Causes of a publike Fast and Humiliation, appointed by the Commission of the Generall Assembly, To be kept in all the Congregations of this Kirk upon the third Sabbath of September, in this yeer 1646.
I. NOtwithstanding of our profession in the last Article of our Solemne League and Covenant, yet to this day the Son of God is not honoured amongst us in the excellencie of his Person, nor imployed in the vertue of his Offices; But the unsearchable riches of Christ and the inestimable treasure of the Gospell are neglected and despised as things of no value.
II. We doe not tremble under the threatnings of the Law, verified upon us in many sad and fore judgements, Nor doe we follow the direction thereof as a rule of our obedience, but the whole Land almost and many in our Armies still lie in a deep security, and live under grosse prophanity and hardnesse of heart.
III. We have reason to mourn for the issue of that horrid Rebellion, as a testimony of the continued indignation of the most High against our backslidings and provocations.
IIII. The lamentable condition of our Brethren in Ireland, almost brought unto fainting, and neere to be swallowed up by the power and cruelty of the Rebells there, Together with the danger that we are threatned with from them, and the afflicted estate of those parts of this Kingdome which yet lie under the feet of the Enemies.
V. Seeing the Lord hath been pleased to stain the pride of all our glory, by blasting all our [...] confidence[?] and making the emptinesse of means to appear, we would seriously intreat him that he would make himself glorious in the midst of is, by the manifestation of his free grace and wonted favour, in pardoning our sins, reclaiming us from our backslidings, and healing our Land for his own Name sake.
VI. That the Lord would often the Kings heart, and give unto him the spirit of Humiliation that he may mourn for his iniquity, and that the spirit of wisdom and understanding may be given to him, and all these that are imployed in the publike affairs in both Kingdoms, that all their councells and actions may be means for the advancement of the Kingdom of the Son of God, promoving the work of Uniformity, holding fast the League betwixt the Ntions, and for procuring a firm and wellgrounded Peace in all the three Kingdomes.
VII. That the spirit of Faithfulnesse, Unity, and Zeal, may be poured upon all the Ministers of the land, that in integrity and love they may bear burden one with another, for seeking the honour of Jesus Christ and the edifying of his Body the Clurch.
VIII. That the Lord wo [...] crowne the year with his goodnesse in granting a fair and fruitfull Harve [...].