of freedom righteousness and peace or whether you will return to Monarchy to embrace that Egyptian bondage still Well here is life and death set before you take whether you will but know that unless your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Kingly and Lordly Scribes and Pharisees you shall never enjoy true peace in your spirit CHAP. VI The Kings old laws cannot govern a free Commonwealth THey cannot govern in times of bondage and in times of freedom too they have indeed served many masters Popish and Protestant they are like old souldiers that will but change their name and turn about and as they were and the reason is because they are the prerogative will of those under any Religion that count it no freedom to them unless they be lords over the minds persons and labors of their brethren They are called the Kings laws because they are made by the Kings If any say they were made by the Commoners It is answered They were not made by the Commoners as the Commoners of a free Commonwealth are to make laws For in the dayes of the Kings none were to chuse nor be chosen Parliament men or law makers but Lords of Mannors and Freeholders such as held title to their inclosures of Land or Charters for their liberties in trades under the King who called the land his as he was the Conquerer or his successor All inferior people were neither to chuse nor to be chosen and the reason was because all freeholders of land and such as held their liberties by Charter were all of the Kings interest and the inferior people were successively of the rank of the conquered ones and servants and slaves from the time of the conquest And further when a Parliament was chosen in that manner yet if any Parliament man in the uprightness of his heart did endeavor to promote any freedome contrary to the Kings will or former customes from the Conquest he was either committed to prison by the King or by his house of Lords who were his ancient Norman successive councel of war or else the Parliament was dissolved and broke up by the King So that the old laws were made in times under kingly slavery not under the liberty of Commonwealths freedome because Parliament men must have regard to the Kings prerogative interest to hold his Conquest or else indanger themselves As sometimes it is in these dayes some officers dare not speak against the minds of those men who are the chief in power nor a private souldier against the minde of his officer lest they be cashiered their places and livelihood And so long as the promoting of the Kings will and prerogative was to be in the eye of the law makers the oppressed Commoners could never enjoy Commonwealths freedome thereby Yet by the wisdome courage faithfulness and industry of some Parliament men the Commoners have received here a line and there a line of freedome inserted into their laws as those good lines of freedom in Magna Charta were obtained by much hardship and industry Secondly they were the Kings laws because the Kings own creatures made the laws or Lords of Mannors Freeholders c. were successors of the Norman souldiers from the Conquest therefore they could do no other but maintaine their own and their kings interest And do we not see that all laws were made in the dayes of the Kings to ease the rich Landlord but the poor laborers were left under bondage still they were to have no freedome in the earth by those pharisaical laws for when laws were made and Parliaments broke up the poor oppressed Commoners had no relief but the power of Lords of Mannors withholding the free use of the Common land from them remained still for none durst make use of any Common land but at the Lords leave according to the will and law of the Conquerer therefore the old laws were called the Kings laws And these old laws cannot govern a free Commonwealth because the land now is to be set free from the slavery of the Norman Conquest and the power of Lords of Mannors and Norman freeholders is to be taken away or else the Commoners are but where they were if not faln lower into straights then they were and the old laws cannot look with any other face then they did though they be washed with Commonwealths water their countenance is still withered therefore it was not for nothing that the Kings would have all their Laws written in French and Latine and not in English partly in honour to the Norman Race and partly to keep the common people ignorant of their Creation-freedoms lest they should rise to redeem themselves and if those Laws should be writ in English yet if the same Kingly principles remain in them the English language would not advantage us any thing but rather increase our sorrow by our knowledge of our bondage What is Law in general Law is a Rule whereby Man and other creatures are governed in their actions for the preservation of the common peace And this Law is twofold First it is the power of Life called the Law of Nature within the creatures which does move both man and beast in their actions or that causes grass trees 〈◊〉 and all plants to grow in their several seasons and whatsoever any body does he does it as he is moved by this inward Law And this law of Nature moves twofold viz. unrationally or rationally A man by this inward Law is guided to actions of generation and present content rashly through a greedy self-love without any consideration like foolish children or like the bruit beasts by reason whereof much hurt many times follows the body And this is called the law in the 〈◊〉 warring against the law of the minde Or when there is an inward watchful oversight of all motions to action considering the end and effects of those actions that there be no excess in diet in speech or in action break forth to the prejudice of a mans self or others And this is called the light in man The reasonable power Or the law of the minde And this rises up in the heart by an experimental observation of that peace and trouble which such and such words thoughts and actions bring the man into And this is called the record on high for it is a record in a mans heart above the former unreasonable power And it is called the witness or testimony of a 〈◊〉 own 〈◊〉 And it is said To the law and to the testimony c. for this moderate watchfulness is still the law of Nature in a higher resurrection then the former 〈◊〉 it hath many terms which for 〈◊〉 sake I let pass And this twofold work of the law within man strives to bring 〈◊〉 themselves in writing to 〈◊〉 numbers of bodies on their fides And that power that begets the biggest number alwayes Rules as King and Lord in the creature and in the creation till the other part overtop him even as
work shall be Carriers or Carters to carry Corn or other provision from Store-house to Store-house from Country to Cities and from thence to Countries c. 45. If any of these refuse to do such work the Task-master shall see them whipt and shall feed them with coarse dyet And what hardship is this For Freemen work the easiest work and these shall work the hardest work And to what end is this but to kill their Pride and Unreasonableness that they may become useful men in the Commonwealth 46. The wife or children of such as have lost their Freedom shall not be as slaves till they have lost their Freedom as their parents and husbands have done 47. He who breaks any Laws shall be the first time reproved in words in private or in publique as is shewed before the next time whipt the third time lose his Freedom either for a time or for ever and not to be any Officer 48. He who hath lost his Freedom shall be a common servant to any Freeman who comes to the Task-masters and requires one to do any work for him always provided that after one Freeman hath by the consent of the Task-masters appointed him his work another Freeman shall not call him thence till that work be done 49. If any of these Offenders revile the Laws by words they shall be soundly whipt and fed with coarse dyet if they raise weapons against the Laws they shall dye as Traytors Laws to restore Slaves to Freedom 50. When any slaves give open testimony of their humility and diligence and their care to observe the Laws of the Commonwealth they are then capable to be restored to their Freedom when the time of servitude is expired according to the Judges sentence but if they remain opposite to the Laws they shall continue slaves still another term of time 51. None shall be restored to Freedom till they have been a twelve Moneth laboring servants to the Commonwealth for they shall Winter and Summer in that condition 52. When any is restored to Freedom the Judg at the Senators Court shall pronounce his Freedom and give liberty to him to be clothed in what other coloured cloth he will 53. If any persons be sick or wounded the Chyrurgeons who are trained up in the knowledg of Herbs and Minerals and know how to apply plaisters or Physick shall go when they are sent for to any who need their help but require no reward because the Common Stock is the publique pay for every mans labour 54. When a dead person is to be buried the Officers of the Parish and neighbors shall go along with the Corpse to the grave and see it layd therein in a civil manner but the publique Minister nor any other shall have any hand in reading or Exhortation 55. When a man hath learned his Trade and the time of his seven years Apprenticeship is expired he shall have his Freedom to become Master of a family and the Overseers shall appoint him such young people to be his servants as they think fit whether he marry or live a single life Laws for Marriage 56. Every man and woman shall have the free liberty to marry whom they love if they can obtain the love and liking of that party whom they would marry and neither birth nor portion shall hinder the match for we are all of one blood Mankind and for portion the Common Store-houses are every man and maids portion as free to one as to another 57. If any man lie with a maid and beget a child he shall marry her 58. If a man lie with a woman forcibly and she cry out and give no consent if this be proved by two Witnesses or the mans confession he shall be put to death and the woman let go free it is robbery of a woman bodily Freedom 59. If any man by violence endeavor to take away another mans wife the first time of such violent offer he shall be reproved before the Congregation by the Peace-maker the second time he shall be made a servant under the Task-master for twelve Moneths and if he forcibly lie with another mans wife and she cry out as in the case when a maid is forced the man shall be put to death 60. When any man or woman are consented to live together in marriage they shall acquaint all the Overseers in their Circuit therewith and some other neighbors and being all met together the man shall declare by his own mouth before them all that he takes that woman to be his wife and the woman shall say the same and desire the Overseers to be Witnesses 61. No Master of a family shall suffer more meat to be dressed at a dinner or supper then what will be spent and eaten by his houshold or company present or within such a time after before it be spoyled If there be any spoyl constantly made in a family of the food of Man the Overseer shall reprove the Master for it privately if that abuse be continued in his family through his neglect of family government he shall be openly reproved by the Peace-maker before all the people and ashamed for his folly the third time he shall be made a servant for twelve Moneths under the Task-master that he may know what it is to get food and another shall have the oversight of his house for the time 62. No man shall be suffered to keep house and have servants under him till he hath served seven years under Command to a Master himself the reason is that a man may be of age and of rational carriage before he be a Governor of a family that the Peace of the Commonwealth may be preserved Here is the righteous Law Man wilt thou it maintain It may be is as hath still in the World been slain Truth appears in Light Falshood rules in Power To see these things to be is cause of grief each hour Knowledg why didst thou come to wound and not to cure I sent not for thee thou didst me inlure Where knowledge does increase there sorrows multiply To see the great deceit which in the Worlddoth lie Man saying one thing now unsaying it anon Breaking all 's Engagements when deeds for him are done O power where art thou that must mend things amiss Come change the heart of Man and make him truth to kiss O death where art thou wilt thou not tidings send I fear thee not thou art my loving friend Come take this body and scatter it in the Four That I may dwell in One and rest in peace once more THE CONTENTS OF THE Order and Work of every Common-wealths Officer CHAP. I. THat true Commonwealths Freedom lies in the free Enjoyment of the Earth Pag 17 18 c. The Glory of Israels Commonwealth was this They had no Begger among them 21 22 A short Declaration to take off prejudice 23. 24 CHAP. II. What is Government in general 25 What is Kingly Government or Monarchy 26 27 c. What is Commonwealths Government 29 30 c. CHAP. III. Where began the first Original of Government in the Earth among Mankinde 32 There be two Roots from whence Laws do spring 33 All Officers in true Magistracy of a Commonwealth are to be Chosen Officers 34 35 All Officers in a Commonwealth are to be chosen every year 36 Who are fit to choose and who fit to be chosen Officers in a Commonwealth 37 38 CHAP. IV. What are the Officers Names in a free Commonwealth 39 40 The work of a Father or Master in a Family 40 The work of a Peace-Maker 40 41 The work of an Overseer to preserve Peace 41 42 The work of an Overseer for Trades 43 44 The Work of an Overseer to see particular Tradesmen bring their Works to Shops and Store-houses Pag. 45. All ancient men above sixty years of age are general Overseers 46. What is the Office of a Souldier 47. What is the Office of a Task-master 47 48. What is the Office of an Executioner 48. What is the Work of a Judg. Ibid. What is the Judges Court or County Senate 49 What is the Work of a Parliament in general 50 The first Work of a Commonwealths Parliament 51 The second Work of a Parliament 52 The third Work of a Parliament 53 The fourth Work of a Parliament 54 The Work of a Commonwealths Ministry 55 The Office of the Post-master 63 The Rise of a Commonwealths Army 64 An Army is twofold viz. A ruling Army Ibid. Secondly A fighting Army and the use thereof Ibid. How an Army may be murtherers and unlawful 66 CHAP. V. Education of Mankind to Schools and Trades 68. What Trades should Mankind be brought up in 69. There shall be no buying and selling of the Earth nor of the fruits thereof 71. How the Earth is to be planted 72. Store-houses shall be built and appointed in all places and be the Common Stock 74. CHAP. VI The Kings old Laws cannot govern a free Commonwealth 76. What is Law in general 78. Short and pithy Laws are best to govern a Commonwealth 80. What are those particular Laws whereby a Commonwealth is governed in a right order 81 82 c. These Books following written by Jerrard Winstanley are to be sold by Giles Calvert at the black Spred-Eagle at the West end of Pauls I. The Breaking of the Day of God or Prophecies fulfilled II. The Mystery of God concerning the whole Creation Mankinde III. The Saints Paradise set forth for the comfort of such as are under Spiritual Burning IV. Truth lifting up its head above Scandals V. The New Law of Righteousness FINIS
There is no need of them for there is to be no buying and selling neither any need to expound Laws for the bare letter of the Law shall be both Judg and Lawyer trying every mans actions And seeing we shall have successive Parliaments every year there will be Rules made for every action a man can do But there is to be Officers chosen yearly in every parish to see the Laws executed according to the letter of the Laws so that there will be no long work in trying of Offences as it is under Kingly Government to get the Lawyers mony and to enslave the Commoners to the Conquerors prerogative Law or Will The sons of contention Simeon and Levi must not beat Rule in a free Commonwealth At the first view you may say this is a strange Government but I pray judg nothing before tryal Lay this Platform of Commonwealths Government in one scale and lay Monarchy or Kingly Government in the other scale and see which give true weight to righteous Freedom and Peace There is no middle path between these two for a man must either be a free and true Commonwealths man or a Monarchial tyrannical Royalist If any say This will bring poverty surely they mistake for there will be plenty of all Earthly Commodities with less labor and trouble then now it is under Monarchy There will be no want for every man may keep as plentiful a house as he will and never run into debt for common stock pays for all If you say Some will live idle I answer No It will make idle persons to become workers as is declared in the Platform There shall be neither Beggar nor idle person If you say This will make men quarrel and fight I answer No It will turn swords into plowshares and settle such a peace in the Earth as Nations shall learn War no more Indeed the Government of Kings is a breeder of Wars because men being put into the straits of poverty are moved to fight for Liberty and to take one anothers Estates from them and to obtain Mastery Look into all Armies and see what they do more but make some poor some rich put some into freedom and others into bondage And is not this a plague among Mankinde Well I question not but what Objections can be raised against this Commonwealths Government they shall finde an Answer in this Platform following I have been something large because I could not contract my self into a lesser volume having so many things to speak of I do not say nor desire That every one shall be compelled to practise this Commonwealths Government for the spirits of some will be Enemies at first though afterwards will prove the most cordial and true friends thereunto Yet I desire That the Commonwealths Land which is the ancient Commons and waste Land and the Lands newly got in by the Armies Victories out of the oppressors hands as Parks Forests Chases and the like may be set free to all that have lent assistance either of person or purse to obtain it and to all that are willing to come in to the practice of this Government and be obedient to the Laws thereof And for others who are not willing let them stay in the way of buying and selling which is the Law of the Conqueror till they be willing And so I leave this in your hand humbly prostrating my self and it before you and remain Novemb. 5. 1651. A true Lover of Commonwealths Government Peace and Freedom Jerrard Winstanley To the Friendly and Unbyassed READER Reader IT was the Apostles advice formerly to try all things and to hold fast that which is best This Platform of Government which I offer is the Original Righteousness and Peace in the Earth though he hath been buried under the clods of Kingly Covetousness Pride and Oppression a long time Now he begins to have his Resurrection despise it not while it is small though thou understand it not at the first sight yet open the door and look into the house for thou mayst see that which will satisfie thy heart in quiet rest To prevent thy hasty rashness I have given thee a short Compendium of the whole First Thou knowest that the Earth in all Nations is governed by buying and selling for all the Laws of Kings hath relation thereunto Now this Platform following declares to thee the Government of the Earth without buying and selling and the Laws are the Laws of a free and peaceable Commonwealth which casts out every thing that offends for there is no pricking Briar in all this holy Mountain of the righteous Law or peaceable Ruler Every Family shall live apart as now they do every man shall enjoy his own wife and every woman her own husband as now they do every Trade shall be improved to more excellency then now it is all children shall be educated and be trained up in subjection to parents and elder people more then now they are The Earth shall be planted and the fruits reaped and carried into Store-houses by common assistance of every Family The riches of the Store-houses shall be the Common Stock to every Family There shall be no idle person nor Begger in the Land And because offences may arise from the spirit of unreasonable ignorance therefore was the Law added For if any man abuse his neighbor by provoking words by striking his person by offering offence to his neighbors wife or children or to his house or furaiture there in or to live idle upon other mens labours here are Laws to punish them sharply and Officers to see those Laws executed according to the right Order of Commonwealths Government for the peace of every familyin the Land This Commonwealths Government unites all people in a Land into one heart and mind And it was this Government which made Moses to call Abrahams seed one house of Israel though they were many Tribes and many Families And it may be said Blessed is the people whose earthly Government is the Law of Common Righteousness While Israel was under this Commonwealths Government they were a terror to all oppressing Kings in all Nations of the World and so will England be if this righteous Law become our Governor But when the Officers of Israel began to be covetous and proud they made a breach or as Isaiah said The Rulers of the people caused them to err and then the Government was altered and fell into the hand of Kings like other Nations and then they fled before their enemies and were scattered The Government of Kings is the Government of the Scribes and Pharisees who count it no freedom unless they be Lords of the Earth and of their Brethren But Commonwealths Government is the Government of Righteousness and Peace who is no Respecter of persons Therefore Reader here is a tryal for thy sincerity Thou shalt have no want of food rayment or freedom among Brethren in this way propounded See now if thou 〈◊〉 be content as the Scriptures
