"Hear, O thou Righteous Spirit of the Whole Creation, and judge,
who is the thief, he who takes away the Freedom of the Common Earth
from me, which is my Creation Right; Or I, who take the Common
Earth to plant upon for my free livelihood, endeavouring to live as
a Free Commoner, in a Free Common-wealth, in Righteousness and
Peace."--WINSTANLEY, _The Law of Freedom_.


It was probably during the anxious times that beset the little community
of Diggers during the winter of 1649-1650, that Winstanley wrote the
long and bitter pamphlet, to which is attached a detailed list of the
injuries inflicted upon them, and which early in 1650 appeared in book
form under the following title:

"A NEW YEAR'S GIFT FOR THE PARLIAMENT AND ARMY:[132:1]

Showing what the Kingly Power is; and that the Cause of those they
call Diggers is the Life and Marrow of that Cause the
Parliament hath declared for and the Army fought for. The
perfecting of which work will prove England to be the First of
Nations, or the Tenth Part of the City Babylon, that falls off
from the Beast first, and that sets the Crown upon Christ's
head, to govern the World in Righteousness.

By JERRARD WINSTANLEY,
A Lover of England's Freedom and Peace.

Die Pride and Envy; Flesh take the Poor's advice.
Covetousness begone: Come Truth and Love arise.
Patience take the Crown; throw Anger out of doors: