Upon the Blazing Star, Part 1 – Colophon 1

Upon the Blazing Star · Part 1 – Colophon 1

A Philoſophical and Divine DISCOURSE Blazoning upon this Blazing STAR: Divided into Three Parts;

The I. Treating on the Product, Form, Colour, Motion, Scituation, and Signification of COMETS.

II. Contains the Prognoſticks of Comets in General, and of this in particular; together with a CHRONOLOGY of all the Comets for the laſt 400 years.

III. Conſiſts of (1.) the Explication of the grand Concerns of this COMET by Aſtrological Precepts and Preſidents. (2.) The Application of its probable Prognoſticks Aſtrologically and Theologically.

By Chriſtopher Neſſe, Miniſter of the Goſpel, in London, 1681.

p. 1A Full and True ACCOUNT Of the Late BLAZING-STAR: With ſome probable Prognoſticks upon what may be its Effects.

ABlazing Star is called a Comet from the Latin word Coma, the Hair, becauſe it ſeemeth to ſend forth Streamers of flaming Hair to thoſe that behold it a far off. There be various Opinions of Authors concerning thoſe Comets: ſome whereof are ſo improbable, that only to report them, is enough to refute them. As, 1. Democritus dreamed that Comets were the Souls of famous Men triumphing in Heaven. 2. Thaddeus thinketh that they are the Secrets of Nature, and (like the occult Quality of Philoſophers) ought not to be enquired after. 3. Paracelſus ſuppoſeth that they are Fires carried about by Spirits which are conſcious of their own Fates. 4. Anaxagoras imagines them to be a Conjunct Apparition of Planets; becauſe when Planets come near together they ſeem to touch one another, and that Conjunction of 2 or 3 Lights into one, cauſeth the Phoenomenon, or Appearance of a longer Star; which by varying its Place, varieth its Form alſo. 5, Appianus and Proetorius (both) acknowledge that Comets are Meteors, or Vapours exhaled, yet deny that they are inflamed, or fer on fire in their own Bodily Matter, but only enlightned by the Refract Rays of the Sun and other Stars, both upon its Body and Tail. 6. But this laſt Opinion of Ariſtotle is moſt probable; that a Comet is a Fiery Meteor made up of Copious, Viſcous and Fat Vapours, drawn up into the higheſt Region of the Air by the influence of the Sun and Stars; and then when it is ripened, taketh Fire, and ſhineth in the Figure of a Star, to p. 2the Aſtoniſhment of all its Beholders. Beſides thoſe (properly called) Comets engendred in the Elementary Region, it is ſuppoſed there be ſome other new Stars ſometimes ſeen above the Moon in the Aetherial Region, ſuch as that which appeared in Caſſiopoea, in the Year 1574. every way like a Star in Form and Light, ſave only its Splendor and Magnitude exceeded the greateſt of Planets. This could not properly be called a Comet: 1. Becauſe it removed not from that Point of Heaven wherein it firſt appeared, but kept conſtant in the Conſtellation till it diſappeared. 2. Becauſe it continued in view for a whole Year, and more than a Quarter. 3. Becauſe it had neither Hair nor Tail or Train, as Comets have; which likewiſe remove from one part of Heaven to another, and never continue ſo long as that did. 'Tis not improbable that ſuch new Stars God (for a time) withdraws from Men's ſight, that the Sign of his Anger or Favour might be the more admired: For theſe do not waſte away, as (properly called) Comets do; but only lie hid from the Eye, ſeeing Heaven cannot admit of new Bodies. That Star which appeared to the Wife Men, Matth. 2. was not a Natural, but a Miraculous Star. 1. Becauſe it ſhone not in the Celeſtial, but in the Elementary Region; yea, in the loweſt part of it, ſo as to guide the three Men to a certain Houſe over which it ſtood. 2. Becauſe it had not the Motion of a Natural Star, but ſuch as was Accommodated every way to the Travel of the Wiſe Men. 3. Its Progreſs was unequal, ſometimes Appearing, and ſometimes Diſappearing. 4. It did not only ſhine forth by Night, but alſo by Day. Yea, 5. With ſuch a Splendour, as far exceeded, not only that of the Stars, but alſo the Sun it ſelf; as Ignatius, Chriſoſtom, &c. do teſtifie. Some ſay, that Star in Matth. 2. was the Holy Ghoſt which appeared (at Chriſt's Baptiſm) in the Form of a Dove, as at his Birth in the Form of a Star, being moſt Conſentaneous to thoſe Eaſtern Sages: For as a mighty Draught of Fiſh was the apteſt Sign to make Peter (a Fiſher-man) to follow Chriſt, ſo this Sign of a Star was beſt accommodated to theſe Men of the Eaſt, it being moſt familiar to them in their frequent Study of the Stars. But more probably Chriſoſtom judgeth it was an Angel [foreign] a certain inviſible Power to be the Guide of their Journey, as the Pillar of Glory was Iſrael's in the Wilderneſs, Exod. 13.21, p. 322. Yea, ſome do affirm that it was the ſame Angel who appeared alſo to the Shephards, Luke 2.9. But the Elementary Comets cannot in any proper Senſe) be called Stars (though their common Name be Blazing Stars.) Becauſe, 1. They have a different Form, no way congruous to that of Stars. 