Volume II 1603-1660 - The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

INTRODUCTION. cxxi
the primitive custom of the early christians and in accordance with
usage common to distinguished persons in the seventeenth century.'
The torchlight procession slowly wound its way from the old
Carmelite mansion in Whitefriars to the antient church of the
Templars. The body was committed to its marble sepulchre in
barbaric glare without prayer, song, or ceremony. A great multitude
of people, comprising among them the most distinguished of the
judges, the statesmen, the lawyers, and the men of letters followed
the corpse, and collecting round the grave formed a spectacle not
witnessed since the departure of the priors of S. John, and never
again repeated in the Temple church. His monument (on the Inner
Temple side) with a latin epitaph written by himself, is near the
spot where his body lies.'
Mr. Johnson having addressed the mourners as minister of
the church, Dr. James Usher, formerly Bishop of Carlisle and Archbishop
of Armagh, ascended the pulpit and preached the sermon.
He had been very friendly with Selden, who sent for him in
November, 1654, and made to him a communication, which has been
often repeated, signifying his belief in the christian religion, and his
1 " Proceedings in Parliament," No. 273, 21 Dec., 1654 : " The Church of
England Man's Companion, or a rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer,"
Oxford, 1710, p. 169 ; do. London, fol. edition, 1720. P. 470 contains the words,
" making use of lighted torches, which we still continue." Do. reprinted Oxford, 8vo,
1846, p. 407 ; ante, p. xci.
Selden's great reputation among all classes of his countrymen is exemplified by
the notices of his death in the newspapers of the day. Several Proceedings in Parliament
with the Transactions of the affairs in England, Scotland, Ireland, and other
Nations. No. 273, 21 Dec., 1654. " 14 Dec. This night was Famous Mr. Selden's
funerall at the Temple, at which were divers members of Parliament." Certain passages
of Eveu dayes Intelligence from the Army, and his Highness the Lord Protector, and his
Parliament. With other remarkable Proceedings in England, Holland, France, Scotland,
and Ireland. No. 76, 15 of Dec., 1654. "Sat. Dec. 9. On Thursday is the solemnity of
Mr. Selden's burial ; he was most famous for his knowledge in the Languages and
Antiquities ; his Funeral Sermon as I hear will be preached by my Lords Grace of
Armagh, who doth excel him in his Antiquities and Languages, and is as before him
in Divinity as Mr. Selden surpassed other men in the knowledge of the Tongues."
The Faithful Scout. No. 204, Dec. 8, 1654. " The Great Light of the English
Nation (Mr. John Selden) is now extinguished ; he died the I. of this month, being
about 70 yeares of age ; a person of much honour and profound literature ; to say no
more his incomparable accomplishments were so excellent that he can want neither
Monument or Trumpet to proclaim his worth, as long as Learning, Fame, and the
World have a Being."