buriall and resurrection of CHRIST yet it was condemned by all and many places of the Prophets were alledged where aspersion or effusion of water is spoken of all which they sayd ought literally to be vnderstood of baptisme All set themselues against those three which speake of the baptisme of children alleadging the doctrine of the ancient Fathers and Schoolemen and many inuectiues were made against Erasmus attributing vnto him the Erasmus is taxed inuention of the fifteenth saying it was impious and pernicious and would open a way to abolish all Christian Religion adding that if the children of the vncircumcised Iewes comming to age were bound to keepe all the law and were punished for transgressing it it was 〈…〉 compell the sonnes of the faithfull to obserue the Christian law that th 〈…〉 had deseruedly condemned the Article and so ought the Synod to ded They concluded that the sixteenth was conteined in the former Articles because it did take away Penance one of the seuen sacrament But all said that the last was contrary to the proper ministry of baptisme in the very beginning whereof the catechized is admonished that if hee will haue eternall life it is necessary to obserue all the commandements In the Articles about confirmation there was no difference and all Of Confirmation Chrisme and Vnction for their ground did alleadge the Councel of Florence And that which is said in the third Article that yong men did formerly giue an account of their faith in the presence of the Church was generally decided that not beeing vsed in these times one ought to beleeue it was neuer vsed before for the Church would neuer haue intermitted that ceremonie Many places of Councels and ancient writers were alleadged making mention of Chrisme and Vnction which cannot agree to instruction or examination Therefore they concluded that it was a most vaine ignorance to change so principall a Sacrament against the common meaning of all the Church into a rite perhaps vsed in some particular place but neuer vniuersally as the Vnction of the Chris 〈…〉 Vpon the last article there was much difficultie in regard Saint Gregorie Whether onely the Bishop be minister of Confirmation the Pope did graunt the ministery to simple Priests The Franciscans according to the doctrine of Saint Bonauenture followed by Iohn Scotus and their order which doeth attribute the ministery to the Bishop onely as Pope Adrian the sixt did also maintaine answered that it was a permission onely for that time and against the Popes will to auoide the scandall of those people or else that the Vnction permitted by Gregorie was not the Sacrament of confirmation Which answere not pleasing Saint Thomas because it did not wholly free the Pope from hauing erred hee found a temper and said that though the Bishop bee the minister of Confirmation yet with the Popes permission it may bee administred by the Priest Others opposed and said that the doctrine of the Romane Church was absolute that the ministers of Sacraments are instituted by CHRIST whom though the Pope can command to the exercise of the ministerie yet hee cannot make the Sacrament to be of force that is administred by others nor nullifie that which is conferred by the minister instituted by CHRIST though against his commandement And therefore if CHRIST hath instituted the Bishop for minister the Pope cannot make that grant to the Priest if CHRIST hath granted that the Priest may doe it the Pope cannot hinder him For it would seeme a strange thing that in the other Sacraments being all of greater necessitie CHRIST should prescribe the minister without leauing any libertie vnto men and in this which may at any time bee deferred vse a singularitie whereof for sixe hundred yeeres vntill the time of Gregorie no man had made any mention building an Article of faith vpon foure words spoken by occasion and if the epistle had been lost no man would euer haue inuented that distinction vnusuall in such a matter nor to bee applied to any thing but to this place of Gregorie Others being not satisfied with the resolution of either party did propose that the words of the Florentine Councell should bee taken Some thought fit onely to condemne him that would say that the Priest and not the Bishop onely is the ordinary Minister giuing by the word ordinary power to inferre therefore there is another extraordinary or to say that there can bee no other because the Sacraments haue no Minister but Ordinarie While the forenamed Articles were discussed by the Diuines in the Congregation A Decree of Reformation conteyning sixe heads of the Canonists assembled to collect and remedie the abuses concerning the Sacraments in generall and in particular of Baptisme and Confirmation a Decree was made conteyning sixe heads which said thus in substance That the Synode desiring to remooue the abuses brought in by men or time and to teach the Ministers of Churches and all the faithfull how to gouerne themselues in obseruing ministring and receiuing the Sacraments doeth ordaine 1. That the Ecclesiasticall Sacraments shall bee freely conferred without taking or demanding any thing for them vnder any pretence whatsoeuer and no chest vessell cloath or any such thing shall bee shewed by which a demand may bee intimated nor the Sacrament shall bee denied or deferred vpon pretence of any long and ancient custome not to conferre them before some certaine stipend bee paid or satisfaction of some debt considering that neither custome or length of time doeth diminish the sinne but rather increaseth it and the offenders shall bee punished according to the lawes made against symoniacall persons 2. The Sacrament of Baptisme shall not bee conferred in prophane places but in Churches onely except in case of necessitie and when the children of Kings and Princes are to be baptized according to the constitution of Clement the fifth which shall not take place in all that haue dominion but onely in great Princes Neither shall the Bishop giue the Chrisme but in seemely ornaments and in the Churches sacred places or Episcopall houses 3. The Sacrament of Baptisme shall bee administred by able Priests in the mother Churches onely except by reason of great difficulty to goe to them the Bishop thinke fit to grant it to other Churches or that it hath been granted time out of minde in which Churches holy water taken from the mother Church shall bee kept in a cleane and decent vessell 4. In Baptisme and Chrisme there shall bee allowed but one God-father who shall neither bee infamous nor excommunicated nor interdicted nor vnder age nor a Monke nor any that cannot performe what he promiseth And in Chrisme hee shall not bee receiued for a god-father who hath not receiued Chrisme himselfe 5. To take away the abuse practised in many places to carry about the water of Baptisme or christened children with their forehead bound to make many god-fathers by washing of the hands or loosing the forehead the Priests in regard
Apostles and other disciples in Ierusalem who were assembled about the question of keeping the Law And though it may bee said that it was a recourse of the new Churches of the Gentiles vnto the old mother Church frō whence their faith was deriued a custom much vsed in those first ages often rehearsed by Irenie and Tertullian though the letter were written by the Apostles Elders brethren of Ierusalem only yet in regard that not they only but Paul Barnabas also did speake it may well be called a Councel by example whereof the succeeding Bishops thought all Christian Churches to bee but one and likewise all Bishoprickes to be but onely one so framed that euery Bishop held a part thereof not as his owne but so as that all ought to gouerne the whole and euery one to employ himselfe most in that which was particularly recommended to him as S. Cyprian in his little golden booke of the vnity of the Church doth piously demonstrate In case of necessity of any particular Church though the persecutions sometimes waxed warme as many as could assembled themselues to make prouision in common In which assemblies CHRIST and the holy Ghost being president and charity chasing away all humane passion they aduised and resolued of what was fit without ceremonies or formes prescribed But after a certaine time passions of men and charitie beeing mingled together and there beeing a necessity to gouerne them with some order the chiefest man amongst those that were assembled in Councell either for learning or for greatnesse of the Citie or Church whereof he was or for some other respect of eminencie tooke vpon him the charge to propose and guide the action and collect the voyces But after that it pleased God to giue peace to the Christians and that the Romane Emperours receiued the holy faith there happening more difficulties in doctrine and discipline which by reason of the ambition or other bad affections of those that had followers and credite troubled the publike quiet another sort of Episcopal assemblies had beginning congregated by Princes or their Lieutenants to remedie the troubles In these the action was guided by those Princes or Magistrates which did call them together who also were personally present proposing and gouerning the treatie and decreeing interlocutorily the occurring differences but leauing the decision of the principall point for which the Councell was congregated to the common opinion of the assemblie This forme appeareth in the Councels whose actes doe remaine The Colloquie of Catholikes and Donatistes before Marcellinus and many others may serue for example But to speake onely of generall Councels this was done in the first Councel of Ephesus before the Earle Candidianus sent President by the Emperour and more cleerely in that of Calcedon before Martianus and the Iudges by him appointed in that of Constantinople in Trullo before Constantine surnamed Poganatus where the Prince or Magistrate that was President commanded what should bee handled what order obserued who should speake and who be silent and did decide and accommodate the differences in these things And in the other generall Councell the actes whereof are not extant as of the first of Nice and the second of Constantinople the historians of that Age doe witnesse that Constantine and Theodofius did the like Yet in those times when the Bishops themselues did assemble of their owne accord and others medled not the action was gouerned as hath been said by one of them and the resolution taken according to the common consent Sometimes the matter was so easie that it was dispatched in one meeting Sometimes by reason of the difficulty or multiplicitie thereof it was necessarie to reiterate the businesse whence proceeded the many Sessions in the same Councel Not one of them was about ceremony or only to publish what was digested elsewhere but to vnderstand the opinion of euery one and the colloquies discussions disputes and whatsoeuer was done or spoken were called the actes of the Councel It is a new opinion and seldome practised though established in Trent that the Decrees onely are called Actes of the Councel and ought onely to bee published but in the ancient Councels all was giuen vnto all Notaries were present to collect the voyces who when a Bishop spake and was not contradicted wrote not his proper name but thus The Holy Sinode saith And when many said the same thing it was written The Bishops acclaymed or affirmed and the things so spoken were taken for decisions if they spake in a contrary sense the contrary opinions were noted and the names of the authours and the Iudges or Presidents did pronounce Sometimes some impertinencie did vndoubtedly happen by reason of some mans imperfection but charitie which excuseth the defects of ones brother did couer it A greater number of the Prouince where the Councell was held and of the borders was present but without emulation euery one rather desiring to obey then to giue a law vnto others After the Easterne and Westerne Empires were separated there remained still in the West some marke of the ancient Councels and many were celebrated in Councels gouerned by Princes France and Germany vnder the posterity of Charles the Great and not a few in Spaine vnder the Kings of the Gothes At last Princes being absolutely debarred to intermeddle in Ecclesiastical matters that kind of Councel grew in disuse 1546 PAVL 3. CHARLES 5. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 1. that alone remained which was called by the Ecclesiastikes themselues the conuocation of which Prouinciall Councels was almost wholly assumed by the Pope by sending his Legates to bee Presidents wheresoeuer hee heard there was a treatie to hold a Councell And after a certaine time hee tooke that power to himselfe which the Romane Emperours vsed to conuocate a Councell of the whole Empire and to be President himselfe if hee were present or in his absence to send Legates to be Presidents and to gouerne the action But the Prelats assembled in the Synod being deliuered from the feare of a Secular Prince which kept them in awe as worldly respects the causes of all mischiefes did exceedingly increase which caused also the multiplying of many indecencies they beganne to digest and order the matters in priuate that they might obserue a decencie in the publike meeting Afterwards this was obserued for a forme and in the Councels besides the Sessions they beganne to make Congregations of some Deputies to set in order the matters to bee treated of which in the beginning if they were many were diuided and a proper Congregation assigned to euery one And this beeing not sufficient to remooue all the indecencies because those that were not present hauing different interests made difficulties in publique besides the particular Congregation they made a generall before the Session where all were present which according to the ancient rite is the Conciliarie action because the Session euery thing being done before remayneth but a pure ceremonie But a
