"When Adam delved, and Eve span, who was then the gentleman? From the beginning all men by nature were created alike, and our bondage or servitude came in by the unjust oppression of naughty men. For if God would have had any bondmen from the beginning, he would have appointed who should be bond, and who free. And therefore I exhort you to consider that now the time is come, appointed to us by God, in which ye may (if ye will) cast off the yoke of bondage, and recover liberty."
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The same proverb existed in German; Agricola, Proverbs, no. 254: So Adam reutte, und Eva span, / Wer war da ein eddelman?
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John Ball (priest)
John Ball (c. 1338 – 15 July 1381) was an English priest whose egalitarian speeches rallied the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.
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