Translated by Charles R. Sumner
In 1823 this religious tract was found in the form of a Latin manuscript, which has since been attributed to Milton by most scholars. Since Milton was blind at the time of its creation, an amanuensis must have aided him in its composition. The manuscript was discovered in a bundle of state papers written by Milton while he served as Secretary of Foreign Tongues under Oliver Cromwell. The manuscript was provided with a prefatory epistle explaining the background and history of the composition.
The first chapter of Christian Doctrine discusses the actual meaning of “Christian Doctrine.” Milton claims that this “Christian Doctrine” needs to be understood before one can ably discuss divinity and that the doctrine comes from Christ’s communication to mankind about divinity. The doctrine requires humans to “come to terms with God’s nature” and it comes from “the ever-abiding desire to celebrate God’s glory because of his redemptive plan.”