the Papacy during which the Witnesses prophesy clothed in sackcloth.

By the new interpretation of this symbol,

unaccomplished, though on account of the particular and unusual connexion there is between the subjects of the fourth and fifth Vials (the one relating to Buonaparte as the head of the French Empire, and the other to the kingdom of France itself), it may be difficult, till events shall make it clear, positively to decide whether the fourth, terminated in the year 1812, or in the year 1'814; for, speaking in symbolical language, how shall we now say whether that darkness which overtook the French, in October, 1812, and continued till the month of April, 1814, was the failure of the light, and scorching influence of "the Sun," which may be supposed to have marked the termination of the period of the fourth Vial; or whether it was that grievous "darkness" which is described (Rev. xvi. 10) as overspreading the kingdom of France, during the period of the succeeding, or fifth Vial.

The most important task of a Commentator, however, is that of translating the symbolical and figurative language of prophecy, into plain and simple language; and there is no doubt, that when the events predicted have actually occurred, they will be so striking, that no one can easily fail in correctly applying them.

The following brief view of the seven Vials, will point out the several subjects of them -The first Vial describes the grievous" Sore" of Atheism, which fell upon the Papal nations, in the year 1792, and with the greatest propriety, this Vial introduces the period of Infidelity.

The second Vial predicts the bloodshed, which should take place in some one principal unbelieving and unfruitful

another difficult passage is likewise explained, in which the Beast of the Bottomless Pit is represented as having had a prior existence, and

nation; this was accomplished in revolutionary France, during the reign of terror, from March 1793 to July 1794, when the whole kingdom was converted, as it has been expressed, into one immense slaughter-house. France being the principal theatre of infidelity, this was a severe but just judgment upon her, and its magnitude was evidently such, as to make it a sufficient object of prophecy.

The third Vial, I conceive, predicts a severe judgment upon the Apostate Visible Church, which had so far departed from the faith, as herself, to "shed the blood of saints," and to become their bitterest persecutor. This was fulfilled by the campaigns in Italy, in the year 1796-7, and by the overthrow of the Papal government of Rome, in February, 1798.-As the Papacy has so long been the great enemy of the true Church, the importance of the object of this Vial, is sufficiently apparent.

The fourth Vial predicts the sufferings of the world, from the power and influence of the sovereign of the empire.— This has been fulfilled in the long military despotism of Buonaparte, from the year 1800, to the year 1812, or possibly to the year 1814; who has, in the course of his career, caused an immense destruction of human life, and produced an extraordinary accumulation of misery. The importance of this Vial must be felt by every one.

The fifth Vial foretells a dreadful retribution on the kingdom of France, which, after having been a scourge to other nations, is herself to experience the greatest miseries.-That the horrors of the retreat from Moscow, the battle of Leipsig, and the campaign in France, of the year 1814, have not

is spoken of as "the Beast that was, and is

66

not, and is about to ascend out of the bot"tomless pit, and to go into destruction,"

furnished an adequate accomplishment to this prophecy, I would not take upon myself decidedly to say, although I think not, because the sufferings of this period fell chiefly upon the French Army, whereas the prophecy predicts a most dreadful judgment upon the "kingdom" of France itself, "the seat of the Beast," out of the bottomless pit, i. e., of the Infidel Power; and I am disposed to believe, that the judgments of this Vial are now about to commence.

The sixth Vial (literally interpreted) foretels the fall of the Ottoman empire in the East, and the increase of the influence of Antichrist or of his principles in the West, preparatory to his being head of the Roman empire.

The seventh Vial foretels a great revolution all over the Papal continent; the division of the papal Roman empire into three great kingdoms, and other events of the most momentous importance.

Observing the course of the Vials, hitherto accomplished, it is remarkable, that with the exception of the first, which is of a general and introductory nature, and does not describe a temporal and visible judgment, there has been a regular interval and pause between each. Now the year 1814 has afforded another interval or pause of this kind; and this leads to the supposition, that some great judgment is about to take place, and whether it is that of the 5th or 6th Vial, the lapse of a few months, will, I have no doubt, point out. Should it (as I apprehend it will) prove to be the fifth, we must still, from the consideration that but 7 of the 30 years remain, necessarily expect that the pouring out of the sixth Vial will very quickly follow.-This Note dated 8th April, 1815, printed, 18th April, 1815.

for the right understanding of which symbol, it will be necessary to observe, that as in common so also in symbolical language, the head is sometimes used to represent the whole body of which it is head; as Mede rightly observes with respect to the seven-headed and ten-horned Red Dragon of Rev. xii., that it represents either Paganism, that is, the Roman Empire under the influence of Pagan principles, or, "that old Serpent called the Devil and Satan," the head, and object of Pagan worship. In like manner the Beast of "the bottomless pit," represents either Infidelity, that is the Roman Empire under the influence of Infidel principles, or the individual who shall be its last head, that is, fill its eighth and last sovereignty.

In Rev. xi. 7 and 8. The symbol represents, Infidelity or Unbelief, which first rose in Revolutionary France; exhibiting there that slavery to bodily lusts of which Sodom was the fit type, united to that darkness which is referred to by the symbolical name of Egypt; by which also our Lord was once literally, and is still spiritually "crucified;" and which in accordance with this its prophetic character, on its first rise, symbolically killed (that is, denied and annihilated the authority of) the Old and New Testaments, which are the two appointed "Witnesses" that testify of Christ here it

could have no reference to the Infidel Antichrist, who had not yet appeared even as seventh head or sovereign of the Roman Empire.

In Rev. xvii. 1-8, a new ascension of the Beast out of the bottomless pit is spoken of, and it seems that Infidelity having run one course during the period of the 30 years and six first Vials, will, at the commencement of the seventh Vial and the 45 years, begin a new course, and appear under its new head in greater strength than ever. In this passage it would appear that the two significations of the symbol are united. In the remainder of the chapter, ver. 11-18, it relates explicitly to the individual Infidel King, being introduced by an account of the seven preceding sovereignties. In xix. 19, also it means the Infidel King, who, we find, is represented in the preceding verse 17 by the usual symbol of the reigning potentate, namely "the Sun;" to which a voice is given without violating the propriety of the figure, by the beautiful contrivance of representing an "Angel" as "standing in the Sun," from whom the voice comes summoning all the fowls of the air to their destined prey.

The ISRAELITISH NATION, which is supposed to represent the British Nation, affords another instance of an important variation from the meanings usually given to the symbols of