A
DECLARATION
OF
THE
LORDS
and
COMMONS
Assembled
in
PARLIAMENT
:
EXHORTING
To
the
duty
of
Repentance
(
as
the
onely
remedy
for
these
present
Calamities
)
with
an
earnest
confession
and
deepe
humiliation
for
all
particular
and
Nationall
Sins
,
that
so
at
length
we
may
obtaine
a
firme
and
happy
Peace
both
with
God
and
Man
▪
that
glory
may
dwell
in
our
Land
;
and
the
prosperity
of
the
Gospell
,
with
all
the
priviledges
accompanying
it
,
may
crowne
this
Nation
unto
all
succeeding
Ages
.
The
two
crying
Sins
of
Idolatry
and
Blood-shed
cease
,
and
a
thorough
Reformation
,
as
God
may
be
pleased
graciously
to
accept
.
Also
,
an
Ordinance
of
the
Lords
and
Commons
for
the
strict
observation
of
the
monethly
FAST
.
With
his
Majesties
Proclamation
for
continuance
of
the
abovesaid
Fast
,
during
the
Troubles
of
the
Kingdome
of
Ireland
,
worthy
of
observation
.
ORdered
by
the
Lords
and
Commons
in
Parliament
,
that
this
Declaration
and
Ordinance
be
Printed
and
published
.
John
Browne
Cler
.
Parl
.
Hen
.
Elsinge
Cler
.
Parl
.
D.
Com
.
Jan.
30.
London
Printed
for
T.
S.
1643.
An
Ordinance
of
the
Lords
and
Commons
assembled
in
Parliament
,
Exhorting
all
his
Majesties
good
Subjects
in
the
Kingdome
of
England
and
Dominion
of
Wales
,
to
the
duty
of
Repentance
(
as
the
onely
remedy
for
their
present
Calamities
)
with
an
earnest
Confession
,
and
deepe
Humiliation
for
all
particular
and
Nationall
Sins
,
that
so
at
length
we
may
obtaine
a
firme
and
happy
Peace
,
both
with
God
and
Man
.
THat
flourishing
Kingdomes
have
beene
ruin'd
by
Impenitent
going
on
in
a
course
of
Sinning
,
the
sacred
Story
doth
plainly
tell
us
;
and
how
neere
to
such
a
Ruine
our
sinfull
Nation
now
is
,
the
present
lamentable
Face
of
it
doth
too
apparently
shew
.
And
though
we
should
feele
the
heavy
stroakes
of
God
,
yet
seven
times
more
,
it
is
our
duty
to
accept
the
punishment
of
our
Iniquity
,
and
to
say
,
Righteous
art
thou
O
Lord
,
and
just
are
thy
judgements
.
Yet
because
the
Lord
who
is
just
,
is
also
Mercifull
,
and
in
his
infinite
Mercy
hath
left
the
excellent
and
successefull
remedy
of
Repentance
to
Nations
brought
neere
to
the
Gates
of
Destruction
and
despaire
;
O
let
not
England
be
negligent
in
the
application
of
it
.
Humble
Addresses
of
a
penitent
People
to
a
Mercifull
God
have
prevailed
with
Him
.
They
prevailed
for
Nineveh
when
the
sentence
seemed
to
be
gone
out
against
her
,
and
may
also
prevaile
for
England
.
It
is
therefore
thought
most
necessary
by
the
Lords
and
Commons
in
Parliament
,
That
all
his
Majesties
Subjects
in
this
Kingdome
of
England
,
be
excited
and
stirred
up
,
speedily
to
lay
hold
upon
this
onely
and
unfailing
remedy
of
Repentance
;
freely
acknowledging
,
and
heartily
bewailing
even
with
deepest
humiliation
,
godly
sorrow
,
and
detestation
,
secretly
&
in
Families
,
but
especially
publikely
in
Congregations
,
both
their
owne
personall
sins
,
and
chiefly
those
sins
that
are
and
have
beene
the
sins
of
this
Nation
:
A
confession
of
Nationall
sins
being
most
agreeable
to
the
Nationall
Iudgements
,
under
which
the
Land
Groanes
,
and
most
likely
to
be
effectuall
for
the
removing
of
them
.
