the curse. Let those that have hitherto had no land, and have been
forced to rob and steal through poverty; henceforth let them
quietly enjoy land to work upon, that everyone may enjoy the
benefit of his Creation, and eat his own bread with the sweat of
his own brows. For surely this particular propriety of mine and
thine hath brought in all misery upon people. First, it hath
occasioned people to steal one from another. Secondly, it hath made
laws to hang those that did steal. It tempts people to do an evil
action, and then kills them for doing of it. Let all judge whether
this be not a great evil.

"Well, if everyone would speedily set about the doing of these
three particulars I have mentioned, the Creation would thereby be
lift up out of bondage, and our Maker should have the glory of the
works of His hands."

* * * * *

Before Winstanley found opportunity to declare in action the truths that
had been revealed unto him, he found time to write yet another pamphlet,
entitled _Fire in the Bush_.[78:1] In it he still further elucidates his
interpretation of the story of the Creation, and his conception of the
Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life, and reaffirms his basic
contention that "All the strivings that are in mankind are for the
Earth: Who shall have it? Whether some particular persons shall have it,
and the rest have none; or whether the Earth shall be made a Common
Treasury to all, without respect of persons?" As it traverses much the
same ground as the pamphlet from which we have just quoted at such
length, it really calls for no further notice from us. The following
verse on its title-page, however, seems to us worth quoting: