Page:The Leveller movement; a study in the history and political theory of the English Great Civil War (IA levellermovement01peas).djvu/167

 compelling universal assent to a religious form. How can they have the right of imposing such a form unless each individual in the nation has transferred to them the power to force his conscience? Also there are many things outside their own practice that claim their immediate attention: the “exorbitances” in London’s government; the monopolies of the great trading companies; the unworthiness of the laws to serve a free people; the profession of hired lawyers; imprisonment for debt; the wretchedness of the poor.

Above all the House of Commons must forget its doubts and fears, and assume an attitude toward its difficulties that will inspire the people to decisive action. In the past, to give a single instance, it had been faint-hearted in summoning in the Scots instead of arming its own friends; its faint-heartedness in that instance had involved it in an attempt to enforce Presbyterianism on men’s consciences. If it had once shown a determination to make the people a free people, it might have finished the war long since; as it is, the struggle will drag on so long as Parliament lets the people think that success means only exchanging bondage to an irresponsible king for bondage to an irresponsible clique of Lords and Commons.

Forsake, and utterly renounce all craftie and subtill intentions; hide not your thoughts from Us, and give us encouragement to be open breasted unto you: Proclaime aforehand, what yee determine to doe, in establishing any thing for continuance; and heare all things that can be spoken with or against the same; and to that intent, set the imprisoned Presses at liberty, that all mens understandings may