d out where
true Freedom lies, that the Commonwealth of England might be
established in peace. Some say, It lies in the free use of Trading,
and to have all Patents, Licenses and Restraints removed: But this
is a Freedom under the Will of a Conqueror. Others say, It is true
Freedom to have Ministers to preach, and for people to hear whom
they will, without being restrained or compelled from or to any
form of worship: But this is an unsettled Freedom.... Others say,
It is true Freedom that the Elder Brother shall be Land Lord of the
Earth, and the Younger Brother a Servant: And this is but a half
Freedom, and begets murmurings, wars and quarrels.

"All these, and such like, are Freedoms; but they lead to Bondage,
and are not the true Foundation-Freedom which settles a
Commonwealth in Peace.

"TRUE COMMONWEALTH'S FREEDOM LIES IN THE FREE ENJOYMENT OF THE
EARTH.

"True Freedom lies where a man receives his nourishment and
preservation, and that is in the use of the Earth.... All that a
man labors for, saith Solomon, is this, That he may enjoy the free
use of the Earth with the fruits thereof (Eccles. 2. 24). Do not
the Ministers preach for maintenance in the Earth? The Lawyers
plead causes to get the possessions of the Earth? Doth not the
Soldier fight for the Earth? And doth not the Land Lord require
Rent that he may live in the fullness of the Earth by the labor of
his Tenants? And so from the Thief upon the Highway to the King who
sits upon the Throne, does not everyone strive, either by force of
Arms or secret Cheats, to get the possessions of the Earth one from
another, because they see their Freedom lies in plenty, and their
Bondage lies in Poverty?"

Then occurs this eternally true passage:

"Surely, then, oppressing Lords of Manors, exacting Land-lords and
Tythe-takers, may as well say their Bretheren shall not breathe in
the air, nor enjoy warmth in their bodies, nor have the moist
waters to fall upon them in showers, unless they will pay them rent
for it, as to say their Bretheren shall not work upon Earth, nor
eat the fruits thereof, unless they will hire that liberty of them.
For he that takes upon him to restrain his Brother from the liberty
of the one, may upon the same ground restrain him from the liberty
of all four,