The vvarnings of Germany By wonderfull signes, and strange prodigies seene in divers parts of that countrey of Germany, betweene the yeare 1618. and 1638. Together with a briefe relation of the miserable events which ensued. All faithfully collected out of credible High Dutch chronicles, and other histories by L. Brinckmair Captaine. As also a learned and godly sermon preached before the lords the States at Norrimberg. Anno 1638. Brinckmair, L. 1638 Approx. 140 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 54 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A16857 STC 3758 ESTC S121731 99856899 99856899 22541 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A16857) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 22541) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1129:10) The vvarnings of Germany By wonderfull signes, and strange prodigies seene in divers parts of that countrey of Germany, betweene the yeare 1618. and 1638. Together with a briefe relation of the miserable events which ensued. All faithfully collected out of credible High Dutch chronicles, and other histories by L. Brinckmair Captaine. As also a learned and godly sermon preached before the lords the States at Norrimberg. Anno 1638. Brinckmair, L. [32], 69, [3]; [8], 72 p., folded plate : ill. (metal cuts) Printed by John Norton, for John Rothvvell, and are to be sold at the Sunne in Pauls Church-yard, London : 1638. In two parts. Part 2, "Lacrymæ Germaniæ", also issued separatedly as STC 11792--Cf. STC. Part 2 has title: Lacrymae Germaniae: or, the teares of Germany. Vnfolding her woefull distresse by Jerusalems calamity. In a sermon .. translated out of the high Dutch copy .. London, printed by I. Okes, and are to be sold by H. Overton, and Iohn Rothwell, 1638--Cf. Folger Shakespeare Library catalog. "Lacrymæ Germaniæ" on reel 1024, and there identified as STC 11792, is actually part 2 of STC 2759. Imperfect as filmed lacks part 2. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Bernhard, -- Duke of Saxe-Weimar, 1604-1639. Omens -- Early works to 1800. Sermons, German -- Early works to 1800. Germany -- History -- 1618-1648 -- Early works to 1800. 2006-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-07 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-08 Jason Colman Sampled and proofread 2006-08 Jason Colman Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE VVARNINGS OF GERMANY . BY WONDERFVLL SIGNES , and strange Prodigies seene in divers parts of that Countrey of GERMANY , betweene the Yeare 1618 and 1638. Together with a briefe relation of the miserable Events which ensued . LVKE 21. 25. &c. And there shall be signes in the Sunne , and in the Moone , and in the starres , and upon the Earth distresse of Nations with perplexitie . &c. All faithfully collected out of credible High Dutch Chronicles , and other Histories by L. Brinckmair Captaine . As also a learned & Godly Sermon preached before the Lords the States at Norrimberg . Anno. 1638. LONDON . Printed by JOHN NORTON , for JOHN ROTHVVELL , and are to be sold at the Sunne in Pauls Church-yard . 1638. A BRIEFE DISCOVRSE OF PRODIGIES , by way of Preface to the Treatise following . Section 1. MOst divine is that Axiome , God and nature do nothing in vaine . Nature is that constant order of being and working , which God hath appointed for the creatures . Where there is order , and that order constant , and both determined by an infinite wisdome , there must necessarily be some good end propounded by the Ordainer , and all motions effectuall for accomplishment . Yet the course of Nature is subject to many alterations , because there is a God above nature , who hath set bounds for the creatures , but none for him save the counsell of his will. Whatsoever the Lord pleases , that doth hee in Heaven above , and in the Earth beneath . a § 2 Hereupon it followes , That even those things which come to passe according to the course of nature , are very considerable : because they are ●ffected according to Gods ordination . His invisible power and Godhead b may be seene in them . Nothing is so small , but his providence extends to it . Praes●ntemque refert quaelibet herba Deum . In every tender grasse God may be seen as in a glasse . Divine praescience were far from being , as indeed it is , all Infinite , did it not extend it selfe to every accident . Nothing is or moves , or suffers in any kinde , but in subordination to Gods eternall decrees , that his wise purpose may be effected . And what is it which we see or heare of in any of the creatures , which affords not some morall and divine use ? The world is Gods great booke in Folio . Every creature is a severall page , in which w●e may reade some instruction to further us in heavenly wisedome . The Occasional Meditations of such as are piously devoted , give us sensible demonstration of this . Prophane then , and irreligious are they that looke on the ordinary course of Gods providence , but never looke up to God in holy meditation . Whereas everything wee see is like Iacobs Ladder . The foote of it is in earth , but the top is in Heaven . We should therefore looke beyond our senses , and use them as a prospective glasse , to see God through , that he may be brought nigh our hearts , though wee be farre from his glorious presence . That Philosopher seemés to have had some secret inspiration from the almighty , who being asked wherfore man was made , answered , coeli contemplandi gratiâ . For God indeede made us to study himselfe , and minde things above . Why was Adam put in Paradise ? Onely to till the garden without taking other care , or pleasure ? rather , that by imploying himselfe about the creatures , he might more distinctly meditate of every one to inflame his affections toward God. And what is it which affords no instruction ? Toades , and such like , seeing man fly from them presently . A lively Emblem of lapsed mankinde , which cannot indure Gods presence , we being conscious to our selves that we are worthy of his hatred . Seeing poore wormes made by God in such a condition , that every foo●e may tread on them , and them without meanes to revenge or resist that hurt , we should hence learne humilitie , patience , and all subjection to the will of God. Every Cocke crowing is a lesson of Repentance . Every sound of a trumpet an Alarum to the last Iudgement . And every puffe of breath a Memento mori . For what is our life ? it is even a Vapour , appearing for a little time , then vanishing . I am . 4. 14. § 3 This supposed , it followes further . Those things which are more rare in the course of nature , divers , contrary , or above , are more then ordinarily to be thought upon . For of every such thing it may be said , Digitus Deiesthic , God hath an immediate hand in them , they are for speciall use . Having therefore in the Treatise following the wonderfull things of God reflicted to us as in a glasse , by an historicall gleaning together of some remarkable Prodigies which of late Yeares have happened in Germany , with the Events which followed them , it will not bee superst●ous to take something along with us in reading them , touching the nature , ends , and use which is to be made of such like , according to the Scripture . The rather because they are in themselves like the writing on the Wall in Beshazzars Palace , a which Sooth-fayers , Astrologians , and Chald●●ns could neither understand nor reade . Who can reade Gods riddle , but they who plough with his Heifer ? None know what use to make of his workes , but they who meditate of them , according to his word , with the helpe of his spirit . Hence it is though some are carefull in observing them , yet few have the happinesse to profit by them . Most men profanely disregard them , being of Gallio's temper , carelesse of such matters . Some su●●itiously abuse them . Many onely gaze , and wonder . Few know what they meane , and therefore skip them over as unskilfull readers use to doe sentences of Greeke and Latine which they understand not . To remedy this in some part , Here is my indeavour in hope of Gods blessing . The worke of the Lord is great , sought out of all them that have pleasure therein Psalm . 111. 2. § 4. If the question be what Prodigies are , the answer may be , Signes and wonders wrought by God immediately , or by others at his appointment , to signifie his pleasure aforehand touching some speciall mercy or judgement ensuing . The Treatise cals them Prodigies , that is praedictions or foremarnings . So much the word implyesa. In Scripture phrase they are called , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signes and wonders , Joel ( chap. 2. v. 38. ) calls them wonders , St. Luke , chap. 21. 11 ) calls them fearefull sights , and great signes . St. Peter tearmes them , wonders in Heaven , and signes in Earth . Acts. 2. 21. Of signes some are to represent , Some for commemoration , Some to assure , Others to prognosticate , whereof some be ordinary , others extraordinary . Prodigies be extraordinary prognosticating signes . They are also called wonders , not because they are all miracles in propriety ; but because they seeme to bee , unto such as know not the causes and effects of them , and therefore cause wondring . A miracle is that which happens besides the order of all nature , particular , and generall , For a stone to moove upward when it is throwne , is contrary to the particular nature of a stone , yet no miracle , because all things give way to violence . The hanging of Mahomets iron tombe in the Ayre ( if it bee , as it is reported ) is no miracle , because it may be drawne up by vertue of some Loadstone above it . But every thing is a wonder , whose cause we know not , or at least which wise men know not . Admiration alwaies rises out of some degree of Ignorance . There is therefore a difference betwixt a miracle and a marvell : d under the tearme of wonder ; 3 Severall things be comprehended . 1 Speciall rarities in the course of nature , and in the actions and affaires of men e ▪ Secondly , miracles properly so called . Thirdly , whatsoever it is which makes the wiser or greater part of men to admire , as wel as fooles , however it be called . Alwhich are here included under the name of prodigies . § 5 Having briefly notified the meaning both of the name and thing in hand , the next thing most necessary is to consider of the author , who gives being to things prodigious , and appoints their use . That must needs bee God , who is the onely Alpha and Omega ; The center from which all lines are drawne , and the circumference wherein they are terminated . All predictions , whether they bee naturall or supernaturall , must needs originally issue from him , that decrees things from eternity , and causes them to exist in time in all circumstances according to his appointment . This hath alwaies been out of controversie , not onely among Christians , but also among the Philosophers , yea even amvng the very Vulgar heathen . But though all have reference to God , yet not all alike . Some things hee either doth immediately , or at least wise seemes to doe , for both God , and nature are often clouded . Many things are effected by the Ministery of the Angells . Some proceed from me , and the course of nature , yet not without God. Those things which are most common in the course of nature , are to bee counted Gods workes , and therefore much more those which are strange . God puts these Questions to Iob. Hath the raine a Father ? or who hath begotten the drops of dew ? Out of whose wombe came the yce ? and the hoary frost of heaven , who hath gendred it ? The answer to bee made is this , God giveth being to al these things according to his pleasure , what then shall be thought of raining bloud , Fire , and such like ? No otherwise then according to that , The Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah , fire and Brimstone from the Lord out of Heaven b . He threatens such aforehand , and he alone hath power to effect them . Therefore when we see or heare of any such thing , we can doe no lesse then acknowledge in the Psalmists words , This is the Lords doing , and it is marvellous in our eyes . Psal . 118. 23. § 6 But how is it that signes and wonders are said to be wrought by false Prophets ? for so Moses intimates a And our Saviour sayes expresly , There shall arise false Prophets , and false Christs , and shall shew great signes and wonders And to like effect Paul speakes of Antichrist ▪ 2. Thess . 2. 9. We read also that many signes done before Pharaoh by Moses , were also done before him by the Magitians of Aegypt c . No doubt but Satan and his Instruments are permitted to doe great things for the triall of Gods Church and children , but in all they doe they are no more but instruments . Therefore that Fire wherewith Jobs sheepe and servants were consumed , is fuly called the Fire of God , though the Prince of the Ayre was in that the Incendiary and the bellowes , and added oyle to the flame . But Gods wonders and Satans differs very much ▪ Oftentimes in the thing it selfe . * Satan seemes to worke miracles , but God workes miracles indsed . Satan also makes a shew of doing many things which indeed hee doth not , deluding the outward senses and the the Phantasie . He alwayes lies against God or nature . Therefore well saith Moses , Who is like unto thee O Lord among the Gods ? who is like unto thee ? glorious in holinesse , fearefull in praise , doing wonders . e But in the ground and end there is alwayes a vast and manifest difference betwixt the one and the other . All that Satan does , is out of hatred , envy and malice , to God and man. But all that God doth is in mercyor Iustice . The plot which the Devill prosecutes in every particular , is to rob God of his glory , to make his word of none effect , and to frustrate the salvation intended for the Elect. Gods immutable purpose is to glorifie himselfe , to fulfill his word in all the promises and threatnings , and to save those whom he hath chosen in Christ . The one intends nothing but fraud and mischiefe , the other to approve his goodnesse even to them that wilfully perish . Satan labours to bring men into Heresie , superstition , and Idolatry , to blind their eyes , harden their hearts , and wholly to corrupt them in all their wayes . God would have all men come to the knowledge of the truth that they might be saved a , if any desire to know how it may be knowne , which wonders be wrought by God especially , and which by Satan , let them consider , This is needlesse for us curiously to inquire after , and fruitlesse to bee knowne . Our duty is to looke upon all good and evill as coming from God , as Iob did , saying , The Lord , hath given , and the Lord hath taken , &c. Shall wee receive good from the hand of the Lord , and not evill ? And though some Prodigies be but rarities in nature , yet are wee to ascribe all to God , in as much as nature is his handmaid , and even of naturall things there is more to be made then a naturall use . § 7 As for the matter wherof Prodigies consist , that is worthy to be considered of , but warily to be determined A confused Notion that some things are prodigious , without knowledge of the particulars , and whether it be good or evill that is portended , hath bred and nourished much curiositie and superstition , needlesse feares in some , fond hopes in others , there have anciently beene a sort of men who have made it their study and profession to teach what is ominous , and of what : such were the Soothsayers , Astrologians , Chaldeans , and the like . But the light of the Gospell hath made all these see ming starres to vanish . And yet still pride , curiositie , infidelity , like bitter rootes growing in the heart of mankinde naturally , leade them much what in the same way . Hence it is that almost every accident is by some counted a signe of good or evill lucke , according to our common phrase . To reckon up particulars in this kinde , would be both tedious and ridiculous . But it must be granted that some things are Prodigious : true . And that some things are so in reference to particular persons , and families . Some to Countries , Nations , and whole States . This also cannot be denied , Whatis then the rule to know them by ? No vulgar conceit , no nor every pretended reason . Nor yet all manner of experience , so far as wee are to regard Prodigies . The Scripture is a sufficient rule . Therein we have multitude and varietie of examples that teaches us to count of sinne as a certaine forerunner of divine vengeance , unlesse repentance intercept . And to take Repentance , Faith , Obedience , Piety , Justice , and Charity for assured pledge of Gods love and purpose of blessednes in every kinde . According unto these we are to regulate our hopes and feares . Humility is a speciall token of honor ensuing , and pride a forerunner of destruction . a He that goes on in an evill way shall not prosper at the last , though the Sun , Moon and Starres should seeme to fall downe and worship him , as they did sometime to Ioseph . And he that feareth God , and escheweth evill may be confident that all shall worke together for the best , though Hell were for the present let loose upon him . Yea , though God himselfe should make a but of him to empty his quiver in . Foure hundred Prophets may say to Ahab , Goe up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper . Yet Ahab falls there , for he had sold himselfe to worke wickednesse . Romes merchants will not believe her fall , but they shall certainly see and lament it c Babylon sayes I am , and none else besides me . I shall not sit as a widdow , neither shall I know the losse of children . But these two things ( saith God ) shall come to thee in a moment in one day , the losse of children and widdowhood , they shall come upon thee in their perfection , &c. In sinning there be some circumstances which are more immediate harbingers of judgement , and so likewise many particular sinnes . Backsliding , as in Solomon . Presently hereupon God stirred him up adversaries . Raeshnesse in things which require a waighty consultation , as in Rehoboam . Selfe-will , as in Iosias . Impudency , as in Absolon . But I had rather leave particulars to the studious Readers observation . So on the other side humility , wisedome , patience , importunity in prayer , diligence in well doing doe more especially demonstrate Gods purpose to manifest his especiall mercy . But those praedions which we have now especially to consider , are of another sort . § 8. To speake more fully of the Matter of Prodigies , in generall ▪ I conceive it is some speciall accident happening by the providence of God. The things about which such accidents happen are diverse , and according to the difference thereof wee may count of 3. kinds of Prodigies , Naturall , Morall and Divine , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Naturall are those speciall accidents which fall out in the particular or generall course of nature . Of which some are Celestiall , some Elem●ntarie . Celestiall I call those which happen about the heavenly bodies . As about the Sunne , Moone or other Starrs . By Elementary I meane those which happen in the Elements themselves , or those things which are compounded of them . Morall Prodigies are those which consist in the affections , passions , words , or actions of men . Divine I call those wherein ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) some divine impression is more conspicuous or necessarily to be acknowledged . For each of these kinds there is mutiplicity of Instances to be had almost in all Histories , but it shall suffice me to particularise in some few out of Scripture . That extraordinary Eclipse which happened at our Saviours passion a , at which the greatest Philosophers , that then were , much admired . The plague of darknesse in Aegypt b , and the apparition of Angells and heavenly visions , whereof we often read in Scripture , were Prodigies Celestiall . Of Elementary we have more variety of examples , The Fire which consumed Nadab and Abi●● c , That which fell from heaven on the Captaines and their companies , sent by Ahaziah to Elijah , d The pillar of Fire which was for safe conduct to the Israelites in the night time e . The fire & vrimstone which fell on Sodom and Gomorrah . The Cherubims and flaming Sword which God placed before paradice . The cloudy pillar which was Israels guide by day . The Manna wherewith they were fed in the wildernesse . The plague of Haile in Egypt . That on the army of the Five Canaanitish Kings in Ioshua's time . The dividing of the red Sea. And of Iordan . Christs walking on the water . Water issuing out of the rocke , And out of the Jaw bone of an Asse . Bitter Water becomming sweet by casting in Salt. Earthquakes , Famine , Extraordinary fruitfullnesse , Excessive multitude of Birds , as of Quailes , among the Israelites , or of Flyes , Beasts , or creeping things , as among the Plagues of Egypt , The strange peregrination of Creatures , from their wonted habitation , as the comming of the creatures into the Arke . These and many such like particulars are counted Prodigies , and for distinction sake naturall , because some thing in it selfe naturall , is the subject of them . As for morall Prodigies that which is passed in the former Section shal●suffice , because it is but a schedule that I have to write , and not a volume : for divine prodigies , so called in a more especiall manner , these following are most apparent . The Sun and Moone standing still as in Ioshua's time . The shadowes going backe 10 degrees on Ahaz his Diall in Hezechiahs time . The new starres appearing at our Saviours birth . The rending of the vaile of the Temple , and the resurrection of dead bodies , at the time of his crucifying . &c. These are sufficient to shew us what is to bee counted prodigious , and what not . For all particulars we have no instance . Things new and strange may daily happen as God sees cause to conclude this part of the matter in hand , let this note suffice . Whatsoever happens extraordinarily and rarely to us or to any of the creatures , hath more or lesse of the nature of a Prodigie in it . Such was the strange fighting in the nombe of Rebekah , Nebuchadnezzars , Pharaohs , and Pilates wives dreames . The carriage and speech of Baalams Asse . The falling off of the Chariot Wheeles of the Egyptians , as they drave in the red Sea. Dagons prostrating before the Arke . § 9 Sufficient being spoken of the Matter , the next thing necessary to be touched is the forme , to shew what makes any speciall accident to be a Prodigie , that is ( as I conceive ) the aptitude which such accidents have in themselues , or by divine institution to portend the futurition or manifestation of something as yet not existent , or not knowne . As for example , Bloud happening extraordinarily in raine , in sweate , or in the use of bread or otherwise , doth fitly betokenwarre , murther , execution of malefactors , or persecution . But how comes the Rainebow to be a signe the world shall never be overflowne againe by an Vniversall Inundation , whereas naturally it signifies raine . This it could not doe if God had not appointed it for such an use . It may be demanded what I thinke of experience . If it be found by observation from time to time that after such an accident in one kind , such an event in another followes , may not that accident thenceforth be taken for a certaine signe of such an event to ensue ? I answer , God is unsearchable in his wayes . No observation whatsoever will inable us to trace him . As the way of a ship in the Sea , or a Bird in the Ayre , so are Gods waies . Experience therefore is but an uncertaine guide , because the course of Gods providence is a perfect maze or Labyrinth . There is indeed no variance nor shadow of turning betwixt his will at one time , and his will at another . ( I speake of his absolute will ) Neither is there any difference betwixt his will in decree , and his will in deed , and hee often doth the same things over againe , for kind . Yet there is so much variety for circumstances , that its impossible by al observation to conclude for certaine , from that which doth happen in one kind , to that which shallhappen in another . This notwithstanding the argument from existence of the signe , to the ●utu●ition of the thing signified , concluding onely probably and indefinitely , cannot justly bee gainesaid : for instance , Thus to reason is very usefull . After a Comet or blazing starres appearing and vanishing , some great personages doe commonly expire . This experienc● out of many Histories confirms , Therefore such a 〈◊〉 now appearing , its likely some of the Go●● of the Earth shall dye like men , and all of 〈…〉 just cavse more then ordinaril●●●pr●pare ●or death , ●●●ecially such as Herod . Bat ●●her matter calls me to it . § 10 〈…〉 the ●●nall cause of prodigies , that is divers in divers re●e●c●s . The common end is that Go● may beglorified by us in beholding his works , and spelling out of them his infinite wisedome , power , and goodnesse , whereunto prodigies conduce no little , because they minister master for an invincible argument against an Atheist or Epicure ; and strongly prove both God and providence . The proper end of them is either neare or remote ; That which they serve for more immediately is in generall , to intimate some change in the condition of them , to whom they have reference : But sometimes they serve to bring to light that which was hid , or to make that knowne which was secret ; as when Satan appeares for a time where some body lies buried in secret , and then vanishes , or when extraordinary trouble of minde falls on some , that thereby they may be brought to disclose some secret sin , the revealing whereof may tend to Gods glory . Some of them doe more especially serve for comfort , some for terror . * Some serve to terrifye for a while , as the burning Bush , but leave comfort in the issue , a● that did . And the Angells wonderfull behaviour in the presence of Sampsons parents : some serve to streng then the faith of G●d● children in time of great discouragement ; orwhen the 〈◊〉 to some special service : some serve to invite and call all , of all sorts , to repentance and amendment of life . Those which serve to this end are in a more peculiar manner The Prodigies , and such are those which are instanced in , in the following History ▪ Comfortable ones may happen to the wicked , and terrible to the godly , to harden the one , and humble the other . That the one may prepare for correction and profit by it , the other in Gods just judgement perish everlastingly . If the Question be when fearefull Prodigies happen in a Countrey where there be two contrary sides of different professions in religion , how it may be knowne whether of them they concerne . I answer , the only nec●ssary thing is , for each private person of what sort soever , whose abode is in such place , to take it to himself , and to examine his heart , wayes , and spiritual estate , that he may reforme himselfe according to the word of God , lest hee also perish . Many are too prone to cry woe unto others , but at last are forced to say ( with him mentioned by Iosephus , where be speakes of the lass destruction of Ierusalem . ) woe unto mee also . God is not wont to send generall judgements , till all flesh more or lesse have corrupted their way : and therefore it behoues all of all sorts ▪ howsoever different in the profession of religion to humble themselve● , and study reformation really ▪ not inpr●tence . * If they of Germany doe so , and then send out a dove from their Arke , she is likely to return with an Olive branch in her mouth . In the meane while so long as every one looking on his neighbour saies , Truth is on my side , Thou art an hereticke , and therefore the destruction threatned is to thee , but I shall escape : God that is no respecter of Persons findes just matter of offence in both , and on which side peace and Victory will rest , as touching sence is yet uncertaine . But wee know who they are that cry peace , peace , to themselves : that for temporall things dreame of a fifth Monarchie , and for Church affaires would faine force all to doe as they doe , that is , to put their Noses under the Popes girdle . And though here I digresse a little , I hope it will be pardoned . § 11 As for those particular Prodigies which the History at hand makes mention of ▪ the Reader may well admire at them , and happily revolve these questions in his minde . Whether there were such things as are here related ▪ Whether they are truly Prodigious or no. Whether those Events here adopted to them were portended . Whether the like things have not happened elseywhere without like effects or consequences , with more of likenature , if hee bee either cautious , or scrupulous , to alwhich I have onely this to answere . If any credit may be given to such Histories of Germane affaires , as commonly fall into the hands of the learned , from Mercurius Gallo-Belgicus ; it is certaine that Africa was not antiently more famous for Monsters then Germany hath for many yeares been of Prodigies . The particulars hereafter mentioned make not a fourth part of what might be collected in like kinde . And if Prodigies be taken in a large sense , as they are here to be understood , the matter doth well answer the title . But this must needs be granted , this or that single prodigie may happen , and yet no remarkable judgement follow . For God may shake his rod often , before he strike once . And many times he threatens , but to try . But when Heaven and Earth , Sea , and Land did all make one outery , and strike up an Alarum , no other could be expected , but that God should march on apace in fury after . It is but a gentrall intimation of this or that Iudgement , that Prodigies doe make necessarily . But what else could bee expected but shedding bloud on earth , when it rained bloud from heaven . Battailes in the Ayre were most lively pictures of the same to bee on earth . So that wee may truly say , God wrote his minde in most lively Characters , and hath punctually fulfilled what hee threatned . It seemes they were confident of longer peace , or else God needed not to have reade them so many Lectures of bloud : what particular Iudgements are signified by particular Prodigies may wel be guessed by the Prodigies themselves : for my owne part I beleeve , admire , and adore , and shal wonder at him that can doe lesse . I doe every day expect the like and greater , because our Saviour hath so largely prophesied in this kinde in reference to ourtimes , which all the Evangelists have recorded . The latter dayes shal bee short beyond expectation , and Christ come sooner then we are aware , and therefore the signes of his comming must needs bee expected , whereof strange Prodigies are one . § 12 Aud now hopeing this may satisfie such as have anycandor ; its high time to draw the Arrow to the head , and hit the marke I shoote at , which is to point out the Christian use which godly feare and reverence teaches us to make upon the knowledge of these dreadfull things . To which end there are some cautions to be premised . I Seeing God is the author of Prodigies , wee must religiously observe them , and by prayer seeke from him instruction and grace , to fit us