to take notice of the hand of God in his mercy, appearing visibly to all that do not
wilfully shut their eyes, and to rejoyce in it, and earnestly to beseech God to rebuke
that spirit of Division, and to knit the hearts of his own People in Love and Unity,
and likewise to beg from God a speciall blessing upon the Forces intended for Ireland,
and a perfecting of his own work to his own Glory. And the Parliament do
enjoyne all the Ministers of the Gospell throughout the Nation, to use their utmost
endeavour, That the said day of Thanksgiving be solemnly and Religiously observed,
that God be not dishonoured and provoked thereby; and to that end, that they
and every of them do give publick notice thereof, by publishing this Act in their severall
Churches and Ghappells, as well on the Lords day next before the day of
Thanksgiving , as also on the day so to be observed; And that all Majors, Sheriffes
Justices of the Peace, and other Officers, do take care for the due observation of
the said day of Thanksgiving, that God may be pleased to accept the praises of his
people in this particular, and delight in, and rejoyce over them to do them good,
and to make this Nation a praise in the Earth.
A Declaration was presented to the Generall from the Officers and Soldiers of
Col. Hortons Regiment as followeth.
To his Excellency the Lord Fairfax, Lord Generall of all the Parliaments forces
in England.
A Declaration of the Officers and Souldiers of Col. Hortons Regiment, testifying to
adhere to the Parliament and your Excellency.
Where as divers of our fellow souldiers have of lat been by the subtle and
crafty insinuation of our old and unwearied enemies deluded into a dangerous
engagement, without Gods timely prevention tending precipitatly to a new
Warre, and evident hazard of all those mercyes that were the fruits of so many prayers
and suffering (obtained by this Nation) with expence of so much bloud: 10
the end therefore that it might appear that God hath put some due resentment there
of upon our spirits, and that our Enemies might have no further hopes to catch us
with misrepresentations and pretences of an honest interest [unr] abusing us with the
names of Liberty and Freedome: We thought it our humble duty to testify and declare
to your Excellency. That we have a deep sence of the evill and irregularity
(besides the hazard) of their late resolutions and proceeding: And that we by Gods
assistance, will to the uttermost of our abilities, adhere to the Parliament in maintaining
the present established Government, and obey your Excelency according to
the discipline of war not suffering our selves to be seduced by misprision of the wisdom,
illabrate pains, and diligent care the Parliament and Councell of State
have expressed for the safety and peace of the Common-Wealth, which your Excellency
hath asserted in your late Declaration where in now werest satisfyed and
shall wait with patience in our sphere and subordinations the accomplishment of
what else may be found necessary giving such asistance thereunto, both here and in
Ireland when called, as shall give sufficient proof of this Declaration of the duty
and obedience of,
My Lord,
Your Excellencies faithfull Souldiers, Thomas Horton, Col. Unto
which all the other Officers and Soldiers do Subscribe.
The like also form Major Gen. Skippons Regiment at Bristoll as follows