A DECLARATION Of His Highneſs the Lord Protector AND THE PARLAMENT Of the Common-wealth of ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, & IRELAND, For a Day of Solemn FASTING & HUMILIATION in the three NATIONS.

WHo is ſuch a ſtranger in our Iſrael that hath not taken notice of the great things God hath brought to paſs amongſt us by his out-ſtretched arm? What nation is there who hath had God more nigh unto them, than the Lord our God hath been to us, in all things we have called unto him for? Ask of the daies that are paſt, which have been before us, in theſe la­ter ages, whether there have been any ſuch2 things as thoſe many bleſſings and ſignal de­liverances vouchſafed to us from his own hand, in anſwer to the voice of tears and blood that have been powred forth.

But in the mean while this is matter of great lamentation, whilſt God, by a continual ſeries of his loving kindneſſes and providen­ces hath multiplied mercies and forgiveneſſes to us, we of theſe Nations, inſtead of an an­ſwerable return of thankfulneſs and obedi­ence, have, as the higheſt aggravation of our ſin, multiplyed our provocations againſt him;

In that general ignorance, unthankfulnes, and unfruitfulneſs, under all thoſe dews of grace and Goſpel-mercies.

In not acknowledging fully to this very day our calamities to have come upon us from the hands of God alone, provoked by us, who uſeth what inſtruments he pleaſeth to execute his indignation.

In not bemoaning our ſelvs, as ſons, and ſmiting upon our thighs with Ephraim, in the ſenſe of our own iniquities, and of the patience & forbearing mercies of our heavenly Father.

In that prophane, ſenſual, worldly, formal and Laodicean ſpirit generally amongſt us, ſome hating the power of godlineſs, and deſpi­ſing the true profeſſors thereof, for having the image of God upon them; and others, by being looſe in their opinions and practices, have turn­ed the grace of God into wantonneſs.

In that great neglect and want of zeal and courage in Magiſtrates, and other officers & perſons therein concerned, to ſuppreſs enor­mities, in conſcience to perform the duty in­cumbent upon them to God and man.

All which, with other the crying ſins of theſe3 three Nations, call aloud upon us, that as we are now united to be one Commonwealth under one Government, ſo, having been ſinful and ſufferers together, we would with one heart and lip be perſwaded to unite in our humble and ſerious ad­dreſſes and ſupplications to Almighty God,

That the fruit of all our mercies might not be with Jeſurun, to kick, or to be found fighters a­gainſt him, nor oppoſers of his will, as if we were preſerved to commit yet more abominations.

That we may wreſtle and prevail with him for pardon and removal of our darkneſs, vanities, blaſphemies & prophaneſs, with all that worldly mindedneſs, formality, and other abominations, which are yet found amongſt us under the glori­ous light of the Goſpel.

That as God hath been pleaſed to make choice of theſe Iſlands wherein to manifeſt many great and glorious things, ſo he would anſwerably make us a choſen generation, and a peculiar peo­ple, that in thankfulneſs to him, and example to others, we might ſhew forth his praiſes, who hath ſeparated us from other nations, and called as out of darkneſs into his light.

That God would now ſpeak with a ſtrong hand to quiet the ſpirits of men that are apt to murmure, by cauſing them clearly to ſee where the true and ſpiritual intereſt of Chriſtians lieth, and that in keeping cloſe thereunto is wrapt up their ſafety, that ſo When he uttereth his voice, All fleſh may be ſilent before him, and know that he is raiſed out of his holy habitation.

That though he hath had juſt cauſe to be an­gry with us for our murmurings, back-ſlidings, and other iniquities, and hath therefore ſmitten us, yet that he would now heal us, and reſtore comfort to us and our Mourners.

And eſpecially that God would inable the Ru­lers4 of theſe Nations now in conſultation about their peace, ſettlement & welfare, to proceed with faithfulneſs, zeal, wiſdom and union, to fulfill the end of their being called together, and to be ſuch, and do ſuch things for the intereſt of Chriſt and his members, and for the good of all the People, as they ought, and as he hath promi­ſed Governours ſhould be and do in ſubſervi­ency to thoſe glorious ends;

That ſo at laſt, through the goodneſs and mercy of our God, theſe three Nations, after ſo great and various revolutions, may be eſtabliſht together upon the ſure foundations of Truth, Righteouſneſs and Peace.

It is therefore declared by His Highneſs the Lord Protector and the Parlament of the Com­mon-Wealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, that for the ends and purpoſes aforeſaid they doe ap­point Wedneſday, being the eleventh day of October next, for a day of ſolemn humiliation and ſeek­ing the face of God, through the mediation of Chriſt, in all places within England and Scotland; and Wedneſday the firſt day of November next, in all places in Ireland. And doe therefore hereby in­cite and encourage all ſuch whoſe hearts God ſhall perſwade and make ſenſible of their duty, and of the Commonwealths preſent condition, that the reſpective daies aforeſaid; whereof the Miniſters and Preachers of the reſpective Pa­riſhes and Congregations are to take not•ce. For which end, It is Ordered that Copies of this Declaration be printed and ſent into the ſe­verall parts of the three Nations, that the ſame may be Publiſhed accordingly.