By the Honourable the Lieutenant Governour, Council
and Assembly of his Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in General
Court Assembled.
Whereas the Anger of God is not yet turned away, but his Hand is still
stretched out against his People in manifold Judgments, particularly in drawing
out to such a length the troubles of Europe, by a perplexing War; and more
especially, respecting ourselves in this Province, in that God is pleased still to go
on in diminishing our Substance, cutting short our Harvest, blasting our most
promising undertakings more ways than one, unsetling of us,[339] and by his more
Immediate hand, snatching away many out of our Embraces, by sudden and
violent Deaths, even at this time when the Sword is devouring so many both at
home and abroad, and that after many days of publick and Solemn addressing of
him, And altho considering the many Sins prevailing in the midst of us, we
cannot but wonder at the Patience and Mercy moderating these Rebukes; yet we
cannot but also fear that there is something still wanting to accompany our
Supplications. And doubtless there are some particular Sins, which God is Angry
with our Israel for, that have not been duly seen and resented by us, about which
God expects to be sought, if ever he turn again our Captivity.
Wherefore it is Commanded and Appointed, that Thursday the Fourteenth
of January next be observed as a Day of Prayer, with Fasting throughout this
Province, strictly forbidding all Servile labour thereon; that so all Gods People
may offer up fervent Supplications unto him, for the Preservation, and Prosperity
of his Majesty's Royal Person and Government, and Success to attend his Affairs
both at home and abroad; that all iniquity may be put away which hath stirred
God's Holy jealousie against this Land; that he would shew us what we know not,
and help us wherein we have done amiss to do so no more; and especially that
whatever mistakes on either hand have been fallen into, either by the body of this
People, or any orders of men, referring to the late Tragedy, raised among us by
Satan and his Instruments, thro the awful Judgment of God, he would humble us
therefore[340]and pardon all the Errors of his Servants and People, that desire to
love his Name and be attoned to his Land; that he would remove the Rod of the
wicked from off the Lot of the Righteous; that he would bring the American
Heathen, and cause them to hear and obey his Voice.
Given at Boston, Decemb. 17, 1696, in the 8th Year of his Majesties
Reign.
Isaac Addington, Secretary.