from the people whereby he shews himself to be the great Antichrist 〈◊〉 Mystery of Iniquity that makes War with Christ and his Saints under pretence of owning him The great Law-giver of this Kingly Government Is Covetousness ruling in the heart of Mankind making one brother to covet a full possession of the Earth and a lordly Rule over another brother which he will have or else he will inslave or kill his brother for this is Cain who killed Abel and because of this he is called the great red Dragon the god of this world the Oppressor under which the whole Creation hath 〈◊〉 a long time waiting to be delivered from him The Rise of Kingly Government is twofold First By a politick wit in drawing the people out of Common Freedom into a way of Common Bondage for so long as the Earth is a Common Treasury to all men Kingly Covetousness can never raign as King Therefore his first device was to put the people to buy and sell the Earth and the fruits one to another for this would beget discontents and muddy the waters And when this spirit of Monarchy hath drawn the people into the way of buying and selling and the people begin to vex one another then began his opportunity to raign For in that man wherein this Kingly spirit seats himself he tells the people that are wronged Well I 'le ease you and I 'le set things to rights And then he went about to establish buying and selling by Law whereby the people had some ease for a time but the cunning Machavilian spirit got strength thereby to settle himself King in the Earth For after some time the people through ignorance began to multiply Suits of Law one against another and to quarrel and fight Now saith this subtle spirit Come follow me to one sort of people that are oppressed and stick to me and we will fight with those Who Wrong you and if We conquer them then We Will govern the Earth as we please and they shall be our servants and We Will make them Work for us Thereupon one sort of people followed one head and another sort of people followed another head and so Wars began in the Earth and mankind fell a fighting one part conquering and enslaving another And now Man is faln from his innocency and from the glory of the spirit of common Freedom Love and Peace into Enmity every one striving to be King one over another every one striving to be a Landlord of the Earth and to make his brother his servant to work for him But still here is disorder therefore this subtle spirit of darkness goes further and tells the people You must make one man King over you all and let him make Laws and let every one be obedient thereunto And when the people consented thereunto they gave away their Freedom and they set up Oppression over themselves And this was the rise of Kingly Power first by Policy drawing the people from a common enjoyment of the Earth to the crafty Art of buying and selling Secondly to advance himself by the power of the Sword when that Art of buying and selling had made them quarrel among themselves So that this spirit of Monarchy it is the spirit of Subtilty and Covetousness filling the heart of Mankind with enmity and ignorance pride and vain-glory because the strong destroys the weak and so one Scripture calls this the Power and Government of the Beast another Scripture calls it the god of this World or the Devil For indeed the Monarchial spirit is the power of darkness for it is the great thick Cloud that hath hid the light of the Sun of Righteousness from shining in his full strength a long time And though this Kingly spirit doth call buying and selling a righteous thing thereby to put the simple younger brother upon it yet he will destroy it as he pleaseth by Pattents Licenses or Monopolizing Or else he will at his pleasure take away the riches which his younger brother hath got by trading and so still lift up himself above his brother And as he rise to the Throne by the crafty Art of buying and selling and by the Sword so he is maintained upon the Throne by the same means And the people now see That Kingly Power is the Oppressor and the Maintainers thereof are called Oppressors by the ancient Writers of the Bible This Kingly Power is the old Heaven and the old Earth that must pass away wherein unrighteousness oppression and partiality dwells For indeed we never read that the people began to complain of Oppression till Kingly Government rose up which is the power of covetousness and pride and which Samuel sets forth to be a plague and a curse upon the people in the first rise of it He will take your sons and your daughters to be his servants and to run before his charets to plant his ground and to reap his harvest He will take your fields your Vineyards and Oliveyards even the best of them and give to his servants as pleaseth him He will take the tenth of your seed and of your vineyards and give to his Officers or Ministers 1 Sam. 8. And this was that god who appointed the people to pay Tythes to the Clergy And many other Oppressions did the Kingly Government bring upon the People as you may read at large in Samuel Read 1 Sam. 8. from Vers. 10. to 19. The Winter 's past the Spring time now appears Be gone thou Kingly Tyrant With thy Cavaliers Thy day is past and sure thou dost appear To be the bond-mans son and not the free-born Heir Matt. 15. 13. What is Commonwealths Government Commonwealths Government governs the Earth without buying and selling and thereby becomes a man of peace and the Restoter of ancient Peace and Freedom he makes provision for the oppressed the weak and the simple as well as for the rich the wise and the strong He beats swords and spears into pruning hooks and plows he makes both elder and younger brother Free-men in the Earth Micah 4. 3 4. Isai. 33. 1. 65. 17 to 25. All Slavertes and Oppressions which have been brought upon Mankinde by Kings Lords of Manors Lawyers and Landlords and the Divining Clergy are all cast out again by this Government if it be right in power as well as in name For this Government is the true Restorer of all long lost Freedoms and so becomes the joy of all Nations and the Blessing of the whole Earth for this takes off the Kingly Curse and makes Jerusalem a praise in the Earth Therefore all you who profess Religion and spiritual things now look to it and see what spirit you do profess for your profession is brought to tryal If once Commonwealths Government be set upon the Throne then no Tyranny or Oppression can look him in the face and live For where Oppression lies upon brethren by brethren that is no Commonwealths Government but the Kingly Government still and
Magistracy of a Commonwealth and they do not act righteously and because of this sorrows and tears poverty and bondages are known among Mankinde and now that City mourns And surely if it be carefully looked into the necessity of the people never chose such Officers but they were either voluntary Soldiers 〈◊〉 Officers chosen by them who ran before they were called and so by policy and force they sat down in the chair of Government strengthening one sort of people to take the free use of the Earth from another sort and these are sons of bondage and they act in darkness by reason whereof the Prophet Esay cries out Darkness hath covered the Earth and thick darkness the people for the Leaders of the people have caused them to err I fear so O England c. All Officers in a Commonwealth are to be chosen new ones every year When publique Officers remain long in place of Judicature they will degenerate from the bounds of humility honesty and tender care of brethren in regard the heart of man is so subject to be overspred with the clouds of covetousness pride and vain-glory for though at the first entrance into places of Rule they be of publique spirits seeking the Freedom of others as their own yet continuing long in such a place where honors and greatness is coming in they become selfish seeking themselves and not common Freedom as experience proves it true in these days according to this common Proverb Great Offices in a Land and Army have changed the disposition of many sweet spirited men And Nature tells us That if water stand long it corrupts whereas running water keeps sweet and is fit for common use Therefore as the necessity of common preservation moves the people to frame a Law and to chuse Officers to see the Law obeyed that they may live in peace So doth the same Necessity bid the People and cries aloud in the ears and eyes of England to chuse new Officers and to remove the old ones and to chuse State-Officers every year And that for these Reasons First To prevent their own evils for when pride and fulness take hold of an Officer his eyes are so blinded therewith that he forgets he is a servant to the Commonwealth and strives to lift up himself high above his Brethren and oftentimes his Fall proves very great witness the Fall of oppressing Kings Bishops and other State-Officers Secondly To prevent the creeping in of Oppression into the Commonwealth again for when Officers grow proud and full they will maintain their greatness though it be in the poverty ruine and hardship of their Brethren Witness the practice of Kings and their Laws that have 〈◊〉 the Commoners of England a long time And have we not experience in these days that some Officers of the Commonwealth are grown so mossy for want of removing that they will hardly speak to an old acquaintance if he be an inferior man though they were very familiar before these Wars began c. And what hath occasioned this distance among friends and brethren but long continuance in places of honour greatness and riches Thirdly Let Officers be chosen new every year in love to our posterity for if Burthens and Oppressions should grow up in our Laws and in our Officers for want of removing as Moss and Weeds grow in some Land for want of stirring surely it will be a foundatian of misery not easily to be removed by our posterity and then will they curse the time that ever we their fore-fathers had opportunities to set things to rights for their ease and would not do it Fourthly To remove Officers of State every year will make them truly faithful knowing that others are coming after who will look into their ways and if they do not do things justly they must be ashamed when the next Officers succeed And when Officers deal faithfully in the Government of the Commonwealth they will not be unwilling to remove The Peace of London is much preserved by removing their Officers yearly Fifthly It is good to remove Officers every year that whereas many have their portions to obey so many may have their turns to rule and this will encourage all men to advance Righteousness and good Manners in hopes of Honor but when money and riches bears all the sway in the Rulers hearts there is nothing but Tyranny in such ways Sixthly The Commonwealth hereby will be furnished with able and experienced men fit to govern which will mightily advance the Honor and Peace of our Land occasion the more watchful care in the Education of children and in time will make our Commonwealth of England the Lilly among the Nations of the Earth Who are fit to choose and fit to be chosen Officers in a Commonwealth All uncivil livers as drunkards quarrelers fearful ignorant men who dare not speak truth lest they anger other men likewise all who are wholly given to pleasure and sports or men who are full of talk all these are empty of substance and cannot be experienced men therefore not fit to be chosen Officers in a Commonwealth yet they may have a voyce in the choosing Secondly All those who are interessed in the Monarchial Power and Government ought neither to choose nor be chosen Officers to manage Commonwealths Affairs for these cannot be friends to common Freedom And these are of two sorts First Such as have either lent money to maintain the Kings Army or in that Army have been Souldiers to fight against the recovering of common Freedom these are neither to choose nor be chosen Officers in the Commonwealth as yet for they have lost their Freedom yet I do not say that they should be made servants as the conquered usually are made servants for they are our brethren and what they did no doubt they did in a conscionable zeal though in ignorance And seeing but few of the Parliaments friends understand their Common Freedoms though they own the name Commonwealth therefore the Parliaments party ought to bear with the ignorance of the Kings party because they are brethren and not make them servants though for the present they be suffered neither to choose nor be chosen Officers left that ignorant spirit of revenge break out in them to interrupt our common Peace Secondly All those who have been so hasty to buy and sell the Common-wealths Land and so to entangle it upon a new accompt ought neither to choose nor be chosen Officers for hereby they declare themselves either to be for Kingly Interest or else are ignorant of Commonwealths Freedom or both therefore unfit to make Laws to govern a free Commonwealth or to be Overseers to see those Laws executed What greater injury could be done to the Commoners of England then to sell away their Land so hastily before the people knew where they were or what Freedom they had got by such cost and bloodshed as they were at And what greater ignorance could be declared by Officers then to sell
away the purchased Land from the Purchasers or from part of them into the hands of particular men to uphold Monarchial Principles But though this be a fault let it be bore withall it was ignorance of brethren for England hath layn so long under Kingly slavery that few knew what Common Freedom was And let a restoration of this redeemed Land be speedily made by them who have the possession of it For there is neither Reason nor Equity that a few man should go away with that Land and Freedom which the whole Commoners have paid Taxes Free-quarter and wasted their Estates Healths and Blood to purchase out of Bondage and many of them are in want of a comfortable livelyhood Well these are the men that take away other mens Rights from them and they are Members of the covetous generation of Self-seekers therefore unfit to be chosen Officers or to choose Who then are fit to be chosen Commonwealths Officers Why truly choose such as have a long time given testimony by their actions to be Promoters of Common Freedom whether they be Members in Church fellowship or not in Church fellowship for all are one in Christ Choose such as are men of peaceable spirits and of a peaceable conversation Choose such as have suffered under Kingly Oppression for they will be fellow-feelers of others bondages Choose such as have adventured the loss of their Estates and Lives to redeem the Land from Bondage and who have remained constant Choose such as are understanding men and who are experienced in the Laws of peaceable and right ordered Government Choose men of courage who are not afraid to speak the Truth for this is the shame of many in England at this day they are drowned in the dunghill mud of slavish fear of men these are covetous men not fearing God and their portion is to be cast without the City of Peace amongst the Dogs Choose Officers out of the number of those men that are above forty years of age for these are most likely to be experienced men and all these are likely to be men of courage dealing truly and hating Covetousness And if you choose men thus principled who are poor men as times go for the Conquerors Power hath made many a righteous man a poor man then allow them a yearly Maintenance from the Common Stock until such time as a Commonwealths Freedom is established for then there will be no need of such allowances What is the reason that most people are so ignorant of their Freedoms and so few fit to be chosen Commonwealths Officers Because the old Kingly Clergy that are seated in Parishes for lucre of Tythes are continually distilling their blind Principles into the people and do thereby nurse up Ignorance in them for they observe the bent of the peoples minds and make Sermons to please the sickly minds of ignorant people to preserve their own riches and esteem among a charmed befooled and befotted people CHAP. IV. What are the Officers Names in a free Commonwealth IN a private Family a Father or Master is an Officer In a Town City or Parish A Peace-maker A four-fold Office of Overseers A Souldier A Task-master An Executioner In a County or Shire A Judg. The Peace-makers of every Town within that Circuit The Overseers and Soldiers attending thereupon This is called either the Judges Court or the County Senate In a whole Land A Parliament A Commonwealths Ministry A Post-master An Army All these Offices are like links of a Chain they arise from one and the same root which is necessity of Common Peace and all their works tend to preserve Common Peace therefore they are to assist each other and all others are to assist them as need requires upon pain of punishment by the breach of the Laws And the Rule of right Government being thus observed may make a whole Land nay the whole Fabrick of the Earth to become one family of Mankind and one well governed Commonwealth as Israel was called one house of Israel though it consisted of many Tribes Nations and Family The Work of a Father or Master of a Family A Father is to cherish his children till they grow wise and strong and then as a Master he is to instruct them in reading in learning languages Arts and Sciences or to bring them up to labour or employ them in some Trade or other or cause them to be instructed therein according as is shewed hereafter in the Education of Mankind A Father is to have a care that as all his children do assist to plant the Earth or by other Trades provide necessaries so he shall see that every one have a comfortable livelyhood not respecting one before another He is to command them their work and see they do it and not suffer them to live idle he is either to reprove by words or whip those who offend for the Rod is prepared to bring the unreasonable ones to experience and moderation That so children may not quarrel like beasts but live in Peace like rational men experienced in yielding obedience to the Laws and Officers of the Commonwealth every one doing to another as he would have another do to him The Work of a Peace-maker In a Parish or Town may be chosen three four or six Peace-makers or more according to the bigness of the place and their work is twofold First In general to sit in Councel to order the Affairs of the Parish to prevent troubles and to preserve Common Peace and here they may be called Councellors Secondly If there arise any matters of offence between man and man by reason of any quarrels disturbance or foolish actings the offending parties shall be brought by the Souldiers before any one or more of these Peace-makers who shall hear the matter and shall endeavor to reconcile the parties and make peace and so put a stop to the rigor of the Law and go no further But if the Peace-maker cannot perswade or reconcile the parties then he shall command them to appear at the Judges Court at the time appointed to receive the Judgment of the Law If any matters of publike concernment fall out wherein the Peace of the City Town or Country in one County is concerned then the Peace-makers in every Town thereabouts shall meet and consult about it and from them or from any six of them if need require shall issue forth any Order to inferior Officers But if the matters concern only the limits of a Town or City then the Peace-makers of that Town shall from their Court send forth Orders to inferior Officers for the performing of any publike service within their limits Thirdly If any proof be given that any Officer neglects his duty a Peace-maker is to tell that Officer between them two of his neglect and if the Officer continue negligent after this reproof the Peace-maker shall acquaint either the County Senate or the National Parliament therewith that from them the offendor may receive condign punishment And
