III. The Saints Paradise, set forth for the comfort of such as are under Spiritual burning

Early Modern Communism: The Diggers and Community of Goods

“…29 Like his fellow Lancastrians, Winstanley understood the triple afflictions of "sword, pestilence, and famine" as the judgment of God (Ezekiel 6:11), who had commissioned his angels or "mighty powers" to "waste & destroy a rebellious people. " 30 Angered by rich hoarders who locked up the "treasures of the earth" in bags, chests, and barns, off ering up neither gold nor silver nor corn to the "publike Treasury, " but instead hardened their hearts against the poor while their fellow Christians starved for want of bread, he accused them of committing the "greatest sinne against universall Love"-Achan's "destroying" sin of covetousness (Joshua 7:1-24). 31 Elsewhere, in similar fashion to the firebrand Coppe, the visionary George Foster, the heresiarch John Reeve, and William Finch (a disciple of the self-proclaimed High Priest and Recorder to the thirteen Tribes of the Jews, Th eaurauJohn Tany), Winstanley took comfort in the New Testament verses foretelling misery to rich men, "bidding them Howl and weep, for their gold and silver is cankered, and the rust thereof cries unto heaven for vengeance against them" (James 5:1-3).…”

“…Sons and daughters were being taken out of their "imaginary earth, " under which they had lain buried, so that they could "enjoy the Father" and live "in the onenesse of that spirit that made all things. " 35 Accordingly, as Christ began to "rise and spread, " so those possessing gold and silver would be "taken into the onenesse of this Spirit, " willingly coming to off er up their treasures. 36 Henceforth united in a spiritual and temporal community of love and righteousness, these sons and daughters-members of Christ's mystical body-resembled the Apostles and their brethren waiting, as the risen Christ commanded, at Jerusalem (Luke 24:49).…”

“…101 Aft erwards Winstanley indicated that through divine instruction he had been liberated from the bondage of outward observance of ordinances (John 8:36). 102 In Truth Lift ing up its head above scandals (preface dated 16 October 1648), he elaborated: outward forms and customs, including believer's baptism by full immersion in "material water, " which he had himself gone through, were to cease and pass away. By this time Winstanley had therefore moved beyond outward gospel ordinances, and like his associate Everard, he too was accused of "horrid blasphemy"-a felony punishable by death according to Mosaic Law (Leviticus 24:16) and the provisions of an Ordinance of 2 May 1648.…”

Restoring the Garden of Eden in England’s Green and Pleasant Land: The Diggers and the Fruits of the Earth

“…Th en "Jerusalem" in England would become "a praise to the whole earth. " 95 Gold and silver could be used, provided they were not minted into currency; stamped with the image of tyranny, encircled with letters that Winstanley reckoned made 666, the number of "Kingly Power and Glory" (Revelation 13:18). 96 Moreover, unlike beasts, which ranked below him, man was privileged with knowing that he was ruled by reason.…”

“…96 Moreover, unlike beasts, which ranked below him, man was privileged with knowing that he was ruled by reason. 97 Carnivorous by choice, vegetarian of necessity, Winstanley nonetheless pitied his skinny underfed cows when they were beaten on their heads and sides with clubs. 98 Th ese feelings complemented his belief that God had made all creatures for man's "pleasure or profit" and that in the "beginning of time" the "whole Creation" had lived harmoniously "in man, one within. "…”