CONTENTS. Milton's parents.-Born in London.-His tutors.-Incredible ad- vances in learning.–Sent to Cambridge.--Early productions.-Ob- tains a degree.-Leaves the University.-Returns to his father's house.—Publishes a Latin Elegy.-His Comus and Lycidas publish- ed.-Loses his mother.-Resolves to make the tour of Europe.--Intro- duced to persons of distinction.- Visits Rome and Naples.-His Protestant zeal.-Returns to Rome.-Danger from English Jesuits.- Visits Galileo in the Inquisition at Florence.- Arrives at Venice and Geneva.-Returns to England on account of the Civil War.-State of the Church under Laud, and persecution of the Puritans. Page Milton's arrival in London.—Commences schoolmaster.-Re- Admiration of the Reformation. Appeal to the united English and copacy against Usher,--Reason of Church Government urged against Prelacy.-Animadversions on a work of Bishop Hall.-Sen- timents respecting Liturgies.-Church corrupted by Constantine. His opinion of the Fathers—and of Tithes.-A tale of the Head and Smolletts* Account of the origin or the Civil War.–A different Account by Mrs. Lucy Hutchinson.-State of the Prelates.-Origin of Congregational Churches in London.-Notes.-Dispute between the House of Lords and commons respecting the Prelates.--Bish- ops excluded from their seats in Parliament.-Milton publishes his Areopagitica.-Charged with printing scandalous books. -Persecu- ting spirit of Presbyterian Assembly.—Eloquent description of the Liberty of the Press.-He is married.--Left by his wife.—Publishes four Tracts on Divorce. They are reconciled.-Remarks on his con- duct and principles.-Bishop Hall's opinion.-Note.-Milton belong- ed to the Baptist Denomination.-Sonnet.-Death of his father.-Re- vives his Academy.-Sonnet.-Appointed Latin Secretary.-Satiri- Presbyterians oppose the execution of the King.–Testimony of * The writer, by mistake, has in this Chapter used the name of Hume instead. posture. -Milton publishes a reply to the Irish Presbyterians. Writes a reply to Salmasius. Publishes his Second Defence.-Re- ply to Peter Du Moulin, who had reproached him on account of his blindness.-Sonnet on his blindness.-Letter on the same subject to Leonard Philarus.-Lines addressed to Cyriac Skinner.-He defends himself against Morus.-Appointed Latin Secretary to the Protector, Oliver Cromwell appointed Lord Protector.-Milton's reason for approving Cromwell's conduct.-Sonnet on his character.- Protec- tor's principles as to liberty of conscience, Note.—Milton's eulogy on his character.-Loss of his two wives.-Sonnet.-Publishes his Treatise of Civil Power in Ecclesiastical Causes, and Considerations to remove Hirelings, &c.—Death of Oliver Cromwell.-Publishes on the Ruptures of the Commonwealth ; and the ready and safe way to establish a free Commonwealth.-Letter to General Monk.-Brief Notes upon a Sermon entitled, “The fear of God and the King' The Duke of Savoy persecutes the Waldenses.-Cromwell's noble burgh, to the King of France, to the Cities of the Switzers, to Cardinal Mazarin-Richard, Protector, to the King of the Swedes.The Parliament to the King of the Swedes, to the King of Denmark. Page 167—117. CHAPTER VII. 1660-1674. Restoration of Charles II.-Milton secretes himself.--Sonnet. Anecdote.-Two of his works burnt.--Secured by act of Oblivion.Exemplifies the Character of Abdiel.-Marries his third wife.-Removes to Chalfont.--Thomas Ellwood and Paradise Lost.--Extracts from that inimitable Poem.-Anecdote of Milton.--Anecdote of the Duke of York.-Paradise Regained.-Samson Agonistes.-Letter to Peter Heimbach.-His Treatise on True Religion.-Andrew Marvell.-Respect shown to Milton.-His death and funeral.His person and character.-His will.--His widow and daughters.Original Letter of Mr. George Vertue.-Monuments.—Treatise of Christian Doctrine.--Extracts.-Remarks. List of works. Page 213. APPENDIX. Animadversions on Dr. Johnson's Life of Milton.-Proclamation against Milton.--Extracts from Council Book respecting Milton. Page 267—300. |