for a holy improvement of them to his glory and our own benefit ; Saying as Paul , when Christ spake to him in a vision out of Heaven , Lord what wilt thou have mee to doe ? And with prayer wee must joyne all diligence in studying of his holy word , for thence it is that al necessary instruction is dertved . Be we sure to make use of Prodigies according to this rule , and light will come out of darkenesse , comfort out of feare . Secondly we may not bee too curious in searching after the particular evills which Prodigies foreshew , much lesse to know their circumstances , when , where , and how they shall happen . It is enough for us , and great mercy from God , that we have , aforehand , so much as the noise of his comming to aflict . In the state of Israel , God was wont to threaten in the Fathers dayes those Judgements which hee purposed to their posteritie , and yet upon those threatnings , he expected present repentance . And surely that Memento given by Christ unto the Angell of Sardis , is necessary for every Church and state to apply uato themselves in these dayes : Remember how thou hast received , and heard , and hold fast and repent . If therefore thou shalt not watch , I will come on thee as a thiefe , and thou shalt not know what houre I will come upon thee . A third caveat is that , which God himselfe gives by the Prophet Ieremy , Learne not the way of the heathen , and be not dismaied at the signes of heaven . For the heathen are dismaied at them . Where a things are forbidden . The one is learning the heathens way , that is , to worship the creatures themselves , or to use any part of their Idolatrous service : The other is excessive feare upon the sight of all unpleasant aspects in the heavenly bodies , without any true feare of God who causes them , and in whose hand it is to hasten or prolong , increase or diminish , or totally remove all threatned evils . The grosser sort of antient Idolalaters thought the Sun , Moone , and other starres to be Gods , and Eclipses and such like to be signes of their anger , whereupon they feared exceedingly unto astonishment , and addicted themselves by divers rites and ceremonies to pacify them . Many times the Israelites were much subiect to like Idolatry , against which God there instructs them . This place therfore does not condemne all feare upon the sight of prodigies , as unlawfull , but the abuse of feare , when it is placed on the creature , not on God , and leades not to true piety , but to will worship . Or when it so captivates , that we thinke it in vaine to seeke God by repentance , and doe hereupon despise him , and harden our hearts , and commit all intquity with greedinesse . Of all things such a feare is most to be feared . As for such whom a lively faith hath incorporated into Christ , and a true feare of God in his iudgements , made penitent and obedient according to Gods word . Prodigies should rather comfort them , then otherwise . Ioel having said in one verse , The Sunne shall bee turned into darknesse , and the Moone into blood , before the great and terrible day of the Lord come , saith immediately in the uext verse , It shall come to passe that who soever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved . For in Mount Sion and in Ierusalem shall be deliverance . Our Saviour speaking in like manner of the Prodigies which shall happen partly before the destruction of Ierusalem , but especially before the end of the world , and of the feare which shall be in many , said to his disciples , When these things begin to come to passe , then looke up and lift up your heads , for your redemption draweth nigh , Christ the accomplisher & finisher of it . Thus much for caution . § 13 Now for the uses themselves , who will not hereby be assured of a generall judgement comming on apace , seeing these forerunners of it . I speake both of the Prodigies , and of the things which follow and accompany . The order of the signes of the latter day is this . First false Prophets . Many shall be deceived . Iniquity shall abound . Secondly , persecution , and by meanes thereof Apostacy in some , great misery to others . Then Warres , Famine , Pestilence . Prodigies , interchangeably , till false Prophets , and al deceived by them be rootea out of the earth . And as touching warrs , judgement must begin at the house of God. Therein false Prophets arise , as Paul saies , from among your selves &c. Their rising is like the opening of Pandoraes box , the original of alevil . And certainly the churches negligence in not convincing them by doctrine , and suppressing them by discipline in the particular Churches wherin they first appeared is the corner stone of all , and therefore it is fit gods churches should be first in the course of Judgement , who are first in the course of sinning . The third course of signes which are now most conspicuous shall continue till the first error be discovered and amended , and that evill which it hath brought in be removed , I meane particular Churches be rightly stated , and faithfull in administration of all publicke Ordinances , &c. § 14 In the meane while ▪ for a second use , let every one of us learne hence , To search and try our waies , and turne unto the Lord our God , lest our securitie prove prodigious unto us . Be we more carefull to know Gods will , and to professe that we know , and live according to our profession ; in one or other of these specialties we all faile . Yea wherein is it that we faile not ? see the state of the seven Churches of Asia , as St. Iohn describes it , and I feare whatsoever is reproved in all them together ▪ will be found among us , but little of that which they are commended for . Were it not that God is iealous of his own honour , and ( in his own phrase ) feares the wrath of the enemie , lest our adversaries should behave themselves strangely , and say , our hand is high , the Lord hath not done this , we also ere this time had felt the effect of many prodigies which have beene among our selves . But I hope God will shortly stirre up some in a more especiall manner , to bring Gods wonders among us in remembrance . This for the present may serve something to awaken us . And if we regard neither the voyce of God on earth , by his Ministers , nor the voyce of God from heaven by his wonderous workes , though Noah , Job , and Daniel were among us , they shall deliver but their owne soules . God must deny himselfe , or we perish if we continue impenitent , The name of reformation which we have in our mouthes , will no more helpe us then the Iewes crying . The Temple of the Lord , We be Abrahams children . In many abuses there is not so much as a colour of reformation , as in the matter of sacriledge for one . It was after Iosiah had reformed many things , that his heart was tender , and smote him upon hearing of the Law. Perceiving thereby there were yet more abuses in the Land than he at first was ware of . Antichrist had made all places like Augean stables . They doe therefore surely neede a continuall clensing . The God of all grace fill us according to our measure with wisdome and zeale , that we may grow from beauty to beauty in his eyes . § 15. And seeing God is so gracious , as by all meanes to manifest himselfe and his intended judgements , he hath not left himselfe without witnesse , but we are altogether without excuse . Let him have the prayse which is due unto his name , who abounds toward us in all meanes of grace , whereby we might be made wise unto salvation . Thy Word , O Lord , is sufficient of it selfe to warne all the World. Thy Workes are the utmost that we can aske or thinke : what shall we say of thy wonderous Workes from day to day ! Oh thou holy one of Israel . All this is that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings , and overcome when thou art judged . It will be thy glory that thou ast shewed us signes in Heaven above , and wonders in Earth beneath , But it will be our misery if we regard them not , or if regarding we doe not blesse thee the Almighty , or if blessing thee in words we repent not and amend . Of our selves we are able to doe none of all this . Let it not alwayes be said of us as it was sometime of thy people Israel , Yet the Lord hath not given you a heart to perceive , and eyes to see , and eares to heare unto this day . For thy Annoyiteds sake powre upon us thy spirit , give us hearts according to thine owne heart , and cause us to walke in thy wayes . Truth Lord , thou mayst leave us to our selves , and let us perish : if thy Grace were not free for thee , to besto●●r not , it were no grace . If thou sayest , I have no pleasure in you , doe to us as seemeth good in thy sight . Yet be pleased to remember thy Covenant . And for his sake who hath sealed it with his bloud poure out his spirit among us . Worke knowledge in our minds , submission in our wills . Yea sanctify us we beseech thee throughout . Oh love us , and cause us to love thee , and then wee know assuredly that all things shall worke together for the best , Amen . If any thing offend thee Christian Reader in this Prologue , consider herein I tread an unbeaten path , wherein it is easie to erre . The way it selfe is rough , my spare houres for such imployment few . Importunity of others , and arguments drawne from the publicke good , have stollen mee from my selfe to doe others service in this businesse . If it seeme strange I make so much a doe to usher in a small Pamphlet , consider not the book , but the subject . In Prodigies God comes in , as riding on a Cherub , and flying on the wings of the wind . How then can just exceptions be taken at one for cōming before to cry * Bow the knee ? my boldnesse pardoned I am content to beare all other blame . In Magnis est volxisse Satis . Errors in the Preface . In the first Sect. r. Axiona●a . for him r. himself . In 2. Sect. them r. him for fooler foo●e . 3. Sect. for suspitiously r. superstitiously , for paedicant r p●rdica●● . 5. Sect. for No is in mar . 1. Iovis so , mer men ▪ in 7 Sect. so pledge ● pledges in mat-tom r. revel . for prediens r. p●edict●ors in the 〈◊〉 Se●t r. which ate adapted . DREADFVLL , AND PRODIGIOVS ASPECTS WHICH have happened , and appeared in the Ayre , Water , and on Earth , beyond the common course of nature , in diverse parts of Germany , since the beginning of these late bloody b●oyles in that Country , from the y●er● of our Lord , 1618. to this present time ; together with briefe observations of the issues , and Consequences ensuing after 〈◊〉 . AMong the many troubles , and turmoyles ( Courteous Reader ) which have long time roved , and raged not onely in Bohemia , but also in divers other places of Germany , there appeared a terrible Comet with a great blazing tayle , which was as terrible as visible . It appeared first , October , 26. 1618. in the signe of Scorpio , and the tayle thereof was extended betwixt the Spicavirginis , and Arcturus , towards Polus Septentrionalis . Afterwards it tooke its progresse in Signo Librae , continuing its course from the Ecliptica to Topico Cancri , from East to West , or Northerly . It was to be seene , often in a cleare Skie , in the East : In Bohemia and Ausiria , it appeared , at first , with red ; in other places with a Saturnish pale-red colour , for the space of 27. dayes , and in some places longer . This fearefull , & ominous Link or Torch the Omnipotent Iehovah had constituted , and ordained in the Pulpit of the Heavens to bee a Preacher of Repentance ; that sinfull man might see , and discerne , that for incorrigible sinne he was resolved to plague and punish them if they timely prevented not the threatned danger , by seeking grace , and speedi'y fying from sinne the sole cause thereof . For in as much as the ●●cure , and bood-winckt-World had long despsed , and neglected the gracious reclaming voyee of his sacred Word , in the publike preaching thereof by his vignant and diligent Ministers , and refused to heare those charmers , charme ● they never so wisely , running on in their accustomed course of sinne , and transgression , refusing to be reclamed , and living all their dayes in sensuall impenitence , as if God regarded not their doings , and tooke no notice of their desperate rebellions ; Therefore the Almighty Lord God , as mercifull , as just , sent forth these his prodigious signes , in the Sunne , Moon , and Starres of Heaven , as certain fore-runners of his wrath , and of imminent , and eminent Plagues and punishments on them , if not speedily prevented , thus ( if it were possible ) to awaken men from thei even dead sleepe of sin , to timely repentance , and true reformation of life ; but otherwise to shew and assure them that he would come suddainly , and severely upon them , and bring all those evills , and miseries on them , which those hideous , and ho●●ed lignes did portend unto them . Of which his proceeding in former ages manifold examples are extant , both in the sacred Scriptures , and in other various , and volummous Histories , which , for brevities sake , I heere of purpose pretermit . This Comet herein mentioned hath bin indeed a certain harbinger , and fore-runner of the Lords high indignation , and future punishments , wherewith ( since it appeared ) the secure world hath ●in soundly whipped , and severely corrected ▪ ●ea the great Miseries and Calamities , which poore dilacerated Germany hath , since its appearance , ●elt and found , are as unspeakable , as deplorable , ●ardly to bee lively delineated by mans tongue or pen. For that is now compleatly ( if not too fully ) effected , which is spoken of in Comets , that never did a Comet appeare , which was not accompanied with much evill and miserie . And Claudianus the Poet writ thus of their operations . — Bellacanunt , ignes subitosque tumultus , Et ▪ elandestinis surgentia fraudibus arma , Civiles etiam motus , cognataque bell● Significant . — Thus englished . They shew fierce wars , fire , sword & sudain broyles , And by clandestine craft , fast springing toyles , Uncivill-civill jarres , and home-bred flames They signifie , &c. Pontanus also writes thus of them . Ventorum quoque certa dabune tibi signa Cometae — Et●am belli motus , feraque arma minantur ; Magnorum & clades populorum , & funera Re●●● ▪ Comets are certaine signes of future things ( Kings Threatning fierce Wirres , much blood , and death of Of the estate , & co●aitió of this our present Comet ancient Astrologians have thus written . Verba docent , et signa monent , et poena probabit , Nisubitò in melius vitam convertimus , 〈◊〉 Words teach , signes preach , and punishments make That want of true repentance proves our bane ▪ ( plain , Which altogether the following yeers being fulfilled & verified , is notable to all the Christian world to take warning by : and to declare the misery W● ( after this appearing blazing Comet ) Germany felt , would require many volumes . How many fruitfull Countries , Dominions , and Territories are through these last warres totally ruinated ; the Cities , Towns , and Villages therein spoiled , and made pillars of fire and smoke ; the Churches lying desolate , the woods being cut down , the earth untilled , and lying waste . The bloody and cruell dealing of inhumane souldiers , especially of the Crabats , in many goodly ▪ Townes and Cities , is scarce credible , which furiously have plundered the places , torturing the Inhabitants most barbarously ; ravished women even to death ; powred dunghill-water and vineger into the throats of men and women ; tyed chains and cords about their heads , and have twisted them so hard , that they have fallen down dead upon the ground ; some are hanged up by the privy member● ▪ s●wed off the legs of some , rubbed off the flesh from the legs of others to the very bones ; tyed the armes of others backwards , and so hanged them up by those distorted parts ; drew many through the streets of the Cities starke naked , brake and wounded them with axes and hammers , and generally used them with such barbarous cruelty , that many begged to be shot or slain instantly , rather than to live , and be partakers of such misery . Some they have rosted alive , and sacked the Cities miserably , that they spoiled what they could not carry away . All the corn and provision of victuals , have they taken away with them , and left the places so bare , that many of the best rank , for the space of 8. dayes after , saw not one bit of bread , but were glad to feed upon roots and water : sp●iled the Inhabitants of their garments , exposed them to that nakednesse , that neither man , woman , nor childe have had clothes to put on . No man indeed can be ignorant of the miserable condition of all Germany . No man can think of it without a sorrowfull heart : none that hath not put on the Stoicks stupidity , can heare it without compassion . Such civill warres were never without strange prodigies , and this as in the beginning it was threatned by this said Come● , so in the continuance the uncouth condition thereof was still made apparent by those strange things , which happened out of the common course of Nature , which I shall endeavour to declare , as followeth . A●no 1619. in the moneth of December the water which doth runne through Sixto a Citie in Hungaria ( where in the yeer 1588. an exceeding gre●t battell was fought betwixt the Turks and Christians ) turned to bloud , and the ice therein was likewise bloud-red , which at many places was transported . This perhaps hath been a fore-runner of the bloody encounters and skirmishes , which happened afterwards 1621. in the same places and thereabouts , betwixt the Imperiali●●s and Bethlem-Gabors Army where Bethlem-Gabor fought a bloudy battell against the Imperialists under Generall Bucqnoy , and rowted their whole Army , and put to the sword above 2000. of them upon the place . About Midsummer , Anno 1620. another hard conflict happened neere the Citie Sixto where Bethlem-Gabor lost 600. men : and on the Imperiall side some 400. amongst which was the Marquis Palav●●ino an Imperiall Commander . Seene at Groningen A great Blassing Starre and 2 Armies onein the North totherin the South and the Northern Army beaten 1619 At wien water turned into blood for 8day es and 3 ▪ Sunnes and 3 Rainbowes in the Skie 1619 In the same moneth December , Anno 1619. at Groningen in the Dukedome of Brunswick , appeared a great blazing Starre , and two Armies , one in the East , the other in the North , fighting against each other in the Heaven , so long till the Army of the North was slaine and defeated . This islued out , Anno 1626. the 25. of August , where few leagues from this place a fore battell was fought betwixt the King of Denmark and the Imperiall Generall Tilly ▪ in which the King lost the field , and 4000. of his Army were slaine and taken prisoners ; amongst them were also slaine 4. Danish Colonels , and a Landgrave of Hessen . Of the Imperialists lost their lives some 3. or 400. upon the place . We will not speak much of another conflict , which happened in the same Dukedome , when the fore-mentioned Starre was seen ▪ where 500 were slaine upon the place neere Calinberg ; nor of the bloody massacre , done by the Imperialists in the Citie of Munden in the said Dukedome , where 2500. Citizens and Souldiers were put to the sword most miserably by the Imperialists , the 27. of August , Anno. 626. At Wien in Austria , the water in the Ditch was to bee seene like blood for the space of 8. dayes : likewise 3. Rainbowes appeared , and 3. Sunnes in the Heaven , in the beginning of April . Anno. 1619. here in the same place , and City , and in the same yeere , the 25. of October a great , and bloody fight was at the Donaw-bridge in the same Towne of Wien , betwixt the Bohemians , and Generall Bucquey : in which encounter were slaine on the Imperiall side 4500. and of the Bohemians some 1000. and a great many wounded , which were brought with Waines into the Hospitals of Wien . Anno 1620. about the moneths of April , some strange fignes , and prodigies of future misety appeared in Polonia : where it rayned blood , in so much that the drops of them fell abundantly downe from the tops of the houses , whose signification not long after was th●s : that the Tartarians with an Army of 40000. men invaded Polonia , with such cruelty ▪ as is scarce credible , killing in one place more then 3000. of the Polonians . Likewise in the same yeere the grand Turke with 90000. men falling into Walstady had a bloody encounter with 12000 ▪ Polonians under the leading of the great Chancellour of their Kingdome , who himselfe with the whole Polonians Army was slaine , very few of them escaping . Anno. 1621. in the month of March happened a terrible prodigy in Austria , where two Armies were to be seene in the Heaven by cleere day light , fighting Battells together with great thundering of Ordnances , and Canons . In the same Country , Anno. 1623. in the moneth of January at Lintz , just over the City two Swords standing against another , and two strong Armys fighting a pitcht Battell together , were seene , and observed by the inhabitants , with great terror , and heavinesse . This City of Lintz in the yeere 1626 , was besieged , and many times assaulted by the Austrian Boores , but were beaten off with losse of 500. men . These Boores many thousand strong falling upon some Imperiall forces under the conduct of Duke Adolff of Holstein , touted and defeated them utterly , the rest being glad to runne away . This was afterwards revenged by Pappenheim , who with an Army of 6000. Horse and Foot came against them , putting to the Sword 3000. of them upon the place , and tooke many prisoners , who afterwards were executed in the same City of Lintz . At Prage and Heidelberg the 5. of Febuary , Anno 1622. were seene three Sunnes and three Rainbowes , a sharpe conflict happened before this City of Prage in the beginning of January Anno 1632. betwixt the Imperialists and the Saxons , under the Baron of Hofkirch , who defeated 900. Crabats , and tooke 11. Cornets of them , 3. Ensignes , and almost every man of the Imperialists were cut in pieces by the Saxons before the gates . Concerning Heidelberg the seate and the chiefest City in the Palatinat , the same Towne was by the Imperialists for a long time besieged , assaulted , and at the last taken by force , with great losse and slaughter of the inhabitants . Neckergemund a lesser Towne , 3. English miles from Heidelberg , was likewise the same time , Anno 1622. surprised by the Imperialists by furious assault , wherein the Garrison , doing some resistance against them , with the inhabitants , both men , women and children , were put to the Sword. Anno 1634. in Iuly was also the City of Prage , by the Saxons , and Swedes , besieged ; which by the space of 3. dayes plyed uoon the Towne with Canons , and were replyed unto from thence in the like kind , with great losse 〈◊〉 both sides ; 900. men of the Saxons , and Sw●d● , being slaine : of the imperiall Carrison within , consisting of 1400. men , under the command o both the Generalls , Coloredo , and Don Balthasar , 600 lost their lives . In the month of April , Anno 1622. in the Country of Darmstad were found Trees , whose leaves dropt blood . This Country afterwards in the same yeere was grievously invaded both by the Imperiall , and Spanish Army , as well of Count Mansfeld , as Duke Christian of Brunswick ; many bloody encounters and skirmishes happened betwixt them ; and especially a sore Battell was fought not farre off betweene Duke Christian of Brunswick , and Generall Tilly , whose Army consisting of ●2000 . of Foot , and 140. Cornets of Horse , continued a great fight for the space of 6. houres with Duke Christian at Hochst . But the Imperialists more in number beate the others , and dispersed them , which flying to the Bridge , so thronged , and wedged in one another , that a great many were thrust into the River Ma●n , wherein as many were drowned , as were killed in the Battell . At Minefeld and Malants the Shikles were seene blodey K Men drew there hands out bloodey when they Cut the Corne Anno. 1623. about Midsommer many bloody signes and aspects appeared in divers Countries , and places . In Bohemia in the County of Podybrat a well for some dayes was turned to blood . At Tursin a Towne 3. or 4. leagues from Egra , in a Citizens house , the table , the wall of the parler , and the chaires sweated blood , in so much that it began to runne in the parler . What bloody encounters happened in the next , and other yeeres in those places , is too well knowne : where 4000. of the Bohemiant under Count Mansfeld were slaine : some 300. of the Imperialists not long after lost their lives also by the Sword : 5. troopes of the Elector of Saxonies Horses , lying then at Rakonick in Bohemia , were at once knockt downe by the Imperialists ; scarce 120. of them escaping with their lives . What if we should remember the bloody tragedy acted by the Imperialists at Egra , where the Imperiall Generalissimo Duke of Fridland himselfe , with 4. others chiefe Commanders , was murthred , and massacred the 25. of February , Anno. 1634. In the Territories about the Rhine , and Hossen Darmstad in this 1623. yeere , in divers Townes , and Villages , were seene bloody signes and tokens , on houses , stones and walls : how prodigious this hath beene at Mingelheim , where 2000. of the Imperialists were put to the Sword by Count Mansfeld , the wayes side by the River Rhine towards Germersheim being strewed with their dead bodies . Also next yeere following in a Battell at Wimpsen betwixt Generall Tilly , and Marquis of Durl●ch , 5000. were flaine upon the place . In the moneth of Ianuary , Anno 1632. the Swedish Generall Rhinegrave taking the Towne of Kinchberg by assault , put to the Sword 147. Imperialists , and Spanyards therein . Not long after the Rhinegrave in another occasion lost 300. of his men by the Spanyards Sword. About Meyenfild and Malantz , the Sickles , and the hands of the labourers in the Medowes were seene bloody . What cruelty , and shedding of blood by the invasion of the Spanyards in those places afterwards hath beene , would require a large relation ; where the Inhabitants , without respect of Sex or condition , have beene miserably massacred . This is notable amongst other cruelties there committed ; The Spanish , and Imperial● Army comming from the Rhine , passed by Gall into those parts , Anno 1635. where the Catholikes to secure themselves from being made a prey unto them , marked their dwelling houses with the signe of the Crosse , then thinking themselves as secure from injury from that Army , as Rahab was by hanging the scarlet thread at her window , from the victorious Sonnes of Iacob at Iericho ; or Israel by striking the blood of the pascall Lambe upon their posts , and lintels , from the destroying Angell . But as the grounds of their hopes were most different ; So the issue was most unlike . These were the first which felt the effects of their insolency , being pillaged , and murthered without distinction of age , sex , calling , or place ; men and women in religious orders being forced in their Monasteries , and an Agent sent unto them from the States of the Province , precipitated by them from an high Rock . In the Dukedome of Wirtemberg at Herbrechtingen and Hermeringen , the 16. of July , Anno 1622. it rayned so much blood , that it fell upon the hands , and cloaths of the labouring men , and was to be seene upon Trees , Stones , and other places in the fields . How many thousands of the Inhabitants of that Dukedome in those last warres , and especially after the Battell , and in the Battell of Norlingen have lost their lives , is too well knowen to the Christian World : in which bloody Battell how many thousands on both sides were slayne , no man had certainty of it . Amongst which were many brave Colonels , and chiefe Commanders , as the Marquesse of Auspach , 5. Colonels , divers Captaines , and Officers all dead in the bed of honour . Anno 1634. the 24. of Aug. The 26 of December , Anno 1624. for the space of 10. or 11. houres it was observed in Bohemia , that the Sunne was changed first in divers colours ; at the last fiery beames came forth out of the Sunne , which for a time held their opposition against the Sunne , then they went away , and vanished like a smoake in the Ayre , and at last fell downe with a noyse like Rackets . Two dayes before , in Silesia happened an horrible prodigie , as if two Armies in the ayre continued a great fight and skirmish against one another . How many skirmishes and conflicts have fallen out in these two Countries the yeers following , is needlesse to remember : remarkable alone is the siege of the Citie of ranckford upon the borders of Silesia , which the King of Sweden took in by assault , Anno 1631. to the terrour and slaughter of 2000. Imperialists , which were out in pieces upon the place , besides those that were drowned , and others found dead in Cellars , Chambers , and elsewhere , as many more perchance . 300. Swedes also there staine , and 100. hurt . At Lansbergen in the front of Silesia , 300 Swedish souldiers , over-confident of their valour , were put to the sword by the Crabats : which Town the King the 15. of Aprill took in by assault , with slaughter of 300. Imperialists : but of his own men no lesse then 600. lost their lives . In this time at Cressin in Silesia , 200. Imperialists attempting the recovery of the same Towne , were slain by the Swedes . A strange prodigie in the heaven happened at Gierslet in the Dukedome of Anhalt the 12. of May , Anno 1624 ▪ which continued from 6 ▪ till 8. clock at night , and was observed by the Inhabitants of the same Town in this manner . First of all came forth out of the clouds an Ancient , with a red Hungarian habit : after him followed some grave men clothed in the like habit . Thirdly , came forth a Chariot with two horses of divers sprinkled colours , and another Chariot with foure armed horses . Suddenly did breake out of the clouds an infinite number of people , like a swarme of Bees , with such aforesaid Hungarian habit , and with Hungarian hats upon their heads with great Feathers . After them followeth a man sitting upon horse-back , with a great long robe , putting the people before him . After this did follow a Comet , iuxia aquilam with inclining head . A quarter of an houre after came forth another Army , consisting of many horses , and foot , and Chariots , having hoods of broad rands with Feathers . In the midst of the Army appeared a man alone , drawing before him a long red crosse , before which hee made some prayers with extended hands . These the following Army presently rowted and defeated . All these Forces marching towards the Townes of Aldershliben , Hirshliben , and turning at the last-towards Sandersliben , with red clouds oppressed vanished away . The day before it rained blood at Wemsham in Bohemia , and likewise two Armies appeared in the aire skirmishing together . This portentuous prodigie issued out perhaps in the bloudy battell which was fought at Dessaw● bridge , in the same Dukedome of Auhalt , the 25. of Aprill , Anno 1626. where Count Manifield came with his Army before the Imperiall Sconce , against which he cast up 3. Batteries , from whence he night and day thundred upon the Imperialists . But the Duke of Fridland comming to succour the Imperialists , utterly defeated the Mansfieldish Forces , whereof were slain 3000. upon the place : amongst them 3. Colonels , and other Officers . Of the Imperialists 1000. also slaine . The day before that the prodigie happened at Giersleb ▪ it rained blood about Fridberg in Silesia , and two Armies also appeared in the heaven fighting for a long time together . Three yeers after happened a bloudy encounter about the same place , ●e●re the Towne of Fridberg . For the Duke of Fridland fo●ding Colonell Pechman with 7000 ▪ Horsemen and Dragoners to pursue the Danish and Weinmarish troops , there began a sore fight betwixt thē , where at the last all the Danish forces were ruinated and killed , 10. Companies of them taken prisoners , the Imperiall Commander Pechman himselfe , with divers other Officers slaine . Anno. 1624. the 8. May , a strange Tempest happened at Ratisbon , full of admiration . When there was a great calme with a little raine , two darke Clouds met together , which sodainly belched out a wind intermingled with fire , and raised such a Tempest , as hath not bin knowne in the memory of man. It was first perceived neere the Wood before the City , where it tore up the Trees by the roots , and , as in a moment , drave them to divers places ; and thence extending it selfe to the City , overturned more then two hundred houses in the Towne and Suburbs , which had not a chimney left standing , nor a peece of the roofe to cover it ; not sparing the Churches , the Church of Emerant besides the shattered windowes , having one of the Steeples laid fat to the ground , and the other broke off in the middle : two of the chiefest Steeples being blown downe , with the destruction of a Cloyster , which cannot be well repaired with many thousand Florens . This was the progresse , yet the end was more wonderfull , both in its time of duration and the bounds of the Tempest . It was then supposed to be raised by some damned Sorcerers , who by the assistance of the Prince of the Ayre had caused this outrage . The instrument of this desolation was limited both to time , place , and persons ; the time lasted not above a quarter of an houre : the Hericano ( so we may call it , though the true one was never seen in Europe ) did not dilate it selfe beyond the City , where it rent up some few Trees , and killed foure men . This City of Ratisbone was ten yeeres after this strange Tempest , Anno 1634. in the moneth of May , streightly besieged , and assaulted , by the Imperiall and Bavarian Army , consisting of 30000. Foot , and 15000 Horse , when they night and day battered it with an hundred pieces of Ordnance , but were valiantly every Battell repulsed by the Swedish Garrison and the Inhabitants , with the slaughter of 4000. Imperialists in the last assault . Many brave Commanders , and Officers , lost their lives in this siege . The Garrison and Citizens having for a long time behaved themselves stoutly in defence of the City , even to the admiration of the Imperialists , who had lost before it by their owne relation 8000. men that were slaine upon the place ; 6000. others who had run away ; made 15000. Canons shot upon the Towne ; cast above 2000. Granadoes into it , endured 465. sallyes from within the City , at last they surrendred it to the Imperialists upon honorable Conditions . In the yeare 1625. the 6. of March , at Mors a Village neere to the City of Frankendall , was found a strange kinde of prodigious Fruit , on a peare Tree , which was brought from a Country man to the Towne Clark with great admiration of the spectators . It was a branch not round , as a naturall branch or sprig , but broad of about an ell in length , and the delineation thereof was transported to many places , and some the Goverrnour of the Towne himselfe afterwards sent to the Spanish Infantin at Brussel . Whether this prodigy hath portended the miserable devastation and desolation of the whole Palatinat , is needlesse to make mention thereof . It is too well knowne to the Christian world , what and how much this Country the years following hath suffered , and long felt the misery of warre , famine , and the plague ; and doth not onely continue to this present in the same condition , but the flame thereof hath set the neighbour Countries on fire , which are sensible of the like miseries . Therefore great need of repentance have such who doe enjoy the contrary , I meane peace and tranquillity and are disburdened of those afflictions with which other people are incombred : for . Verba docent , et signa mouent , et poena probabit , Ni subito in mclius vitam convertimus , actum est . In this before mentioned Village Mors , wherein this prodigy of Fruit was found , were 9. Troopes of Spanish horses under Don Philip de Sylva , who was then Generall of all the Spanish forces in the Palatinat , and in the Bishopricks of Mentz and Triers , whoafter a long fight were utterly rowted & defeated by the Swedish Commander the Rhinegrave , Ar , 1631. The Towne of Franckendall was repossessed by the King of Bohemia their naturall Lord , Anno 1632. the Spaniards therein would never treato with the King of Sweden about it , but with the Prince Palatines ministers , to whom they condescend to deliver it , but : it is lately conquered againe by the Imperial Army , with most lamentable sufferings of the Inhabitants . Multitudes of Croweskilling Each other they baskits of them were Caried into the Citie in Selesia 1625 ▪ Neere Troppaw in Silesia , in the Moneth of February , Anno. 1625. a great multitude of little Crowes ( Corniculae ) appeared in the Ayre , which fought as it were in a set Battaile , and skirmished so eagerly , killing many amongst themselves , that the Boores gathered some sacks full of them dead , and transported them unto the City . The yeere after , Anno. 1626. fell out a hard and sharpe fight , betwixt the Imperialists , and the Weinmarish Forces in this place . The Imperiall Commanders Schaffgotch , Dona , Colorede , and Hexted , with an Army of some 1000. men of Horse , and many Foot , attempting to assault the Weinmarish troupes in their Camp neere Troppaw , were still repulsed ; and in the end 7. Companies of the Weinmarish●allying ●allying out of the Campe , slew and rowted the Imperialists , 4000. dead corpes being found of them upon the place , and many Officers slaine ; and so the Weinmarish got an happy victory of their enemy , although they were more in number . Another , but more bloody , conflict fell out few Leagues from this place the 3. of May , Anno. 1634. where the Saxonian Army , under the command offield-Marshall Arnheim obtained a memorable Battell , and brave successefull victory against the Imperialists : where the onset , and first shocke of the Battell was hot and fiery , continuing with great obstinacy , and bloody opposition , for the space of 6. houres : the Saxons Canons being three times lost to the Imperialists ▪ and three times with much slaughter recovered againe from them by the Saxons . The Curassiers , and Crabats did shew much valour and resolution for the most part of the Battell , till in the end the victory enclined to the Saxon side . Of the Imperialists were slaine upon the place of Battell above 5000. amongst whom were two Generall Majors , 1. Colonell , 1. Colonell Lieutenant , 4. other Officers of account : Coloredo the Generall , Trost and Winse , both Colonels , were grievously wounded ; and most of the Captaines of the Foot forces were slaine . Of the Saxons party slaine about 400. whereof ● . Ritmasters , 5. Cornets , and 4. Ancients , and 100. of them hurt : 36. Ensignes , 9. peeces of Ordnance , 27. Comets won ▪ in the field . In the end of February , Anno 1625. in divers places of Silesia was as exceeding great Tempest with thundering and lightning , as hath been since the memory of any man. At Breslaw the spires of the Elizabeth , and Mary Magdalene Churches , the foundation of the State-house , and many fine dwelling places , were overturned into the Towne ; great Trees , and a new strongly-builded Bridge before the swinith port , were torne up by the roots , that the next day following nothing of them were seene , but driven to divers places : many faire houses were utterly demolished by this strange Tempest . At Nissa a lesser City then Breslaw , the chiefest . Church therein was struck with a terrible thunder , and the Tower was thereby battered to the very ground worke , and foundation , the 9. of September , 1627. At Breslaw , Anno 1628. a strange prodigie also was observed by the Inhabitants of the same City , with great wonder and astonishment : The Moon appearing much bigger then usually , and foure great Ordnance or Canons were first seen in the Ayre , with great terrour ; and afterwards heard shot off with uncessant thunders , and volleyes one against another . After that , before the gates of this said City of Breslaw , some sharpe conflicts fell out about the 26 ▪ of August , Anno 1632. betwixt the Imperialists and the Swedes : who pursued the flying Imperialists unto Breslaw . After some encounters the Imperialists called to the Citizens on the walls , to assist them , by shooting at the Swedish , and Saxons , which they refused : some skirmish being made on both sides , the whole Swedish and Saxonian Army appearing with their great Artillery , and being come within halfe an houres march of the Imperiall leaguer , they ranged themselves into Battaglia , advancing with their Canon playing before them , and beate the Imperialists over the River Oder , who set fire upon their owne quarters before the Towne , and in haste retired themselves with Baggage , and Ordnance over the Bridge ; which in three places they put fire unto . This had the Imperialists not done , they had been all undone . The Swedish were at this day in hot skirmish with them : The next day , in the morning , they began againe the fight , continuing till 8. a Clock : at which time shooting was given over on both sides . The Imperialists towards evening retire a little , and send much of their best Baggage , with 4. great peeces of Ordnance ( each drawne by . 20. on 24. horses ) to be taken into Breslaw , for feare least they in their retreate should be forced to leave them to their enemies . The Gunnes were taken in . The most part of the Imperiall Army in the meane time forsooke their owne leaguer , and retyred into that suburb on the other side of Breslaw , the Swedish continuing their assault , upon those left at the Oder : but at last the Imperialists in great haste retyred themselves from Breslaw , some North east-ward , to Namstaw ; others North-west-ward-to Auris , whence was thought they would have gon , out of the Country . Newes afterwards was brought , that other Swedish had slaine 200. horsemen more at Olaw-Bridge . Whilest the Swede was thus employed about Breslaw , the Saxons follow the Caesarians towards the passe at . Olaw , where all day , and night , the Saxon Ordnance so thunderd into the Wood , that so soone as ever the Saxons came over the Bridge , the Imperialists tooke the rout at it , leaving 2. peeces of Ordnance behinde them . There were 1200. Imperialists said to bee slaine . October the third did Breslaw accord with the Swedish Commander Dubalt , yeelding to maintaine those 600 , Foot , and 1000 , horsemen , which he already had about the Cathedrall Church , which is in the Suburbs . At Hamborow the 3. of May , 1627. a prodigy was seene in the Heaven not without terrour of the Citizens , and Inhabitants . It appeared first a circle , and therein the accustomed face of the Sunne , but in the edge of the circle five other Sunns , round about the first appearing Sun , with an interposed Rainbow ; afterwards two other Sunnes with another part of a Rainebow , one extending towards the West , the other towards the South , were to be seen ; at the last all this vanished in a burning smoake . This City of Hamborow lyeth upon the front of Holstein , wheresome leagues off , betwixt Bredenborg , and Itz●ho , in the same yeare the Imperiall Count of Slick fought a Battell against the Marquis of Durlach , then Commander of the Danish Army , where the said Marquis lost the field , his Army rowted , and a great many of them slaine upon the place , 32. pieces of Ordnance , and 42. Ensignes taken by the Imperialists whereupon they suddainly surprised the Fort of Bredenborg , putting to the sword all that they found in Armes . Not long after , this Count of Slick having notice that 24. Danish Compaines , with 200 hors-men were enquartered about Froyborg some miles distant from Hamborow , he with all his forces over ▪ tooke them , cut in pieces 300. of them , 3000. of the Danish hors-men sticking in moorish places were all taken prisoners . Betwixt Hamborow , and Stoad in the end of April , Anno 1632. happened another conflict : Generall Pappenheim being come with an Army of 10000. horse and foot into Stoade , had the passage into Keydinger land open ; where was a Swedish Regiment of Generall Major Leslyes , and 4. Companies of Colonell Monroes enquartered ; upon these falls Pappenheim , cuts them off all , takes 19. Colours , and some Captaines and Officers prisoners . At Sanderborn in Pomerland Appeared a great Army and the northern side preuailed This 1628. yeare was full of portentuous prodigies , which were seen in many and divers places . At Sunderbory in Pomerland , the Heaven being open , an Army appeared comming from the Northern parts , the Avantguard thereof being Pioners and Muskettiers ; hereupon did follow great peeces of Cannons and Ordnances : the reere was concluded by Cavallery or horsemen . Another Army came forth on the other side against the first , where began a fiery , and hot skirmish betwixt them : but the victory enclined to the Northern Army . At last a right fiery beame followed upon the Northren Conquerour , which beame put forth fiery rayes or beames , and continued thus prodigiously for the space of some houres . A prediction of a great Astronomer of the English Nation , and his judgment upon that great conjunction of Saturne and Iupiter , July , 18. Anno 1623. is this ; That the effect of that conjunction would bee felt in the North , and North-East parts of Europe in particular : and in generall over all . That it would produce Warres , Famines , Plagues , &c. Places subject to this he nameth , Italy , France , Bohemia , Silesia , and Germany . Of Provinces he nameth Prusia , Brandenburg , Stiria , Hassia , and Saxony : yea , he descends to Cities ; naming Rome , Prague , Magdenburg , Coblenz betwixt Mentz and Cullen , Vlin , Brunswick , Augsburg , &c. He sayes it is likely to goe hard with the Romane Empire , Clergy . Jesuites : he speakes of a King of a true Religion that should doe all this , and much happinesse that should succeede it . How this observation hath even now been verified , we neede not feede the humour of the times : true it is , and cannot be denyed , that in the yeare 1630. following , Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden , having conquered many Townes from the King of Poland , both in Prussia , and Livonia , came with an Army of some 12000. men out of the Northern corner of the world , and landed first in Pomerania , not very farre from Sunderborg , where the fore-said prodigy was seene : where he first beate out the whole Imperiall Army , nor ever returned he out of them , but with the Olive Branches , the emblemes of Victory . But these Northern trophes upon his next neighbours , as they had much of glory ; so have they much of credit in them : but chronicle , and beliefe , must straine hard to make his Germane conquest any thing probable with posterity : and were they not written in the times of doing , and