in France Prelates was put in order in which howsoeuer the Ambassadour assured the Pope that nothing should bee spoken of doctrine nor any thing preludiciall to his authority but onely a course set downe how to pay the Kings debts to prouide against some abuses and to consult what was to bee handled in the generall Councell yet his Holinesse was not satisfied yea was of opinion that they thought that to prouide against abuses was to hinder the profits of the Court and that to consult of the Councel was to ioyne with the Spaniards whereof hee had some intelligence in the point of the supreame power of the Councell euen ouer the Pope And by reason of the dissentions betweene the Grandies of the Court spread also ouer all the Prouinces because euery one sought to increase his faction there being a great liberty of speaking the professours of the new religion were plainely discouered and protected by the greatest about the King with much indignation of the Catholiques Whereupon there were contentions and discords throughout the whole Kingdome calling one another in scorne Papists and Hugonots the Preachers making the people tumultuous and euery one hauing diuers ends He plainly saw that if the Catholike partie had not all the same ayme some great inconuenience would arise for preuenting whereof and to crosse those desseignes he thought it necessary to haue a Minister there a man of authoritie and not a French man who would haue more interest in the kingdome then in the seruice of the Apostolique Sea and resolued to send a Legatethither And casting his eye vpon all the Cardinals hee made choice Into which Kingdome he sendeth for Legate the Cardinall of Ferrara of Ferrara in whom all necessary qualities did concurre singular wisedome dexteritie in negotiations nobility of birth being allied to the Royall house of France brother in law to the Kings great Aunt daughter of Lewis the 12 and so neere a cousin to those of Guise the Dukes wife being the Cardinals neece that they could not chuse but fauour him in regard of their neerenesse in blood He gaue him foure particular Commissions to fauour the Catholiques and oppose the Protestants to diuert the Nationall Synode and And giueth him foure commissions assembly of the Prelates to sollicite the going of the Prelates to the Councell and to cause an abrogation of the constitutions made in matters Ecclesiasticall While the Legate was preparing to goe there fell our an accident which made the Kings neerest friends feare the Catholiques as much as the Protestants For the fourteenth of Iuly Arthurus Defiderius was apprehended A supplication sent out of France into Spaine neere to Orleans who was sent into Spaine with a Supplication written in the name of the Clergie of France in which they demaunded the assistance of that King against the Protestants because they could not bee suppressed by a boy and a woman with other more secret instructions in cipher to be imparted to his Maiestie This man being imprisoned and interrogated of the confederates discouered some whom it was dangerous to make knowen for which cause they resolued to proceede no further but condemned him to make honourable satisfaction to teare the supplication and to bee perpetuall prisoner in the Monasterie of the Carthusians But many of his confessions being divulged the Kings Counsel thought fit to giue the other partie some satisfaction Whereupon the King did prohibite the names of Hugonotes and Papists ordaining that no man vnder pretence of discouering the Congregations for religion which were forbid should enter with The King maketh an ocdination in fauour of the Protestants many or few into another mans house that those who were in prison for religion should be set at libertie and that those which fled since the time of Francis the first might returne and repossesse their goods in case they would liue like Catholiques or if they would not might sell them and goe to another place The Parliament of Paris did oppose and said it was a kinde of grant of libertie of religion which was neuer knowen in France that the returne of the fugitiues would cause great troubles and that the libertie to sell their goods and goe to another place was against the lawes of the Kingdome which doe not giue leaue to carry foorthany great quantitie of money But notwithstanding all these oppositions the Edict was executed so that the Protestants being increased in number and making more and greater assemblies then they were wont the King with the Queene and Princes went into the Parliament to prouide a remedy by the mature counsel of men skilfull in matters of State and Iustice The Chancellour said they were not to speake of Religion but of making prouision against dayly tumults which did arise by the meanes of it lest being made licontious by raising of stirres they might lay aside all obedience to the King There were three opinions 1. To suspend all punishments against the Protestants vntill the decision of the Councell 2. That they should bee capitally proceeded against 3. That they should bee punished by the Eclesiasticall Court forbidding their Congregations either publike or priuate and liberty to preach or administer the Sacraments but after the Romane fashion In conclusion they tooke a middle course and made an Edict which is called the Edict of Iuly That all should abstaine from doing iniuries and liue in peace The Edict of Iuly that the preachers should not rayse tumults vpon paine of death that none should preach or administer the Sacraments but according to the Romane Rite that the Ecclesiastiques should bee iudges of heresie that if the person guilty were deliuered to the Secular power no greater punishment should bee inflicted then banishment and this to continue till a Generall or National Councell did determine otherwise that all those who haue mooued any tumult for the cause of Religion should be pardoned liuing hereafter in peace and like Catholiques Afterwards treating how to accommodate the controuersies it was ordained that the Bishops should meete in Poisi the tenth A Colloquie is ordained at Poisi of August and that the Protestant Ministers should haue a Safe Conduct to come thither This was contradicted by many of the Catholiques who thought it strange dishonourable and dangerous to put the Religion of their predecessours receiued vntill that time to compromise and in hazard In which the Card of Loraine vndertaketh to confute the heresiques But they yeelded at the last because the Cardinall of Loraine promised largely that hee would confute the heretiques and take the burden vpon himselfe wherein hee was assisted by the Queene who knowing his desire to make ostentation of his witte was willing to giue him satisfaction The Pope had newes at once of these two Edicts in which hee found some thing to commend and something to blame Hee commended the Parliament for maintaining the cause of religion and blamed it because they had ordered it contrary
German the Chancellor declared in the Kings name that they were called to consult how to remedie the stirres raised in the Kingdome Hee made a recapitulation of all the things that hapned adding that the differences of Religion should be referred to the Prelates but when the peace of the Kingdome and keeping of the Subiects in obedience to the King is in question that this could not belong to the Ecclesiastiques but to those whom the King would appoint to consult of it That he had euer commended Tulli who was wont to blame Cato that liuing in a most corrupt age was so seuere and rigid in his determinations as if hee had been a Senator in Plato his Common-wealth That lawes were to bee fitted to the time and persons as the shooe to the foote That this particular was then to bee consulted of whether it were good seruice for the King to permit or prohibite the Congregations of the Protestants wherein they were not to dispute which Religion was the better because they tooke not in hand to frame a Religion but to put in order a Republique and that it was not absurd to say that many might bee good Citizens and not good Christians and that those who were of diuers religions might liue in peace In consulting hereof the opinions were diuers but they preuailed who thought that the Edict of Iuly was to bee remitted in part and the Protestants to haue leaue to preach At the making of the Edict which contained many points the Cardinals of Borbon Tornon Chastillon were present as also the Bishops of Orleans and Valence That the Protestants should restore the Churches possessions and other Ecclesiasticall goods vsurped That they should forbeare to beate downe Crosses Images and Churches vpon paine of death That they should not assemble themselues to preach pray or administer the Sacraments in publique or in priuate by day or by night within the Citie That the prohibitions and punishments of the Edict of Iuly and all others made before should bee suspended That they shall not be molested in their Sermons made out of the Citie or hindred by the Magistrates who ought to protect them from iniurie chastising the Seditions on both sides That none shall scandalize another for Religion or vse contumelious words of faction That the Magistrates and officers may bee present at the Sermons and Congregations That they shall not make Synods Colloquies or Consistories but with leaue and in presence of the Magistrate That they shall obserue the lawes for feasts and degrees prohibited for marriage That the Ministers shall bee bound to sweare to the publique Officers not to offend against this Edict nor to preach any doctrine contrary to the Nicen Councell and the bookes of the New and Old Testament The Parliament could hardly be brought to accept of this Edict Therefore the King did commaund againe that it should bee published adding that it was to be vnderstood to bee made by way of prouision vntill the determinations of the Generall Councell were diuulged or the King ordaine otherwise not meaning to allow two Religions in his Kingdome but that onely of the holy mother the Church in which himselfe and his predecessours haue liued The Parliament beeing not agreed for all this the King commaunded that laying aside all delayes and difficulties the ordination should bee published And so it was the sixth of March with this clause that the Parliament did verifie For appeasing of which an Edict is made March 6. the Kings letters to obey him considering the state of the times not to approoue the new Religion but onely by way of prouision vntill it be otherwise ordained by the King But to returne to Trent in the Congregation held the seuen and twentieth Three propositions in the Congregation of the 27. of Ianuary of Ianuary the Legates made three propositions The first to examine the bookes written by diuers authors since the heresies began together with the censures of the Catholiques against them to determine what the Synode should decree concerning them The second that all that are interested in that matter should bee cited by Decree of the Synode lest they complaine that they haue not beene heard The third that a Safe Conduct should be giuen to those who are fallen into heresie with a large promise of great and singular clemencie so that they will repent and acknowledge the power of the Catholique Church And order was giuen that the Fathers hauing considered on the propositions should deliuer their opinions in the next Congregation as well how to examine with case the bookes and censures as concerning all the rest And Prelates were deputed to examine the Mandates and excuses of those who pretended they could not come to the Councell This place doth require a relation of the beginning of prohibiting bookes and with what progresse it was come to that state in which it then was and what new order was then taken In the Church of Martyrs there was no Ecclesiasticall prohibition though some godly men made conscience of A discourse of the Author concerning the prohibition of bookes reading bad bookes for feare of offending against one of the three poynts of the Law of God to auoyd the contagion of euill not to expose ones selfe to temptation without necessitie or profite and not to spend time vainely These Lawes beeing naturall doe remaine alwayes and should oblige vs to beware of reading bad bookes though there were no Ecclesiasticall law for it But these respects ceasing the example of Dionysius Bishop of Alexandria a famous Doctor did happen who about the yeere of our Lord 240. being reprehended by his Priests for these causes and troubled with these respects had a vision that hee should reade all bookes because hee was able to iudge of them Yet they thought there was greater danger in the bookes of the Gentiles then of the heretiques the reading whereof was more abhorred and reprehended because it was more vsed by Christian Doctors for a vanitie of learning eloquence For this cause S. Hierom either in a vision or in a sleepe was beaten by the Deuill so that about the yeere 400. a Councel in Carthage did forbid to reade the bookes of the Gentiles but allowed them to reade the bookes of the heretiques the Decree whereof is amongst the Canons collected by Gratian. And this was the first prohibition by way of Canon but there are others by counsell of the Fathers to bee regulated according to the Law of God before recited The bookes of heretiques containing doctrine condemned by Councels were often forbid by the Emperours for good gouernment So Constantine forbad the bookes of Arrius Arcadius those of the Eunomians and Maniches Theodosius those of Nestorius Martianus those of the Euticheans and in Spaine the King Ricaredus those of the Arrians It sufficed the Councels and Bishops to shew what bookes did containe damned or apocryphall doctrine So did Gelasius in the yeere 494. and went no further leauing it
