is bags and barns, that all may feed
upon the crops of the Earth, that the burden of poverty may be
removed. Leave off this buying and selling of land, or of the
fruits of the Earth, and, as it was in the light of Reason first
made, so let it be in action amongst all, a Common Treasury, none
enclosing or hedging in any part of the Earth, saying, _This is
mine_, which is rebellion and high treason against the King of
Righteousness. And let this word of the Lord be acted amongst all:
_Work together; Eat bread together._{5}
"Thirdly, Leave off dominion and lordship one over another; for the
whole bulk of mankind are but one living Earth. Leave off
imprisoning, whipping, and killing, which are but the actings of
the curse. Let those that have hitherto had no land, and have been
forced to rob and steal through poverty; henceforth let them
quietly enjoy land to work upon, that everyone may enjoy the
benefit of his Creation, and eat his own bread with the sweat of
his own brows. For surely this particular propriety of mine and
thine hath brought in all misery upon people. First, it hath
occasioned people to steal one from another. Secondly, it hath made
laws to hang those that did steal. It tempts people to do an evil
action, and then kills them for doing of it. Let all judge whether
this be not a great evil.
"Well, if everyone would speedily set about the doing of these
three particulars I have mentioned, the Creation would thereby be
lift up out of bondage, and our Maker should have the glory of the
works of His hands."
* * * * *
Before Winstanley found opportunity to declare in action the truths that
had been revealed unto him, he found time to write yet another pamphlet,
entitled _Fire in the Bush_.[78:1] In it he still further elucidates his
interpretation of the story of the Creation, and his conception of the
Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life, and reaffirms his basic
contention that "All the strivings that are in mankind are for the
Earth: Who shall have it? Whether some particular persons shall have it,
and the rest have none; or whether the Earth shall be made a Common
Treasury to all, without respect of persons?" As it traverses much the
same ground as the pamphlet from which we have just quoted at such
length, it really calls for no further notice fr
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