Walter Hilton (c. 1340-1396) was an English mystic and spiritual writer of the late medieval period. He was a member of the Augustinian Order and lived during a time of great religious and social change in England. Hilton is best known for his influential works on the contemplative life and the journey of the soul towards union with God. His writings had a significant impact on the development of English mysticism and influenced later writers such as Julian of Norwich.
Early Life and Education
Walter Hilton was born in the town of Thurgarton in Nottinghamshire, England, around the year 1340. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he was educated at the University of Cambridge. He joined the Augustinian Order and spent much of his life as a monk and spiritual director at the Augustinian priory of Thurgarton.
Spiritual Writings
Hilton’s spiritual writings are characterized by their emphasis on the importance of the contemplative life and the journey of the soul towards union with God. His most famous work is The Scale of Perfection, which he wrote in the 1380s. The Scale of Perfection is a guide to the spiritual life that is organized around the image of a ladder or staircase. The book is divided into three parts: the first part deals with the purification of the soul, the second part with the illumination of the soul, and the third part with the union of the soul with God.
Hilton’s other major work is The Mixed Life, which he wrote in the 1390s. The Mixed Life is a guide to the spiritual life that emphasizes the importance of balancing the contemplative life with active service to others. Hilton argues that the contemplative life is necessary for spiritual growth, but that it must be balanced with service to others in order to avoid the pitfalls of spiritual pride and self-absorption.
Hilton’s spiritual writings are notable for their emphasis on the role of grace in the spiritual life. He argues that it is only through the grace of God that the soul can be purified and united with God. He also emphasizes the importance of humility and self-knowledge in the spiritual life, and he warns against the dangers of spiritual pride and self-deception.
Influence
Walter Hilton’s writings had a significant impact on the development of English mysticism and influenced later writers such as Julian of Norwich. His emphasis on the importance of the contemplative life and the role of grace in the spiritual life helped to shape the mystical tradition in England.
Hilton’s works were widely read and translated into other languages. They had a particularly significant impact on the Devotio Moderna movement in the Netherlands, which emphasized the importance of the inner life and the cultivation of a personal relationship with God.
Hilton’s influence can also be seen in the later development of the English Reformation. His emphasis on the importance of the inner life and the role of grace in the spiritual life helped to lay the groundwork for the later Protestant emphasis on personal faith and the direct relationship between the individual and God.
Legacy
Walter Hilton’s legacy is evident in the impact that his writings had on subsequent generations of Christians. His emphasis on the importance of the contemplative life and the journey of the soul towards union with God helped to shape the mystical tradition in England and influenced later writers such as Julian of Norwich.
Hilton’s works continue to be read and studied today by scholars of medieval spirituality and mysticism. His writings are notable for their clarity and accessibility, and for their emphasis on the importance of humility, self-knowledge, and the role of grace in the spiritual life.