The Practice of Piety

2 Of the public Fast.

2 Of the publique Fast.

A Public Fast is, when by the ^aauthority of the Magistrate, either the whole Church, within his dominion, or some special congregation (whom it concerneth) do assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of Humiliation, either for the ^bremoving of some public calamity, threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness: or else for the obtaining of some public blessing, for the good of the ⟨p. 659⟩^cChurch, as to crave the assistance of his holy Spirit, in the election and ordination of fit and able Pastors, &c. or, for the trial of truth, and execution of Justice in matters of difficulty and great importance, &c.

A Publike Fast is, when by the ^aauthoritie of the Magistrate, eyther the whole Church, within his dominion, or some speciall congregation (whom it concerneth) doe assemble themselues together, to performe the fore-mentioned duties of Humiliation, eyther for the ^bremouing of some publique calamitie, threatned or already inflicted vpon them, as the sword, inuasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearefull sicknesse: or else for the obtaining of some publique blessing, for the good of the ⟨p. 659⟩^c