"(5) This freedom in planting the common land will prevent robbing,
stealing and murdering, and prisons will not so mightily be filled
with prisoners; and thereby we shall prevent that heart-breaking
spectacle of seeing so many hanged every Session as there are. And
surely this imprisoning and hanging of men is the Norman Power
still, and cannot stand with the freedom of the Commonwealth, nor
warranted by the Engagement. For by the Laws and Engagement of the
Commonwealth, none ought to be hanged nor put to death, for other
punishment may be found out. And those that do hang or put to death
their fellow Englishmen, under colour of Laws, do break the Laws
and Engagements by so doing, and cast themselves from under the
protection of the Commonwealth, and are Traitors to England's
Freedom, and upholders of the kingly, murdering power.
"(6) This Freedom in the Common Earth is the Poor's Right by the
Law of Creation and Equity of the Scriptures. For the Earth was not
made for a few, but for whole mankind; for God is no respecter of
persons."
Winstanley then concludes as follows:
"Now these few considerations we offer to all England, and we
appeal to the judgement of all rational and righteous men whether
this we speak be not that substantial truth brought forth into
action, which Ministers have preached up, and all Religious Men
have made profession of.
Pages:
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237