THE GOVERNMENT OPEN THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, and IRELAND, And the Dominions thereto belonging; As it was publicly declared at Westminster, the 16. day of December 1653. In the presence of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, the Lord Major and Aldermen of the City of London, divers of the Judges of the Land, the Officers of State and Army, and many other Persons of quality. At which time and place his Highness OLIVER, LORD PROTECTOR of the said Commonwealth, took a Solemn Oath for observing the same.  
Published by His Highness the LORD PROTECTOR'S special Commandment.  
Printed at London, and reprinted at Leith, Anno Dom. 1654.   

The Government of the Commonwealth of ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, and IRELAND.  
I. THat the Supreme Legislative Authority of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereto belonging, shall be, and reside in One Person, and the People assembled in Parliament; The Style of which Person shall be, LORD PROTECTOR of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland.  
II. That the Exercise of the chief Magistracy and Administration of the Government over the said Countries and Dommions, and the People thereof, shall be in the Lord PROTECTOR, assisted with a Council; the Number whereof shall not exceed Twenty one, nor be less than Thirteen.  
III. That all Writs, Processes, Commissions, Patents, Grants, and other things, which now run in the Name and Style of th● Keepers of the Liberty of England by Authority of Parliament, shall run in the Name and Style of the Lord PROTECTOR; from whom for the future, shall be derived all Magistracy and Honours in these three Nations, and shall have the power of Pardons, (except in case of Murder and Treason) and benefit of all forfeitures for the public use. And shall govern the said Countries and Dominions in all things by the Advice of the Council; and according to these Presents, and the Laws.  
iv That the Lord PROTECTOR, the Parliament sitting, shall dispose and order the Militia and Forces both by Sea and Land, for the peace and good of the three Nations, by Consent of Parliament; And that the Lord PROTECTOR, with the Advice and Consent of the major part of the Council, shall dispose and order the Militia for the ends aforesaid in the Intervals of Parliament.  
V That the Lord PROTECTOR by the Advice aforesaid, shall direct in all things, concerning the keeping and holding of a good Correspondency with foreign Kings, Princes and States, and also with the Consent of the major part of the Council, have the power of War and Peace.  
VI That the Laws shall not be altered, suspended, abrogated, or repealed nor any new Law made, nor any Tax, Charge, or Imposition laid upon the People, but by common consent in Parliament, save only as ●s expressed in the 30. A tickle.  
VII. That there shall be a Parliament summoned to meet at W●●tminst●r upon the third day of September, one thousand six hundred fifty four; and that successively a Parliament shall be summoned once in every third year, to be accounted from the dissolution of the preceding Parliament.  
VIII. That neither the Parliament to be next summoned, nor any successive Parliaments, shall, during the time of five Months, to be accounted from the day of their first meeting, be adjourned, prorogned, or dissolved without their own Consent.  
IX. That as well the next, as all other successive Parliaments, shall be summoned and elected in manner hereafter expressed, That is to say, The Persons to be chosen within England, Wales, the Isles of Jers●y and Guernsey and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed, to sit and serves Parliament shall be, and not exceed the Number of Four hundred. Th● Persons to be chosen within Scotland to sit and serve in P●●liament, shall be, and not exceed the Number of Th●rty. And th● P●rsons to be chosen to sit in Parliament for Ireland, shall be, and not exceed the number of thirty.  
X. That the Persons to be elected to sit in Parliament from time to time for the several Counties of England, Wales, the Isles of Jer●ey and Guernsey, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed, and all places within the same respectively, shall be according to the proportions and numbers hereafter expressed, That is to say,  

For the County of Bedford, six, viz. 

For the Town of Bedford, one.  
For the County of Bedford, five.    
For the County of Berks, seven, viz. 

For the Borough of Abingdon, one.  
For the Borough of Reading, one.  
For the County of Berks, five.    
For the County of Bucks, eight, viz. 

