Paul M. Dowling is professor of English at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.

• Chapter 1 Introduction: "Historicizing" Milton Chapter 2 Shrewd Frontispieces: "To the Parliament of England" Chapter 3 Use (or Abuse) of History Chapter 4 The Christian Authorities Chapter 5 The Insufficiency of Licensing Chapter 6 The Harm of Licensing Chapter 7 Digression on the "Nation" Chapter 8 The Peroration: "What is Appropriate for Each" Chapter 9 Conclusion: "Polite Wisdom" Chapter 10 Appendix: Events in The Life of John Milton

... reopens the question of Milton's orthodoxy by taking a fresh look at what is really going on behind the complex wandering syntax and elusive allusivenes of the great poet's prose. -- Paul A. Cantor, University of Virginia ... a pathbreaking interpretation of Milton's Areopagitica ... It is a fine work of scholarship. It should be of great interest to Milton scholars and to all students of the history of political thought. -- David L. Schaefer, Holy Cross College ... [T]the most penetrating and provocative work on Milton's Areopagitica that I've seen ... Dowling's striking thesis ... is presented with impressive historical learning and philosophic subtlety ... -- Harry M. Clor, Kenyon College

Paul M. Dowling is professor of English at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.

• Chapter 1 Introduction: "Historicizing" Milton Chapter 2 Shrewd Frontispieces: "To the Parliament of England" Chapter 3 Use (or Abuse) of History Chapter 4 The Christian Authorities Chapter 5 The Insufficiency of Licensing Chapter 6 The Harm of Licensing Chapter 7 Digression on the "Nation" Chapter 8 The Peroration: "What is Appropriate for Each" Chapter 9 Conclusion: "Polite Wisdom" Chapter 10 Appendix: Events in The Life of John Milton

... reopens the question of Milton's orthodoxy by taking a fresh look at what is really going on behind the complex wandering syntax and elusive allusivenes of the great poet's prose. -- Paul A. Cantor, University of Virginia ... a pathbreaking interpretation of Milton's Areopagitica ... It is a fine work of scholarship. It should be of great interest to Milton scholars and to all students of the history of political thought. -- David L. Schaefer, Holy Cross College ... [T]the most penetrating and provocative work on Milton's Areopagitica that I've seen ... Dowling's striking thesis ... is presented with impressive historical learning and philosophic subtlety ... -- Harry M. Clor, Kenyon College

Paul M. Dowling is professor of English at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.

• Chapter 1 Introduction: "Historicizing" Milton Chapter 2 Shrewd Frontispieces: "To the Parliament of England" Chapter 3 Use (or Abuse) of History Chapter 4 The Christian Authorities Chapter 5 The Insufficiency of Licensing Chapter 6 The Harm of Licensing Chapter 7 Digression on the "Nation" Chapter 8 The Peroration: "What is Appropriate for Each" Chapter 9 Conclusion: "Polite Wisdom" Chapter 10 Appendix: Events in The Life of John Milton

... reopens the question of Milton's orthodoxy by taking a fresh look at what is really going on behind the complex wandering syntax and elusive allusivenes of the great poet's prose. -- Paul A. Cantor, University of Virginia ... a pathbreaking interpretation of Milton's Areopagitica ... It is a fine work of scholarship. It should be of great interest to Milton scholars and to all students of the history of political thought. -- David L. Schaefer, Holy Cross College ... [T]the most penetrating and provocative work on Milton's Areopagitica that I've seen ... Dowling's striking thesis ... is presented with impressive historical learning and philosophic subtlety ... -- Harry M. Clor, Kenyon College