Concerning Comets, Chapter 9
CHAP. IX.
The History of Comets appearing in this last Century, with the more remarkable occurrences of Divine Providence which have attended them.
A D. 1607. September 25. A Comet appeared uKepler, Longomontanus, Gotir. Wendelin, Cluverius.continuing about forty dayes, making its progress from the foot of Ʋrsa major, through Bootes, until it came to the hand of Ophiuchus, where it began to alter its course. The Star was not exactly round, but seemed to have a swoln face. It appeared bigg…r then any fixed Star. The rayes proceeding from it, were more condense and compacted then useth to be. Because of its Septentrional Latitude, it might be seen both in the evening and in the morning, (and in Germany all the night long) whence the vulgar ignorantly concluded that there were two distinct Comets. As for remarkable occurrents, the Prince of Transilvania was poysoned by his Chancellour. The Hayduques with the Turks made woful havock in Hungaria; The Emperour was in great distress, by reason that his Brother the Arch Duke headed an Army, aspiring after the Imperial Crown, and prevailed so far that he was declared the King of Hungaria, after which he persecuted the Protestants in Austria. The Duke of Lorrain died. There were great Wars between the Sweeds and Danes.
A. D. 1618. This year is famous for Blazing Stars, inasmuch as therein no less then four Comets were observed. The first appeared from August 25. to September 25. about three hours after midnight, casting its blaze from the East towards the West. September 1. Kepler observed it to be a little below the left foot of Ʋrsa major, and declining towards the head of Leo, its motion was retrograde. Sept. 6. with the naked eye no blaze could be perceived, but with the Telescope one might perceive it like a thin Cloud: Sept. 23. it was come to 29. of Cancer. Lat. Boreal. 23. about 10dayes, deflecting from the Ecliptick Southward, almost 15. Degrees, having a retrograde motion. The Star was hardly perceivable in Europe by reason of its vicinity to the Sun, but in Persia, and in the East-Indies (though not in Europe) continuing from November 22. to Decimber 13. The fourth and last Comet appearing this year, was that which all the Earth looked upon with astonishment. It was first taken notice of November 24. and continued to January 24. h. …. for the space of 60 dayes. There are some now living who remember this blazing Star. But I find a far other kind of Description given of it in the Books of those learned Mathematicians, who were accurate and diligent observers of this Prodigy, then that which is related by those still alive, that in their youth might see it. There had not the like Comet to this appeared for the space of 150 years.
It was seen first in Libra, moving towards the North with some inclination Westward, viz. through the midst of Libra and Bootes, when it came there it might be seen all the night long, The body of the Comet was to appearance bigger then a Star of the first magnitude, and would sometimes seem to twinkle. Wendeline, Cusatus and others that viewed it with a Telescope, did to their admiration observe a little Nut or Star in the body of this Comet; after that it was broken into three Stars like Coals of fire in a flaming Oven; after that into a multitude of little Stars which could not be numbred because they would sometimes sparkle out, and otherwhile abscond from the eye. The blaze was narrow near the Star, but broad at a distance from it. At its first appearance it bended like a Bow, but afterwards it appeared straight. The Colour of the Blaze near the Star was red and fiery, but towards the end of it white and pale, very much refembling the Via Lactea. December 21. the visible Longitude of the blaze was 22 Degrees, December 8. it was 58 Degrees, Decemb. 9. it was 75. Degrees in length. Longomontanus saith that once the Blaze was extended one hundred & four degrees in length; and that as for its distance from the Earth it was four times as high as the Moon viz. 240 S. T. Before it was extinct it had a less Parallax then the Sun, and therefore was above it. The true length of the blaze was beyond that of its distance from the Earth no less then 445 S. T. so that a man going forty miles every day would not in an hundred years go so far as that blaze extended. He might sooner go round the whole Earth seventy times over, then once go over the extent of that formidable blaze. Remarkable Events, attending these Comets, were, the death of the Emperour and Empress. A drought all that Winter; An Earth quake (which hapned on the day when the first of these Comets appeared) in Italy removed a Mountain which fell upon the Town of Plours, whereby an 1500 persons were crushed to death in a moment. But the great and fatal consequent of this Prodigy, was, the Bohemic and Germanic War, in which Rivers of Blood were poured forth. No less then six (some say eight) hundred thousand lives being cut off by the devouring mouth of the Swora. And the Prince Palatine, King of Bohemia dispossessed of his haereditary Estate, forced to fly for his life, and his Countrey made a desolation. Quickly after these Blazing Stars, God sent the Plague amongst the Indians here in New-England which sweptthem away in such numbers, as that the living were not enough to bury the dead. This year also in Grand Cairt in Aegypt there died six hundred thousand by the Pestisence.