For the Town of Buckingham, one.  
For the Borough of Alisburie, one.  
For the Borough of Wiccomb, one.  
For the County of Bucks, five.    
For the County of Cambridge and Isle of Ely, eight, viz. 

for the Town of Cambridge, one.  
for the University of Cambridge, one.  
for the Isle of Ely, two.  
for the County of Cambridge, four.    
For the County of Chester, Five, viz. 

for the City of Chester, one.  
for the County of Chester, four.    
For the County of Cornwell, Twelve, viz. 

for the Borough of Dunishwet, otherwise Launceston, one.  
for the Borough of Truro, one.  
for the Borough of Penryn, one.  
for the Boroughs of Eastlow and Westlow, one.  
for the County of Cornwall, eight.    
For the County of Cumberland; Three, viz. 

for the City of Carlisle, one.  
for the County of Cumberland, two.    
For the County of Derby, Five, viz. 

for the Town of Derby, one.  
for the County of Derby, four.    
For the County of Devon, Twenty, viz. 

for the City of Excester, two.  
for the Borough of Plymouth, two.  
for the Borough of Dartmouth, Clifton, and Hardness, one.  
for the Borough of Totness, one.  
for the Borough of Barnstable, one.  
for the Borough of Tiverton, one.  
for the Borough of Honyton, one.  
for the County of Devon, eleven.    
For the County of Dorset, Ten, viz. 

for the Borough of Dorchester, one.  
for the Borough of Weymouth, and Melcomb-Regis, one.  
for the Burough of Lyme-Regis, one.  
for the Town and County of Pool, one.  
for the County of Dorset, six.    
For the County of Durham, Three, viz. 

for the City of Durham, one.  
for the County of Durham, two.    
For the County of York, Twenty two, viz. 

for the City of York, two.  
for the Town of Kingston upon Hull, one.  
for the Borough of Beverley, one.  
for the Borough of Scarborough, one.  
for the Burough of Richmond, one.  
for the Town of Leeds, one.  
for the Town and Parish of Hallifax, one.  
for the County of York, fourteen, to be chosen distinctly by the three Ridings: That is to say, for the West- riding, six, for the East- riding, four, for the North- riding, four.    
For the County of Essex, Sixteen, viz. 

for the Burough of Maldon, one,  
for the Borough of Colchester, two.  
for the County of Essex, thirteen.    
For the County of Gloucester, and County of the City of Gloucester, Nine, viz. 

for the City of Gloucester, two.  
for the Brough of Tewksberry, one.  
for the Borough of Cirencester, one.  
for the County, and the County of the City of Gloucester, except the said City, five.    
For the County of Hereford, Six, viz. 

for the City of Hereford, one.  
for the Borough of Leompster, one.  
for the County of Hereford, four.    
For the County of Hartford, Seven, viz. 

for the Town of St. Alban, one.  
for the Borough of Hartford, one.  
for the County of Hartford, five.    
For the County of Huntingdon, four viz. 

for the Borough of Huntingdon, one.  
for the County of Huntingdon, three.    
For the County of Kent, Eighteen, viz. 

for the City of Canterbury, two.  
for the City of Rochester, one.  
for the Borough of Maydston, one.  
for the Port of Dover, one.  
for the Port of Sandwich, one.  
for the Borough of Quinborough, one.  
for the County of Kent, eleven.    
For the County of Lancaster, Eight, viz. 

for the Borough of Preston in Anderness, one.  
for the Borough of Lancaster, one.  
for the Borough of Leverpool, one.  
for the Town and Parish of Manchester, one.  
for the County of Lancaster, four.    
For the County of Leicester, Six, viz. 

for the Borough of Leicester, two.  
for the County of Leicester, four.    
For the County of Lilcoln, Sixteen, viz. 

for the City of Lincoln, two.  
for the Town of Boston, one.  
for the Borough of Grantham, one.  
for the Town of Stamford, one.  
for the Town of Great Grimsby, one.  
for the County of Lincoln. ten.    
For the County of Middlesex, Six, viz. 

for the City of Westminster, two.  
for the County of Middlesex, four.    
For the City of London, six.  
For the County of Monmouth, three.  
For the County of Northfolk, Sixteen, viz. 

for the City of Norwich, two.  
for the Town of Lyn-Regis, two.  
for the Town of Great Yarmouth, two.  
for the County of Northfolk, ten.    
For the County of Northampton, eight. viz. 

for the City of Peterborough, one.  
for the Town of Northampton, one.  
for the County of Northampton, six.    
For the County of Nottingham, six, viz. 

for the Town of Nottingham, two.  
for the County of Nottingham, four.    
For the County of Northumberland, five, viz. 

for the Town of Newcastle upon Tyne, one.  
for the Town of Berwick, one.  
for the County of Northumberland, three.    
For the County of Oxford, eight, viz. 

for the City of Oxford. one.  
for the University of Oxford, one.  
for the Borough of Woodstock, one.  
for the County of Oxford, five.    
For the County of Rutland, two.  
For the County of Salop, eight, viz. 

for the Town of Shrewsbury, two.  
for the Borough of Bruges alias Bridgnorth, one.  
for the Borough of Ludlow, one.  
for the County of Salop, four.    
For the County of Stafford, six, viz. 

for the City of Litchfield, one.  
for the Town of Stafford, one.  
for the Borough of Newcastle on the Line, one.  
for the County of Stafford, three.    
For the County of Somerset, sixteen, viz. 

for the Borough of Taunton, two.  
for the City of Bath, one.  
for the City of Wells, one.  
for the Borough of Bridgwater, one.  
for the County of Somerset, elevens    
For the City of Bristol, two.  
For the County of Southampton, fourteen, viz. 

for the City of Winchester, one.  
for the Town of Southampton, one.  
for the Town of Portsmouth, one.  
for the Isle of Wight, two.  
for the Borough of Andover, one.  
for the County of Southampton, eight.    
For the County of Suffolk, sixteen, viz. 

for the Borough of Ipswitch, two.  
for the Borough of Bury St. edmond's, two  
for the Burough of Dunwich, one.  
for the Borough of Sudbury, one.  
for the County of Suffolk, ten.    
For the County of Surry, ten, viz. 

for the Borough of Southwark, two.  
for the Borough of Guildford, one.  
for the Borough of Rygate, one.  
for the County of Surry, six.    
For the County of Sussex, fourteen, viz. 

for the City of Chichester, one.  
for the Borough of Lewis, one.  
for the Borough of East-greenstead, one.  
for the Borough of Arundel, one.  
for the Borough of Rye, one.  
for the County of Sussex, nine.    
For the County of Westmoreland, two.  
For the County of Warwick, seven, viz. 

for the City of Coventry, two.  
for the Borough of Warwick, one.  
for the County of Warwick, four.    
For the County of Worcester, seven, viz. 

for the City and County of the City of Worcester, two.  
for the County of Worcester, five.    
for the County of Wilts, fourteen, viz. 

for the City of New Sarum, two.  
for the Borough of Marleborough, one.  
for the Borough of the Devizes, one.  
for the County of Wilts, ten.    
For the County of Anglesey, two.  
For the County of Brecon, two.  
For the County of Cardigan, two.  
For the County of Carmarthen, two.  
For the County of Carnarvan, two.  
For the County of Denbigh, two.  
For the County of Flint, two.  
For the County of Glamorgan, three, viz. 

for the Town of Card●ffe, one.  
for the County of Glamorgan, two.    
For the County of Merioneth, one.  
For the County of Montgomery, two.  
For the County of Pembroke, three, viz. 