2. They grow Greater and Leſſer. 3. They have an Uncertain and Vagabond Motion. 4. Their Matter is an Hot and Dry Exhalation, which is Slimy and Sulphurous; and which being ſpent, they vaniſh away: Thoſe things hold no Congruity with proper Stars. Philoſophy ſaith, that thoſe Comets are compoſed of a Matter full of Mettalline or Mineral Vapours, which is both thruſt out of the Bowels of the Earth by an Internal Heat from the Subterraneous Spirits, and extracted thence alſo by an External Heat from the Celeſtial Bodies; whereby likewiſe it is drawn up into the Upper Region. One part of this Fuliginous Smoak, thruſting up, and cleaving cloſe to another, till it become as big as a Mountain, then it hangs pendulouſly, and mellows kindly into a Combuſtible Subſtance. Then takes it fire; and the Colour of that Star by whoſe force it is Generated and Governed: And when all this is done, though it be of a vaſt Magnitude, yet through the great Diſtance of Place▪ it ſeems to us as a very little Spangle or Spur-Rowel, if ſevered from its Train or Streamer. Touching theſe Comets, Theſe four things are principally conſiderable after their Product or Generation. 1. Their Form. 2. Their Colour. 3. Their Motion. 4. Their Signification. 1. Of their Form, which is various: one Comet hath a Beard, another a Tail, and a third is Hairy round about. This flows from the Flame of the fired Vapour diverſly diſperſed. 1. If it ſpread its Flame upon its former part, then it is called foreign, Barbatus, a Bearded Comet, as having the Flame (as a Man's Beard, or a Horſes Main) hanging downward. 2. If from the latter part the Flame ſputter out behind, following after the Body, then it is called Candatus, a Tailed Comet. But 3. If it ſpit Fire from all parts round about, then is it called Crinitus, an Hairy Comet, when it is ſurrounded with Rays of Fire, as the Buſhy Head is with Hair. Thus the diverſity of Flames produceth diverſity of Forms in them, yet moſtly ſuch as have Trains or Tails; for the hinder part (being not ſo compact as the former) ſooneſt taketh Fire, and ſputters p. 4out a Flame (as we ſee in Squibs or Fuzzees) like a long Beſomor the Tail of a Peacock. 2. Of their Colour, which Diſtinction they derive from the Dominion of the Planet in their Generation, which may eaſily be diſcerned by their various Colours. Comets have their Dusky and Leaden Colour from Saturn, Splendid from Jupiter, Fiery from Mars, Golden from the Sun, Silver from the Moon, Yellow from Venus, and of changeable Colours from Mercury: And all theſe various Colours are ſuppoſed to be various Indications of differing Natures, as the Planets (from whence they derive them) do differ in their Natures and Influences one from another. 3. Of their Motion. Comets are of an Erratick Motion, as the new Stars immitate the fixed Stars, ſo do Comets immitate the Planets in their Motions: Some are moved according to the Motion of the Primum Mobile (to ſpeak ex Hypotheſi) to wit, from Eaſt to Weſt; but ſome ſlowlier fulfilling that Motion, and others more ſwiftly exceeding it. Their Motion is therefore called Erratick, becauſe it is not Regular and Certain, as that of the fixed Stars is, whoſe Riſing and Setting are certainly known; but the Motion of Comets is ſometimes nearer, and ſometimes further off from the Zodiack, as the Motion of the Planets is: Yet not altogether as the Planets, which never remove far from the Zodiack, but have always certain and well known Bounds of their Motions: whereas Comets have an Irregular Motion, and (as to the Zodiack) plainly Eccentrick, wandring far from it in their remote Appearances; and though Motion from Eaſt to Weſt be Regular, yet this happens by Accident, only becauſe the Upper Region of the Air (wherein Comets are both Engendred and Fired) is whirl'd about with the Heavens; hence the Comet therein wheels about with it. 4. Of their Signification. The principal thing intended, to wit, the Prognoſticks of them. 'Tis true, there be ſome who deny altogether their Significancy; as Eraſtus, Gryneus, and others: but 'tis too too manifeſt that Comets are not mute things, but that they are Signs which God placeth in Heaven, to preach ſomething to Men on Earth. No Man in his right Mind can ſay, that the moſt wiſe God doth make any thing in vain, or that the Father of Lights ſhould hang out ſuch a ſtrange and ſtupendious Light p. 5up aloft (to be ſeen far and wide) and this not to portend ſome extraordinary thing. Conſult Antiquity, there is found. 1. That Greek Proverb, [foreign,] There is no Comet which brings not ſome Evil. 2. That Verſe of Manilius,

[Nunquam Futilibus Reſplenduit Ignibus Aether.]

