THe Kings most Excellent Maiestie, vpon the humble Petition of the Lords Spirituall and Temporall, and Commons in the present Parliament assembled, taking into his Princely consideration the ma­ny important causes, and extraordinary occasions calling vpon him, and his people for a ioynt and generall humiliation of all Estates of His Kingdome, before Almighty God in Prayer and Fasting, aswell for auerting this heauy Uisitation of Plague and Pestilence, already be­gun, and dangerously dispersed in many parts of this Kingdome, as also for drawing downe his Blessing vpon his Maiesty and His people, and Armies both by Sea and Land, hath therefore (according to the Royall and laudable example of other godly Kings) by the aduice and assistance of His Prelates and Bishops, caused an Order or Direction for publique Prayer and Fasting, to be conceiued and published in Print, in a Booke for this speciall purpose, to be general­ly obserued and solemnized, in humble hope and confidence, that when both Prince and People together through the whole Land, shal ioyne in one common, & solemne Deuotion, of sending vp their faithfull and repentant Prayers to Almighty God at one instant of time, the same shall bee more auaileable to obtaine that mercie, helpe and comfort from him, which in the present impor­tant occasions this Church and Common-wealth doe stand in neede of.

His Maiestie doeth therefore by this present Proclamation straitly charge and command, That a generall, publike, and solemne Fast be kept and holden, as well by abstinence from food, as by publike Prayers, Preaching, and hearing of the Word of God, and other sacred duties, according to the direction of the said Booke, in all collegiate and parish-Churches and Chappels within this Kingdome of England, and Dominion of Wales, vpon Wednesday, the twentieth day of this in­stant moneth of Iuly, and from thencefoorth continued vpon the Wednesday of euery weeke fol­lowing, by the reuerend, religious, and deuout Assembly of the whole Congregation of such of the Inhabitants in each seuerall place, as are free and safe from danger of Infection, and may in euery Family be conueniently spared; Willing and requiring, aswell all Archbishops, and Bi­shops, in their seuerall Prouinces, and Diocesses, and all Parsons, Uicars and Curats, within their seuerall Parishes and Charges, as also all Maiors, Sheriffes, Iustices of Peace, and other Officers in their seuerall places, limits, and iurisdictions, respectiuely to take especiall care, that this His Maiesties Royall commandement be duly executed and obserued: And that they them­selues be lights of good example to the rest; And that all others in manner aforesaid, doe diligent­ly and deuoutlyfollow and performe the same, as they tender their duties to Almighty God, and to their Prince and Countrey, and will answere for their prophane, or contemptuous neglect hereof at their vttermost perils.

Giuen at the[?] Court at White-Hall, the third day of Iuly, in the first yeere of his Maiesties Reigne of Great Britaine, France and Ireland.

God saue the King.