blazon of the Commonwealth  
A DECLARATION Of His Highness the Lord Protector AND THE PARLIAMENT Of the Commonwealth of ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, & IRELAND, For a Day of Solemn FASTING & HUMILIATION in the three NATIONS.  
WHo is such a stranger in our Israel that hath not taken notice of the great things God hath brought to pass amongst us by his outstretched arm? What nation is there who hath had God more nigh unto them, than the Lord our God hath been to us, in all things we have called unto him for? Ask of the days that are past, which have been before us, in these later ages, whether there have been any such things as those many blessings and signal deliverances vouchsafed to us from his own hand, in answer to the voice of tears and blood that have been poured forth.  
But in the mean while this is matter of great lamentation, whilst God, by a continual series of his loving kindnesses and providences, hath multiplied mercies and forgivenesses to us, we of these Nations, instead of an answerable return of thankfulness and obedience, have, as the highest aggravation of our sin, multiplied our provocations against him;  
In that general ignorance, unthankfulness, and unfruitfulness, under all those dews of grace and Gospel-mercies.  
In not acknowledging fully to this very day our calamities to have come upon us from the hands of God alone, provoked by us, who useth what instruments he pleaseth to execute his indignation.  
In not bemoaning our selus, as sons, and smiting upon our thighs with Ephraim, in the sense of our own iniquities, and of the patience & forbearing mercies of our heavenly Father.  
In that profane, sensual, worldly, formal and Laodicean spirit generally amongst us, some hating the power of godliness, and despising the true professors thereof, for having the image of God upon them; and others, by being lose in their opinions and practices, have turned the grace of God into wantonness.  
In that great neglect and want of zeal and courage in Magistrates, and other officers & persons therein concerned, to suppress enormities, in conscience to perform the duty incumbent upon them to God and man.  
All which, with other the crying sins of these three Nations, call aloud upon us, that as we are now united to be one Commonwealth under one Government, so, having been sinful and sufferers together, we would with one heart and lip be persuaded to unite in our humble and serious addresses and supplications to Almighty God,  
That the fruit of all our mercies might not be with Jesurun, to kick, or to be found fighters against him, nor opposers of his will, as if we were preserved to commit yet more abominations.  
That we may wrestle and prevail with him for pardon and removal of our darkness, vanities, blasphemies & profaneness, with all that worldly mindedness, formality, and other abominations, which are yet found amongst us under the glorious light of the Gospel.  
That as God hath been pleased to make choice of these Islands wherein to manifest many great and glorious things, so he would answerably make us a chosen generation, and a peculiar people, that in thankfulness to him, and example to others, we might show forth his praises, who hath separated us from other nations, and called us out of darkness into his light.  
That God would now speak with a strong hand to quiet the spirits of men that are apt to murmur, by causing them clearly to see where the true and spiritual interest of Christians lieth, and that in keeping close thereunto is wrapped up their safety, that so When he uttereth his voice, All flesh may be silent before him, and know that he is raised out of his holy habitation.  
That though he hath had just cause to be angry with us for our murmur, back-slidings, and other miquities, and hath therefore smitten us, yet that he would now heal us, and restore comfort to us and our Mourners.  
And especially that God would enable the Rulers of these Nations now in consultation about their peace, settlement & welfare, to proceed with faithfulness, zeal, wisdom and union, to fulfil the end of their being called together, and to be such, and do such things for the interest of Christ and his members, and for the good of all the People, as they ought, and as he hath promised Governors should be and do in subserviency to those glorious ends;  
That so at last, through the goodness and mercy of our God, these three Nations, after so great and various revolutions, may be established together upon the sure foundations of Truth, Righteousness and Peace.  
It is therefore declared by His Highness the Lord Protector and the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, that for the ends and purposes aforesaid they do appoint Wednesday, being the eleventh day of October next, for a day of solemn humiliation and seeking the face of God, through the mediation of Christ, in all places within England and Scotland; and Wednesday the first day of November next, in all places in Ireland. And do therefore hereby incite and encourage all such whose hearts God shall persuade and make sensible of their duty, and of the Commonwealths present condition, that the respective days aforesaid be set apart by them for the purposes aforesaid; whereof the Ministers and Preachers of the respective Parishes and Congregations are to take notice. For which end, It is Ordered that Copies of this Declaration be printed and sent into the several parts of the three Nations, that the same may be Published accordingly.  
 
Passed the Nineteenth of September, 1654.  
Hen: Scobell, Clerk of the Parliament.   

London, Printed by William dugard, and Henry Hills, Printers to His Highness the Lord Protector, 1654.