VVHereas this Nation hath long laboured under many Miseries and Iudgements, as a just fruit of our multiplyed transgressions, and amongst other sins, more especially for our unthankfulness and un­fruitfulness under unparalleld mercies and deliverances, and for our unbelief, to the dishonor of our mighty, wise, and good God, who hath through a Wilderness of Temptations brought us even to the entrance of a Canaan, and to the hope of a blessed Reformation; as also for our uncharitablenes and want of a good affection to the pub­lique, and of love one to another, the very fountain of our late Civil Wars and Desolations: And whereas we have learn'd from the word of God, and the example of his people in all ages, and our own experience, That the humbling of our souls for sin, and the seeking the favor of God in the mediation of our Lord and Savior Iesus Christ by prayer and fasting, hath been, through his grace and acceptance, effectual both for the preventing & removal of the greatest Iudgements, and also for procuring the choycest Mercies: The Commons of England assembled in Parlia­ment, having through the wonderful goodness and assistance of God, restored this Nation (as far as in them lieth, and the present interruptions will yet admit) to their just Liberties, and laid Foundations for the well Government thereof in the way of a Commonwealth, Do En­act and Ordain, and be it Enacted and Ordained by this present Parliament, and by Authori­ty thereof, That Thursday the 19 day of April, 1649. shall be observed and kept in all Parishes and other places in England and Wales, a solemn day of Fasting, Prayer, and Humiliation, for the a­forementioned sins, and all other the abominations whereof this Nation is guilty; and for the imploring of the Lord our God, (who is Holiness, Love, and Wisdom, and the Father of Spi­rits) to give unto this people the Spirit of Reformation, Faith, Vnderstanding, and Vnion, That so our sins, the cause of our sufferings, may be forgiven, and this Commonwealth may be setled in a lasting Peace and Happiness: And be it further Enacted and Ordained, That all Ministers, and other people within England and Wales, do with all possible care & pious diligence, solemnly observe the same accordingly, under the penalties contained in any Order or Ordi­nance of Parliament heretofore made, concerning the due observation of the Lords-day, or days of publique Humiliation.