obtaine the Communion of the Cup which would be a beginning to giue Germanie satisfaction It being resolued that the sixe Articles should bee handled and the Diuines speake first and then the Prelats it did appeare that all the time vntill the Session would be spent in this onely eighty eight Diuines being to speake and many Prelats to giue their voyces Therefore some said that there was no need of any great consideration to be had of these points because they were fully discussed in the former assembly vnder Iulius but that a briefe and sound examination might serue so that they may bee determined in a few dayes and all the other time may be spent in the reformation They sayd that Article of residencie had beene already proposed and examined in part and that it was meete that it should once be ended This opinion was openly followed by thirtie Fathers and it appeared that it was secretly approoued by many more who would haue shewed themselues in the conclusion But Cardinall Simoneta desiring to interpose a delay by saying that it was not meete to handle that matter vntill mens mindes were pacified which had beene mooued by the former difference which will not suffer them to discerne the trueth opened a gate to Iohn Baptista Castagna Archbishop of Rosano and to Pompeius Zambeccarus Bishop of Sulmona both which speaking hotly and sharpely raised such a tumult that they feared some inconuenience For remedy whereof the Cardinall of Mantua prayed those of the residence to be quiet promising that in another Session or when they handled the Sacrament of order this should bee discussed The tumult being thus appeased and it appearing that the resuming of the points handled vnder Iulius would spend more time and The Card. of Mantua promiseth that the point of Residence shal be discussed bee more difficult then to examine them againe as hapneth to a iudge who is to frame his sentence vpon a processe made before another a resolution was taken that the Diuines should speake of them and a congregation bee held twice a day in which two of the Legats should assist so diuiding their charges that they might make an end the sooner and of the Prelats as many as would and that they should haue two dayes to study and begin the third With this conclusion the Congregation ended But Simoneta was offended Wherewith Card Simoneta is much offended with the promise which Mantua made without consent or participation of his colleagues and made an open quarrell Mantua was blamed by the Prelates who fauoured the Court and calumniated to be ill affected but by the sincere was commended for his wisedome who in a dangerous necessitie tooke a course to withstand the diuisions and protestations which were prepared and blamed Simoneta for being offended because Mantua much more eminent then he trusting vpon the consent of Seripando and Varmiense whose opinion he knew might thinke that a resolution taken by necessity ought to haue beene ratified by him also The next day the Emp. Ambassadors hauing obtained as they desired the proposition of the Chalice for which vntill then they had proceeded with respect came to the Legats and presented to them according to the instruction of their Prince twenty points of reformation 1. That the Pope would The Emperors Ambassadors propose to the Legats twenty points of Reformation bee content to make a iust reformation of himselfe and the Court of Rome 2. That if the number of Cardinals cannot be reduced to twelue yet that it bee brought at the least to the double of it with two supernumerary so that they may not exceede sixe and twenty 3. That no scandalous dispensations may bee granted hereafter 4. That the executions against the common Lawes may be reuoked and all the monasteries subiected to the Bishops 5. That pluralitie of Benefices bee taken away and Schooles erected in Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches and that Ecclesiasticall offices may not bee bought and sold 6 That Bishops may bee compelled to reside and not exercise their office by Vicars and if they bee not sufficient that the charge may not bee committed to one Vicar but to many persons and that the Visitations and Dioecesan Synods may bee made euery yeere 7 That euery Ecclesiasticall Ministerie bee exercised freely and that rich Benefices without cure may bee incorporated to those that haue cure and small reuenues 8. That the Canons against Simonie may bee reuiued 9. That the Ecclesiasticall constitutions bee abridged the superfluitie cut off and not made equall to the obligations of the Law of GOD. 10 That excommunication bee not vsed but for mortall sinne or notorious irregularitie 11. That Diuine Seruice be so said as that it may bee vnderstood by him that faith it and by him that heareth 12. That the Breuiaries and Missals bee corrected and those things taken away which bee not found in the Scripture as also the prolixitie 13. That in celebrating the diuine offices in Latine prayers bee intermingled in the vulgar 14 That the Clergie and Monasticall order bee reformed according to the ancient institution and that so great riches may not bee administered so ill 15 That it be considered whether it be expedient to remit so great obligations of the positiue Law abating some of the rigour in the difference of meats and fasts and granting marriage of Priests to some nations 16. That to take away the diuersitie of opinions the diuers Postils be forbidden to be read and one made by publique authoritie and likewise a new Ritual which may bee followed by all 17. That a way bee found not to chase away bad Parish Priests because that is easie but to substitute better 18 That in great prouinces many Bishoprickes bee erected conuerting rich Monasteries to this vse 19. That for Ecclesiasticall goods vsurped perhaps it was better at that time to passe them ouer with dissimulation In the end to say something to please the Pope and to pacifie him if hee were angry for these propositions he added 20 That the Legats should endeauour that no vnprofitable questions which breed scandall as whether Residence bee de iure diuino and the like should bee proposed and that the Fathers should speake without choler and not make themselues a fable to the aduersaries Concerning the 17. they gaue some particular notes to reduce those who were lest obstinate amongst the Sectaries by sending them to some Vniuersitie where they may bee instructed in a short time and giuing order to the Bishops who haue no Vniuersitie to make a Colledge in the next for the youth of their Diocesses to make a Catalogue of the Doctours which are to be read in the Schooles prohibiting that any others be read The propositions being vnderstood the Legats retiring first and consulting Who answere that they cannot be proposed in the next Session together returned and made answere that it was not possible to propose them the next Session hauing at their instance that matter
haue come from a common Father and Vicar of CHRIST which he beleeued also were not resolued on without their counsell because he was perswaded that the Pope treated not of things of so great a moment without communicating all vnto them Therefore hee was troubled very much to see that from a Pope and so religious fathers should proceed warres threats and pernicious counsells against an Emperour protectour of the Church and so well deseruing that to please them hee stopped his eares in Wormes against the prayers of all Germanie made vnto him against the oppressions and grieuanes which it receiued from the Court of Rome making none account of the honest demands that a Councell might bee called to withstand the foresaid oppressions which would be as much as to withstand the Lutheran heresie That to serue the Sea of Rome hee had prohibited the meeting at Spira which Germanie had intimated foreseeing that it would haue bin a beginning to separate it frō the obedience of Rome hath diuerted the thoughts of those Princes by promising them a Councel Whereof hauing written and giuen an account to the Pope his Holinesse thanked him for hauing forbid the assembly of Spira but prayed him to deferre to speake of a Councell vntill a more conuenient time And hee to please made more account to giue him satisfaction then of the prayers of Germanie which were so necessarie And yet for all this the Pope now wrot letters vnto him full of complaints and imputations demanding things of him which hee could neither iustly nor securely grant Of which letters he sendeth them a copy being desirous to signifie the whole vnto them that they might vphold Christianity now ready to fall and imploy themselues to diuert the Pope from so pernicious a deliberation in which if he shall remaine vnmoueable they may exhort him to call a Councell whereunto in case he will not condescend according to order of law hee beseecheth their most reuerend Paternities and the sacred Colledge that the Pope denying or deferring the conuocation they would call it themselues obseruing the due order Wherefore if they shall refuse to grant him this iust demand or shall deferre longer then is conuenient he wil make prouision for it himselfe And perswadeth them to call a Councel if the Pope refuse by the Imperiall authority vsing the meanes that are iust and fitting This letter was deliuered in the Consistory the twelfth of December and together also with it a duplicate of the letter which was consigned to the Nuncio in Granada was presented to the Pope 92 All these letters were instantly printed in diuers places of Germanie Spaine and Italie and many copies went vp and downe from hand to hand Those persons who though they obserue the accidents of the world yet haue not much capacity and vse to liue and gouerne themselues by the examples of others and especially of the Grandies and who by the demonstrations which Charles made against the Lutherans as well in Wormes as in other places in The Emperor is censured in Germany contemplation of the Papacie beleeued that he fauoured the Popes side for religion and conscience sake seeing his change were much scandalized especially for that he said that he stopped his eares to the honest prayers of Germanie to doe the Pope a pleasure And those of the wiser sort were of opinion that his Maiesty was not well aduised to diuulge so great a secret and to giue the world occasion to beleeue that the reuerence shewed towards the Pope was an Art of gouernement couered with the cloake of religion And further they expected that for these letters the Pope would shew some desire of reuenge the Emperour hauing touched two great secrets of the Popedome the one in appealing from the Pope to a future Councell contrary to the Constitutions of Pius and Iulius the seconds the other in hauing inuited the Cardinalls to call a Councell in case of a negatiue giuen or a dilation interposed by the Pope And it was necessary that this beginning should draw great consequences with it 93 But as seedes though most fertile cast into the ground out of season fructifie not so these great attempts happening in time not conuenient became The family of Colonna assault Rome and take it vaine And so much happened in this occasion For while the Pope sought reuenge with his armes and with the armes of so many Princes that hee might vse spirituall remedies after he had made some temporall foundation those of the familie of Colonna either not trusting the Popes promises or for some other cause arming their Subiects and others who followed that faction approched Rome vpon the side of the Suburbs the twentieth of September which amazed very much the Popes family And the Pope himselfe surprized vpon the sudden and wholly confused knowing not what resolution to take called for the solemne Pontificall habits saying that so apparelled to the imitation of Boniface the 8. sitting in the Pontificall chaire hee would expect to see if they dared adde to the first a second violation of the Apostolicall dignity in the person of the Pope himselfe But hee easily The Pope saueth himselfe in the Castle yeelded to the counsel of his friends to saue himselfe in the Castle by the gallery and not giue occasion to be noted of folly 94 The Colonnesi entred Rome and sacked the Popes palace and S. Peters Church They spread themselues also euen vnto the principall houses of the Borough But the inhabitants making resistance and the Orsini a contrary faction comming in ayde against them they were constrained to retire themselues into a secure quarter which they had taken neere hand yet carying with them the spoyles of the Vatican with the infinite displeasure of the Pope and the army waxing bigger euery day with succours that arriued The palace and S. Peters Church are sacked from Naples the Pope fearing some greater incounter ouercome by necessity called into the Castle Don Hugo de Moncado one of the Emperours ministers concluded a truce with him for foure moneths with condition that the Colonnesi and Neapolitans should retire themselues from Rome and the A truce concluded Pope should call backe his Souldiers from Lombardie the which both parties performing Clement caused his men to returne to Rome vnder pretence to obserue the capitulations of the truce and being by them secured hee thundered out excommunications against the Colonnesi declaring them heretiques The Popes Bull against the Colonnest and Schismatiques and excommunicating whosoeuer afforded them assistance counsell or fauour or gaue them entertainment and depriued also the Cardinall of his red Hatte This Cardinall being in Naples not esteeming the Popes censures published an appeale to the Councell proposing not only the The Cardinal appealeth to the Councel iniustice and nullity of the monitories censures and sentences but also the necessities of the Church vniuersall which being manifestly ruinated could not be easied any other way
then by calling of a lawfull Councell which might reforme it in the head and in the members In conclusion he cited Clement to the Councell which the Emperour would assemble in Spira 95 Of this Appeale or Citation or Manifest there were copies hanged by night by those of the faction of the house of Colonna vpon the doores of the principall Churches in Rome and in diuers other places and spread ouer Italie This put Clement in a great passion who mightily abhorred the very name of a Councell not so much fearing the moderating of the Popes authority and of the profit of the Court as for his owne proper respects For though Leo his kinsman when he made him Cardinall caused proofe to The Pope feareth a coūcell in regard of his illegitimation and Semonie be made that there was promise of marriage betweene his mother and his father Iulianus yet the vntruth of the proofes was notorious and though there bee no law which prohibiteth bastards to ascend to the Papacie yet the vulgar opinion is that the Papall dignity is not compatible with such a quality Hee doubted exceedingly that vnto such a pretence though vaine strength might be giuen by his enemies being vpheld by the power of the Emperour But hee was more afrayd because being conscious by what artes he mounted to the Popedome and how Cardinall Colonna had a way to No subsequent consent can make good a Simoniacall election of the Pope proue it considering the seuere Bull of Iulius the 2. which maketh a nullity in a Simoniacall election and forbiddeth that it should be made good by any subsequent consent hee greatly doubted that it would happen vnto him as it did vnto Baltassar Cossa called Iohn the 23 But I haue not been able to learne what was the negotiation of the Counsell of Spira hauing not found any mention thereof but in the foresaid Manifest and in Paulus Iouius in the life of the forenamed Cardinal In the height of these tumults the yeere ended with publique expectation and feare where the tempest would fall 96 For the next yeere 1527. the negotiations of a Councell were buried in 1527 CLEMENT 7. CHARLES 5. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 1. The Viceroy of Naples marcheth towards Rome pretending the breach of the truce Charles of Borbon marcheth towards Rome George Franspeg is Generall of 13000. Almans silence according to the vse of humane affaires that in the time of warre prouision for lawes hath no place Yet there succeeded notable accidents necessarie to bee related for the vnderstanding of those things which hapned afterwards in the matter which we handle For the Viceroy of Naples pretending that the Pope by proceeding against the Colonnesi had broken the truce incited by the Cardinall and others of that family put his Souldiers into their iourney towards Rome And on the other side also Charles of Borbone generall of the Emperours armie in Lombardie not hauing wherewith to pay his Souldiers fearing they would mutin or at least runne away beeing desirous by all meanes to keepe them together sent them towards the Ecclesiasticall State whereunto also he was mightily incited by George Fransperg a German captaine who hauing conducted into Italie betweene thirteene and foureteene thousand Souldiers of Germanie almost all Lutherans with no other pay but of one crowne a peice of his own goods and promise to lead them to Rome hee shewed the great opportunitie they had to get spoyles and to make themselues rich in a citie where all the gold of Europe may bee found 97 In the end of Ianuarie Borbon passed the Po with all his troupes and directed his iourney towards Romania which march troubled Clement exceedingly considering the qualitie of the men and the continuall threats of Fransperg who caused a halter to be caried neere his Colours saying that He calleth with him an halter to hang the Pope with that he would hang the Pope the better to encourage his men to stand vnited and to support the iourney though they were not paid All which things induced the Pope to giue care to Cesar Fieramosca a Neapolitan who came newly from Spaine and brought a long letter from Cesar full of offers And assuring his Holines that his Maiesty disliked the inuasion of Rome made by the Colonnesi and that he was desirous of peace he induced him to kearken to the truce which should be negotiated between him the Viceroy of Naples And although in March Captaine George Fransperg was taken with a fit of an Apoplexie which caused his death yet because the army was entred into Fransperg dieth the Ecclesiasticall State and still marched forward the Pope in the end of the moneth resolued to come to an accord though he saw it would bee to his great indignity and would giue suspition to his confederates and perhaps aliene them from defending him Therefore the suspension of armes for An accord is made eight moneths was established the Pope paying 60000. crownes absoluing those of the house of Colonna from the censures and restoring to the Cardinal his dignity whereunto he condescended exceeding hardly But howsoeuer the truce was concluded with the Viceroy of Naples the money disbursed and the Colonnesi restored yet this was not accepted by the Duke of Borbon who following on his iourney the 5. of May lodged neere Rome and assayled it the next day on the Vatican side Where though the Popes Souldiers and the youth of Rome especially of the Guelfish faction opposed themselues valiantly in the beginning and Bourbon were slaine by a Musket-shot notwithstanding the army entred and those that defended the Towne fled into Rome taken by the armie of Borbon after his death and sacked the Suburbes The Pope as in sudden accidents full of feare saued himselfe with some of the Cardinalls in the Castle and although hee was counselled not to tary but to passe immediately into Rome and from thence to goe to some secure place yet refusing this good counsell hee resolued to remaine there The Citie now without a head was full of confusion so that none vsed the remedie which then was fit that is to breake downe the Bridges which goe ouer the riuer Tiber from the Suburbes to the Citie and to defend themselues which if it had been done the Romans would haue had time at the least to retire all men of account and goods of value into a secure place But this not beeing done the Souldiers passed into the Citie spoyled not onely the houses but the Churches also of all their ornaments casting on the ground and treading vnder feet the reliques and other sacred things which were not of value putting the Cardinals and other Prelates in prison making a mocke of their persons by setting them on vilebeasts in the Pontificall The Cardinals imprisoned mocked and some of them beaten habit It is certaine that the Cardinals of Siena Minerua and Ponceta were well beaten and carried most basely in procession and that
himselfe for his owne part would willingly make present answere to the things proposed but because there are many Princes which haue receiued the same confession in the Diet of Ausbug it was not fit nor profitable for the cause to answere alone but an assembly being intimated against the 24. of Iune hee desired hee would bee contented to grant this short delay that he might receiue a more common and resolute conclusion The ioy and hope of the Nuncio was much increased The Nuncio is pleased with the delatory answere The answere of the Protestants assembled in Smalcalde who desired the delay had been rather of yeeres then moneths But the Protestants assembled at the aforesaid time in Smalcalde answered thanking the Emperor that for the glory of God and safetie of the common-wealth hee had taken paines to cause a Councell to bee celebrated which would bee in vaine if conditions were not obserued necessary for the curing of the diseases of Germanie which desireth that her controuersies may be defined with due order and hopeth to obtaine it for that the Emperour hath in many imperiall Diets promised such a one which by the mature deliberation of the Princes and States hath been resolued should be celebrated in Germanie in regard that many errors being reuealed by occasion of the Indulgences published in Sermons Pope Leo condemned the doctrine and the Doctors who discouered the abuses But that sentence was opposed by the testimonies of the Prophets and Apostles Whence did arise the controuersie which cannot be decided but in a Councell where the Popes sentence or the power of whosoeuer may not preiudice the cause and where iudgement may be giuen not according to the Popes lawes or opinions of the Schooles but according to the holy Scripture If this be not performed this so great a labour would bee taken in vaine as may appeare by the examples of some other Councels celebrated before Now the propositions of the Pope were contrary to this end to the petitions of the Diet and promises of the Emperour For though hee propose And their exceptions against the propositions of the Pope a free Councell in words yet in effect hee would haue it tied so that vices and errors may not be reprehended and himselfe may maintaine his power That that was not a reasonable demand that any man should bind himselfe to obserue the decrees before he know by what order maner or forme they are made whether the Pope desire to haue the supreme authoritie in him and his whether hee will haue the controuersies discussed according to holy writ or according to humane lawes and traditions That that clause also seemed captious that the Councell should bee made according to the old custome For it being vnderstood of that old when all was determined by the holy Scriptures they would not refuse it But the Councels of the next preceding age were much different from the other that were more ancient where too much was attributed to the Decrees of Popes and other men That the propose was glorious but it tooke absolutely away the libertie which was demanded and was necessary for the cause That they desired the Emperour to bee a meanes that all might passe lawfully That all men were in attention and stood in hope of a Councell and demanded it with vowes and prayers which would bee turned into great sorrow and vexation of minde if this expectation should bee deluded by giuing a Councell but not such a one as is desired and promised That there is no doubt but that all the States of the Empire and other Kings and Princes also will bee of the same opinion to auoid those snares and bonds with which the Pope thinketh to binde them in a new Councell to whose will if the managing of the affaires shall be permitted they will referre the whole to God and thinke of what they haue to doe Yet for all this if they shall bee cited with good and lawfull assurance in case they see themselues able to doe some thing for the seruice of God they will not refuse to appeare but with condition not to consent to the Popes demands nor to a Councell which is not conformable to the Decrees of the imperiall Diets In the end they prayed the Emperour not to take their resolution in ill part and to endeuour that the power of those be not confirmed who long since haue waxed cruell against the innocent The Protestants resolued not onely to send the answere to the Pope and the Emperour but to print it also together with the Nuncio his proposition which by the same Pope was iudged indiscreete and too open Therefore The Pope recalleth Hugo Rangone B. of Rheggio his Nuncio and putteth Vergerius in his place vnder colour that hee was old and vnable to beare that charge he recalled him and wrote to Vergerius Nuncio with King Ferdinand that he should take vpon him that place with the same instructions admonishing him to remember not to swarue by any meanes from his will or to giue eare to any 1534 CLEMENT 7. CHARLES 5. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 2. moderation though the King desire it that vnaduisedly he cast him not into some strait and constraine him to call a Councell which was not profitable for the Church or for the Apostolicall Sea While these things were in handling the Pope who fore-saw the answere which would come out of Germany before in Bolonia had conceiued but small confidence in the Emperour wholly aliened himselfe from his friendship For in the cause of Modena and Rheggio betweene his Holinesse and the Duke of Ferrara referred to him by the parties hee pronounced for the Duke For all which causes the Pope negotiated a confederation with the French King the which was concluded and established also by the mariage The confederation betweene the Pope and the French King is confirmed by marriage of Henry the Kings second sonne with Catherine de Medici the Popes great grand-child And to giue a compleat perfection to the whole businesse hee went to Marseilles in person to speake with the King But vnderstanding that this iourney was reprehended by all as not addressed to any publike respect but onely to make his house great hee iustified himselfe by saying hee vndertooke it to perswade him to fauour the Councell and to abolish the Lutheran heresie And t is true that there beside other treaties hee perswaded his most Christian Maiestie to deale with the Protestants especially with the Landgraue of Hassia who was to come to him into France to cause them to desist from demaunding a Councel proposing vnto them that they would seeke out any other way to accommodate the differences and promising his owne faithfull and effectuall helpe when time should serue The King did thus negotiate but could obtaine nothing For the Landgraue alleadged The French King treateth with the Landgraue of Hassia at the Popes request about the Councell that there was no other meanes
and punishments against poore innocent people who adhere to that religion for conscience sake And how shall they be able to accuse the Pope and his followers when himselfe will be iudge And to appoue his Briefe is nothing else but to consent to their owne condemnation And therefore that they haue alwayes demanded a free and Christian Councel not onely that euery man may freely speake the Turkes and infidels being excluded but that those that are linked together by oathes and other Couenants may not bee Iudges and that the word of God may gouerne and define all the controuersies That they well know that there are learned and godly men in other Nations but withall they assure themselues that if the vnlimited power of the Pope shall be moderated not their Diuines onely but many others who now by reason of oppression hide themselues will labour for reformation of the Church That they will not dispute of the situation and fitnesse of Mantua but they may well say that so long as there is warre in Italie they cannot want matter of suspition That it is sufficient to say of the Duke of that Citie that he hath a brother a Cardinall one of the prime men of the Court. That in Germany there are many Cities as commodious as Mantua where Iustice and equitie doe flourish and in Germanie those secret wiles to take away mens liues are neither vsed nor knowne as they are in other places That in the ancient Councels the securenesse of the place hath euer been first sought for which would not be sufficient there though hee the Emperour were personally present in the Councell For it is knowne that the Popes grant him place in consultations but for power of determining they reserue it to themselues onely That it was knowne what happened to the Emperour Sigismond in the Councell of Constance whose safe-conduct was violated by the Synod and himselfe constrained to put vp so great an affront Therefore they prayed his Maiestie to consider the importance of these reasons There appeared in this same Diet the Bishop of Aix sent by the Pope to inuite them to the Councell But hee did no good and some of the Princes Some of the Protestant Princes would not so much as heare thé Popes Nuncio would not so much as heare him And to make their reasons knowne to the world they printed and published a writing where they laboured principally to answere that obiection that they would not submit themselues to any Iudge that they despised other nations that they refused the supreame They iustifie their actions to the world by writing tribunall of the Church that they had renewed heresies formerly condemned that they were glad of ciuill discords that the faults which they found in the manners of the Court of Rome were small and tolerable They alleadged the causes why it was not fit that the Pope alone nor yet together with his adherents should be iudge they brought the examples of many Councels refused by diuers of the Fathers and in fine implored the ayde of all Princes offering that whensoeuer a lawfull Councell shall bee called they will therein defend their cause and render an account of all their actions They sent also an expresse Ambassadour to the French King to giue him a particular account of the same things who answered that for the Councell he was of their opinion not to approoue it except it were lawfull and in a secure place assuring them that his sonne in-in-law the King of Scotland was of the same mind The Duke of Mantua to gratifie the Pope granted his Citie for the Councell without considering what he did thinking as others that it could not The Duke of Mantua maketh a grant of his Citie and afterwards recalleth it be effected there being warres betweene the Emperour and French King and Germany opposing it for