at bondage it groans under; and so we should hinder
the Work of Restoration, and sin against the Light that is given
into us, and so, through fear of the flesh man, lose our peace."

And the pamphlet concludes with the following somewhat mystic words:

"Thus you Powers of England, and of the whole World, we have
declared our Reasons why we have begun to dig upon George Hill in
Surrey. One thing I must tell you more, which I received in voice
likewise at another time; and when I received it my eye was set
towards you. The words were these--_Let Israel go free._

"Surely as Israel lay four hundred and thirty years under Pharaoh's
bondage, before Moses was sent to fetch them out, even so Israel
(the Elect Spirit spread in Sons and Daughters) hath lain three
times so long already.... But now the time of Deliverance hath
come.... For now the King of Righteousness is arising to rule in
and over the Earth.... Therefore once more, _Let Israel go free_,
that the Poor may labour the waste land, and suck the Breasts of
their Mother Earth, that they starve not. In so doing thou wilt
keep the Sabbath Day, which is a Day of Rest, sweetly enjoying the
Peace of the Spirit of Righteousness, and find Peace by living
among a people that live in Peace: This will be a Day of Rest which
thou never knew yet.

"But I do not entreat thee, for thou art not to be entreated. But
in the Name of the Lord, that hath drawn me forth to speak to thee,
I, yea I say, I command thee, _To let Israel go free, and quietly
to gather together into the place where I shall appoint; and hold
them, no longer in bondage_.... But if you will not, but
Pharaoh-like cry, _Who is the Lord that we should obey him?_ and
endeavour to oppose, then know, that He that delivered Israel from
Pharaoh of old is the same Power still, in whom we trust, and whom
we serve. For this, Conquest over thee shall be got, _not by Sword
or Weapon, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts._"

Such, then, were the first "official pronouncements" of the body of men
known in the History of England as the Diggers, whose proud privilege it
was to be the first in our native land, as against the rights of
property, boldly to proclaim the rights of man. Poor in worldly goods
they may have been, but they were rich in hope and in love, in broad
thoughts an