Neither
ought
this
confession
to
be
sleight
or
light
,
when
there
is
so
heavy
a
weight
of
sins
,
infinite
in
number
,
and
hainous
in
nature
,
that
lyes
upon
this
Nation
.
Such
are
the
high
Contempt
of
Gods
holy
Ordinances
,
and
of
Holinesse
it selfe
,
Grosse
and
affected
Ignorance
,
under
the
glorious
light
of
the
Gospell
cleerly
shining
among
us
,
unfruitfulnesse
under
the
precious
meanes
of
Grace
,
Ingratitude
for
Mercies
,
Incorrigiblenesse
under
Iudgements
,
multitudes
of
Oathes
,
&
Blasphemies
,
wicked
Prophanations
of
the
Lords
Day
,
by
Sports
and
Gamings
,
formerly
encouraged
even
by
Authority
,
All
sorts
of
uncleannesse
,
Luxury
,
and
Excesse
in
Eating
&
Drinking
,
Vanity
,
Pride
,
and
Prodigality
in
Apparell
,
Envy
,
Contention
,
and
unnaturall
Divisions
,
Oppression
,
Fraud
,
and
Violence
.
From
diverse
of
which
sins
,
and
many
others
,
not
one
person
throughout
the
whole
Nation
,
can
say
that
he
is
wholly
free
,
but
all
must
confesse
that
they
have
contributed
towards
the
Great
Stock
of
Nationall
Sins
;
and
so
Have
increased
the
Treasure
of
wrath
,
against
these
dayes
of
wrath
;
and
therefore
,
since
according
to
the
Language
of
the
Holy
Ghost
,
we
are
a
sinfull
Nation
,
a
People
laden
with
Iniquity
,
and
that
from
the
soale
of
the
Foot
,
to
the
Head
,
there
is
soundnesse
in
vs
,
we
may
justly
expect
the
desolations
that
are
denounced
against
so
great
and
generall
a
corruption
.
And
as
it
is
our
duty
to
humble
our selves
,
and
to
give
glory
to
God
the
searcher
of
all
Hearts
,
by
confessing
all
sins
:
so
ought
we
to
be
affected
and
humbled
with
deepest
sence
of
sorrow
,
for
those
most
crying
Sins
,
which
now
we
find
,
by
too
sad
experience
,
to
have
a
more
immediate
influence
upon
the
Destruction
of
a
Kingdom
;
some
of
which
are
Idolatry
&
Bloodshed
.
That
of
Idolatry
,
as
it
was
the
sin
of
our
Ancestors
,
so
it
is
the
spreading
sin
of
these
latter
times
,
while
by
a
generall
connivence
,
and
almost
Toleration
,
it
hath
beene
severall
wayes
Fomented
and
encouraged
:
The
grievous
Effects
whereof
this
Kingdome
of
England
now
begins
to
feele
,
from
multitudes
of
Armed
Papists
and
their
Abettors
,
and
the
Kingdome
of
Ireland
farre
more
heavily
hath
felt
,
being
brought
almost
to
utter
Ruine
,
by
the
Intestine
Warres
of
Romish
Idolaters
.
And
for
that
other
crying
and
cruell
sin
of
Bloodshed
,
that
calls
aloud
for
Vengeance
(
besides
many
Murders
not
expiated
,
and
the
blood-guilty
pardoned
)
did
it
not
goe
hand
in
hand
with
that
abhominable
Idoll
of
the
Masse
,
in
the
dayes
of
Queene
Mary
and
some
of
her
Predecessors
,
when
many
hundreds
of
the
deare
Martyrs
and
Saints
of
God
lost
their
precious
Lives
in
Flames
and
Prisons
?