A. D. 1652. A Comet was seen December 10. continaing 21 dayes. Its motion was retrograde from the South towards the North, through the Hare, the foot of Orion, Taurus, unto Perseus. Its diurnal motion at first was 11 Degrees and 16 Minutes, but at last hardly 30 Minutes. When it was nearest to the Ear…h, its distance was 110 S. T. the Parallax being 31. m. 15. sec. But a little before its disappearance it was removed 22509. S. T. the Parallax being but sec. so that at last it was as high as the Orb of Jupiter. When observed with a Telescope, the head appeared to be round, wHevelius, VVendelinus.and not less then the Moon when at the full; and four or five clots might be discerned in the Cometical body, whereof two were something bigger then the rest, and many minute little bodies relembling Stars, but their light not so vivid as that of the true Stars is. These clots in the Cometical body, did very much alter and dissipate every day. The blaze was seven degrces as to its visible Longitude, in form like a Pyramide or Pillar of a duskish, smoaky kind of aspect. The true diameter of the Comet was 825. Mill. Germ., so that if a Man should travail to …o German (or 40 of out) miles every day, he could not go round the bo y of this Comet in less then 259 dayes, of so vast a circumserence was its magnitude. Many undertook to predict strange things from the appearance of this Blazing Star; Especially a blind but insolent xViz. VVill. Lilly.Buzzard of our own Nation (as learned Mr. Gataker in the English Annotations on Jer. 10. 2. not undeservedly calls him) foretold matters which never came to pass, yet several things very remarkable we all knowattended this Comet, e. g. Wars between England and Holland, Denmark, Sweden. Bloody Sea fights, the Sea and the Waves thereof roaring. Strange alterations in England, for the next year Cromwel dissolved that which is known by the name of the Rump-Parliament, and set up for himself. Also Quakerisme now began to infest the World. The Pope and the King of Bohemia died within a year or two of this Comet.
A. D. 1661. A Comet appeared in the morning from Febr. 3. to March 28. S. T. N. It was below the Dolphin, between the heads of Aquila and Equuleus in the 10. Grad. … Its distance from the Earth was at first 2000, and at last 9000. S. T. so that it was higher then the Sun. Its motion direct from the East to the West. The Telescope discovered a Star to be in the body of the Comet, about which a more thin and dilute matter might be discerned. Feb. 5. that Star was divided into several parts. Febr. 6. it was dissipated into many little Stars, one of which was more dense and shining then the rest. The blaze was obscure, and about seven degrees in Longitude, according to Hevelius yCometogr. L. 12. P. 892, &c.but Franciscus Milleit zAstron. L. 8. P. 582.writeth that it was sometimes extended unto 20 Degrees in Longitude, of a conical form. As for Events, the Turks fell upon Germany (where especially this aEdlins Discourse of the Conjunction, An. 1663.Comet was observed) making woful havock there. That black Bartholomews day, which the Nonconformists in England, so much complain of, hapned but half a year after this Comet. The Fanaticks say, that the like is not to be paralleld in any History, that five and twenty hundred Ministers should be silenced in one day. It is also said, that these Stars which were thus cast down, were some of them of the first magnitude. And therefore a Comet might well precede an event so remarkable. But this must pass for a Phanatick notion. Not long after this Comet, the cruel Tartars made incursions into Hungaria, Moravia, Silesia, sacking and burning many Towers, and making no less then an hundred and threescore thousand Souls Captives, (r) whom they sold to their barbarous Brethren the Turks.
