The power of the sword was vested in the protector jointly with the parliament, while it was sitting, or with the council of state in the intervals.

He was obliged to summon a parliament every three years, and allow them to sit five months, without adjournment, prorogation, or dissolution.

The bills which they passed were to be presented to the protector for his assent; but if within twenty days it were not obtained, they were to become laws by the authority alone of parliament.

A standing army for Great Britain and Ireland was established, of twenty thousand foot and ten thousand horse; and funds were assigned for their support.

These were not to be diminished without *consent of the protector; and in this article alone he assumed a negative, During the intervals of parliament, the protector and council had the power of enacting laws, which were to be valid till the next meeting of parliament.