Thomas Chatterton Manuscript Project
Key People
Bishop Thomas Newton
1 Jan 1704 – 14 Feb 1782
Bishop of Bristol 1761 to 1782.
Thomas Newton (1 January 1704 – 14 February 1782) was an English cleric, biblical scholar and author. He served as the Bishop of Bristol from 1761 to 1782.
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Newton was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge and was subsequently elected a fellow of Trinity. He was ordained in the Church of England and continued scholarly pursuits. His more remembered works include his annotated edition of Paradise Lost, including a biography of John Milton, published in 1749. In 1754 he published a large scholarly analysis of the prophecies of the Bible, titled Dissertations on the Prophecies. In his 1761 edition of Milton's poetry, he gave the title On His Blindness to Sonnet XIX, When I Consider How My Light is Spent.
Newton was appointed the Bishop of Bristol in 1761 and in 1768 became the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London. He has been considered a Christian universalist.
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One of Newton's famous quotes concerns the Jewish people:
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The preservation of the Jews is really one of the most signal and illustrious acts of divine Providence... and what but a supernatural power could have preserved them in such a manner as none other nation upon earth hath been preserved. Nor is the providence of God less remarkable in the destruction of their enemies, than in their preservation... We see that the great empires, which in their turn subdued and oppressed the people of God, are all come to ruin... And if such hath been the fatal end of the enemies and oppressors of the Jews, let it serve as a warning to all those, who at any time or upon any occasion are for raising a clamor and persecution against them.
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He edited and heavily annotated a three volume set of Milton's Poetical Works - see below.
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Biography of Bishop Newton, above, taken directly from Wiki : Bishop Newton
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Chatterton's first introduction to Bishop Newton, was, probably, when he received his Confirmation in the Church at the hands of the Bishop, sometime around 12 years of age; this is according to his sister Mary, and Lort, 11457, however, William Tyson has it two years earlier.
Chatterton's Writings on Dr. Thomas Newton
This is a wonderful piece, which feels deeply personal to Chatterton. He is angry and pulls no punches in his drive to repay Newton for his failure to support the fight for the rights and liberty of the people. It feels and looks as if it was written in one sitting and without a backward glance. It needs to be read in the same mood, out loud, forcefully and with feeling - Mean It, When You Say It!
It is assumed that Chatterton sent the original to the Middlesex Journal (according to Meyerstein), if he did then the work below is actually a 'rough' copy in Chatterton's handwriting, of the original, which is lost. However, I am of the opinion that the version shown below is the original, from which Chatterton made a 'fair' copy to send to the Middlesex Journal.
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Chatterton, using the pen name Decimus, wrote this piece for publication in 1770, but it was rejected. It seems that the power of the church prevailed. It was finally published by Meyerstein, (partially) in 1930, and Taylor (in full) in 1971.
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Here for your enjoyment is the original manuscript, online for the first time. It is suffering a little with the age that's in it, written, as it was, around the 12th August 1770. Feel free to read my transcript of it, below the original.
Transcript of Chatterton's open letter to Newton :
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When we examine the Annals of this Kingdom we find Prelacy to have been the Nurse of every Rebellion and Civil discord fomented here.
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From the open Insolence of Beckett to the mean hypocrisy of Laud, Episcopacy has been fatal to royalty. The mitre is a more dangerous (I had almost said a more diabolical) Ornament than the Sword.
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No mischief can be perfect 'till the sacerdotal Benediction has given sanction to it; and that Sanction was never denied when the Church had an Opportunity of Sharing the plunder.
The Conduct of the Spiritual Lords in general and of your Lordship in particular testifies that (the principles) of Priesthood are still Self-interest and Authority.
In your late charge to the Clergy of your Diocese you have avowed your Infamy and declared yourself a champion for the Enemys of the Constitution.
The doctrine of non-resistance and absolute resignation to the supreme power is certainly your favourite one; but my Lord, whatever texts you may produce to justify your comment, the liberty of a subject is superior to your authority, that liberty is planted in us primævally from the Creator by nature, and-consequently by the God of nature. It is founded on no written external Law, it needs no prophecy, no revelation to vindicate it; but it is deeply written in the mind and stamped upon the existence.
Excommunicate me my Lord if I reason deistically, if submission is one of the orthodox articles to be subject to the wicked ministers of an innocently misled King.
I am a Nonconformist. You represent Mr. Wilkes as a blasphemer of his God: the charge is black, but it is justly laid. Turn over your own treatise on Revelation candidly and tell me who is the most atrocious blasphemer, the man who denys the justice of God by maintaining the damnable doctrine of predestination or he that justly ridicules the blunders not the fundamentals of religion.
By avouching the infallibility of Prophecy, you maintain a forcive necessity in man to act wickedly, on the accomplishment of the prophetic wrong depends the regeneracy of the Creature. Your Lordship's sufficiency may not be easily convinced of this Truth; I shall take another opportunity of explaining the matter further. Mr. Wilkes is likewise in your Ld's sentiments an Enemy to his Country, and the whole patriotic Society who are laboring so anxiously to recover the lost Liberties of the Constitution a factious Crew.
This is making short work of the matter. I could have wished however you had advanced some appearance of argument, and particularized the factious Crew.
Believe me my Lord the puppet-show of superstition is dying away: we begin to see that the Spiritual Members of the three Estates are fit for nothing but to be bought and sold and fill the dignity of a large Wig and Lawn Sleeve.
Among the real Enemies of this Country the dignitarys of the Church make no inconsiderable figure. The infamous Warburton, the sleeping Barton, your underling Dean, the conscientious T-rr-y and yourself, fill the reverence of your Characters characteristically.
Happy Superstition, how powerful are thou! When Kings submit to be led by the nose, what Subject can refuse to pay his Tythes. Your Lordship and the rest in this string of your sable Brethren, will have a black Account to ballance at the day of Judgement, thus to impose on the too tender Conscience of his Majesty to teach him that Tyranny and Oppression are the Chr Dutys of a King, to plunge a whole nation into Slavery, and lay a main for undermining the safety of the Crown, are Crimes not to be atoned by your Benediction.
That your Lordship has parts is undoubted, but do you apply your labours to the Good or prejudice of mankind? You sit blundering in your holy cheats, and pious frauds, and bury infamy and Mystery, accomplishments which might be really useful.
My honest warmth may offend you. I court not your Smile tho' by what I know I might command that Smile.
I only wish you would see the Blessings of Independence, and disdain for a miserable Pittance to sell your Genius your Conscience your Country and your King.
DECIMUS. [Another Pen name of Chatterton]
Works of Thomas Newton
Milton's works in three volumes :
Dr Newton’s The Works of Milton. Editor (with extensive annotations), 3 volumes.
Volume 2 (1770) : View
Volume 3 : no view
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Newton's Autobiography : No View
As a parting shot to his earthly tenure, Newton wrote his autobiography in two huge volumes.
I am the 'proud' owner of a set - and yes, Chatterton gets a small mention. This is the sort of book that requires a large desk to rest upon, and a large jug of nappy ale, backed by a spare barrel, to deaden the already deadened senses! (I am surprised he found the time to save souls).