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CHAPTER XVIII.

THE EFFUSION OF THE VIALS.

The apocalyptic narrative of their effusion

Introductory observations

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ib.

The Roman empire, secular and spiritual, is the principal subject of these vials...

... ib.

The sixth vial, which is poured on the Euphrates, is applied by
our most respectable expositors to the destruction of the Otto-
man empire—this application acquiesced in...
The seventh trumpet having sounded in 1792, the effusion of the
vials also then began

The consequent difficulty of interpreting the vials, from their
being only in part accomplished....

The whole vials are poured out on the earth-which is a symbol, denoting the Roman empire, and including Turkey.-This earth is an hieroglyphical universe, and it represents the Roman empire as it existed in 1792

Reason for the opinion that all the seven vials began to be poured out at the same time, and that they are synchronical in all their

extent

ib.

300

ib.

........ ib.

The first vial is poured out on the dry land, and is followed by a noisome sore upon the men who have the mark of the beast, and who worship his image

A sore, in the language of symbols, denotes a grievous moral disorder

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ib.

301

302

The sore of this vial signifies the principles of atheism, of anar-
chy and insubordination, into which the nations of Europe so
fearfully drank at the French Revolution
Further observations on the consequences of these principles.... ib.
An objection stated to the foregoing exposition, and answered... 303
These principles have been the germ of all the calamities of
Europe under the third woe, hence the propriety of the vial.
which developes them being placed first..

The second vial is poured out on the sea
The collective bodies of symbolical waters, signifies the whole po-
pulation of the Roman earth. The symbolical sea therefore,
when the empire is in a divided state, must signify the most
numerous people of the Roman world, which is the French
nation

This vial was fulfilled by the revolutionary massacres in that
country, and by the slaughter of the French people in the

ib.

304

ib.

series of wars, down to the period of the dethronement of Bonaparte

... 304

305

The third vial is poured out upon the rivers, and fountains of

water...

This symbol denotes the other nations of Europe, which have all drank deeply of the cup of blood put into their hands by the third angel

......

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The fourth vial was poured out on the sun
The sun in a divided empire, symbolizes the government of the
principal state. This vial denotes therefore, the oppressive
tyranny of the French revolutionary government, which in
every stage of its existence has tormented the men of the
Roman earth....

ib.

ib.

ib.

306

The indirect influence of this tyranny, has been felt in every corner of Europe

The prophecy is evidently fulfilling, that the men, who in consequence of this vial were scorched with great heat, blasphemed God, and repented not to give him glory ....

307

This is evinced in the actual moral condition of Continental and
especially Catholic Europe
Remarks on the state of our own country, as connected with this
vial

ib.

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ib.

309

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The fifth vial is poured out on the seat or throne of the beast .. This symbol denotes the power and councils of the head of the beast.. In the year 1792, the Austrian sovereign was the head of the beast ib. The effects of this vial on the Austrian throne until her sovereign resigned the title of emperor of the Romans, in the year 1806 ib. The influence of this vial was next felt by Bonaparte, who occupied the throne of the beast after the renunciation of Austria ib. A review of the effects of the vial upon the councils and power of Napoleon Bonaparte, until he was a second time driven from his kingdom, and exiled to St. Helena ..

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Reasons for the opinion, that the effects of this vial, are in a measure felt by all the governments of the bestial empire, and their subjects....

312

Remarks on the symbolical darkness, which now fills the bestial empire...

313

The sixth vial was poured out on the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried up

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The Euphrates signifies the nation of the Turks, and the drying up of its waters denotes the gradual decay of the Ottoman empire.

ib.

Remarks on the fulfilment of this vial in the rapid decay of the Ottoman power-Its destruction seems to be hastening on by the immediate hand of God.................

.... 315

317

ib.

ib.