And
though
several
Acts
by
which
that
Innocent
blood
was
shed
,
have
beene
repealed
by
Parliament
:
yet
to
this
very
day
,
was
never
ordained
such
a
solemne
Publique
and
Nationall
acknowledgement
of
this
sin
,
as
might
appease
the
wrath
of
that
Iealous
God
,
against
whom
,
and
against
whose
People
,
with
,
so
high
a
hand
it
was
committed
.
Now
that
all
the
sin
and
Misery
of
this
Polluted
and
Afflicted
Nation
may
be
bitterly
sorrowed
for
,
with
such
griefe
of
heart
,
and
preparednesse
for
a
thorow
Reformation
,
as
God
may
be
pleased
graciously
to
accept
:
it
is
required
and
Ordained
by
the
Lords
and
Commons
in
Parliament
,
That
every
Minster
and
Preacher
of
Gods
Word
,
in
the
Kingdome
of
England
and
Dominion
of
Wales
,
in
their
severall
Auditories
and
Congregations
,
especially
upon
the
Fast
dayes
,
shall
most
earnestly
perswade
and
Inculcate
the
constant
practice
of
this
publike
acknowledgement
and
deep
humiliation
,
for
these
,
&
all
our
Nationall
and
crying
sins
,
and
likewise
the
necessity
of
a
personall
and
Nationall
Reformation
,
and
shall
publish
this
Ordinance
concerning
the
same
,
that
at
length
we
may
obtaine
a
firme
and
happy
Peace
both
with
God
Man
,
that
glory
may
dwell
in
our
Land
,
and
the
prosperity
of
the
Gospel
with
all
the
priviledges
accompanying
it
,
may
Crowne
this
Nation
unto
all
succeeding
Ages
.
Ordered
by
the
Lords
and
Commons
in
Parliament
,
that
this
Ordinance
be
forthwith
Printed
and
published
.
John
Brown
Cler
.
Parl
.
An
Ordinance
of
the
Lords
and
Commons
in
Parliament
Assembled
,
for
the
better
observation
of
the
Monethly
FAST
.
WHereas
the
Kings
most
Excellent
Majesty
,
upon
the
request
of
the
Lords
and
Commons
in
this
present
Parliament
Assembled
,
and
by
and
with
their
advice
and
consent
,
considering
the
lamentable
and
distressed
condition
of
his
good
Subjects
in
the
Kingdome
of
Ireland
;
(
that
there
might
be
a
generall
humiliation
of
all
the
estates
of
this
Kingdome
before
Almighty
God
in
Fasting
and
Prayer
)
was
graciously
pleased
to
command
the
keeping
of
a
Monethly
Fast
;
and
to
the
end
that
all
persons
might
the
better
take
notice
thereof
(
and
to
leave
such
with
out
excuse
,
as
should
not
duly
keepe
and
observe
the
same
)
did
after
wad
,
by
his
Proclamation
of
the
8.
of
January
1641.
appoint
that
the
same
should
bee
generally
,
publikely
,
and
solemnly
holden
,
and
kept
,
as
well
by
abstinence
from
food
,
as
by
publike
prayers
,
preaching
,
and
hearing
of
the
word
of
God
,
and
other
Religious
and
holy
duties
,
in
all
Cathedrals
,
Collegiate
,
and
parish
Churches
,
and
Chappels
within
the
Kingdom
of
England
,
and
Dominion
of
Wales
,
(
without
any
exception
)
on
the
last
Wednesday
of
every
Moneth
,
to
continue
during
the
troubles
in
the
said
Kingdome
of
Ireland
:
All
which
His
Majesty
did
straitly
charge
and
command
,
should
be
reverently
and
devoutly
performed
by
all
his
Subjects
,
as
they
desire
the
blessing
of
Almighty
God
,
and
would
avoyd
his
heavie
indignation
against
this
land
and
people
;
and
upon
paine
of
such
punishments
as
may
justly
be
inflicted
upon
all
such
as
shall
contemn
or
neglect
so
religious
a
worke
and
dutie
.