A. D. 1664. A famous Comet was conspicuous to the whole VVorld this year. Many have published their Sentiments concerning it. A Reverend and worthy Person bMr. Danforth Pastor of the Church in Roxbury.amongst our selves a. v. Mordens Geography, P. 140.(who is now ascended above the Stars) hath lest us his observations about the motions of this Comet as by himself taken notice of. But no man hath done it with greater accuracy then Hevelius, who being singularly advantaged with the best Mathematical Instruments which the World can afford to make discoveries of this nature. cIn libro suprac…tato.Reports that it was observed by him in Dantzick, Decemb. 14. S. T. N. About 5 h. A. M. in the 8. Degree of Libro, the head of a somewhat yellowish colour, affording a dull and dim light, never so vivid and splendid as the true Stars or Planets appear with, in the very mid…le of which one might perceive a more clear shining body, whose diameter was about sour Minutes, invironed with a thinner Body of 12. Minutes whose light was more dim. But when observed with a long Telescope, one might see that the Star in the midst of the head of the Comet, did not consist of one clot only, but of many particles, some of which were more compact and Iucid, others more thin and obscure. As the subtile matter observed about the small particles like Nuts in the body of the Comet, was condensed, the head grew bigger, so as that December 29. it was observed to comprehend 24 Minutes, and in the midst of it a most lucid and thick clot, of a fiery colour, which was compassed about with matter, some of which was more rare, some more dense, intermixed with lesser Nuts or Stars. In the beginning of January, that thick and lucid Clot began to attenuate, and break away, whence the head of the Comet was diminished, that January 6. it seemed to contain but 8 Minutes, January 22. The form of the Comet was not exactly round, but seemed to be rough and broken, and in some places pointing out more then in other places. As for the true magnitude of the Comet, it was at first about six times as big as the Earth, after it was diminished in January, it was again augmented in February. It did not alwayes keep the same distance from the Earth. The Parallax was 59. sec. In the midst of its appearance, when the motion was most swift about 4. m. and at last but 16. sec▪ So that at first it was distant from the Earth 3500. S. T. in the midst 1000. And February 4. 1200. S. T. Towards the end of December when nearest to the Earth, it was twenty times as far off as the Moon, in the middle of January it was as high as the Sun, in the beginning of February as remote from the Earth, as Mars is. The Blaze was 14. Degrees in Longitude, being towards the extremity spread abroad, resembling a Peacocks tail. It appeared sometimes longer, and sometimes shorter. December 21. it was observed to be 22 Degrees in length, and towards the point of it, to bend a little, the concavity towards the Horizon, but the next day it was straight again December 28. a sudden and great alteration was observed in the Blaze; for it pointed not towards the West, as before it had done, but upwards and towards the North. From December 29. it began to incline more Eastward. January 5. the Blaze pointed directly towards the East. It was observable that it seemed still to point towards the Gemini; so that the Blaze was ever in opposition to the Sun; and we may therefore conclude that it did proceed from the beams thereof, piercing through the body of the Comet. The Star lost its Blaze in the latter end of January, and yet recovered it again in part in the beginning of February. Its motion was retrograde, from Corvus, through Hydra, the Ship, Canis major, the Hare, Eridanus, the head of the Whale unto Aries, so that it passed through six signes in the Zodiack, viz. Libra, Virgo, Leo Cancer, Gemini, Taurus. Thus far is Hevelius his account of this notable Comet. Not long after this another, no less admirable did appear. It was by the but now mentioned learned person first observed, April 6. St. N. about 1 h. A. M, in the breast of Pegasus, viz. in 14. 21. of Pisces, and Lat. Boreal. 26. 30. of a clear and radiant aspect. In the midst of the Comets head one might with a Telescope discern one Nucleus or Star very lucid and shining like Gold, which was encompassed with a more dilute matter. The Blaze proceeding therefrom was almost as thick as the matter in which the Nucleus was contained. April 8. it appeared very lucid, so that one might perceive the Comet after the other Stars disappeared, the Nucleus not much altered from what it was at first April 16. the Comet seemed brighter then any of the fixed Stars, yea to outshine Saturn; then by the help of the Telescope one might discern the Nucleus to be more bright and bigger then before. The Diameter of the Nucleus was less then Jupiter's, but equal to Saturu's, whence one might conclude that the Comet was as yet increasing. The Nucleus seemed to cast a notable shadow on that side which was averse to the Sun. For the blaze seemed to be divided, the reason of which might be because the Nucleus was so compact and solid, that the beams of the Sun could not pass through it, only through the thin matter which was on both sides of it. The matter on the sore part of the Nucleus as the Comet came nearer to the Sun, appeared to be more acuminated and diminished. The Parallax of this Comet was at first 69 sec. at last 41. sec. The magnitude of the Nucleus was 12. sec. and of the whole head of the Comet 6. min. so that when nearest to the Earth, it was sixty times as high as the Moon, and at last as high as the Sun. The blaze was 17. sometimes 25. Degrecs as to its visible Longitude. The motion of this Comet was direct according to the order of the signs, at first appearing in Pisces, and at last in Taurus. It continued for the space of fourteen dayes.
