Sad and Serious Political Considerations, Part 14
XIV.
The consideration of these future great blessings of God towards this Nation of the Jews, and in them to all the world in the advancement of the Gospel; as likewise the laying to heart the grievous calamities which have so long tossed the Kingdomes and Free-states of Europe, Description of the four Monarchies.should move all men with repentance to prepare themselves to meet those great and fearfull mutations which God is bringing upon all the European Coasts of the world. Historians have made their four Monarchies according to the rise or fall of severall particular Nations. 1. Assyrians. 2. Persians. 3. Grecians. and 4. Romans: but this is a lame Division, and comes far short of that transcendent Metamorphosis of humane affairs, which (by comparing of Histories, observation of new Starres and Comets of late, with the consideration of the manners and conditions of the sonnes of men) we may easily perceive must within these few years be brought upon the world. The learned Mathematicians and Philosophers (who have more throughly searched into the secrets of Astrology) rightlier place their four Monarchies according to the four coasts of Heaven. 1. The Eastern Monarchy of the Assyrians. 2. The two Southern Monarchies of the Persians and Grecians, bounded within the circumference of 3600 miles, or 11 degrees of latitude. 3. The Western Monarchy of the Romans. 4. and lastly, the Northern Monarchy (but in right accompt the fifth) must be of the Northern LION, which to the amazement of Christendome, shall arise from the Northern Sea, and pitch his Tents in the ashes of the Eastern and Western Monarchies. But now having made mention so oft of this V. Monarchy in this Pamphlet,Reasons of the V. Monarchy. I think it meet to produce two or three Reasons of the truth and certainty of it, deduced out of the holy Scriptures and humane Authority.
First, The Jews have a Tenet among them, That their Messias must not come in the Flesh till the destruction of the fourth Monarchy in Daniel, which is the Roman: and so will not beleeve Christians professing him to be come already: but say, this coming is deferred till the Roman Empire be totally abolished; which because it is not nor must be yet, they will not beleeve he hath appeared. But the Jews are deceived in this, for Dan. 2.44. and 7.9, 22. the Incarnation of our Saviour Christ was promised to be in the very nick of the constitution and establishment of the Roman Empire, and not after the ruine of it (which was performed accordingly) else should there have been six Monarchies before the end of the world. For the dispersion and rejection of the Jews, the revelation of Antichrist with the Fulnesse of the Gentiles, was prophesied to be accomplished in the fourth Monarchy, all which we see are punctually fulfilled. None of which should yet have come to passe, if our Saviour Christ was not to be incarnate before the end of the Roman Empire. Therefore as the rejection of the Jews with these other signs and things was to be in the fourth Monarchy; so their conversion and remission into the Church, and the glorious estate of the Gospel upon earth must be in another fifth Monarchy, which is yet to come.
Secondly, So many Empires as are comprized in Nebuchadnezzars Image (Dan. 2.) must come to passe before the end of the World: But five Monarchies are comprehended in that Image, Erg…. The major is manifest, The minor is thus proved: Nebuchadnezzar himself was the Golden Head of this Image, as he was in another respect the Feet of the old decrepit Assyrian Monarchy, which by his Chaldean Empire and the ruine thereof (which was approaching) should totally be annihilated. The Armes and Brests of Silver are the Empire of the Medes and Persians. The Belly of brasse is the Empire of the Grecians by Alexander the Great. Lastly, the Iron Leggs and the Clay Toes depictured the Roman Empire, with the present declining House of Austria, and the breathlesse Papacy. Therefore the Stone cut without Hands which brake this Image in pieces, and became a Mountain and filled the Earth, must be understood (as I touched before) of a Fifth Monarchy yet to come, in which, by the Conversion of the Jews and fulnesse of the Gentiles the Gospel shall shine in majesty over all Kingdoms upon Earth.
Thirdly, If the rejection and dispersion of the Jews were to be in the fourth Monarchy, as is apparent by Gen. 49.10. and Numb. 24.24. then was their conversion not to be till the beginning of the fifth, and towards the end of the World, as is manifest by the Apostle, Rom. 11.25. But the first is true and therefore the latter also.
