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How did John Milton’s views of Presbyterianism change over time?

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Engraved portrait of John Milton by Jacob Houbraken, showing Milton with shoulder-length hair, a lace collar, and period clothing, facing forward in an oval frame. — John Milton John Milton, engraving by Jacob Houbraken, 1741.

John Milton’s perspective on Presbyterianism shifted significantly during his career as a pamphleteer. Initially, in his 1641–42 tract The Reason of Church Government, Milton appeared to endorse Scottish Presbyterianism as a viable alternative to the episcopal hierarchy of the Church of England.1

However, his support waned after he observed that Presbyterianism could be just as inflexible regarding theology as the established church he had previously criticized. Consequently, Milton moved toward a more independent religious stance. He eventually rejected established religion of all kinds, instead advocating for the primacy of Scripture and the importance of individual conscience as the ultimate guides for faith and interpretation. This evolution reflected his broader commitment to religious toleration and his opposition to state-sanctioned religious authority.12