The Worlds Wonder,
I Hope I may crave pardon, and as easily obtain it, for beginning my Prognosticks, considering that they comprise, (and are amplified, with) very remarkable Observations, and rational Predictions; wherein you may apparently discern & foresee, the great things that will happen in England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Denmark, Sweden, and other parts of Europe; as also the event and success of the English Armies, in their several designs and motions, either by Sea or Land, against Scot, Irish, French, Deane, and Portingal; and to the end, that these Prognosticks may appear the more easie and facile, (to each respective capacity and understanding) I have in reference thereunto, drawn up and composed these ensuing annexals, in order to their due stinction & course of each moneths Progress and actions; but by reason January hath produced little of concernment, I shall therefore more fully and particularly, insist upon the rest of the ensuing moneths, for this present year, [Page 2] 1651; and first, give me leave to present you, February viz.
February, 1651.
HOw pleasently doth this moneth begin with my brother Commoner? The Nation smiles, every one is merry with his Mistrisse, and think the worst is past; I wish it were so; Great plots are contriving between our souldery, and the Scots, when we poor Commoners know it not; neither is it fit we should; it is not our places; and if every one had kept the place God set him in, this Nation had not been in the pickle tis now in; let the Clergy-man minde his Bible, and the Plow-man his Plow: We know not, neither was any man able to tell us, what sin it was the Devil first committed, onely, Jude 6. God spared not the Angels that left their first station: Let not us leave ours to turn States-men, &c. Mars sets Retrogade; Treaties break off; tis the sword must end the difference when all's done: Our neighbor Kingdoms are afraid of us they have cause enough; therefore, good Presbyter, let me advise thee to be wise, why shouldest thou bring thy self into a premunery, and fall before thy time? Be wise, or else thy Motto shall be miserum est fuisse.
March.
This moneth threatens great dissention in Scotland; between the Nations; the Nobility divide; the Clergy break in pieces, and the Commonalty falls by hundreds; and great is the breach through the Scotish Territories. Do, fall out, and fight to, it shall never trouble mee.
But give me leave to give a timely admonition to their young King; Oh that he would be so wise to hear, I question not, but some will bear the honesty to tell him, or the malice against mee, to tell him of it. [Page 3] It is onely, Ier. 45. 4. 5. somwhat applyed to his Person; The great Jehovah of Heaven and earth, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of Saints, hath said thus, That which I have built will I destroy, and that which I have planted will I pluck up, even thy whole family; and seeketh tbou great things to thy self, seek them not. If I speak to wise men, this is enough; yet I cannot but conclude some, nay much good to the Commonwealth this year, viz. Prosperity and happinesse; surely justice will this year come down from heaven to visit the earth; peace, Plenty, and prosperity seems to attend the English Nation.
April.
The season of this moneth being sutable, produceth great action in the field; and I expect more wonders this moneth to be either agitated or transacted, then either the eyes of our fathers, grandfathers, or great grandfathers, ever saw or dreamt of; Now expect another rout in Scotland, and that near the County of Fife, where a gallant army of horse & foot lye bleeding, great guns and little guns, together with all their baggage, oatmeal, and salt lost, and taken, their yong King attempts a fight beyond the Seas; the States of Holland begin to smell a Rat, but are not wise enough to make a snare, &c. Bitter weather abroad, and stormy at Sea, Pyrats grow numerous, and the London Marchant loseth much, who can help it? But the States prudence and providence, who employing Gen. Blake and sending an additional fleet unto him, ensnares these Rovers; who after a short fight, sink, burns, and takes them all; and with his Navie, adorned with these Trophies, the white flag and the red crosse, the blue flag, and tbe golden harpe, failes to and fro upon the Brittish Irish, French, and Danish seas, clearing the several Channels of all Englands Enemies.
May.
