Some of them have
been Soldiers, and some Countrymen that were always friends to the
Parliament's cause, by whose hardships and means you enjoy the
creatures about you in peace. And will you now destroy part of them
that have preserved your lives? O do not do so; be not so besotted
with the Kingly Power.... Bid them go and plant the Commons. This
will be your honor and your comfort; for assure yourselves that you
can never have true comfort till you be friends with the Poor.
Therefore, come, come, love the Diggers, make restitution of their
land you hold from them; for what would you do if you had not such
laboring men to work for you?"
A pertinent question, truly, and one which those whom he addressed, as
well as those who are to-day in their places, would find it somewhat
inconvenient to answer.
He then appeals to the Officers of the Army in the following bold and
manly words:
"And you, great Officers of the Army and Parliament, love your
common Soldiers (I plead for Equity and Reason) and do not force
them, by long delay of payment, to sell you their dearly bought
Debentures for a thing of nought, and then to go and buy our Common
Land, and Crown Land, and other Land that is the spoil, one of
another therewith. Remember you are Servants to the Commons of
England, and you were volunteers in the Wars, and the Common People
have paid you for your pains largely.
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