for the Town of Haverfordwest, one.  
for the County of Pembroke, two.    
For the County of Radnor, two.   
The distribution of the Persons to be chosen for Scotland, and the several Counties City's, and places within the same, shall be according to such proportions and number, as shall be agreed upon, and declared by the Lord Protector and the major part of the Council, before the sending forth Writs of Summons for the next Parliament. The distribution of the Persons to be chosen for Ireland, and the several Counties, Cities, and places within the same, shall be according to such proportions and number, as shall be agreed upon, and declared by the Lord Protector, and the major part of the Council, before the sending forth Writs of Summons for the next Parliament.  
XI. That the Summons to Parliament shall be by Writ under the Great Seal of England, directed to the Sheriff's of the several and respective Counties, with such alteration as may suit with the present Government, to be made by the Lord Protector and his Council, which the Chancellor, Keeper, or Commissioners of the Great Seal, shall seal, issue, and send abroad by Warrant from the Lord Protector. If the Lord Protector shall not give warrant for issuing of Writs of Summons for the next Parliament, before the first day of June, one thousand sixhundred fifty four, or for the Triennial Parliaments before the first day of August in every third year, to be accounted as aforesaid; That then the Chancellor, Keeper, or Commissioners of the Great Seal for the time being shall, without any Warrant or direction, within seven days after the said first day of June, one thousand fix hundred fifty four, Seal, Issue, and send abroad Writs of Summons (changing therein what is to be changed as aforesaid) to the several and respective Sheriffs of England, Scotland, and Ireland, for summoning the Parliament to meet at Westminster, the third of September next; and shall likewise within seven days after the said first day of August, in every third year, to be accounted from the dissolution of the precedent Parliament, Seal, Issue, and send abroad several Writs of Summons, changing therein what is to be changed, as aforesaid, for Summoning the Parliament to meet at Westminster the sixth of November in that third year, That the said several and respective Sheriffs shall, within ten days after the receipt of such Writs as aforesaid, cause the same to be proclaimed and published in every Market-Town within his County, upon the Market-days thereof, between Twelve and Three of the Clock; and shall then also publish and declare the certain day of the week and month for choosing Members to serve in Parliament for the Body of the said County, according to the tenor of the said Writ, which shall be upon Wednesday five weeks after the date of the Writ; and shall likewise declare the place where the Election shall be made; for which purpose he shall appoint the most convenient place for the whole County to meet in, and shall send Precepts for Elections to be made in all and every City, Town, Borough or place within his County, where Elections are to be made by virtue of these Presents, to the Major, Sheriff, or other H●ad-Officer of such City, Town, Borough or place, within Three days after the receipt of such Writ and Writs, which the said Majors, Sheriffs and Officers respectively are to make publication of, and of the certain day for such Elections to be made in the said City, Town or place aforesaid, and to cause Elections to be made accordingly.  
XII. That at the day and place of Elections, the Sheriff of each County, and the said Majors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs and other Head-officers within their Cities, Towns, Borough, and places respectively, shall take view of the said Elections, and shall make return into the Chancery within Twenty-dayes after the said Elections of the persons elected by the greater number of Electors, under their hands and seals, between him on the one part, and the Electors on the other part; wherein shall be contained, That the persons elected sha●l not have power to alter the Government as it is hereby settled in one single Person and a Parliament.  
XIII. That the Sheriff, who shall writtingly and willingly make any f●ll return, or neglect his duty, shall incur the penalty of Two thousand Marks of lawful English Money; the one moiety to the Lord Protector, and the other moiety to such person as will sue for th● same.  
XIV. That all and every person and persons, who have aided, advised, assisted, or abetted in any War against the Parliament, since th● First day of January, One thousand six hundred forty one (unless they have been since in the service of the Parliament, and given signal Testimony of their good Affections thereunto) shall be disabled, and be uncapable to be elected, or to give any Vote in the Election of any Members to serve in the next Parliament, or in the three succeeding Triennial Parliaments.  
XV. That all such, who have advised, assisted, or abetted the Rebellion of Ireland, shall be disabled and uncapable for ever to be elected, or to give any Vote in the Election of any Member to serve in Parliament: as also all such who do or shall profess the Roman Catholic Religion.  
XVI. Tha● all Votes and Elections given or made contrary, or not according to these Qualifications, shall be null and void: And if any person who is hereby made uncapable, shall give his Vote for Election of Members to serve in Parliament, such person shall lose and forfeit one full years value of his real estate, and one full third part of his personal estate, one moiety thereof to the Lord Protector, and the other moiety to him, or them who shall sue for the same.  
XVII. That the persons who shall be elected to serve in Parliament shall be such (and no other than such) as are persons of known Integrity, fearing God, and of good conversation, and being of the age of One and twenty years.  
XVIII. That all and every person and persons seized or possessed to his own use, of any estate real● or personal, to the value of Two hundred pounds, and not within the aforesaid Exceptions, shall be capable to elect Members to serve in Parliament for Counties.  
XIX. That the Chancellor, Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal, shall be sworn before they enter into their Offices, truly and faithfully to ●ssue forth and send abroad Writs of Summons to Parliaments at the times, and in the manner before expressed And in case of neglect or failer, to issue and send abroad Writs accordingly, he or they shall for every such offence, be guilty of High Treason, and suffer the pains and penalties thereof.  
