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AN ACT For the Observation of a Day of public Fasting and Humiliation.  
THe Parliament acknowledging from the bottom of their Hearts the abundant Mercies of their good God continually heaped upon this Nation, Notwithstanding their great unworthiness and unproportionable Returns of Thanks in their Lives and Actions; And being sensible withal of those new Dangers which this Nation seems to be threatened with, and hath most justly Deserved, Have thought fit to have recourse to the same God by public Humiliation and Prayer, for averting his judgements, and removing those Sins which otherwise may call for those judgements, and for obtaining a Blessing upon the counsels and Forces of this Commonwealth both by Sea and Land: Be it therefore Enacted by this present Parliament, and by Authority thereof, That a day of solemn Fasting and Humiliation be set apart to be observed on Wednesday the Ninth of June, One thousand six hundred fifty two, in the Cities of London and Westminster, and within the late Lines of Communication and weekly Bills of Mortality; and upon Wednesday the Thirtieth of June following, in all other Cities, Towns and places within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed: And that the Ministers of the respective Parishes and places aforesaid, be and hereby are required and enjoined to give notice hereof on the lordsday next preceding the day so to be observed: To the end the people may more diligently attend the public Exercises of God's Worship and Service on that Day; And for the better observation thereof, The Parliament doth inhibit and forbid the holding or use of all Fairs, Markets, and servile Works of men's ordinary Callings on the respective Days aforesaid: And all Majors, Sheriffs, justices of Peace, Constables, and other Officers, be and are hereby enjoined to take special care of the due Observation of the said Day accordingly.   

Friday the Fourth of June, 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.