He insists that "we are fallen into the dregs of time," and that the day of judgment is evidently approaching.

He explains away the words of Jeremiah--"Be not dismayed at signs in the heavens"-- and shows that comets have been forerunners of nearly every form of evil.

Having done full justice to evils thus presaged in scriptural times, he begins a similar display in modern history by citing blazing stars which foretold the invasions of Goths, Huns, Saracens, and Turks, and warns gainsayers by citing the example of Vespasian, who, after ridiculing a comet, soon died.

The general shape and appearance of comets, he thinks, betoken their purpose, and he cites Tertullian to prove them "God's sharp razors on mankind, whereby he doth poll, and his scythe whereby he doth shear down multitudes of sinful creatures." At last, rising to a fearful height, he declares: "For the Lord hath fired his beacon in the heavens among the stars of God there; the fearful sight is not yet out of sight.

The warning piece of heaven is going off.