Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 42:166 (Apr 1885)
Article: The Doctrinal Errors Of Milton’s Later Life
Author: Theodore W. Hunt

BSac 42:166 (April 1885) p. 251

The Doctrinal Errors Of Milton’s Later Life

Theodore W. Hunt

There is scarcely any thing pertaining to the history of Milton that is not full of interest alike to the student of national thought, as expressed in literature, and the student of individual life, as expressed in character. Of Milton as a poet, all the historians of English letters have fully treated; nor can it be said that the study of his prose writings — political and ecclesiastical — has, in any sense, been neglected. Of Milton as the theologian and ethical philosopher, however, far too little has been said, in order to give to intelligent readers of his life an ample and a satisfactory view. Macaulay, in his brilliant essay on Milton the poet, simply touches upon the subject and passes on to his main purpose. Recent biographers have imitated the English essayist in referring to the question and leaving it. It is not surprising, therefore, that great diversity of opinion exists respecting the later religious tenets of our author, and more especially so in that this opinion has been based altogether upon his poetry and English prose. Although we find herein a full discussion of his political, social, literary, and denominational views, we do not find, save incidentally, a discussion of doctrines distinctively ethical and theological.

In our present purpose, therefore, the special treatise to be consulted is the one entitled De Doctrina Christiana, a posthumous work in Latin, translated and published by Bishop Sumner in the early part of the present century. Special interest has, of late, been awakened in the teach-

BSac 42:166 (April 1885) p. 252

ings of this treatise, inasmuch as discussion has been rife as to the poet’s peculiar views on the Trinity, and in that Professor Masson has seen fit to close the sixth and final volume of his great literary work by calling attention to it. He speaks of it as a “very important and curious book, which, had it been published while Milton was alive, would probably have exerted very considerable influence on the course of English theological thought, as well as on the traditional reputation of Milton himself.” Mr. Pattison, in his recent life of Milton, expresses similar views.

It must be confessed that Milton’s reputation for orthodoxy, so called, is largely “traditional,” rather than historical; based upon a cursory study of his earlier poetry and what should have been, as we suppose, his opinions, rather than upon the more mature declarations of his later years. It is to be deeply regretted that Milton ever penned such a treatise and defended such views; but, still, as Masson adds, “The book exists; it is Milton’s, and was his solemn and last bequest to all Christendom.” Nothing ...