Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub
[ocr errors]

nity, which did not difdain the meanest fervices to literature. The epick poet, the controvertist, the politician, having already defcended to accommodate chil dren with a book of rudiments, now, in the last years of his life, compofed a book of Logick, for the initiation of students in philofophy; and published (1672) Artis Logica plenior Inftitutio ad Petri Rami methodum concinnata that is, "A new Scheme of Logick, according "to the Method of Ramus." I know not whether, even in this book, he did not intend an act of hoftility against the Univerfities; for Ramus was one of the first oppugners of the old philofophy, who difturbed with innovations the quiet of the schools.to ebi od vra

His polemical difpofition again revived. He had now been fafe fo long, that he forgot his fears, and published

[ocr errors]

Treatise of true Religion, Herefy, Schism, Toleration, and the best Means to prevent the Growsk of Popery,

But this little tract is modeftly written, with refpectful mention of the church of England, and an appeal to the thirtynine articles. His principle of toleration is, agreement in the fufficiency of the Scriptures; and he extends it to all who, whatever their opinions are, profefs to derive them from the facred books.

"

The papifts appeal to other

• teftimonies, and are therefore in his opinion not to be permitted the liberty of either publick or private worship; for

though

though they plead confcience, we have no warrant, he fays, to regard confcience which is not grounded in Scripture. :

Those who are not convinced. by his reafons, may be perhaps delighted with his wit. The term Roman catholick is, he fays, one of the Pope's bulls; it is particular univerfal, or catholick fchif matick.

He has, however, fomething better. As the best prefervative against Popery, he recommends the diligent perufal of the Scriptures; a duty, from which he warns the bufy part of mankind not to think themselves excused.

He now reprinted his juvenile poems, with fome additions.

[ocr errors]

In the last year of his life he fent to the prefs, feeming to take delight in publication, a collection of Familiar Epiftles in Latin; to which, being too few to make a volume, he added some academical exercifes, which perhaps he perufed with pleafure, as they recalled to his memory the days of youth; but for which nothing but veneration for his name could now procure a reader.

When he had attained his fixty-fixth year, the gout, with which he had been long tormented, prevailed over the

enfeebled powers of nature. He died by a quiet and filent expiration, about the tenth of November 1674, at his house in Bunhill-fields; and was buried next his father in the chancel of St. Giles

at

at Cripplegate. His funeral was very fplendidly and numeroufly attended.

Upon his grave there is fuppofed to have been no memorial; but in our time a monument has been erected in Weftminster Abbey To the Author of Paradife Loft, by Mr. Benfon, who has in the infcription beftowed more words upon himfelf than upon Milton.

When the infcription for the monument of Philips, in which he was faid to be foli Miltono fecundus, was exhibited to Dr. Sprat, then dean of Westminster, he refused to admit it; the name of Milton was, in his opinion, tub deteftable to be read on the wall of a building dedicated to devotion. Atterbury, who fucceeded him, being au

k 2

1

thor

« ПредишнаНапред »