That all these Overseers shall be chosen new ones every year And secondly The old Overseers shal not chuse the new ones to prevent the creeping in of Lordly Oppression but all the Masters of Families and Freemen of that Trade shall be the chusers and the old Overseers shall give but their single voyce among them And as there are to be Overseers for Trades in Towns and Cities So there are to be chosen Overseers in the Country Parishes to see the Earth planted and in every Parish in the Country may be chosen four or six Overseers of Husbandry to see the Ground planted within their Circuits and to see that the work of Husbandry be done orderly and according to Reason and skill Some Overseers to look after the Shepherds and appoint out such men as are skilled in that work Some Overseers to look after the Herds-men Some Overseers of them who look to Horses And some for the Daries And the work of these Overseers is to see that every Family send in their assistance to work both in plowing and dressing the Earth in that season of the year in seed time and in reaping the fruits of the Earth and housing them in Storehouses in time of Harvest Likewise they are to see that all Barns belonging to any Family or more publique Storehouses belonging to a Parish be kept in sufficient repair Likewise they are to see that every Family do keep sufficient working tools for common use as Plows Carts and furniture according as every Family is furnished with men to work therewith likewise Pickaxes Spades Pruning-hooks and any such like necessary instrument Likewise it is the work of this Overseership to see that Schoolmasters Postmasters and Minsters do their several Offices according to the Laws Likewise this Overseership for Trades shall see That no man shall be a House-keeper and have Servants under him till he hath served under a Master seven years and hath learned his Trade and the reason is that every Family may be governed by stayd and experienced Masters and not by wanton youth And this Office of Overseership keeps all people within a peaceable harmony of Trades Sciences or Works that there be neither Beggar nor idle person in the Commonwealth The third Office of Overseership is to see particular Tradesmen bring in their Works to Storehouses and Shops and to see the Waiters in Storehouses do their duty As there are particular Trades requiring strength and some men are strong to perform such works so there are some weak in body whose employment shall be to be Keepers of Storehouses and Shops both to receive in Commodities and deliver out again as any particular Family or man wants and comes for them As for example When Lether is tanned it shall be brought into the Storehouses for Lether and from thence Shoomakers and Harness makers and such like may fetch it as they need So for Linnen and Woolen Cloth it is to be brought by the Weavers into the Storehouses or Shops from whence particular Families of other Trades may fetch as they need And so for any Commodity as in the Law for Storehouses is declared Now the work of this Overseership is of the same nature with the other for Trades onely this is to be imployed onely about the Oversight of Storehouses and shops And they are to see that particular Tradesmen as Weavers of Linnen and Woolen Cloth Spinners Smiths Hatters Glovers and such like do bring in their Works into the shops appointed And they are to see that the Shops and Storehouses within their several Circuits be kept still furnished That when Families of other Trades want such commodities as they cannot make they may go to the Shops and Storehouses where such commodities are and receive them for their use without buying or selling And as this Officer sees the particular Tradesmen to furnish the shops and Storehouses so they shall see that the Keepers of the shops and Storehouses be diligent to wait both to receive in and deliver out again according to the Law any commodity under their charge And if any Keeper of a Shop and Storehouse neglect his duty of his place through idleness or vain conversation or pride whereby just offence is given the Overseers shall admonish him and reprove him If he amend all is well if he doth not he shall give order to the Soldiers to carry him before the Peace-Makers Court and if he reform upon the reproof of that Court all is well but if he doth not reform he shall be sent unto by the Officers to appear before the Judges Court and the Judg shall pass Sentence That he shall be put out of that House and Employment and sent among the Husbandmen to work in the Earth And some other shall have his place and house till he be reformed Likewise this Overseer shall see to it That the Keepers of Shops and Storehouses do keep their Houses in sufficient repair and when any house wants repair the Keepers thereof shall speak to any of the Overseers for Trades and they shall appoint either Brick-Layers Masons Smiths or Carpenters forthwith to take the work in hand and finish it Fourthly All ancient men above sixty years of age are general Overseers And wheresoever they go and see things amiss in any Officer or Tradesman they shall call any Officer or others to account for their neglect of Duty to the Commonwealths Peace And these are called Elders And every one shall give humble respect to these as to Fathers and as to men of the highest experience in the Laws for the keeping of Peace in the Commonwealth And if these see things amiss and do speak all Officers and others shall assist and protect them to see the Laws carefully executed and every one that affronts or abuses these in words or deeds shall suffer punishment according to the sentence of the Judg. And all these shall be generall assistances and encouragers of all Officers in the doing the work of their places And the Reason of all is this That many eyes being watchfull the Laws may be obeyed for to preserve Peace But if any of these Elders should vent their passion or express envy against any one and set up his own will above the Law and do things contrary to Law upon complaint the Senators at the Judges Court shal examine the matter if he be faulty the Judge shal reprove him the first time but the second time he does so the Judge shall pronounce That he shal lose his Authoritie and never beare Office nor generall over-sight more while he lives onely he shal have respect as a man of Age What is the Office of a Souldier A Souldier is a Magistrate as well as any other Officer and indeed all State Officers are Souldiers for they represent power and if there were not power in the hand of Officers the spirit of rudeness would not be obedient to any Law or Government but their own wils Therefore every year shal be
wives and children within such a Lordship to his Lords of Manors 〈◊〉 do with them as they pleased And for this cause now doth an Army arise to keep out an Invasion of a Forraigner that by the defence of our Army who is part of our selves the rest of our brethren in the Commonwealth may plow sow and reap and enjoy the fruits of their labours and so live in peace in their own Land Or secondly If a Land be conquered and so enslaved as England was under the Kings and conquering Laws then an Army is to be raised with as much secrecy as may be to restore the Land again and set it free that the Earth may become a Common Treasury to all her children without respecting persons as it was before Kingly Bondage came in as you may read 1 Sam. 8. This latter is called Civil Wars and this is the Wars of the Commoners of England against King Charls now cast out for he and his Laws were the successive Power of that Norman Conquest over England And now the Commeners of England in this age of the World are rise up in an Army and have cast out that Invasion of the Duke of Normandy and have won their Land and Liberties again by the Sword if they do not suffer their Councels to 〈◊〉 into slavery again upon a new accompt Therefore you Army of Englands Commonwealth look to it the Enemy could not beat you in the field but they may be too hard for you by policy in 〈◊〉 if you do not stick close to see Common Freedom established For if so be that Kingly Authority be set up in your Laws again King Charls hath conquered you and your posterity by policy and won the field of you though you seemingly have cut off His Head For the strength of a King lies not in the visible appearance of his body but in his Will Laws and Authority which is called 〈◊〉 Government But if you remove Kingly Government and set up true and free Commonwealths Government then you gain your Crown and keep it and leave peace to your posterity otherwise not And thus doing makes a War either lawful or unlawful An Army may be Murtherers and unlawful If an Army be raised to cast out Kingly Oppression and if the Heads of that Army promise a Commonwealths Freedom to the oppressed people if in case they will assist with person and purse and if the people do assist and prevail over the Tyrant those Officers are bound by the Law of Justice who is God to make good their Engagements And if they do not set the Land free from the branches of the Kingly Oppression but reserve some part of the Kingly Power to advance their own particular Interest whereby some of their friends are left under as great slavery to them as they were under the Kings Those Officers are not faithful Commonwealths Souldiers they are worse Thieves and Tyrant then the Kings they cast out and that Honor they seemed to get by their Victories over the Commonwealths Oppressor they lose again by breaking Promise and Engagement to their oppressed friends who did assist them For what difference is there between a professed Tyrant that declares himself a Tyrant in words Laws and deeds as all Conquerors do and him who promises to free me from the Power of the Tyrant if I 'le assist him and when I have spent my estate and blood and the health of my body and expect my bargain by his Engagements to me he sits himself down in the Tyrants Chair and takes the possession of the Land to himself and calls it 〈◊〉 and none of mine and tells me he cannot in Conscience let me enjoy the Freedom of the Earth with him because it is another mans 〈◊〉 And now my health and estate is decayed and I grow in age I must either beg or work for day wages which I was never brought up to for another when as the Earth is as freely my Inheritance and birthright as his whom I must work for and if I cannot live by my weak labors but take where I need as Christ sent and took the Asse coìt in his need there is no dispute but by the Kings and Laws he will hang me for a thief But hear O thou Righteous Spirit of the whole Creation and judg who is the thief Him who takes away the freedom of the common-earth from me which is my Creation rights and which I have helped to purchase out of the hands of the Kingly Oppressor by my purse and person and which he hath taken for wages of me Or I who takes the Common-earth to plant upon for my free livelyhood endeavouring to live as a free Commoner in a free Common-wealth in righteousness and peace Such a souldier as this engagement breaker is neither a friend to the Creation nor to a particular Common-wealth but a self lover and a hypocrite for he did not fight to set the Earth free from the bondage of the Oppressor as he pretended by his Engagements but to remove that power out of the others hand into his own And this is just like the beasts who fight for mastery and keeps it not releaving but still Lording and Kinging over the weak These are Monarchial souldiers not Common-Wealths souldiers and such a souldier is a murderer and his warfare is unlawful But souldiers of true noble spirits will help the weak and set the oppressed free and delight to see the Common-wealth flowrish in freedom as wel as their own gardens There is none of this true nobility in the Monarchial Army for they are all self lovers the best is as a briar and the most upright amongst them is as a thorne held speak you Prophers of old if this be not true A Monarchial Army lifts up mountains and makes vallies viz. Advances Tyrants and treads the oppressed in the barran lanes of poverty But a Commonwealths Army is like John Baptist who levels the Mountains to the Valleys pulls down the Tyrant and 〈◊〉 up the Oppressed and so makes way for the spirit of Peace and Freedom to come in to rule and 〈◊〉 the Earth And by this which hath been spoken an Army may see wherein they may do well and wherein they may do hurt CHAP. V. Education of mankinde in Schools and Trades MAnkinde in the days of his youth is like a young Colt wanton and foolish till he be broke by Education and correction and the neglect of this care or the want of wisdom in the performance of it hath been and is the cause of much division and trouble in the world Therefore the Law of a Common-wealth does require that not onely a father but that all Overseers and Officers should make it their work to educate children in good manners and to see them brought up in some trade or other and to suffer no children in any Parish to live in idleness and youthful pleasure all their days as many have been but that they be brought up
light and darkness strive in 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 to succeed each other or as it is said the strong man armed keeps the heart of man till a stronger then he came and cast him out And this written law proceeding either from reason or unreasonableness is called the letter whereby the creation of mankinde beasts and earth is governed according to the will of that power which rules And it is called by his opposite the letter that kils and by those of the same nature with it it is called the word of life As for example if the experienced wise and strong man bears rule then he writes down his minde to curb the unreasonable law of covetousnes and pride in unexperienced men to preserve peace in the Commonwealth And this is called the historical or traditional law because it is conveyed from one generation to another by writing as the laws of Israels Commonwealth were writ in a book by Moses and so conveyed to poposterity And this outward law is a bridle to unreasonableness or as Solomon writ it is a whip for the fools back for whom only it was added Secondly since Moses time the power of unreasonable coveteousness and pride hath sometimes rise up and corrupted that traditional law For since the power of the sword rise up in Nations to Conquer the written law hath not been to advance Common freedom and to beat down the unreasonable self-will in mankind but it hath been framed to uphold that self-will of the Conquerer right or wrong not respecting the freedome of the Commonwealth but the freedome of the Conquerer and his friends only By reason whereof much slavery hath been laid upon the backs of the plaine dealing man And men of publick spirits as Moses was have been crushed and their spirits damped thereby which hath bred first discontents and then more wars in the Nations And those who have been favorites about the Conquerer have by hypocrisie and flattery pleased their king that they might get what they can of the earth into their possession and thereby have increased the bondage of the paineful laborer if they could but catch him to act contrary to the Conquerers will called law And now the City mournes and do we not see that the laws of Kings have been alwayes made against such actions as the Common-people were most inclinable to on purpose to 〈◊〉 them into their Sessions and Courts that the Lawyers and Clergy who were the Kings supporters might get money thereby and live in fulness by other mens labors But hereby the true nature of a wel-governed Commonwealth hath been ruined and the will of Kings set up for a law and the law of righteousness law of liberty trod under foot and killed This traditional law of Kings is that letter at this day which kils true freedom and it is the 〈◊〉 of wars and persecution This is the souldier who cut Christs garment into pieces which was to have remained uncut and without seame this law moves the people to fight one against another for those pieces viz. for the several inclosures of the earth who shall possess the earth and who shall be Ruler over others But the true ancient law of God is a Covenant of peace to whole mankinde this sets the earth free to all this unites both Jew and Gentile into one brotherhood and rejects none this makes Christs garment whole againe and makes the kingdomes of the world to become Common-wealths again It is the inward power of right understanding which is the true law that teaches people in action as well as in words to do as they would be done unto But thus much in general what law is hereafter followes what those particular laws may be whereby a Commonwealth may be governed in peace and all burdens removed which is a breaking forth of that law of liberty which will be the joy of all Nations when he arises up and is established in his brightness Short and pithy laws are best to govern a Commonwealth The laws of Israels Commonwealth were few short and pithy and the government thereof was established in peace so long as officers and people were obedient thereunto But those many laws in the dayes of the Kings of England which were made some in times of Popery and some in times of Protestantism and the proceedings of the law being in French and Latine hath produced two great evils in England First it hath occasioned much ignorance among the people and much contention and the people have mightily erred through want of knowledge and thereby they have run into great expence of money by suits of law or else many have been imprisoned whipped banished lost their estates and lives by that law which they were ignorant of till the scourge thereof was upon their backs this is a sore evil among the people Secondly the peoples ignorance of the laws hath bread many sons of contention for when any difference fals out between man and man they neither of them know which offends the other therefore both of them thinking their cause is good they delight to make use of the law and then they go and give a Lawyer mony to tell them which of them was the offender The Lawyer being glad to maintain their own trade sets them together by the ears till all their moneys be near spent and then bids them refer the business to their neighbors to make them friends which might have been done at the first So that the course of the Law and Lawyers hath been a 〈◊〉 snare to entrap the people and to pull their Estates from them by 〈◊〉 for the Lawyers do uphold the Conquerors Interest and the peoples Slavery so that the King seeing that did put all the affairs of Judicature into their hands And all this must be called Justice but it is a 〈◊〉 Evil But now if the Laws were few and short and often read it would prevent those Evils 〈◊〉 every one knowing when they did well and when ill would be very cautious of their words and actions and this would escape the Lawyers craft As Moses Laws in Israels Commonwealth The People did talk of them when they lay down and when they rose up and as they walked by the way and bound them as bracelets upon their hands so that they were an understanding people in the Laws wherein their peace did depend But it is a sign that England is a blinded and a snared generation their Leaders through pride and covetousness have caused them to err yea and perish too for want of the knowledg of the Laws which hath the power of Life and Death Freedom and Bondage in its hand But I hope better things hereafter What may be those particular Laws or such a method of Laws whereby a Commonwealth may be governed 1. The bare letter of the Law established by act of Parliament shall be the Rule for Officer and People and the chief Judg of all Actions 2. He or they who add or diminish
