Phial the Fourth, on the Sun of the Bestial Heaven.

That we may discover what the sun is in the world of the beast, we must first see what the heaven is in that world, lest otherwise, destitute of the clew of analogy, we wander too much from the mark. For the sun is not to be placed, or conceived to exist, but in a heaven suitable to it. The heaven, then, of the antichristian world is the supreme and universal pontifical power itself, or, in short, whatever exists of more sublime and regal authority in any part of the bestial world; that is, in the whole community of provinces acknowledging the Roman pontiff as their head. For so, in the natural world, all that is on high, and above the earth and waters, is called heaven, in the acceptation of the Hebrews, and of the Holy Spirit.

Now in this antichristian heaven (according to the type of the natural heaven) there are many stars, and of different magnitudes, -- princes, governors, presidents, rulers, kings. There are likewise great luminaries like the sun and moon, which all appear to move round with the motion of heaven itself, and undergo their vicissitudes, from the law which governs it. Of this, indeed, the most splendid, and by far the greatest luminary which shines in the Papal firmament, is the German empire, which has been the possession of the house of Austria for about two hundred years. Is not this the sun of that heaven [64] ? Now on this sun is the fourth phial forthwith to be poured out; so that he, driven out of his usual course in the heaven of the beast, and shining in a different manner, may scorch and torment with heat and fervour, even to blasphemy, the inhabitants of the antichristian world, whom he was formerly accustomed greatly to cheer with his warmth and radiance. And lo! while I am publishing these remarks, on which I had long ago written a Commentary, a report has filled the whole Christian world, while the pious are offering up their gratulations, that an avenger from God has come from. the North, to succour afflicted and depressed Germany -- a king pious and fortunate, and a conqueror wherever he has come, whose successes surpass the flight of the eagle. Is not this he whom the Lord of Hosts has destined, to execute the work of this phial? So I hope and pray from my soul, -- "Gird thee then with thy sword, O great King I proceed prosperously and reign, for the sake of truth, of meekness, and of righteousness; for thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things [65] ."

Footnotes:

[64] With all due deference to the foresight of the venerable author, but with greater facilities of judging from the lapse of time since this conjecture was formed, may we not suppose France to be the country more peculiarly designated? Of this kingdom, which assumed the emblem of the sun as the mark of its dignity, Clovis or Louis was the first Christian king. In the reign of the XVIth Louis did this kingdom undergo the most stupendous revolution which has taken place for many centuries; overturning the throne and the altar, setting on fire, as we may say, the Papal world, destroying vast, armies by the valour of its troops and the force of its artillery, devastating other countries, and at length exciting the most violent opposition to its progress in surrounding nations. It was this kingdom which in Charlemagne gave the first emperor to the Papal Roman empire, though the seat of his dominion was afterwards transferred to Germany. It was in a soi-disant emperor, who copied his example, that the Pope was enthralled, and compelled to adopt the suggestions of this temporary ruler. The author of this note cannot help adding, as a remarkable circumstance, that on the 19th of January, 1793, picture of the sun the day on which the king of France was condemned, he saw, without the help of a glass, through a thin fog, large spots on the sun's surface, one of which appeared as a fissure of many digits in extent; such as he understood from Mr. Vince, Plumian Professor of Astronomy at Cambridge, were never recorded to have been seen before by the naked eye.--Vide Ann. Reg. 1793.--R. B. C.

[65] This relates, I suppose, to the king of Sweden, and is surely a proof how careful we should be in the interpretation of prophetical scripture, when we see so enlightened and cautious a commentator as Mede led to apply an important part of the great scheme of prophecy to passing events.-- R. B. C.