THE LORD OF HOSTS having roared as a Lion from his dwelling place against his own Heritage , for their halting , settling on their Lees , savour of the world , and their sore iniquity , so that hee hath smitten Jacob , and made the fatness of his flesh waxe lean , rebuking all his Idols , and disappointing expectations round about , from any short of his own saving hand , turning many years endeavours , even in the fire , in these three Nations , into a dismaying Chaos of confusion , whether wee look to Rulers , Ruled , Armies , Churches , Prophets , or People ; so that wee may say there is no healing Medicine in any hand , but our breach is wide as the Sea , &c.

And in the sense of great iniquity in all , yet under some hope wee have against hope of the Lords pleasure in mercy to rebuke the pride of MOAB , who so sorely revileth his Heritage , and to arise for therelief of his people as in MOUNT PERAZIM , and as in the valley of Gibeon , yea as against PHARAOH of old , to the glorious exaltation of his Son , and salvation and peace of his Subjects , even now the ASSYRIAN hath spread over his land , wee account it our duty more earnestly to call unto all , who have received the adoption of children , to appear in the advantage of their ACCEPTABLE ADVOCATE at the Throne of the Father , in all meekness and fear to bewayl over the evils , and intercede for the blessings needed , in the Nations , and in particular to lay to heart these things following , which wee have thought on towards their help , and our own , in the time of solemn assembling before him , which we humbly propose might be very frequent in , the several Assemblies , or remnants of the faithful in the three Nations ; and to the end our cry may bee joynt herein at the Mercy-seat , and there may bee a communication of what the Lord in grace shall grant in answer hereunto , that if beauty bee given for ashes . wee may also obtain mercy to abound more in thanksgiving than heretofore , wee humbly signifie our intention , if the Lord please , to begin our solemn Supplication the next fourth day come sevennight , being the eleventh day of the eleventh Month , commonly called January , and are desirous to understand from others , and observe and communicate what acceptance the Lord will signifie , that wee may understand together , and bee glad in the salvation of God .

Matters referring to the Churches to bee bewayled . 1. The deep sleep and spirit of slumber fallen upon Churches and people of the Lord , and as a sad effect thereof , little discerning , either what the Lord is doing , or his people ought to do , but a strange divided language amongst them calling for a lamentation . 2. That a spirit of the love of this world , in the profits , pleasures , honour , and reputation thereof , hath insnared so many to the Lords dishonour , Truths differvice , and their own hurt , and horrible declining . 3. That there is so little zeal or activity for the Lord , or his concerns , in comparison with what hath been , each one now minding his own , but few the things of Jesus Christ . 4. That instead of thorow witness-bearing for the Lord in this day of deep Apostacy , * * See and bewail the Doulis Tongued Declaration of 23. People called Anabaptists , in and about London , debasing their holy Profession , and exposing their dissenting brethren , with the Quakers , and others , to the Persecutor , which Declaration , we detest , and som baptised Congregations in , and about London disown . costly services are declined , and a fearful unbeleeving confederacy rather said with whomsoever the world sayes a confederacy , bowing down the neck to every yoak , like home-born slaves , to whomsoever , or howsoever any get up , or being up , do manage their power .

Matters referring to the Nation to be bewailed . 1 The horrible Treachery that hath lately abounded betwixt Rulers and Ruled , yea , even those that have been in neerest bonds related , supplanting and dealing falsly with each other , to the sore pollution of a righteous profession in the land , together with the shamefull profaning the pretence to the fear of the Lord , so often proclaimed to be respected by Rulers , who in the distribution of their trust unto men , have so little truly regarded the same . 2 That a spirit of open prophaneness of all sorts increaseth , and that almost without controul . 3 That there is an implacable desperate rage reaching up to heaven against the Lord his works and people . satisfied with nothing less than the ruine of all , running back to Egypt , and licking up again the vomit of every old exploded abomination , which the late Country insurrections , and City tumults abetted so much by men in power , and the National Clergy , sufficiently evidenced . 4 That there is continued in this day of Gospel light , that soul-afflicting iniquity , of exacting Tythes , both from the Lords Heritage , and such as are yet unconverted , and this contended for by the Nations Ministry , assifted by force over us , ruling by their means , whereby the Lords services are loathed , and the Land exposed to the destroyer , as at Shiloh of old .

Particulars to be prayed for . 1 That our dear Redeemer , who both by decree and covenant , &c. is intitled to the rule of Nations , may in this day , when the Lord hath so sorely shaken other foundations , be more clearly discovered to be the onely Potentate , King of Kings and Kingdoms , and his Laws and Government in the excellency of them in their own nature so made known , as these Nations may cloze with them and him , in whom only the Lord hath said Nations shall be blessed . 2 That those two great Ordinances of Magistracy and Ministery may be brought forth in their truth and beauty , distinguished from the counterfeits of them , by pouring forth more anointing to those offices , by which it may be demonstrated that the sufficiency of both is only of and from the Lord , and that he may in all humility and fear be appealed unto , for a gracious decision in this day of the worlds rage , and accusing his poor people for being against Magistracy and Ministery , whether the accused or accusers are most for that which he will own . 3 That those of the Army and their adherents who have been so forcely visited by the Lord , and whose affliction is like to be helped forward , and added to by unreasonable and cruel revilers , might have that dispensation of his , so sanctified to them , as might tend effectually to renew them to repentance , for their great Apostacy and treacherous dealing with the Lord his cause and people , that so the Lord in mercy might put a checque to the boundless rage of the enemy , and avenger , and in due time reprove their insulting Reprovers . 4 That in this day of so eminent a sayler of the visible protection of his poor peeled people , he might be earnestly sought unto , and found to bee their sure defence , and yet again this song might be in their mouths , SALVATION IS OF THE LORD , HIS BLESSING IS VPON HIS PEOPLE , and it might be known to the ends of the earth , that there is no inchantment against Jacob , neither is there any divination against Israel . 5 And lastly , but espec●●lly , that the spirit might be so poured out upon all the Lords sons and daughters , about whom he hath been hitherto as a wall of fire for defence , that they may weep very bitterly over all iniquity which hath separated betwixt them and their God , and have great occasion continued and renewed to cry Grace , Grace , unto his great name , and by recalling former , and better observing his works of wonder to come , may be taught to order their conversation aright , that he may delight to shew his salvations , and increase in the middest of them the shout of a King , to whom be dominion and glory for ever . Amen .