AN ACT OF THE COMMONS of ENGLAND Assembled in PARLIAMENT, For the keeping a day of Humiliation upon Thursday the 19 day of April, 1649.  
Whereas this Nation hath long laboured under many Miseries and judgements, as a just fruit of our multiplied transgressions, and amongst other sins, more especially for our unthankfulness and unfruitfulness under unparalleled mercies and deliverances, and for our unbelief, to the dishonour of our mighty, wise, and good God, who hath through a Wilderness of Temptations brought us even to the entrance of a Canaan, and to the hope of a blessed Reformation; as also for our uncharitableness and want of a good affection to the public, and of love one to another, the very fountain of our late Civil Wars and Desolations: And whereas we have learned from the word of God, and the example of his people in all ages, and our own experience, That the humbling of our souls for sin, and the seeking the favour of God in the mediation of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ by prayer and fasting, hath been, through his grace and acceptance, effectual both for the preventing & removal of the greatest judgements, and also for procuring the choicest Mercies: The Commons of England assembled in Parliament, having through the wonderful goodness and assistance of God, restored this Nation (as far as in them lieth, and the present interruptions will yet admit) to their just Liberties, and laid Foundations for the well Government thereof in the way of a Commonwealth, Do Enact and Ordain, and be it Enacted and Ordained by this present Parliament, and by Authority thereof, That Thursday the 19 day of April, 1649. shall be observed and kept in all Parishes and other places in England and Wales, a solemn day of Fasting, Prayer, and Humiliation, for the aforementioned sins, and all other the abominations whereof this Nation is guilty; and for the imploring of the Lord our God, (who is Holiness, Love, and Wisdom, and the Father of Spirits) to give unto this people the Spirit of Reformation, Faith, understanding, and union, That so our sins, the cause of our sufferings, may be forgiven, and this Commonwealth may be settled in a lasting Peace and Happiness: And be it further Enacted and Ordained, That all Ministers, and other people within England and Wales, do with all possible care & pious diligence, solemnly observe the same accordingly, under the penalties contained in any Order or Ordinance of Parliament heretofore made, concerning the due observation of the lordsday, or days of public Humiliation.   

Die Sabbathi, 17 Martii, 1648.  
ORdered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, That this Act be forthwith printed and published; and that the Members of this House be required to take care to disperse the same in the several Counties.  
Hen: Scobell, Cleric. Parliament▪.   

London, Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the honourable House of Commons, March 20. 1648.