whose sake it was called But when hee saw the intimation he began to thinke how to secure the place and sent a proposition to the Pope that in regard of the great number of those that would come to the Councel there was need of a great garrison which he would not haue depend vpon any but himselfe and that hee was not able to maintaine it Therefore in case his Holinesse would celebrate the Councell in that Citie he must allow him money for soldiers pay The Pope answered that the multitude would not consist of men of armes nor professed for the war but of Ecclesiasticall and learned persons which one magistrate whom hee would depute to render iustice with a small court and gard was able to keepe in order that a garrison of souldiers would breed a generall suspicion and became not the place of the Councell where all should appeare and bee truely peaceable and that in case a garrison were necessary it were not reasonable to put it into the hands of any but of the Councel it self that is of the Pope who is head thereof The Duke considering that iurisdiction draweth The Pope claymeth right to administer iustice where the Councell shall be celebrated with it absolute soueraigntie replyed that by no meanes hee would haue iustice administred in his Citie but by his owne officers The Pope a very wiseman who seldome receiued any answere which hee did not foresee was much amazed and answered the Dukes man that hee would neuer haue beleeued that by his Lord a Prince of Italy whose family hath beene so much aduanced by the Apostolicall Sea who had a brother a Cardinall that would bee denied him of which neuer any made doubt before which the Law of God and man doth giue him which the very Lutherans cannot denie that is to be supreame iudge of the Clergie a thing which the Duke denieth not to his owne Bishops to iudge the causes of Priests in Mantua That in the Councel none should be present but the Ecclesiastiques who are exempted from the secular power both themselues and their families Which Priests concubines are of Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction is so cleere that the Doctors of Diuinitie affirme that the very concubines of Priests are of Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction and yet he would denie him a Magistrate to render iustice to those men during the time of the Councell The Duke for all this was constant aswell in refusing the Popes Magistrates as also in demaunding pay for souldiers These conditions seeming hard to the Pope contrary as he sayd to the auncient custome and against the dignity The Pope resolueth not to call the Councel at Mantua of the Sea and Ecclesiasticall libertie he would not yeeld vnto them and resolued not to call the Councell at Mantua He remembred very well what happened to Iohn 23. for calling a Councell where another was stronger then hee His purpose therefore was to prolong the time and excused himselfe in a publique Bull saying in substance that though with griefe hee was constrained to depute an other place for the Synod yet hee endured it with
commission declared that the Popes minde concerning the Councell was the same as before that is that it should one day bee celebrated that hee had suspended it by Caesars consent to make way first to some concord in Germanie but seeing this to bee in vaine hee returned to his former opinion not to deferre the celebration of it But that hee could not consent to make it in Germanie because hee meant to bee there in person and that his age and length of the way and so great a change of the ayre hindered his going into that countrey And that it seemed not more commodious for other Nations Beside that there was a great probabilitie to feare that the differences could not be handled without commotions Therefore that Ferrara Bolonia or Piacenza all great and most opportune cities seemed to him more fit But in case they liked them not hee was contented to call it in Trent a Citie at the Confines of Germanie That his will was to begin it at Whitsontide but for the straightnesse of the time hee had prorogued it to the thirteenth of August Hee prayed them all to bee present there and laying aside all hatred to handle the cause of God with sinceritie Ferdinand and the Catholike Princes thanked the Pope and sayd that not being able to obtaine a fit place in Germanie as Ratibon or Collen they were contented with Trent But the Protestants would not agree 〈◊〉 Trent is named for the place of the Councel but the Protestants would not consent ther that the Councell should be intimated by the Pope or that Trent should be the place which was the cause why nothing was determined in that Diet concerning the Councell Howsoeuer the Pope sent out a Bull of the intimation the two and twentieth of May this yeere wherein hauing declared his desire to prouide The Pope publisheth the Bull of the in t 〈…〉 against the euils of Christendome hee sayd hee had alwayes thought vpon the temedies and finding none more fit then a Councell hee was constantly resolued to call it and making mention of the Conuocation at Mantua then of the suspension after of the Conuocation at Vicenza and of the other suspension made in Genua and finally of that other during pleasure hee went on to shew the reasons that induced him to continue the same suspension vntill then These were Ferdinends warre in Hungary the rebellion of Flanders against the Emperour and the things that happened in the Diet of Ratubon expecting a time appointed by God for this worke But considering in the end that euery time is acceptable to his diuine Maiestie when holy things are handled hee resolued to expect no other consent of the Princes and because hee could not haue Vicenza beeing willing to giue satisfaction to Germanie concerning the place and vnderstanding they desired Trent though a Citie more within Italy seemed to him more commodious yet his fatherly charity inclined his will to yeeld to their demands and hee chose Trent to celebrate there an Oecumenicall Councel the first of Nouember next and that he interposed that time that his Decree might be published and the Prelates haue time to arriue at the place Therefore by the authoritie of the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost and the Apostles Peter and Paul which himselfe exerciseth on earth by the counsell and consent of the Cardinals all suspensions being remooued hee intimateth an holy Oecumenicall and generall Councell in that Citie a fit place free and opportune for all Nations to bee begun the first of that moneth prosecuted and ended calling all Patriarches Arch-bishops Bishops Abbats and those who by law or priuiledge haue voyce in generall Councels and commanding them by vertue of the Oath made to him and the Apostolique Sea and by holy obedience and vnder the punishments by law or custome to bee inflicted vpon the disobedient to bee there in person or in case they shall bee hindered to make faith of the hinderance or send proctors praying the Emperour the most Christian King and all other Kings Dukes and Princes to bee personally present or in case they cannot to send Ambassadours men of grauitie and authoritie and to cause the Bishops and Prelates of their Kingdomes and Prouinces to goe thither desiring further of the Prelates and Princes of Germany for whose sake the Councell is intimated in the place they wished that the things may bee handled which belong to the trueth of Christian religion to the correction of manners to the peace and concord of Christian Princes and people and oppression of the Barbarians and Infidels The Bull was presently sent from Rome to allso inches but went not forth in a fit time For Francis the French King hauing in Iuly denounced warre in threatning tormes against the Emperour and published it by a booke which boo 〈…〉 hee made it at the same instant in Brabant The French King maketh warre against the Emperor The Emperor excepted against the Bul and complayneth of the French King 〈…〉 nt and 〈◊〉 The Emperour hauing receiued the Bull of the Councell answered the Pope that he was not satisfied with it For hauing neuer refused any paines danger or dost that the Councel 〈…〉 ght bee ended and contrarily the French King hauing alwayes endeauoured to hinder it reseemed strange vnto him that they were compared and made equall in the Bul and rehearsing all the iniuries which he protended to haue receiued from the King added also that in the last Diet at Spira he had laboured by his Ambassadours to cherish the discords of religion by promising friendship and fauour to either party In fine he referred it to his Holinesse to consider if the actions of that King did ferue to remedie the mischiefes of the Christian Common-wealth and to begin the Councell which hee did euer crosse for his priuate gaine and had constrained him who did perceiue it to finde a way to reconcile the differences of religion Therefore in case the Councel shall not be celebrated that his Holinesse ought not to blame him but the King and denounce warre against him if hee meant to assist the publique good because this is the onely way to call the Councell establish religion and regaine peace The King presaging what imputations would bee layd vpon him for The French King waxeth cruell against the Protestants to free himselfe from the imputations laid vpon him by the Emperour making a warre to the hurt of religion and hinderance of the seruice of God which might bee expected from the Councel preuented it by publishing an Edict against the Lutheranes commanding the Parliaments to execute it inuiolably with seuere charge that all should bee appeached who had bookes differing from the Church of Rome that made secret conuenticles that transgressed the commandements of the Church and especially that obserued not the doctrine of meates or prayed in any tongue but the Latine and commanded the Sorbonists to be diligent spies against them Afterwards vnderstanding the
without his knowledge with points preiudiciall to his authoritie put into his head he set forth a Bull in which he inuited the whole Church to reioyce for the peace by which the onely impediment of the Councell was remooued which he established againe in Trent giuing order it should begin the 15. of March He saw the terme was straight and not sufficient to giue notice throughout much lesse to giue the Prelates space to put themselues in order and make the iourney Yet he thought it aduantage that in case it were to bee celebrated it should beginne with few and those Italians Courtiers and his dependants whom hee had solicited to bee there first because the manner of proceeding in the Councell should bee handled in the beginning The Popes Bull of the conuocation of the Councell which is the principall yea the onely thing to preserue the Pontificall authoritie vnto whose determination they who daily arriued would be constrained to stand That it was no maruaile that a generall Councell should begin with a few for so it was in that of Pisa and Constance which neuerthelesse had an happie progresse And hauing penetrated the true cause of making the peace he wrote to the Emperour that he had vsed preuention and celeritie to intimate the Councell to doe him seruice For knowing that his Maiestie was constrained by reason of the French warre to permit and promise many things to the Protestants by intimating the Councell he had now giuen him a meanes to excuse himselfe in the Diet which was to be in September if the Councell approaching hee performed not what hee had promised to grant vntill the Councell But the Popes hastinesse pleased not the Emperour nor the reason gaue him satisfaction He desired for his reputation to be the principall cause The Emperor was displeased with the sudden intimation of the Councell to make Germanie accept the Councell more easily and for many other respects And therefore being able to doe nothing else hee vsed all those termes which might shew himselfe to be the Author and the Pope the adherent He sent Ambassadors to all Princes to signifie the intimation and to pray them to send Ambassadors to honour the meeting and to confirme the Decrees which should there be made And he set himselfe to make serious preparations as if the enterprise had been his owne He gaue diuers orders to the Prelates of Spaine and the Low Countries and commanded amongst other things that the Diuines of Louaine should assemble themselues together to consider of the doctrines which were to be proposed which 33. Points of doctrine collected by the Diuines of Louaine they reduced to three and thirtie heads without confirming them by any place of Scripture but explicating magisterially the conclusion only These Heads were after confirmed by the Emperors Edict published with command that they should be defended and followed by all And the Emperor The Emperor sheweth his distast against the Pope concealed not his distaste against the Pope in his speeches to the Nuncio as well vpon that occasion as in other audiences yea the Pope hauing created thirteene Cardinals in December amongst which were three Spaniards he forbad them to accept the armes or vse the name or habit The French King also assembled at Melun the Parisian Diuines to consult of the necessarie positions of the Christian Faith to be proposed in the Councell where there was much contention For some desired to propose the confirmation of whatsoeuer was constituted in Constance and Basil and the reestablishment of the pragmaticall Law and others doubting that the King would be offended by destroying the Concordate made between him and Leo which would necessarily follow gaue counsell not to set that disputation on foote And afterwards because there were diuers opinions in that Schoole concerning the Sacraments vnto which some giue effectiue ministeriall vertue and others not euery one desiring that his opinion should bee an Article of Faith nothing could be concluded but that they should keepe themselues within compasse of the fiue and twenty Heads published two yeeres before But the Pope signifying to the French King how little good will the Emperor bare him desired him for the maintenance of the Apostolike Sea to send Ambassadors to the Councell as soone as might be and charged his Nuncio residing with the Emperor that attending all occasions when the Protestants gaue him any distaste he should offer all assistance from him to recouer the Imperiall authoritie with Spirituall and Temporall aydes Whereof the Nuncio hauing had too many occasions he so wrought that The Emperor is reconciled to the Pope the Emperor finding he might haue need of the Pope both the one and the other way remitted his rigiditie And he gaue an argument thereof by granting the new Cardinals leaue to assume the name and armes and by giuing the Nuncio more gratefull audiences and by conferring with him of the affaires of Germanie more then he was wont to doe The Pope made great haste not onely to call the Councell but to dispatch The Pope dispatcheth the Legates to Trent the Legates whom he charged that for maintenance of their dignitie they should not first send some substitute to receiue the first Prelates as some aduised that afterwards they might make their entrie with meetings and ceremonies but would haue themselues to be the first and to be there before the time He deputed for his Legates John Maria de Monte a Bishop Cardinall of Palestrina Marcellus Ceruinus Priest of the Holy Crosse and Reginald Poole Deacon of S. Mary in Cosmedin In this man he chose Nobilitie of blood and opinion of pietie which commonly was had of him and the rather for that he was an English man to shew that all England did not rebell in Marcellus constancie and immoueable and vndaunted perseuerance together with exquisite knowledge in Monte reallitie and opennesse of minde ioyned with such fidelitie to his patrons that he could not prefer their interests before the safetie of his own conscience These he dispatched with a Briefe of Legation without giuing them as the custome is a Bull of Facultie or any instruction in writing being vncertaine as yet what commission He giueth them no instructions to giue them meaning to gouerne himselfe as the successes and the Emperors proceeding should counsell him So he made them depart with the Briefe onely But besides the care the Pope had for the affaires of Trent another of no lesse moment troubled his minde concerning the Diet to be celebrated in Wormes where he thought the Emperour would not be present and doubting Cardinall Pernese is sent to the Diet of Wormes and to the Emperour that being prouoked by the letter written vnto him he would vnderhand cause some Decree to be made more preiudiciall to his affaires then the former or at the least giue way vnto it he thought it necessarie to haue in that place a minister of authoritie
shall not preah without the Bishops licence which shall bee giuen them gratis If the Preacher sow errours or scandals the Bishop shal prohibite him if heresies he shall proceede against him according to law and custome and if the Preacher bee a priuiledged person hee shall doe it as delegate yet taking care that the Preachers bee not molested by false imputations and calumnies and haue no cause to complaine of them That they permit not that either Regulars who liue out of Cloysters or secular Priests except they be knowen and allowed by them doe preach vntill an account be giuen thereof to the Pope That the Pardoners shall not preach nor cause any to preach and in case they doe they shall be compelled to obey by the Bishop notwithstanding the priuiledges In fine the 29. of Iulie was assigned for the next Session The Decrees beeing pronounced by the Bishop that sayd Masse the Secretary of the Councel read the letters of the French King in which hee deputed for his Ambassadour in the Councel Peter Danesius who made a long The 29. of Iuly is appointed for the next Session Peter Danesiu is Ambassador for the French King and maketh an Oration in the S 〈…〉 on and eloquent Oration to the Fathers saying in substance That the Kingdome of France since the first most Christian King Clodoueus hath alwayes preserued Christian religion most sincere That S. Gregory the first gaue the title of Catholique to Childebert in token of his incorrupt religion That the Kings haue neuer suffered any sect in any part of France nor any but Catholiques yea haue procured the conuersion of Strangers Idolaters and Heretiques and haue constrained them with pious armes to professe the true and sound religion Hee shewed how Childebert compelled the Visigothes who were Arrians to ioyne themselues with the Catholique Church and how Charles the Great made warre thirty yeeres with the Saxons to reduce them to Christian religion Then he declared the fauors done to the Church of Rome He recounted the enterprises of Pipin and Charles the Great against the Lumbards and how in a Synode of Bishops it was granted by Adrian to Charles to create the Pope and to approoue the Bishops of his Dominion and inuest them after they had receiued the oath of fidelity He added that though his sonne Ludouicus Pius surrendred that authority to create the Pope yet he reserued that Legats should be sent vnto him to preserue amitie which hath beene euer maintayned with mutuall offices For which confidence the Popes in times of difficultie either chased out of their Sea or fearing sedition haue retired themselues into that Kingdome That it cannot bee told how many dangers the French men haue runne and how much money and blood they haue spent to enlarge the lists of the Christian Empire or to recouer that which hath bene vsurped by the Barbarians or to restore the Popes or to deliuer them from danger Hee added that King Francis descending from these in the beginning of his reigne after the victory atchieued in Lumbardy did with the same piety goe to Bolonia to meete Leo the tenth to confirme a peace with him which hath continued with Adrian Clement and Paul and in these 26. yeeres the points of faith being brought into great ambiguities in diuers regions hee hath taken most exact care that nothing should be innouated in the common Ecclesiasticall vse but all reserued to the publique censures of the Church And though hee bee of a quiet pleasing and not bloody disposition yet hee hath vsed seueritie and made grieuous Edicts and hath brought to passe by the diligence and vigilancie of his Iudges that in so great a tempest which hath subuerted many Cities and whole Nations that most noble Kingdome should not bee shaken in which the ancient doctrine rites ceremonies and manners doe remaine so that the Councel might ordaine what they thought to bee true and fitte for the Christian Common-wealth He said further that the King knew how profitable it was to Christendome to haue the Pope for Head and that beeing tempted and inuited with most gaineful profers to follow the example of another would not forsake his opinion and thereby hath lost his neighbors loue with some disaduantage That vnderstanding the Conuocation of the Councell he presently sent some of his Bishops and when hee saw it went on in earnest and that the authoritie thereof was established by many Sessions he hath sent him for his Ambassadour to assist them and to procure that at the last they would constitute and propose the doctrine which ought euery where to be professed by all Christians and rectifie the Ecclesiasticall discipline by the square of the Canons promising that the most Christian King will cause all to be obserued in his kingdome and protect the decrees of the Councell Then he added that the merits of the French King being so great his priuiledges granted by the ancient Fathers and Popes ought to be preserued which Ludouicus Pius all the Kings of France since haue possessed and the rights priuiledges and immunities confirmed to the Churches of France of which hee is defender Which if the Councell will doe the French-men will be thankfull and the Fathers will not repent them of their deede And is answered by Hercules Seuerollo Hercules Seuerollo Proctour of the Councell briefely answered in the name of the Synod thanking the King shewing that the Ambassadors presence was most acceptable promising all diligence in the establishing of faith and reformation of manners offering all fauour to the Kingdome and Church of France But the Decrees of the Session being printed and gone into Germanie affoorded The censure of the decrees in Germany matter of discourse It was sayd that the Pelagian impietie was superfluously handled being by so many Councels and the common consent of the Church more then a thousand yeeres since condemned that it had beene tolerable if the ancient doctrine had beene confirmed that in conformitie vnto it they had well proposed a true vniuersall proposition by saying that the sinne of Adam did passe into all his posteritie but after had destroyed it by an exception that it helped thē not that the exception was not assertiue but ambiguous for as one particular maketh false the contradictorie vniuersall so one ambiguons particular maketh the vniuersall vncertaine And who seeth not that so long as this exception remaineth though with ambiguity euery one may conclude that it is not certaine that sinne is passed into all the posterity because it is not certaine whether it be passed into the Virgin and the rather because the reason which perswadeth that exception may perswade many more That Bernard concluded well that the same reason which induced to celebrate the Conception of the Virgin will conclude the like for her father and mother Grand-fathers and great Grand-fathers and all her Genealogie since Adam But when they came to Abraham they should goe no further because there is
Emperour all would succeede well Hee went about to shew how dangerous an errour it would bee not to change their determiination and how well Caesar was affected to the seruice of God and the Church In these words he was againe interrupted by Monte who said I am heere President of this most holy Councell and Legate of Paul the third successor of Peter and Vicar of CHRIST on earth together with these most holy Fathers to prosecute for the glory of GOD the Councell lawfully transferred from Trent and wee pray Caesar to change opinion and to assist vs herein and to curbe the perturbers of the Councel in regard his Maiestie knoweth that he who hindereth holy Councels bee he of what degree soeuer incurreth most grieuous punishments of the Lawes and we are resolued that whatsoeuer happeneth we will not care for any threats nor will be wanting to the honour and libertie of the Church of the Councell and our owne Then Valasco read the Protestation which hee had written in his hand The Emperors protestation against the Counced in Bolonia the summe whereof was That Religion being shaken manners corrupted and Germanie separated from the Church the Emperour had demaunded a Councel of Leo Adrian Clement and at last of Paul the third and shewing the impediments and difficulties in calling it he touched the things handled in it and added that while his Masestie made warre principally for Religion and put Germanie in quiet with his vertue hauing great hope to make them goe to the Councell who vntill then had 〈…〉 sed they most reuerend Legates against the expectation of all without the Popes knowledge making a light fained cause to arise proposed to the Fathers the translation of the Councell without giuing them time to thinke on it whereunto some godly Bishops opposing protesting they would remaine in Trent they with the consent of a few Italians decreed the said Translation and parted the next day and went to Bolonia That the Emperour being victorious sollicited the Pope many wayes praying him to make them to returne to Trent shewing the scandals and imminent dangers if the Synode did not end in that Citie and in the meane space endeauoured in the Diet of Ausburg to make all the Dutchmen submit themselues vnto it Finally that he sent the Cardinall of Trent to his Holinesse to signifie this vnto him and to pray him to make the Councel returne to Trent That he caused also Mendoza to goe to Rome to negotiate the same thing and that the Pope hath taken time to treate with them in their assembly who haue giuen a vaine answere captious full of deceipt worthy to bee condemned by the Pope who notwithstanding hath approoued it calling the vnlawfull Congregation of Bolonia by the name of a generall Councell giuing them so great authoritie that hee knoweth not how to arrogate so much to himselfe That it was certaine that the Councell could not bee translated but by vrgent necessitie diligent discussion and consent of all that for all this they who call themselues Legates and others did rashly runne out of Trent fayning certaine Feuers and infections of the ayre and testimonies of Doctours which the euent hath shewed to bee causes not so much as of any vaine feare That in case of any such necessitie it was fit to treate first with the Pope and the Emperour who is Gardian of Councels But their haste was so great that they did not so much as consult with themselues That it was meete to heare and examine the contradictions and opinions of those Fathers who did speake for conscience sake who though not so many in number ought to bee preferred as more wise That in case it were fit to depart they ought not to quit the Countrey but according to the Decrees of the holy Councels to choose another place in Germanie That the choyse of Bolonia subiect to the Church could no way bee defended because it was certaine that the Germanes would not go thither and that euery one might refuse it for many reasons which was to dissolue the Councell without warning Therefore the Emperor to whom it belongeth to defend the Church and protect generall Councels to compose the dissentions of Germany and also to reduce Spaine and his other Kingdomes and States to a true Christian life seeing that the vnreasonable departure from Trent doth disturbe his whole purpose hee desireth them who call themselues Legats with the other Bishops to returne to Trent from whence they parted That they cannot refuse this because they promised to doe it when the suspicions of the pestilence did cease which if they will doe it will bee most acceptable to all Christendome But if not they the Emperours Proctors by speciall mandate doe protest that the Translation or recesse is vnlawfull and void together with all the things that doe or will follow and that the authoritie of them pretended Legats and of the Bishops there present is not sufficient to giue a law to all Christendom in matter of Religion and reformation of manners especially to those Prouinces whose manners and lawes are not knowen vnto them Likewise they protest that the answere of his Holinesse is not good but vnlawfull full of deceipt illuforie and that all the dammages tumults ruines wastings of Countries which haue happened doe or may happen ought not to be imputed to Caesar but to that Congregation which calleth themselues a Councell it being able most easily and canonically to giue remedie thereto Protesting also that the Emperour in the defect fault or negligence of them and the Pope will make prouision with all his forces not leauing the protection and care of the Church which belongeth vnto him as Emperour and King according to the lawes consent of the holy Fathers and of the whole world In fine they demanded a publique instrument of whatsoeuer was handled by them and to haue the Emperours mandate and their protestation inserted in the acts of the pretended Congregation Valasco after the protestation presented the same writing which hee had Card. Monte answereth with great resolution in his hand and required againe that the instance should bee registred The Cardinall of Monte with consent of the Synode did most grauely protest that they would rather die then suffer such an example to bee brought into the Church that the Secular power should call a Councell That Caesar is sonne of the Church not Lord or Master That himselfe and his Colleague are Legates of the holy Apostolique Sea and refuse not to render an account to God and the Pope of their Legation and that they would answere within few dayes the Protestation read vnto them Mendoza in Rome hauing receiued the Emperors answere that he should The Emperors Ambassador in Rome protesteth also goe on and protest to the Pope in presence of the Cardinals and Ambassadours of Princes and vnderstanding what was done in Bolonia by Vargas and Velasco appeared in Consistory and kneeling before the Pope
