But if
thou wilt need be punishing, then see thou be without sin thyself,
and then cast the first stone at the Ranter. Let not sinners punish
others for sin, but let the power of thy reason and righteous
action shame and so beat down their unrational actings. Wouldst
thou live in peace, then look to thy own ways, mind thy own Kingdom
within.... Let everyone alone to stand or fall their own Master;
for thou being a sinner and striving to suppress sinners by force,
thou wilt thereby but increase their rage and thine own trouble.
But do thou keep close to the Law of Righteous Reason, and thou
shalt presently see a return of the Ranters: for that Spirit within
must shame them and turn them and pull them out of darkness."
After emphasising the fact that such evil actions must necessarily bring
evil on those who indulge in them, the pamphlet concludes with the
following words:
"This I was made to write as a Vindication of the Diggers, who are
slandered with the Ranting action. My end is only to advance the
Kingdom of Peace in and among mankind, which is and will be torn in
pieces by the Ranting power, if Reason do not kill this
fine-hearted or sensitive Beast. All you that are merely civil and
that are of a loving and flexible disposition, wanting the strength
of Reason, and the Life of Universal Love, leading you forth to
seek the peace and preservation of every single body as of one's
self, you are the people that are likely to be tempted, and set
upon and torn into pieces by this devouring Beast, the Ranting
Power.
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