The Bloody ALMANAC; OR, Monthly Observations and Predictions, for the Year of our Lord, 1654. FORETELLING I The great and wonderful Mutation of Times, and Change of Government, in England, Scotland, and Ireland. TWO The proclaiming of open Wars by the Christian Kings and Princes, and the setting up of their Royal Standards. III Their Proceed touching the King of Scots, and the lamentable and unparallelled Engagement that will happen between the two mighty Fleets of England and Europe. iv The event and success of this great and memorable Sea fight; and the dying of the curled Waves with the blood of Princes and Nobles, etc. V The advance of the King of Scots, and divers English Lords with another gallant Fleet; and the total vanquishing and dispersing their great Armado. VI The calling to an account the Officers of the Nation; and the beheading of divers great Ones, and Committee-men. VII The taking off all Oppressions and Burdens from the people, and the restoring of them to their just Laws, Liberties, and Freedoms. VIII The taking away and extirpating of the Power, Rule, and Government of the Tyrannical Norman Sword. IX The sad and woeful condition that women with child will be exposed unto, if not prevented, by the ensuing Potions here administered. Published for the general good of the Commonwealth of England, by a cordial Lover of his Native-Countrey's Rights and Liberties; and freely exposed to the view of all Cities, Towns, and Corporations, Imprinted at London for G. HORTON, 1654. The Bloody Almanac, etc. Or Monthly Observations and Predictions for the Year of our Lord, 1654. Observations on January. DEep will the consultations be this month throughout Europe, and that about such matters as belong not to the Vulgar to know; for he that lives to the middle of the Month shall see all the Princes of Europe in a maze, and the Commonalty sit by the fire, and complain to one another of their Oppression. But woe be unto the Instruments thereof—. For, I no assistance from the sacred Hill Can crave; nor can I dip my feathered quill In Helicon; the water's muddy grown, And I must mourn 'cause Jove and Saturn frown: Well▪ be content, and if thou hast no will To sing, look on the Times, and weep thy fill. Expect great Wind and Rain the 7 day. New moon 48 min. past 3 in the afternoon the 8 day. Full moon the 22 day at 4 in the afternoon. Term gins 23 day. Observations on Feb. THis month gins pitifully with misty, foggy, stinking, noisome, cloudy, frosty weather, and turbulent actions are probably like to ensue such troublesome Air, which may make but bad music in the ears of some great Ones, who will justly be called to an account for their unjust stewardship, in betraying their Trust, defrauding the Poor, rejecting the fatherless, and despising the widow: O wicked Satyrs of the Times! that make Religion a cloak for all Villainy! look to't, the Time is coming, that one day you must pay for all; 'Tis reason the Nation should have an account given them of their moneys. And, indeed, the Law being once more called into question, there will a people rise, and say, They know no reason why they should be governed by the Norman Laws, now the Norman Race is taken away by the same Instrument that brought it in, viz. The SWORD. Certainly, many Overtures will be made about rectifying the Law, Governors, and Government, towards the end of this month, when the Wind descends from the highest Firmament, and the Rain issues forth like showers of blood.— New moon the 7 day, half an hour past 6 in the morn. The 12 day Term ends. Full moon 40 min. past 6 in the morning. Observations on March. A Mad world my masters; the month gins with a flattering countenance, and that's no wonder, 'tis of late found to be the best Trade in this Nation; the more is England's sorrow. Yet they which formerly used to command the people, will by the people now be commanded; and reason good; 'twas never a good world since the servant was above the Master. Many great Heads begin to totter; and that upon crimes no less than capital; although they conceived the World would have always stood in statu quo. If the soldier be impetuous, I cannot help it; they'll do what they lift for all me. Ill times are coming, and 'tis like to be a sad year for children; beware their lives. The Law is much controverted; any many Lawyers suffer; so must Committee men; A fair riddance.— The 8 day new moon half an hour past 6 at night. Observations on April. THis month gins very serenely with the common people, but it will scarce end so with the great Ones. Great winds about the 9 day, and high actions towards the 11. If you would hinder the growing of Crabs, the best way is to pluck up the Tree by the Roots. Such as have stood stoutly for the liberty of this Nation in oppressing Times, when Will was a Law, are now somewhat esteemed; better once then never. Women with child must look for hard labours; if not prevented, by abstaining from Strong-waters, Wine, Ale, and such hot Liquids. Thunder and Lightning, Rain and Hail ends the month;— New moon the 7 day 7 min. before 4 in the morn. Full moon the 21 day at 2 in the afternoon. Observations on May. THis month gins with thundering actions, and lamentable times, which causeth great sadness, and little mirth. 'Tis never good to be too stiffnecked; therefore look about ye Clergymen, your Cake is dough. A strange Generation appears; and many an honest man will probably be brought to the Touchstone: Alas! is it not great pity that cheating and cozening should be turned the two main pillars of the Nation: 'Twas not so in the days of our forefathers, and I hope the wisdom of the State will so decree it, that it shall not be permitted in these our Times. An eminent Officer is like to be called in question; Lawyers mourn, Heirs weep for their lost inheritance; Priests mutter and whine; the wind blows; and so the month ends.