ABSTRACT
The study of political ideas unduly neglected in English-speaking countries. The period of the Counter-Reformation shows everywhere a passionate worship of unity; even the Politiques embrace toleration on the low ground of expediency. The Counter-Reformation is thus the parent at once of liberal doctrine and absolutism. Professor Mcllwain merely reprints the works of James from the standard edition of 1616, but he adds thereto a preface of some hundred quarto pages. James' theory needs discussion from two angles. Broadly speaking, he was, in the first place, urging a special theory of prerogative. The constitutional struggle of James' reign is the most important consequence of his ideas; yet, so far as the theory of politics is concerned, it is secondary in significance to the controversy which arose out of his attempt to enforce an oath of allegiance upon his Catholic subjects.