God never Fires his Beacon (ſet upon ſo high a Hill) but thoſe below had need look to themſelves. 3. That other Trite Verſe (which is a Synonymon & Synbolizeth with the two former

Et Nunquam Coelo Spectati Impune Cometae

That is, never doth the Earth 'ſcape Scot-free, when Heaven holds forth a Blazing Star to her View. This is confirmed by all Hiſtories, eſpecially thoſe of later Times, whereof I could give many Inſtances. The Chronology of Comets (to go no higher than the 13th Century after Chriſt to this preſent) doth afford us moſt Direful Effects of many Comets frequently appearing within that compaſs of time, a particular Account whereof a ſingle ſheet cannot compleatly comprehend, eſpecially to Diſcourſe upon them all, Phiſitally, Politically and Theologically,. The Rules of this Aſtrological Art (whereby to make Right Prognoſtications) muſt be acknowledged to be Obſcure and Doubtful to Inſtance in that one Aſtrological Axiom [That the Prognoſticks of Comets do depend all upon Mars and Mercury.] T…s is hard to be Demonſtrated, for none can prove what is the Influence of this or that Star in Heaven, as they may the Operation of Rhubarb or other Druggs on Earth; Yet Ptolomy (with others) make this Maxime (aforeſaid) thus far probable, ſaying, The Effects of Comets (which are rarely Good, but moſtly Evil) are of two ſorts, 1. Such things as are Savage, Bloody, Mortiferous, &c. (portended by them) be aſcribed to Mars, and other things that are Inconſtant, Moveable and Uncertain, be aſcribed to Mercury. The Aſſertion here may be true, though the Application be falſe; for Aſtrologorum Decreta non ſunt praetoria; their Rules are not Infallible, yet Examples have more perſpicuity and certainty in them, I ſhall only give the two laſt and lateſt Exemplifications of Comets, the one in 1664, and the other in 1677. That in 64 was a forerunner of moſt Dreadful Diſpenſations, as the Sweeping peſtilence in 65 and the Swallowing fire in 66. The former falls fowl upon Perſons, the latter upon p. 6Habitations. The laſt in 1677. was a forerunner of the moſt Damnable Plot (yea a Complication of Plots) that ever Hell invented: Now God hath lighted up another Torch to give us a new Warning, that being forewarned we might be forearmed alſo, eſpecially with thoſe Arms of the Church, to wit, prayers and Tears (our Deſperate Malady hath not yet met with an Effectual Remedy) leſt thoſe Matchleſs Miſchiefs which are Imminent over us may not alſo be Incumbent on us. There is certainly ſomething more than ordinary God hath upon the Wheel, to lighten up ſuch a Blaze as this in the very depth of Winter, which is a time Diametrically contrary to the very Nature of Comets, for Cold and Moiſt Weather is altogether unapt to produce thoſe Hot and Dry Vapours whereof a Comit conſiſteth. A Winter Comet is therefore like Winter Thunder, which is commonly call'd the Worlds Wonder: The proper time of engendring thoſe Meteors is Antumn, for in Springtime there is ſuppoſed to be too much Moiſture and too little Heat to congregate thoſe Vapours, and in Summer-time there is ſo much Heat as plainly Segregate and Diſperſes thoſe Exhalations, but Winter-time is wholly oppoſite to their exiſtency, and quite contrary to the conſtituting of them: Therefore this Extraordinary and preternatural ſign muſt needs ſignifie ſome Extraordinary and ſupernatural thing, even ſome Sweeping, Swinging or Scourging, yea ſome Cutting or Killing Diſpenſation, for the foreign or Apparition Extraordinary (which I ſaw with my own Eyes) had a threefold Reſemblance, 1. Of a Broom, 2. Of a Rod, 3. Of a Sword, 1. Of a large Broom, or Beſom, yet Dreadfull to behold by its ſparkling Aſpect, as if God were coming to Sweep Babylon with his dreadful Beſom of Deſtruction, as he hath promiſed, Iſa. 14, 22, 23. 'Tis true, God hath his [Scopas purgatorias, as well as perdito…ias;] his Bruſhing, as well as Cruſhing, Beſoms. The former is for Sion, which God Bruſhes only for its Ornament, the latter is for Babylon, which God Cruſhes alſo for its Overthrow. God grant this Ʋnclean Spirit of Babylon may be Swept out of our Land, Zach. 13.2. Even by a Parliamentary Beſom. 