As for remarkable Events attending these Blazing Stars, we cannot but remember what doleful things quickly followed. An unhappy War between two professing Nations, viz. the English and the Dutch, whereby much Ch…istian and Protestant blood was shed. A terrible Plague in England the like never known there before this time, so that in London (besides what was in some other parts of the Nation) there died sometimes above seventeen thousand in one week; and more then an hundred thousand were swept away in a years time in that one City by the besome of Destruction which the Lord sent amongst them. The next year the Papists set London on fire; which dreadful Conflagration continued for several dayes, until eighty seven Parishes were consumed by those fatal flames. The smoak of that burning caused the Sun to look as if it were turned into darkness, and the Moon into blood. It hath been computed that there were burnt within the Walls of the City twelve thousand houses, and without a thousand. *See Mr. Morders Geography, P. 18.The whole damage amounting …o at least nine Millions, and nine hundred thousand pounds sterling. Also, the miseries which the English inhabiting the Caribb…e Islands, were not long after these Comets, exposed unto, not only by the Sword of their Enemies, but by the prodigious Tempests which God sent amongst them, are still fresh in memory.
A. D. 1667. Feb. 15. A Comet was seen only the Coma and not the Star could be by us discerned by reason of its being in the sign Pisces, where the Sun then was. Its Longitude above thirty Degrees. †See the Philosophical Transactions for An. 1668. Vol. 3. P. 683, 684.March 1. Its extream point reached to that Star in Eridanus which is called the fourt…enth by Bayerus. March 2. it passed through the 15 Star in Eridanu…, and lest to the Southward the 14th. tending to the Scuthern Star which precedes the Ear of Lepus, so that it was more Northerly and more Easterly then at first. Both in Italy and in Portugal it was observed at the same time, as with us in New-England. Also at Lions and several other places in France; and yet (which is very strange) it was not observed at Paris, nor at London or in any part of England. The London Gazette saith, that March 17. at Venice they observed a Comet to the North-East, the tail of it much longer then that which appeared three years since, but of less brightness, and that it was seen late in the night.
As for Events; many places were this year sorely afflicted with Earth quakes. In Asia, there was an horrendous Earth quake which continued for 80 dayes together. The Cities of Begbara, Ang…ra, and several other T…wns suffered much thereby. The City of Tocall was wholly levelled to the ground. Polio (a considerable City) was destroyed, a thousand and eight hundred persons being killed by their Houses falling upon them. Torqueto (another considerable City) was overthrown in a moment, and above six thousand persons lost their lives, being buried in the ruins, of the City. Also several places in Europe were affrighted with Earth-quakes this year: particularly Constantinople, and Adrianople, but especially Raguse which was in a great part destroyed. Also the Plague broke out, in the chief City of the European Tartary; and in great Poland, and in Paccardy, it raged in Do…ay, Ghent and other places. A fire in Moscow destroyed thirty thousand Houses, and five hundred Churches and Chappels; a great part of the Cities of Gottenbourg, and Stetin, were this year also consumed by fire. In the Countrey about Cadiz there was a great Drought, so as that the Death of many of their Cattle was occasioned thereby. The Turks made very furious Assaults upon Candia, which was the next year surrendred to them. The King of Poland resigned his Crown into the hands of the States, by which means that Kingdome was involved in troubles and confusions. A prodigious Tempest hapned there, Hail▪ stones of an incredible bigness fell upon the Trees. breaking them so as was strange to behold. The people there concluded that this Hail-storm was a presage of their future sufferings. Don Juan caused great Troubles and Commotions in the Kingdome of Spain. There hapned a Popular Tumult in Sardinia wherein the multitude inraged at the Taxes imposed on them, killed the Vice-Roy. In Africa▪ Taffilet to made great stirrs subduing the Kingdomes of Fez and Morocco to his obedience, so that by his Conquests, he at last styled himself not only the King but the Emperour of Barbary.