according to the Rule of Righteousness which is Gods Word It was intended for your view above two years ago but the disorder of the Times caused me to lay it aside with a thought never to bring it to light c. Likewise I hearing that M. Peters and some others Propounded this request That the Word of God might be consulted with to finde out a healing Government which I liked well and waited to see such a Rule come forth for there are good rules in the Scripture if they were obeyed and practised thereupon I laid aside this in silence and said I would not make it publick but this word was like fire in my bones ever and anon Thou shalt not bury thy talent in the earth therefore I was stirred up to give it a 〈◊〉 and to pick together as many of my scattered papers as I could finde and to compile them into this method which I do here present to you and do quiet my own spirit And now I have set the candle at your door for you have power in your hand in this other added opportunity to Act for Common Freedome if you will I have no power It may be here are some things inserted which you may not like yet other things you may like therefore I pray you read it and be as the industrious Bee suck out the honey and cast away the weeds Though this Platform be like a peece of Timber rough hewd yet the discreet workmen may take it and frame a handsome building out of it It is like a poor man that comes cloathed to your door in a torn country garment who is unacquainted with the learned Citizens unsetled forms and fashions take of the clownish language for under that you may see beauty It may be you will say If Tythes be taken from the Priests and Impropriators and Copy-hold Services from Lords of Mannors how shal they be provided for again for is it not unrighteous to take their estates from them I Answer when Tythes were first enacted and Lordly power drawn over the backs of the oppressed the Kings and Conquerors made no seruple of Conscience to take it though the people lived in sore bondage of poverty for want of it and can there be seruple of conscience to make restitution of this which hath been so long stoln goods It is no scruple arising from the Righteous Law but from 〈◊〉 who goes away sorrowfull to heare he must part with all to follow righteousness and Peace But though you do take away Tythes and the Power of Lords of Mannors yet there will be no want to them for they have the freedome of the Common stock they may send to the Storehouses for What they want and live more free then now they do for now they are in care and vexation by servants by casualties by being cheated in buying and selling and many other incumbrances but then they will be free from all for the common Store-houses is every 〈◊〉 not any ones Is not buying and selling a righteous Law No It is the Law of the Conqueror but not the righteous Law of Creation how can that be righteous which is a cheat 〈◊〉 is not this a common practise when he hath a bad Horse or Cow or any bad commodity he will send it to the Market to cheat some simple plain hearted man or other and when he comes home will laugh at his neighbours hurt and much more c. When Mankinde began to buy and sell then did he fall from his Innocency for then they began to 〈◊〉 and cozen one another of their Creation Birth-right As for example If the Land belong to three persons and two of them buy and sell the Earth and the third give no consent his Right is taken from him and his posterity is engaged in a War When the Earth was first bought and sold many gave no consent As when our Crown Lands and Bishops Lands were sold some foolish Soldiers yeelded and covetous Officers were active in it to advance themselves above their Brethren but many who payd Taxes and Freequarter for the purchase of it gave no consent but declared against it as an unrighteous thing depriving posterity of their Birth-rights and Freedoms Therefore this buying and selling did bring in and still doth bring in discontents and wars which have plagued Mankinde sufficiently for so doing And the Nations of the world will never learn to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks and leave of warring until this cheating device of buying and selling be cast out among the rubbish of Kingly power But shall not one man be richer then another There is no need of that for Riches make men vain-glorious proud and to oppress their Brethren and are the occasion of wars No man can be rich but he must be rich either by his own labors or by the labors of other men helping him If a man have no help 〈◊〉 his neighbor he shall never gather an Estate of hundreds and thousands a year If other men help him to work then are those Riches his Neighbors as well as his for they be the fruit of other mens labors as well as his own But all rich men live at ease feeding and clothing themselves by the labors of other men not by their own which is their shame and not their Nobility for it is a more 〈◊〉 thing to give then to receive But rich men receive all they have from the laborers hand and what they give they give away other mens labors not their own Therefore they are not righteous Actors in the Earth But shall not one man have more Titles of Honor then another Yes As a man goes through Offices he rises to Titles of Honor till he comes to the highest Nobility to be a faithful Commonwealths man in a Parliament House Likewise he who findes out any secret in Nature shall have a Title of Honor given him though he be a young man But no man shall have any Title of Honor till he win it by industry or come to it by age or Office-bearing Every man that is above sixty years of age shall have respect as a man of Honor by all others that are younger as is shewed hereafter Shall every man count his Neighbors house as his own and live together as one Family No Though the Earth and Storehouses be common to every Family yet every Family shall live apart as they do and every mans house wife children and furniture for ornament of his house or any thing which he hath fetched in from the Storehouses or provided for the necessary use of his Family is all a propriety to that Family for the peace thereof And if any man offer to take away a mans wife children or furniture of his house without his consent or disturb the peace of his dwelling he shall suffer punishment as an Enemy to the Commonwealths Government as is mentioned in the Platform following Shall we have no Lawyers
they quietly took possession of the Land as a free reward for all their hazards and labour The Officers and Leaders were careful to keep Promise and Engagements to the people and there was no treachery found in them as to inrich themselves with the Commonwealths Land and to deprive others of the price of their Blood and Free-quarter and Taxes But they made Canon with all the Crown Lands therein and all other forfeited Lands which was gotten by a joynt Assistance of person and purse of all the Tribes The Scriptures say They made this Canon Land a common Treasury of livelyhood to the whole Commonwealth of Israel and so disposed of it as they made provision for every Tribe and for every family in a Tribe nay for every particular man in a family every one had enough no man was in want there was no beggery among them They did not divide this Land only to particular men who went out to War but they who stayd at home had an equal share they did not make one brother a Lord of Manor and Landlord and other brothers to be servants to them But seeing the Enemies were beaten not by the Counsellors only not by the Leaders of the Army only but by the common Souldiers also and not only by them but by the Laborers who staid at home to provide Victuals and Free-quarter Therefore did the Counsellors and chief Officers of the Army agree to make provision for every one that assisted either by person or purse and this was pure Righteousness And to those families in a Tribe which had many persons in it to them they allotted more Land and to those families which had less number of persons they allotted less Land So that not only the Tribes in general but every family and person in a Tribe younger brother as well as elder brother he who wrought at home to provide food as well as he that went to War all had sufficient there was no want the Oppression of Beggary was not known among them all burdens were taken of and Israel in all his Tribes and Families was made a free Commonwealth in Power as well as in Name 1 Sam. 30. 24. Josh. 16. 17 18. Chapters And thus the Land was divided and the whole Land was the Common Stock every one had a brotherly freedom therein for the freedom of the one was the freedom of the other there was no difference in that they were men of true faithful and publick spirits notfalse-hearted And so likewise when Esther prevailed with King Ahasuerus for freedom she did not seek her own freedom and interest but the freedom of all her kindred and friends for common Freedom was that which men of righteous spirits always sought after All that I shall say is this O that those who pretend to set up a Gospel-Commonwealth in England Scotland and Ireland would not be worse then Moses but rather exceed Moses knowing that if this our English Commonwealths Government carry perfect Freedom in his hand then shall the Law go forth from England to all the Nations of the World This Foundation being layd from the Example of Israels Common-wealth and Testimony of Gods Word I shall proceed how the Earth shall be governed for the Peace of a Common-wealth But by the way to prevent mistake I shall insert A short Declaration to take of Prejudice Some hearing of this Common Freedom think there must be a Community of all the fruits of the Earth whether they work or no therefore strive to live idle upon other mens labours Others through the same unreasonable beastly ignorance think there must be a Community of all men and women for Copulation and so strive to live a bestial life Others think there will be no Law but that every thing will run into confusion for want of Government but this Platform proves the contrary Therefore because that transgression doth and may arise from ignorant and rude fancy in man is the Law added That which true Ringhteousness in my Judgment calls Community is this To have the Earth set free from all Kingly Bondage of Lords of Manors and oppressing Landlords which came in by Conquest as a Thief takes a true mans purse upon the high-way being stronger then he And that neither the Earth nor any fruits thereof should be bought or sold by the Inhabitants one among another which is a slavery the Kingly Conquerors have brought in therefore he set his stamp upon silver that every one should buy and sell in his name And though this be yet shall not men live idle for the Earth shall be planted and reaped and the fruits carried into Barns and Store-houses by the assistance of every family according as is shewed hereafter in order Every man shall be brought up in Trades and labours and all Trades shall be maintained with more improvement to the inriching of the Common-wealth more then now they be under Kingly Power Every Tradesman shall fetch Materials as Leather Wool Flax Corn and the like from the publike Store-houses to work upon without buying and selling and when particular works are made as Cloth Shooes Hats and the like the Tradesmen shall bring these particular works to particular shops as it is now in practise without buying and felling And every family as they want such things as they cannot make they shall go to these shops and fetch without money even as now they fetch with money as hereafter is shewed how in order If any say This will nurse Idleness I answer This Platform proves the contrary for idle persons and beggers will be made to work If any say This will make some men to take goods from others by violence and call it theirs because the Earth and fruits are a Common Stock I answer The Laws or Rules following prevents that ignorance For though the Store-houses and publike Shops be commonly furnished by every families assistance and for every families use as is shewed hereafter how yet every mans house is proper to himself and all the furniture therein and provision which he hath fetched from the Store-houses is proper to himself every mans wife and every womans husband proper to themselves and so are their children at their dispose till they come to age And if any other man endeavor to take away his house furniture food wife or children saying every thing is common and so abusing the Law of Peace such a one is a Transgressor and shall suffer punishment as by the Government and Laws following is expressed For though the publike Store-houses be a common Treasury yet every mans particular dwelling is not common but by his consent and the Commonwealths Laws are to preserve a mans peace in his 〈◊〉 and in his private dwelling against the rudeness and ignorance that may arise in Mankind If any man do force or abuse women in folly pleading Community the Laws following do punish such ignorant and unrational practise for the Laws of a Commonwealth are Laws of moderate
diligence and purity of Manners Therefore I desire a patient reading of what hereafter follows and when you have heard the extent of Commonwealths Government or Freedom then weigh it in the ballance with Kingly Government or Bondage and see whether brings most Peace to the Land and establish that for Government For you must either establish Commonwealths Freedom in Power making provision for every ones Peace which is Righteousness or else you must set up Monarchy again Monarchy is twofold either for one King to rule or for many to rule by Kingly Principles for the Kings Power lies in his Laws not in the Name And if either one King rule or many rule by Kings Principles much murmuring 〈◊〉 troubles and quarrels may and will arise among the oppressed people upon every gained opportunity But if Common Freedom be found out and ease the oppressed it prevents murmurings and quarrels and establishes Universal Peace in the Earth Therefore seeing the Power of Government is in the hands of such as have professed to the World a godly Righteousness more purely then that of oppressing Kings without doubt their faithfulness and wisdom is required to be manifested in action as well as in words But if they who profess more Righteousness and Freedom in words then the Kings Government was and yet can find out no Government to ease the people but must establish the Kings old Laws though they give it a new name I will leave the sentence worthy such a profession and such a people to be given by the heart of every rational man And so I shall proceed how the Earth should be governed for the Peace of a Commonwealth CHAP. II. What is Government in general Government is a wise and free ordering of the Earth and the Manners of Mankind by observation of particular Laws or Rules so that all the Inhabitants may live peaceably in plenty and freedom in the Land where they are born and bred In the Government of a Land there are three parts viz. Laws sit Officers and a faithful Execution of those Laws First There must be suitable Laws for every occasion and almost for every action that men do for one Law cannot serve in all 〈◊〉 but every season and every action have their particular Laws attending thereupon for the preservation of right order As for example There is a time to plow and the Laws of right understanding attends upon that work and there is a time to reap the fruits of the Earth and the Laws of right observation attending thereupon So that true Government is a right ordering of all actions giving to every action and thing its due weight and measure and this prevents confusion as Solomon speaks There is a time for all things a time to make Promises and Engagements and a time to see them performed a right order in times of War and a right order in times of Peace every season and time having its Law or Rule suitable and this makes a healthful Government because it preserves Peace in a right order Secondly There must be fit Officers whose spirits are so humble wise and free from Covetousness as they can make the established Laws of the Land their Will and not through pride and vain-glory make their Wills to rule above the Rules of Freedom pleading Prerogative For when the right ordered Laws do rule the Government is healthful but when the Will of Officers rule above Law that Government is diseased with a mortal disease Thirdly There must be a faithful Execution of those Laws and herein lies the very life of Government For a right order in Government lies not in the Will of Officers without Laws nor in Laws without Officers nor in neither of them without Execution But when these three go hand in hand the Government is healthful but if any one of these be wanting the Government is diseased There is a twofold Government a Kingly Government and a Common-wealths Government What is Kingly Government or Monarchy Kingly Government governs the 〈◊〉 by that cheating Art of buying selling and thereby becomes a man of contention his hand is against every man and every mans hand against him and take this Government at the best it is a diseased Government and the very City Babylon full of confusion and if it had not a Club Law to support it there would be no order in it because it is the 〈◊〉 and proud will of a Conqueror enslaving a conquered people This Kingly Government is he who beats pruning hooks and plows into spears guns swords and instruments of War that he might take his younger brothers Creation birth-right from him calling the 〈◊〉 his and not his brothers unless his brother will hire the Earth of him so that he may live idle and at ease by his brothers labours Indeed this Government may well be called the Government of high-way men who hath stoln the Earth from the younger brethren by force and holds it from them by force he sheds blood not to free the people from Oppression but that he may be King and Ruler over an oppressed people The Seituation of this Monarchial Government Lies in the will of Kings alias Conquerors setting up Lords of Manors exacting Landlords Tything Priests and covetous Lawyers with all those pricking bryars attending thereupon to be Taskmasters to oppress the people lest they should rise up in riches and power to disthrone him and so to share the Earth with him redeeming their own Creation rights again which this Kingly Government withholds from Mankind in all Nations for he is the great Man of Sin who is now revealed who sits in the Temple of God ruling above all that is called God and both by force and cheating policy takes the Peoples Freedoms from them Exod. 1. 8. 2 Thes. 2. 8. 9. This Kingly Government is he that makes the elder brethren freemen in the Earth and the younger brethren slaves in the Earth before they have lost their Freedom by transgression to the Law Nay he makes one brother a Lord and another a servant while they are in their Mothers womb before they have done either good or evil This is the mighty Ruler that hath made the Election and Rejection of Brethren from their birth to their death or from Eternity to Eternity He calls himself the Lord God of the whole Creation for he makes one brother to pay rent to another brother for the use of the Water Earth and Ayr or else he will not suffer him by his Laws and Lawyers to live above ground but in beggery and yet he will be called righteous And whereas the Scriptures say That the Creator of all things God is no Respecter of persons yet this Kingly Power doth nothing else but respect persons preferring the rich and the proud therefore he denies the Scriptures and the true God of Righteousness though he pray and preach of the Scriptures and keep Fasts and Thanksgiving-days to God to be a cloak to hide his Oppression