XX. That in case Writs be not issued out, as is before expressed, but that there be a neglect therein, fifteen days after the time wherein the same aught to be issued out by the Chancellor, Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal, that then the Parliament shall, as often as such failer shall happen, assemble and be held at Westminster, in the usual place, at the times prefixed, in manner, and by the means hereafter expressed, That is to say, That the Sheriffs of the several and respective Counties, Sheriffdoms, Cities, Boroughs and places aforesaid, within England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, the Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and the Major and Bailiffs of the Borough of Borwick upon Tweed, and other the places aforesaid respectively, sha●l at the several Courts and places to be appointed, as aforesaid, within Thirty days after the said Fifteen days, cause such Members to be chosen for their said several and respective Counties Sheriffdoms, Universities, Cities, Boroughs, and places aforesaid, by such persons, and in such manner, as if several and respective Writs of Summons to Parliament under the Great Seal had issued and been awarded according to the Tenor abovesaid: That if the Sheriff or other persons authorized, shall neglect his or their duty herein; That all and every such Sheriff and person authorized as aforesaid, so neglecting his or their duty, shall, for every such Offence, be guilty of High Treason, and shall suffer the pains and penalties thereof.  
XXI. That the Clerk, called The Clerk of the Commonwealth, in Chancery for the time being, and all others who shall afterwards execute that Office, to whom the Returns shall be made, shall for the next Parliament and the two succeeding Triennial Parliaments, the next day after such Return, certify the Names of the several persons so returned, and of the places for which he and they were chosen respectively, unto the Council, who shall peruse the said Returns, and examine whether the persons so Elected and Returned be such as is agreeable to the Qualifications, and not disabled to be elected: And that every person and persons being so duly Elected, and being approved of by the major part of the Council to be persons not disabled, but qualified as aforesaid, shall be esteemed a Member of Parliament, and be admitted to sit in Parliament, and not otherwise.  
XXII. That the persons chosen and assembled in manner aforesaid, or any Sixty of them, shall be, and be deemed the Parliament of England, Scotland and Ireland; and the Supreme Legislative Power to be and reside in the Lord Protector and such Parliament, in manner herein expressed.  
XXIII. That the Lord Protector, with the advice of the major part of the Council, shall at any other time than is before expressed, when the necessities of the State shall require it, summon Parliaments in manner before expressed, which shall not be Adjourned, Prorogued or Dissolved without their own Consent, during the first three Months of their Sitting: And in case of future War with any Foreign State, a Parliament shall be forthwith Summoned for their Advice concerning the same.  
XXIV. That all Bills agreed unto by the Parliament, shall be presented to the Lord Protector for his consent; and in case he shall not give his consent thereto, within Twenty days after they shall be presented to him, or give satisfaction to the Parliament within the time limited; That then, upon Declaration of the Parliament, That the Lord Protector hath not consented nor given Satisfaction, such Bills shall pass into, and become Laws, although he shall not give his consent thereunto; provided such Bills contain nothing in them contrary to the matters contained in these Presents.  
XXV. That Philip Lord Viscount Lisle, Charles Fleetwood Esquire, John Lambert Esquire, Sir Gilbert Pickering Baronet, Sir Charles Wolseley Baronet, Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper Baronet, Edward Montagu Esquire, John Disborow Esquire, Walter Strickland Esquire, Henry Laurence Esquire, William Sydenham Esquire, Philip Jones Esquire, Richard Major Esquire, Francis Rous, Phil. Skippon Esquires, or any seven of them, shall be a Council for the purposes expressed in this Writing, and upon the death, or other removal of any of them, the Parliament shall nominate six persons of Ability, Integrity, and fearing God, for every one that is dead or removed, out of which the major part of the Council shall elect two, and present them to the Lord Protector, of which he shall elect one; And in case the Parliament shall not nominate within Twenty days after notice given unto them thereof, the major part of the Council of shall nominate three as aforesaid, to the Lord Protector, who out of them shall supply the vacancy; And until this Choice be made, the remaining part of the Council shall execute as fully in all things, as if their number were full: And in case of corruption, or other miscarriage in any of the Council in their Trust, the Parliament shall appoint seven of their numbers, and the Council six, who, together with the Lord Chancellor, Lord Keeper, or Commissioners of the Great Seal for the time being, shall have power to hear and determine LAM such corruption and miscarriage, and to award and inflict punishment, as the nature of the Offence shall deserve; which punishment shall not be pardoned or remitted by the Lord Protector: And in the interval of Parliaments, the major part of the Council, with the consent of the Lord Protector, may, for Corrupt on, or other miscarriage, as aforesaid, suspend any of their number from the exercise of their Trust, if they shall find it just, until the matter shall be heard and examined, as aforesaid.  
XXVI. That the Lord Protector, and the major part of the Council aforesaid, may at any time before the meeting of the next Parliament, add to the Council such persons as they shall think fit; provided the number of the Council be not made thereby to exceed One and twenty, and the Quorum to be proportioned accordingly by the Lord Protector, and the major part of the Council.  
XXVII. That a constant yearly Revenue shall be raised, settled and established for maintaining of Ten thousand Horse and Dragoons, and Twenty thousand Foot, in England, Scotland and Ireland, for the Defence and Security thereof, and also for a convenient number of Ships for guarding of the Seas; besides Two hundred thousand pounds per annum, for defraying the other necessary Charges for administration of Justice, and other Expenses of the Government: Which Revenue shall be raised by the Customs, and such other ways and means as shall be agreed upon by the Lord Protector and Council, and shall not be taken away or diminished, nor the way agreed upon for raising the same altered, but by the consent of the Lord Protector and the Parliament.  
XXVIII. That the said yearly Revenue shall be paid into the publ●ck Treasury, and shall be issued out for the Uses aforesaid.  
XXIX. That in case there shall not be cause hereafter to keep up so great a Defence at Land or Sea, but that there be an abatement made thereof; the Money which w●ll be saved thereby, shall remain in bank for the Public Service, and not be employed to any other use but by consent of Parliament; or in the intervals of Parliament, by the Lord Protector and major part of the Council.  
