Of Reformation Touching Church Discipline in England

John Milton's 1641-42 tract, Of Reformation, critiques the Church of England. Milton argues that the church, since its establishment by Henry VIII, retained too many similarities to the Roman Catholic Church, particularly in its hierarchical structure. He also suggests a connection between the church's organization and the monarchical civil government. Milton advocated for a simpler form of worship, emphasizing the clarity of Scripture over complex theological arguments. His prose works, in general, championed religious and political freedom, opposing tyranny and state-controlled religion.12