A DECLARATION OF THE LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT: EXHORTING To the duty of Repentance( as the onely remedy for these present Calamities) with an earnest confession and deep humiliation for all particular and national Sins, that so at length we may obtain a firm and happy Peace both with God and Man▪ that glory may dwell in our Land; and the prosperity of the gospel, with all the privileges accompanying it, may crown this Nation unto all succeeding Ages.  
The two crying Sins of Idolatry and Blood-shed cease, and a through Reformation, as God may be pleased graciously to accept.  
Also, an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for the strict observation of the monthly FAST.  
With his Majesties Proclamation for continuance of the abovesaid Fast, during the Troubles of the kingdom of Ireland, worthy of observation.  

ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that this Declaration and Ordinance be Printed and published.  
John brown clear. Parl. Hen. Elsinge clear. Parl. D. come.   
Jan. 30. London Printed for T. S. 1643.   

An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, Exhorting all his Majesties good Subjects in the kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, to the duty of Repentance( as the onely remedy for their present Calamities) with an earnest Confession, and deep Humiliation for all particular and national Sins, that so at length we may obtain a firm and happy Peace, both with God and Man.  
THat flourishing kingdoms have been ruined by Impenitent going on in a course of Sinning, the sacred Story doth plainly tell us; and how near to such a ruin our sinful Nation now is, the present lamentable Face of it doth too apparently show. And though we should feel the heavy strokes of God, yet seven times more, it is our duty to accept the punishment of our Iniquity, and to say, Righteous art thou O Lord, and just are thy judgements.  
Yet because the Lord who is just, is also merciful, and in his infinite Mercy hath left the excellent and successful remedy of Repentance to Nations brought near to the Gates of Destruction and despair; O let not England be negligent in the application of it. Humble Addresses of a penitent People to a merciful God have prevailed with Him. They prevailed for Nineveh when the sentence seemed to be gone out against her, and may also prevail for England.  
It is therefore thought most necessary by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That all his Majesties Subjects in this kingdom of England, be excited and stirred up, speedily to lay hold upon this onely and unfailing remedy of Repentance; freely acknowledging, and hearty bewailing even with deepest humiliation, godly sorrow, and detestation, secretly& in Families, but especially publicly in Congregations, both their own personal sins, and chiefly those sins that are and have been the sins of this Nation: A confession of national sins being most agreeable to the national judgements, under which the Land groans, and most likely to be effectual for the removing of them.  
Neither ought this confession to be slight or light, when there is so heavy a weight of sins, infinite in number, and heinous in nature, that lies upon this Nation. Such are the high Contempt of Gods holy Ordinances, and of Holinesse itself, gross and affencted Ignorance, under the glorious light of the gospel clearly shining among us, unfruitfulness under the precious means of Grace, Ingratitude for Mercies, incorrigibleness under judgements, multitudes of oaths,& Blasphemies, wicked profanations of the Lords Day, by Sports and Gamings, formerly encouraged even by Authority, All sorts of uncleanness, Luxury, and excess in Eating& Drinking, Vanity, Pride, and Prodigality in apparel, Envy, Contention, and unnatural Divisions, Oppression, Fraud, and Violence. From divers of which sins, and many others, not one person throughout the whole Nation, can say that he is wholly free, but all must confess that they have contributed towards the Great Stock of national Sins; and so Have increased the Treasure of wrath, against these dayes of wrath; and therefore, since according to the Language of the Holy Ghost, we are a sinful Nation, a People laden with Iniquity, and that from the sole of the Foot, to the Head, there is soundness in us, we may justly expect the desolations that are denounced against so great and general a corruption.  
And as it is our duty to humble ourselves, and to give glory to God the searcher of all Hearts, by confessing all sins: so ought we to be affencted and humbled with deepest sense of sorrow, for those most crying Sins, which now we find, by too sad experience, to have a more immediate influence upon the Destruction of a Kingdom; some of which are Idolatry& Bloodshed.  
That of Idolatry, as it was the sin of our Ancestors, so it is the spreading sin of these latter times, while by a general connivance, and almost Toleration, it hath been several ways Fomented and encouraged: The grievous Effects whereof this kingdom of England now begins to feel, from multitudes of Armed Papists and their Abettors, and the kingdom of Ireland far more heavily hath felt, being brought almost to utter ruin, by the Intestine Warres of Romish Idolaters.  
And for that other crying and cruel sin of Bloodshed, that calls aloud for Vengeance( besides many Murders not expiated, and the blood-guilty pardonned) did it not go hand in hand with that abominable idol of the mass, in the dayes of queen Mary and some of her Predecessors, when many hundreds of the dear Martyrs and Saints of God lost their precious Lives in Flames and Prisons? And though several Acts by which that Innocent blood was  shed, have been repealed by Parliament: yet to this very day, was never ordained such a solemn public and national acknowledgement of this sin, as might appease the wrath of that jealous God, against whom, and against whose People, with, so high a hand it was committed.  
Now that all the sin and Misery of this Polluted and Afflicted Nation may be bitterly sorrowed for, with such grief of heart, and preparedness for a thorough Reformation, as God may be pleased graciously to accept: it is required and Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That every Minster and Preacher of Gods Word, in the kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, in their several Auditories and Congregations, especially upon the Fast dayes, shall most earnestly persuade and Inculcate the constant practise of this public acknowledgement and deep humiliation, for these,& all our national and crying sins, and likewise the necessity of a personal and national Reformation, and shall publish this Ordinance concerning the same, that at length we may obtain a firm and happy Peace both with God Man, that glory may dwell in our Land, and the prosperity of the Gospel with all the privileges accompanying it, may crown this Nation unto all succeeding Ages.  

Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that this Ordinance be forthwith Printed and published.  
John Brown clear. Parl.    

An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled, for the better observation of the monthly FAST.  
WHereas the Kings most Excellent Majesty, upon the request of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled, and by and with their advice and consent, considering the lamentable and distressed condition of his good Subjects in the kingdom of Ireland;( that there might be a general humiliation of all the estates of this kingdom before Almighty God in Fasting and Prayer) was graciously pleased to command the keeping of a monthly Fast; and to the end that all persons might the better take notice thereof( and to leave such with out excuse, as should not duly keep and observe the same) did after wad, by his Proclamation of the 8. of January 1641. appoint that the same should bee generally, publicly, and solemnly holden, and kept, as well by abstinence from food, as by public prayers, preaching, and hearing of the word of God, and other Religious and holy duties, in all Cathedrals, Collegiate, and parish Churches, and chapels within the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales,( without any exception) on the last Wednesday of every month, to continue during the troubles in the said kingdom of Ireland: All which His Majesty did straitly charge and command, should be reverently and devoutly performed by all his Subjects, as they desire the blessing of Almighty God, and would avoid his heavy indignation against this land and people; and upon pain of such punishments as may justly be inflicted upon all such as shall contemn or neglect so religious a work and duty.  
And whereas the Lords and Commons in both Houses of Parliament▪ have received divers informations from several parts of this Kingdom and Dominion of Wales, of the great neglect of the due observation and keeping of the said Fast upon the daies appointed, and of the profanations of the same by many irreligious, ill-affected, loose, and scandalous persons, as well of the clergy as others, who are so far from afflicting their soles and losing the bands of wickedness, as that they provoke the wrath of Almighty God, and make so pious a means to procure his blessings, the occasion of greater judgements.  
For the prevention whereof for the time to come, the Lords and Commons do Order, Declare, ordain, that in all and every the Cathedrals, Collegiate and Parish Churches, and chapels within the kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales,( without any exception) upon every Lords day, next and immediately before any the daies appointed for the said public Fast, the person, Vicar, Curate, or Minister, that upon that day shall Officate, or exercise in any of the said Cathedrals, Collegiate, Parish Churches, or chapels, shall give public notice in every of the said Cathedrals, Collegiate, Parish Churches or chapels, respectively, of the Fast day next ensuing immediately after Sermon, or prayer ended in the forenoon before the Congregation be dismissed, earnestly exhorting and persuading all the people to the solemn due keeping and religious observation of the whole day appointed for the said Fast, and that they would repair to some Church or chapel, there diligently and reverently to attend all sucb holy duties as shall be used in the observance of the same; that they forbear to use all manner of sports and pastimes whatsoever▪ and their ordinary Trades and Callings upon the said day, as well Carriers, wagoners, Carters, Waynmen, Drovers, Butchers, Hucksters, Shop-keepers, Labourers; or any others using any Art, Trade, Mystery, or manual Occupation whatsoever, and that all Vintners, Taverners, Alehouse-keepers, and Keepers of Victualling-houses, do forbear to keep open their doors, Bulks, or Shops, or to sell or utter( except in cases of extreme necessity) any Wine, bear, Ale, or victual, till the public exercises and religious duties of that day in the respective Cathedrals, Collegiate Parish Churches and chapels be past and over.  
And lastly, all and every the Iustices of the Peace, Majors, bailiffs, Constables, Church-Wardens, and other Officers inhabiting or residing within the limits or precincts of any such Cathedrall, Collegiate, Parish Church, or chapel, are hereby required to take special notice as well of such person, Vicar, Curate, or other Minister that ought to officiate in any of the said Cathedrals, Collegiate, and Parish Churches, or chapels; upon any such day appointed for the said Fast, that shall either refuse or neglect to do the same, or not do or cause the same to be done in that religious and solemn manner as it ought to be, or that shall refuse to give notice of the Fast day at the time and in manner as aforesaid, and forthwith to return their names, and the names of all such( from time to time( as shall wilfully offend herein, in contempt of the laws, His Majesty, and both Houses of Parliament, unto some one or more of the Knights, Citizens, or Burgesses that serve for the County where such offence is or shalbe committed, that some speedy course may be taken for the severe punishing of such as shall offend herein, according to the laws.  

