Milton – born

ON THIS DATE

John Milton was born 12/9/1608 in London.  He was an excellent poet, a theologian (some of our “Biblical ideas” are “Miltonic”) and had a strong interest in the actions of Rome regarding the state.  He grew up an Anglican, later turned to Presbyterianism, and finally became an Independent.  He went blind about 1652 but still wrote (through his secretary).  Sadly, secular intellectuals speak highly of his poetry but say little about his greatest works: Paradise Lost (1667), Paradise Regained (1671), and Samson Agonistes (1671) thus robbing some youth of their valuable insights.  His works include an exposition of Christian doctrine, a plea for qualitative Christian education, and various political writings.  Milton died 8/11/1674.

Milton Quotes:

“Better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heaven.”  (These words, which Milton has coming from satan’s mouth, express the attitude of the Carnal Heart. – eab) ―  Paradise Lost

“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.” ―  Areopagitica

 “Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind.” ―  Comus

“Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell. ” ―  Paradise Lost

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John Milton – birth, Dec. 9, 1608

“The Lord Will Come and Not Be Slow”    (stanzas 3-6)

Rise, God, judge Thou the earth in might,
This wicked earth redress;
For Thou art He who shalt by right
The nations all possess.

The nations all whom Thou hast made
Shall come, and all shall frame
To bow them low before Thee, Lord!
And glorify Thy Name!

Truth from the earth, like to a flower,
Shall bud and blossom then,
And justice, from her heavenly bower,
Look down on mortal men.

Thee will I praise, O Lord, my God!
Thee honor and adore
With my whole heart; and blaze abroad
Thy Name forevermore!

John Milton was born this date, 12/9/1608, in London.  He is known for his Paradise Lost (1667), Paradise Regained(1671).  Religiously John moved from Anglican to Presbyterian to Independent.

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John Milton – death, Nov 8, 1674

“On the Late Late Massacre in Piedmont”

 

Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones

Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold;

Ev’n them who kept the truth so pure of old,

When all our fathers worshipped stocks and stones,

Forget not: in thy book record their groans

Who were thy sheep, and in their ancient fold

Slain by the bloody Piedmontese, that rolled

Mother with infant down the rocks.  Their moans

The vales redoubled to the hills, and they

To heav’n.  Their martyred blood and ashes sow

O’er all th’ Italian fields, where still doth sway

The triple Tyrant that from these may grow

A hundredfold, who, having learnt thy way,

Early may fly the Babylonian woe.

 

John Milton, one of the greatest (if not the greatest) poet of England died 11/6/1674 in London.  He is best known for Paradise Lost (1667), Paradise Regained (1671) but this is a good sonnet of his.  Milton was a philosopher, hynmist, poet, and theologian. 

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