will not giue but receiue lawes referring to the conscience of his Nuncij to remit something of the old discipline if they thinke it may be done without publique scandall giuing them Faculty to absolue fully in both 〈…〉 persons though Kings and Princes Ecclesiastical and Regular Colledges and Communities from all excommunications 〈…〉 and euen from temporall punishments incurred for 〈…〉 though they bee relapsed it and to dispence 〈…〉 for 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 absoluing the◠〈…〉 and homagâ—â— made 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 and to absolâ—◠〈◊〉 the Re 〈…〉 from 〈…〉 giuing 〈◊〉 to 〈…〉 bi 〈…〉 〈…〉 fasting dayes by the counsell 〈◊〉 the corporall Physition or spirituall onely or without any if it 〈…〉 and to moderate the number of feastes and for those 〈…〉 the communion of the Chalica if they will humbly de 〈…〉 is 〈…〉 that the Church doth not erre in denying it to the Laitie to grant it vnto them for life or for so long as they shall thinke fit so that it be done neither in the same time nor place with that which is done by decree of the Church Hee granted them power also to vnite Ecclesiasticall Benefices to Studies Schooles or Hospitals and to absolue the vsurpers of Ecclesiasticall mooueable goods after the restitution of the immooueables compounding also for the fruits vsurped and mooueables consumed with authoritie to communicate these Faculties to other persons of note This Bull passed in all places beeing printed vpon the occasion which Which is censured in Germany shall bee related and affoorded matter of discourse First for the proheme where the Pope said that in the troubles of the Church hee was comforted by the remedy left by CHRIST that the Corne of the Church winnowed by Satan should bee preserued by the faith of Peter especially after hee had applyed the remedy of the generall Councell as if the Church had no foundation but vpon him and sixty persons of Trent Then they thought it a great presumption to restore Kings and Princes to honours fame and dignity There was also obserued a contradiction to absolue from vnlawfull oathes which need no absolution and from true oathes no man can absolue And it was thought another contradiction to grant the Chalice onely to him who beleeueth the Church doth not erre in forbidding it to the Laâ—tie For how is it possible to beleeue so and to desire not to be comprehended in the prohibition But they could not forbeare laughing when they read the condition to absolue the Friars who forsooke their cloysters to weare the habite couered as if the kingdome of GOD did consist in a colour or vestment which being not worne in shew yet it was necessary to haue it in secret But though the Nuncij were soone deputed yet their dispatch was deferred vntill the next yeere because the Emperour was not pleased with the manner of it in which no mention was made to assist or authorize the prouisions Why the dispatch of the two Nuncij was deferred made by him neither would the Pope euer bee perswaded that any minister of his should be present The Emperour beeing parted from Ausburg vsed all diligence that the The Emperors Interim doth please neither the Protestants nor the Catholiques Interim might bee receiued by the Protestant Cities but found resistance and difficulty euery where because they did detest it more then the Catholiques They sayd it was a totall establishment of the Papacie Aboue all they found fault with the doctrine of Iustification and that the communion of the Cup and marriage of Priests was questioned Iohn Fredericke Duke of Saxony though prisoner said freely that GOD and his conscience vnto which hee was bound aboue all did not permit him to receiue it Where it was admitted diuers accidents varieties and confusions did succeed so that it was brought into some places diuersly with so many limitations and conditions that one may say it was rather reiected by all then accepted by any Neither did the Catholiques care to helpe forward the businesse because they did not approoue it themselues That which did hinder the emperor most was the modest liberty of a little weake Citie which desired him that being Lord of their goods and life hee would suffer that their conscience might belong to GOD that if the doctrine proposed to them were receiued by himselfe they should haue a great example to follow But if his Maiestie would compel them to accept of and beleeue that which himselfe thought not true they knew not how it could be done In September the Emperor went into low Germany where he found greater difficulties For the Cities of Saxonie vsed many excuses and 〈◊〉 did oppose with a kind of scorne Wherefore it was 〈◊〉 by the Emperour and sustained a long warre that maintained the fire aliue in Germaniâ— which burned his Trophees as in its place shall bee saide By reason of this confusion and to giue order that the flemings should sweare 〈◊〉 to his sonne the Emperour quitting Germany went into Flanders and though he seuerely forbad that the doctrine And 〈…〉 〈◊〉 against by both of the Interim should be impugned by any or written taught or preached against yet many Protestants did write against it And the Pope thinking it fit for his affaires to doe it gaue order to 〈…〉 Generall of the Dominicans that assembling the most learned men of his order by their opinion and paints hee should make a strong and sound confutation Many in France wrote against it also and in a short time there was as it were a whole quodron of Writers against it Catholiques and Protestants especially of the Hanse-townes And that did follow which doth ordinarily happen to him that will reconcile contrary opinions that he maketh them both agree to impugne his and euery one more obstinate in defending his owne There was also some cause of diuision among the Protestants For those A diuision among the Protestants who had in part yeelded to Caesar against their wills and restored the old ceremonies excused themselues and said that the things done by them were indifferent and by consequence that did not concerne their saluation to reproue or receiue them and that it was lawfull yea necessary to tolerate some seruitude when no impiety was ioyned with it and therefore that in these the Emperour was to be obeyed Others whom necessitie had not compelled said it was true that indifferent things concern not saluation yet by meanes of them pernicious things are brought in and going on they framed a generall conclusion that Ceremonies and Rites though by nature indifferent doe become then bad when he that vseth them hath an opinion Which was neuer well reconciled that they are good 〈…〉 And hence arose two Sects and afterwards more differences amongst them which were 〈◊〉 well reconciled And in England there were no lesse 〈◊〉 for Religion For Edward Earle of Harford 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈…〉 King hauing Troubles in
therefore that hee will lodge in the Confines of the Empire 〈…〉 hee can And hee admonisheth the Electors Princes and States of the Empire especially the Ecclesiastiques and those who haue made innouation in Religion that they prepare to bee there well instructed that they may bee inexcusable himselfe taking care that all shall passe lawfully and in order and that euery thing bee handled piously and Christianly according to the holy Scripture and doctrine of the Fathers And for the transgression of the Decrees of the Inter-religion and Reformation being assured that it was impossible to ouercome the difficulties and that as o 〈…〉 o things grew worse to the end that greater confusion may not arise hee calleth vnto him the cognition of the transgressions post yet enioyning the Princes and orders of the Empire to obseruance hereafter The world seeing this Decree thought it as it was a iust counterpoise Which seemeth to bee a counterpoise to the Popes Bull. of the Popes Bull in all parts The one will direct Councels the other will take care that all bee done in order and iuridically the one will preside and the other will haue the decision according to the Scripture and the Fathers the one will continuate and the other will haue power giuen to euery one to propose according to his conscience In summe the Court could not digest this affront and complained that it was another Conuocation of the Councell But the Pope according to his vsuall pleasanthesse sayd the Emperour hath been euen with mee for the publication of the Bull made without him The yeere 1551. being begun the Pope applying himselfe to the Councell intimated had two principall ayes to send trustie persons to preside 1551 and to bee at as little charge as was possible To auoyde charge hee The Presidents of the Councell are named thought to send but one Legate but that was too great a burthen for one because there would bee none who had the same interests on whom hee might safely relie and because hee should bee esteemed the onely authour of whatsoeuer was done For which respects it was necessary to lay the burden on more mens shoulders The Pope found a middle way to send one Legate and two Nuncij with equall authoritie thinking that so hee should bee better serued because hope maketh men more diligent Casting his eye on all the Cardinalls hee found none more trustie and withall more worthy then Marcellus Crescentius Cardinall of S. Marcellus to whom hee ioyned for Nuncij Sebastianus Pigbinus Archbishop of Siponto and Aloisius Lipomannus Bishop of Verona of the former hee made choyce for the great confidence hee had in him before his Papacy of the other for the fome of his great pietie goodnesse and loyalty Hauing had many secret parlies with these three and opened veto them the sinceritie of his heart and instructed them fully hee gaue them an ample Mandate to be present in the Councell in his name the tenor whereof was It belongeth to the father of a family to substitute others to doe that The tenor of their Mandat which hee cannot commodiously doe himselfe Therefore hauing reduced to Trent the Generall Councel intimated by Paul hoping that the Kings and Princes would affoord their fauour and assistance hee cited the Prelates who vsually haue voyce therein to bee there the first of May to resume the Councel in the state it was But not beeing able to bee personally present according to his desire in respect of his old age and other impediments that his absence might not bee an hinderance he appointeth Marcellus a zealous wise and learned Cardinall for Legate and the Bishops of Siponto and Verona famous for knowledge and experience as Nuncij with speciall Mandate and fit clauses Sending them as Angels of peace giuing them authoritie to resume direct and prosecute the Councell and to doe all things meete and necessary according to the tenor of his and his predecessours letters of the Conuocation The Emperour whom the Councel did more The Emperor giueth a safe conduct to the Protestants concerne holding it to be the onely meanes to make himselfe absolute Master of Germanie send a safe conduct in an ample forme to all the Protestant Orders of that Empire for themselues their Ambassadours and Diuines But while these foundations were layd in Rome and Ausburg to build the Councell of Trent vpon them webs were spunne in other places which obscured The Pope restoreth Parma to Octauius Farnese the dignitie and authoritie of that Synode and Engines were framed which did shake and dissolue it The Pope immediately after his assumption to preforme what he had promised in the Conclaue restored Parma to Octauius Farnese which the Pope had taken into his hands in the name of the Church and assigned to him two thousand crownes a moneth to defend it Octauius in regard of the enmitie of Ferrante Conzaga Vice-Duke of Milan and of many arguments which he had that the Emperour meant to be Lord of that Citie the Pope also hauing taken from him the prouision of two thousand crownes doubting that hee was not able to defend it with his owne forces treated with the Pope by his brother the Cardinall either to assist him or giue him leaue to prouide for himselfe by the protection of some other Prince able to maintaine him against the Emperour The Pope without thinking more of it answered that hee should doe for himselfe the best he could wherefore Octauius by meanes of Horatius Who receiueth a French Garison 〈◊〉 the Citie his brother sonne in law to the French King put himselfe vnder the protection of France and receiued a French Garison into the Citie This displeased the Emperour his vncle who perswaded the Pope that it was against his honour who was supreame Lord of that Citie and Duke Therefore the Pope published a seuere edict against him citing him to Rome and declaring him traytor if he did not appeare and demanding the Emperours Which occasioneth a war betweene the Emperour the French 〈◊〉 assistance against him who declared that hee did approoue the Popes cause and would defend it with his armes This was a beginning of a manifest warre betweene the Emperour and the French King and of great distasts of this King against the Pope And in Saxonie vpon the Riuer Albi discourses beganne betweene the Saxons and those of Brandeburg to make a league against the Emperour that he might not wholly subdue Germany as shall be said in its place Notwithstanding these seedes of warre which in Italie in the beginning of April began to spring the Pope would haue the Legate A confederation is made in Germany against the Emperour and Nuncij goe to Trent and gaue them commission to open the Councel on the first of May the day appointed with those who were there yea though there were none at all by the example of the Nuncij of Martinus the fifth who opened the