the mystery of Iniquity hath taken that peace-makers name to be a cloke to hide his subtil covetousness pride and oppression under O England England wouldst thou have thy Government sound and healthful then cast about and see and search diligently to finde out all those burthens that came in by Kings and remove them and then will thy Commonwealths Government arise from under the clods under which as yet it is buryed and covered with deformity If true Commonwealths Freedom lie in the free Enjoyment of the Earth as it doth then whatsoever Law or custom doth deprive brethren of their Freedom in the Earth it is to be cast out as unsavory salt The scituation of Commonwealths Government Is within the Laws of common Freedom whereby there is a provision for livelyhood in the Earth both for elder and younger brother and not the one enslaving the other but both living in plenty and freedom The Officers Laws 〈◊〉 Customs hereafter mentioned or such like according to such a method may be the Foundation and Pillars of Commonwealths Government This Government depends not upon the Will of any particular man or men for it is seated in the spirit of Mankinde and it is called the light or son of righteousness and peace The Tyrants in all ages have made use of this mans name while he hath lien buryed to cover their cheating mystery of Iniquity for if common Freedom were not pretended the Commoners of a Land would never dance after the pipe of self-seeking wits This Commonwealths Government may well be called the ancient of days for it was before any other oppressing government crept in It is the Moderator of all oppression and so is like Moses and Joseph in 〈◊〉 Court and in time will be the Restorer of long lost Freedoms to the Creation and delights to plant Righteousness over the face of the whole Earth The great Lawgiver in Commonwealths Government Is the spirit of universal Righteousness dwelling in Mankinde now rising up to teach every one to do to another as he would have another do to him and is no respector of persons and this spirit hath been killed by the Pharisaical Kingly spirit of self-love and been buryed in the dunghill of that enmity for many years past And if these be the days of his resurrection to power as we may hope because the name of Commonwealth is risen and established in England by a Law then we or our posterity shall see comfortable effects In that Nation where this Commonwealths Government shall be first established there shall be abundance of peacce and plenty and all 〈◊〉 of the Earth shall come flocking thither to see his beauty and to learn the ways thereof and the Law shall go forth from that Sion and that Word of the Lord from that Jerusalem which shall govern the whole Earth Micah 4 1 2. There shall be no Tyrant Kings Lords of Manors Tything Priests oppressing Lawyers exacting Landlords nor any such like pricking bryar in all this holy Mountain of the Lord God our Righteousness and Peace for the righteous Law shall be the Rule for every one and the Judg of all mens actions David desired rather to be a door keeper in this house of God or Commonwealths Government then to live in the tents of wickedness which was the Kingly oppressing Courts If any go about to build up Commonwealths Government upon Kingly principles they will both shame and lose themselves for there is a plain difference between the two Governments And if you do not run in the right channel of Freedom you must nay you will as you do face about and turn back again to Egyptian Monarchy and so your names in the days of posterity shall stink and be blasted with abhorred infamy for your unfaithfulness to common Freedom and the evil effects will be sharp upon the backs of posterity Therefore seeing England is declared to be a free Commonwealth and the name thereof established by a Law surely then the greatest work is now to be done and that is to escape all Kingly cheats in setting up a Commonwealths Government that the power and the name may agree together so that all the Inhabitants may live in peace plenty and freedom otherwise we shall shew our Government to be gone no further but to the half day of the Beast or to the dividing of Time of which there must be an over-turn Dan. 7. 25. Rev. 12. 14. For Oppression was always the occasion why the spirit of Freedom in the people desired change of Government When Samuels sons took bribes and grew rich upon the common purse and forgot to relieve the oppressed That made the people forsake the Government by Judges and to desire a Kingly Government 1 Sam. And the Oppressions of the Kingly Government have made this Age of the World to desire a Commonwealth Government and the removal of the Kings for the spirit of Light in Man loves Freedom and hates Bondage And because the spirit in Mankinde is various within it self for some are wise some are foolish some idle some laborious some rash some milde some loving and free to others some envyous and covetous some of an inclination to do as they would have others do to them but others seek to save themselves and to live in fulness though others perish for want Therefore because of this was the Law added which was to be a Rule and Judg for all mens actions to preserve common Peace and Freedom as Paul writ The Law was added because of Transgression one against another The Haven gates are now set ope for English Man to enter The Freedoms of the Earth's his due if he will make adventure CHAP. III. Where began the first Original of Government in the Earth among Mankinde THe Original Root of Magistracy is common Preservation and it rose up first in a private Family for suppose there were but one Family in the World as is conceived Father Adams Family wherein were many persons Therein Adam was the first Governor or Officer in the Earth because as he was the first Father so he was the most wise in contriving and the most strong for labor and so the fittest to be the chief Governor For this is the golden Rule Let the wise help the foolish and let the strong help the weak Psa. 35. 10. Rom. 15. 1 2. But some may say here That Adam was under no Law but his Will was a Law to him and his houshold therefore from the root from whence Magistracy first rose it is clear That Officers are to be under no Law but their own Wills and the people are to be subject thereunto I answer The Law of Necessity that the Earth should be planted for the common preservation and peace of his houshold was the righteous Rule and Law to Adam and this Law was so clearly written in the hearts of his people that they all consented quietly to any counsel he gave them for that end Therefore not Adams Will
onely but the Will of his People likewise and the Law of common Preservation Peace and Freedom was the righteous Law that governed both Adam and his houshould But yet observe That from the Father in a Family was the first rise of Magisterial Government because Children wanting experience of their own preservation therefore such as are experienced are to propound the Law of Government to them and therefore from Adam to this day the Law of common Preservation is the Rule and Foundation of true Magistracy and it is the work of all Magistrates to help the weak and the foolish There are two root from whence Laws do spring The first root you see is common Preservation when there is a principle in every one to seek the good of others as himself without respecting persons and this is the root of the tree Magistracy and the Law of Righteousness and Peace and all particular Laws found out by experience necessary to be practised for common Preservation are the boughs and branches of that Tree And because among the variety of Mankinde Ignorance may grow up therefore this Original Law is written in the heart of every man to be his guide or leader so that if an Officer be blinded by covetousness and pride and that ignorance rule in him yet an inferior man may tell him where he goes astray for common Preservation and Peace is the Foundation Rule of all Government and therefore if any will preach or practise Fundamental Truths or Doctrine here you may see where the Foundation thereof lies The second Root is Self preservation when particular Officers seek their own Preservation Ease Honor Riches and Freedom in the Earth and do respect persons that are in Power and Riches with them and regard not the Peace Freedom and Preservation of the weak and foolish among Brethren And this is the root of the Tree Tyranny and the Law of Unrighteousness and all particular Kingly Laws found out by covetous Policy to enslave one brother to another whereby bondage tears sorrows and poverty are brought upon many men are all but the boughs and branches of that Tree Tyranny and such Officers as these are fallen from true Magigistracy and are no Members thereof but the Members of Tyranny who is the Devil and Satan And indeed this Tyranny is the cause of all Wars and Troubles and of the removal of the Government of the Earth out of one hand into another so often as it is in all Nations For if Magistrates had a care to cherish the peace and liberties of the common people and see them set free from Oppression they might sit in the chair of Government and never be disturbed But when their sitting is altogether to advance their own interest and to forget the asslictions of Joseph or their brethren that are under bondage this is a so 〈◊〉 of their own downfall and oftentime proves the plague to the whole Land Therefore the work of all true Magistrates is to maintain the common Law which is the root of right Government and preservation and peace to every one and to cast out all self-ended principles and interests which is Tyranny and Oppression and which breaks common peace For 〈◊〉 the disorderly actings of Officers break the peace of the Commonwealth more then any men whatsoever All Officers in a true Magistracy of a Commonwealth are to be chosen Officers In the first Family which is the Foundation from whence all Families sprang there was the Father he is the first link of the chain Magistracy The necessity of the children that sprang from him doth say Father do thou teach us how to plant the Earth that we may live and we will obey By this choyce they make him not onely a Father but a Master and Ruler And out of this root springs up all Magistrates and Officers To see the Law executed and to preserve Peace in the Earth by seeing that right Government is observed For here take notice That though the children might not speak yet their weakness and simplicity did speak and chose their Father to be their Overseer So that he who is a true Commonwealths Officer is not to step into the place of Magistracy by policy or violent force as all Kings and Conquerors do and so become oppressing Tyrants by promoting their selfended Interests or Machiavilian Cheats that they may live in plenty and rule as 〈◊〉 over their Brethren But a 〈◊〉 Commonwealths Officer is to be a chosen one by them who are in 〈◊〉 and who judg him fit for that work And thus a Father in a Family is a Commonwealths Officer because the Necessity of the young children choose him by a joynt consent and not otherwise Secondly In a bigger Family called a Parish the body of the people are confused and disordered because some are wise some foolish some subtil and cunning to deceive others plain-hearted some strong some weak some rash angry some milde and quiet-spirited By reason whereof offences do arise among brethren and their common peace is broken Therefore as Necessity hath added a Law to limit mens manners because of Transgressiens one against another So likewise doth the necessity of common peace move the whole body of the Parish to choose two three or more within that circuit to be their Overseers to cause the unruly ones for whom onely the Law was added to be subject to the Law or Rule that so peace may be preserved among them in the planting of the Earth reaping the fruits and quiet enjoyment Thirdly In every County Shire or Land wherein the Families are encreased to a larger Commonwealth the necessity of the people moves them still to choose more Overseers and Officers to preserve common peace And when the people have chose all Officers to preserve a right Order in Government of Earth among them then doth the same necessity of common Peace move the people to say to their Overseers and Officers Do you see our Laws observed for our preservation and peace and we will assist and protect you And this word assist and protect 〈◊〉 The rising up of the people by force of Arms to defend their Laws and Officers against any Invasion Rebellion or Resistance 〈◊〉 to beat down the turbulency of any foolish or self-ended spirit that endevors to break their common Peace So that all true Officers are chosen Officers and when they act to satisfie the necessity of them who chose them then they are faithful and 〈◊〉 servants to that Commonwealth and then there is a rejoycing 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 chose them and will not suffer the people to plant the Earth and reap the fruits for their livelyhood unless they will hire the Land 〈◊〉 them or work for day-wages for them that they may live in ease and plenty and not work These Officers are sallen from true
it is all to this end that the Laws be obeyed for a careful Execution of Laws is the Life of Government And while a Peace-maker is careful to oversee the Officers all Officers and others shall assist him upon pain of forfeiture of Freedom or other punishment according to the Rules following One thing remember That when any offendor is brought before any of these chief Peace-makers then this is to be noted that the offendor hath rejected mercy once before by refusing to yield obedience to the Overseers as is explained further hereafter The Work of an Overseer In a Parish or Town there is to be a fourfold degree of Overseers which are to be chosen yearly The first is an Overseer to preserve Peace in case of any quarrels that may fall out between man and man for though the Earth with her fruits be a common Treasury and is to be planted and reaped by common Assistance of every family yet every house and all the furniture for ornament therein is a propriety to the Indwellers and when any family hath fetched in from the Store-houses or shops either Clothes food or any ornament necessary for their use it is all a propriety to that family And if any other family or man come to disturb them and endeavor to take away furniture which is the ornament of his neighbors house or to burn break or spoyl wilfully any part of his neighbors houses or endeavor to take away either the food or clothing which his neighbor hath provided for his use by reason whereof quarrels and provoking words may arise This Office of Overseers is to prevent disturbance and is an Assistance to the Peace-maker and at the hearing of any such offence this Overseer shall go and hear the matter and 〈◊〉 to perswade the offendor and to keep peace and if friendship be made and subjection be yielded to the Laws for the Peace of the Commonwealth the offendor is only to be reproved for his rashness by this Overseer and there is an end But if the offendor be so violent that he will not refrain his offence to his neighbor at this Overseers perswasion but remain stiff and stubborn this Overseer shall then give out an Order to the Souldier to carry the body of the offendor before the Councel of the Peace-makers or before any one or more of them And if the offendor will not yield obedience to the Laws of Peace by the perswasion of the chief Peace-makers neither then this is to be noted to be the second time that this offendor hath refused mercy Then shall the Peace-maker appoint him a day and command him to appear before the Judges Court either in the City or Country where the offence is given and there he shall receive sentence according to the rigor of the Law And if an Overseer should make peace and do not send the offendor to the Peace-makers Court yet this shall be noted the first time of such a ones disobedience to the Laws And all this is to prevent quarrels and offences and the chief Peace-makers or Counsellors may not always be at hand at the beginning of such disturbance therefore this Overseer is an Assistance thereunto and is a Member of that Court One man shall not take away that Commodity which another man hath first layd hands on for any Commodity for use belongs to him that first layd hands of it for his use and if another come and say I will have it and so offences do arise this Overseer shall go to them or give order to the Souldier to bring the offendor to him and shall endeavor to make peace either by giving the Commodity to him who first layd hands on it or else by taking the Commodity from both and bid them go to the Store-houses and fetch more seeing the Store-houses are full and afford plenty of the same Commodities giving the offendor a sharp reproof for offering to break the Peace noting this to be the first time that such a one offered violence to break the Laws of Peace And all persons whatsoever shall assist the Overseers herein and if any person strike or affront by words this Overseer he shall give order to the Souldier to carry him before the Peace-makers and from them the offendor shall receive a Command to appear before the Judges Court where he shall receive the sentence of the Law without mitigation For when a Peace-maker or Conncellor doth appoint an offendor to appear before the Judges Court such an offendor hath refused mercy twice All this is to be done in case of small offences but if any offence be offered by any which comes within compass of death there shall be no Peace-maker to be a Mediator aforehand but the offendor shall be tryed by the Law The second Office of Overseership is for Trades And this Overseer is to see that young people be put to Masters to be instructed in some labour Trade Science or to be waiters in Store-houses that none be idly brought up in any family within his Circuit Likewise this Overseer is to assist any Master of a family by his advice and counsel in the secrets of his Trades that by the experience of the Elders the young people may learn the inward knowledg of the things which are and find out the secrets of Nature And seeing there are variety of Trades there are to be chosen Overseers for every Trade so many Overseers as the largeness of the Town and City requires and the employment of this Overseer is not to work unless he will himself but to go from house to house to view the works of the people of every house belonging to his Trade and Circuit and to give directions as he sees cause and see that no youth be trained up in idleness as is said And if this Overseer find any youth more capable and fit for another Trade then his own he shall speak to some Overseers of another Trade who shall provide him a Master with the consent of his father and appoint him what family to live in And if the father of a family be weak sick or naturally foolish wanting the power of wisdom and government or should be dead before his children should be instructed then the Overseers of this Trade wherein the Father was brought up are to put those Children into such Families where they may be instructed according to the Law of the Common-wealth One man may be an Overseer for twenty or thirty Families of Shoomakers another for Smiths another for Weavers of Cloth another for the Keepers of Storehouses or Shops for every Trade is to have an Overseer for that particular Trade And truly the Government of the Halls and Companies in London is a very rational and well ordered Government and the Overseers of Trades may very well be called Masters Wardens and Assistants of such and such a Company for such and such a particular Trade Onely two things are to be practised to preserve peace The first is