Die Mercurii 24 August▪ 1642.  
It is this day Ordered, that this Ordinance for the better observing of the Fast be forthwith printed and published.  
Hen. elsing clear. Parl. D. come.    

BY THE KING.  
A Proclamation for a general Fast throughout this realm of ENGLAND.  
HIs majesty taking into his Princely and Pious Consideration, the lamentable and distressed estate of his good Subjects in his Majesties kingdom of Ireland, and conceiving it to be a just and great occasion calling upon him, and his people of this his kingdom of England, for a general Humiliation of all estates of this kingdom before almighty God, in Prayer and Fasting, for drawing down his mercy and blessing upon that kingdom: His majesty doth therefore by this his Proclamation straitly charge and command, That a general, public, and solemn Fast be kept, and holden, as well by abstinence from Food, as by public Prayers, Preaching, and Hearing of the Word of God, and other sacred Duties, in all Cathedrall, Collegiate, and Parish Churches and chapels within this his Majesties kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales( his Majesties Cities of London and Westminster onely excepted, where it hath been already observed) on the twentieth day of this present month of january.  
And his majesty doth further by this his Proclamation straitly charge and command, That a general, public, and solemn Fast be kept, and holden, as well by abstinence from Food, as by public Prayers, Preaching, and Hearing of the Word of God, and other sacred Duties, in all Cathedrall, Collegiate, and Parish Churches and chapels within this kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales( without any exception) on the last Wednesday of the month of February next following the date hereof, and from thenceforth to continue on the last Wednesday of every month, during the troubles in the said kingdom of Ireland. All which his majesty doth expressly charge and command shall be reverently and devoutly performed by all his loving Subjects, as they tender the favour of almighty God, and would avoid his just Indignation against this Land, and upon pain of such Punishments as his majesty can justly inflict upon all such as shall contemn or neglect so Religious a work.  
Given at the Court at White-Hall the eighth day of January, in the seventeenth veer of his Majesties reign of Great britain, France, and Ireland. God save the King.  
FINIS.