blazon or coat of arms incorporating the Commonwealth Flag (1649-1651) AN ACT For setting apart Wednesday the Thirteenth day of October, 1652, For a Day of public Fasting and Humiliation.  
WHereas the most wise God, whose judgements are unsearchable and ways past finding out, hath by his overruling Providence made a breach upon that Amity (which the Parliament hath in all sincerity endeavoured to conserve) between this Commonwealth & the united Provinces; The Parliament of England well knowing it to be their duty, in all the turns of Providence to acknowledge God, and to seek unto him to direct their Paths; and also considering the Word of Truth doth teach, That Sin only doth separate between God and a People, Have thought fit to admonish and stir up the People of this Nation to confess their sins unto the Lord, and to seek his Face, That he would be pleased to grant unto us Repentance and Pardon through the Blood of his dear Son Jesus Christ who is our Peace, and by the Blood of his Cross reconciles all things in Heaven and Earth: And humbly to beseech him to direct and bless the counsels and Actions of the Parliament, to the spiritual and temporal welfare of the people of this Commonwealth; and more particularly▪ That he will be pleased to show them the way how the saving truth of the Gospel may be best advanced and propagated, and whatsoever is contrary to sound Doctrine & the power of Godliness suppressed: And likewise, That he would vouchsafe his Presence with, and Blessing upon the Forces and Navy of this Commonwealth, and out of all the Troubles wherewith he is pleased to exercise us, to bring forth a righteous and lasting peace to his People to his own Glory: And to the end the People of this Nation may have an opportunity for this purpose, Be it Enacted by this present Parliament, and the Authority thereof, That Wednesday the Thirteenth day of October, 1652. be set apart to be observed as a day of solemn Fasting and Humiliation in all Cities, Towns and places within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed; and that the Ministers of the respective Parishes & places aforesaid, upon the Lord's day next preceding the day so to be observed, do give notice hereof, that the people may the better attend the Exercises of that day. And for the more full observation thereof, The Parliament doth forbid the holding or using of any Fairs, Markets, and servile Works of men's ordinary Callings on the Day thus set apart: And all Majors, Sheriffs, justices of Peace, Constables and other Officers, are hereby enjoined to take special care for the observation of the said Day accordingly.   

Wednesday the First of September, 1652.  
ORdered by the Parliament, That this Act be forthwith Printed and Published.  
Hen: Scobell, Cleric. Parliamenti.   

London, Printed by John Field, Printer to the Parliament of England. 1652.