Who the kings of the east are that are mentioned in this vial is yet uncertain-It seems probable that the Jews are designed.. 316 The seventh angel poured out his vial into the air.... The seventh vial is the most important of the whole The symbolical air into which it is poured, signifies the political and ecclesiastical constitution of the Roman empire Effects of the vial briefly described in the dreadful political tempest and earthquake of the French revolution, and its consequences, till the late pacification of Europe Coincidence between the above interpretation of the hieroglyphics of this vial, and that given by Vitringa Reference to certain conclusions I arrived at, in considering the sixth seal, and consequence deduced from them, that the operations of the seventh vial are for the present suspended...... 320 Observations on the tripartite division of the great city, which is probably still future......

On the fall of the cities of the nations..

318

... 319

....... ....

Great Babylon came up in remembrance before God, to give her the cup of wrath

......

Every island fled away and the mountains were not found
The hail storm considered ....

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322

323

324

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The remaining effects of the seventh vial, are contained in chapters xvii. xviii. and xix. the greater part of which is yet future 327 Under the seventh vial, the bestial empire will be moulded into that political shape, which shall prepare it for its last blasphemous opposition to the Lamb at Armageddon An objection to the last conclusion, stated and answered Arguments to show that the vials are synchronical Some remarks on the marriage of the Lamb predicted in chapter xix.

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ib.

...... 328

...

330

.... 334

A short view of the events, which the prophecies of the Old and
New Testament lead us to expect, before the consummation of
the vials......

The first of these events, is the conversion and restoration of the
Jews

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Two passages cited to prove the restoration of the Jews to Palestine, the first in Deuter. xxx. 1-7; the second in Jerem. xxxii. 37-49

335

The restoration predicted in these passages cannot be the partial

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one, which succeeded the captivity at Babylon, but is evidently future

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Three arguments to prove that the restoration of the Jews is to take place during the vials

336

ib.

Argument to show that though the conversion of the Jews will begin before their restoration, it will not be completed till after that event-nor until the second advent of our Lord, at the close of the vials Passage cited from Joel in confirmation of the above conclusions 338 General inferences from what has been said........ 339

During the remaining period of the vials, the conversion of the Jews will proceed with accelerated velocity, and their restoration will be effected-The Roman empire will assume that shape which is to prepare it for the last confederacy; the elect 144,000 will be completed: Babylon will fall, and also the Ottoman empire, and the confederacy of nations will be assembled at Armageddon

....

In this awful period the Word of Jehovah will be revealed from heaven in flaming fire-the elect of God will be gathered to the marriage-supper of the Lamb, and the final judgments will be let loose

.....

Several passages cited from the Scriptures, which are descriptive
of the closing period of the vials
1st, Rev. xiv. 19, 20,-Remarks on this passage
2nd, Jeremiah xxv. 15, 16. and 27-38

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337

ib.

340

ib.

341

ib.

343

345

Remarks on the awful description contained in this prophecy........ 344 4th, Dan. ii. 34, 35-Observations on this passage General inferences, deduced from the whole of the foregoing passages, respecting the nature of the events which are approaching ....

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ib.

347

350

The righteous shall be saved in this awful period Observations on the prospects of our own highly favoured nation ib. Remarks on the harmony between the foregoing conclusions, and the past analogies of the Divine administration..... The second causes by which the approaching desolations are probably to be effected, have long been in active operation....... 351 Remarks on the progress of unsanctified knowledge... Bishop Horsley's remarks on the 46th Psalm, quoted in confirmation of the foregoing reasoning... Observations on the near approach of the day of the Lord .

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CHAPTER XIX.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE WORLD IN CONNECTION WITH PROPHECY.

Remarks on the extraordinary aspect of the present times
The events of the period in which we live, call on us to sit loose
to temporal things.....

355

......

ib.

There is now no safety, either for individuals or communities,

but in repentance and faith in the Son of God. ....................... To this highly favoured country, the voice of these divine judgments is still the voice of mercy.........

356

357

The nature of the repentance required by Christianity

358

Concluding observations

359

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