chosen a Souldier like unto a Marshal of a City and being the chief he shall have divers Souldiers under him at his command to assist in case of need The work of a Souldier in times of Peace is to fetch in Offenders and to bring them before either Officer or Courts and to be a protection to the Officers against all disturbances The Souldier is not to do any thing without Order from the Officers but when he hath an Order then he is to act accordingly and he is to receive Orders from the Judges Court or from the Peace-makers Court or from Over-seers as need shall require If a Souldier hath brought an Offender before a Peace-maker and if the Offender will not be subject to the Law by his perswasion and the Peace-maker send him to the Judges Court if the offence be under matters of death the offender shal not be imprisoned in the mean time But the Peace-maker shal command him to appear before the Judges Court at the time appointed and the Offender shall promise to obey and this shal be for two Reasons First to prevent cruelty of Prisons Secondly in the time of his binding over he may remember himself and amend his wayes and by testimony of his own actions and neighbours reports his sentence may be mitigated by the Judge for it is amendment not destruction that Common-wealths Law requires And if this Offender run away from that Country to another and so both disobey the Peace-makers command and break his own promise of appearance then shall the Souldiers be sent forth into all places to search for him and if they catch him they should bring him before the Judge who shall pronounce sentence of death upon him without mercy And if any protect him or shelter him after hue and cry is made after him all such protectors shal suffer the losse of Freedome for twelve moneths time as is shewed hereafter what that is But if the offence should be matter of death then the Peace-maker shal take no promise from him for his appearance but let the Souldier carry him to Prison till the next Judges Court sits where he shall have his Tryall The Work of a Task-master The Work or Office of a Task-master is to take those into his over-sight as are sentenced by the Judge to lose their Freedome and to appoint them their work and to see they do it If they do their Tasks he is to allow them sufficient victuals and cloathing to preserve the health of their bodies But if they prove desperate wanton or idle and will not quietly submit to the Law the Task-master is to feed them with short dyet and to whip them for a rod is prepared for the fools back till such time as their proud hearts do bend to the Law And when he findes them subject he shal then carry a favourable hand towards them as to offending brethren and allow them sufficient diet and clothes in hopes of their amendment but withall see they do their work till by the sentence of the Law he be set free again The Task-master shal appoint them any kind of work or labour as he pleases that is to be done by man And if any of these Offenders run away there shal be hue and cry sent after him and he shal dye by the sentence of the Judge when taken again The Work of an Executioner If any have so highly broke the Laws as they come within the compasse of whiping imprisoning and death The Executioner shal cut off the head hang or shoot to death or whip the offender according to the sentence of Law Thus you may see what the work of every Officer in a Town or City is What is the work of a Judge The Law it self is the Judge of all mens actions yet he who is chosen to pronounce the Law is called Judge because he is the mouth of the Law for no single man ought to Judge or interpret the Law Because the Law it self as it is 〈◊〉 us in the letter is the mind and determination of the Parliament and of the people of the Land to be their Rule to walk by and to be the touch stone of all actions And that man who takes upon him to interpret the Law doth either darken the sence of the Law and so makes it confused and hard to he understood or else puts another meaning upon it and so lifts up himself above the Parliament above the Law and above all people in the Land Therefore the work of that man who is called Judge is to hear any matter that is brought before him and in all cases of difference between man and man he shall see the parties on both sides before him and shall hear each man speak for himself without a Fee'd Lawyer likewise he is to examine any witness who is to prove a matter in Tryal before him And then he is to pronounce the bare Letter of the Law concerning such a thing for he hath his name Judge not because his will and mind is to Judge the actions of offenders before him but because he is the mouth to pronounce the Law who indeed is the true Judge therefore to this Law and to this Testimonie let every one have a regard who intends to live in peace in the Commonwealth But from hence hath arose much misery in the Nations under Kindly Government in that the man called the 〈◊〉 hath been suffered to interpret the Law and when the mind of the Law the Judgment of the Parliament and the Government of the Land is resolved into the brest of the Judges this hath occasioned much complaining of Injustice in Judges in Courts of Justice in Lawyers and in the course of the Law it self as if it were an evil Rule Because the Law which was a certain Rule was varied according to the will of a covetous envious or proud Judg therefore no marvel though the Kingly Laws be so intricate and though few know which way the course of the Law goes because the sentence lies many times in the brest of a Judg and not in the letter of the Law And so the good Laws made by an industrious Parliament are like good Eggs layd by a silly Goose and as soon as she hath layd them she goes her way and lets others take them and never looks after them more so that if you lay a stone in her nest she will sit upon it as if it were an Egg. And so though the Laws be good yet if they be left to the will of a Judg to interpret the Execution hath many times proved bad And truly as the Laws and people of Nations have been abused by suffering men Judges to alter the sence by their Interpretation So likewise hath the Scriptures of Moses the Prophets Christ and his Apostles been darkened and confounded by suffering Ministers to put their Inferences and Interpretations upon them And surely both the Judges for the Law and the Ministers for Gods Word have
Laws and to give Orders Encouragements and Directions unto the poor oppressed people of the Land that they forthwith plant and manure this their own Land for the free and comfortable livelyhood of themselves and posterities And to declare to them it is their own Creation rights faithfully and couragiously recovered by their diligence purses and blood from under the Kingly Tyrants and Oppressors Power The work of a Parliament secondly Is to abolish all old Laws and Customs which have been the strength of the Oppressor and to prepare and then to enact new Laws for the ease and Freedom of the people but yet not without the peoples knowledg For the work of a Parliament herein is three-fold First When old Laws and Customs of the Kings do burden the people and the people desire the remove of them and the establishment of more easie Laws It is now the work of a Parliament to search into Reason and Equity how relief may be found out for the people in such a case and to preserve a common Peace and when they have found out a way by debate of Councel among themselves whereby the people may be relieved they are not presently to establish their Conclusions for a Law But in the next place they are to make a publike Declaration thereof to the people of the Land who choose them for their approbation and if no Objection come in from the people within one moneth they may then take the peoples silence as a consent thereto And then in the third place they are to enact it for a Law to be a binding Rule to the whole Land For as the remove of the old Laws and Customs are by the peoples consent which is proved by their frequent 〈◊〉 and Requests of such a thing so the enacting of new Laws must be by the Peoples consent and knowledg likewise And here they are to require the consent not of men interessed in the old oppressing Laws and Customs as Kings used to do but of them who have been oppressed And the Reason is this Because the people must be all subject to the Law under pain of punishment therefore it is all reason they should know it before it be enacted that if there be any thing of the Councel of Oppression in it it may be discovered and amended But you will say If it must be so then will men so differ in their judgments that we shall never agree I answer There is but Bondage and Freedom particular Interest or common Interest and he who pleads to bring in particular interest into a free Commonwealth will presently be seen and cast out as one bringing in Kingly Slavery again And men in place and office where greatness and honor is coming in may sooner be corrupted to bring in particular Interest then a whole Land can be who must either suffer sorrow under a burthensom Law or rejoyce under a Law of Freedom And 〈◊〉 those men who are not willing to enslave the People will not be unwilling to consent hereunto The work of a Parliament thirdly Is to see all those burthens removed actually which have hindered or do hinder the oppressed People from the enjoyment of their Birth-Rights If their Common Lands be under the Oppression of Lords of Manors they are to see the Land freed from that Slavery If the Commonwealths Land be sold by the hasty Councel of subtil covetous and ignorant Officers who act for their own particular Interest and so hath entangled the Commoners Land again under colour of being bought and sold A Parliament is to examine what Authority any had to sell or buy the Commonwealth Land without a general consent of the People for it is not any ones but every ones Birth Right And if some through covetousness and self interest gave 〈◊〉 privately yet a Parliament who is the Father of a Land ought not to give consent to buy and sell that land which is all the childrens Birth-Right and the price of their labors monies and blood They are to declare likewise that the birgain is unrighteous and that the Buyers and Sellers are Enemies to the Peace and Freedom of the Commonwealth For indeed the Necessity of the people chose a Parliament to help them in their weakness and where they see a danger like to impoverish or enslave one part of the people to another they are to give warning and so prevent that danger for they are the Eyes of the Land And surely those are blinde Eyes that lead the People into Bogs to be entangled in Mud again after they are once pulled out And when the Land is once freed from the Oppressors Power and Laws a Parliament is to keep it so and not suffer it by their consent to have it bought or sold and so entangled in bondage upon a new account And for their faithfulness herein to the People the People are engaged by Love and Faithfulness to cleave close to them in defence and protection But when a Parliament have no care herein the hearts of the People run away from them like sheep who have no Shepherd All grievances are occasioned either by the covetous Wills of State-Officers who neglect their obedience to the good Laws and then prefer their own Ease Honor and Riches before the Ease and Freedom of the oppressed People And here a Parliament is to cashier and punish those Officers and place others who are men of publique spirits in their rooms Or else the Peoples Grievances arise from the practise and power that the Kings Laws have given to Lords of Manors covetous Landlords Tythe-takers or unbounded Lawyers being all strengthened in their oppressions over the People by that Kingly Law And when the people are burthened herewith and groan waiting for deliverance as the oppressed people of England do at this day it is then the work of a Parliament to see the people delivered and that they enjoy their Creation-Freedoms in the Earth They are not to dally with them but as a Father is ready to help his children out of misery when they either see them in misery or when the children cry for help so should they do for the oppressed People And surely for this end and no other is a Parliament chosen as is cleared before for the Necessity of common preservation and peace is the Fundamental Law both to Officers and People The Work of a Parliament fourthly is this If there be occasion to raise an Army to wage War either against an Invasion of a Forreign Enemy or against an Insurrection at home it is the work of a Parliament to manage that business for to preserve common Peace And here their work is three-fold First To acquaint the people plainly with the cause of the War and to shew them the danger of such an Invasion or Insurrection and so from that cause require their assistance in person for the preservation of the Laws Liberties and Peace of the Commonwealth according to their Engagement when they were chosen which
was this Do you maintain our Laws and Liberties and we will protect and assist you Secondly A Parliament is to make choyce of understanding able and publique spirited men to be Leaders of an Army in this case and to give them Commissions and Power in the name of the Commonwealth to manage the work of an Army Thirdly A Parliaments work in this case is either to send Embassadors to another Nation which hath invaded our Land or that intends to invade to agree upon terms of peace or to proclaim War or else to receive and hear Embassadors from other Lands for the same business or about any other business concerning the peace and honor of the Land For a Parliament is the Head of a Commonwealths power or as it may be said it is the great Councel of an Army from whom originally all Orders do issue forth to any Officer or Soldier For if so be a Parliament had not an Army to protect them the rudeness of the people would not obey their proceedings and if a Parliament were not the Representative of the People who indeed is the body of all Power the Army would not obey their Orders So then a Parliament is the Head of Power in a Commonwealth and it is their work to manage publique affairs in times of War and in times of Peace not to promote the Interest of particular men but for the Peace and Freedom of the whole Body of the Land viz. of every particular man that none be deprived of his Creation Rights unless he hath lost his Freedom by Transgression as by the Laws is expressed The work of a Commonwealths Ministry and why one day in seven may be a Day of Rest from Labor If there were good Laws and the People be ignorant of them it would be as bad for the Commonwealth as if there were no Laws at all Therefore according to one of the Laws of Israels Commonwealth made by Moses who was the Ruler of the People at that time It is very rational and good that one day in seven be still set apart for three Reasons First That the People in such a Parish may generally meet together to see one anothers faces and beget or preserve fellowship in friendly love Secondly to be a day of rest or cessation from labor so that they may have some bodily rest for themselvs and cattel Thirdly that he who is chosen Minister for that year in that parish may read to the people three things First the affairs of the whole Land as it is brought in by the Post-master as it is related in his office hereafter following Secondly to read the Law of the Common-wealth not onely to strengthen the memory of the Ancients but that the young people also who are not grown up to ripeness of experience may be instructed to know when they do well and when they do ill for the Laws of a Land hath the power of freedom and bondage life and death in its hand therefore the necessary knowledge to be known and he is the best Prophet that acquaints men therewith That as men grow up in 〈◊〉 they may be able to defend the Laws and Government of the Land But these Laws shall not be expounded by the Reader for to expound a plain Law as if a man would put a better meaning then the letter it self produces two evils Fast the pure Law and the minds of people will be thereby consounded for multitude of words darken knowledge Secondly the Reader will be puffed up in pride to contemn the Law-makers and in time that will prove the father and nurse of Tyranny as at this day is 〈◊〉 by our Ministry And thirdly because the mindes of people generally love discourses therefore that the wits of men both young and old may be exercised there may be speeches made in a three-fold nature First to declare the acts and passages of former ages and Governments setting forth the benefit of freedom by well ordered Governments as in Israels Common Wealth and the troubles and bondage which hath always attended oppression and oppressors as the State of Pharaoh and other Tyrant Kings who said the earth and people were theirs and onely at their dispose Secondly Speeches may be made of all Arts and Sciences some one day some another As in Physick 〈◊〉 Astrology Astronomy Navigation Husbandry and such like And in these Speeches may be unfolded the nature of all herbs and plants from the Hysop to the Cedar as Solomon writ of Likewise men may come to see into the nature of the fixed and wandring stars those great powers of God in the heavens above and hereby men will come to know the secrets of Nature and Creation within which all true knowledg is wrapped up and the light in man must arise to search it out Thirdly Speeches may be made sometimes of the Nature of Mankind of his darkness and of his light of his weakness and of his strength of his love and of his envy of his sorrow and of his joy of his inward and outward bondages and of his inward and outward freedoms c. And this is that which the Ministry of Churches generally aim but only that they confound their knowledg by imaginary study when any one takes upon him to speak without experience Now this is the way To attain to the true knowledg of God who is the Spirit of the whole Creation as he hath spread himself forth in every form and more eminently in man as Paul writ The Creation in all the several bodies and forms are but the Mansions or fulness of him who hath filled all things with himself And if the Earth were set free from Kingly Bondage so that every one were sure to have a free livelyhood and if this liberty were granted then many secrets of God and his Works in Nature would be made publike which men now adays keep secret to get a living by so that this Kingly Bondage is the cause of the spreading of ignorance in the Earth But when Commonwealths Freedom is established and Pharisaical or Kingly Slavery cast out then will knowledg cover the Earth as the Waters cover the Seas and not till then He who is the chosen Minister for that year to read shall not be the only man to make Sermons or Speeches but every one who hath any experience and is able to speak of any Art or Language or of the Nature of the Heavens above or of the Earth below shall have free liberty to speak when they offer themselves and in a civil manner desire an audience and appoint his day yet he who is the Reader may have his liberty to speak too but not to assume all the power to himself as the proud and ignorant Clergy have done who have bewitched all the World by their subtle Covetousness and pride And every one who speaks of any Herb Plant Art or Nature of Mankind is required to speak nothing by imagination but what he hath found out
by his own industry and observation in tryal And because other Nations are of several languages therefore these speeches may be made sometimes in other Languages and sometimes in our Mother Tongue that so the men of our English Commonwealth may attain to all Knowledges Arts and Languages and that every one may be encouraged in his Industry and purchase the countenance and love of their neighborhood for their wisdom and experimental knowledge in the things which are And thus to speak or thus to read the Law of Nature or God as he hath written his name in every body is to speak a pure language and this is to speak the truth as Jesus Christ spake it giving to every thing it s own weight and measure By this means in time men shall attain to the practical knowledge of God truly That they may serve him in spirit and truth and this knowledge will not deceive a man I but saith the zealous but ignorant Professor This is a low and carnal ministry indeed this 〈◊〉 men to know nothing but the knowledge of the earth and the secrets of nature but we are to look after spiritual and beavenly things I answer To know the secrets of nature is to know the works of God And to know the works of God within the Creation is to know God himself for God dwels in every visible work or body And indeed if you would know spiritual things it is to know how the spirit or power of wisdom and life causing motion or growth dwels within and governs both the several bodies of the stars and planets in the heavens above and the several bodies of the earth below as grass plants fishes beasts birds and mankinde for to reach God beyond the Creation or to know what he will be to a man after the man is dead if any otherwise then to scatter him into his Essences of fire water earth and air of which he is compounded is a knowledge beyond the line or capacity of man to attain to while he lives in his compounded body And if a man should go to imagine what God is beyond the Creation or what he will be in a spiritual demonstration after a man is dead he doth as the proverb saith build castles in the air or tells us of a world beyond the Moon and beyond the Sun meerly to blinde the reason of man I le appeal to your self in this question what other knowledg have you of God but what you have within the circle of the Creation For if the Creation in all its dimentions be the fulness of him that fills all with himself and if you your self be part of this Creation where can you finde God but in that line or station wherein you stand God manifests himself in actual knowledge not in imagination he is still in motion either in bodies upon earth or in the bodies in the heavens or in both in the night and in the day in Winter in Summer in cold in heat in growth or not in growth But when a studying imagination comes into man which is the devil for it is the cause of all evil and sorrows in the world that is he who puts out the eyes of mans Knowledg and tells him he must beleeve what others have writ or spoke and must not trust to his own experience And when this bewitching fancy sits in the chair of Government there is nothing but saying and unsaying frowardness covetousness fears confused thoughts and unsatisfied doubtings all the days of that mans reign in the heart Or secondly Examine your self and look likewise into the ways of all Professors and you shall finde That the Enjoyment of the Earth below which you call a low and a carnal Knowledg is that which you and all professors as well as the men of the world as you call them strive and seek after Wherefore are you so covetous after the World in buying and selling counting your self a happy man if you be rich and a miserable man if you be poor And though you say Heaven after death is a place of glory where you shall enjoy God face to face yet you are loth to leave the Earth to go thither Do not your Ministers preach for to enjoy the Earth Do not professing Lawyers as well as others buy and sell the Conquerors Justice that they may enjoy the Earth Do not professing Soldiers fight for the Earth and seat themselves in that Land which is the Birth-Right of others as well as theirs shutting others out Do not all professors strive to get Earth that they may live in plenty by other mens labors Do you not make the Earth your very Rest Doth not the enjoying of the Earth please the spirit in you and then you say God is pleased with your ways and blesseth you If you want Earth and become poor do you not say God is angry with you and crosseth you Why do you heap up riches why do you eat and drink and wear clothes why do you take a woman and lie with her to beget children Are not all these carnal and low things of the Earth and do you not live in them and covet them as much as any nay more then many which you call men of the world And it being thus with you what other spiritual or heavenly things do you seek after more then others And what is in you more then in others If you say there is then surely you ought to let these earthly things alone to the men of the world as you call them whose portions these are and keep you within the compass of your own sphere that others seeing you live a life above the world in peace and freedom neither working your self nor deceiving nor compelling others to work for you they may be drawn to embrace the same spiritual life by your single-hearted conversation We 'l I have done here Let us now examin your Divinity Which you call heavenly and spiritual things for herein speeches are made not to advance knowledge but to destroy the true knowledge of God for Divinity does not speak the truth as it is hid in every body but it leaves the motional knowledge of a thing as it is And imagins studies or thinks what may be and so runs the hazzard true or false And this Divinity is always speaking words to deceive the simple that he may make them work for him and maintain him but he never comes to action himself to do as he would be done by for he is a monster who is all tongue and no hand This divining Doctrine which you call spiritual and heavenly things is the thief and the robber he comes to spoile the Vinyard of a mans peace and does not enter in at the door but he climbes up another way And this Doctrine is two fold First he takes upon him to tell you the meaning of other mens words and writing by his studying or imagining what another mans knowledge might be and by thus doing darkens
