WHereas We having a deép and serious Consideration of the War in which His Majesty, together with most of the Princes and States of Europe, was and still is Engaged against the French King, did by Proclama­tion, bearing Date the Threé and twentieth Day of May last, Appoint a General Fast to be kept throughout this Kingdom, for Imploring the Blessing and Protection of Almighty God in the Preservation of His Majesties Sacred Person, and Prosperity of His Arms both at Land and Sea, which hath been observed accordingly: And forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God (of his infinite Goodness) in Answer to the Prayers humbly and devoutly Offered up to him, to Grant to the For­ces of His Majesty, and His Allies, so great Success in Taking the Town and Castle of Namur, and to Protect His Majesties Sacred Per­son from the many Dangers to which He was so frequently Exposed during that Siege. We therefore Adoring the Divine Goodness, and duly Considering that such Great and Publick Blessings, do call for Publick and Solemn Acknowledgments, Have thought fit, and by the Advice of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council, do hereby Appoint and Com­mand, That a General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for these his Mercies be Observed through­out the Cities of London and Westminster, and elsewhere within the Weekly Bills of Mortality, on Sunday the Eighth day of September next, and in all other Places throughout this Kingdom of Eng­land, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, on Sunday the Two and twentieth day of September next. And for the better and more orderly Solemnizing the same, We have given Di­rections to the Right Reverend the Bishops of this Kingdom, to Compose a Form of Prayer suit­able to this Occasion, to be Vsed in all Churches and Chappels, and other Places of Publick Wor­ship, and to take Care for the timely Dispersing of the same throughout their respective Diocesses. And We do strictly Charge and Command, That the said Publick Days of Thanksgiving be Re­ligiously Observed by all His Majesties Loving Subjects, as they tender the Favour of Almighty God, and upon Pain of Suffering such Punishment as His Majesty can justly inflict upon all such who shall Contemn or Neglect the same.

Given at the Council-Chamber at Whitehall, the Nine and twentieth Day of August, 1695. In the Seventh Year of His Majesties Reign.

God save the King.