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The seuenth Chapter. (Book 7)
THe blessed rest of the soules departed out of the bodie, is described before in the o∣peninge of the fyfte seale, that is the state of the triumphante Churche in heauen, now is semed conuenient, that it should bee declared in this Chapter, whiche doth perteyne to the opening of the sixte se••le, what should be, the state and condi∣tion of the Church militante in earth. For the same being pre∣serued and kept out of the greatest affliction of all which here¦tofore hath happened and signed with the seale of the liuinge God deliuered out of the calamities and miseries of this life, at length is taken vp with those that went before into the same degree and state of blessednesse.
Vers. 1.☞ And after that. &c.
AFter this terrible earthquake, which altogether drawe a∣way slouthfulnesse and dilicacie from the wicked Princes of the world and all the champeons of Sathans garde whiche being greatly amazed with terrour of winde, they rather wi∣shed any kinde of death then that they would be drawne to the tribunall seat of the angrie Iudge: Ihon might meruail what shoulde become of the Churche of Christ. Hee is admonished therefore by this vision, that not one of the whole number of the faithfull whome God hath predestinate to eternall life can be brought from the constant confession of the true faith either by the cruell tormentes of the persecutours or by the subtill & priuie deceites of heritiques, and false deceyuers, although ne∣uer so great stormes of persecutions fall vpon them.
I sawe foure Aungells stande on the foure corners of the earth holding the foure windes of the earth, that the voices should not blow on the earth neuer on the sea neither on a∣ny tree. &c. It pertayneth not greatlye to vs to knowe we∣ther they were good or euill Augels, for God as it semeth god vnto him selfe executeth his iudgementes bothe by good and euill Aungels. For ā euil Aungell broughte in the plague in the time of king Dauid. A good Aungell also ouerthrewe the armie Sennacheri•• with a mightie great slaughter. Although