[several lines lost] provin[ ces ] [
in particular [
& benefits, among the [ prosperity, abundance, In [ ficke & (which is to be [valued
the free & publicke maintenance of ye [publick worship of God: neverthelesse we either injoying the [ unthankfully or abusing the same unworth[
have thorow the ingratefull use of bodily [ unworthy abuse of spirituall mercies, provoked [by Gods rigorous justice, stirring up his never s[ufficiently praysed divine Majesty to just ange[r
of which he has shewed us not only bare[ signes, but has let us feel actually the ex[periments of his displeasure, visiting neighbour[s & remote places, villages, hamlets, with hot[ feavers & dangerous sicknesses for ye chastise[ if not punishment of the unthankfull use of [
temperall blessings & permitting & suffering t[he spirit of error amongst us to scatter his hur[ poyson about spirituall things, in casting up [ propagating of a new, never heard of abo[minable heresie, named Quakers, endevouring to sed[uce many, yea if it were possible the true bel[ie-
vers themselves. All which are signs of [Gods just judgement & certaine forerunners [of great plagues: for to remoove & keep off from our selves & ours, & to procure G[ods
favours, benefits & blessings as well in spi[rituall as in temporall matters, the Govern[or Generall & Councell of New Netherland
have thought good & necessary to frame [and publish a day of a common fast, prayer & thanksgiving, which shall be kept on ye sec[ond Wenedsday of this present month of Mar[ch being the thirteenth day of ye month & th[e
fo[llowing
[several lines lost]
] Maijesty to bless[e
] all the time of our l[ife
] & supplicate his holij name with [
]ent hearts that it may please his d[ivine Majesty to continue his blessings over us this [present yeare, to the honour of his name, to [the furtherance & propagation of the gospel & t[he prosperity & salvation of us all. Which [
it may be performed with the more devotion [& unity, the Governour Generall & Councell [ prohibite, during the time of divine worship
on the same day of fasting, prayer & thankesgiving all exercises & recreations of stoolba[ll hunting, going a fishing, as also all unlaw[full sports, as gaming, dicing, carding, exesse in dr[incking & such like, upon payne of arbitrary pu[nishment & correction formerly constituted uppon
the same. Also we admonish & require all the ministers within our jurisdiction to frame [the prayers & sermons to ye same purpose. Thus enacted in our assembly in the fort New Amsterdam in New Netherland. Jan. 29 Ao. 1658.
