HIs Highness the Lord PROTECTOR and the Council , being ( as becomes them ) very sensible of , and deeply affected with the hand of the Lord , in the present general Visitation , with which not onely these populous Cities , but mot parts of the Nation are sorely afflicted , and many have been taken away ; Do hold it their duty to invite the People of this Nation to humble themselves greatly before the Lord , whose displeasure We have highly provoked by Due unthankfulnes for , and abuse of Gospel Mercies , and that Peace , Health , and Plenty , which for diverse years last past We have ( through his goodness ) enjoyed , and by that spirit of Division , murmurring , prophaneness and enmity againt the power of Godliness , which is so prevalent amongst Vs , besides many other abominations : His HIGHNESS therefore , with the advice of His Council , hath thought fit to declare and appoint , that Wednesday the Fifth of May next , be observed as a Day of solemn Fasting and Humiliation within the Cities of London and Westminster , the late lines of Communication , and Weekly Bils of Mortality , And Wednesday the Nineteenth day of the same Moneth within the places aforesaid , and all other places within England and Wales , and Town of Berwick upon Tweed ; Exhorting all , especially those that fear the Lord , to humble themselves before him , and turn from their evil wayes , and seek the Lord , that he will be pleased to forgive our sins , and heal Our Land ; And that there may not onely be a lengthning out of our Tranquillity , but such returns of special Mercy , as may evidence to his people , and convince all that have evill will unto their Peace , that the Lord hath not forsaken Vs , but doth yet for his own Great Names sake take delight in Vs , to make Vs ( though most unworthy ) a People of his Praise . And His Highness doth earnestly recommend it unto all such as are touched with the sense of Gods hand and displeasure , to set themselves to the performance of this Duty , in such a Solemn and Spiritual manner as becomes such an extraordinary Duty , and as so sad an Occasion as this calls for . His Highness pleasure also is , that notice hereof be given in the several Churches and Congregations by the respective Ministers , on the Lords Day before the respective days aforesaid , for the better publication hereof .