C R HONI SOIT x MAL Y PENSE royal blazon or coat of arms BY THE KING. ΒΆ A Proclamation for a solemn Fast on Wednesday the Fifth of Februarynext, upon occasion of the present Treaty for Peace. WHere as Almighty God in his justice to punish the Common and Crying sins of the Land, hath sent a civil Sword throughout all Our Dominions, which hath miserably wasted and threatens a speedy and utter desolation to the same. And now in the height of these Calamities, a Treaty is assented to, to begin at Uxbridge on Thursday the Thirtieth day of this Instant January, touching the Composing and ending of those unhappy differences and distractions, about which so much blood hath been already spilled, which treaty, may by the blessing of God (who is the disposer of all men's hearts and of all events) be a means to produce a Peace. And whereas it is the duty, and hath been the practice of Christians under affliction, to set apart some time for public and solemn Humiliation and Prayer, for removing of God's judgements, and particularly for a blessing and good success to the means conducing to their deliverance. We do therefore by this Our Proclamation appoint and straightly Charge and Command, that on Wednesday being the Fifth of February next ensuing, a solemn Fast be kept in all places within Our Dominions, whether the notice of this Our Proclamation shall or may come before that time, that both Prince and People may then join together in a true Humiliation and Devout and earnest Prayers to God, that he would be pleased so to bless and prosper this intended Treaty, that it may produce a happy Peace in all Our Dominions, such as may be for his honour and the good of his Church, and of Us and all Our Subjects. And We do hereby charge and require all Our Subjects, of what degree or condition soever they be, which shall have notice of this Our Proclamation, That they do religiously prepare and apply themselves to a due observation of the same, by Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer on that day, and in hearing of God's word, as they will answer to God their neglect of this Christian duty, and as they will answer to Us the neglect of this Our Just and necessary Command. And for the better and more orderly observation of this Fast, We do hereby appoint, that the form of Prayer and Service of God set forth in the book heretofore published for the Monthly Fast, with such alterations and additions as shall be prepared and fitted for this present purpose, and published in Print before the said day, shall be used in all Churches and chapels where this Fast shall be kept. Given at Our Court at OXFORD, this 27 day of January, in the Twentieth year of Our reign. 1644. GOD SAVE THE KING. Printed at Oxford, by Leonard Lichfield, Printer to the University. 1644.