A proclamation for a generall fast throughout this realme of England.

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HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT ¶ A Proclamation for a generall Fast throughout this Realme of England .

THe fresh memory of the late fearefull visitation of the Plague , as in many other places and parts of this Realme , so especially in and about the Cities of London and Westminster , and places adiacent , and the spreading thereof in many parts of this Kingdome at this time , ought to moue vs to consider , that it was , and is the immediate hand of God for the sinnes of this Land , so to visite and correct his people ; And againe , the contemplation of the infinite goodnesse of God , so vnexpectedly to heale this great and populous Citie ( the seate of this Empire ) ought to draw vs to a due and thankefull acknowledgement of so great a deliuerance : The remembrance of the scarcitie and famine lately threatned vnto vs in all the borders of this Land , ought to humble vs. And the blessing of God vpon the fruits of the earth in the time of our greatest distresse , ought to stirre vp our thankefulnesse vnto that diuine Maiesty , who was the giuer of these blessings : The present estate of his Maiesties Dominions , and of His friends and Allies imbarked in a warre , with a potent and vigilant enemy , setting vs in an open Hostilitie abroad , and threatning vs with a powerfull inuasion at home , ought to perswade vs , not onely to a timely preparation for all things necessary for a defensiue warre , but also to looke vp to Him , whose prouidence gouernes , and whose power ruleth all things vpon earth : And our former deliuerances in like distresses , ought to raise our thoughts , not to neglect the ordinary meanes , and yet to trust in him onely who is the Lord of hostes , and who alone can deliuer in times of danger : These Pious and Religious considerations haue so wrought in the Princely heart of the Kings most excellent Maiestie , That He hath not onely had recourse to that great and Diuine Maiestie , who is the King of kings , in His priuate deuotions , to implore his mercie and fauour to himselfe and His people ; But according to the example of all good Kings in former ages in the times of common calamities , which equally concerne both Prince and people , to command a solemne , a generall , and a publike Fast throughout all this whole Land , wherein the whole Kingdome ( as one man ) may present to God their hearty and vnfained thankes for His benefits already receiued , and may powre out their supplications with strong cryes vnto Him , to send a blessing vpon our endeauours , and to diuert those punishments from vs , which the sinnes of this Land haue worthily deserued .

To this purpose , His most Excellent Maiestie , ( moued therunto , the rather by the good inclination of the Commons House of Parliament , lately assembled , who being the representatiue Body of this Realme , and best knowing the necessities of them all , did intimate their desire thereof ) hath consulted with His reuerend Bishops , and resolued vpon a graue and religious forme of solemnizing thereof , Which His Royall Pleasure He doth hereby publish and declare to all His louing Subiects , And doth straitly charge and command , That on Wednesday next , being the fift day of Iuly , this Fast be religiously and solemnly obserued and celebrated in the Cities of London and Westminster , and places adiacent , wherein His Maiestie in His Royall Person , and with His owne family and Royall houshold , will giue an example to the rest of His people . And that on that day moneth , being the second of August , the like the kept and duly obserued , thorowout the rest of this whole Realme of England and Dominion of Wales . And for the more orderly solemnizing thereof without confusion , His Maiestie , by the aduice of His Reuerend Bishops , hath directed to be Composed , Printed , and Published , the forme of such Prayers and publike Exhortations , as He thinketh fit to be vsed in all Churches and places at these publike meetings . And Hee hath giuen charge to His Bishops to disperse the same thorowout His whole Kingdome . All which , His Maiestie doth expresly charge and command , shall be reuerently and deuoutly performed by all His louing Subiects , as they tender the fauour of Almighty God , and would auoide his iust indignation against this Land ; and vpon paine of such punishments , as His Maiestie can iustly inflict vpon all such , as shall contemne , or neglect so religious a Worke .

Giuen at His Maiesties Court at White-Hall , the thirtieth day of Iune , in the second yeere of His Maiesties Reigne of Great Britaine , France , and Ireland . God saue the King .