A DECLARATION CONCERNING The Government of the three Nations OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, And IRELAND, By his Highness the Lord Protector CROMWELL: And His Speech to the Lord Commissioners of the broad Seal of England, and the Judges in their scarlet Gowns, and Robes, immediately before he took the Chair of State, the City Sword, and Cap of Maintenance. With the Oath taken by His Highness; the subscribing of the Instructions tendered unto Him by the said Judges; the full particulars of this great and honourable Solemnisation; the manner how he was proclaimed throughout the City of London, and the proclamation of the Council, to be published throughout all Counties, Cities, and Market-towns.  
London, Printed by R. WOOD, 1653.   

The Speech of his Excellency the Lord General Cromwell, in Westminster Hall on Friday last, to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the rest of the Judges of the Law, upon their investing of Him Lord Protector of the three Nations of England, Scotland, and Ireland.  
WHereas the late Parliament having upon their Dissolution delivered up their Power and Authorities, which they received from his Excellency at their first sitting by a Writing under their Hands and Seals: His Excellency thereupon called a Council of Officers, and advised with other persons of Interest in the Nation, how this great Burden of governing England, Scotland, and Ireland, should be born, and by whom; who after several Days seeking of God, and advising therein; It was resolved that a Council of godly able and discreet persons should be named, consisting of 21. And that his Excellency should be chosen Lord Protector of the three Nations. In pursuance hereof, several persons of eminency and worth, are already made choice of to be of the said Council. And on Friday last his Excellency went to Westminster, where he was installed Lord Protector of the three Nations; a Narration whereof take as followeth:  
His Excellency about one of the clock in the afternoon went from White-Hall to Westminster, to the Chancery Court, attended by the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal of England, Barons of the Exchequer, and Judges in their Robes; after them, the Council of the Commonwealth, and the Lord Mayor, aldermans, and Recorder of the City of London, in their scarlet Gowns; then came his Excellency, attended with many of the chief Officers of the Army, and a Chair of State being set in the said Court of Chancery, His Excellency stood on the left hand thereof uncovered, till a large Writing in Parchment, in the nature of an Oath, was read; the substance whereof was, That he should govern the three Nations of England, Scotland, and Ireland, according to the Fundamental Laws thereof; That he should maintain the true Orthodox Ministry of the Church of England; and that He should extirpate and abolish all Popery, Schisms, and Heresy; and maintain and preserve the people's Rights, Privileges, and Liberty, etc. Unto which Paper, or Oath, his Excellency subscribed in the face of the court, saying, to this effect, That seeing it was the will of God, and the pleasure of the council, that he should be invested with so great an honour, as to be Lord Protector, that he desired to rule and govern the three Nations no longer, than it might have a perfect dependency on the great work of the Lord; that so the Gospel might flourish in its full splendour and purity; and the people enjoy their just Rights and Propriety? His Speech being ended, he sat down in the chair covered; and the Lords commissioners then delivered up the great Seal of England to his Excellency, and the L. Major his Sword and cap of Maintenance; all which his Excellency returned immediately to them again: the court than risen, and his Excellency was attended back as aforesaid, to the Banqueting house in , the Lord Mayor himself uncovered carrying the Sword before the Protector all the way; and coming in to the Banqueting house, there was great acclamations of joy.  
So that now this Commonwealth is become the Wonder and Emulation of Europe; nay, of the whole World: since that the Lord Protector is resolved to defend and maintain our National Rights, Laws, Liberties, and Privileges, against all sorts of persons whatsoever that shall dare to attempt the violation or extirpation thereof. And indeed, deplorable is it unto many, to behold the birdwitted Opiniators of this Age, who already begin to breath forth a disowning and dislike of this great and unparallelled Change. Alas! how great a madness are these Antinomies captivated with, who blindly endeavour the ruin of so prudent a Governor, so excellent a Protector. Defend Us, O God from that unhappiness, where our own Reason will not be our friend! We have nothing amiss almost in England, but where our wholesome Laws, and excellent Government is abused. Alas! how is the whole body of men well composed, but valuing their Patrial Laws, are troubled at the present Change. But doubtless, our Protector will consider, that in these Impressions of idle heads, their own Interest suffers an unmannerly violation. Can it be, that ever these lunatic Brains will be constant to their Governors, who not knowing what to ask, yet are resolved upon impetuous malice against those Constitutions they breath under, and would involve the Commonwealth into inextricable Labirynthes.  

The Lord Major and Aldermen being returned from this great solemnisation, in pursuance thereof, on Monday went in their scarlet Gowns, to meet the Herald of Arms, and to proclaim the Lord Protector, which was accordingly done by 12 Trumpets both in Cheapside, and at the Royal Exchange, where the ensuing Proclamation was publicly read, to the end, that all men may conform and submit themselves to this present Government.   

¶ By the Council.  
WHereas the late Parliament dissolving themselves, and resigning their powers and Authorities, The Government of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, Ireland, by a Lord Protector, and successive Triennial Parliaments, is now established; And whereas O. Cromwell Captain General of all the forces of this Commonwealth is declared Lord. Protector of the said Nations, and hath accepted thereof: We have therefore thought it necessary (as we hereby do) to make publication of the premises, and strictly to charge and command all, and every person or persons, of what quality and condition soever, in any of the said three Nations, to take notice hereof, and to conform and submit themselves to the Government so established. And all Sheriffs, Majors, Bailiffs, and other public Ministers, and Officers, whom this may concern, are required to cause this Proclamation to be forthwith published in their respective counties, cities, corporations, and Market towns; to the end none may have cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf.  
Given at White-Hall this 16 day of December, 1653.