I beg the Reader to remark with me, what a most beautiful and finished representation is here of a praying assembly, and what blessings might not be expected to follow, where the Lord gives grace to the several characters to seek his favour. The congregation at large; the elders the children, yea, little children and babes at the breast; as if to bring down the mercy of God in Christ, upon the helpless, unconscious little ones, who all take part in the common calamity. And the bridegroom and bride are to forego their own private happiness to take part in the public evil, contrary to the kind provision the Lord had made for the marriage state, in the first year of their nuptials. Deuteronomy 24:5. The priests, the ministers of the Lord, bring up the rear in this assembly, as those more highly interested for the Lord's honor and the Church's welfare. Reader! read this with an eye to Christ, and behold him in the everlasting exercise of his priesthood, and the whole then becomes lovely indeed!
Joel 2:15-20
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule overe them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.