THe Estates of Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland, taking to their consideration the sad Condition, Slavery and Bondage, this ancient Kingdom hath groaned under, during these twenty three years Troubles: In which, under the specious pretences of Reformation, a publick Rebellion hath been by the treachery of some, and mis-perswasion of others, violently carried on against Sacred Authority, to the ruine and destruction, so far as was possible, of Religion, the Kings Majesty and His Royal Government, the Laws, Liberties and Proper­ty of the People, and all the publick and private Interests of the Kingdom; So that Religion it self, which holds the right of Kings to be Sacred, hath been prostitute for the warrand of all these treasonable invasions made upon the Royal Autho­rity, and disloyal limitations put upon the Alleagiance of the Subjects. And hath it not also been pretended unto, for the warrand of all those vile and bloody Murthers, which in high contempt of Almighty God and of His Majesties Au­thority and Laws, were under colour of Iustice committed upon His Majesties good Subjects, meerly for the dis­charge of their Duty to GOD and Loyalty to the King? Hath not that Royal Government, under whose Protection this Nation hath, to the envy of the World, been so famous for many ages, been of late trode under foot, and new Go­vernments and Governours established and kept up without His Majesties Authority, and against His expresse Com­mands? Hath not Law, which is the Birth-right and Inheritance of the Subject and the security of their lives and for­tunes, been laid in the dust, and new and unjust Edicts and Orders past and published, for subjecting both life and fortune, and what else was dear unto any of His Majesties good Subjects, to the Cruel and Ambitious Lusts of some usurping Rulers? Hath not Religion and Loyalty been the only objects of their Rapine and Cruelty? And hath not their new and arbitrary Exactions and Burdens upon the People, exceeded in one moneth what ever had been formerly in many years paid to any of the Kings of this Kingdom? And when the best of men and the most excellent of the Kings of the earth, had in an unusual way of confidence rendred His Person to the trust and Loyalty of his Native Subjects, was not the security of Religion pretended unto by some, who then governed in Church and State, for the ground of that base (and never enough to be abhorred) transaction, in leaving such a Prince their Native and Dread Soveraign, to the will of these who were in open Rebellion, and for the time had their swords in their hands against him; And that when by these and many such like undutifull carriages the Kings Majesty was removed from His Kingdoms, the foundations of this ancient and well constitute Government was overturned, the Li­berties and Property of the people inverted; And this Kingdom exposed to be Captives and Slaves to Strangers, and no­thing left unto them but the sad meditation of their increasing miseries, and the bitter remembrance of their by-past dis­loyalties? Yet even then it pleased Almighty God to compassionat their low condition, and by the power of His own Right-hand, most miraculously to restore the Kings most Sacred Majesty, to the Royal Government of His Kingdoms; And thereby to redeem this Kingdom from its former Slavery and Bondage, and to restore it to its ancient and just Pri­viledges and Freedom. And the Kings Majesty, acknowledging, with all humility and thankfulnesse, the goodnesse, wis­dom and power of God, in this Signal Act of His mercy to him and his people, Doth, with advice and consent of his[?] Estates of Parliament, Statute and Ordain, That in all time coming there be an Solemn[?] y [...]ly Commemoration of the same; And for that end, the twenty ninth day of May[?] which day[?] God Almighty hath specially honoured and rendered au­spicious to this Kingdom, both by His Majesties Royal Birth, and by His blessed Restauration to His Government) be forever set apart as a holy day unto the Lord, and that in all the Churches of the Kingdom, it be imployed in publick Prayers, Preaching, Thanksgiving, and Praises to God, for so transcendent Mercies: And that all Trade, Merchandize, Work, Handylabour, and other ordinary imployments be forborn, and the remaining part of the day spent in such lawfull divertisements as are suteable to so Solemn an occasion. And it is hereby recommended to all Ministers of the Gospel, and to all Sheriffs, Iustices of Peace, and other publick Ministers in the several Counties, and to all Magistrates with­ [...] Burghs, to be carefull, that for this present year, and in all time coming, the twenty ninth day of May, be accordingly kept and observed within their several Iurisdictions. And for the speedier and more full intimation hereof to all His Majesties Subjects, it is appointed thir Presents be printed, and published at all the Mercat Crosses of the Royal Burroughs.