2. Of a long and fiery Rod, wherewith God may Swinge or Scourge the Inhabitants of the Earth a God may indeed Chaſtize Sion with Rods (gently and favourably as a Father his Children, not to break their Bones, but p. 7their Stomachs,) but God will Scourge Babylon with Scorpions, as 1 King. 12.11. He will break her with his Rod of Iron, Pſal. 2.9. like a Potters Veſſel, that can never be patcht together again: She ſhall feel the weight of God's mighty hand upon her, to Cruſh her to pieces, and to Grind her to Powder. 3. Of a prodigious flaming Sword, poſſibly not unlike that which God placed at the Garden of Eden, turning every way to keep the Gate thereof, Gen. 3.24. There the [Cheru…] or Angel had [Lahat Chereb] a Flaming Sword, a great Elegancy in the Hebrew, and a Material Sword made of Steel; if brandiſht. will Dart out bright and dazling flames, according to that of Vorgils Aemad. 8. [Ipſem Terribilem flammaſque Vomentem] God bleſs us from this Material and Brandiſht flame Vomiting or Glittering Sword, Ezek. 21, 9, 10, 14, 28. God may call for ſuch a Sword. Ezek. 38, 21. Levit. 26.25. If we give no better Audience and Obedience (than we have done) to the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, Eph. 6.17. as we have ſmarted under the Sword of the Angel, which is the Peſtilence, 1 Chron 21.16.27. So God may bring upon us the Sword of the Enemy, whoſe Mercies are Cruelties. Oh God forbid that he ſhould Hiſs for the Flies of Egypt to bite us, or the See of Babylan (which is worſe) to ſting us, Iſa. 7.18. The Star (it ſelf) that ſhouteth forth this flaming Sword, I have not beheld, it being as yet hid in the Sun beams, going down a little after the Sun, a little before the New Moon, and a little before Fiery Mars, being not far from all theſe three in the Horizon, nigh to Aquila and to the Milken Allyc; All which would afford over curious and too critical Speculations, according to the Rules of Aſtrological Art, which I therefore omit. Though Comets (in themſelves ſimply conſiderate, or in their Houſes wherein they are ſeen) do not make future Events uncontroulably legible, yet when they are placed in Conjunction with the Sacred Scripture, they are not without their proper Inſtruction, but foretell ſingular things, provided the word of God (who is the Creator of Comets) be the Rule of that Interp…etation. Though we Chriſtians ſhould not be afraid of the ſign of Heaven, as the Blind Heathen were, Jer. 10.2. Yet may we not altogether deſpiſe thoſe Divine Monitors and footſteps of Providence (though obſcure) ſeeing 'tis God's Method (frequently p. 8Recorded in Hiſtory) that when he is about to puniſh a City or Nation, he is wont to give them warning thereof firſt by ſome previous Prodigies, and to hang out ſome Conſpicuous ſigns of Divine Diſpleaſure in the Air, to be beheld of all Men: And though Comets (for the moſt part) are loud Preachers from Heaven (which Popiſh Prelates cannot ſilence) of Gods wrath for Mens ſins, yet may they publiſh Joy to ſome, as well as ſorrow to others, for the Setting of one may be the Riſing of another; the Falling of Old Favourites may be the Riſe of New ones; as Haman's fall was Mordecai's riſe. Thus the Tiburtine Sybel Interpre…ed that Comet (of a vaſt bigneſs) that appeared at Chriſt's Birth, ſaying [Hic puer major te eſt, &c.] This Child that is now born is greater than thee. O Roman Emperour, and he comes to ſet up a Kingdom that ſhall deſtroy the Roman Kingdom. Might we have the ſame liberty to ſuppoſe this ſtrange Star to be an Angel, as ſome do that in Mat. 2.2, 9, 10. Then hath He a drawn flaming Sword in his hand Ready to deſtroy our Jeruſalem, as that Angel had, 1 Chron. 21.16. Oh pray, pray, pray that God may repent him of that Evil, and ſay to the Angel, 'Tis enough, ſtay thy hand and put up thy Sword into its ſheath, v. 97. and 2 Sam. 24.16. but ſuppoſe it ſuch an Angel as ſtood in Balaam's perverſe way with a drawn Sword in his hand, Numb. 22.23. or rather that Angel of the Covenant, out of whoſe mouth cometh a ſharp Sword, Rev. 19.15, 21. Oh pray, pray, that this Sword may ſlay not only the grand Balaam of Rome, but even Babylon too, and all her proud Helpers▪ as he hath there both Prophecyed and Promiſed: This is the Hearty Prayer of C. N.

London, Printed for J. Wilkins, and J. Sampſon, 1680.