A General ADVERTISEMENT For the better observing and keeping of our monthly Fast, commanded by His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament.  
And for the better ordering of Inns, Taverns, Alehouses, and all manner Victualling houses, and the like.  
That thereby this Fast being kept from all manner of Disorder, we may happily attain to true peace and quietness, and the Grace of God, for which it was instituted.  
Novemb. 28.  
London, Printed for JOHN Hanson. 1642.   

A general Advertisement for the better observing of our monthly Fast.  
FOR the better observing and keeping of this our great and General Fast, commanded by His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament, for the general good of the whole Kingdom, in which is found much neglect by many sorts of people to the great dishonour and disobeying His Majesty's Command, and the Command of both Houses of Parliament herein.  
It is thought fit and requisite therefore, that all Good Christians and true Subjects, of what nature soever, that are Householders, to order themselves and their affairs, so that upon that day or days wherein they are commanded to fast, they have not any let or hindrance to withdraw them from so good a work, but for that time or times to lay aside all manner of worldly affairs, and tend only to the service of God, and to be careful to see that their Children, Servants, and all such as be under their charge, may truly and duly, keeping the Church, hearing Divine Service and Sermons, abstaining from all manner of Flesh, or delicious meats, and likewise from all manner of vices or any thing that is contrary to the keeping of a tru● fast, or may any ways hinder our devotion or draw us from the true service of God, To the breach of the command of his Majesty and both the Honourable Houses of Parliament.  
and for the better understanding of the true fast is that as I had said before, we must first abstain from flesh and all manner of Delicious meats; hot wines, or strong drink or the like, whereby the flesh is pampered and made high, that many times it rebels against the spirit, causing in us a neglect of the service of God, and carelessness of our duty towards out parents, and Prince, or regardless of the love we ought to bear to our neighbour, and make us more apt daily and hourly to run into all manner of viees which is the cause that at such times of fast we ought to abstane from flesh not for that it is hurtful to the body to eat, but hurtful for the soul, in that we are hereby drawn into temtations and so herehy lose the benefit thereof which is the grace and favour of God, for when are men more apt to sin then in the heat of flesh the heat of blood, and the like.  
Then if we will fast from sin as we pretend let us first fast from the causers of sin which is delicious meats, hot drincks and the like as I said before and by that doing we may with out doubt the better fast from sin and so fasting from sin, gain the grace and faivor of almighty God his eternal love, and in love of our Neighbour which are the things required of us in this Fast, it is good also that all Inns, Taverns, and Alehouses be more strictly looked unto, and that they be not suffered on these days appointed for Fast, to open their doors to let in any company to drink, more than upon necessity, as to Strangers, Travellers, or the like.  
For it hath been observed and noted, that many disorders have been and daily are seen in this Fast, committed by divers people on those days, as extraordinary eating, drinking, swearing, and divers other abuses or absurdities, not fitting the time, nor indeed not fitting any time, especially upon such a time as we are commanded to offer to God the sacrifice of our hearts, by Fasting and Ptayer, which are works to be done with a true and sincere devotion, in a godly and most Christianlike way, suppressing our wont untamed wills, and not to run on headlong, not minding what we go about and like bruit beasts make all days and times alike, which is no fast at all.  
Therefore if we mean hereby to gain the Grace and Favour of God, the love of our King and Parliament, and our own general good; Let us obey their Commandments, and if commanded to fight, let us fast; if to pray, let us pray, but in this we are strictly commanded to fast and pray not for the good and benefit of them in particular, but for the general good and benefit of the whole Kingdom, the establishing of the true faith, and the obtaining of true peace and unity amongst us all.  
For which we are commanded to offer to Almighty God in recompense of our disobedience to his eternal Majesty every month a day, and that day to be seriously kept according to the promises it being not sufficient, as is afore said, to fast all day and to feast at night, or to fast all day and to be drunk at night, as too many in this City and Kingdom doth, but we endeavour to keep it duly and truly, not violating and profaning any part of it, but that the night as well as the day being observed from all manner of vices, dedicating ourselves for that time wholly to the service of God, otherwise it is no Fast at all, but a deceiving of ourselves, and a robbing of God of his Honour and Glory, for which it was instituted and commanded.  
Surely we have more need to offer to God every week a day, and every day an hour to be spent in prayer and good works, whereby to appease the wrath and anger of God, which we are so daily like to fall upon us in this dangerous time of war, being altogether uncertain how long we shall live, or how soon we shall be cut off; therefore if we duly consider with ourselves the dangers that we now live in, we shall find that we never had more need to Fast and pray then now.  
Wherefore let us all with one assent submit ourselves to His Majesty's just Command, and the just Command of both Houses of Parliament, in the true keeping of this great and general First, as a work of piety, craving the aid and assistance of Almighty God herein, that we may the better dispose ourselves thereto, to His honour and glory, and so doing there is no question but we shall thereby gain the Grace of God with his love and Favour in all that we desire a true unity between Miss Majesty and the Parliament, an establishment of the Laws Spiritual and Temporal, the abolishing war, and the settling of peace throughout the whole Kingdom, Almighty God grant it.  
Amen.   


Where's quiet pe●ce 
 there God alone abides,  
Where's wrath and anger, 
 nought but mischief rides,  
Where's Love and Friendship, 
 goodness doth remain,  
where's hate and envy 
 discord there doth reign;  
Where Neighbours love, 
 and loving all love God,  
There will true happiness 
 find in that Land abode,  
Which here in England 
 I wish may increase,  
All rest, repose, content 
 and quiet peace.  
Then Fast and pray, 
 all Discords to suppress,  
Serve God each day 
 and live in happiness.   
FINIS.