Fourthly, the conversion and restauration of the Jews to their antient Inheritances in the holy Land (which Ezekiel hath so largely described in his twelve last Chapters) and the glorious felicity of the Gospel of Christ proceeding from their conversion, must either be in the fourth Monarchy, or not untill the fifth. But in the fourth Monarchy it cannot be, for among the Turks the Jews are kept in extream slavery, Idolatry and ignorance: and under the Papacy they are not permitted to use the new Testament (by which only they must be saved) and besides they are so inraged against Christianity, by the Papists Image-worship, that there is a flat impossibility (much lesse any hopes) of their conversion, so long as either the Turkish Empire or the Papacy stands in force. Ergò their conversion and restauration cannot be, till both Turk and Pope eternally be destroyed, and so the fourth Monarchy finally ended.
Prophecies of the LION of the North.Thus having delivered the reasons of a fifth Monarchy, I come to describe the LION of the North, as I finde it in an antient Prophecie of the true Merlin, and by Grebner.
1Of the true Merlin in K. Lucius daies, An. Ch. 130.First of Merlin. Many Scholars have often disputed what Merlin should be, who he was, what time he lived in, whether those Prophecies be true, and his, which go under his name, or not: how he came by them, and lastly, what reckoning is to be made of them. Of every of which somewhat. It hath fared with Merlin, as with Tostatus in Spain, and many Learned in our times; who for the eminency of their Learning, and approbation of their writings, became so famous, that Pedlar Authors father'd bastar'd ware upon them in every corner for easier vent. Merlins there were severall of old; one a Welsh-man in the daies of Edgar the Monarch, of an austere living and Monkish conversation. He lived for the most part in the Isle of Anglesey, where he had familiarity and acquaintance with the Bards and Druides then not wholly extinct, who had incomparable skill in Divination by Birds, and other kinde of Magique. He was an excellent Astrologer and a great Chymist: so that many think those Prophecies, that are like his, to be deducted from no more then naturall reason. All those Prophecies which I have seen of his (some of which I have) I cannot see how they smell any whit of a prophetique spirit; they speak him a great Scholar in Astrology, but no Prophet. But there was living in K. Lucius daies another Merlin (called the first) a Scottish man, and he is the true Merlin, and if any Prophecies could be found of his, great credit was to be given to them. He was a great friend of K. Lucius himself, and his daily companion. Of his there is but one Prophecie extant, which I found in that antient Chronicle of Nennius of Bangor of the Saxons (who yet lives in Manuscript) K. Lucius being as yet unconverted from Paganisme to Christianity, would needs joyn in confederacy with Santoline a King of the Scutti (now Scots) to raise warre against the Roman Emperour; to which purpose he asked councel of Merlin what he should do in this matter; who earnestly dehorted him from his purpose; and in the end prevailed. Merlin prophesied to him, That within lesse then a sesquidecumane period of time, the Eagles head should be cloven in two; one part whereof Agar should burn with fire, and Iaphet the other after the grand revolution of daies. Mark (O King) saith he, and consider, Samothea shall be quickly overflown with a vagabond Army of an unknown Originall, spued out of a land toward the East, which a floud from the North shall quickly possesse. I know thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart; thou seekest Friendship from a people, whose weaknesse shall be thy glory, and their greatnesse thy ruine. A squadron of Fishers are risen up from the East, which shall ascend unarmed upon the world without spear and shield, to whom all Nations shall in time obey. They shall destroy the Temples of thy Gods (O Lucius) and convert them to the service of their eternall King, who only can rescue from the grave, and deliver from the snares of death. Behold I see a great Sun arise i…sensibly upon us Brittanes! But (woe is me!) what black seas of darknesse, and rivers of bloud