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CHAP. VIII.
The Text.
1 AND when he [i. e. Christ,] had opened the seventh Seal, there was silence 1 in Heaven about the space of * half an hour [i. e. there was a short respite from the commotions which followed upon the Sounding of the Trumpets.]
Annotations on CHAP. VIII.
1 The Metaphors here are taken from the(a) 1.1 Temple-Ser∣vice, (which shews that Church-Affairs are here typified, as well as those of the Empire) in which, at the offering of In∣cense, the People prayed without in the Court in private; whilst the Priest offered the Incense; which Prayers were ve∣ry short, and the whole Service performed in silence: where∣as the offering of Sacrifice, the first part of their Service, was accompanied with Singing, Musick and Trumpets, 2. Chron. 29.25.
* See on Ver. 7. Num. 11.
2 And I saw the seven Angels which stood 2 before God, [as ready to execute his Pleasure;] and to them were given [by God's appoint∣ment,] seven 3 Trumpets [to denounce seven Judgments.]
2 These are expresly called Angels, and not The Spirits of God, whereby they are distinguished from the Seven Spirits, Chap.