Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 1.djvu/237

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the west; some into the great southern gulf mentioned above; some into a western gulf, and some into the hells of the Gentiles,—for a part of those who lived in the dark ages were idolaters like the Gentiles. A smoke also was seen to ascend from that region, and to proceed as far as the sea, over which it hovered, depositing a black crust there; for that part of the sea into which they were cast, was encrusted over with the dust and smoke, into which their dwellings and riches had been reduced; wherefore that sea has no longer a visible existence, but in its place is seen as it were a black soil, and their hell is under it.

The last judgment upon those who dwelt upon the mountains in the Eastern Quarter, was thus accomplished. Their mountains were seen to subside into the deep, and all those who were upon them to be swallowed up; and he whom they had placed upon one of the mountains, and whom they proclaimed to be God, was seen to become first black, then fiery, and with his worshipers to be cast headlong into hell. For the monks of the various orders who dwelt upon those mountains, declared that he was God and that they were Christ; and wherever they went, they took with them the abominable persuasion that themselves were Christ.

Finally, judgment was accomplished upon those who dwelt more remotely in the Western Quarter, upon the mountains there, and who are understood by the woman sitting upon the scarlet beast, who