Catalogue Entry: THEM00323

Book I: Chapter 23

Author: John Milton

Source: A Treatise on Christian Doctrine, Compiled from the Holy Scriptures Alone, vol. 2 (Boston: 1825).

[Normalized Text] [Diplomatic Text]

[1]

This interpretation of the passage, which is now generally received, is adopted in the eleventh Book of Paradise Lost:

To these that sober race of men, whose lives

Religious titled them the sons of God,

Shall yield up all their virtue. 621.

But elsewhere Milton understands it of the fallen angels becoming enamoured of the daughters of men:

Before the flood thou with thy lusty crew,

False titled sons of God, roaming the earth,

Cast wanton eyes on the daughters of men. Paradise Regained, II. 179. Compare also Paradise Lost, III. 463. V.447

[2]

'I will now show the wrong it doth, by violating the fundamental privilege of the gospel, the new birthright of every true believer, christian liberty.' Treatise of Civil Power in Ecclesiastical Causes. Prose Works, IV. 337...'that they meddle not rashly with Christian liberty, the birth right and outward testimony of our adoption.' Ibid. 341.

[3]

'The Scripture also affords us David in the shewbread, Hezekiah in the passover, sound and safe transgressors of the literal command, which also dispensed not seldom with itself, and taught us on what just occasions to do so; until our Saviour, for whom that great and godlike work was reserved, redeemed us to a state above prescriptions, by dissolving the whole law into charity.' Tetrachordon. Prose Works, II. 121. 'Justice and religion are from the same God, and works of justice ofttimes more acceptable.' Tenure of Kings and Magistrates, II. 291.

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