letterhead with royal emblems PROCLAMATION For a Solemn National Thanksgiving. WILLIAM by the Grace of GOD, King of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith; To Our Lovits, Macers of Our Privy Council, Messengers at Arms, Our Sheriffs in that part, conjunctly and severally, specially constitute, Greeting: Forasmuch, as it hath pleased Almighty GOD graciously to prosper Our Arms in the Besieging and taking of the Town and strong Castle of Namure, and to preserve Our Person in the manisold Dangers to which We were thereby exposed; For which signal Mercy, and the other Successes and Advantages that We and Our Arms have been blessed with, during this Campaign: As We and all Our good Subjects are bound to render thanks to GOD, so We conceive it no less Our duty, from so happy and propitious beginnings, to implore the goodness of the same Almighty GOD, to continue his Gracious Countenance and Assistance with Us, for such a happy Conclusion to this Campaign, as may procure Peace to Christendom, and the security of the true Protestant Religion. Therefore We have thought fit, with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, to appoint, likeas We hereby appoint a Day of Solemn Thanksgiving and Prayers to be observed within this Kingdom, upon the days following, viz. In the Town of Edinburgh, and Shire thereof, on the Fifteenth day of September instant; And in the other Paroches and churches on this side of Tay, on the Twenty second day of the said Month; And in the whole remanent Paroches and Churches of this Kingdom upon the Twenty ninth day of the famine Month; Which day of Thanksgiving and Prayers, for the Causes and Ends foresaids We hereby petemptorly enjoin to be observed, with all Religious Exercises suitable to such an Occasion, and by all Ministers and others therein concerned, as they will be answerable under their highest peril. OUR WILL IS HEREFORE, and We Charge you that incontinent their Our Letters seen, ye pass to the Mercat Cross of Edinburgh, and the Mercat-Crosses of the remanent Head-Burghs of the several Shires within this Kingdom; And there in Our Name and Authority make Publication hereof, that none pretend ignorance: And Ordains Our Solicitor to cause send Printed Copies hereof to the Sheriffs of the several Shires, and their Clerks, whom We ordain to see the same published, and appoints them to send Doubles thereof to the Ministers within their Bounds, that upon the Lord's day immediately preceding the said's days above-appointed, the same may be publicly intimat and read. And ordains these presents to be Printed. Given under Our Signet at Edinburgh, the Third day of September, and of Our Reign the Seventh Year, 1695. GILB. ELIOT Cls. Sti. Concilii. Edinburgh, Printed by the Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson, Printer to His Most Excellent Majesty, 1695.