Forasmuch , as several Synods , and others of this Church , have Applyed to the Lords of Our Privy Council , that they would Interpose their Authority , for Indicting and Keeping a Solemn National Fast and Humiliation , in all the Kirks and Meeting-Houses of this Our Antient Kingdom , to Implore the Blessing of the Lord upon Us in Our Counsels and Undertakings , in Defense of the True Reformed Religion , and of these Lands , and Relief of the Oppressed Abroad ; And especially , That GOD would Countenance Us in the present War , Preserving Our Royal Person , and giving Success to Our Arms by Sea and Land , and Preserve and Establish the Protestant Religion 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 Twenty fifth Day of May next , being the last Wednesday of that Month , and thereafter Monthly , upon the last Wednesday of each Month untill the last Wednesday of September next inclusive : 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 Publickly performed ; and punctually observed , and Our Pleasure in the Premisses known : OUR WILL IS , 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 Copies hereof , to the Sheriffs of the several Shires and Stewarts of the Stewartries , and , their Deputes or Clerks , to be by them Published at the Mercat-Crosses of the Head-Burghs , upon Receipt thereof , and immediatly sent to the several Ministers , both in Kirks and Meeting-Houses , To the effect they may Read , and Intimat 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 Peril . And Ordains these Presents to be Printed , and Published in manner foresaid .