A DECLARATION OF The bloody and unchristian acting of William Star and John Tailor OF WALTON, With divers men in women's apparel, in opposition to those that dig upon Georgehill in Surrey.  
June 22  
LONDON, Printed for Giles Calvers at the black Spread-Eagle at the West end of Paul's. 1649.   

A DECLARATION OF The bloody and unchristian acting of WILLIAM STAR, and JOHN TAYLOR OF WALTON, With divers men in women's apparel, in opposition to those that dig upon Georgehill in Surrey, etc.  
UPon the 11. day of June 1649. four men only being fitting and preparing the ground for a winter season, upon that Common called Georgehill, there came to them, William Star of Walton, and john Taylor, two freeholders', being on horseback, having at their heels some men in women's apparel on foot, with every one a staff or club, and as soon as they came to the diggers, would not speak like men, but like bruit beasts that have no understanding, they fell furiously upon them, beating and striking those four naked men, beating them to the ground, breaking their heads, and sore bruising their bodies, whereof one is so sore bruised, that it is feared he will not escape with life.  
These four men all the time were quiet and patiented, willing and resolving to deliver up their lives unto their Creator at that time, knowing no other, but that the others purpose was to murder; and it is believed, when those furious devil's Tailor and Starr went from them, they thought they had been dead, in regard they left them feeble, and weak, and sore wounded, lying upon the ground, yet after some time recovering strength, three were able to rise and walk, the fourth that is in danger of his life was brought home in a cart, being not able to move: yet very cheerful all of them in spirit, not willing to seek revenge, but have committed their cause to him that judges righteously, to whom vengeance belongs, resolving as soon as their bodies are well, to go on in that righteous work: and if the Father have purposed that the life of their bodies must be sacrificed, to justify this cause, they find a quiet and contented willingness to submit to his will. One thing may be observed to set forth the malicious wickedness in Tailor and Star, which is this:  
These four men desired that they would bring them before their Law to answer in justification of the work, yet those devils, with the men in women's apparel, would not agree to that, but fell on, beating with their long staves upon their bodies without mercy, a testimony sufficient that this cause of digging is just and good, in regard of the furious and bloody actings of men against such as carry on the work with love and patience, which is a strange thing in a Christian Land, and done by such men as are professing Christians; considering withal, that these diggers do only make use of the Commons, seeing they have paid taxes, and given freequarter; and therefore by the Law of contract, aught to have freedom therein, as well as the freeholders' have freedom in their Enclosures; the diggers declaring, they will neither meddle with Corn, Cattell, nor enclosure Land, but only in the Commons; and that they are ready to answer to all the Laws of the Land as Defendants, but not as Plaintiffs. Surely this fury in the freeholders' declares plainly, that they got their Lands, both they and their Fathers, by murder, violence, and theft, and they keep it by the same power, in regard they will not speak like men, but fight and devour like beasts. Well let the world take notice, that we that do justify this cause of digging, have obeyed the Lord, in setting forward this work of endeavouring to bring the earth into a Community, and we have peace and purposes to go on, and we are lively witnesses, and shall be at the day of Judgement, against these and all others that have and may so furiously oppose us; and rebelliously fight against the Prince of Peace, the great Saviour that is now spreading himself in the earth to bring all things into a oneness, and to deliver the Creation from bondage.  
Right understanding and peace among brethren, is the strength of a Land, ignorance and fury brings shame and destruction. England is a Land, wherein the Power of the most High hath greatly declared his Power, both in casting down the pride of many men's hearts, and making them subject to righteousness, and in casting down the bodies of some that were proud oppressors to be as dung to the earth, dashing one power against another, changing times and customs, and therein trying the sincerity of many that make a great show of love to him.  
Every one that seems to prevail over another, says, God gave him the victory, though his conquest be tyranny over his brother, making the King of Righteousness the Author of sorrows, and comfort, not knowing the distinction between the power of darkness and the power of light: Victories that are got by the sword, are but victories of the Murderer, and the joy of those victories is but the joy of Cain, when he had killed his brother Abel; the Dragon hath fought against the Dragon, and one part conquered another, and great joy hath been amongst the Midianites for those victories, and the King of Righteousness hath been a looker on, and suffered them to break each other to pieces, that his power at last might come in.  
But now O England know this, that thy striving now is not only Dragon against Dragon, Beast against Beast, Covetousness and Pride against Covetousness and Pride, but thou now beginnest to fight against the Lamb, the Dove, the meek Spirit, the power of love, and wilt not willingly suffer that Prince of Peace to have a house to dwell in upon earth, (which is humane bodies) but seek'st to imprison, beat, kill, or else to withdraw all assistance of favour from them: Well, thou hast rejoiced in thy former victories one beast over another, and thou hast had, and may have seeming victories over the Lamb, and may rejoice; but know, that this stone (which is alone) against whom thou hast begun to lift up thy heel, shall grind thee to powder. Love suffers under thy fury, love suffers under thy hypocrisy, under thy pride, careless, covetous, hardhearted, selfseeking children. Love bears all things patiently, he suffers thee to reproach, to fight, to oppose, and to rejoice in doing those things. Love secretly seeks thy preservation, but thou openly seekest his destruction, and glories like a man that hath put off his armour at every seeming show of victory: but the battle between the Dragon and the Lamb is begun in the midst of thee, and a few years now will let all the world see who is strongest, love or hatred, freedom or bondage.  
Therefore thy battles now are not as they were, for now the Lord, the Prince of Peace comes to save thee, and thou fightest against him as an enemy, and wilt not be saved by him, he calls for Peace, thou callest for war, he calls to Freedom, thou callest still for bondage, he saith put up thy Sword and live in love, thou sayest draw the Sword against all that will live in love. Well, England take thy course, but know for all this thou shalt come to Judgement.  
FINIS.