THe Provincial Synod of Lothian and Tweddale met here, taking to their Conſideration, the Diſpenſations of God in his Providence, with reſpect to the Seaſon of the Year, in this cold and unkindly Spring; Did judge that God was thereby calling them, and the People under their Charge to ſolemn Humiliation, for averting his threatned Judgements: And therefore Appointed Tueſday the Seventeenth day of this current Moneth of May, to be obſerved as a Day of Solemn Faſting and Humiliation, in all the Churches within the Bounds of the ſaid Synod, for theſe Cauſes following.

1. That notwithſtanding the Light of the glorious Goſpel ſhining among us, there is a great Contempt of the Goſpel, much Ignorance and Ungodlineſs in the Land, and Self-ſeeking, and Lukewarmneſs in the Matters of God among all Ranks of Perſons, and Profaneneſs and Wickedneſs grow, the ſhameful Sins of Drunkeneſs and Uncleaneſs, Swearing, Sabbath-breaking, the total Neglect by ſome, and ſuperficial performing by others of the Worſhip of God, both in Secret and in Families, abound in City and Countrey, and by frequent Murders Blood toucheth Blood.

2. That notwithſtandidg of Vows and Engagements National and Perſonal, and after ſevere Judgements, and ſignal Mercies, and after Solemn Humiliations People go on in their Sins and continue impenitent, hard Hearted and unreformed.

3. That for theſe & other Sins, the Wrath & diſpleaſure of God is viſible againſt us in the unkindly cold & winter-like Spring, whereby GOD threatnes to blaſt our Expectations and Hopes of the Fruits of the Earth, and cut off Man and Beaſt by Famine, and that already there is a great Dearth ariſen, and in many places of the Land they have great Want both of Food and Seed, and the Cattel and Sheep die in great Numbers, and yet we are not duely affected therewith, but there is generally a woful Stupidity and Security.

4. The dangerous State of the Church both at Home and Abroad, through the ſpreading of Atheiſtical and Blaſphemous Opinions contrary to, and deſtructive of the Fundamental Principles of Religion, and the increaſe of Popery in diverſe Places, the Diviſions in ſome, and Deſolations in other parts of this Church, and that in diverſe Places Abroad, theſe of the reformed Religion are under Perſecution, and others in Fear and Danger.

For theſe beſide many other Cauſes mentioned in former Faſts, we have Cauſe to humble our ſelves by Faſting and Prayer, and to be Afflicted, and Mourn, and Weep, and to turn unto the Lord, and to pray that He would turn us unto him, and pardon our Sins, and the Sins of the Land, and that he would turn from His Wrath, and ſend kindly Weather, which may cheriſh the Fruits of the Earth for Food to Man and Beaſt, that he would heal our Breaches, plant our deſolate Places, ſtop the growth of Prophaneneſs and Popery, and other corrupt Opinions, and grant Deliverance, and Reſt, and Safety to his ſuffering People, and preſerve his Church, and advance the Kingdom of the Lord Jeſus, and that for His Churches ſake he would long preſerve, and richly bleſs our King, direct and guide him in his Government, that under him the People may live a quiet and peaceable Life, in all Godlineſs and Honeſty.