[blazon or coat of arms incorporating the Commonwealth Flag (1649-1651)]

By the Lord Protector.
A DECLARATION of his Highness, Setting apart Tuesday the 23. of this present May for a publique day of Thanksgiving, for the Peace concluded between this Commonwealth, and that of the United Provinces, and for the late seasonable Rain.

THat this hath been a Nation of blessings in the midst whereof so many wonders have been brought forth by the out-stretched arm of the Almighty, even to astonishment, and wonder, Who can deny? Ask we the Nations of this matter and they will testify, and indeed the dispensations of the Lord have been as if he had said, England thou art my first-born, my delight amongst the Nations, under the whole Heavens the Lord hath not dealt so with any of the people round about us.

The Lord having added another Link to this golden Chain of his loving kindness by giving us a Peace with Our Neighbours the United Provinces, (whereby he hath not only stopped a great issue of blood, but We trust also given us hearts to unite Our bloud and strength for the mutual defence of each other) cals for great return of Thanks for the same.

It is therefore thought fit to set apart Tuesday, being the 23. of this present May, as a day for Praise, and for the Thankful Acknowledgement of this blessing of Peace, which we hope hath in the womb of it many other blessings.

And let us not forget our other Mercies, was not the Earth lately so unusually parcht up, that it threatned Famin, and did cause the Beast of the field to mourn for want of food, and water to sustain it? And hath not the Lord so watered the Earth that he hath turned those fears into the expectation of the greatest plenty that ever was seen by any now living in this Nati­on? Consider we also the way whereby the Lord imparted this mercy to us, did any amongst us, foreknow it was coming, was it not by stirring up our hearts to seek the same by prayer, and that immediately before the Lord vouchsafed us this mercy? And doth not this bespeak? 1. That the manner of conveying this mercy is the best part of the mercy.

2. That the Lord has not cast us off, that his Spirit yet strives with us, that he hath a people of his love amongst us, and loves the Nation so far as to provoke it to be in love with calling upon the Name of the Lord for better things than Corn and Wine.

3. That he knows best how and when to answer the expectation of the Husbandman, and when to hear, even the mour­ning of the brute Beast, who will yet much more hear the desires of them that fear him, and that in the fittest season.

4. That the Heavens having thus declared the glory of God, and the Earth answering thereunto in its fruitfulness, Why should not we be melted and softned, humbling our selves under these marvellous kindnesses, and abounding unto all fruitfulness in every good word and work of love; And if every place hath been made partaker of his showres, Why should not we (laying aside our differences) be inlarged also each to other?

5. That seeing the Lord hath been thus universal in this Mercy, why should we not universally turn from the National Evils and vain Practices which yet are too superstitiously and customarily exercised amongst us, which we need not repeat here, because they are too well known, and We trust will be remembred by those godly Ministers who shall be called to preach unto the People upon this occasion? Conclude we with the words of David, Psalm 107. v.

v. 30 Then they are glad, because they be quiet, so he bringeth them unto their desired Haven.
v. 31 O that Men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderfull works to the Children of Men.
v. 32 Let them exalt him also in the Congregation of the People, and praise him in the Assembly of the Elders.
v. 33 He turneth Rivers into a Wilderness, and the water-springs into dry ground.
v. 34 A fruitfull Land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell in it.
v. 35 He turneth the Wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into Water-springs.
v. 36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a City for Habitation.
v. 37 And sow the Fields, and plant Vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
v. 38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly, and suffereth not their Cattel to decrease.

O that Men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderfull works to the Children of Men.

Given at White-hall this 9th. of May. 1654.

London, Printed by William du-Gard and Henry Hills, Printers to his Highness the Lord Protector, 1654.

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