THREE ORDINANCES OF THE Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament.  
For the better observation of the monthly Fast; and more especially the next Wednesday, commonly called the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, Throughout the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales.  

Die Jovis, 19 Decemb. 1644.  
ORdered by the Lords in Parliament assembled, That this Ordinance be forthwith printed, and published on the next Lord's day in all the Churches and Chapels within the line of communication, and bills of mortality.  
J. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.   
LONDON, Printed for I. Wright in the Old bailie, Decemb. 21. 1644.   

Die jovis, 19 Decemb. 1644.  
WHereas some doubts have been raised whether the next Fast shall be celebrated, because it falleth on the day which heretofore was usually called the feast of the Nativity of our Saviour, The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled do order and ordain that public notice be given that the Fast appointed to be kept on the last Wednesday in every month ought to be observed until it be otherwise ordered by both houses of Parliament: And that this day in particular is to be kept with the more solemn humiliation, because it may call to remembrance our sins, and the sins of our forefathers, who have turned this Feast, pretending the Memory of Christ, into an extreme forgetfulness of him, by giving liberty to carnal and sensual delights, being contrary to the life which Christ himself led here upon earth, and to the spiritual life of Christ in our souls, for the sanctifying and saving whereof Christ was pleased both to take a humane life, and to lay it down again.  

An Ordinnnce of the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, for the better observation of the monthly Fast. 24 Aug. 1642.  
Whereas the Kings most excellent Majesty, upon the request of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, & by and with their advice and consent, considering the lamentable and distressed condition of His good Subjects in the Kingdom of Ireland; (that there may be a general humiliation of all the estates of this Kingdom before Almighty God in Fasting and Prayer) was graciously pleased to Command the keeping of a monthly Fast; and to the end that all persons might the better take notice thereof (and to leave such without excuse as should not duly keep and observe the same) did afterward by his Proclamation of the 8 of January 1641 appoint that the same should be generally, publicly, and solemnly holden and kept, as well by abstinence from Food, as by public Prayers, Preaching, and Hearing of the Word of God, and other Religious and holy Duties in all Cathedrals, Collegiate, and Parish Churches, and Chapels within the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales (without any exception) on the last Wednesday of every Month, to continue during the troubles in the said Kingdom of Ireland: All which His Majesty did straight charge and command should be reverently and devoutly performed by all His Subjects, as they desire the blessing of Almighty God, and would avoid his heavy indignation against this Land and People; and upon pain of such punishments as may justly be inflicted upon all such as shall contemn or neglect so Religious a work and duty.  
And whereas the Lords and Commons in both Houses of Parliament, have received divers Informations from several parts of this Kingdom and Dominion of Wales, of the great neglect of the due observation and keeping of the said Fast upon the days appointed, and of the profanations of the same by many irreligious, iil-affected, lose, and scandalous persons, as well of the Clergy as others, who are so fare from afflicting their souls, and losing the hands of wickedness, as that they provoke the wrath of Almighty God, and make so pious a means to procure his blessings, the occasion of greater judgements.  
For the prevention whereof for time to come, the Lords and Commons do Order, Declare, Ordain, that in all and every the Cathedrals, Collegiate, and Parish Churches, and Chapels within the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, (without any exception) upon every Lord's day, next and immediately before any the days appointed for the said public Fast, the Parson Vicar, Curate, or Minister, that upon that day shall officiate, or exercise in any of the said Cathedrals Collegiate, Parish Churches, or Chapels, shall give public notice in every of the said Cathedrals, Collegiate, Parish Churches, or Chapels respectively, of the Fast day next ensuing immediately after Sermon or Prayer ended in the forenoon before the Congregation be dismissed, earnestly exhorting and persuading all the people to the solemn due keeping and religious observation of the whole day appointed for the said Fast, and that they would repair to some Church or Chapel, there diligently and reverently to attend all such holy Duties as shall be used in the observance of the same; that they forbear to use all manner of Sports and Pastimes whatsoever, and their ordinary Trades and Callings upon the said day, as well Carriers, Waggoners, Carters, Waynmen, Drovers, Butchers, Hucksters, Shopkéepers, Labourers, or any other using any Art, Trade, Mystery, or Manual Occupation whatsoever, and that all Vintuers, Taverners, Alehouse-kéepers, and keepers of Victualling-houses, do forbear to keep open their Doors, Bulks, or Shops, or to sell or utter (except in cases of extreme necessity) any Wine, Beer, Ale, or victual, till the public Exercises, and religious Duties of that day in the respective Cathedrals, Collegiate, Parish Churches and Chapels be past and over.  
And lastly, all and every the justices of the Peace, Mayor, Bailiffs, Constables, Churchwardens, and other Officers inhabiting or residing within the limits or precincts of any such Cathedral Collegiate, Parish Church or Chapel, are hereby required to take special notice as well of such Parsons, Vicar, Curate, or other Minister that ought to officiate in any of the said Cathedrals, Collegiate, and Parish Churches or Chapels, upon any such day appointed for any such Fast, that shall either refuse or neglect to do the same, or not do or cause the same to be done in that religious and solemn manner as it ought to be, or that shall refuse to give notice of the Fast day at the time, and in the manner as aforesaid, and forthwith to return their names, and the names of all such (from time to time) as shall wilfully offend herein, in contempt of the Laws, His Majesty, and both Houses of Parliament, unto some one or more of the Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses that serve for the County where such offence is or shall be committed, that some speedy course may be taken for the severe punishing of such as shall offend herein, according to the Laws.  
J. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.   

WHereas the Lords and Commons in Parliament, have made an Ordinance for the more strict and solemn keeping of the days of public Fast, which are not by all persons duly observed, even in these times of public calamity, to the great dishonour of God, and the contempt of the authority of both houses of Parliament.  
Now that more particular notice may be given to all such that shall offend herein, before any exemplary punishment be inflicted upon them, It is ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that all Constables (or their deputies shall the day before every public Fast repair to every house within their several and respective Liberties, and charge all persons, that they strictly observe the Fast, according to the directions in the said Ordinance.  
And they shall upon the said days of the public Fast, walk through their said Liberties, diligently searching for, and taking notice of all persons, who either by following the work of their calling, or sitting in Taverns, Victualling, or Alehouses, or any other ways shall not duly observe the same, and they are hereby required, to return the names of all such persons as they shall find so offending, as also such informations as they shall receive against any other persons within their Liberties guilty of the least offence unto the Committee for Examinations, that so they may be proceeded against for the contempt of the said Ordinance, and all Constables are to observe these directions from time to time, so long as the said public Fast shall be kept, without expecting any further Order.  
H. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
FINIS.