The Proclamation here made tended, to that end, namely to gather them all together for performing the duty mentioned. A little after this, when another occasion of performing a public duty was given, they were not only by Proclamation summoned together, but also a strict penalty was laid upon such as should not come, Chap. 10. 7, 8. By the assembling of many together, men mutually stir up the zeal, and inflame the affection of one another: and when many join bodies and spirits in performing one and the same duty of piety together,1 that duty is the more honourable to God, and the more powerful and prevalent with him. If God account himself honoured by one mans calling upon him, he is the more honoured by many mens joining together therein. As the gathering together of many waters makes the stronger ⟨p. 16⟩stream, and the voices of many together, the louder sound, so the joint prayers of many. This very reason is pressed in his Majesties Proclamation for a public general solemn Fast, July 3. 1625. in these words, In humble hope and confidence, that when both Prince and people together throughout the whole Land, shall join in one common and solemn Devotion, of sending up their faithful and repenting prayers, to Almighty God at one instant of time, the same shall be more available to obtain that mercy, help and comfort from him, which in the present important occasion, this Church and Common-wealth do stand in need of.
The Proclamation here made tended, to that end, namely to gather them all together for performing the duty mentioned. A little after this, when another occasion of performing a publike duty was given, they were not only by Proclamation summoned together, but also a strict penalty was laid upon such as should not come, Chap. 10. 7, 8. By the assembling of many together, men mutually stir up the zeal, and inflame the affection of one another: and when many joyn bodies and spirits in performing one and the same duty of piety together,1 that duty is the more honourable to God, and the more powerfull and prevalent with him. If God account himself honoured by one mans calling upon him, he is the more honoured by many mens joyning together therein. As the gathering together of many waters makes the stronger ⟨p. 16⟩stream, and the voices of many together, the louder sound, so the joynt praiers of many. This very reason is pressed in his Majesties Proclamation for a publike generall solemn Fast, July 3. 1625. in these words, In humble hope and confidence, that when both Prince and people together throughout the whole Land, shall joyn in one common and solemn Devotion, of sending up their faithfull and repenting praiers, to Almighty God at one instant of time, the same shall be more available to obtain that mercy, help and comfort from him, which in the present important occasion, this Church and Common-wealth doe stand in need of.
- 1Ex caetu & congregatione multa est sortitudo. Ubi enim fuerint duo aut tres, &c. Chrys. hom. 10. in Heb. •0,Ex caetu & congregatione multa est sortitudo. Vbi enim fuerint duo aut tres, &c. Chrys. hom. 10. in Heb. •0,
