"The Holy God having by
a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive dispensations in and by
the present Warr with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and
brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant people in this
wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his
judgements he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in
the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many
singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard; reserving
many of our Towns from Desolation Threatened, and attempted by the
Enemy, and giving us especially of late with many of our Confederates
many signal Advantages against them, without such Disadvantage to
ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be the Lord's
mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our positive
Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or
destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take notice under so many
Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be found an Insensible
people, as not standing before Him with Thanksgiving, as well as lading
him with our Complaints in the time of pressing Afflictions:
The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of
this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for
such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be
Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God's Afflictions,
have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may
behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the
Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people
of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching
that being perswaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole
people offer up our bodies and soulds as a living and acceptable Service
unto God by Jesus Christ."
  
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