by the conquest of the King over the Commoners or by the conquest of the Commoners over the King.  If he claim the Earth to be his from the King’s Conquest, the Kings are beaten and cast out, and that title is undone.  If he claim title to the Earth to be his from the conquest of the Commoners over the Kings, then I have right to the land as well as my brother; for my brother without me, nor I without my brother, did not cast out the Kings; but both together assisting, with purse and person, we prevailed, so that I have by this victory as equal a share in the Earth which is now redeemed as my brother, by the Law of Righteousness.

“If my brother still say he will be Land Lord (through his covetous ambition) and I must pay him rent, or else I shall not live in the Land, then does he take my right from me, which I have purchased by my money in taxes, free-quarter and blood.  And O thou Spirit of the Whole Creation, who hath this title to be called King of Righteousness and King of Peace, judge thou between my brother and me, Whether this be Righteous, etc.

“And now say the people, Is not this a grievous thing, that our bretheren that will be Land Lords, right or wrong, will make Laws, and call for a Law to be made to imprison, crush, nay put to death any that denies God, Christ and Scripture; and yet they will not practice that Golden Rule, Do to another as thou wouldst have another do to thee, which God, Christ and Scripture have enacted for a Law?  Are not these men guilty of death by their own Law, which is the word of their own mouth?  Is it not a flat denial of God and Scripture?”

Winstanley then gives some interesting details of the history of this pamphlet, as follows: 

“Thus, Sir, I have reckoned up some of those burdens which the people groan under.  And I being sensible hereof was moved in myself to present this Platform of Commonwealth’s Government unto you, wherein I have declared a full Commonwealth’s Freedom, according to the Rule of Righteousness, which is God’s Word.  It was intended for your view about two years ago, but the disorder of the times caused me to lay it aside, with a thought never to bring it to light.  Likewise I hearing that Mr. Peters and some others propounded this request—­That the Word of God might be consulted with to find 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.

“I laid aside this in silence, and said I would not make it public; but this word was like fire in my bones ever and anon—­Thou shalt not bury thy talent in the earth.  Thereupon I was stirred to give it a resurrection, and to pick together as many of my scattered papers as I could find, 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 to act for Common Freedom if you will:  I have no power.”

He then continues to indicate his own views, as also the outlines of the scheme the details of which are unfolded in the body of his work, and warns Cromwell that—­