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 Kingdom of Ireland ; ( that there might be a generall humiliation of all the estates of this Kingdom 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 without excuse , as should not duly keep and observe the same ) did afterward by his Proclamation of the 8th of Ianuary 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 Wensday of every Moneth , to continue during the troubles in the said Kingdom 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 bee inflicted upon all such as shall contemne or neglect so religious a work and dutie .

And whereas the Lords and Commons in both Houses of Parliament , have received divers informations from severall parts of this Kingdome and Dominion of Wales , of the great neglect of the due observation and keeping of the said Fast upon the dayes 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 soules 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 Judgements .

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 Kingdom of England , and Dominion of Wales , ( without any exception ) upon every Lords day , next and immediately before any the dayes appointed for the said publike Fast , the Parson , Vicat , Curate , or Minister , that upon that day shall Officiate , or exercise in any of the said Cathedrals , Collegiate , Parish Churches or Chappels , shall give publike notice in every of the said Cathedralls , Collegiate , Parish Churches , or Chappels respectively , of the Fast day next ensuing , immediately after Sermon , or prayer ended in the forenoone , before the Congregation bee 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 such holy duties as shall be used in the observance of the same ; that they forebeare to use all manner of sports and pastimes whatsoever , & 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 mannuall Occupation whatsoever , and that all Vintners , Taverners , Ale-house-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 extreame necessitie ) 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 Justices of the Peace , Mayors , Bayliffes , 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 shall be committed , that some speedy course may be taken for the severe punishing of such as shall offend herein according to the Lawes .