And
whereas
the
Lords
and
Commons
in
both
Houses
of
Parliament
▪
have
received
divers
informations
from
severall
parts
of
this
Kingdom
and
Dominion
of
Wales
,
of
the
great
neglect
of
the
due
observation
and
keeping
of
the
said
Fast
upon
the
daies
appointed
,
and
of
the
profanations
of
the
same
by
many
irreligious
,
ill-affected
,
loose
,
and
scandalous
persons
,
as
well
of
the
Clergie
as
others
,
who
are
so
farre
from
afflicting
their
soales
and
loosing
the
bands
of
wickednesse
,
as
that
they
provoke
the
wrath
of
Almighty
God
,
and
make
so
pious
a
meanes
to
procure
his
blessings
,
the
occasion
of
greater
Iudgements
.
For
the
prevention
whereof
for
the
time
to
come
,
the
Lords
and
Commons
doe
Order
,
Declare
,
Ordaine
,
that
in
all
and
every
the
Cathedrals
,
Collegiate
and
Parish
Churches
,
and
Chappels
within
the
Kingdome
of
England
,
and
Dominion
of
Wales
,
(
without
any
exception
)
upon
every
Lords
day
,
next
and
immediately
before
any
the
daies
appointed
for
the
said
publike
Fast
,
the
Parson
,
Vicar
,
Curate
,
or
Minister
,
that
upon
that
day
shall
Officate
,
or
exercise
in
any
of
the
said
Cathedrals
,
Collegiate
,
Parish
Churches
,
or
Chappels
,
shall
give
publike
notice
in
every
of
the
said
Cathedrals
,
Collegiate
,
Parish
Churches
or
Chappels
,
respectively
,
of
the
Fast
day
next
ensuing
immediately
after
Sermon
,
or
prayer
ended
in
the
forenoone
before
the
Congregation
be
dismissed
,
earnestly
exhorting
and
perswading
all
the
people
to
the
solemne
due
keeping
and
religious
observation
of
the
whole
day
appointed
for
the
said
Fast
,
and
that
they
would
repaire
to
some
Church
or
Chappell
,
there
diligently
and
reverently
to
attend
all
sucb
holy
duties
as
shall
be
used
in
the
observance
of
the
same
;
that
they
forbeare
to
use
all
manner
of
sports
and
pastimes
whatsoever
▪
and
their
ordinary
Trades
and
Callings
upon
the
said
day
,
as
well
Carriers
,
Waggoners
,
Carters
,
Waynmen
,
Drovers
,
Butchers
,
Hucksters
,
Shop-keepers
,
Labourers
;
or
any
others
using
any
Art
,
Trade
,
Mystery
,
or
manuall
Occupation
whatsoever
,
and
that
all
Vintners
,
Taverners
,
Alehouse-keepers
,
and
Keepers
of
Victualling-houses
,
doe
forbeare
to
keep
open
their
doores
,
Bulks
,
or
Shops
,
or
to
sell
or
utter
(
except
in
cases
of
extreme
necessity
)
any
Wine
,
Beare
,
Ale
,
or
Victuall
,
till
the
publike
exercises
and
religious
duties
of
that
day
in
the
respective
Cathedrals
,
Collegiate
Parish
Churches
and
Chappels
be
past
and
over
.
And
lastly
,
all
and
every
the
Iustices
of
the
Peace
,
Majors
,
Bayliffs
,
Constables
,
Church-Wardens
,
and
other
Officers
inhabiting
or
residing
within
the
limits
or
precincts
of
any
such
Cathedrall
,
Collegiate
,
Parish
Church
,
or
Chappell
,
are
hereby
required
to
take
speciall
notice
as
well
of
such
Parson
,
Vicar
,
Curate
,
or
other
Minister
that
ought
to
officiate
in
any
of
the
said
Cathedrals
,
Collegiate
,
and
Parish
Churches
,
or
Chappels
;
upon
any
such
day
appointed
for
the
said
Fast
,
that
shall
either
refuse
or
neglect
to
do
the
same
,
or
not
do
or
cause
the
same
to
be
done
in
that
religious
and
solemn
manner
as
it
ought
to
be
,
or
that
shall
refuse
to
give
notice
of
the
Fast
day
at
the
time
and
in
manner
as
aforesaid
,
and
forthwith
to
return
their
names
,
and
the
names
of
all
such
(
from
time
to
time
(
as
shall
wilfully
offend
herein
,
in
contempt
of
the
Lawes
,
His
Majesty
,
and
both
Houses
of
Parliament
,
unto
some
one
or
more
of
the
Knights
,
Citizens
,
or
Burgesses
that
serve
for
the
County
where
such
offence
is
or
shal
be
committed
,
that
some
speedy
course
may
be
taken
for
the
severe
punishing
of
such
as
shall
offend
herein
,
according
to
the
Lawes
.
