elt the scorching effects of the
devouring heat of French usurpation. But when Napoleon passed beyond the
boundaries of the Roman empire, he was met and driven back by the snow and
frost of the Almighty.

Notwithstanding the oppressions to which the people were subjected, and
the exactions under which they groaned, they made no recognition of God's
sovereignty. They saw not that this chastisement was from Him. They did
not deprecate his wrath, nor acknowledge his righteousness, but still
continued to be infidels and apostates. They continued to blaspheme the
name of God, who had power over these plagues, and repented not to give
him glory.

The Fifth Vial.

"And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the wild
beast; and his kingdom was darkened; and they gnawed their tongues
through pain, and reviled the God of heaven, because of their
pains and their ulcers, and repented not of their deeds" Rev.
16:10, 11.

The beast, here spoken of, is the same seven-headed, ten-horned wild beast
that ascended out of the sea (Rev. 13:1), symbolizing the Roman empire in
its divided form. Consequently the seat or throne of the beast would be
the ruling power which exercised and controlled the government of these
kingdoms. Just previous to this epoch, Napoleon had reached the summit of
his power; and the subversion of his throne, with the restoration of the
Bourbon dynasty in 1814 and 1815, is evidently here symbolized. Napoleon
had become the idol of France, which worshipped at the shrine of his
glory. With his fall, their sun was stricken from its firmament, and the
kingdom was darkened.

The change being effected by foreign arms, the chagrin and mortification
of his adherents was natural and expected. They were filled with pain and
anguish at this termination of all their hopes. The re-imposition on them
of the Bourbon line, revived all their former hatred towards their rulers
and sense of oppression, symbolized by the ulcers of the first vial. They
continued still a nation of infidels, performing the same works of
blasphemy against God; and again and again have they risen in rebellion
against their government.

The Sixth Vial.

"And the sixth poured out his bowl on the great river, the
Euphrates; and its water was dried up, that the way of the kings
from the rising of the sun might be prepared." Rev. 16:12.

This symbol resembles a like prediction respecting