A brief exposition on the XII. smal prophets: the first volume containing an exposition on the prophecies of Hosea, Joel, & Amos. By George Hutcheson, minister at Edenburgh.

Vers. 14. Sanctifie ye a fast: call a solemne assembly: gather the Elders, and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD:

In the next place, the Priests are commanded to appoint a so∣lemne and publick Fast, that so all ranks of persons, both Rulers and people, being called to the Temple, may solemnly poure out their prayers to God. Whence learn, 1. Private mourning and humiliation is not enough under publick calamities, but the••e ought also to be general Humiliations, by the solemn conve∣ning of all ranks, to mourn in a publick way; and Ministers ought to be instrumental and active in setting this duty on foot: for, to them the charge is given, Sanctifie ye a fast: call a so∣lemne assembly: gather the Elders, and all the inhabitants of the

land into the house of the Lord. 2. Fasts and Humiliations, e∣specially such as are publick, would not be rashly gone about, but with due preparation and upstirring for so solemne a service, for, saith he, Sanctifie a fast: or, set apart some time, wherein to observe it, and prepare for it. 3. For the right discharge of such a duty, it is requisite that men be sensible of their form∣er abuse of mercies, and their not deserving to have the use of them continued, & that they shake off whatever may impede their serious dealing with God, and do set about it in earnest; For, so much is imported in this commanded abstinence and fasting, and that this is not to be a work in the by, but they are to keep a solemn assembly, or as the word signifieth, a time of restraint from all o∣ther employments and diversions, that they may seriously go a∣bout this work. 4. All these other ingredients of fasting, such as setting apart some time, and convening in publick,) which are required in solemne humiliations, are but preparations to the great duty, which is serious and fervent prayer to God, wherein men should expresse their instancy and earnestnesse, according to the greatnesse of the distresse; Therefore it is subjoyned, and crie unto the Lord. 5. All other exercises of humiliation will not prosper in our hands, nor be acceptable unto God, unlesse they be seasoned and managed with faith and affection to God: There∣fore are they commanded in performing this duty, to come into the house of the Lord your God, and there to cry.