leave it to your consciences to judge, if we have not a name that
we are living, and yet are dead; and whether this be not the doleful state
of the generation that is neither cold nor hot. It is clear, the zeal of
the glory of God, being so worn out of the hearts of all, plainly declares
the same. But I leave this. After he had shewed him the present state of
the Church, at that time, then he tells him what shall be the state of the
Church unto the end of the world.

And _first_, in the vision of a sealed book, containing these acts
concerning the Church, which none could open but the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, for it was sealed with seven seals. Now, what was contained in
these seven seals? This will take a larger time to declare than now is
meet to ware upon it.

Mark always of these things spoken, there are three consolations to the
Church of God; howsoever it be that she be in tribulation, or poverty, and
affliction; and albeit it come to pass, that the devil cast some of them
in prison, that they may be tried, and some have tribulation ten days,
which is but a short time; and howsoever it be that our adversary goes
about continually like "a roaring lion, seeking whom to devour;" but yet,
"he that rides on the white horse," with the badge at his belt, and the
arrows at his side, he shall get the victory at the end of the world; and
to them that are faithful to the death, he shall give them a crown of
life.

Mark _next_, suppose the sword, the famine, the pestilence, these temporal
judgments, be common to the godly as well as to the wicked, yet there is
consolation to the "souls of them that are slain for the testimony of
Jesus, they are lying under the altar, and they cry with a loud voice,
Lord, how long, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood
upon them that dwell on the earth?" Then it was said unto them, "that they
should rest for a little season, until their fellow-servants and brethren,
that should be killed, as they were, should be fulfilled."

Mark, _thirdly_, the sixth seal is opened, "and there was a great
earthquake, and the sun was as black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon
was like blood, and the stars of heaven fell to the earth, and heaven
departed away as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain
and island were moved out of their places; and then the kings of the
earth, and the great men, and rich men, and the captains, and the mighty
men, and every bond man, and