The Hartlib Papers

That we may produce something, concerning Things yet to come, R. Chomer assures vs, that it is now a good while since, that this Celestiall Writing, hath beene pointed out the Declining of two great Empires of the East. The First is, that of the Turkes; over which there are obserued seven Verticall Stars, which being read from the West to the East, (for, it would be a great Blessing, to see the Ruine of this Empire,) make vp the word, Caah, which signifieth to be [diagram, forming het aleph kaf?] Battered, Feeble, Languishing, and Drawing to an End. But now, seeing it may be doubted at what time this Empire shall be reduced to this Extremity; the same Letters doe clearely resolve this Doubt. For, the Middle Letter, which is Aleph, being made vp of Brighter, and more Sparkling Stars, then the others are, sheweth, saith Chomer, that its Number is the Greater; so that in This place it standeth for 1000. and the First Letter signifieth, 20. and the Last, 5. So that when this Kingdome shall haue accomplished the number of 1025. yeares, it shall then be overthrowne, and brought to Ruine. Now, if we reckon from the yeare of our Lord 630. which was the yeare, (according to our Vulgar Computation[H alters from Compution],) wherein the Foundation of this Empire was laid, we shall find, that it is to last till the yeare of our Lord 1655. for the compleating of the aforesaid number 1025. so that, reckoning from this present yeare, 1650 this Kingdome is to last but five yeares longer.