Forasmuch as We, by the great injuries and provocations from the States of the United Provinces, have been forced, for the just defence and vindication of Our Own and Our Subjects Rights, to prepare and set out Naval Forces, and to engage into a War upon most important reasons of Honour and Iustice: And We, out of Our religious disposition, being readily inclined to approve of an humble motion made to Vs, for com­manding a general Fast to be kept throughout this Our whole Kingdom, for imploring the blessing of Almighty GOD upon Our Councils and Forces imployed in this expedition; Have thought fit, by this Our Proclamation, to indict a general and publick Fast and day of Humiliation, for the end foresaid. Our Will is herefore, and We straitly Command and Charge, that the said Fast be religiously and solemnly kept throughout this Our whole Kingdom, by all Our Subjects and People within the same, upon the first Wednesday of June, being the seventh day thereof: Requiring hereby the Reverend Arch­bishops and Bishops, to give notice hereof to the Ministers in their respective Diocesses, that upon the Lords-day immediatly preceeding the said seventh day of June, they cause read this Our Proclamation from the Pulpit in every Paroch Church; and that they exhort all Our loving Subjects to a sober and devout performance of the said Fasting and Humiliation, as they tender the favour of Almighty GOD, the duty they owe to Vs, and the peace and preservation of their Country; Certifying all those who shall contemn or neglect such a religious and necessary work, they shall be proceeded against, and punished as contemners of Our Authority, and persons disaffected to the Honour and Safety of their Countrey.

Given at Edinburgh, the third day of May, 1665. and of Our Reign the seventeenth year.

GOD SAVE THE KING.