pursu… after it? Hast thou not heard of the valiant Angles, of barbarous Neustria, of yonder terrible Picts thy perfidious enemies? These shall overflow thy Land, and possess the Cities thereof, till the old age of Empires, and Government shall flow upon the world. Illis autem temporibus revolutis, Cauda Virginis Leonem intrabit, & Sagittarii dorsum Scorpius ascendet. Borcalia Regna à Messoribus obterentur, Australes Principatus in statum pulvereum d…ine…t, & insulanarum Monarchiarum potestates sine fraeno aut milite ephippiabuntur; bella atrocia ventis dissipabúntur, & pessum ibunt judiciali grandine, quae per baculum ortum habuerunt, per spuri…s juventutem. Sol ipse tympanizabit miniato clamyde indutus, & Luna cineritiis cothur…is ad nundinas tolutabit. Rides, O Rex? At quibus haec supervenient, luctu & maerore contabescent. Haec omnia vix plenè peragentur, qu…m Princeps regali origine coronatus ex Borealibus plagis proveniet, suis inexpectatus, alienigenis desideratus; qui …ò quòd L…one feroci…nte in…ignietur, Leo nuncupabitur, Non conquiescet, donec Synodo per eum convocat… minis que dissolutâ, victricia arma in hostes transferat, & lamentabili successu vicinorum Principum ditiones pessundet. Alexandrum Magnum virtute, Cyrum felicitate superabit: freta transnavigabit; à multis regibus Imperator sal…tabitur; & Urbem quandam vetustam solo aequabit. Intereà ex Oriente Princeps bellipotens illum praelio lacesse…, contrà quem Leo cum omnibus copiis procedet, & …is Euphratem positis castris illum expectabit. Si Princeps flumen transibit, Leo superabitur; at ipse exercitu fluvium transducto hostem cruento conflictu superabit, & universum Orientem in potestatem rediget. Dum haec agentur, complures Reguli ex India in Suriam cum ingentibus irrumpent excercitibus, & circà vallem Iehosaphat praeliabundi Leonem opperibunt, ubi ab ipso ad internecionem omnes delebuntur. Nec multò post, Leo ipse fatis concedet, postquàm regnum Transfugarum mirand… pietate in perpetuum fundavit. Those times being past, the tail of the Virgin shall enter the Lion, and Scorpio shall ascend the back of Sagittary: The Northern Kingdoms shall be wasted by Reapers, the Southern Principalities shall end in dust, and the powers of the Iland-Monarchies without either bridle or souldier shall be harnessed. Cruell warres shall be scattered by the windes, and quell'd by a revengefull hail, whose beginning were by a staff, their growth and continuance by bastards. The Sun it self shall play on the timbrell clad with a vermilion coat, and the Moon with dunne buskins shall amble to the fair. Laugh'st thou, O King? But those on whom these things shall come, for grief and sorrow shall pine away. All these things shall scarce be accomplisht, when a Prince of royall stock shall come forth crowned from the Northern parts, as to his own people unexpected, but desired by forreigners, who because he shall bear a Rampant Lion, shall therefore be called a Lion. He shall not rest, till having called a Synod and after dissolved it by threats, he shall advance his conquering arms against his enemies, and by wofull successe shall harrase the territories of neighbour Princes. He shall exceed Alexander the Great in vertue, and Cyrus in successe. He shall passe the seas and be saluted Emperour by many Kings: A certain antient City shall he lay even with the ground. In the mean while a powerfull Prince out of the East shall provoke him to battel, against whom the Lion shall march with all his forces, and pitching his Camp on this side Euphrates, shall expect him. If the Prince shall come over the river, the Lion shall be overcome: but he shall passe his army over the river, and give his Enemy a bloudy defeat, and be master of all the East. While these things are in action, divers petty Kings from India shall break into Syria with mighty armies, and provided for battel shall wait for the Lion about the valley of Iehoshaphat, where they shall by him be all wholly cut off. Not long after shall the Lion himself decease, after that with eminent piety he shall have established the Kingdome of fugitives. This is all that is extant of this former Merlin, whose glorious works and inestimable Prophecies are utterly lost to the great detriment of learning.
