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.

There shal be no buying and selling of the Earth, nor of the fruits thereof.

For by the Government under Kings, the cheaters hereby have cozened the plain hearted of their creation birth-rights, and have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 themselves in the earth and cals it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and not the others, and so have brought in that poverty and misery which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon many men.

And whereas the wise should help the foolish, and the strong help the weak; the wise and the strong destroys the weak and the simple.

And are not all children generally simple and weak and know not the

things that belong to their peace till they come to ripe age, but before they come to that understanding, the cunning ones who have more strength and policy, have by this hypocriticall, lying, unrighteous and cheating Art of buying and selling, wrung the freedoms of the earth out of their hands, and cozened them of their birth-rights.

So that when they come to understanding, they see themselves beggers in the middest of a fruitfull Land, and so the Proverb is true, Plain dealing is a jewel, but he who uses it shal dye a begger. And why?

Because this buying and selling is the nursery of cheaters, it is the Law of the Conquerer, and the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, which both killed Christ and hindred his Resurrection, as much as darkness can to put out light.

And these cunning cheaters commonly become the Rulers of the earth, and then the City Man kind mourns, for not the wise poor man, but the cunning rich man, was always made an Officer and Ruler, such a one as by his stolen interest in the earth would be sure to hold others in bondage of po∣verty and servitude to him and his party.

And hence arise oppression and tyranny in the earth upon the backs of the weak younger brethren, who are made younger brothers indeed, as the Proverb is, by their cunning elder brother; and as Daniel said, The basest of men under Kingly government were set to Rule, who can command but not obey, who can take other mens labors to live at ease, but not work themselvs.

Therefore there shal be no buying and selling in a Free Common-wealth, neither shall any one hire his brother to work for him.

If the Common-wealth might be governed without buying and selling here is a Platform of Government for it, which is the ancientest Law of Righ∣teousness to Mankind in the use of the Earth, and which is the very height of earthly Freedoms. But if the minds of the people, through Covetousness and proud Ignorance, wil have the Earth governed by buying and selling still, this same Platform, with a few things substracted, declares an easie way of Government of the Earth for the quiet of peoples minds, and preserving of Peace in the Land.

For, as like a Tradesman, I ask the highest price, Yet I may fall (if you will rise) upon a good advice.