A DECLARATION from the general AND COUNCIL of STATE, To incite all the good People of these Nations to thankfulness and holy rejoicing in the Lord, for the late great Victory at Sea, obtained by the Fleet of this commonwealth against the Dutch, upon Thursday and Friday being the second and third of June 1653.  
IT hath been a Custom much exercised to enjoin Days and Duties of Thanksgiving for Mercies received from the Lord: The suitableness of which practice with Gospel Times, and that Gospel Spirit, which is only to bear Rule in the Churches of God (where the Worship is to be in Spirit and Truth, exercised by a Free and willing People) is besides the intent of this Paper to dispute.  
But considering how welcome to the Lord's People every occasion of praise, ministered by the Lord himself, and minded by those that manage the public Affairs, is, to such as wait for his Salvation, we have thought fit to commend this high and Heavenly Exercise and Privilege, to all those, who are faithful in these Lands, in the words of the Prophet Isaiah.  Isa. 12. 4. 
In that day ye shall say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the People, make mention that his name is exalted.  
Ver. 5 Sing unto the Lord, for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the Earth.  
Ver. 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.  
Truly this is such a Day, if not that Day, it may be the dawning of it.  Isa. 10. 
A day of woe to unrighteous Judges, to Tyrants, to all the proud of the Earth.  Isa. 11. 
The day of him who is the rod, the branch, and the root of Jesse.  
Ver. 5 The day of his Righteousness and Faithfulness.  
Ver. 6 Of his beginning to heal the Creation.  
Ver. 12, 13. The day of gathering his People, and taking away their envyings of one another, and making up their breaches.  
This great Success against the Dutch (who, a few days before, were lifted up with their Success in getting out their ●ets for Trade, and bringing their Ships loaden with Merchandise home in safety, and in their braving it upon our ●●●s, shooting against our Towns and Castles in the absence of our Fleet) was a most Signal, and every way, a most ●●●nable mercy.  
the Victory was a complete one.  
The Enemy flying with great terror and Astonishment, having received great loss of Men and Ships, and this in ●●view and hearing of the Subjects of France, and Spain, and their own Countrymen.  
It was without the loss of one Ship on our part.  
It was also seasonable, in abasing Pride, Haughtiness and fleshly Confidence, and in discovering hypocrisy.  
It was an Answer to the Faith and Prayers of God's People, and to their great hopes and expectations from the Lord.  
It is a Mercy minding us of, and sealing to us, all our former Mercies.  
A mercy at such a time as this, to say no more; what Mercies it hath in the Bowels of it, time will declare▪ who knows?  
One of which we desire from our Hearts, and Hope may be, as of Establishment and Union to all those that fear the Lord amongst us: So of conviction to that Nation (at least to all those that fear the Lord there) of their Opposition to the Work of the Lord in the midst of us: And of their Duty to be serviceable to Christ (with their Brethren) in that which He is doing in the World, preferring their usefulness therein, before all their Worldly advantage.  
We shall conclude our Exhortation with that of David.  Psal. 107. 
ver. 1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.  
Ver. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the Enemy.  Psal. 118. 
ver. 1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.  
Ver. 2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.  
Ver. 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his Mercy endureth for ever.  
Ver. 4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his Mercy endureth for ever.  
Ver. last. O give Thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.  
The General and Council of State have appointed the 23. of this infant June to meet (if the Lord permit) with the Council of Officers, to praise him.   

Saturday, June 12. 1653. At the Council of State at White-Hall, Ordered, That this Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published.  
Jo. Thurloe Secr.   

London, Printed for Giles Calvert, Henry Hills, and Thomas Brewster, 1653.