Die
Mercurii
24
August
▪
1642.
It
is
this
day
Ordered
,
that
this
Ordinance
for
the
better
observing
of
the
Fast
be
forthwith
printed
and
published
.
Hen
.
Elsynge
Cler
.
Parl
.
D.
Com
.
BY
THE
KING
.
A
Proclamation
for
a
generall
Fast
throughout
this
Realme
of
ENGLAND
.
HIs
Majestie
taking
into
his
Princely
and
Pious
Consideration
,
the
lamentable
and
distressed
estate
of
his
good
Subjects
in
his
Majesties
Kingdome
of
Ireland
,
and
conceiving
it
to
be
a
just
and
great
occasion
calling
upon
him
,
and
his
people
of
this
his
Kingdome
of
England
,
for
a
generall
Humiliation
of
all
estates
of
this
Kingdome
before
Almightie
God
,
in
Prayer
and
Fasting
,
for
drawing
downe
his
mercy
and
blessing
upon
that
Kingdome
:
His
Majestie
doth
therefore
by
this
his
Proclamation
straitly
charge
and
command
,
That
a
generall
,
publike
,
and
solemne
Fast
be
kept
,
and
holden
,
as
well
by
abstinence
from
Food
,
as
by
publike
Prayers
,
Preaching
,
and
Hearing
of
the
Word
of
God
,
and
other
sacred
Duties
,
in
all
Cathedrall
,
Collegiate
,
and
Parish
Churches
and
Chappels
within
this
his
Majesties
Kingdome
of
England
and
Dominion
of
Wales
(
his
Majesties
Cities
of
London
and
Westminster
onely
excepted
,
where
it
hath
beene
alreadie
observed
)
on
the
twentieth
day
of
this
present
Moneth
of
Ianuary
.
And
his
Majestie
doth
further
by
this
his
Proclamation
straitly
charge
and
command
,
That
a
generall
,
publike
,
and
solemne
Fast
be
kept
,
and
holden
,
as
well
by
abstinence
from
Food
,
as
by
publike
Prayers
,
Preaching
,
and
Hearing
of
the
Word
of
God
,
and
other
sacred
Duties
,
in
all
Cathedrall
,
Collegiate
,
and
Parish
Churches
and
Chappels
within
this
Kingdome
of
England
,
and
Dominion
of
Wales
(
without
any
exception
)
on
the
last
Wednesday
of
the
Moneth
of
February
next
following
the
date
hereof
,
and
from
thenceforth
to
continue
on
the
last
Wednesday
of
every
Moneth
,
during
the
troubles
in
the
said
Kingdome
of
Ireland
.
All
which
his
Majestie
doth
expressely
charge
and
command
shall
be
reverently
and
devoutly
performed
by
all
his
loving
Subjects
,
as
they
tender
the
favour
of
Almightie
God
,
and
would
avoid
his
just
Indignation
against
this
Land
,
and
upon
paine
of
such
Punishments
as
his
Majestie
can
justly
inflict
upon
all
such
as
shall
contemne
or
neglect
so
Religious
a
Worke
.
Given
at
the
Court
at
White-Hall
the
eighth
day
of
January
,
in
the
seventeenth
veere
of
his
Majesties
Reigne
of
Great
Brittaine
,
France
,
and
Ireland
.
God
save
the
King
.
FINIS
.