whole Land, some approving, some disowning; some are friends filled
with love, and see that the work intends good to the Nation, the
peace whereof is that which we seek after; others are enemies
filled with fury, who falsely report of us that we have intent to
fortify ourselves, and afterwards to fight against others and take
away their goods from them, which is a thing we abhor. And many
other slanders we rejoice over, because we know ourselves clear,
our endeavour being no otherwise but to improve the Commons, and to
call off that oppression and outward bondage which the Creation
groans under, as much as in us lies, and to lift up and preserve
the purity thereof."

Winstanley then declares that their opponents were but "one or two
covetous freeholders that would have all the Commons to themselves, and
that would uphold the Norman tyranny," and still further explains his
position, as follows:

"We told you, upon a question you put to us, that we were not
against any that would have Magistrates and Laws to govern, as the
Nations of the World are governed, but that, for our own parts, we
shall need neither the one nor the other in that nature of
government. For as our land is common, so our cattle is to be
common, and our corn and fruits of the earth common, and are not to
be bought and sold among us, but to remain a standing portion of
livelihood to us and our children, without that cheating
entanglement of buying and selling; and we shall not arrest one
another. And then what need have we of imprisoning, whipping or
hanging laws to bring one another into bondage? And we know that
none of those that are subject to this righteous law dares arrest
or enslave his brother for or about the objects of the Earth,