The law of freedom in a platform: or, True magistracy restored Humbly presented to Oliver Cromwel, General of the Common-wealths army in England. And to all English-men my brethren whether in church-fellowship, or not in church-fellowship, both sorts walking as they conceive according to the order of the Gospel: and from them to all the nations in the world. Wherein is declared, what is kingly government, and what is Commonwealths government. By Jerrard Winstanley.

What is Commonwealths Government?

Commonwealths Government governs the Earth without buying and selling; and thereby becomes a man of peace, and the Restoter of anci∣ent 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: He beats swords and spears into pruning hooks and plows; he makes both elder and younger brother Free-men in the Earth. Micah 4. 3, 4. Isai. 33. 1. & 65. 17, to 25.

All Slavertes and Oppressions, which have been brought upon Man∣kinde by Kings, Lords of Manors, Lawyers, and Landlords, and the Di∣vining Clergy, are all cast out again by this Government, if it be right in power, as well as in name.

For this Government is the true Restorer of all long lost Freedoms, and so becomes the joy of all Nations, and the Blessing of the whole Earth: for this takes off the Kingly Curse, and makes Jerusalem a praise in the Earth. Therefore all you, who prosess Religion and spiritual

things, now look to it, and see what spirit you do profess, for your pro∣fession is brought to tryal.

If once Commonwealths Government be set upon the Throne, then no Tyranny or Oppression can look him in the face and live.

For where Oppression lies upon brethren by brethren, that is no Com∣monwealths Government, but the Kingly Government still; and the mystery of Iniquity hath taken that peace-makers name to be a cloke to hide his subtil covetousness, pride, and oppression under.

O England, England, wouldst thou have thy Government sound and healthful? then cast about, and see, and search diligently to finde out all those burthens that came in by Kings, and remove them; and then will thy Commonwealths Government arise from under the clods, under which as yet it is buryed, and covered with deformity.

If true Commonwealths Freedom lie in the free Enjoyment of the Earth, as it doth, then whatsoever Law or custom doth deprive brethren of their Freedom in the Earth, it is to be cast out as unsavory salt.

The scituation of Commonwealths Government

Is within the Laws of common Freedom, whereby there is a provision for livelyhood in the Earth, both for elder and younger brother; and not the one enslaving the other, but both living in plenty and freedom.

The Officers, Laws, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Customs hereafter mentioned, or such like, according to such a method, may be the Foundation and Pillars of Com∣monwealths Government.

This Government depends not upon the Will of any particular man, or men; for it is seated in the spirit of Mankinde, and it is called the light, or son of righteousness and peace. The Tyrants in all ages have made use of this mans name, while he hath lien buryed, to cover their cheating my∣stery of Iniquity: for if common Freedom were not pretended, the Commoners of a Land would never dance after the pipe of self-seek∣ing wits.

This Commonwealths Government may well be called the ancient of days; for it was before any other oppressing government crept in.

It is the Moderator of all oppression; and so is like Moses and Joseph in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Court, and in time will be the Restorer of long lost Free∣doms to the Creation, and delights to plant Righteousness over the face of the whole Earth.

The great Lawgiver in Commonwealths Government

Is the spirit of universal Righteousness dwelling in Mankinde, now rising up to teach every one to do to another as he would have another do to him, and is no respector of persons: and this spirit hath been killed

by the Pharisaical Kingly spirit of self-love, and been buryed in the dung∣hill of that enmity for many years past.

And if these be the days of his resurrection to power, as we may hope, because the name of Commonwealth is risen and established in England by a Law, then we or our posterity shall see comfortable effects.

In that Nation, where this Commonwealths Government shall be first established, there shall be abundance of peacce and plenty, and all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Earth shall come flocking thither to see his beauty, and to learn the ways thereof; and the Law shall go forth from that Sion, and that Word of the Lord from that Jerusalem, which shall govern the whole Earth. Micah 4, 1, 2.

There shall be no Tyrant Kings, Lords of Manors, Tything Priests, op∣pressing Lawyers, exacting Landlords, nor any such like pricking bryar in all this holy Mountain of the Lord God our Righteousness and Peace; for the righteous Law shall be the Rule for every one, and the Judg of all mens actions.

David desired rather to be a door keeper in this house of God, or Com∣monwealths Government, then to live in the tents of wickedness, which was the Kingly oppressing Courts.

If any go about to build up Commonwealths Government upon King∣ly principles, they will both shame and lose themselves; for there is a plain difference between the two Governments.

And 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 Monar∣chy: and so your names in the days of posterity shall stink and be blast∣ed 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 Commonwealths Government, that the power and the name may agree together; so that all the Inhabitants may live in peace, plenty, and free∣dom, otherwise we shall shew our Government to be gone no further but to the half day of the Beast, or to the dividing of Time, of which there must be an over-turn. Dan. 7. 25. Rev. 12. 14.

For Oppression was always the occasion why the spirit of Freedom in the people desired change of Government.

When Samuels sons took bribes, and grew rich upon; the common purse, and forgot to relieve the oppressed, That made the people forsake the Government by Judges, and to desire a Kingly Government, 1 Sam.

And the Oppressions of the Kingly Government have made this Age of the World to desire a Commonwealth Government, and the removal of the Kings; for the spirit of Light in Man loves Freedom, and hates Bondage.

And because the spirit in Mankinde is various within it self; for some are wise some are foolish, some idle, some laborious, some rash, some milde, some loving and free to others, some envyous and covetous, some of an in∣clination to do as they would have others do to them: but others seek to save themselves, and to live in fulness, though others perish for want.

Therefore because of this was the Law added, which was to be a Rule and Judg for all mens actions, to preserve common Peace and Freedom; as Paul writ, The Law was added because of Transgression, one against another.

The Haven gates are now set ope for English Man to enter: The Freedoms of the Earth's his due, if he will make adventure.