John Trapp on Revelation 8:1

CHAP. VIII. Verſe 1. The ſeventh ſeal]

THe buſineſſe or parts whereof are the ſeven Trumpets, that ſound a dreadfull alarm againſt the Roman Empire, ready now to be [illegible: 1 word] for the innocent bloud, and upon the inſtant ſait of the Martyrs, Chap 6.10.

There was ſilence in heaven] That is in the Church on earth, often called, The kingdome of heaven. This half-hours ſilence was either for horrour and admiration, or for attent expectation, or (as ſome will have it) for religious awe and devotion: Chriſt the high-Prieſt being now about to offer incenſe (thoſe praiers of the Martyrs, Chap. 6.10.) there was in the Church (as uſed to be in the Temple at ſuch times, Luk. 1.10.) a deep ſilence. So among the Romans, the people in time of worſhip were enjoyned favere linguis, to ſpare their tongues. And in the Greek Church one ſtood up and cried, [non-Latin text not transcribed] peace people, leave off your diſcourſes.