A. D. 1677. A Comet appeared in the sign Taurus, between the Base of the Triangle, and the unformed Stars in the Cloud of Aries. The head of it was in a right line with the heart of Cassiopeja and the Alamak. dSee Mr. Robert Hooks Remarks upon this Comet.It seemed to be about the bigness of a Star of the first magnitude, but of a much fainter and duller Light. It had a bright Star in the middle of it, about the brightness of Saturn, when near the Horizon, and was about 25 Seconds in Diameter, the matter in which it was involved having an hazy shining, but not so clear, and bright, and de…se as the Nucleus in it was. The length of it was about eight Degrees, sometimes longer, and sometimes shorter. C…ssini observed it at Paris, Apri… 18. *Philosophical Transactions for the year 1677. P. 868.Hevelius at Dantzick, April 17. and it continued until April 28, h. e. 12 dayes. Its motion being direct, it soon came to be in conjunction with the Sun; and then could not be by us discerned.
As for Events following this Comet; within a year a Town in Piedmont called Bosia suddenly sunk down into the Earth, so as that nothing of it appeared, only two persons in the whole Town that escaped with their lives. But I find that some late Writers in England, think that this Comet was an Omen of the late Horrid Popish Plot, wherein it was resolved that the Protestant Name should no more be had in remembrance, which hellish design was ripe for Execution, had not He which sits in the Heavens prevented. It was before observed, that Hamans bloody Conspiracy to cut off the Lords People, was attended with a Blazing Star. And why might not this Combination of the Antichristian party (which was worse then that of Hamans) be so too? Now as the Discovery of Haman (who was a Type of Anti-Christ) his wicked contrivance, ended in the utter destruction of himself, and of his Children; So the Lord grant that the revealing of this Popish Plot may issue in the ruine of Antichrist, and of those that do uphold him; and let every Man that fears God, or that bears any love to his Name and Truth, say, Amen!
A. D. 1680. The motion of the Comet which appeared this year, was diligently followed by the Ingenious Mr. John Foster, the late Printer in Boston in New-England. And though he be gone (not without a publick loss by his death and the sorrow of many) it being mentioned amongst evil Omens, that the cunning Artificer shall be taken away) he hath left be…ind him, some of his Observations concerning this Comet. It was first here taken notice of Nov. 14. at 5. h. A. M. near 18 Degrees of Libra. 1 Gr. and 30. min. Lat. Aust…al. Nov. 19. It was within a Degree of Spica Virginis, directing its course Northward about 40. min. Several Mornings after that were cloudy here in Boston, and not long after it was in conjunction with the Sun, so that it was seen no more in the Morning. It was then conjectured that within a few dayes it would appear in the Evening, and so it did Dec. 10. when only the Blaze and not the Star was to us visible. December 12. Its Blaze appeared very red and fiery, extending as far as the breast of the Swan. Dec. 14. its head was first discerned, the Blaze passing to the North-ward of Cor Aquilae. Dec. 16. its appearance was very terrible▪ the Blaze ascended above 60 Degrees almost to its Zenith, growing continually broader from the head, and was brightest on both ends, especially on the South side, the middle considerably darker then either of the sides. Jan. 8. Gave the fairest opportunity to find its true place and parallax, by its approach to a fixed Star of the third Magnitude, in the right shoulder of Andromeda. At 6. h. 5. m. it was 28. m. distant from that Star. At 50. m. past …. its distance was 25. m. At 10. h. 5. m: The Comet passing by the said Star, left it 12. m. Southward. Its visible hourly motion was 6. m. direct, which if compared with its daily motion, we shall find it little (if at all) retarded by reason of its Parallax, which is an evidence of its vast distance from the Earth. For if it had not been much higher then the Moon, its true motion would have far exceeded its visible. About the middle of February, it vanished out of our sight.