ME thinks this moneth begins merrily as it should do, and it being Cookoo-time, Citizens Servants will be ready to salute their Mistresses, &c. Well! be it so, they will find a very untoward time of it; for it is a scurvy Trade to be a Pyrate. This year will be a far more plentiful then healthful, mens bodies will be vexed exceedingly with Coughs and Catarchs, and other Diseases proceeding of cold and moisture will be enidemical, and of no long continuance, which signifies death of women; and in all probability, there may die three women for one man: much about this time, the little Queen in France drawes to a period of her dayes. The latter end of this March produceth a great Sea-fight, look to it France, for thou wilt-suffer: Beware Portugal, there's not a Nation under the Moon shall offend us, and escape unpunished.
June.
THis Moneth begins with fair weather, and bringeth smiles to the Country Farmer for his Harvest: But surely the Devil or Robin-goodfellow is in the Scots; Scotland! Scotland! Dost not thou see how thy Clergy cheats thee: if ever mortal men were mad to be undone, you are of that number: The actions of the latter end of this moneth, and the beginning of the next, amaze all Europe, I had almost said the World; for an unparalleld Victory is obtained in Ireland, another near the Mountains in Scotland, and about 15. Marquesses, Earls, and Lords taken, and safly committed: If any happen to be headless about this time, they will fall the lighter.
July.
IF any aske how this moneth will begin, the answer is ready, to wit, just as the last ended, finding out [Page 5] knaves, such as set the Nation together by the eares, such as sowed the seed of sedition in stead of the truth, such as Widdows and Fatherless Children daily pray against, such as one day shall dearly answer, for the bloud that hath been spilt in this civil VVar, such as have endeavoured to make themselves by maring others; but now justice seizeth on them, and payes them their wages. About the 14. or 20. day produceth tydings of another great Battel Northward, which will again crown both our friends and Armies with laurel; and it will also continue and end in execution of justice upon Malefactors. Let the Army score their valor upon the heads of their enemies in the name of God, but let peace and quietness be amongst themselves; for though discord make a harmony in musick, yet it doth not so in an Army. About this time we gather from the conjunction of Saturn and Mars, that the Sun will be eclipsed, during a great part of the fight; but upon the Scots flight, it appears in its glorious splendor again, which proves as fatal to the Scots, as the great blow given to the Emperor of Jermany, by the late great blowe given to the Emperour of Jermany, by the late renowned King of Sweden, who upon a pitcht field with 15000. men, totally subdued that potent Army of Jermans, consisting of 45000 l. and with his sword in one hand and his Pistol in the other, a little before the fight began, rode to each Regiment, uttering these words, Gentlemen and fellow Souldiers, I hope you are all willing to venter your lives with me this day, for the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and for the establishing of his truth, &c. but the Souldiery being overjoyed at his affable expressions, sounded forth great acclamations, that they would live and die with him. Then replyed the King, in the name of God, let us fall on, I your Soveraign, and Cap. Gen. [Page 6] wil be the first man that shall charge in the van, which accordingly he did in his Buff-coat, without Armour, where after 6 hours fight, this gallant Prince was slain: At which time the Sun was darkened for the space of half an hour.
August.
ON the very beginning of this moneth, the Sun cuts the assendent of the year, and the mid-heaven of the conjunction of Saturn and Mars, and sure the honest Commoner begins to love the Parliament, apparently discerning now who hath done them good, and preserved them and theirs from Egiptian bondage.
Septemb, & Octob.
THese two Moneths produce little action, either by Sea or Land, looking with a pretty quiet face, and seems to promise some fair accord amongst our selves, which the Lord grant us, and then let men; Devil, and Pope be our opposers.
November.
THis moneth begins severely, tis pitty tis not likely to hold, I hope my brother Commoner will like the Law a little better then he was wont to do; if not, let but Neighbours live quietly, and there will be the lesse need of it. This moneth cannot nor will not leave us till it hath set Saturn and Mars together by the eares.
December.
THe Sun begins to shine on the beginning of this moneth, affording us seasonable weather, temperate actions, but suddenly the wind riseth high, and mens brains are entoxicated, they sit by the fire, and ponder in the winter what they will do next Spring; but in the mean time women cannot agree with their Husbands, who can help it? if the sheetes cannot make them friends, I cannot,
So farewel▪