nt is attributable
to a politic wit in drawing the people out of Common Freedom into
a way of Common Bondage: FOR SO LONG AS THE EARTH IS A COMMON
TREASURY TO ALL MEN, KINGLY COVETOUSNESS CAN NEVER REIGN AS KING.

"WHAT IS COMMONWEALTH'S GOVERNMENT?

"Commonwealth's Government governs the Earth without buying and
selling, and thereby becomes a man of peace, and the Restorer of
Ancient Peace and Freedom. He makes provision for the oppressed,
the weak and the simple, as well as for the rich, the wise and the
strong.... All slavery and Oppressions ... are cast out by this
Government, _if it be right in power as well as in name_ ... IF
ONCE COMMONWEALTH'S GOVERNMENT BE SET UPON THE THRONE, THEN NO
TYRANNY OR OPPRESSION CAN LOOK HIM IN THE FACE AND LIVE.{11}

"If true Commonwealth's Freedom lies in the free enjoyment of the
Earth, as it doth, then whatsoever Law or Custom doth deprive
Bretheren of their Freedom in the Earth is to be cast out as
unsavoury salt."

And after reminding his readers that "the great Lawgiver in
Commonwealth's Government is the Spirit of Universal Righteousness," and
warning them of the evils that would necessarily attend their posterity
if they heeded not His dictates, he continues:

"If you do not run in the right channel of Freedom, you must, nay,
you will as you do, face about and turn back again to Egyptian
Monarchy; and so your names in the days of posterity shall be
blasted with abhorred infamy for your unfaithfulness to Common
Freedom; and the evil effects will be sharp upon the backs of
posterity.

"Therefore, seeing England is declared to be a Free Commonwealth,
and the name thereof established by a Law; surely then the greatest
work is now to be done; and that is, to escape all Kingly cheats in
setting up a Commonwealth's Government, so that the power and the
name may agree together; so that all the inhabitants may live in
peace, plenty and freedom.... For oppression was always the
occasion why the spirit of freedom in the people desired change of
government.... And the oppressions of the Kingly Government have
made this age of the world to desire a Commonwealth's Government
and the removal of the Kings: for the Spirit of Light in man loves
Freedom and hates Bondage."

"WHERE BEGAN THE FIRST ORIGINAL OF GOVERN