XXX. That the raising of Money for defraying the Charge of present extraordinary Forces both at Land and Sea, in respect of the present Wars, shall be by consent in Parliament, and not otherwise; save only that the Lord Protector, with the consent of the major part of the Council, for preventing the Disorders and Dangers which may otherwise fall out both at Sea and Land, shall have power, until the meeting of the first Parliament, to raise Money for the purposes aforesaid, and also to make Laws and Ordinances for the Peace and Welfare of these Nations where it shall be necessary, which shall be binding and in force, until Order shall be taken in Parliament concerning the same.  
XXXI. That the Lands, Tenements, Rents, Royalties, Jurisdictions and Hereditaments which remain yet unfold or undisposed of by Act or Ordinance of Parliament, belonging to the Commonwealth, (except the Forests and Chases, and the Honours and Manors belonging to the same; the Lands of the Rebels in Ireland, lying in the four Counties of Dublin, Cork, Kildare, and Katerlaugh; the Lands forfeited by the People of Scotland in the late Wars; and also the Lands of Papists and Delinquents in England, who have not yet compounded) shall be vested in the Lord Protector; To hold to him and his Successors, Lord Protectors of these Nations, and shall not be aliened, but by consent in Parliament: And all Debts, Fines, Issues, Amerciaments, Penalties and Profits, certain and casual, due to the Keepers of the Liberties of England by Authority of Parliament, shall be due to the Lord Protector, and be payable into his Public Receipt, and shall be recovered and prosecuted in his Name.  
XXXII. That the Office of the Lord Protector over these Nations, shall be Elective, and not Hereditary; and upon the death of the Lord Protector, an other fit Person shall be forthwith elected to succeed Him in the Government, which Election shall be by the Council; who, immediately upon the death of the Lord Protector, shall assemble in the Chamber where they usually fit in Council, and having given notice to all their number, of the cause of their assembling, shall (being thirteen at least present) proceed to the Election; and before they depart out of the said Chamber, shall elect a fit Person to succeed in the Government, and forthwith cause Procamation thereof to be made in all the three Nations as shall be requisite: And the Person that they, or the major part of them shall elect, as aforesaid, shall be, and shall be taken to be Lord Protector over these Nations of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereto belonging: Provided, that none of the Children of the late King, nor any or his Line or Family, be elected to be Lord Protector or other Chief Magistrate over these Nations, or any the Dominions thereto belonging. And until the aforesaid Election be past, the Council shall take care of the Government, and administer in all things as fully as the Lord Protector, or the Lord Protector and Council are enabled to do.  
XXXIII. That OLIVER CROMWELL, Captain General of the Forces of England, Scotland, and Ireland, shall be, and is hereby declared to be LORD PROTECTOR of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereto belonging, for his life.  
XXXIV. That the Chancellor, Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal, the Treasurer, Admiral, Chief Governors of Ireland and Scotland, and the Chief Justices of both the Benches, shall be chosen by the approbation of Parliament; and in the intervals of Parliament, by the approbation of the major part of the Council, to be afterwards approved by the Parliament.  
XXXV. That the Christian Religion, contained in the Scriptures, be held forth and recomended as the Public Profession of these Nations; and that as soon as may be, a provision less subject to scruple and contention, and more certain than the present, be made for the Encouragement and Maintenance of able and painful Teachers, for instructing the People, and for discovery and confutation of Error, Heresy, and whatever is contrary to sound Doctrine: And that, until such Provision be made, the present Maintenance shall not be taken away nor impeached.  
XXXVI. That to the public Profession held forth, none shall be compelled by penalries or otherwise, but that Endeavours be used to win them by sound Doctrine, and the Example of a good Conversation.  
XXXVII. That such as profess Faith in God by Jesus Christ, (though differing in judgement from the Doctrine, Worship or Discipline publicly held forth) shall not be restrained from, but shall be protected in the profession of the Faith, and exercise of their Religion; so as they abuse not this Liberty, to the civil Injury of others, and to the actual Disturbance of the Public Peace on their parts: Provided, this Liberty be not extended to Popery or Prelacy, nor to such as (under the profession of Christ) hold forth and practis●● Licentiousness.  
38 XXXVIII. That all Laws, Statutes, Ordinances and Clauses in any Law, Statute and Ordinance to the contrary of the aforesaid Liberty shall be esteemed as null and void.  
XXXIX. That the Acts and Ordinances of Parliament; made for the Sale or other Disposition of the Lands, Rents and Hereditaments of the late King, Queen and Prince, of Arch-Bishops and Bishops, etc. Deans and Chapters, the Lands of Delinquents, and Fo●●st Lu●ds, or any of them; or of any other Lands, Tenements, Rents and Hereditaments belonging to the Commonwealth, shall no way be impeached or made invalid; but shall remain good and firm: And that the Securities given by Act and Ordinance of Parliament for any sum or sums of Money, by any of the said Lands, the Excize, or by any other public Revenue; and also the Securities given by the Public Fa●th of the Nation; and the Engagement of the Publ●ck Faith for satisfaction of Debts and Damages, shall remain firm and good, and not be made void and invalid upon any pretence whatsoever.  
XL. That the Articles given to, or made with the Enemy, and afterwards confirmed by Parliament, shall be performed and made good to the persons concerned therein. And that such Appeals, as were depending in the last Parliament, for relief concerning Bills of Sale of Delinquents Estates, may be heard and determined the next Parliament, Any thing in this Writing, or otherwise to the contrary notwithstanding.  
XLI. That every successive Lord Protector over these Nations, shall take and subscribe a Solemn Oath, in the presence of the Council, and such others as they shall call to them, That he will seek the Peace, Quiet, and Welfare of these Nations, cause Law and Justice to be equally administered and that he will not violate or infringe the matters and things contained in this Writing; and in all other things will to his power, and to the best of his understanding, govern these Nations, according to the Laws, Statutes and Customs.  
XLII. That each person of the Council shall, before they enter upon their Trust, take, and subscribe an Oath, That they will be true and faithful in their Trust, according to the best of their knowledge; And, that in the Election of every successive Lord Protector, they shall proceed therein impartially, and do nothing therein for any promise, fear, favour or reward.  

