The Divorce Tracts of John Milton: Texts and Contexts

The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce (second edition, 1644)

93 The Doctrine & Discipline of Divorce Restored to the good of both Sexes, From the bondage of canon law, and other mistakes, to the true meaning of Scripture in the Law and Gospel compared.1 Wherein also are set down the bad consequences of abolishing or condemning of Sin, that which the Law of God allows, and Christ abolished not.2 Now the second time revised and much augmented, In Two books:3 To the Parliament of England with the Assembly. The Author J. M. Matth. 13. 52. Every Scribe instructed to the Kingdome of Heaven is like the Master of a house which bringeth out of his treasury things new and old. Prov. 18. 13. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.4 London, Imprinted in the year 1644. TS TO THE PARLIAMENT OF ENGLAND, with the Assembly.5 If it were seriously asked, and it would be no untimely question, renowned Parliament, select Assembly, who of all teachers and 94 The Divorce Tracts of John Milton masters that have ever taught hath drawn the most disciples after him, both in religion and in manners, it might be not untruly answered, ‘Custom.’ Though virtue be commended for the most persuasive in her theory, and conscience in the plain demonstration of the spirit finds most evincing, yet whether it be the secret of divine will, or the original blindness we are born in, so it happens for the most part that custom still is silently received for the best instructor. Except it be, because the method is so glib and easy, in some manner like to that vision of Ezekiel,6 rolling up her sudden book of implicit knowledge, for him that will, to take and swallow down at pleasure; which proving but of bad nourishment in the concoction7 as it was heedless in the devouring, puffs up unhealthily a certain big face of pretended learning, mistaken among credulous men for the wholesome habit of soundness and good constitution, but is indeed no other than that swollen visage of counterfeit knowledge and literature, which not only in private mars our education, but also in public is the common climber into every chair, where either religion is preached, or law reported, filling each estate of life and profession with abject and servile principles , depressing the high and heaven-born spirit of man far beneath the condition wherein either God created him or sin hath sunk him. To pursue the allegory, Custom being but a mere face, as Echo is a mere voice, rests not in her unaccomplishment until by secret inclination she incorporate herself with Error, who being a blind and serpentine body without a head,8 willingly accepts what he wants and supplies what her incompleteness went seeking. Hence it is, that Error supports Custom, Custom countenances Error; and these two between them would persecute and chase away all truth and solid wisdom out of human life, were it not that God, rather than man, once in many ages, calls together the prudent and religious counsels of men, deputed to repress the encroachments and to work off the inveterate blots and obscurities wrought upon our minds by the subtle insinuating of Error and Custom; who with the numerous and vulgar train of their followers make it their chief design to envy and cry down the industry of free reasoning , under the terms of humour and innovation,9 as if the womb of Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce (1644) 95 teeming Truth were to be closed up, if she presume to bring forth aught that sorts not with their unchewed notions and suppositions. Against which notorious injury and abuse of man’s free soul to testify and oppose the utmost that study and true labour can attain, heretofore the incitement of men reputed grave hath led me among others; and now the duty and the right of an instructed Christian calls me, through the chance of good or evil report, to be the sole advocate of a discountenanced truth: a high enterprise, Lords and Commons, a high enterprise and a hard, and such as every 7th son of a 7th son10 does not venture on. Nor have I amidst the clamour of so much envy and impertinence whither to appeal but to the concourse of so much piety and wisdom here assembled, bringing in my hands an ancient and most...