On Christian Doctrine, Cummings et al, 1825

Title Page

A Treatise On Christian Doctrine1825

This is the first English translation, by Bishop Charles Sumner, of Milton's Latin text. Milton's authorship of parts of On Christian Doctrine is in some doubt. Because Milton was blind when he composed this treatise, he relied on assistants, and sorting out their various contributions may require "something like a hypertext edition of the treatise reconstructed from the manuscript" (Riverside 1156). Moreover, as the Riverside explains, Sumner may have found many of Milton's ideas heterodox, and Milton's status as a regicide complicated the translation and publication of many of his works (1157).

The work is a vast theological treatise on the following themes: the nature of God, predestination, the Creation, angels, the Fall of Man, sin, and the Virtues, among others. Biblical themes and quotation are prominent.

Bibliographic Description

Dedication to King George IV.

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