CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. 1608-1640 Milton's parents.-Born in London.-His tutors.-Incredible ad- CHAPTER II. 1640-1644. Milton's arrival in London.-Commences schoolmaster.-Re- copacy against Usher-Reason of Church Government_urged Smollett's* 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 Car- dinal Mazarin-Richard, Protector, to the King of the Swedes.- The Parliament to the King of the Swedes, to the King of Denmark. 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.-Re- moves 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 218. APPENDIX. |