one month, they may then take the people’s 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 is by the people’s consent, which is proved by their frequent petitionings and requests; so the enacting of new Laws must be by the people’s consent and knowledge likewise.  And here they are to require the consent, not of men interested in the old oppressing Laws and Customs,[197:2] 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 that they should know it before it be enacted, so that if there be anything of the Counsel of Oppression in it, it may be discovered and amended.”

ANSWERS TO TWO OBJECTIONS.

     “But you will say, If it must be so, then will men so differ in
     their judgements 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.

“Moreover, men in place and office, where greatness and honor is coming in, may sooner be corrupted to bring in particular interest than a whole Land can be, who must either suffer sorrow under a burdensome Law, or rejoice under a Law of Freedom.  And surely those men who are not willing to enslave the people will be unwilling to consent hereunto.

     “THE WORK OF A PARLIAMENT—­THIRDLY,

     “Is to see all those burdens 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 Commonwealth Land be sold by the hasty counsel of subtle, 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:  then a Parliament is to examine what authority any had to sell or buy the Commonwealth’s Land without a general consent of the People:  FOR IT IS NOT ANY ONE’S, BUT EVERY ONE’S BIRTH-RIGHT.  And if some through covetousness and self-interest gave consent privately, yet a Parliament, who is the Father of the Land, ought not to give consent to buy and sell that Land which is all the children’s birth-right, and the price of their labors, moneys and blood.

“They are to declare likewise that the Bargain is unrighteous; and that the Buyers and Sellers are Enemies to the Peace and Freedom of the Commonwealth.  For indeed the necessity