acknowledged by his enemy , scarcely would the legend be more apocryphall . For what beleefe ( not easily to be abused ) could perswade it selfe , that two third parts of Germany could ( and by him that entred with 12. or 11000. men ) in two yeares , and 4. months space , be wrested from so puissant an Emperour ? A might Empire and a potent , formidable for its greatnesse , confident upon the power of its colleagues , and upholders : vast in extent , terrible for its armes and Captaines , renowned for its conquests , beyond expectation successefull in all its enterprises , and that knew no bounds but the alpes , and the Ocean . And yet this Empire , with its Armies or Garisons , that did hold so many Princes at a bay , was it selfe constrained to take the yoake , which Swedens Gantlet put upon it . In lesse then 2. yeeres and a halfe this Northern Lyon did all this : what might he more have atchieved , had hee gon on another yeare , and two moneths , and filled up the time of that malicious and false prediction , which the Iesuits , had cast abroad of him ? They comforted their creduious Novices with his being Antichrist ; and that he should raigne 3. yeares and a halfe , and no longer . At Bishein a Village neere the City of Strasburg , a poore woman brought forth a strange monster to the world the 11. of March , Anno 1628. which was two femalls , whose bodies were joyned together , the externe members , as hands , feete , and heads , being perfect and whole , but onely seene in them one heart , and one lungs . This prodigy if it hath fore-run the many and fearefull outrages committed in the warres neere and about Strasburg the yeares following ; and those great damages , which usually accompany the warres , and the unruly Souldiers , I know not . Certain it is that these continued warres , these grievous Impositions , these violences , injuries and rauages in those parts would scarcely be beleeved : and to passe by also the great famine and plague , which for a long continuance have followed this prodigy , no man can be ignorant , how the people and inhabitants of that Country have been tortured for their money , had their cattell driven away , their houses firedand and all commers driven out of the same Country . The Souldiers neither observed martiall discipline , nor morall honesty : neither keeping the Lawes , nor fearing God. Virgins , and women have been ravished upon the high altars . And if the weekely contribution were not payed at the Souldiers pleasure , then the inhabitants were presently spoyled or killed of them . Strange was that Thunderclap which fell at Brig in Silesia , wherein the Immediate power of God appeared . A thunder Bolt about mid-day , May , the 29. Anno 1628. fell upon one of the Churches of the same Towne , broke downe the doore , slew a poore woman in the porch as she was praying , wounded in its course many poore women and children . After this the same thunderbolt , rowted towards the Church in the Suburbs , struck the Minister as he was reading , doing him no more harme but that it singed the haire of his head , nor the people which fell down and prostrated themselves to the Earth at the instant . A strange thunder fell upon the Church at Sagan , another Towne in Silesia , the 13. October , in the same yeare , whence it burst forth by a window , attended with such winds , raine , haile , stormes , and tempests , that it tore up the Trees by the very roots , blasted the Herbs , and fruit-Trees , and so harrowed the Country for a league about , that the losse was esteemed of a great summe of money : I can onely say with the Prophet , it is the glorious God , which makes the Thunder ; marvellous are his works , and that my soule knoweth right well . Besides this Thunder and tempest , afterwards appeared just over the Church fiery beames like a sword and a rod , the Bells in the steeple began to sound and ring without helpe of man , and 3. miles of the heavens for the space of an houre seemed open and fiery . Betwixt this Towne Sagan , and Steinaw both situated in Silesia , a hot skirmish happened the 17. of August , in the yeare 1632. following ; where the S wedes and Saxons forces came before the Imperiall leaguer under Don Balthasar di Maradas consisting of 12000. men . The Swedes cruelly with 20. peeces of Ordnance thundred both upon the Towne Steinaw and the Imperiall leaguer . The Swedes , and Saxons Cavalery charged , and fell upon their horse quarters ; their horsemen after a charge or two , were defeated : some 4000. of their foot having thrust themselves into the Fort of the same Town . In this fight were some 2000. Imperialists slaine ; the rest of the horse-men running towards Sweinitz , and Breslaw . At Griffenbery another Town betwixt Sagan , and Brig in Silesia , the Swedish Generall ▪ Bannier was entered in a set Battell with 15000. Imperialists under the conduct of their Generall Coloredo the 29. of Iune , Anno 1634. and : got a noble victory ; where the Imperialists lost some 4000. men slaine upon the place . Another Towne in Silesia , by name Olaw , felt the like misery of the bloody warres , with more grievous punishment . After the Battell at Lignith the Saxon Army marched towards the same Towne , wherein the Imperiall Governour being advertised of the Saxons comming , burnt the whole Towne to the ground , and betooke himselfe into the Castle ; from thence the Saxons did goe to Orls , a lesser Towne then this in Silesia , wherein the Imperiall Governour Don Iohn de Languiall yeelded to the mercy of the Saxon , and was taken prisoner , with his 300. Souldiers . S●llaw a City in Silesia suffered also much calamity , and was plundered at the same time by the Souldiers in their fury . For the Saxon Army , though not with strong opposition tooke , the same City by assault ; the issue on both sides was bloody . A very miraculous thing happened in a Souldier at Geismar in Hassia , Anno 1630. Two Souldiers lying for a safeguard in the same Towne , the one at night makes his complaint to his fellow Souldier , who lay with him in one bed , for taking much cold , to whom the other answered , that he did not beleeve it in regard that his body was very hot , and wet , intreating him to touch , and feele his side . Which when he had done , finding his hands exceeding wet , which were as it were glued or congeled together , suspected some had event ; First lookes upon his hands in the shadow of the Moon , and apprehendeth his hands to be bloody : being hereat much terrified , called for a Candle ; who find● the Souldier very weake , and his left side and the sheets of the bed to be bloody : and whereas their indeavour was to wash off the blood of his side , presently commeth forth more , and more blood ; at length after a space of an houre it ceaseth of it selfe . Three handfulls of blood , or thereabout was taken out of the sheetes : this , with the relation of other circumstances , they presented in the morning to the Captaine and Commander of those two Souldiers , who enquired of him , how he had felt himselfe that night ; the Souldier answered , that he had been in great anguish of heart , and was afterwards restored to his former health . It cannot be concealed , how many and severall Armies and Forces since have invaded this goodly Country of Hassen , and especially about the time when this prodigie happened on the Souldier . The 2. next yeeres after , how barbanously and inhumanely the Inhabitants thereof have been used by the Imperall Army , and that against all reason , without any cause , and besides all colour of right and justice : they are yet still sensible of them ; and wh●ch was worse then all this , if the Prince with his poore subjects did at any time complaine or sue for justice or redresse , they were but scorned and rejected for their labours , contrary to all Lawes and rights of nature ; as also against the peace of Religion and of policy , all Constitutions , and Articles of the Romane Empire : yea , they have endured the most barbarous usage that might be , in the said Country of Hassia ; namely in quarterings , taxations , burnings , robberies , sacking of their Townes , and Villages : yea , also , and of putting to the sword innum●rable innocent Subjects of all sorts . During all which proceedings of the enemy , and most lamentable sufferings of the Inhabitants , the worst hath been of all , that notwithstanding those infinite complaints , prayers , cryes , and lamentation , they were never able to obtaine any pitty of their cause , or any Christian compassion towards them . The Norinberg Carrier , with some company in his journey towards Hamborow passing by the Towne of Coburg at night in the moneth of May , Anno 1630. observed with great admiration a prodigious fire going into the Towne and out of the Towne , as if some discharging of great Orduance were heard , for certaine houres after this . Before the Towne of Coburg Generall Wallenstein presenting his Canons in the yeare , 16●2 . following , the Towne being there ▪ upon entred , the Dukes Pallace within the Towne fell also to the Souldiers ransacking with the rich houshold-stuffe , and a great part of treasure . The Towne being thus mastered , the strong Castle standing upon a Rocke without the Towne , was next summoned . The roise of the summons is answered by the thunder of the Canons : which being lowder then the sound of the Trumpet , would not let the offered conditions to be hearkned unto . Wallensteins Ordnance therefore are sent to reply upon Dubatals Canons , who had then the command of it . Wallenstein having shot a breach in the lower parts of the Castle wall , he prepared all things to give a generall assault upon it . Five hundred Souldiers thereupon being commanded into the dry Graft or Moate of the Castle ; Other from the Towne side with continued Volleys of small , and great shot , entertained the besieged Dubatel having with good diligence also brought downe some new peeces of Ordnance , he so seowers the Imperialists , that a many of the assaylants already halfe way mounted , came fluttering downe headlong into the Moate . Wallenstein perceiving the Castle to be strong , high situated , well provided , and the besieged resolved for defence ; after that one repulse had been given him he retreated , Anno 1634. At Hall , in lower Saxony , in the beginning of May , Anno 1631. the Water was turned to blood , which miracle was beheld with horrour of many of the Inhabitants . Great alteration about the midle of the said moneth of May , in the same yeere followed in this City . First as it was taken by Tilly , so was it retaken by their naturall Lord the Administrator of Hall , and Magdenburg from Tilly. But presently repossessed by Tillies Forces . Hither Generall Tilly , thus wounded in the Battell of Leipsig , made shift to flie that night , and had his wounds dressed by the Town-barber of Hall. This City of Hall is but 7. Dutch miles distant from the place of Battell , wherein the Imperiall Army was quite defeated and beaten out of the Field , being miserably slaine and trodden downe in the chase . And had the King of Sweden had but 3. houres more of day-light , scarcely had , 1000. Enemies come off alive . One of the high - Dutch relations doth affirme , that there were , 15000. of the Imperialists slaine upon the place of Battell , or in the chase ; the same night and the dayes following . Tillys manly heart ( t is said ) could not refraine his teares , when he perceived his brave old Souldiers , and Army , which was called invincible , consisting of 44000. brave men , thus going to wracke . The chase and slaughter being done , which continued all the next day , the 10. of September , the King besieged Hall , which the next day was yeelded unto him . The Castle he tooke in September , 12. where he tooke an Imperfall Sergeant Major , and a Captaine prisoners , redeeming a Colonell with some others that had been taken prisoners at Magdenburg ; The King sending for the Duke of Saxony , and other the great commanders of his Army , to come to Hall , unto him . A councell of warre was there held , which way to keepe the enemy from gathering head againe , and how to pursue the victory . Anno 1632. Papp●nheim tooke in againe this City of Hall , did not omit that spoile , and barbarisine upon the City , as was reported . Part of the Bridge he burned , and blew up some of the work es : Clapt a petard to the Castle gate , in which then was a Swedish commander , with a garrison of 200. Souldiers . However the leader of Pappenheins Salliers was there shot dead , and fell , his men forced from the the Castle to retyre , being after some skirmishing beaten into the Towne againe . At which instant a messenger of Wallenstns overtooke him , to returne backe with all his forces to wards Lutzen , in which bloody Battell he was also strucken with a bullet of a ●●lconet . At Madenburke a Captaines wife dieing in Childbed desired to be ripte vp shee had a Child as bige as a child of 3 yeares old on his hind a head peace and a brest plate Gret bootes and a bag at his side At Frawenstein ●6 miles from Dresden a woman hauemg● bought bread and goeing to cut it thereout I shewed bloode 〈◊〉 In the time of the siege of Magdeburg a City Captaines wife dying in child-bed , desires to be ript : the child was found , a boy almost as big as one of three yeeres old . He had an head-peice and an iron breast-plate upon him ; great bootes of the french fashion : and a bag by his side , with two like musket-bullets . This horrible prodigy hath doubtlesse portended the deplorable destruction , and dire abodement unto the same City ; which fell out the 10. of May , Anno 1631. when a generall assault , by the Imperialists was made upon the Towne ; the walls were in a trice mounted , the Towne entred , and the Souldiers fell to killing . Falckenberg the Swedish commander therein , after valiant resistance was slaine with a shot , the administrator hurt and taken . Whilest all thus goes to wrack , a mighty fire breakes out ( how none knowes ) it being a great windy day , all was on the sudden become one great flame : the whole Towne was in twelue houres space , wholly turned to cinders , excepting few fisher houses . Six goodly Churches are burnt : the Cathedrall was by the Monkes , and Souldiers diligence preserved . Twenty thousand people at least were herein killed , burned , and smothered : six thousand being observed to be drowned in the River Elve . Tilly , Wallons , and Crabats never use to give quarter , or beg any : So that all were killed . 