But I cou'd not at the ſame Time carry theſe Things to the heighth that others did, knowing too, that natural Cauſes are aſſign'd by the Aſtronomers for ſuch Things; and that their Motions, and even their Revolutions are calculated, or preded to be calculated; ſo that they cannot be ſo perfectly call'd the Fore-runners, or Fore-tellers, much leſs the procurers of ſuch Events, as Peſtilence, War, Fire, and the like.
But let my Thoughts, and the Thoughts of the Philoſophers be, or have been what they will, theſe Things had a more then ordinary Influence upon the Minds of the common People, and they had almoſt univerſal melancholly Apprehenſions of ſome dreadful Calamity and Judgment coming upon the City; and this principally from the Sight of this Comet, and the little Allarm that was given in December, by two People dying at St. Giles's, as above.
The Apprehenſions of the People, were likewiſe ſtrangely encreas'd by the Error of the Times; in which, I think, the People, from what Principle I cannot imagine, were more adicted to Propheſies, and Aſtrological Conjurations, Dreams, and old Wives Tales, than ever they were before or ſince: Whether this unhappy Temper was originally raiſed by the Follies of ſome People who got Money by it; that is to ſay, by printing Predictions, and Prognoſtications I know not; but certain it is, Book's frighted them terribly; ſuch as Lilly's Almanack, Gadbury's Alogical Predictions; Poor Robin's Almanack and the like; alſo ſeveral pretended religious Books; one entituled, Come out of her my People, leaſt you be partaker of her Plagues; another call'd, Fair Warning; another, Britains Remembrancer, and many ſuch; all, or moſt Part of which, foretold directly or covertly the Ruin of the City: Nay, ſomewere
