Selden's learning he has largely availed himself, when he finds the subject of divorce in any way subservient to the offensive doctrine which he maintains. To Milton there is no allusion. The Practical Catechism of Hammond, I should add, which was published in the year in which the Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce first appeared, and again in 1646, might have rectified the notions of Milton respecting both divorce and polygamy. But eminently learned and pious as he knew Hammond to be, he would disdain to be taught by him who had proclaimed, as if in personal allusion, "" It is not the husband's dislikes which can excuse him for putting away his wife." 2 8. "The sin which is common to all men is that which our first parents, and in them all their posterity, committed; when, casting off their obedience to God, they tasted the fruit of the forbidden tree." B. i. ch. 11. Of the Fall of our first Parents, and of Sin. Thus in Par. Lost. "His crime makes guilty all his sons." 66 "In me all B. iii. 290. Posterity stands curs'd; fair patrimony "That I must leave you, sons." B. xi. 317. 9. "Under the head of death, in Scripture, all evils whatever, together with every thing which in its consequences tends to death, must be understood as z Hammond's Works, vol. i, p. 46. comprehended; for mere bodily death, as it is called, did not follow the sin of Adam on the self-same day, as God had threatened." B. i. ch. 12. Of the nishment of Sin. So, in Par. Lost. "The fruit "Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste 66 • pu Brought death into the world, and all our woe." B. i. 1. "My sole command Transgress'd, inevitably thou shalt die, "From that day mortal." B. viii. 329. 6 10. Speaking of Christ in his human nature, Milton says, "he might increase in wisdom,' Luke ii. 52, by means of the understanding which he previously possessed, and might know all things,' John xxi. 17, namely, through the teaching of the Father, as he himself acknowledged." B. i. ch. 14. Of Man's restoration, and of Christ as Redeemer. Thus in the soliloquy of our Lord in Par. Regained, B. i. 290. "Now by some strong motion I am led "Into the wilderness, to what intent "I know not yet, perhaps I need not know; 66 For what concerns my knowledge God reveals." The whole soliloquy, Mr. Calton long since observed on the passage, is formed upon an opinion which has authorities enough to give it credit, and which accordingly he cites from Beza, Gerhard, Grotius, and our own Tillotson and Whitby. whereby, at the special appointment of God the Father, he voluntarily performed, and continues to perform, on behalf of man, whatever is requisite for obtaining reconciliation with God, and eternal salvation." B. i. ch. 15. Of the functions of the Mediator, and of his threefold office. As in Par. Reg. B. i. 164. "Men hereafter may discern "From what consummate virtue I have chose "This perfect Man, by merit call'd my Son, 66 To earn salvation for the sons of men." Again: "The name and office of mediator is in a certain sense ascribed to Moses, as a type of Christ." Ibid. So in Par. Lost, B. xii. 239. "To God is no access "Without mediator, whose high office now 12. "The exaltation of Christ is that by which, having triumphed over death, and laid aside the form of a servant, he was exalted by God the Father to a state of immortality and of the highest glory, partly by his own merits, partly by the gift of the Father, for the benefit of mankind; wherefore he rose again from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God." B. i. ch. 16. Of the Ministry of Redemption. Thus in Par. Lost, B. iii. 317. "All power "I give thee; reign for ever, and assume Again: "As Christ emptied himself in both his natures, so both participate in his exaltation; his Godhead, by its restoration and manifestation; his manhood, by an accession of glory." Ibid. So in Par. Lost, B. iii, 313. "Therefore thy humiliation shall exalt "With thee thy manhood also to this throne; Again, "The satisfaction of Christ is the complete reparation made by him, in his twofold capacity of God and Man, by the fulfilment of the law and payment of the required price for all mankind." Ibid. So in Par. Lost. "Die he or justice must; unless for him "Some other able, and as willing, pay "The rigid satisfaction, death for death." B. iii. 209. 66 So man, as is most just, "Shall satisfy for man." B. iii. 294. "To the cross he nails thy enemies, "The law that is against thee, and the sins 66 Of all mankind, with him there crucified, "Never to hurt them more who rightly trust "In this his satisfaction." B. xii. 415. 13. " Although it is the duty of believers to join themselves, if possible, to a church duly constituted, Heb. x. 25, yet such as cannot do this conveniently, or with full satisfaction of conscience, are not to be considered as excluded from the blessing bestowed by God on the churches." B. i. ch. 29. Of the Visible Church. This is an important passage, Dr. Sumner says, "because it discloses Milton's real views upon a point, on which his opinions have been represented in a more unfavourable light than they seem to have deserved." Bishop Newton remarks," that in the latter part of his life Milton was not a professed member of any particular sect of Christians, that he frequented no publick worship, nor used any religious rite in his family. Whether so many different forms of worship as he had seen had made him indifferent to all forms; or whether he thought that all Christians had in some things corrupted the purity and simplicity of the Gospel; or whether he disliked their endless and uncharitable disputes, and that love of dominion and inclination to persecution which he said was a piece of popery inseparable from all churches; or whether he believed that a man might be a good Christian without joining in any communion; or whether he did not look upon himself inspired, as wrapt up in God, and above all forms and ceremonies; it is not easy to determine : to his own master he standeth or falleth: but if he was of any denomination, he was a sort of Quietist, and was full of the interior of religion, though he so little regarded the exterior." It has been candidly and judiciously stated in a note upon this passage by Mr. Hawkins, to which Dr. Sumner refers, "a that a Life of Milton, prefixed to the Poet. Works, 1824, vol. i. p. 101. |