A PROCLAMATION For a Solemn National Fast and Humiliation.  
WILLIAM By the Grace of God, King of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith; To Macers of Our Privy Council, Messenger at Arms, Our Sheriffs in that Part Conjunctly and severally specically Constitute, Greeting.  
Forasmuch, as the Continuance of a dangerous and necessary War, wherein We and Our People are engaged, and which inevitably exposes Our Royal Person to great and continual Danger, and that in the Success and Prosperity of Our Arms by Sea and Land, the Welfare of our Kingdoms, and of the Churches of God both at Home and Abroad, are highly concerned, do Call for earnest and fervent Prayer to God, for Success to Our Arms, Protection to Our Royal Person, and for his Gracious assisting Us and Our Allies, with a Spirit of Wisdom, Counsel and Courage, in all our Consults, Designs and Undertake against the common Enemy, and that deep Humiliation and Fasting before the Lord, should be Joined, with Our fervent Supplications for the Causes foresaids; And that a Day should be solemnly Set apart, to be keeped through all the Churches of this Kingdom for that Effect. And for Appointment of which solemn Fast and Day of Humiliation; the Ministers and Elders now Met at Edinburgh, Commissioners Appointed by the late General Assembly, of the National Church of this our Ancient Kingdom, have also Addressed the Lords of our Privy Council, and that for the same Causes and Ends foresaids, and others contained in their said Address, which we have Allowed to be Printed. Therefore We with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, Command and Appoint a Day of Solemn Humiliation and Prayer, to be Observed for the Causes foresaids, throughout the whole Kingdom, upon the Days following, viz In all the Churches upon this side of Tay, upon Tuesday the sixtenth Day of June currant: and in all the rest of the Paroch Churches within this Kingdom, upon Tuesday the thirtieth Day of the said Month: Upon which Days of Solemn Humiliation and Prayer, respective foresaids, as We and Our People are to be deeply Humbled, for Our great and manifold Provocations, and to Deprecat the Wrath of God for Our Ingratitude for former Deliverances; so We are Importunately to Implore the Divine Majesty, for the continuance of his Protection, and good Hand upon us; and that he would turn away his Anger and threatened Judgements from Us and Our People, so justly deserved for Our great Unthankfulness and manifold Provocations. Which Days respective foresaids, We with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, Require and Command, to be Religiously and Seriously observed by all Ranks and Degrees of People; and that the samen be wholly spent and employed upon Preaching, and hearing the Word, and the other Acts of Devotion foresaid; Certifying such of the Liege's who shall not give due Obedience hereunto, or who shall contemn or neglect the Keeping and Observing of the said's Days and Duties that they shall be Proceeded against by Fyning, not exceeding an hundred pounds' Scots. And We with Advice foresaid, Require and Command the Sheriffs of the several Shires, Stewarts of Stewartries, Lords and Bailies of Regalities, and their Deputs, Justices of Peace, and Magistrates of burgh's within their several Jurisdictions, to Proceed against the persons Guilty, and to Exact the Fynes accordingly, to be Applied the one half to the Judge, and the other half to the Poor of the Paroch: and Certifying such Minister● as shall fail of their Duty, in not observing the Premises, and in not Reading, and duly Intimating of their Presents in manner abovementioned, they shall be Processed before the Lords of Our Privy Council. And We with Advice foresaid, Require the several Magistrates abovementioned, betwixt and the twenty second Day of July next to come, to make Report to the Lords of Our Privy Council, of these Ministers within their respective Jurisdictions, who shall fail in their Duty and Obedience to the Premises. Our Will is herefore, and We Charge you strictly, and Command, That incontinent these Our-Letters seen, ye pass to the Mercat-Cross of Edinburgh, and to the remanent Mercat-Crosses of the Head burgh's of the several Shires and Stewartries within this Kingdom, and in Our Name and Authority, make Publication hereof, that none pretend ignorance. And We ordain Our Solicitor to dispatch Copies hereof, to the Sheriffs of the several Shires, and Stewarts of Stewartries, and their Deputs or Clerks to be by them Published at the Mercat-Crosses of the Head-Burghs upon Receipt thereof, and immediately sent to the several Ministers, ●o the effect they may Read and Intimat the same from their Pulpits upon the Lords Days, immediately preceding the Days above appointed; and Ordains these Presents to be Printed and Published in manner foresaid.  
Given under Our Signet at Edinburgh, the fifth day of June, and of Our Reign the eighth Year. 1696. Per Actum Dominorum Secreti Concilii. GILB. ELIOT Cls. Sti. Concilii.   

Edinburgh, Printed by the Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson, Printer to His most Excellent Majesty, Anne Dom. 1696.