FOrasmuch as it has pleased Almighty GOD to visit the City of London , places adjacent , and several other Towns and Villages of the Kingdom of England with the sore Plague of Desistence ; So that all Commerce and Trade with that Kingdom has been prohibited and forbidden , lest that by importing of Commodities , the Plague might be brought into this Kingdom , to the great prejudice and danger of the Lieges : And seing it has been moved to the Council , from the Right Reverend Fathers the Archbishops and Bishops , that a general Fast may be appointed and kept throughout the 〈◊〉 Kingdom , for imploring the goodness and protection of Almighty GOD , that in his infinite mercy , He may preserve this Kingdom from that con 〈…〉 n , and compassionat the sufferings of those that are visited therewith in England , and 〈◊〉 the spreading thereof in all places , which by His mercy are yet preserved there-from : As likewise , that the LORD may bless this Kingdom with a fair and seasonable Harvest , that the Fruits of the ground may be reaped for the comfort and maintenance of the people . Therefore , the Lords of His Majesties Privy Council , by these presents , command and charge , That a Fast be religiously and solemnly kept throughout the whole Kingdom , by all Subjects and People within the same , upon the second Wednesday of September next to come , in this instant year of GOD , being the thirteenth day of the said Moneth ; requiring hereby , the Reverend Archbishops and Bishops to give notice hereof to the Ministers in their respective Diocesses , that upon the LORDS-day immediatly preceeding the said thirteenth of September , they make publick intimation thereof in every Parish Church ; and that they exhort all their Parishioners to a sober and devout performance of the said Fast and Humiliation , as they tender the favour of Almighty GOD , the preservation of their native Country , and the suffering condition of their Neighbours and fellow Subjects in England : Certifying all who shall contemn or neglect such a religious and necessary duty , they shall be proceeded against as contemners of Authority , neglectees of religious Services , and unnatural and profane Persons . And Ordains these presents to be printed and published , that none pretend ignorance .