England as Israel in Milton’s Writings
Hale, John K.
Early Modern Literary Studies 2.2 (August 1996): Contents
Abstract
By surveying Milton’s use and non-use of certain biblical images, this essay records his loss of political innocence, and also something of his pluralism. In doing so, it shows in action his view of the relation between church and state. It charts his implied view of Isaiah Berlin’s two concepts of liberty — negative and positive, the absence of external constraints as opposed to spiritual fulfilment or self-realization — to conclude that Milton favours the first for the sake of the second. He drew the corollary, that freedom mattered last as well as first. He was, in short, a more consistent thinker than is often acknowledged. I move toward these conclusions rather gradually, for two reasons. First, it is worth illustrating from the writings and speeches of Milton’s contemporaries how much more moderate Milton’s political imagery from the Bible was than that of many with whom he shared political and religious commitments. The imagery needs substantial quotation for the reader to recognise its dynamism, and to accept that it was used widely, not only by religious cranks and the weak-minded. Secondly, I survey Milton’s own writing quite widely, not only to show where he does share the fervour of the sectarians but also to illustrate the degree to which he does not share it even though the occasion and subject might have seemed to suit such fervour.
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