As for Remarkable Events, attending this Blazing Star, We that live in America know but little of the great Motions in Europe, much less in Africa and Asia, until a long time afterwards. Only we are informed of some considerable Commotions the last year, between the Tartars and the Chineses. Likewise in Hungaria, some things worthy of Remark have hapned. Above four hundred Villages in that Countrey have lately been laid desolate by Sword and Fire. The Turks have an Army on foot there, and it is strange to consider (only God maketh the Earth to help the Woman) that those Barbarous Infidels, should declare unto the Emperour of Germany, that they will not be at peace with him, except he do's restore unto the oppressed Protestants their liberties and estates which have been unjustly taken from them. The Pope has disposed of the Ecclesiastical 10th. in the State Millan to be imployed in a war against the Hungarian Protestants. This last Summer the Protestants (commonly called Rebels) in those parts have had Wonderful successes against the Popish Generation. It is possible this may be a beginning of Revenges upon the Enemy. The great expectation, is, that the next year the Grand Signior will come in person against the Emperour, with the most formidable Army which hath been known in the World for these many ages. It may be another (the last and most fatal) blast of the second wo Trumpet, is now about to sound. In the Summer after this Blazing Star, there was an afflictive Drought, not only in America, but in Europe. The next (i. e. the last) winter, there was a great Inundation in the Netherlands; many thousands perished in the fatal night when those great Waters came nigh unto them. It is said that those Provinces suffered more by that Inundation, then by all the French Wars which of late have been so heavy upon them. The poor Protestants in France, are blazing in a flame of Persecution. The French KING in his Declaration newly come forth, boasts that he hath caused several Millions of Protestants to forsake their holy Profession, and to turn Roman Catholicks; He also and the Pope are quarelling who shall be Pope in France. Yea his hand seems to be against every one, and every mans against him, the issue whereof must needs in probability be some great overturnings and alteration of the present State of Aff…irs in Europe. And besides these particulars (which are considerable) other things have come to pass in Europe since the Comet last mentioned, which deserve to have a Remark set upon them. For the last year there was a terrible conflagration in Moscow (it begun in a Stable) whereby four thousand Houses were consumed, and turned into ruinous heaps. And this last Summer the great City of Pl…sco, is made desolate by fire, not above seventy Houses r…m…ining. Also the Czar (or Emperour) of Muscovia is lately dead; and his Death hath occasioned a very great Commotion about a Successour to the Crown. At first his Brother was Proclaimed; but the City of Mosc… rose up in Arms about it, and the Souldiers there have lately made a dismal slaughter amongst the Nobility and chief Citizens, deposing the late Czar's Brother, and setting up his Uncle as Emperour in his stead. For three dayes together (viz. 15, 16, & 17 of May last) things in that great and imperial City, were in the strangest Confusion imaginable; on the seventh day of June last, a terrible Earth-quake hapned in that part of the World, continuing for the space of half an hour, whereby many stately Fabricks were thrown down to the ground, and an hundred lives destroyed by their fall. Moreover this last Summer, God hath opened the Windows of Heaven in a very awful manner, so as that the Floods occasioned by the great Rains, have destroyed many Towns in Sicily. We hear that Mount Aetna (which has been wont to vomit▪ Fire) has of late cast out such an abundance of Water, as that the Neighbouring Countrey is drowned thereby. We hear also▪ that on the sixth day of June last, a most prodigious Tempest hapned in Sicily, whereby the Town of Randazzo, Francaville, and T…rtorica became subject to a sudden and unexpected ruin. About half an hour before Sunset, there hapned so great a darkness, as that no object could be distinguished at the distance of four paces; after which there arose an amazing Storm of Rain, Thunder and Lightning▪ which lasted for thirty six hours. About one of the clock in the Morning, great Torrents fell upon the Neighbouring Mountains, with such irresistable fury, as that Trees of extraordinary bigness were carried away before them, which coming against Tortorica threw down the Walls and Houses thereof, 600. of the Inhabitants were drowned. The Arch-Deacon, and many others ran into the Church of St▪ Nichola… for safety, but the violent Waters overthrew the Church, and destroyed all the People which hoped to find Sanctuary therein On the 25 of Iune last the Popes Palace of St. Peters in Rome, was stricken with a Thunder-bolt, the Fire-ball passing from one Room to another, until it entred that where the Pope useth to give Audience. Fanaticks think that this may be an Omen that Heaven will pour down a Vial full of Wrath upon the Throne of the Beast ere long.
