"
FAITHFUL OFFICERS AND FAITHLESS OFFICERS.
"So that all true Officers are chosen Officers, and when they act
to satisfy the necessities of them who chose them, then they are
faithful and righteous servants to that Commonwealth, and then
there is a rejoicing in the City. But when Officers do take the
possessions of the Earth into their own hands, lifting themselves
up thereby to be Lords over their Masters, the people who choose
them, and will not suffer the people to plant the Earth and reap
the fruits for their livelihood unless they will hire the land of
them, or work for day wages for them, that they may live in ease
and plenty and not work: These Officers are fallen from true
Magistracy of a Commonwealth, and they do not act righteously, and
because of this sorrow and tears, poverty and bondages are known
among mankind, and now that City mourns."
"ALL OFFICERS IN A COMMONWEALTH ARE TO BE CHOSEN NEW ONES EVERY
YEAR."
Winstanley believed that power of any sort, more especially if long
enjoyed, tends to corrupt and to deteriorate. He therefore advocates,
and shows surprisingly good reasons for his advocacy, that new Officers
should be appointed every year. He says:
"When public Officers remain long in places of Judicature, they
will degenerate from the bounds of humility, honesty and tender
care of bretheren, in regard the heart of man is so subject to be
overspread with the clouds of covetousness, pride and vain-glory.
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