LILLY'S Strange and Wonderful prophesy: Being a Relation of many Universal Accidents that will come to pass in the YEAR 1681.  
According to the Prognostications of the Celestial Bodies, as well in this our English Nation, as in parts beyond the Seas: With a sober Caution to all by speedy Repentance to avert the Judgements that are Impendent.  
As likewise a strange and Wonderful Discovery at a place called LEEK, in Stafford-shire; By Men Digging in the Earth for Stones to pave two Streets, where they found a pavement of smooth ston, several Pots full of Ashes and Mens Bones; and under a Grave-stone a pot of oil sweeter then Perfume, in which was a Parchment containing a Wonderful prophesy, directing them to dig 40 Arms deep, and they should find inestimable Treasure, it having been preserved about 500 Y. and subscribed Anselem, with many strange things contained in it.  
As also an Account of the Great Stream of LIGHT, By some termed a BLAZING-STAR; Which was seen in the southwest on Saturday and Sunday the 11th. and 12th. of this Instant December, between Six and Seven in the Evening; With several Judicial Opinions and conjectures upon the same.  
Printed for P. Brooksby, in West-smithfield, 1680.   

Lilly's Strange and Wonderful prophesy, &c.  
MAny and Dreadful are the Judgements that have been inflicted upon this sinful Nation, therefore we ought to humble ourselves before the great God of all the Earth, who yet may be entreated to turn aside his wrath, and avert the evil he has just cause to inflict upon us: Nay, when we consider his great Deliverances, how can we but say, That he has been a God of Mercy, slow to Anger, and of great goodness, abundantly pardoning transgression and sin, where there is the least impress of Repentance. Then since the superior Constellations or Planets, with many other Configurations of the Heavens have ever since the Creation of the Universe been as the Book of the Almighty set open for us to red his Wonders in, and to own his Omnipotence, let us harken first what the greatest Astrologer of our age, in his prophetic Judgement on this ensuing Year 1681, does Prognosticate and assure us will come to pass.  
HE Affirmeth that when Jupiter in the Figure, or most excellent positions of Mercury, elevated where that Planet has most Dignity, though in opposition to his own, it does prognosticate as yet tranquillity and a right understanding of Affairs amongst the Counsels of this Nation, and that the Nobility and Magistracy of the kingdom shall Consult for the best, and continue for the most part firm to their trusts, and that there shall be a Settlement of the public Affairs beyond the vulgar expectation; and that they that have been formerly of no esteem, shall be advanced to great honour by reason of their good conduct in Affairs; and that the King will be pleased to condescend to the Advancement of such as their deserts shall raise, and have a right understanding with his people and truly Loyal Subjects, but remove all Evil Counsel, and much disincourage such as seek to raise dissensions and Evil Reports in and of the Government, and in some measure hazard his own Interest for the safety and good of the public.  
The position of Saturn to Mercury in the Eleventh House, denotes that there will happen some Division, and that many Friends will fall at Variance, and many have mistrust of each other, so that hot Disputes in many places are likely to arise, and Animosities lie brooding in their breasts, the which may be much prejudicial to some notable under-hand Affairs intended; Many vain and needless Fears in this Year shall be augmented by such as thirst after Innovation & change in Government, but in a short time they shall be dispersed; Many shall repined and cavel at and against the Decrees and Actions of Authority, and the Popish party use their utmost endeavours to promote their declining Cause; but Heaven will frustrate their most vile Designs and make them fruitless. Nay, they will go so far as once more to attempt the Invaliditating the Kings Evidence, but fall without success; Then let the great City of London beware least Seditious Agents spread false rumours within her Walls, and endeavour to draw the Hearts of the people from their due Obedience; which if it should take effect, which Heaven prevent, it would cause a jealousy between Prince and people, whilst our Adversary or common Enemy would gain advantage thereby, and perhaps it might be a great help to the pernicious Designs they have on Foot.  
