THE DECLARATION OF Sir HARDRESSE WALLER, Major General of the Parliaments Forces in Ireland, and the Council of OFFICERS there.  
THe Signal Turns of God's hand challenge of right our signal observation and improvement, that we may express in 〈◊〉 ●eart and life, the due counterpane of his various dealings. Providence hath of late wrought wonders of mercy, as in these Nations, so particularly in this City and throughout this Land. The Lord hath remembered us in our low estate, because his mercy endures for ever. Who is so great a stranger in our Israel, that observed not the dreadful symptoms of threatened ruin to our Religion, and all our Liberties Sacred and Civil? Hath not God saved us with a notwithstanding, by the late dispensations of his gracious appearances in our greatest straits and perplexities? Were not the mountains of sinful provocations and strong oppositions raised up to their height, to obstruct the great work of Reformation, so happily begun, and so solemnly engaged for among us? Had not the Romish Emissaries and Ingeneers of darkness prevailed far, to divide and distract, to delude and destroy us? Were not the hopes of our Common Enemy exceedingly raised up, gaping for the confusion and dissolution of Christ's interest and People in these Nations? Had not the powers and policies of Hell prevailed far, and laid the very necks of Magistracy and Ministry upon the block of direful Anarchy and Arbitrary rule? Were not all foundations religious and politic so put out of course, in all Relations, as to threaten eminent ruin both to Church and State? Which Ordinance of God was not slighted, opposed, maligned and scorned by specious pretences and strong delusions? Were not God's own people very deeply guilty of apostasy and hypocrisy, of unfaithfulness and breach of Covenant in all Relations? Were we not all ready to devour one another by sinful mistakes and woeful miscarriages, whilst our ill neighbours were laughing at us, and combining against us? Did not unclean spirits range and rage among us, possessing many, foaming out their shame, torturing souls and all societies with deadly convulsions? Were not our distempers, personal and public, grown so inveterate, so complicate, & so multiplicious, that our best Physicians could do little else then pity & bewail our expiring Liberties? Was not the name of Christ, and whatsoever is dear unto his people, ready to be made the scorn and prey of our ill neighbours? Were we not hastening to the sad Catastrophe of the German Tragedy, and Munster's desolations, procured by the like fanatic spirits, which then obstructed Reformation work? What cause then have we to admire the miraculous patience and bounty of our God, that have made us now the living monuments of undeserved Mercy? Should not we adore and celebrate that goodwill of his, who dwelling in this Bush, hath thus prevented the consumption thereof? He that is our God, now appears indeed to be the God of all salvations, to whom belong all issues from death. He hath delivered, he doth deliver, in him we hope that he will still deliver. Thankfulness to him, verbal & actual, cordial and constant, will be the best preserver of mercy, and improver thereof. The choice circumstantials of this Salvation, are so many, and so remarkable, that the sense thereof cannot but engage and inflame our hearts to the highest expressions of gratitude and praise. That such a God, so highly provoked, should show such favour, to such an unworthy people, in such a season, and by such means, in such a manner, and to such an end, this indeed is the wonder of Mercies, the complex and compliment of freegrace. That so great a change should be brought about with so little noise, so little blood, so little opposition, and so hopefully; Is not this a miracle of Mercy? This day of small things should not then be despised, being the Lord's doing, so marvellous in our eyes. Though our Redemption be not yet perfected, yet do we see cause abundantly to provoke all Christ's friends to solemn acknowledgements. Should not they praise him, that have been seeking him? Do not the Signal returns of his mercy challenge proportionable returns of our Duty? Is not this the best way to assure and increase, to improve and hasten the blessings promised and begun? Doth he not command and commend such a course? hath it not been his own and his people's method in all former ages? Have not we received notable experiences ever since the beginning of our famous Parliament, to direct and strengthen us thereto? Doth not the posture of God's reforming people, so signally foretold Rev. 15. challenge this from us? Those very persons who have been unhappily seduced into snares and illegal Engagements against the supreme Authority, may in this great Turn, find sufficient ground of blessing the Lord, that they have been stopped in such a career, posting to confusion. To be thus kept from sin and ruin will be then known and acknowledged for a singular mercy; when the Lord shall please to remove prejudice and pre-ingagements.  
That all God's people in this City and throughout Ireland may orderly concur in all humble return of praise to our good God, on this account; it is therefore seriously recommended and desired, That Tuesday next, being the 3. of January 1659., be set apart and solemnly observed as a day of public thanksgiving within the City and Liberties of Dublin; and the Tuesday fortnight, next after it, being the 17. of January, to be likewise observed for a solemn thanksgiving throughout all the parts of this Nation; and the several Ministers of the Gospel in their respective places are desired to give public notice thereof, on the first Lord's day after the receipt hereof.  
Dated at Dublin-Castle, the 28. of December; 1659. HAR. WALLER.   

DUBLIN, Printed by William Blader, by special Order: and Reprinted at LONDON by John Macock. 1659.