Christ, the lion of the Tribe of Judah, who makes great and hostile preparations against our Christian Europe. The King with three Crownes seems to represent the King of England, who may join in assistance of the German European lion, or come in to desire the States. In the first fight the Dragon will be overcome, but afterwards he will conquer his forces, and great wars will ensue.  
The heads upon an heap foretells what will ensue; perhaps the Turk offended with his general, his admiral, or some great Agent, may cut him off with many more. However it is too too probable, that there will be great civill executions, and cutting off persons, by way of dicollation or beheading them, who have been thought the Authors of the wars, or unfaithful in their places of Trust, The horseman who shot himself thorough is some great undertaker by hand, as it seems, who shall but work his own overthrow, by his own enterprises.  
The Fleet from the southwest may be a navy from France and those parts, or rather a Fleet from Europe to encounter the Eastern Enemy and Turkish navy. Whatsoever these great Warriors be, they shall in the end embrace peace, and each other therein; The Turk may be converted and become a christian Brother. The Cloud now seen, and not before, in a sad presage of the great sorrow which shall remain for a time after so much blood-shed and calamity caused by these wars.  
The wind that dispierced the Cloud seems to be the sweet Gayle of Gods Spirit, which through the gospel shall quiet and comfort all again.  
Come Lord Iesus, Amen.   
FINIS.