Whether all laws that are not grounded upon equity and reason,
not giving an universal freedom to all, but respecting persons,
ought not to be cut off with the king's head? We affirm they ought.
If all laws be grounded upon equity and reason, then the whole land
of England is to be a Common Treasury to everyone born in the Land.
"7. Whether everyone without exception, by the Law of Contract,
ought not to have liberty to enjoy the earth for his livelihood,
and to settle his dwelling in any part of the Commons of England,
without buying or renting land of any, seeing that everyone by
agreement and covenant among themselves have paid taxes, given
free-quarter, and adventured their lives to recover England out of
bondage? We affirm they ought.[103:1]
"8. Whether the laws that were made in the days of the king do give
freedom to any but the gentry and clergy?"
Winstanley then puts a string of similar questions to Public Preachers,
"that say they preach the Righteous Law," from which, however, we need
only quote the following:
"QUESTIONS TO PUBLIC PREACHERS.
"First we demand, Yea or No, Whether the Earth, with her fruits,
was made to be bought and sold from one to another; And whether one
part of mankind was made to be a Lord of the Land, and another part
a servant, by the Law of Creation before the Fall?
"I affirm (and I challenge you to disprove) that the Earth was made
to be a Common Treasury of Livelihood for all, without respect of
persons, and was not made to be bought and sold.
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