292. Newton ( Sir Isaac, natural philosopher and mathematician, 1642-1727) [Note on devils, Arianism and antitrinitarianism], autograph manuscript with a Latin annotation in margin, fragment cut from a larger f., most of text underlined, 18 lines, left hand corner stained, browned, 118 x 192mm., n.d. [ ?early eighteenth century].
est. £6000 – £8000
Newton on devils.
“There is no analysis of Newton’s theological writings based on a thorough analysis of the MSS.” - DSB.
“We have heard to say those on whom my hand was put, say that no man can be saved who denys ye father son & Holy Ghost, who believes not ye omnipotent virtue of ye Trinity. The Devil confesses this but ye Arians will not confess it. The Devil saith let him be so tortured as he was tortured by ye martyrs, who denies the deity of the Holy Ghost. I receive not ye Devils testimony but his confession. The Devils said to day & yesterday, we know that ye are martyrs, & ye Arians say we do not know we will not understand we will not beleive.” - Newton. Fragment.
“Newton was not an orthodox theologian. It has long been known that he denied the doctrine of the Trinity, that central pillar of orthodox Christendom... . As long ago as 1728, it was revealed that he also rejected infant baptism in favour of believers’ baptism. In 1991 mortalism was added to the list of heresies... . If there was one greater heresy than denial of the Trinity or the immortality of the soul, it was the rejection of the existence of the demonic hordes and the Archfiend himself.” - David Snobelen. Lust, Pride and Ambition: Isaac Newton and the Devil, 2002.
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