2. dayes after Tilly came into the Towne , and finding some hundreds of women and children in the Church , he gives them their lives , and some bread to maintaine them . How inhumane a devastation of this so ancient and goodly Hanse Towne , the County of Tilly , and Pappenheim had then made , no Pen can expresse it . The cruelty of which fury , no man can discover one halfe to the world , that agoodly City should be reduced to such ruines : as if Hannibal had done it , and not Tilly ; Hannibal who had the art by fire and vinegar , to moulder away , the Rocks and Mountaines into crumbles ; for the forcing of his owne passage . The 18. and 19 of June , Anno 1631. at Asherleben in the lower Saxony , towards evening a terrible prodigy was seene , and observed in the Heaven . Two strong Armies met together , and prepared themselves to a pitcht Battell . One came forth out of the South , and the other marching up out of the North. After a long fight the Northern Army obtained the victory from the other . This Prodigy was seene the said two dayes for the space of an houre in the cleere heaven . After the Battell was ended , a Man in a long coate appeared two severall times , bearing a bow , shooting and prostrating the leader or commander of the Southern Army . Betwixt this Towne Aschertlben , and Tangermund , in the moneth following , July the 8. happened a sharpe conflict betwixt the Swedes and Imperialists , Pappenheim then Commander of 4. Regiments of Crabats , and others , and the expulsed Garrisons thereabouts being sent by Tilly to hinder the King of Swedens proceedings in those places . The Rhinegrave therefore with some Swedish Forces being there abroad , Pappenheim falls upon on them ; of whose approach the King having intelligence with all the horse he could make , and some 2000. Muskettiers came time enough to make one in the Battell . Pappenheims Foot were almost all cut off , most of the horse ran away . Himselfe escaped first into Asherleben ▪ from whence hee hasted towards Magdenburg , there to expect his master the Generall Tilly. It was said that some 20. Companies of the Imperialists were here defeated , and some 14. Ensignes taken . Tilly being come backe unto Wolmerstad , few leagues from As●herleben , upon the 16. or 17. of Iuly , he first of all dispatches away 4. Regiments of Horse for his vant Curriers , to stay the King whilest himselfe with his whole Army might come up to him and to tempt the King to a pitcht Battell in the Field . These gallant troopes , most of them old Souldiers , were Pappenheims men , and very forward therefore now to revenge their followes , marching towards the Kings leaguer , and tooke up their quarters about Tanger . The Swedish charging presently tumbles down a many of the Imperiall Curassiers ; Colonell Bernstin , who was their leader , himselfe being slaine , thus were 1500. slaine , all the 4. Regiments defeated . This defeate was given , Tilly himselfe being in the sight of it . Tilly resolving now upon a revenge , Iuly , 21. forwards hee sets towards the King brought some 26000. men along with him , and all these full of anger , resolution and desire of revenge ; 3. severall times assaults the King in his trenches , but was beaten off , and with such a tempest of shot , chaine-shot , murthering shot , and what ever was cruellest to doe execution , showred in amongst the Imperialists out of the Kings campe , that there was made a miserable butchery . Tilly at length retyred from the King , leaving five hundred starved horses behind him . Some report him to have lost 6000. or , 7000. men : perchance in all these 3. great defeates of P●ppen●eims , Bernsteins and his own . Upon the fatall seaventh of September , this 1631. yeare in the bloody Battell of Leipsig , Generall Tilly himselfe was twice or thrice wounded with Pistall-shot , and his whole Army slaine , and rowted , as is already mentioned . Upon the place of Battell which the enemy had left for the King of Sweden , there sate a ●locke of Birds ; which being sprung by the Kings comming , tooke their fight directly over Tillies Armie ; and fetching there a circle about ( and that also the Romanes would have accounted an happy presage ) they turned againe towards the Kings Army : as who should say , we went to fetch you victory . But the King had a better presage on his side then a slight of Birds , God with us , which was the watch-word ; and that which the Romane Generall sometimes preferred before the Birds : Romano milite dignus , Ensis adest augur ; his valour namely , and his sword . Generall Tilly , Anno 1632. received also another , but more mortall shot of a Musket in the thigh , a little above the knee , in the conflict at Lech betwixt him and the King , whereof he afterwards April , the 20. dyed within the Towne of Ingolstad , after the taking of 4. splinters out of his thigh ▪ Few yeares before the long , cruell and bloody Battell was fought at Lutzen , the water in the Towne ditch of Lutzen , was turned to blood , which prodigy was fullfilled upon the 6. of November ▪ Anno 1632. wherein the bloody encounter in continuall exercise lasted from 9. in the morning untill night ; in which the Swedes did overthrow the whole Imperiall Army with slaughter of 9000. men upon the place : many a ●rave man dyed of the anguish of his wounds miserably ; who might otherwise have beene cured . The King of Swedens Majesty himselfe , ( as was sayd ) out of the greatnesse and heat● of his courage , having made a charge upon the Imper●all curassiers , was there over-laid with a number of men , and did receive a shot in the left arme , which ▪ he scarce feeling at first , would needs have led on still . But perceiving by and by his royall blood to gush out abundantly , in his retreate was shot thorow the body . Whose death indeed is never enough to bee lamented , and so this dying Conquerour did seale the Religion , and liberty of the Germans Nations with his blood ; and to whom the more ingenuous Imperialists at Prague , were heard to give this honourable Testimony , that he was the bravest enemy , and the best Captaine , that ever was in Christendome . And so the Swedes , and protestants Army found themselves to have gotten ●ut a dolefull and a wofull victory ; losn●g that incomparable Conquerour who was , alone , worth 2. Armies . But he is dead ; and that as heartily bemoaned of the Germanes ( to speake of him no more ) as of his owne subjects , who yet professe their losse to be unspeakeable . And in both their Chronicles shall his Sacred memory be made famous , and his Name shall live in their mouths , and be honored . About the death of this glorious King of Sweden , some singular , and miraculous Prodigies happening also , had affrighted the people in Swedland : amongst others , in the selfe same houres and times , when this Battell of Lutzen was fought appeared just over the Castle , and Royall Seate of Stockholm a Virgin or Damsel at night , holding in one hand a burning Candle , in the other a white Handkercher , which she cast about . Besides it was noted and observed , that all the doores in Castle , although they were shut and lockt , three severall times did open themselves . A River not of small account in Swedland , lost the same time his water , insomuch that all the day long a man might goe thorow with a drie foot . In Smaland a Province of that Kingdome , the Bells without helpe of man began to sound , with great dishartning and terror of the Inhabitants . At Bushein a village betwixt the Townes of Frawenstein , and Fribery , in the dominion of the Sheter of Saxonie happened a strange Prodigic in the beginning of April , Anno 1623. where first in the Ayrc was seene a signe of a two-fold Rain-bow , the one white as Snow , the other exceeding blacke : besides this another signe appeared of a fiery colour . The next day from eleven till two of the clock in the afternoone , another aspect of a high white colour reappeared . Besides all this , at Frawenstein a woman having bought some Loaves of Bread , and turning homewards to her dwelling place , as she was dividing the Bread , bloud came thereout . This Frawenstein , being a pretty Towne upon a Hill some 16. English miles to the South of Dresden , was taken by the Imperialists by a bloody assault , the 3. Of October following , in the same yeare 1632. For finding some opposition , the Imperialists doe carry the Towne by Scaladoe , and put all both Souldiers and Inhabitants most miserably to the Sword for it . October the 4. they assault Friberg , a handsome Towne upon the River Mulda , some 10. English miles to the West of Frawenstein . The Towne also was hard laid at by the Imperialists , being no way able to hold out a generall assault , which was the next day threatned them , and a generall destruction withall , if they yeelded not ; which the 5. October was done . Neere this Friberg , Holcks men , who was then chiefe Commander of those Imperiall Forces , taking , ( I know not what ) high displeasure at a certaine Minister of the Country ( a man of rare learning ) first of all hewed him miserably in peeces with their swords , and then sung him to their Dogs to bee eaten . But the Dogs , as astonished at such savage cruelty ( ô stand , and wonder ) would not so much as touch , or licke a droppe more of his blood . VVhereupon his friends the next day gathered up his pieces , and interred them . And lest this should seeme incredible , the Authour of Le soldat Su●dois avowes , that the Crabats shewed themselves ingenious to invent new torments for the poore Inhabitants : and that it was frequent with them for want of Dogs-meate , to feede their Curres with humane flesh . This if it may be true , though the Dogs were the Man-eaters , yet the Crabats surely were the Cannibals . At Kempten in Swabeland , a strange Prodigie , and abortive was borne of a Citizens wife in the moneth of August , Anno 1632. his head was altogether fat , and without eares ; the hands stretcht out all bloody twixt the flesh and skin , whose left hand held a rope , the belly thereof having too prickt wounds , and the left knee twice broken , a corde being about it . This goodly Towne was held by the Imperiall Commander Bray , and being strongly besieged , and many times furiously assaulted by the Swedes , at the end of six dayes it was surrendred upon composition in the moneth of May , in the yeare 1633. The Commander went to Reitaw , where he was beheaded , because he so slightly surrendred the said Towne . The 18. of March , Anno 1634. was this Towne of Kempten the second time taken by Gustavus Horn by assault ; and whereas the Imperiall Colonell with his Carrison had retyred themselves into the Castle , both place and men were enforced the next day to yeeld upon hard conditions . Many bloody ●●●irmi●es are fallen out about this Towne , where the Imperialists were often times beaten to the very gates of Kempten . What misery the yeares following this Towne felt , and the Country thereabouts , when it was besieged and taken by the Imperialists againe , cannot well be expressed . It was brought to such extremity of famine , not much inferiour to that of Samaria , and Ierusalem , recorded in holy Scripture , or Saguntus in Spaine , and Perusium in Hetruria , or Tuscany a Province in Italy , mentioned by prophane Histories ; many brave Citizens out of , this and the neighbour Townes were compelled by necessity to beare Armes , thereby to get their lively-hood . Horse-flesh was sold for high prises , Dogges , Cats , and Vermine , were as good as Venison : all commerce being cut off , Bread-Come was not onely at an excessive rate , not to be purchased with money : so that the spruce Citizens , which formerly held the Country people as Boores and Clownes unfit for their society , might well discerne that their labours were not to be despised , their dead wares standing in no parallell of Use with the Fruit of the Field , gotten by the industry of the rough handed Plow-man , and the blessing of God. In the moneth of February . Anno 1633. at Dobenshutz , a Village in the territory of Althenburg in a fish-pond sprang forth blood which caused an exceeding ill stinke , so that if passengers had touched it , they could not wash off the stinke in 3. dayes . This Country indeed hath been this yeare and the others following lamentably ruined and plunged : the Souldiers licentiousnesse , exercising their wonted cruelty and beastly ravishing , hath beene unheard of . Many faire Townes were forced , spoiled , and burnt to ashes for resisting , and divers of the Villages , as well as the foresaid Dobenschutz , put on fire , and the Inhabitants thereof most miserably slaughtered . Here were the women , yea , Ladies , Gentlewomen , and others like beasts and dogs yoaked , and coupled together , to be sent into the Woods and ravished : who for resisting had their cloaths stript off , their bodies whipt , their eares cut off , and so sent home againe . Hereabout gat the Souldiers and Crabats together some thousands heads of Cattell , and what beast soever could not , or did not readily follow them , they either houghed or killed ; lest ( as they said ) it should serve some hereticks . The rest I omit , not so much for Frevities sake , as for horror : not listing to relate the Barbarismes , and sheddings of blood committed by the Crabats as if they had falne in not to make warres , but desolations ; or as if they had beleeved , that a Country was never thorowly conquered , till it were utterly by sword and fare destroyed . Gustavus Horn , Swedish field-Marshall , with the Rhinegrave , and a Landgrave of Hessen , being come to Bibrach the 6. of March , Anno 1633. a portentuous Prodigie appeared about 8. clocke in the evening right over the Towne ; two long Swords were seene in the Ayre , the one fiety , the other red as blood . Many hard e●counters fell out about this time , and about this place , betwixt the Swedes and Imperialists . Hornes people were supposed to have killed 600. Crabats in a few dayes , neere and about this Towne of Bibrach : and so many of Duke de Ferias men , who had a new Army of Spanish and Italians brought to aide the Imperialists , dyed by the way , by frost , sword and famine , that betwixt Vlm , and Bibrach were found 1000. dead carcasses . And so the Catholick Generalls were then glad to make towards Bavaria , having scarce brought away the third part of their Army ; Spanish , Jtalians , Germans , and Burgundians . This Towne of Bibrach , not long after Gustavus Horns departing , was retaken by the Imperialists by assault : the Garrison laying downe both Armes and Ensignes , to have their bare lives saved . Some moneths after foure Regiments of the Imperialists , betwixt this Towne and Isne , were surprised and ruinated by the Swedes , which invaded their quarters , tooke a Colonell with many Officers prisoners , putting a great many to the sword : 600. other Imperialists having been abroad , were also overtaken and killed the most of them . In the moneth of March , Anno. 1634. Gustavus Horn besieged the City of Bibrach againe , in the which lay 1300. men , offering upon his first approaches a faire agreement , which the Imperiall Governour of the Towne refused : then planting his Ordnance , hee battered the Towne so long , till he won the enemies works , and made a breach into the walls . Then the Governour sending a Trumpet out of the Towne , desired reasonable conditions ; else that he would defend the Towne to the last man ; And that first of all he would burn and blow up all the Protestant Citizens , which he had already lockt up into the Towne-house , and into a cellar . This being refused , for that he had already denyed first good offers . After all this , when as all things were ready for the assault , and the Swedish troopes advanced towards the breach , the Evangelicall Ministers together with divers women came foort● of the Towne making a most pitifull cry and entreaty to the Swedish Generall , signifying it would cost all their lives , for that the Town-house was already undermined , and the Myne filled with powder , and that they certainly expected to be blown up immediatly . Out of commiseration therefore to those poore people was offered another agreement unto the Governour , and granted them liberty to march out with their swords onely : which was accepted . At Dresden Iune , the 23. Anno 1634. happened another Prodigy ; where towards evening at five of the clocke , the Sun was first seene as white as Snow , and then suddainely becomming darke , as if a mist went over it : It appeared first in forme of a Crowne , and then like a Feather ; red as blood , in which postures when it had continued by the space of halfe an houre , it returned to his orbicular shape , but retained the sanguine hew till it went downe , and the Moon at her rising , retained the same bloody aspect till she was not to be seen in that Horison . I know not whatsoever the Physiologers bable of naturall causes , yet such alteration in the Heavenly and Ayry bodies is alwayes prodigious . Memorable was that observation of the ancient Astrologians to this purpose . Speaking of the fearfull blazing Star seene 1618. that it did presage — 1. Violenta et superba Consilia , dissidi● , proditiones et rebelliones . 