By the many Eclipses of both Luminaries that have happened in these two years past, it is probably Conjectured, that several Strange Events are Prognosticated: Mars and Venus being Rulers of the Spring-Quarter, that there will be Wars and Tumults in many places of Europe; and that mens minds will be strangely altered, several being Imprisoned for their Il-legal proceedings; and many shall be tried and brought to their just punishments: Some shall die upon Scaffolds, and others upon Gibbets. The Eyes of Authority will now be open, and no longer deceived by feigned pretences: Many losses at Sea and Land, by reason of shipwreck and Diseases: Among Cattle shall happen Surfeits, Agues, Dropsies, Consumptions, and favours, shall be very frequent this year, and many shall die; and several great Changes shall happen, both in States and Empires.  
Thus have we given you a particular account of many things which the superior Orbs do Dictate shall come to pass in the ensuing Year. Now we shall proceed to give the Reader an account of a strange prophesy which was found in the Earth, at a place called Leek in Stafford-shire, the manner thus.  
Several Labourers being set on work to Dig for ston to pave two Streets, having dug about a 100 Load, about six yards in the Ground, found a broad Pavement, under which was an Iron Pot full of Bones and Ashes; as likewise several other Earthern Pots that contained the like; but with a touch fell all into Dust: Under them was a Grave-stone, which being taken up, had under it a Pot of oil close covered, in which was a scroll of Parchment preserved by the same, in which was Written these Words in old English.  

The Words found written on the Parchment.  
When the Year Sixteen hundred Fourtys tows is well nigh gone,  
Folk shall gang here together stane;  
When Gold is most esteemed, Monk Men,  
then let 'em dig here Arms deep four times Ten,  
and they shall ha' that which their sole desire, but then let them beware,  
for amongst hearts there shall be as Naked din,  
because many shall have their Lamps to trim,  
yet shall share the Debonire of me gurk hay la tim;  
But first let um dig Forty Arms deep,  
and then into a Cave they shall peep,  
then let 'em take out what's in that hole,  
and give some to every poor soul;  
and whilst they dig give hungry Bread free,  
and they shall great Treasure see.  
ANSELEM, &c.   
The meaning of these words are, That in the year 1680. near the end of the said year, men shall gather to that place to get ston and digging in the Earth 40 Arms deep, shall find a Cave, in which is great Treasure, yet if they use it not according to the intent of the owner; which is, to bestow it amongst the poor, it will become a snare to them.  
This Anselem as near as can be computed, about 500 years since, was an Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and a very great Stickler for the Pope, against the King, viz. King Stephen; and did not only Excommunicate him, but caused his Subjects to rebel, and caused a long War to ensue between him and Henry the second, Son to Maud, the Empress Daughter to William the conqueror; nor would he Absolve him till he had bought his Peace, and made a Golden Composition with the Bishop. Likewise, this Anselem did much contradict the opinions of many Learned Chimicks of that Age, concerning their opinions as to the Transmutation of Mettle; till himself at last by Study, found it to be true; and with a certain powder did change abundance of Silver and other fine metals into Gold; some of which perhaps he has hoarded in this place, where, according to ancient Chronoligies, Monestry had formerly stood, but we will leave it till we hear farther, and proceed to the next, which is;  
Of the so much admired Gleam, or Beam of Light, which has been, to the great amazement of many, seen in the Ascendant of the southwest point, appearing about six of the Clock, and stretching itself half way to the Meridian, or Noon-tide-Circle, which is, according to Computation, about twenty Degrees, it being shaped like a Sword, shooting its sharp point upwards into the Sky; the Star or body of Light from which it proceeds, being depressed under our Horizon, and therefore not as yet to be seen. The Stream of Light is about the brightness of a Sun-beam glancing through a watery Cloud, seeming to wave sometimes, as if some motion seized it, or that it moved with the Lower sphere. The first time that it was visible to us in London, was on Saturday the 11th. of this Instant Decemb. between six and seven of the Clock; many have passed their Conjectures upon it, but all vary in their opinions: some say it is a Pouler-Comet, others a Beam shot through the air from some of the Stars of the first Magnitude; others that it is some Beam ascendant from the Sun, depressed beneath the Earth; but I doubt all of them fall short of the true and Original cause of it; Therefore it will be the wisest way to conclude with the Hol● Prophet, and say: It is the Lords doings, and it is Mavelous in our Eyes: His ways are unsearchable, and his Wonders past finding out.  
FINIS.