torment him in that 〈◊〉 But surely Light is so broke out that it will cover the Earth so that the Divinity Charmers shall say The people will 〈◊〉 bear the voyce of our charming charm we never so wisely And all the Priests and Clergy and Preachers of these spiritual and heavenly things as they call them shall take up the lamentation which is their portion Alas alas that great City Babylon that mighty City Divinity which hath filled the whole Earth with her forcery and deceived all people so that the whole world wondered after this Beast how is it faln and how is her Judgment come upon her in one hour And further as you may read Rev. 18. 10. The Office of the Post-master In every Parish throughout the Commonwealth shall be chosen two men at the time when other Officers are chosen and these shall be called Postmasters And whereas there are four parts of the Land East West North South there shall be chosen in the chief City two men to receive in what the Post-master of the East Country brings in and two men to receive in what the Post-master of the West brings in and two for the North and so two for the South Now the work of the Country Post-master shall be this They shall every Moneth bring up or send by tydings from their respective Parishes to the chief City of what accidents or passages fall out which is either to the honor or dishonor hurt or profit of the Commonwealth and if nothing have faln out in that Moneth worth observation then they shall write down peace or good order in such a Parish And when these respective Post-masters have brought up their Bills or Certificates from all parts of the Land the Receivers of those Bills shall write down every thing in order from Parish to Parish in the nature of a Weekly Bill of Observation And those eight Receivers shall cause the Affairs of the four quarters of the Land to be printed in one Book with what speed may be and deliver to every Postmaster a Book that as they bring up the Affairs of one Parish in writing they may carry down in Print the Affairs of the whole Land The benefit lies here That if any part of the Land be visited with Plague Famine Invasion or Insurrection or any casualties the other parts of the Land may have speedy knowledg and send Relief And if any accident fall out through unreasonable action or careless neglect other parts of the Land may thereby be made watchful to prevent like danger Or if any through industry or ripeness of understanding have found out any secret in Nature or new invention in any Art or Trade or in the Tillage of the Earth or such like whereby the Commonwealth may more flourish in peace and plenty for which Vertues those persons received honor in the places where they dweit When other parts of the Land hear of it many thereby will be encouraged to employ their Reason and industry to do the like that so in time there will not be any Secret in Nature which now lies hid by reason of the iron age of 〈◊〉 oppressing Government but by some or other will be brought to light to the beauty of our Commonwealth The Rise of a Commonwealths Army After that the necessity of the People in a Parish in a County and in a Land hath moved the People to chuse Officers to preserve common peace the same necessity causeth the People to say to their Officers Do you see our Laws observed for our common preservation and we will assist and protect you This word assist and protect implies the rising of the people by force of Arms to defend their Laws and Officers who rule well against any Invasion Insurrection or Rebellion of selfish Officers or rude people yea to beat down the turbulency of any foolish spirit that shall arise to break our common Peace So that the same Law of Necessity of common Peace which moved the people to chuse Officers and to compose a Law for to be a Rule of Government The same Law of Necessity of Protection doth raise an Army so that an Army as well as other Officers in a Commonwealth spring from one and the same root viz. from the Necessity of common Preservation An Army is two-fold viz. A Ruling Army or a Fighting Army A ruling Army is called Magistracy in times of Peace keeping that Land and Government in Peace by Execution of the Laws which the fighting Army did purchase in the field by their Blood out of the hands of Oppression And here all Officers from the father in a family to the Parliament in a Land are but the Heads and Leaders of an Army and all people arising to protect and assist their Officers in defence of a right ordered Government are but the Body of an Army And this Magistracy is called the rejoycing of all Nations when the Foundation thereof are Laws of common Equity whereby every single man may enjoy the fruit of his labour in the free use of the Earth without being restrained or oppressed by the hands of others Secondly A fighting Army called Souldiers in the field when the necessity of preservation by reason of a forraign Invasion or inbred Oppression do move the people to arise in an Army to cut and teer to pieces either degenerated Officers or rude people who seek their own Interest and not common Freedom and through treachery do endeavor to destroy the Laws of common Freedom and to enssave both the Land and people of the Commonwealth to their particular wills and lusts And this War is called a Plague because that cursed enmity of Covetousness pride and vain glory and envy in the heart of Mankind did occasion the rise of it because he will not be under the moderate observation of any free and right Order unless he himself be King and Lord over other persons and their labours For now the people do arise to defend their faithful Officers against such Officers as are unfaithful and to defend their Laws and Common Peace The use or work of a fighting Army in a Commonwealth Is to beat down all that arise to endeavor to destroy the Liberties of the Commonwealth For as in the days of Monarchy an Army was used to subdue all who rebelled against Kingly Propriety so in the days of a free Commonwealth an Army is to be made use of to resist and destroy all who endeavor to keep up or bring in Kingly Bondage again The work of this fighting Army is twofold The first is to withstand the Invasion or coming in of a forraign Enemy whose Invasion is for no other end but to take away our Land and Earth from us to deny us the free use thereof to become Kings and Landlords over us and to make us their slaves As William the Conqueror when he had conquered England he gave not only the Land in parcels to his Souldiers but he gave all men their
〈◊〉 men and not like beasts That so the Common-wealth may be planted with laborious and wise experienced men and not with idle fools Mankinde may be considered in a fourfold degree his childhood youth manhood and old age his childhood and his youth may be considered from his birth till forty yeers of age and within this compass of time after he is weaned from his mother who shall be the nurse her self if there be no defect in Nature his parents shall teach him a civil and humble behavior toward all men Then send him to School to learn to read the Laws of the Common-wealth to ripen his wits from his childhood and so to proceed in his learning till he be acquainted with all Arts and Languages and the reason is threefold First By being acquainted with the knowledge of the affairs of the world by this traditional knowledge they may be the better able to govern themselves like rational men Secondly they may become thereby good Common-wealths men in supporting the government thereof by being acquainted with the nature of government Thirdly If England have occasion to send Embassadors to any other Land we may have such as are acquainted with their Language or if any Embassador come from other Lands we may have such as can understand their speech But one sort of Children shall not be trained up onely to book learning and no other imployment called Schollars as they are in the Government of Monarchy for then through idleness and exercised wit therein they spend their time to finde out 〈◊〉 to advance themselves to be Lords and Masters above their laboring brethren as Simeon and Levi do which occasions all the trouble in the world Therefore to prevent the dangerous events of idleness in Scholars it is reason and 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 peace that after Children have been brought up at Schools to 〈◊〉 their wits they shall then be set to such Trades Arts and Sciences as their bodies and wits are capable of and therein continue till they come to fourty years of age For all the work of the Earth or in Trades is to be managed by youth and by such as have lost their Freedoms Then from fourty years of age till fourscore if he live so long which is the degree of manhood and old age they shall be freed from all labor and work unless they will themselves And from among this degree of Mankind shal be chosen all Officers and Overseers to see the Laws of the Commonwealth observed For as all men shall be Workers or Waiters in Storehouses till they be fourty years of age so none shall be chosen a publique Officer till he be full fourty years of age for by this time Man hath learned experience to govern himself and others for when young wits are set to govern they wax wanton c. What Trades should Mankinde be brought up in In every Trade Art and Science whereby they may finde out the Secrets of the Creation and that they may know how to govern the Earth in right order There are five Fountains from whence all Arts and Sciences have their influences he that is an actor in any or in all the five parts is a profitable son of mankinde he that onely contemplates and talks of what he reads and hears and doth not employ his Talent in some bodily action for the encrease of fruitfulness freedom and peace in the Earth is an unprofitable son The first Fountain is the right planting of the Earth to make it fruitful and this is called Husbandry And there are two branches of it As first planting digging dunging liming burning grubbing and right ordering of Land to make it fit to receive seed that it may bring forth a plentiful crop And under this Head all Millers Maltsters Bakers Harness-makers for Plows and Carts Rope-makers Spinners and Weavers of linnen and such like are all but good Husbandry The second Branch of Husbandry is Gardening how to plant graft and set all sort of fruit-trees and how to order the ground for flowers Herbs and Roots for pleasure food or medicinal And here all Physicians Chyrurgeons Distillers of all sorts of Waters Gatherers of Drugs Makers of Wines and Oyl and Preservers of fruits and such like may learn by Observation what is good for all bodies both man and beasts The second Fountain is Mineral employment and that is to search into the Earth to finde out Mynes of Gold and Silver Brass Iron Tin Lead Cannel Coal and Stone of all sorts Salt-peter Salt and Allom-springs and such like And here all Chymists Gunpowder makers Masons Smiths and such like as would finde out the strength and power of the Earth may learn how to order these for the use and profit of Mankinde The third Fountain is the right ordering of Cattel whether by Shepherds or Herds men and such may learn here how to breed and train up Cows for the Daries Bulls and Horses for the saddle or yoke And here all Tanners Hatters Shoomakers Glovers Spinners of Wool Clothiers Taylors Dyers and such like may learn how to order and look to these The fourth Fountain is the right ordering of Woods and Timber trees for planting dressing selling framing of Timber for all uses for building houses or ships And here all Carpenters Joyners Throsters Plowmakers Instrument makers for musick and all who work in wood and timber may finde out the Secret of Nature to make Trees more plentiful and thriving in their growth and profitable for use The fifth Fountain from whence Reason is exercised to finde out the Secrets of Nature is observe the rising and setting of the Sun Moon and the Powers of the Heavens above and the motion of the Tydes and Seas and there several effects powers and operations upon the bodies of Man and Beast And here may be learned Astrology Astronomy and Navigation and the motions of the Winds and the causes of several Appearances of the Face of Heaven either in Storms or in Fareness And in all these five Fountains here is Knowledg in the practice and it is good But there is Traditional Knowledg which is attained by reading or by the instruction of others and not practical but leads to an idle life and this is not good The first is a laborious Knowledg and a Preserver of common Peace which we finde God himself acting for he put forth his own wisdom in practise when he set his strength to work to make the Creation for God is an active Power not an imaginary Fancy The latter is an idle lazy contemplation the Scholars would call Knowledg but it is no knowledg but a shew of Knowledg like a Parrat who speaks words but he knows not what he saith This same shew of knowledg rests in reading or contemplating or hearing others speak and 〈◊〉 so too but will not set his hand to work And from this Traditional Knowledg and Learning life up both Clergy and Lawyer who by their cunning insinuations live meerly upon the
labor of other men and teach Laws which they themselves will not do and layes burdens upon others which they themselves will not touch with the least of their fingers and from hence arises all oppressions wars and troubles in the world the one is the son of contention the other the son of darkness but both the supporters of bondage which the Creation groans under Therefore to prevent idleness and the danger of Machivilian cheats it is profitable for the Common-wealth that children be trained up in Trades and some bodily imployment as well as in learning Languages or the Histories of former ages And as boyes are trained up in Learning and in Trades so all Maides shall be trained up in reading sowing kniting spining of Lynnen and Woollen Musique and all other easie neat works either for to furnish Storehouses with 〈◊〉 and Woollen cloth or for the ornament of particular houses with needle work And if this course were taken there would be no Idle person nor Beggers in the Land and much work would be done by that now lazie generation for the enlarging of the common Treasuries And in the manageing of any Trade let no young wit be crushed in his invention for if any man desire to make a new tryall of his skil in any Trade of Science the Overseers shall not hinder him but incourage him therein that so the Spirit of knowledge may have his full growth in man to finde out the secret in every Art And let every one who finds out a new invention have a deserved honour given him and certainly when men are sure of food and raiment their reason will be ripe and ready to dive into the 〈◊〉 of the Creation that they may learn to see and know God the Spirit of the whole Creation in all his works for fear of want and care to pay Rent to Task-masters hath hindred many rare Inventions So that Kingly Power hath crushed the Spirit of Knowledg and would not suffer it to rise up in its beauty and 〈◊〉 but by his Club Law hath preferred the spirit of Imagination which is a Deceiver before it There shal be no buying and selling of the Earth nor of the fruits thereof For by the Government under Kings the cheaters hereby have cozened the plain hearted of their creation birth-rights and have 〈◊〉 themselves in the earth and cals it 〈◊〉 and not the others and so have brought in that poverty and misery which 〈◊〉 upon many men And whereas the wise should help the foolish and the strong help the weak the wise and the strong destroys the weak and the simple And are not all children generally simple and weak and know not the things that belong to their peace till they come to ripe age but before they come to that understanding the cunning ones who have more strength and policy have by this hypocriticall lying unrighteous and cheating Art of buying and selling wrung the freedoms of the earth out of their hands and cozened them of their birth-rights So that when they come to understanding they see themselves beggers in the middest of a fruitfull Land and so the Proverb is true Plain dealing is a jewel but he who uses it shal dye a begger And why Because this buying and selling is the nursery of cheaters it is the Law of the Conquerer and the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees which both killed Christ and hindred his Resurrection as much as darkness can to put out light And these cunning cheaters commonly become the Rulers of the earth and then the City Man kind mourns for not the wise poor man but the cunning rich man was always made an Officer and Ruler such a one as by his stolen interest in the earth would be sure to hold others in bondage of poverty and servitude to him and his party And hence arise oppression and tyranny in the earth upon the backs of the weak younger brethren who are made younger brothers indeed as the Proverb is by their cunning elder brother and as Daniel said The basest of men under Kingly government were set to Rule who can command but not obey who can take other mens labors to live at ease but not work themselvs Therefore there shal be no buying and selling in a Free Common-wealth neither shall any one hire his brother to work for him If the Common-wealth might be governed without buying and selling here is a Platform of Government for it which is the ancientest Law of Righteousness to Mankind in the use of the Earth and which is the very height of earthly Freedoms But if the minds of the people through Covetousness and proud Ignorance wil have the Earth governed by buying and selling still this same Platform with a few things substracted declares an easie way of Government of the Earth for the quiet of peoples minds and preserving of Peace in the Land For as like a Tradesman I ask the highest price Yet I may fall if you will rise upon a good advice How must the Earth be planted The Eirth is to be planted and the fruits reaped and carried into Barns and Store-houses by the assistance of every family And if any man or family want Corn or other provision they may go to the Store-houses and fetch without money Is they want a Horse to ride go into the fields in Summer or to the Common Stables in Winter and receive one from the Keepers and when your Journey is performed bring him where you had him without money If any want food or victuals they may either go to the Butchers shops and receive what they want without money or else go to the flocks of sheep or herds of cattel and take and kill what meat is needful for their families without buying and selling And the reason why all the riches of the earth are a common stock is this Because the earth and the labours thereupon are managed by common assistance of every family without buying and selling as is shewn how more largely in the Office of Overseers for Trades and the Law for Store-houses The Laws for the right ordering thereof and the Officers to see the Laws executed to preserve the peace of every family and the peace of every man and to improve and promote every Trade is shewed in the work of Officers and by the Laws following None will be an enemy to this freedom which indeed is to do to another as a man would have another do to him but Covetousness and Pride the spirit of the old grudging snapping Pharisees who gives God abundance of good words in their Sermons in their Prayers in their Fasts and in their Thanksgivings as though none should be more faithful servants to him then they nay they will shun the company imprison and kill every one that will not worship God they are so zealous Well now God and Christ hath enacted an everlasting Law which is Love not onely one another of your own minde but love your enemies too
