We owe a lot to those who find themselves at odds with the inherited structures of the nation they belong to. Milton, that master of epic poetry, is one such. Not only was he a bright star in the firmament of English literature; he was a public servant, Latin secretary to the Commonwealth, and ally of the Lord Protector. He was also a heretic – though this is hardly obvious to a reader of ‘Paradise Lost’. He did not hide his Arian light under a bushel; nor did he flaunt it for the benefit of all and sundry. In his Latin volume of theology (not published until the early 19th century) he made his position clear for those wishing to dig deeper than a few inches into the topsoil. Isaac Newton is thought to be cast in a similar mould.
Things were different in those days. It was not untoward on the part of civilised administrators to accept that nationality was a possession to be treasured. It could be forfeited by a failure to comply with current requirements. The American colonies found themselves unable to consent to the sovereignty of the English Crown, a component of Christian belief in the country of their birth. They made a declaration of independence. Nowadays citizens are not expected to show a similar allegiance. Whether followers of Christianity or another faith, they understand that religious commitment has become a private matter. And the established Church does not sniff out heresy within its own ranks as it once would have done. When F.D. Maurice knew that by writing what he did about everlasting punishment he was putting his future on the line, he was not expecting a generous and understanding response from his colleagues and from those citizens who understood what the fuss was all about.
We have moved on. The alliance between Church and State is not what it was. It is generally understood by UK citizens today that a pervasive medley of religious, agnostic and secular views of the cosmos and our place in it is both acceptable and worthy of respect. An Anglican or broadly Christian monopoly is seen as retrogressive. In the absence of any adoption of any other widespread philosophical option, it is still the case that people turn to a cathedral or parish church as a community focus in times of emergency. A convinced Stoic two thousand years ago might have taken a whimsical view of the prevailing polytheism and gone along with it in the absence of anything better. Christians today have to play out the game on a level playing-field and endeavour to ensure that what we see as the truth of the Christian Gospel secures a place in current thinking.
MILTON LIVED HERE
The timber-framed 16th century cottage to which John Milton poet moved in 1665 with his wife to escape the plague in London is now a museum. The museum is open to the public and welcomes visitors.The Rector of Chalfont St Giles, in which the msuem is situated, is Dan Beasley. Editing the parish magazine is Kevin Searle.
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