Judicial Proceeding, 10 December 1700, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh The Second day of August J^aj vii^c years

A1700/8/3

A1700/8/3¹

Procedure

Causes of a Solemn nationall fast and Humiliation

Follows the Causes of a Solemn Nationall Fast

The Commissioners of the late Generall assembly, Taking into their Serious Consideration, The danger this land is in of a late Harvest which may be of a dreadfull Consequence, towards the Continueing and Encreasing of the dearth and Scarcity, which for severall years bypast we of this land have Groaned under; As also the sad disappointments of Endeavours and undertakings for advancing the Trade and wealth of this nation, and particularly the Lamentable Dispersion of the African and Indian Companys Colony in America, And Considering That all the Judgements we have Smarted under are the sad Effects of our Slighting and misimproveing the purity and plenty of Gospell ordinances, and of the abounding of profanness and Immoralities in all Ranks of persones amongst us as is is² more Fully specified and deduced in the printed Act of this last Generall assembly, anent a Solemn nationall Fast and Humilation And yet more particularly of our wofull unproficiency under the Signet deliverances which God hath wrought for us so we have unworthily Repined at Gods afflicting Providences, In stead of Submitting to his Mighty hand lifted up, against us, and under our great penury and dearth, whilst some provoked God by their profuse prodigality The poorest of the people who Suffered most, and who ought therby to have been amended, have Rather grown worse and worse And The Commissioners of the late Generall assembly likeways Considering The sad Condition of our Protestant Bretheren beyond Seas in some places by reason of Cruell persecutiones, In other pairts by reason of Dissentiones and warrs, To the Endangering of the whole protestant Interest abroad.
Therfore The Saids Commissioners, under the serious and deep sense of the abovementioned Sins and Judgments, have Judged It to be the duty of all the Lords people within this Church and Kingdom To humble themselves greatly before God, by Solemn Fasting and Exerciseing Repentance, and unffeigned purposes of amendment, upon the Twenty nynth day of august Instant Being the last Thursday of the said moneth, Beseeching and obtesting all Sincerely and seriously to prepare themselves therunto, And That they make particular Confession of the forsaid Sins, and all others, with a deep Sorrowing for an hearty detestation of the same, and may Resolve and vow amendment and the bringing furth of Fruits meet for Repentance; That Fervent prayers and Supplicationes may be poured out for the pardon of Sin To Each particular person, and to the whole land, That the Lord would Graciously Return to us in Gospell ordinances, and by the breathing of his Spirit render them more Successful, That our King may be Returned in Safety from beyond the Seas, and That he may be long Continued ane happy Instrument for Gods Glory, and for the Benefit and Comfort of this Nation, and That he may be blessed and preserved in his person, and in his Government, That the Estates of Parliament when they Come together, may be all harmonious, in what may make for advanceing the Glory of God, and for the promoteing the Good and welfare of this Kingdom, That all Dissention Jealousy and discord may sease, and we become all one in the Lord, That God may be pleased to Bless and preserve for us the Fruits of the Ground, and For this End may send Kindly and Seasonable weather, and give us a plentiffull Harvest, and Therby to occasion us to praise him: That he may also Countenance and Bless all Just and Lawfull designes and Endeavours for advanceing the Trade of the nation, and may guide and direct those who are Intrusted therin with wisdom, Integrity, Faithfulness and publickness of Spirit, That our Bretheren in Captivity any where may be Releived, and Those whom we Expect home may be Safely Returned to us That Losses both at Home and abroad may be Sanctified, and also made up unto these who Immediatly most Suffer by them. And lastly That our Protestant Bretheren abroad, may be Graciously Supported under, and at Length mercifully delivered from Cruell Persecutions and desolating Warrs, as the Exigency of their severall Caices may Require Signed in name of the said Commission by George Meldrum Moderator Commission.