such as are not of your minde and having food and raiment therewith be content Now here is a trial for you whether you will be faithful to God and Christ in obeying his Laws or whether you will destroy the man-childe of true Freedom righteousness and peace in his resurrection And now thou wilt give us either the tricks of a Souldier Face about and return to Egypt and so declare thy self to be part of the Serpents seed that must bruise the heel of Christ or else to be one of the plain-hearted sons of promise or members of Christ who shall help to bruise the Serpents head which is Kingly oppression and so bring in everlasting righteousness and peace into the earth Well the eye is now open Store-houses shall be built and appointed in all places and be the common Stock There shall be Store-houses in all places both in the Country and in Cities to which all the fruits of the earth and other works made by Tradesmen shall be brought and from thence delivered out again to particular Families and to every one as they want for their use or else to be transported by Ship to other Lands to exchange for those things which our Land will not or does not afford For all the labours of Husbandmen and Trades-men within the Land or by Navigation to or from other Lands shall be all upon the common Stock And as every one works to advance the Common Stock so every one shall have a free use of any commodity in the Store-house for his pleasure and comfortable livelihood without buying and selling or restraint from any And having food and raiment lodging and the comfortable societies of his own kinde what can a man desire more in these days of his travel Indeed covetous proud and beastly-minded men desire more either to lie by them to look upon or else to waste and spoil it upon their lusts while other brethren live in straits for want of the use thereof But the Laws and faithful Officers of a free Commonwealth do regulate the unrational practice of such men There are two sorts of Store-houses general and particular The general Store-houses are such houses as receive in all commodities in the gross as all Barns and places to lay Corn and the fruits of the earth at the first reaping and these may be called Store-houses for Corn Flax Wool for Leather for Iron for linen and woollen Cloth or for any commodity that comes into our hand by Shipping from whence particular Family or Shop-keepers may fetch as they need to furnish their lesser shops So likewise herds of Cattel in the field flocks of Sheep and Horses are all common Store-houses so that from the Herds and Flocks every Family may fetch what they want for food or pleasure without buying and selling So likewise all Publike Dayries are Store-houses for Butter and Cheese yet every Family may have Cows for their own use about their own house And these general Store-houses shall be filled and preserved by the common labour and assistance of every Family as is mentioned in the Office of Overseer for Trades And from these Publike Houses which are the general stock of the Land all particular Trades-men may fetch materials for their particular work as they need or to furnish their particular dwellings with any commodities Secondly there are particular Store-houses or shops To which the Trades-men shall bring their particular works as all instruments of Iron to the Iron-shops Hats to shops appointed for them Gloves Shooes linen and woollen Cloth in smaller parcels to shops appointed for every one of them and the like Even as now we have particular trade in Cities and Towns called Shopkeepers which shall remaine still as they be only altered in their receiving in and delivering out for whereas by the Law of Kings or Conquerers they do receive in and deliver out by buying and selling and exchanging the Conquerers picture or stampe upon a piece of Gold or Silver for the fruits of the earth Now they shall by the Laws of the Commonwealth receive into their Sops and deliver out againe freely without buying and selling They shall receive in as into a Storehouse and deliver out againe freely as out of a common Store-house when particular persons or Familes come for any thing they need as now they do by buying and selling under kingly government For as particular Families and tradesmen do make several works more then they can make use of As Hats Shooes Gloves Stockings Linnen and Woolen cloth and the like and do carry their particular work to Store-houses So it is all reason and equity that they should go to other Store-houses and fetch any other commodity which they want and cannot make for as other men partakes of their labors it is reason they should pertake of other mens And all these Store-houses and Shops shall be orderly kept by such as shall be brought up to be waiters therein as is mentioned in the Office of Overseers for trades For as there are some men more ingenious to work so other men are more ingenious in keeping of Store-houses and Shops to receive in and deliver out commodities And all this easie work may be called waiting at such and such a Store-house As some may waite at Corn-houses some at linen and woolen houses some at Leather some at iron-shops and every general and particular commodity shall be known where they are by their houses and shops as it is at this day so that Townes and Cities and every Family almost are but Store-houses of one commodity or other for the uses of the Commonwealth or to transport to other lands Now this same free practice will kill covetousness pride and oppression for when men have a Law to buy and sell then as I said before the cuning cheaters get great estates by others mens labors and being rich thereby become oppressing Lords over their brethren which occasions all our troubles and wars in all Nations Come hither now all you who chalenge your brethren to deny Christ as though you were the only men that love Christ and would be true to him Here is a trial of your love can you be as ready to obey the law of liberty which is the command of Christ as you would have others to obey your Kingly laws of bondage It may be you will either storme or go away sorrowful does not Christ tell you that if you have food and rayment you should therewith be content and in this common freedome here will be food and rayment ease and pleasure plentiful both for you and your brethren so that none shall beg or starve or live in the straits of poverty and this fulfils that righteous law of Christ Do as you would be done by for that law of Christ can never be performed till you establish Common-wealths freedome Therefore now let it appear seeing the child is come to the birth whether you will receive Christ who is the spreading spirit
from the Law excepting in the Court of Parliament shall be cashiered his Office and never bear Office more 3. No man shall administer the Law for Mony or Reward he that doth shal dye as a Traytor to the Commonwealth for when Mony must buy and sell Justice and bear all the sway there is nothing but Oppression to be expected 4. The Laws shall be read by the Minster to the people four times in the year viz. every quarter that every one may know whereunto they are to yeeld Obedience then none may dye for want of knowledg 5. No accusation shall be taken against any man unless it be proved by two or three witnesses or his own confession 6. No man shall suffer any punishment but for matter of fact or Reviling words but no man shall be troubled for his judgment or practise in the things of his God so he live quiet in the Land 7. The accuser and accused shall always appear face to face before any Officer that both sides may be heard and no wrong to either party 〈◊〉 8. If any Judg or Officer execute his own Will contrary to the Law or which there is no Law to warrant him in he shall be cashiered and never bear Office more 9. He who raises an accusation against any man and cannot prove it shall suffer the same punishment the other should if proved An Accusation is when one man complains of another to an Officer all other accusations the Law takes no notice of 10. He who strikes his Neighbor shall be struck himself by the Executioner blow for blow and shall lose eye for eye tooth for 〈◊〉 limb for limb life for life and the reason is that men may be tender of one anothers bodies doing as they would be done by 11. If any man strike an Officer he shall be made a servant under the Taskmaster for a whole year 12. He who endevo s to stir up contention among neighbors by tale-bearing or false reports shall the first time be reproved openly by the Overseers among all the people the second time shall be whiped the third time shall be a servant under the Taskmaster for three Months and if he continues he shall be a servant for ever and lose his Freedom in the Commonwealth 13. If any give reviling and provoking words whereby his neighbors spirit is burthened if complaint be made to the Overseers they shall admonish the offender privately to forbear if he continues to offend his neighbor the next time he shall be openly reproved and admonished before the Congregation when met together if he continue the third time he shall be whipt the fourth time if proof be made by witnesses he shall be a servant under the Taskmaster for twelve Months 14. He who will rule as a Lord over his brother unless he be an Officer commanding obedience to the Law he shall be admonished as aforesaid and receive like punishment if he continue Laws for the planting of the Earth c. 15. Every houshold shall keep all Instruments and Tools fit for the 〈◊〉 of the Earth either for planting reaping or threshing Some households which have many men in them shall keep Plows Carts Harrows and such like other housholds shall keep Spades Pick-axes Axes pruning hooks and such like according as every Family is furnished with men to work therewith And if any Master or Father of a Family be negligent herein the Overseer for that Circuit shall admonish him between them two if he continue negligent the Overseers shall reprove him before all the people and if he utterly refuse then the ordering of that Family shall be given to another and he shall be a servant under the taskmaster till he conform 16. Every family shall come into the field with sufficient assistance at seed time to plow dig and plant and at harvest time to reap the fruits of the Earth and 〈◊〉 them into the Store-houses as the Overseers order the work and the number of workmen And if any refuse to assist in this work The Overseers shall ask the reason and if it be sickness or any distemper that hinders them they are freed from such service if meer idleness keep them back they are to suffer punishment according to the Laws against 〈◊〉 Laws against Idleness 17. If any refuse to learn a trade or refuse to work in seed-time or harvest or refuse to be a Waiter in Store-houses and yet will feed and clothe himself with other mens labors The Overseers shall first admonish him privately if he continue idle he shall be reproved openly before all the people by the Overseers and shall be forbore with a moneth after this reproof If he still continues idle he shall then be whipt and be let go at liberty for a moneth longer if still he continue idle he shall be delivered into the task-masters hand who shall set him to work for twelve moneths or till he submit to right Order And the reason why every young man shall be trained up in some work or other is to prevent pride and contention it is for the health of their bodies it is a pleasure to the minde to be free in labors one with another and it provides plenty of food and all necessaries for the Common-wealth Laws for Store-houses 18. In every Town and City shall be appointed Store-houses for flax wool lether cloth and for all such commodities as come from beyond Seas and these shall be called general Store-houses from whence every particular family may fetch such commodities as they want either for their use in their house or for to work in their trades or to carry into the Country Store-houses 19. Every particular house and shop in a town or city shall be 〈◊〉 Store-house or shop as now they be and these shops shall either be furnished by the particular labor of that family according to the trade that family is of or by the labor of other lesser families of the same trade as all shops in every town are now furnished 20. The waiters in Store-houses shall deliver the goods under their charge without receiving any money as they shall receive in their goods without paying any money 21. If any waiter in a Store-house neglect his office upon a just complaint the Overseers shall acquaint the Judges Court therewith and from thence he shall receive his sentence to be discharged that house and office And to be appointed some other laboring work under the taskmaster and another shall have his place For he who may live in freedom and will not is to taste of servitude Laws for Overseers 22. The onely work of every Overseer is to see the Laws executed for the Law is the true magistracy of the Land 23. If any Overseer favour any in their idleness and neglect the execution of the Laws he shall be reproved the first time by the Judges Court the second time cashiered his Office and shall never bear office more but fall back into the rank of
young people and servants to be a worker 24. New Overseers shall at their first entrance into their office look back upon the actions of the old Overseers of the last year to see if they have been faithful in their places and consented to no breach of Law whereby Kingly bondage should any ways be brought in 25. The Overseers for Trades shall see every family to lend assistance to plant and reap the fruits of the Earth to work in their Trades and to furnish the Store-houses and to see that the Waiters in Store-houses be diligent to receive in and deliver out any goods without buying and selling to any man whatsoever 26. While any Overseer is in the performance of his place every one shall assist him upon pain of open reproof or cashiered if he be another Officer or forfeiture of freedom according to the nature of the business in hand in which he refused his assistance Laws against buying and selling 27. If any man entice another to buy and sell and he who is enticed doth not yield but makes it known to the Overseer the enticer shall lose his freedom for twelve moneths the Overseer shal give words commendation of him that refused the enticement before all the Congregation for his faithfulness to the Common-wealths Peace 28. If any do buy and sell the Earth or fruits thereof unless it be to or with 〈◊〉 of another nation according to the Law of Navigation they shall be both put to death as traytors to the peace of the Common-wealth because it brings in Kingly bondage again and is the occasion of all quarrels and oppressions 29. He or she who calls the Earth his and not his brothers shall be set upon a stool with those words written in his forehead before all the Congregation and afterwards be made a servant for twelve moneths under the taskmaster If he quarrel or seek by secret perswation or open rising in arms to set up such a Kingly propriety he shall be put to death 30. The Storehouses shall be every mans substance and not any ones 31. No man shall either give hire or take hire for his work for this brings in Kingly bondage If any Freemen want help there are young people or such as are common servants to do it by the Overseers appointment He that gives and he that takes hire for work shall both lose their Freedom and become servants for twelve Months under the Taskmaster Laws for Navigation 32. Because other Nations as yet own Monarchy and will buy and sell therefore it is convenient for the peace of our Commonwealth That our ships do transport our English goods and exchange for theirs and conform to the Customs of other Nations in buying and selling Always provided That what goods our ships carry out they shall be the Commonwealths goods and all their Trading with other Nations shall be upon the common Stock to enrich the Storehouses Laws for Silver and Gold 33. As Silver and Gold is either found out in Mynes in our own Land or brought by shipping from beyond Sea it shall not be coyned with a Conquerors stamp upon it to set up buying and selling under his name or by his leave for there shall be no other use of it in the Common-wealth then to make dishes and other necessaries for the ornament of houses as now there is use made of Brass Pewter and Iron or any other Metal in their use But if in case other Nations whose commodities we want will not exchange with us unless we give them money then pieces of Silver and Gold may be stamped with the Commonwealths Arms upon it for the same use and no otherwise For where money bears all the sway there is no regard of that golden Rule Do as you would be done by Justice is bought and sold nay Injustice is sometimes bought and sold for money and it is the cause of all Wars and Oppressions And certainly the righteous Spirit of the whole Creation did never enact such a Law That unless his weak and simple men did go from England to the East Indies and fetch Silver and Gold to bring in their hands to their Brethren and give it them for their good-will to let them plant the Earth and live and enjoy their livelyhood therein Laws to choose Officers 34. All Overseers and State-Officers shall be chosen new every year to prevent the rise of Ambition and Covetousness for the Nations have smarted sufficiently by suffering Officers to continue long in an Office or to remain in an Office by hereditary succession 35. A man that is of a turbulent spirit given to quarreling and provoking words to his neighbor shall not be chosen any Officer while he so continues 36. All men from twenty years of age upwards shall have freedom of voyee to choose Officers unless they be such as lie under the sentence of the Law 37. Such shall be chosen Officers as are rational men of moderate conversation and who have experience in the Laws of the Commonwealth 38. All men from forty years of age upwards shal be capable to be chosen State Officers and none younger unless any one by his industry and moderate conversation doth move the people to choose him 39. If any man make suit to move the people to choose him an Officer that man shall not be chose at all that time If another man perswade the people to choose him who makes suit for himself they shall both lose their freedom at that time viz they shall neither have a voyce to choose another nor be chosen themselves Laws against Treachery 40. He who professes the service of a righteous God by preaching and prayer and makes a Trade to get the possessions of the Earth shall be put to death for a Witch and a Cheater 41. He who pretends one thing in words and his actions declare his intent was another thing shall never bear Office in the Commonwealth What is Freedom Every Freeman shall have a Freedom in the Earth to plant or build to fetch from the Store-houses any thing he wants and shall enjoy the fruits of his labours without restraint from any he shall not pay Rent to any Landlord and he shall be capable to be chosen any Officer so he be above forty years of age and he shall have a voyce to choose Officers though he be under forty years of age If he want any young men to be Assistance to him in his Trade or houshold employment the Overseers shall appoint him young men or maids to be his servants in his family Laws for such as have lost their Freedom 42. All those who have lost their Freedom shall be clothed in white woolen cloth that they may be distinguished from others 43. They shall be under the Government of a Task-master who shall appoint them to be Porters or Laborers to do any work that any Freeman wants to be done 44. They shall do all kind of labour without exception but their constant