2 Latrocinia , et subsessiones viarum , solicitudinem Auxietatemque Animorum . 3 Regum et Principum interitum , bella , pestem , et morbos varios . 4 Religionis legum , et institutorum mutationem , novarum rerum inexplebilem cupiditatem . I shall not dispute of the effects but expect them : a Luxuriant wit may happily play on either side , and presage probably good or evill to either party . I dare not medle here ; my wish is — Deus omen in hostes Convertat — and my prayer shall still be : Powre out thine indignation , O Lord , upon the Heathen , and thy wrath upon them which have not called upon thy name . About the midle of Iune , Anno 1634. at Berlin in the marquisdom of Brandenburg it rayned Blood , and Brimstone . The next yeare following in the moneth of November , before the gate of Itzeho , a Towne in Holstein it rayned thick blood ; whose droppes instead of inck have represented right naturall Blood in writing . How many bloody conflicts and encounters the same yeare and the next following happened betwixt these two Countries , no man can fully apprehend or beleeve , unlesse such as have seen it with their eyes . And to avoide all other bloody passages , whichhave raged most cruelly in those parts , yet still in remembrance is the last bloody and sore Battell , which was fought in the moneth of October , Anno 1636. at Witstock , in which were slaine 7000. of common Souldiers upon the place , on the Saxon and Imperiall side , and many others more , which fell by the sword of the Swedes in the prosecution . 6. whole Regiments being totally ruinated , besides those great Commanders who lost their lives also , namely the two Generall Majors , Wilsdorp , and Goliz , 5. Colonels , besides Rittmasters , Captaines , and divers Officers both of Horse and Foot 1500. prisoners taken , amongst which were 170. Officers , 143. Cornets and Ensignes , 14. peeces of Ordnance , and 8000. Wagons were lest to the Swedish conquerours . Of the Swedes were also slaine upon the place of Battell 1000. and upwards ; amongst which there were of account two Colonels , 4. Lieutenant Colonels , and sundry Ritmasters , Captaines , and under officers . At M●lnick where the Randevouz of the Saxon Army was , in time of prayer , Iuly the 24. Anno 1634. was a strange apparition in the Ayre , which is thus delivered by Letters bearing date the same day — That about evening , when our Electors Chaplaine was at prayers , there appeared a signe in the Skie , like a fiery Beame : when he had finished his course , and the Lieutenant Generall Arnheim his Chaplaine did his Office , there appeared another in a forme of a Scepter fiery-red , just over the house where he made his sermon , assoone as prayers were done , and the Chaplaine had spoken Amen , the signe vanished : It was seene of many after this . The Crabats , like Vermin in a Warren , worse then Bandetties , have ransacked , plundered , and pillaged what places soever they came unto , in these Countries , this yeare , and the other following : they spared neither Noblemens Houses , Churches , nor Cloysters , but robbed , and dismembred the Country people , ravished the women , defloured the maids , burnt the Villages , and Townes , and did such mischievous insolences , as those Rhodopes , and Dolopes would have started at . Man and beast , and Fowles of the Ayre , all seemed now to be at an irreconciliable difference , and Germany must be the stage whereupon they played their prizes : at Hessen , in the moneth of March , Anno 1635. there met together two Armies of strange Birds , which fought , as it were , in a set Battaile : and neere Straubinge , upon the Danubie multitudes of Dogges had their randevouze , which fought so eagerly , that the whole vicinage was not onely affrighted by the Prodigy , but , as if they would not admit of any agreement , but such as themselves liked of , when the Governour of Ratisbone had sent out against them 4. companies of his Garrison , with Muskets and other Military instruments to assault and slaye them , they left their hostility , a strange Enemy comming upon them , set upon the Souldiers , and in despite of their shot and weapons devoured nine men . Multitudes of Strange dogges fought so Eagerly and slew each other that the Gouerner of Ratisbone sent 4 Companies of Muskets against them and 9. of the men were slaine by the dogges The Conduit at Isenach rane blood for 2 houres together 1637 Strange Prodigies terrifying the hearts of the people , while the Princes and peeres were in their jollitie in the Dyet at Ratisbone : Mars , and Saturne reigned abroad , and warre with his grim attendants , Famine , Pestilence , Fire , and destruction also raging abroad in the Romane Empire . What might happen by the fault of a carelesse or unskilfull Mason , not well bedding or cementing the stones , at the building of a new Steeple at Vienna , was by the construction of the vulgar sort counted ominous . The spire of Shotten lately built fell downe suddenly the 19. of December , Anno 1636. about the time of the Coronation of the new King of Romanes at Ratisbone , and demolished the new builded Church : and that was made portentous , the rather , being accompained with another of the same time at Rome ; where a great blazing Starre , called by the Naturalists Cometa Crinitus , appeared for a space , and then vanished away suddenly over S. Pauls Church with a noyse : and diverse Monuments , placed in the Church , fell downe , and were defaced utterly . Now it would relish of over much boldnesse to peepe into the Arke of the Divine Secrets , nor can we conclude any particular consequences to have been portended by the accidentary fall of the aforesaid new Steeple at Vienna ; yet doubtlesse the comet , though caused by the meeting of secundary and naturall causes , was the significator of what ensued about that time , and not long after . Within the space of a moneth the Emperour Ferdinand the second , who had long been sickly at Ratisbone , and then removed to Vienna , exhaled his last spirit , February the 5. Anno 1637. betwixt 8. and 9. of the clock in the morning , to the great griefe of the Court and City , which had prepared triumphs and tournaments , and in much braverie determined to receive the new King of Romanes : but by this occasion laid aside their gallantrie , put on the face of sorrow , and by their dejected lookes and mourning apparell , shewed their anxietic for his losse , who so long had steered the ship of State to their content , and was then taken from them , when the tottering Empire freshly assaulted and ransackt by strangers , required such a Nestor , as by sage directions grounded upon mature deliberations might preserve it from feare of utter ruine . Some prodigies happening in sundry places of the Roman Empire before the meeting of the Princes in the electorall diet at Ratisbone , did dis-hearten the common people , and made them despaire of any good issue by that treaty . One was at Wels in Austria , the suddaine uncovering of the Emperours house of pleasure , where he was lodged , ( by a violent tempest , and this was accompa●ned with two others at Lintz , the first whereof , was the suddaine fall of an Arch of the Bridge made over the Danuby , which the Emporour had no sooner passed over , but it tumbled into the River : the other this ; Three carved Eagles , placed upon the house of a Burgesse of Lintz , being broken downe , by the fury of the Tempest , were mounted by the same violent blast into the Ayre , shattered there sundry wayes , and the one in the end fell upon the house appointed for the assembly of the Province , the other upon the State-house , and the third upon a publike Aqueduct . Anno 1636. Distracted wits upon every light occasion , project terrible things : These conceits were fond , and superstitious , not rationall , and sound . The harsh beginning of the Dyet , and the first session was more to be feared , as a fatall Prognosticke of no happy conclusion , then those antecedent accidents . A bloudy time was in the Electorate of Saxony , and a generall feare was conceived by the adjoyning Princes , that the fury of warre would not be confined there : the hearts of the people were terrified by a strange Prodigie , which though it admits no particular interpretation , was as terrible as portentous . The conduit at Isenach Anno 1637. situated in the midst of the Marketsted , sodainly instead of water poured out blood , and so continued for the space of two houres , before it yeelded againe that Element , for which that aqueduct was ordained . A bloody time ensued it betwixt the Imperiall Generalls and Banniers●orces ●orces : where few dayes passed Without shedding of blood in those parts about the same time . And the miserable condition of that Dukedome of Saxony , and the detriments and most totall ruine thereof , can not bee delivered without an accent of griefe : which desolation was made , not onely by the Swedes the enemies , but also by the seeming friends the Caesarians , who spared not to burne those places to the ground , where they finde not as much provision , as they demand for their Armies : and the severall Conflicts betwixt the Swedish and Saxonian Armies , were not without the effusion of much Christian blood , but the blood so shed was not taken away by way of murther , ( Warre justly grounded , is continued lawfully ; the Sword is oft a just decider of controversies , and though it bee accompted one of the great Plagues sent by GOD , it is not attended with any injustice in the execution ) black murthers and horrid treasons hatched in darknesse , what ever the pretence thereof may be , are not onely unexcusable , but detestable also to GOD , and man. Peace , the benefits whereof have not for many late yeeres been sensibly discovered to the Germans , was now , and especially in this Country of Saxony , the generall desire of the people : the Boores , which lived by tillage , and feeding of Cattell , hoped that these yeares the Swords would be turned into Plow-shares , and the Pikes into shepherds Crooks ; the Merchants , whose free traffique was stops by these Militarie broyles , began to feele poverty , comming upon them , more then the armed men against their enemies , and longed for an open trade , and severall persons , according to our humane condition , qui facilè credsmus , quod volumus , upon each slight occasion , gave out , that a truce for time of yeares , if not a certaine and firme peace , would be concluded betwixt the Crowne of Sweden and its Allies , and the King of Hungary , and his adherents . But the misery of that Country was not yet come to the height : the Elector himselfe lost almost his whole Country : Moissen the chiefest City of Mionia , Eulemberg , Grim , Borne , Debitz , Bitterfeld , Belgeren and Hall , yeelding instantly to the Swedish Conquerours ; having no hope of reliefe by any Confederate Army ; onely Dresden of all the umbilicall Cities of Saxony , did hold still out , yet not without feare of being made the spoyle of strangers , the Imperiall Armies being so farre from their succours , that their march , and places of reft , were unknowen to the Citizens . The Swede was by this ●ucce●●e growne terrible to the Commons of the Empire ▪ some accounted him as an authorized executioner of divine justice , upon the Saxon , whose jugling dealing had brought this misery and desolation upon his Dukedome . A woman at vienna appeared Crying Nothing but woe vnto you woe vnto you Anno 1637. the water at Weimar againe turned to blood . A strange Worm in the shape of a man , with perfect Lineaments , and a golden Crowne upon his head , was found in a sallad at an Herb-womans shop at Coblentz , and which ( if not prestigious ) was most terrible , A woman appeared in a mourning habit , in Stephens the Cathedrall Church-yard at Vienna , Iune the 18. 1637. which , with an accent of sorrow , from 11. to 12. at night yelled out woe unto you , woe unto you ; often repeating those words , and nothing else : the Bells without helpe of man rung sodainly , to the great affrightment of the people , who descanted upon the Omen , doubting such horrid consequences would ensue it , as presented themselves to their sevetall fancies . A new time of trouble began then , fire and sword raging in the most and best part of Germany , not only casually , but by the arbitrement and will of such as used that devouring element , to the damage of those with whom they were at enmity . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A16857-e180 Beda inter axiome . Philos . ex Arist . a Psal . 135 ▪ 6 b Rom. 1. 20. V●t●●is est maxima , pert●ag●●e quem 〈◊〉 . Apud 〈◊〉 Arist . de an . 〈…〉 Pind. A min●●i ad mi●es . . a Dan 5. 8. Prodigia , quod ●orro dicant , dest , sut●rrap ●edicant . Au. d● Civ . D●i . lib. 21 cap. 8 Omnia qu●●pe port●nta contra nauram di●mu● csse : S●dn●n sunt ●dem . c ●●nch de ep●●ih . Dei. lib 3. Cap 13. 〈◊〉 mir●●u●um & 〈◊〉 . Quae sunt rara ●psa sunt mira Augu. Novis omnia plena virg . a Iob. 38. 28. 29. b Gen. 19. 24. a Deut 13. 1. b Mat. 24. 24. c Exod. 7. 11. d Iob. 1. 16. * Mar●●nus Biermanus , de Magicis Actiombus e Exod. 15. 11. 1 Tim. 2. 4. a Pro. b Gen. 27. 9. c Rom. 19. Isa . 4● . 8. and 9. * Qui portentorum numerat multitudinem que historia gentium con●inentur . Aug. a Mat. 27. 45. b Exod. 10 21. c Levit ▪ 10. 2. Fitry Prodigies . d 2 Kings 1. 10. e Exod. 13. 21. 22. Gen. 19. 24. Gen. 3. 24. Airy . Iosh . 101● Watery . Earthy . Isa . 38. 8. I psa nomint indict ●in●m rei . Monster sane dicta pe●hi bentà . monsirando . &c. Aug quo supra . * Cum Deus puuitur●● est gen●ens vel orben● prod 〈◊〉 id 〈…〉 Herod . * ●●e 〈…〉 P●oba●● , 〈◊〉 ●act . 〈…〉 16. Acte . 9. 6. Rev. 3 3. Ier. 10. 2. Ezech. 8. Luke . 21. 31. Acts. 20. Deut. 32. 27. Rom 3. 4. Deut. 29. ● * Gen. 44. 43. Notes for div A16857-e3830 The blazing Start Water and ice turned ●●bloud . Two Armie ▪ fighting in the heavens . Three Rainbows and three Sunnes appearing in the heavens . ●dnance ●d Canons dis●arging n the ●eavens . ● Sword●●tanding ●gainst o ▪ her seene ●y the in●abitants . Leaves of Trees drop blood . A Well turned to blood . The Parler walls table , and chaires sweate blood . Bloody signes seene on ho●s s , & walls . Sickles in the l●ield bloody . It rayned blood . Fiery beames ▪ comming forth of the Sunnc stand in opposition to it . An Ancient in red habit seen in the air : also a chariot with 2. horses , an infinite number of men . A strange Tempest . Strange kinde of Fruite . Thunder and lightning . 2 Femals joyned together . Thunderbolt did much hurt Sword , & a Rod appeared . Water tur ▪ ned to bloud . A Child taken out of the body of a woman as big almost as one of three yeeres old . ● Strang-Armies met in the Ayre , one out of the South , the other out of the North. A Virgin with a Candle , & Hand●ercher . A double ●ai●e-bow , one white , the other black . Blood running out of a loafe of Bread. Homo 〈◊〉 ●u●u● Men metamorp osed into Vipers . A strange Abortive Blood springing out of a fish ▪ pond . God punis●●●th f●thy thy beastly ans with stenches , & ●●thy ●●vots . Friday and 〈◊〉 ●●●cleann●sse . Savage ●●●city . Blood and Brimstone from Heaven . Scepter seene red , and fiery . 2 Armies of Birds fighting A conduit running Blood A strange Worm in the shape of a man.