— New moon the 6 day, half an hour past 11 at noon. Full moon the 21 day at 6 in the morning. Observations on June. WHen men's actions are not justifiable by the Rule of Truth, and Law of Reason, the last shift is to flater with the people; and when the Lion's skin will not serve the turn, to take the Foxes: But when God hath decreed Justice shall be done, all the shifts of man will not avail. Sol smiles on Saturn, but on Jove doth frown, virtue's a Beggar, Vice hath got the Crown; And how d'ye think she got it? 'Tis no matter If I tell truth; at first she learned to flatter, Called greatness, goodness; upon that account She took her rise, rides Lady Paramount. Thunder and Rain ends the month. New moon the 4 day 3 quart. past 7 at night. Full moon the 19 day half an hour past 8 at night. Observations on July. THe Synod of the Sun and Mars is near the little dog-star, I am afraid he will by't, and that Holland will know to their sorrow; for, by reason of their Rebellion against the King of Spain, the Europian Princes deserts their cause, & leaves them to the mercy of their conquering enemy. Men give gallant words at the beginning of this month, and promise the Commonalty much good; I wish we may find it, it hath been too long lost. The Stars are friends, (a joyful sight to see) And love each other, pray why do not we? This is the Reason, it cannot be denied, They mind Gods heavenly Will, we wealth & pride. But this cannot last long, would you know why? All things must change, and so must low and high. New moon the 3 day at 4 in the afternoon. Full moon at a quarter past 10 in the morning. Observations on August. HOnest Actions are towards, is not that a wonder? And our long-lost Liberties begin to appear in great splendour. Let us therefore weigh diligently the beginning of things, and suspend judgement till we see the end. Yet the Princes of Europe are all in amaze, and all the World in a wonder what God determines to do. Strange and supernatural sights will be seen in the Air, and about the middle of the month tempestuous weather.— New moon the 2 day about 11 at night. Full moon the 17 day at night, visibly eclipsed, according to the ensuing figure, Observations on September. GReat and sad Disasters are like to befall many eminent Officers, and the influence of the Conjunction of Saturn and Mars may in all probability do England the greatest good, that ever was done to it since William the Bastard conquered it, I mean, restore it to its desired Liberty, and take off all Burdens, Oppressions, and Taxes, from the wearied shoulders of the people. To which, let all true English men say, Amen, Amen. Full moon the 16 day, about 11 in the morning. New moon the 28 day a quarter past 11 at noon. Observations on October. THe Kings of France, Denmark, and Spain, agree unanimously in oppressing the people; but a dismal time is coming; and great scuffling will there be to maintain Monarchy; but the Communality will not be content with bread and water, so long as they know where to get roast-meat at a cheaper rate. A gallant Air attends the Farmer this month, and pleasant weather to sow his corn. Full moon the 15 day a quarter, past 9 at night. New moon about 4 in the morning. Observations on November. GReat preparations for war throughout all Christendom, and extraordinary promises are made to Charles the second; 17 Kings, Princes, and Dukes, set up their Banners; but upon the total dissolution of the rebellious Dutch they appear no more visible. The Magistrates of Europe will look with rueful faces; Repentance sometimes comes too late, O strange fate! Accomptants and Committees must be called to account what they have done with the Treasure of the Nation. It would melt a heart of stone to see how pitifully they look through a prison grate, who have formerly had the world at will, and were such Sots to think that this life would last always, when day and night teacheth them all things are subject to change. There will appear this year a great Eclipse of the Sun, but it will happen on the 7. day of Feb. according to the ensuing Type. East North West South Observations on Decemb. BEware your Heads, ye Royal Cedars, the Scorpion's heart is venomous; sundry eminent Gentlemen are brought to the bar of justice, and soon after made shorter by the Head. A bloody Tragedy.— About the beginning of this month Magna Charta, and the Petition of Right, seems to be called in question, and that great Liberty which so many has sought after in their stout contending for the privileges of Magna Charta, is found out to be nothing else than what this poor pitiful Nation, when it was unluckily vanquished by a Bastard, by fair terms obtained from the hands of a Conqueror. This will scarce suit with English men's brains at this time: It is a real Truth indeed, we have not so much liberty, or to speak more properly, we are not in greater bondage than Magna Charta tied us too. The cause of this, saith Nich: Culpepper, I conceive to be in our former Parliamenti, who when They should have been enlarging the liberty of their subject, spent their time in consultation how far the bounds of a Forest must go, who must keep a Park, and who must not; who must keep Hounds, Greyhounds, and Mastiff dogs, and who must not; what price must be paid for shouting of Pigeons, Partridges, and Pheasants, and thus they sweeped the Liberty of the Nation up and down, as the maid swept the surreverence about the house, till at last she lost it: But the year seems to end in a better posture, pretty pleasing to the Commonalty, and not without great hopes of our desired Liberty. The Hollander grows as imperious as potent, and entertaineth sundry Engagements from Us; but being beaten to his own doors, at last invites to their assistance the Dane, Swedes, and French; with whom comes aboard the K. of Scots, his brother James, the Lord Digby, Maj. Gen. Massey, the Lord Craven, Sir Lewis Dives, and divers other English Gentlemen; who, after a mighty and unparallelled Engagement, will become wholly subdued and vanquished, and thus, saith the Lord Ogleby, will this Royal Navy be brought to An End.