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 man’s confession, he shall be put to death, and the woman let go free:  it is robbery of a woman’s bodily freedom.

59.  If any man by violence endeavour to take another man’s wife, the first time of such violent offer he shall be reproved before the Congregation by the Peacemaker; the second time he shall be made a Servant under the Task-master for twelve months; and if he forcibly lie with another man’s wife, and she cry out, as is the case when, a maid is forced, the man shall be put to death.

60.  When any man or woman have consented to live together in marriage, they shall acquaint all the Overseers in the Circuit therewith, and some other neighbors.  And being all met together, the man shall declare with 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.

LAWS TO SECURE ECONOMY.

61.  No Master of a Family shall suffer more meat to be dressed at a dinner or supper than will be spent and eaten by his household or company present, or within such a time after before it be spoilt.  If there be any spoil 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 Peacemaker before all the people, and ashamed for his folly; the third time he shall be made a servant for twelve months under the Task-master, so 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 made a Governor of a Family, that the peace of the Commonwealth may be preserved.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

COMPLETE LIST OF “DIGGER” PUBLICATIONS.

WINSTANLEY, The Mystery of God concerning the Whole Creation, Mankind.—­April 1648. (British Museum, Press Mark, 4377, a. 1.)

 " The Breaking of the Day of God.—­May 1648. (British Museum, P. M.,
      4377, a. 2.)

 " The Saints’ Paradise:  Or the Father’s Teaching the Only Satisfaction
      to Waiting Souls.—­August or September 1648. (British Museum, P. M.,
      E. 2137.)

 " Truth Lifting up its Head above Scandals.—­October 1648. (British
      Museum, P. M., 4372, a.a. 17.)

 " (?) Light Shining in Buckinghamshire.—­December 1648. (British
      Museum, P. M., E. 475 (11).)

 " (?) More Light Shining in Buckinghamshire.—­March 1649. (British
      Museum, P. M., E. 548 (33).)