Thus
the Law gives all the Land to some part of mankind, whose
predecessors got it by conquest, and denies it to others, who by
the Righteous Law of Creation may claim an equal portion. And yet
you say this is a Righteous Government, but surely it is no other
than selfishness."
His indignation again gets the mastery of him, and he continues
bitterly:
"England is a prison; the varieties of subtilties in the Laws
preserved by the Sword are the bolts, bars and doors of the prison;
the Lawyers are the Jailers; and Poor Men are the prisoners. For
let a man fall into the hands of any, from the Bailiff to the
Judge, and he is either undone or weary of his life. Surely this
power, the Law, which is the great Idol that people dote upon, is
the burden of the Creation, a nursery of idleness, luxury and
cheating, the only enemy of Christ, the King of Righteousness! For
though it pretends Justice, yet the Judges and Law Officers buy and
sell Justice for money, and say it is my calling, and never are
troubled at it."
He then makes the following manly appeal to his persecutors:
"You Gentlemen of Surrey, and Lords of Manors, and you Mr. Parson
Platt especially ... my advice to you is this, hereafter to lie
still and cherish the Diggers, for they love you and would not have
your finger ache if they could help it, then why should you be so
bitter against them? O let them live beside you.
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