leave the chair, but was again held down by Holles, Valentine, and Long-Holles stoutly swearing "by God's wounds" that he should sit there so long as it was their pleasure. A third appeal was made to him, and Selden gravely warned him that such obstinacy must not go unpunished, lest it should be made an evil precedent; while Hayman disowned him for a Kentishman, hotly denounced him as a disgrace to his family and a reproach to his country, and proposed that a new Speaker be chosen in his place. The stir and turmoil continued to increase, until fierce blows were exchanged; force met force, and ready hands sought their sword-hilts. "Let all," exclaimed William Strode, "who desire this declaration read and put to the vote stand up." With a fierce "Aye, aye!" the great body of members instantly rose, and Eliot flung his paper into the midst of them on the floor of the House.

Soon afterwards, the Serjeant-at-Arms attempted to lift the mace from the table, which in itself would have involved a suspension of the proceedings; but Sir Miles Hobart wrested it from him, and also shut and locked the door of the House, putting the key into his pocket. At this moment Sir John Eliot came forward with a shorter declaration, which he read amid a tumult of applause; and thereafter Denzil Holles, while Black Rod was knocking at the door, produced the following resolutions, and standing close to the chair, in which, sullen and silent, still sat the Speaker, cried out in a loud voice that he there and then put it to the question :

First, "Whoever shall bring in innovation in religion, or by favour seek to extend or introduce Popery or Arminianism, or other opinions disagreeing from the true and orthodox Church, shall be reputed a capital enemy to this kingdom and commonwealth."

or his learning; but when, in 1614, he gave to the world his elaborate treatise upon "Titles of Honour," the full measure of his erudition was at once perceived. It contains an extraordinary amount of curious information respecting the degrees of nobility and gentry in England, and similar distinctions in other countries, all carefully systematised, and illustrated with judicious comments. Archbishop Usher thought it "Selden's best book; "it is, I think, always excepting the "Table-Talk,” his most readable.

With indefatigable industry and keen intellectual acumen Selden went on his laborious way, groping in the dusty by-paths of history and law; and collecting facts, precedents, and evidences of usage, with all the zeal of a constitutional reformer, who found in the Past his landmarks for the guidance of the Present. He looked on, by no means unconcerned, though not directly involved, at the great struggle which had already begun between authority and right, between the prerogatives of the crown and the privileges of the people, and patiently elucidated the principles upon which, as he conceived, it might justly and pacifically be settled. Meanwhile, quietly waiting the further development of a contention which was to expand far beyond any limits at that time conceived of by the boldest, he continued his antiquarian labours, and constantly gained in reputation and influence. We find him, in 1616, editing Sir John Fortescue's famous treatise, "De laudibus Legum Angliæ (written between 1461 and 1470), and Hengham's "Summæ," with elaborate annotations; and addressing to Sir Francis Bacon, on whom the great seal had just been conferred, a "Brief Discourse" upon the office of Lord Chancellor of England.

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We cannot but be struck with the amazing energy and application of the man, who, still plying his learned and judicious pen, found time in 1617 to furnish Purchas (he was then publishing his "Pilgrimes") with a short account" of the Jews sometimes living in England." For in this same year he gave to the world his celebrated work, "De Diis Syriis," a Latin treatise on Syrian idolatry in general, and the heathen deities mentioned in the Old Testament in particular. It made him known to the scholars of the Continent, where, in 1627, it was reprinted by the Elzevirs, under the superintendence of De Dieu, one of the professors in the Walloon College at Leyden, and of Daniel Heinsius, to whom Selden dedicated the edition. The high estimation in which it was held, is proved by the fact that it was reprinted in 1662, and again in 1680.

In the following year appeared his "History of Tithes," from the publication of which may be dated his career as a constitutional reformer. In its learned and ingenious pages he set forth the rise and progress of that onerous ecclesiastical tax, and while admitting its legality, overthrowing the claim for its Divine origin maintained by the Church. As such a claim would not now-a-days be put forward, a refutation of it would not excite any angry feelings; but in 1618 it gave huge offence both to the clergy and the Court. It was a blow at the very foundation on which the advocates of the absolute power of the Crown and the Church rested their pretensions; and both Crown and Church prepared to chastise the audacious offender. In December he was summoned to appear before James I. at his palace of Theobalds. He was introduced into the royal presence by his friends Ben Jonson and Edward Hayward, and subjected to a

lecture by the royal theologian, who indicated the objectionable passages, and required him to re-write them or explain them away. Selden was forced to assent; but his submission did not save him from further humiliation. The Court of High Commission pounced upon him, and though they did not extort from him a retractation, they compelled him to sign an ignominious declaration :

'My good lords, I must humbly acknowledge the error I have committed in publishing the "History of Tithes ;" and especially in that I have at all, by showing any interpretation of Holy Scriptures, by meddling with councils, fathers, or canons, or by what else soever occurs in it, afford any occasion of argument against any right of maintenance, jure divino, of the ministers of the Gospel; beseeching your lordships to receive this ingenuous and humble acknowledgment, together with the unfeigned protestation of my grief, for that through it I have so incurred both his Majesty's and your lordships' displeasure, conceived against me on behalf of the Church of England. "JOHN SELDEN."

One cannot but regret that Selden subscribed this shameful submission, but he was not of the stuff of which martyrs are made. A sensitive and studious scholar, he lacked the nerve and the moral courage to hold his ground steadfastly when authority threatened him with pains and penalties, unless he was sustained by the example and encouragement of others. On this

occasion he stood alone. We shall see that he could be braver and more consistent when sustained and inspired by the companionship of bolder spirits.

To his " History of Tithes numerous answers appeared, written by the zealous champions of the Church with more enthusiasm and learning, and more invective

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than argument. Selden was not allowed to make any rejoinder. The king trembled at the extent to which a controversy on Divine right might be pushed, and sending for the scholar, forbade him to make any reply to a refutation from the pen of Montagu, one of his chaplains. 'If you or any of your friends," said James, "shall write against this confutation, I will throw you into prison !" In such circumstances, Montagu necessarily had it all his own way. One's reasoning can hardly fail to be cogent and conclusive when one's adversary is deprived of the right of reply!

His attack on clerical pretentions had so greatly provoked the royal wrath, that our timid scholar thought it advisable to recant certain opinions on subjects of no great moment, which differed from those of His Majesty. To propitiate him, therefore, Selden published three tracts: "Of the Number 666 in the Revelation," "Of Calvin's Judgment on the Book of Revelation," and "Of the Birthday of our Saviour," in which his later judgments happily conformed with those of the royal theologian. In the mystic number he found new and more recondite meanings; in the judgment of Calvin he failed to discover the good sense and moderation which had formerly characterised it; and in Christmas Day he acknowledged the natural return of the anniversary, which, formerly, he had rashly held as dubious.

But a weak man, when the weakness is rather constitutional than moral, will often show an unexpected strength at a great opportunity; and Selden gradually hardened, as it were, under the influence of events. His nature was elevated and inspired by the struggle between the Commons and the Crown, which every year assumed larger proportions and greater intensity.

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