A. D. 1682. It is reported that in Germany a Blazing Star was seen June 17. in the South-west, which continued visible for the space of an hour, and was then obscured by the rising of the Sun. If that Relation be true, there have been two Comets (or one hath twice appeared) this present year. For it is certain that there was one visible in August last. Some had a sight of it August 15. for my own part, I saw it not until August 18. 3. h. A. M when it was in the foreclaw of Ʋrsa major. The stream about 10. Degrees in Longitude; the Star bigger then that which appeared about 2 years ago. It was then perceived by us in N. E. only in the morning, whenas I am informed by Letters from London, that they saw it in the Evening the same night when we beheld it in the morning only. By reason of its septentrional Latitude, tis past doubt that in the more Northern Climates it was seen both in the morning and in the evening of the same day, yea all the night long, as hath been noted concerning the Comets appearing Annis 1432, 1470, 1513, 1607. August 23. it was by us in New-England seen in the Evening only, having removed from the place we first saw it in, about 39 Degrees, and was come near Coma Berenices; not considerably changing its Latitude, but moving in a line almost parallel with the Ecliptick. Thus it passed through Coma Berenices, and through the leg of Bootes▪ August 31. Its Latitude was diminished from 24. to 16. Gr. It was come between the feet of Bootes, about 75. Degrees from the place we first saw it in. I had not an opportunity to view it with a Telescope above once (and that was Sept. 12.) through which it appeared to be a very dim and hazy kind of body. It was then about the foot of Virgo, where it disappeared in the MonethMonth of September.
There is an Anonymous Astrologer in London (some of whose Notions are taken out of Gadburies Book of Comets, Printed Ann… 1665.) that has published his Sentiments upon this Comet; presumptuously determining not only what the Events are which shall attend this, with the former Blazing Stars, but the places, yea and persons concerned therein. No man of wisdome and judgement can relish the boldness of such a Prophetaster; Especially considering that he does praedict things that are contrary to the Scriptures of Truth. He prophesies of the Turks Conversion, and consequently Salvation; when as the sure Word of Prophesie unto which we shall do well to give heed, informs us that the Turk shall come to his end, and there shall be none to help him, Numb. 24. 24. Dan. 11. 45. Rev. 9. 15. The vain Astrologer likewise affirms, that Rome shall be destroyed by the Turkish power, when as the holy Scriptures assure us, that it shall be done by some of those horns which have given their power to (the Pope) Antichrist, which the Turks never did, Rev. 17, 16. If men did with understanding read the Scriptures more, they would mind Judicial Astrologers less. This notwithstanding I find that judicious Writers are of Opinion, that such a Saturnine Comet as this was, hath a natural influence into, a…d therefore does portend a cold and tedious Winter, much Snow, and consequently great Floods; Malignant and Epidemical Diseases; in special the Plague: concerning which Deus avertat Omen! Some things worthy of Remark, have already hapned in Europe, being contemporary with this Blazing Star. I understand by Letters, that Vines and Corn are very much dam…ified, in several Countries by the great Rains which have fallen the latter end of this last Summer. We are also ascertained, that about the middle of September last (the Comet being hardly out of sight) there was a very prodigious Tempest in Italy. Not far from Florence there hapned most terrible Thunder and Hail mingled with Fire; the Hail-stones were many of them three, some of them five pound in weight; the like was never known in those parts; The wild Beasts and Birds were killed thereby. For the space of eight Miles in length, and two in breadth. It sw…pt away all the Branches from the greatest Trees, as Oakes, Chesnuts, &c. It destroyed all the Autumn Harvest that was on the Ground, and left not a Vine standing. It carried away the roofs of Houses; inasmuch as persons were killed in their beds. A Church was beat down to the ground, and the Bells carried a quarter of a mile. Since this Discourse was written and sent to the Presse, we have the sad Tidings of another dismal Fire, which hapned in London this Winter, viz on the 19th. day of November last: It is reported that a thousand Houses were consumed in those unhappy Flames. What further Events shall attend this Blazing Star which our eys have so lately beheld, is known unto him, Who ruleth in the Army of Heav…n, and doth what he will amongst▪ the Children of Men.