Book Description

This book concentrates on Milton's religious vision and is more concerned with his prose than his poetry. He insisted that Protestantism was compatible with political liberty - that the two causes are complementary. This was a new vision. By treating all ecclesiastical authority with suspicion, Milton helped to establish the modern ideal of secularism. He was a Christian libertarian who wanted every form of church to wither away, so that the Gospel might be completely free of coercion. Milton's Vision is a vital contribution to the debate about the place of religion in public life. It will appeal to those interested in the history of political thought, especially the concept of liberalism, as well as all those with an interest in religion and literature. This is the first study of Milton that highlights his relevance to the core issues of our day: how religion gives rise to and interacts with secular ideals.