Monday in Whitsun Week

From John Donne's sermon for Whitsunday, 1627:

And so is our comfort accomplished to us, when the Holy Ghost distributes these materials, the blood, and the merits of Christ, upon several congregations, and that by his higher officers, reverend and vigilant bishops, and others that have part in the government of the church, and then, by those, who like Solomon's ten thousand, performed the service by monthly courses, and those, who like his seven score and ten thousand, are always resident upon fixed places, that salvation of souls, so decreed at first by the Father, and so accomplished after by the Son, is by the Holy Ghost, shed, and spread upon particular men.

Donne here echoes 'A Prayer for the Clergy and People' and its vision of the charismatic reality of the ordinary life of the parish church, whereby "particular men" and "fixed places" are caught up in the divine plan of salvation:

Almighty and everlasting God, who alone workest great marvels: Send down upon our Bishops, and Curates, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ.

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