Forasmuch as the Commission of the General Assembly of this Church , have applyed to the Lords of Our Privy Council , That they would interpose their Civil Sanction , for keeping of a Solemn National Fast and Humiliation , in all the Kirks and Meeting-houses of this Our Ancient Kingdom , for Imploring the blessing of the Lord upon Us , in Our Counsels and Undertakings , in Defence of the true Reformed Religion , and of these Lands ; And especially , that God would countenance Us in this present War , preserving Our Royal Person , and giving Success to Our Arms by Sea and Land , at Home and Abroad . Therefore We , with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council , do hereby Command and Enjoyn , that the said Solemn Fast and Humiliation , for the Ends above-set-down , be Religiously Observed , by all Persons within this Kingdom , both in Churches and Meeting-houses , upon the last Wednesday of May next to come , and thereafter Monethly , upon the last Wednesday of each Moneth , untill the last Wednesday of August next inclusivè . And Ordains all Ministers either in Kirks , or Meeting-Houses , to Read these presents , publickly from the Pulpit , a Sunday or two before the first day appointed for keeping the said Fast , and Humiliation , and upon a Sunday , before each last Wednesday , during the space foresaid ; And to the effect that this so Necessary and Religious a Duty may be publictly performed , and punctualy Observed , and Our pleasure in the Premisses known , OUR WILL IS Herefore , and We Charge you straitly , and Command , That incontinent these Our Letters seen , ye pass to the Mercat-Cross of Edinburgh , and remanent Mercat-Crosses of the Head Burghs of the several Shires and Stewartries within this Kingdom , and in Our Name and Authority , make Publication of the Premisses , that none may pretend ignorance . And We Ordain Our Sollicitor , to dispatch Coppies hereof , to the Sheriffs of the several Shires , and Stewarts of the Stewartries , and their Deputs , or Clerks ; To be by them published at the Mercat-Crosses of the Head-Burghs , upon Receipt thereof . And immediately sent to the several Ministers , both in Kirks and Meeting-Houses ; To the effect , they may Read and intimate the same from their Pulpits , and may seriously exhort all Persons to a sincere and devote Observance thereof , as they will be answerable at their perril . And Ordains these Presents to be Printed , and Published in manner forsaid .