ARGUMENT

OF

MILTON'S AREOPAGITICA.

EXORDIUM.-The Ordinance of Parliament against printing unlicensed Books. The plan and order of this Discourse. The great influence of Books on all public affairs. The ill consequences of I suppressing good ones. A view of the methods taken by ancient Common-Wealths, to restrain the publication of pernicious Books: in Athens; in Lacedæmon; in Rome. How far, and in what manner, the publication of dangerous Books was restrained, under the Roman Emperors, after they were become Christians. The Popes began to prohibit the reading of Books that they disliked, about the year 800. At last, about the time of the Council of Trent, they ordained that no new Book should be printed till it had been approved

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by a Licenser. The Bishops, in imitation of the Popes, introduced this custom of Licensing into England. Of the effect of reading all sorts of Books, and whether it does most good or harm. The Liberty of choosing what Books to read, as well as that of choosing what meats to feed on, ought to be left to every Man's own discretion. An examination of what Plato says upon this subject in his Book de Republicá. The Ordinance against printing Books without a License is not sufficient to prevent the printing of seditious Books, though that was the principal reason for making it. To make it effectual, it must be formed completely upon the model of the Licensing Ordinances of the Inquisition. These restraints upon the Liberty of the Press will neither prevent the growth of Sects and Schisms, nor contribute to the amendment of the manners of the People. It is almost impossible to find persons properly qualified to be Licensers, that will undertake the Office. The Ordinance against printing Books without a License is a great discouragement to Learning and learned Men. This restraint is an indignity offered to the whole People of England, by supposing them to be so ignorant, weak, and unsteady, as to be in danger of being