The OATH taken by his Highness Oliver Cromwell, LORD PROTECTOR.  
WHereas the major part of the last Parliament (judging that their sitting any longer, as then constituted, would not be for the good of this Commonwealth) did dissolve the same, and by a Writing under their Hands, dated the 12. day of this instant December, resigned unto Me their Powers and Authorities; And whereas it was necessary thereupon, That some speedy course should be taken for the settlement of these Nations upon such a Basis and foundation, as, by the blessing of God, might be lasting, secure Property, and answer those great Ends of Religion and Liberty, so long contended for; And upon full and mature Consideration had of the Form of Government hereunto annexed, being satisfied that the same, through Divine assistance, may answer the Ends ; And having also been desired, and advised, aswell by several persons of Interest and Fidelity in this Commonwealth, as the Officers of the Army, to take upon me the Protection and Government of these Nations in the manner expressed in the said Form of Government, I have accepted thereof, and do hereby declare my Acceptance accordingly. And do promise in the presence of God, That I will not violate, or infringe the matters and things contained therein, but, to my power, observe the same, and cause them to be observed; And shall in all other things to the best of my understanding, govern these Nations according to the Laws, Statutes and Customs, seeking their Peace, and causing Justice and Law to be equally administered.  
O. CROMWELL.  
Oliver Cromwell, Captain General of all the Forces of this Commonwealth, and now delared Lord Protector thereof, did this sixteenth day of December, 1653. sign this Writing, and solemnly promise as is therein contained, in the presence of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, who administered the same Oath, and of the Lord Maior and Aldermen of the City of London, divers of the Judges of the Land, the Officers of State and Army, and many other persons of quality.