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EBBA 31787

University of Glasgow Library - Euing
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Strange and Wonderful News from ROME:
Giving an Account of an old Man lately and strangely known to be in the City of Rome, in Italy, and how he came Invisibly
thither; together with his Eleven Strange and Wonderful PROPHESIES, which particularly do mention what shall happen Yearly:
shewing also how he breaks strong Iron Chains in pieces, as if they were Brown-thread, with many more strange Wonders, never was he
like ever heard of before, as naming the Year when there shall be no Pope,and Rome shall have no Head, and the Gospel shall be preached
throughout the WORLD.
Licensed according to Order.

IT is not unknown to most who are pleased to take Cognisance
of Wonders and strange Miracles, which this present Age doth
frequently represent; that of late Years we have been exceed-
ingly astonisht at several (to us strange and seldom heard of)
much to be admired Wonders: But now prepare your Ears to
hear the most amazing and most unparalleld Miracle that ever Eng-
land was made sensible of, or I think the whole World was ever made
acquainted with; nay, so wonderfully strange, and seemingly impos-
sible to be true, that though it be attested with manifold Assertions,
it cannot lodge in the breast of the Incredulous, as an unquestionable
Verity. But to proceed to the matter intended, and not too much
to derogate from my desined Business, let this inform the most doubt-
ful and unbelieving Reader, That there is lately an account sent from
Italy, of the strange manner of the coming of one Man into the City
of Rome, eminently known by many Travellers, to be one of the Ci-
ties not least accounted of in Italy; this Person of such an Age (as
he says he is) no less to be admired for his great Age, then for his
strange kind of Prophesies, which he daily parts with; and his man-
ner of coming into the City, which we are informed was invisible;
but to come to particulars: This Person doth affirm, That his Age
is greater then ere was heard oft, for he doth say he is above a thou-
sand Years old; he doth pretend to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ, and
says that he hath the Spirit of Truth in him; with many other Asser
tions, no less full of Wonder then that you have already heard of in
the preceeding lines: His manner of Apparel is no less to be admird
then his manner of Discourse, for such Habit as we are informed he
doth wear, was never seen by mortal eye; his Deportment is also ve-
ry strange, for he walks up and down the City, preaching and admo-
nishing to serious Repentance, and giving admirable Advice to the
People to forsake their Iniquities, and to return from their evil Ways,
for, says he, The wrath of God is kindled against the Romans. He also
adds, That the City of Rome is a second Sodom; and that the Trans-
gressions of the People have ascended to the Heavens, and approach-
ed to the Ears of the Almighty, and that nothing can preserve them
from approaching Misery, but speedy and unfeigned Repentance;
without which, he doth assert, that in three Years the City shall be
utterly destroyed and consumed by Fire. By our last Advice we are
informed, that this Man had continued there for the space of eight
Days, preaching about the City: his custom is to go bare-headed
and bare-footed, strange to behold. The Magistrates being offended
at his Doctrine, have forbidden him to preach; but he took no more
notice thereof, then to return this answer, That he was sent from God to
move the People to Repentance, and to abandon those Iniquities, which if
not deserted, would doubtlesly pull down Vengeance upon them in a short time.
After this, order was given for his Confinement; which being per-
formed, he was frequently visited by several Jesuits, who discoursed

with him in several Tongues, namely, the Latine, Hebrew, and Chal-
dean, wherein he was exquisitely perfect. He also acknowledges
that he knows well such as live loose and wicked Lives. He is not o-
vercurious in his Dyet, for his greatest Delicate, and general Food is
nothing but dry Bread; and his strongest Drink is Water only. He
prophesies of many strange things, and the time when all the Wick-
edness in the World should have an end, and every one shall serve the
Lord, and worship the God of Heaven; then nation shall no more
rise against Nation, nor Kingdom against Kingdom, all the World
shall be at peace. Being asked by some of the amazed People, whose
astonishments were as great as his answers strange, How long it
would be before this blessed Day would come? His reply was abso-
lute, and about the Year 1699, should certainly be the end of all
Wickedness in the World: all Nations shall live in the fear of the
Lord; all the World shall be at peace. His strange and unknown
coming into that City was admired by all: at last he was examined
by the Magistrates from whence he came: He answered, That he
came from a place called Galadiam in Damas, a City of Gallilea, and is
the Messenger of the Almighty, sent to preach Repentance to the sin-
ful World. But the Jesuits not at all pleased with his Doctrine or
Discourse, have prevalently perswaded their Magistrates to conde-
scend to what they so earnestly requested, which is, That this Per-
son, on whom we know not what Title justly to bestow, should by all
means be conveyed to the Pope, there to be examined by his Holiness:
But he makes little account of what is ordered, saying, That he is ve-
ry well acquainted with what shall be his Portion, and what shall be-
come of him; and that he looked upon it altogether unnecessary to
be so loaded with Chains; but did acknowledge that he was very
desirous to see the Pope; and so without any difficulty, and with
great ease, breaking the Chains all to pieces, he filled the Spectators
with astonishment, as the Report of these Wonders will certainly fill
with amazement, all those to whom this matter shall be communica-
ted. But besides all this, he prophesie what Transactions shall happen
yearly, which I shall particularize as followeth: He prophesies, That
In 1693 great Changes you will hear of and see.
In 1694 shall be Wars over all the World.
In 1695 Rome shall begin to fall, and England shall begin to thrive.
In 1696 shall be no Pope, and Rome shall have no Head.
In 1697 the Turk shall turn Christian.
In 1698 the Gospel shall be preached throughout the World.
In 1699 a great Man shall rise.
In 1700 all the World shall be at Peace.
In 1701 Jesus Christ shall be known to all Mankind.
In 1702 a great Earthquake shall happen.
In 1703 will be the time when the Jews will be called.


Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel in Gilt-spur-street.

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