2Of Greb…er…Not much unlike this, is that of Greb…er, Ban. 73. Europae labes & imbecillitas singulorum ejusdem Regnorum sedem mirabilitèr struet QVINTAE MONARCHIAE, quae sub tempus exitii Imperii Romani ad terrorem totius mundi ex ruinis Germaniae refulgebit. Haec triennii spatio caetera Europae regna aut vi perdomitabit, aut belli metu ad soci…tatem perpellet: quò universalem Ligam & Unionem omnium Protestantium e…ici…t sub specie bellum Poloniae inferendi, re autem verâ Imperium Austriacum Italiam que invadendi. Nec eum spes fefellerit. Nam circà hoc tempus SECTA quaedam manachorum adeò abominabilis, obscaena, & seditiosa in Papat…s si… orictur; ut compellet tam Protetestantes quàm Italiae Principes extremum Romae exitium moliri.
The corruption of Europe, and the weaknesse of her several Kingdoms shall strangely make way for the FIFTH MONARCHY, which about the time of the fall of the Roman Empire to the terrour of the whole world shall appear out of the ruines of Germany. She within three years shall either subdue by force the rest of the Kingdoms of Asia, or for fear of war shall bring them to a league, whereby she shall conclude an universal confederacy, under colour of making warre against Polonia, but in deed to invade the Austrian Empire and Italy. Neither shall her hope fail her: For about this time a certain SECT of Monks shall arise in the bosome of the Papacy, so abominable, obscene and seditious; that it shall urge both the Protestants and Princes of Italy to endeavour the utter subversion of Rome.
Thus having shewed the Seat and Certainty of this V. Monarchie; I come to declare what People or Kingdom in Europe shall obtain and rule it,Who shall be King of this V Mona…chy. and whose it shall soly be. Of the European Christians two several Kingdoms long since, and of late have mainly striven for the FIFTH MONARCHY.
First,Not the Spaniard. The Kingdom of Spain hath alwayes for a matter of 170 years ago by incorporating it self with the House of Austria, and the most potent Families of Germany and Italy by strange Marriages and odde medlies laboured extremely to bring all Europe under her Wings, that so she might become the glorious Sun of the West. On the other side, the Swede of late by keeping an high hand over the King of Poland, and fixing his glorious Trophies of Conquest in all corners of Germany; hath brought the Emperour to so low an ebb, and hath of late become so terrible to the Pope and Spaniard: and lastly can in an instant enleague himself with all Protestant Kingdoms and States, either for fear or favour upon any necessary occasion, that many account him the man that both goeth the directest way, and whom heaven hath ordained to sway the Imperial Scepter within the limits of the Church. But neither of these are they who are ordained to the Empire of the fifth Monarchy. Not the Spaniard, because he is for his inhumane cruelty so generally hated of Christians, all men avoiding him and flying from him, as the Serpent from the Ash: His Indian Plantations both thrive nor, and likewise for their barbarousnesse are so detested of the savages worse than vipers, and upon opportunities are accordingly massacred. Yea, those places… of Italy which are under his Protection, as Florence, Genoa, Millain and other Cities afford him as much affection, as the Spider doth the Serpent. Thus is He the universal Odium of all the world, thrives in no place, and like oyl over-swiming all other liquids, and can hardly incorporate with any; so seldom is he conjoyned but in natural Antipathy with all Nations. Adde hereunto the austerity and unpleasantnesse of his Government, chusing rather to domineer over subdued Countries by rapine and cruelty, than to govern them by Love and Piety. And lastly, his Governours in every Province aim at their own ends, pilling and squeezing the Subjects, so that his Name and Government is every where abominated, no Province continuing loyal any longer then they can get arms and stoutly rebel. The injustice of which hath caused Portugal to be rent from him, which while the world standeth shall never be his again. And moreover the Oracle tels him, that Naples, Navar, his reconciled Provinces in Belgia, with his Indian Plantations (the best Jewels he hath) shall be pluckt within 30 years to come from his ambitious Crown, never to be recovered again.
