WHereas Their Majesties having a deep and serious Consideration of the War in which they ( together with most of the Princes and States of Europe ) were and still are ingaged against the French King , did by Their Royal Proclamation , bearing Date the Four and twentieth Day of March last , Appoint a general Monthly Fast to be kept throughout this Kingdom , for Imploring the Blessing and Protection of Almighty God in the Preservation of Their Majesties Persons , and in Prospering Their Arms both at Sea and Land , which has been observed accordingly . And forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his Infinite Goodness in Answer to the Prayers humbly and devoutly Offered up to him , to preserve Their Majesties and Their Government against the Designs and Attempts of Their Open and Secret Enemies ; To give Their Majesties a Great and Signal Victory at Sea against the French Fleet ; To Protect His Majesties Person from the many and great Dangers of the War in His late Expedition beyond the Seas ; To Disappoint and Defeat the Barbarous and Horrid Conspiracy for taking away His Sacred Life by Assassination ; And to bring Him back in Safety to this Kingdom : Their Majesties therefore Adoring the Divine Goodness and duly Considering that such Great and Publick Blessings do call for Publick and Solemn Acknowledgements , Have thought fit , and ( with the Advice of Their Privy Council ) do hereby Appoint and Command , That a General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for these his Mercies be observed throughout Our Cities of London and Westminster and elsewhere within the weekly Bills of Mortality , on Thursday the Twenty seventh day of this Instant October ; and in all other Places throughout this Kingdom of England , Dominion of Wales , and Town of Berwick upon Tweed , on Thursday the Tenth day of November next ensuing . And for the better and more orderly Solemnizing of the same , Their Majesties have given Directions to the Most Reverend Arch-Bishops , and Right Reverend Bishops of this Kingdom , to Compose a Form of Prayer suitable to this Occasion , to be Vsed in all Churches and Chappels , and other Places of Publick Worship , and to take Care for the timely dispersing of the same throughout their respective Diocesses , And Their Majesties do strictly Charge and Command , That the said Publick day of Thanksgiving be Religiously Observed by all Their Loving Subjects , as they tender the Favour of Almighty God , and upon Pain of Suffering such Punishments as Their Majesties can justly inflict for the Contempt or Neglect thereof .