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.

For the work of a Parliament herein is three-fold.

First, When old Laws and Customs of the Kings do burden the people, and the people desire the remove of them, and the establishment of more ea∣sie Laws.

It is now the work of a Parliament to search into Reason and Equity, how relief may be found out for the people in such a case, and to preserve a com∣mon Peace; and when they have found out a way by debate of Councel a∣mong themselves, whereby the people may be relieved, they are not present∣ly to establish their Conclusions for a Law.

But in the next place, they are to make a publike Declaration thereof to the people of the Land who choose them for their approbation; and if no Objection come in from the people within one moneth, they may then take the peoples silence as a consent thereto.

And then in the third place, they are to enact it for a Law, to be a binding Rule to the whole Land: For as the remove of the old Laws and Customs are by the peoples consent, which is proved by their frequent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Requests of such a thing; so the enacting of new Laws

must be by the Peoples consent and knowledg likewise.

And here they are to require the consent, not of men interessed in the old oppressing Laws and Customs, as Kings used to do, but of them who have been oppressed. And the Reason is this:

Because the people must be all subject to the Law, under pain of punish∣ment; therefore it is all reason they should know it before it be enacted, that if there be any thing of the Councel of Oppression in it, it may be discovered and amended.

But you will say. If it must be so, then will men so differ in their judg∣ments, that we shall never agree. I answer:

There is but Bondage and Freedom, particular Interest, or common Interest; and he who pleads to bring in particular interest into a free Commonwealth, will presently be seen and cast out, as one bringing in Kingly Slavery again.

And men in place and office, where greatness and honor is coming in, may sooner be corrupted to bring in particular Interest, then a whole Land can be, who must either suffer sorrow under a burthensom Law, or re∣joyce under a Law of Freedom.

And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those men, who are not willing to enslave the People, will not be unwilling to consent hereunto.