Nor the Swede.Secondly, The Swede cannot be Paramount in this Monarchy, because of the various Sects and Schisms he is pestered with, so inveterate and so predominant, that no Reformation can purge him of them. The male Line of that Royal Pedegree is extinct, and only a weak young Princess surviving; the whole Kingdom shared and governed by factious Nobles and covetous Generals, and while every one sucks from the veins of the Body Politique to cram his own, it will be soon evacuated, both of life and nourishment. Besides, it hath been since prophesied to Sweden, that he shall not be so much as a tributary Kingdom to this great Soveraignty, but shall be the first, that shall be made a slave to that famous Northern Lion, who shall wear the Crown of that transcendent Monarchy. As for France, Denmark, England, and the free Cantons of Germany, they make account for the present they d… valiantly if they can well husband what is got already. And for England in particular, if it chance that she make war upon any neighbour Enemy, and enlarge their Dominions by Conquest, it is more to secure her self, and prevent the Invasion of the great Eagle, and her chief feathers, then any gre… dinesse of extending her Bounders by the Conquest and ruine of others. If she keep her ancient soil and possessions in those times, it is as much as heaven hath ordained her,Object. and more she shall not have. Who then must be Lord of this Monarchy? Or what people shall be parts and members thereof? Even a Nation which at this day is hid invisibly within the bowels of Europe, Answ.which seeing are not seen, and living are not known: Which shall by a miraculous Resurrection (like the Jews from India and Tartaria) be raised to destroy all Idolatry and abomination out of every corner of the North, with the weapons of an holy warfare tending to the glory of God, and the Honour of their King. His Sword shall be Religion, and his Ensigns Righteousnesse and Piety. All the godly in every Kingdom and State in Europe, the converted Jews conjoyned and united with them in spirit and habitation, shall (as I said before) root out all names of Iniquity, and be this Monarchy, which shall only consist of, and subsist by Holinesse, and an unquenchable desire of propagating the Glory and Gospel of God: according to that of Daniel, Chap. 7. ver. 27. And the Kingdom, and Dominion, and the greatnesse of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most High, Of the Effects of that fatal Star, which appeared in the head of Cassiopea, An. …72.whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all Dominions shall serve and obey him. The first preparation to the Birth of which, was that ominous and fatal Starre which appeared in the head of Cassiopea, An. 1572, the effects of which shall begin to operate upon Europe, and the Eastern Coasts of America, An. 1699, in bringing a Mystery to light which all the sons of Adam are not able to effect. Of this fat…l and ominous Starre (or Comet, chuse you whether) I finde several Tractates written.
One Nuntius Propheticus in Print: Magell de quintà Monarchiâ, & Openheims Ephemeris Caelica, both Manuscripts, both excellently discoursing of the Effects thereof: How that, Quo tempore accidet septima & ultima-maxima superiorum Planetarum Conjunctio, princeps erit Monarchia prima, quae caput ex ruinis quarti Imperii erexerit. Currus Lunae Zodiacum perturbabit, Cauda Draconis coget Pl…iades in fletum prorumpere, dorsum Delphini ascendet, & flores Virgineos obfuscabit: continuae turbae, seditiones, bella civilia, strages, panolethriae luctuosissimae omnia illa regna & illustres Familias persequentur, ex quibus ista Monarchia orta est, aut ei ullo modo obviabunt. Burgundiae domus fi…em accipiet, Sile…iae libertas Gallico Neroni prostituetur. Belgarum Ordines potentiae & Aristocratiae suae finem videbunt, &c. Openheim fol. 86.
But Magel is most plain above all three, fol. 67. col. 8. Fateor majorum Luminarium deliquia sine insigni hominum pernicie pecorumque strage nunquam extitisse: Regnorum mutationes etiam, populorum clades, regum fun…ra, bella & incendia in ipsorum Deliquiorum Articulis, aut paulò post evidentèr apparuisse. Fateor etiam superiorum erronum coitum malorum ut plurimùm Iliade comitari: atque hanc stellam (quae hoc An. 1572 in vertice Cassiopeae illuxit) suprà omnem elementarem regionem collocatam novi Imperij Revolutionem Dominiumque significasse. Quae tamen effecta haec aetas nostra minimè perspiciet: reservanda nihilominùs in gentem quandam etiamnum invi…ibilem, cujus magnitudinis radij in universum caeli terraeque ambitum extende…tur.
