His judgments and observations for the
succeeding years, till his death, (so also for the year 1682,) were all
composed by his directions, Mr. Coley coming to Hersham the beginning of
every summer, and stayed there, till, by conference with him, he had
dispatched them for the press; to whom, at these opportunities, he
communicated his way of judgment, and other astrological arcanas.
In the beginning of the year 1681, he had a flux, which weakened him
much, yet after some time his strength encreased; but now his sight was
wholly taken from him, not having any glimmering as formerly.
He had dwelt many years at Hersham, where his charity and kindness to
his poor neighbours was always great and hearty; and the 30th of May
1681, towards the evening, a dead palsy began to seize his left side.
The second of June, towards evening, he took his bed, and then his
tongue began to falter. The next day he became very dull and heavy:
sometimes his senses began to fail him. Henceforward he took little or
nothing, for his larinx swelled, and that impeded his swallowing.
The fourth of June, Mr. Ashmole went to visit him, and found he knew
him, but spake little, and some of that scarce intelligible; for the
palsy began now to seize upon his tongue.
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