At what time the 7th, the last and greatest Conjunction of the chief Planets shall happen, the first Monarchy shall reign, which shall lift up her head out of the ruines of the IV Empire. The Chariot of the Moon shall disturb the Zodiack. The Tail of the Dragon shall force the Pleiades to break out into weeping, shall ascend the back of the Dolphin, and shall darken the lustre of the Virgin: Daily troubles, seditions, civil wars, slaughters, and most lamentable universal Destructions shall vex all those Kingdoms and eminent Families, from whence that Monarchy sprang, or which shall any way crosse it. The house of Burgundie shall be at an End: the Liberty of Silesia shall be prostituted to a French Nero. The Estates of Belgia shall see an end of their Power and Aristocracy.
I confesse Eclipses of the great Luminaries never hapned without the notable Destruction of men and slaughter of Cattel: the Changes also of Kingdoms, the Deaths of People, Funerals of Kings, Wars and fires have broke forth either in the very time of their Eclipses, or within a little after. I confesse also the Conjunction of the higher wandring Starres is for the most part attended with an Iliad of mischiefs: and that this Star (which this year 1572 appeared on the top of Ca…iopaea) being placed above the whole Elementary Region, did signifie the Revolution and Dominion of a new Empire. Which effects shall not yet be seen by this our age; yet are they reserved for a certain Nation, as yet invisible, the beams of whose greatness shall be extended through the whole verge of Heaven and Earth.
The Description of the flourishing Monarchy of the Gospel in America and India about Anno 1710, and A. 1763.In that same year shall the kingdom… of salvation be preached by the Ministry of the Saints the most High, to those immense and unknown American Coasts, to whom as yet the Name of Christ was never yet revealed. And that people… who from the Creation till that time were the Empire of Satan, shall be called the specious and spacious Church of God. The gates of which shall be open continually, neither day nor night shall they be shut, that men may bring unto them the riches of the Gentiles, and the treasures of the Kings of the Earth. All Nations and Kingdoms, that will not serve her, shall perish and be destroyed for ever. Within whose land shall be heard no violence nor destruction, nor desolation within her Borders, but Salvation shall be her wals, and praise her gates. Her Government shall be peace, and her Exaactors Righteousnesse. H…r Sun shall never go down, nor her Moon ever be hid, for the Lord shall be her everlasting light, and the dayes of her sorrow shall be ended. The people within her shall be all righteous; for ever shall they possesse their proper inheritances, for God shall make them an everlasting Glory, and a Ioy from Generation to Generation. Therefore ought no man to be sorrowfull for the Calamities of Europe, or the afflictions of the times; nor grieved with the mutations and Downfals of Kingdoms and Empires, neither should he be afraid because Wars and miseries rage in all Coasts of the world. For this is the eternal Law of Creatures (which the Creator imposed upon them at first) that the Birth of one thing should be the Death of another, and that the order of Nature should be preserved by the vicissitudinary course of alternate Mutability. And why should we be offended at warres amongst men, when there are daily and continual Conflicts between the Elements themselves? Cities, Republiques, Empires and Families are mortal as men, have their states of Birth, Infamy, Growth and Old-age as well as they. Glory, Majesty, Arts and Soveraignty began in Asia by the Assyrians; from them departed to the Medes and Persians; and from them (before they had well tasted the sweetnesse of them) translated to the Grecians, and next to the Romans: The Glory of the Roman Empire was eclipsed and humbled by the barbarous Inundations of Goths, Huns, Vandals, and other savage Nations, who being themselves once civilized and mollified by the Effeminacies of Italy and the West, were in 560 years space overthrown by the Potency of Charlemain and the Germans. Germany hath now fully possessed the Imperial dignity 790 years; and before fifty years moe be past, shall be made a scorned Servitor of the King of the North, whose Power and Religion shall transcend the utmost Confines of East and West. In the beginning of which Empire, Venice shall not brag of being inaccessible by the circumfluent Ocean, and London, Paris, Antwerp and Prague, the IV Ladies of Europe shall be humbled to sit in the dust of eternal Destruction. The consideration of this must teach men humility in prosperity, carefulnesse to know God and keep his Commandments, seeing every Plant which he hath not planted shall be plucked up, and nothing can be permanent but by his favour and protection.