on by the Presidents onely was giuen in the same name Neither can the difficulty bee remooued by saying that the matter was of no great importance first because it will be hard to maintaine that it is not a most important matter where the danger of diuision in the Church is in question then be it as it will no man can arrogate to himselfe power to declare what is of importance and what not and this is a demonstration that things are carried iust as the Pope sayth in the Bull and the Presidents in the Sermon read that they were to direct the Councell for they did so indeed The adulse that the King had dismissed the Popes Nuncio and published a Manifest did reiterate the same discourses The French King dismisseth the Popes Nuncio and publisâ—â—th a Manifest which Manifest was then printed and diuulged throughout Where he sheweth at large the causes why he tooke vpon him the protection of Parma blameth the Pope for the warre begun saying that hee vsed this Artifice that the Councell might not be held Concluding in the end that it is not meete that he should haue money out of his kingdome to make warre against him whence a great summe is ordinarily taken for vacancies Bulls Graces Dispensations and Expeditions and therefore by the counsell of his Princes he did for bid to dispatch Curriers to Rome and to answere money or gold or siluer not coyned by way of banke for Benefices or other Graces and Dispensations vpon paine of Confiscation as well for Ecclesiastiques as seculars and these to bee punished corporally besides giuing the Promooters a third of the confiscation This Manifest was inrolled in Parliament with a proposition of the Attourney generall of the King in which he said that it was no new thing but vsed by Charles the sixt Lewis the eleuenth and Lewis the twelfth and was conformable to the common Law that money should not bee carried to the enemie and that it would bee a hard case if with the money of France warre should bee made against the King and that it was better for the subiects of the kingdome to keepe their money and not care for dispensations which were not able to secure the conscience and are nothing but a shadow cast before the eyes of men which cannot hide the trueth from GOD. It could not be endured neither at Rome nor in Trent that the King should What the Aposâ—olike Sea is solemnely protest and make warre against the Pope and still say that hee bare the same reuerence toward the Apostolique Sea which is nothing but the Pope Whereunto the French-men answered that antiquity had not this opinion yea Victor the third who was one of the Popes that assumed much sayd that the Apostolique Sea was his mistresse The same was sayd before him by Stephen the fourth and by Vitalianus and Constantinus who were more ancient it plainely appeareth that by the Apostolike Sea is vnderstood the Church of Rome for if the Pope were the same thing his errours and defects would be of the Apostolike Sea The French King fearing that by his dissention with the Pope those that desired change of religion would make some innouation which might The French King waxeth more seuere against the Protestants prooueseditious or that himselfe might come into the bad opinion of his people as if his minde were auerse from the Catholike faith and perhaps to open a way for reconciliation with Rome hee made a most seuere Edict against the Lutherans confirming all the others which hee had published before adding greater punishments more wayes to discouer the guilty and greater rewards to the Promooters The Emperour considering that the French King in regard of the number of the French Cardinals and other dependants of that Crowne had no lesse power in the Colledge then himselfe and being combined with the Farnesi did farre exceede him though he had the Pope of his side sent to Rome Don Iohn Manriques to perswade his Holinesse to create new Cardinalls to exceed or equalize the number of the French The Pope was enclined hereunto yet hee saw what difficulty there was his Papacie being new and exhausted and in time of stirres when it is hard to haue the consent of all the Cardinalls and to create them without consent was dangerous Hee was doubtfull whether to make many at once or by little and little He thought hee should sooner obtaine consent for this second course and that his trusty friends would remaine in hope and that the Cardinalls would more oppose a numerous promotion and those that were excluded would despaire He doubted whether it were fitte to create any of the Prelats of the Conucell because there were many that deserued well and the three Electors were not to bee passed ouer especially the Elector of Mentz who thought of it On the other side to send red Cappes to the Councell hee thought would mooue enuie Hee resolued not to expect Christmas when all come foorth with their pretensions and the places of common meetings are full of wagers but to execute this businesse some day before vpon the sudden though afterwards he found no fit time to create them but Christmas But to returne to Trent the second of September the day following the Session a generall Congregation was made and in it Fathers deputed to frame the Articles of the Eucharist to bee giuen to the Diuines and to collect the abuses in that matter Afterwards they discoursed of the Reformation which because it was to take away the cause why Bishops doe not reside many were repeated some proposed before in Trent and Bolonia and some then first spoken of Finally they insisted vpon iurisdiction saying that the Bishops were wholly depriued of it partly by auocation of causes and partly by appeales but especially by exemptions yea that more often iurisdiction was exercised ouer and against them by their Subiects either by speciall commission from Rome or by vertue of Conseruatories then by them ouer their subiects And Fathers were elected to frame the Articles concerning this matter The Presidents considering the Popes instruction to auoid dangerous contentions among the Diuines their vnintelligible disputes in which they grow bitter and also their confusion in speaking they gaue out the Articles framed which they were to begin to handle on Tuesday after dinner and there added the manner and order to bee held in the Congregations much limited which did compell them to speake soberly The Articles were tonne drawen from the doctrine of the Zuingliani and 〈…〉 That in the Eucharist the Body Blood Ten Articles concerning the Eucharist are proposed to be discussed by the Diuines and Diuinitie of CHRIST is not truely but as in a signe 2. That CHRIST is not giuen to bee eaten Sadramentally but spiritually and by faith 〈◊〉 That in the Eucharist there is the Blood and Body of CHRIST but together with the substance of the Bread and Wine so that there is
Saint Iames did vnderstand the ancients for age and not the Priests ordained by the Bishop But if any maruaile why it is said in the first head of the doctrine that 14. Articles of reformation are handled in which the Presidents of the Synod the Bishops haue diuers ends this Sacrament is insinuated by CHRIST our Lord in Saint Marke and published in Saint Iames whereas the antecedence and consequence of the words did require that it should not bee sayd insinuated but instituted hee may know that it was first so written but a Diuine hauing obserued that the Apostles who anoynted the sicke of whom Saint Marke speaketh were not Priests because the Church of Rome holdeth that Priesthood was conferred vpon them onely in the last Supper it seemed a contradiction to affirme that the Vnction which they gaue was a Sacrament and that Priests onely are ministers of it Whereunto some who held it to bee a Sacrament and at that time instituted by CHRIST did answere that CHRIST commanding them to minister the Vnction made them Priests concerning that acte onely As if the Pope should command a simple Priest to giue the Sacrament of Chrisme he made him a Bishop for that acte Yet it was thought too dangerous to affirme it absolutely Therefore in stead of the word Institutum they put Insinuatum Which word what it may signifie in such a matter euery one may iudge who vnderstandeth what Insinuare is and doeth apply it to that which the Apostles then did and to that which was commanded by Saint Iames and to the determination made by this Councell But in matter of reformation as hath beene said fourteene Articles were proposed all belonging to Episcopall iurisdiction whereof when they had vnderstood the opinion of the Canonists in the particular Congregations and read all in the generall they came to frame the Decree Herein the ayme of the B B was to increase their authority to recouer that which the Pope had vsurped from them and of the Presidents to grant as little as they could But both parties did proceede cunningly and made shew to regard onely the seruice of God and the restitution of the ancient Ecclesiasticall discipline The Bishops thought they were hindered in executing their office For when they did suspend any from exercise of their orders or Ecclesiasticall degrees and dignities for causes knowen to themselues or did refuse to let them passe to higher degrees all was retracted by a Licence or Dispensation gotten at Rome which caused a disreputation of the Bishops damnation of soules and a totall ruine of discipline Concerning this the first head was made that such Licences and Restitutions should not bee offorce But the President for the honour of the Apostolique Sea would not haue the Pope named nor the chiefe Penitentiarie nor any ministers of the Court from whom such Licences were wont to bee obtained The titular Bishops did also hinder them who beeing depriued by a Decree published in the sixt Session of power to exercise the pontificall office in the Diocesses without leaue of the proper Bishop did retire themselues into a place exempt from all Bishopriques admitting those to holy orders who were before reiected as vnfit by their owne Bishops which they did by vertue of a priuiledge to ordaine any that offered himselfe vnto them This was prohibited in the second head but with this moderation that for reuerence of the Apostolike Sea mention should not bee made who granted the priuiledge And consequently in the third head power was giuen to the Bishops to suspend for what time they pleased any one ordained without their examination or with licence by facultie giuen by whomsoeuer These things the wiser sort of Bishops knew to bee of small weight because the Canonists doe hold that 344 Licences Priuiledges and Faculties granted by the Pope are neuer comprehended in generall words without speciall mention bee made of them But not beeing able to obtaine more they were content with this hoping that time might open them a way to proceede further It was also decreed in the same sixth Session that no secular Clerke by vertue of personall Priuiledge nor Regular dwelling out of the Monasterie by vigor of the Priuiledge of his order should bee exempt from the correction of the Bishoppe as Delegate of the Apostolike Sea Which some thinking not to containe the Canons of Cathedrall Churches and other Collegiate dignities who not by priuiledge but by ancient custome or by sentences put in execution or by Concordates with the Bishops established and sworne were in possession of not beeing subiect to Bishops and others also restraining it onely to visitation it was ordained in the fourth head that concerning secular Clerkes it should bee extended to all times and all sorts of excesses and declared that none of the things aforesayd should withstand Another disorder as great did arise because the Pope did grant a Iudge at the election of the supplicant to whosoeuer did seeke it by the ordinary meanes vsed in Court with authoritie to defend protect and maintaine him in possession of his rights and to remooue the molestation giuen him extending also this fauour to all his domestiques And this sort of Iudges were called Conseruators who did stretch their authoritie in place of defending the supplicant from molestations to withdraw him from iust corrections and also at their instance to molest and trouble the Bishops and other ordinary Ecclesiasticall superiours with censures The fifth point made prouision against this disorder ordaining that Conseruatorie graces should not helpe any body nor free him from inquisition accusation and conuention before the Ordinary in criminall and mixt causes and in ciuill also in which hee is plaintife and in other causes if the Conseruator bee suspected or difficultie arise betweene him and the Ordinary who is competent Iudge that arbitrators shall bee chosen according to the forme of the Law and that Conseruatory letters which comprehend domestiques shall bee extended but vnto two who doe liue at the charge of the Master of the familie and that these and the like graces shall not continue aboue fiue yeeres and that the Conseruators shall not haue Tribunals But the Synod did not meane to containe in this Decree Vniuersities Colledges of Doctours and Schollers places of Regulars and Hospitals Concerning which exception when this point was handled there was very great contention it seeming to the Bishops that against all right the exception was larger then the rule because the number of Doctors Schollers Regulars and Hospitalaries is greater then of all others who can haue Conseruatorie letters and that the prouision against any particular man was easie but the disorders of Vniuersities and Colledges were of the greatest importance The Legate gaue an account heereof to Rome where it beeing decided by that which was consulted vnder Paul the third that it was necessary for maintenance of the Apostolique Sea that the Friars and Vniuersities should totally depend on
onely in Rome but throughout all Italie of the immense number of the Christians in those parts and how much the lists of the Apostolique Sea were enlarged And particularly they spake of the great number of Churches in the Citie Muzal which they sayd was the old Assur vpon the riuer Tigris from which Niniue renowmed for the preaching of Ionas was not farre distant situated beyond the riuer Vnder this iurisdiction they put Babylon Tauris and Arbela famous for the battaile betweene Darius and Alexander with many Countreys of Assyria and Persia They found also the ancient Cities named in the Scripture and Ecbatan which the stories doe call Seleucia and Nisibi They sayd that this man elected by all the Bishops was sent to the Pope for confirmation accompanied with seuenty persons as farre as Ierusalem and from thence by three of whom one died and another remained sicke in the iourney and the third called Calefi came with him to Rome All these things were printed and very curiously read The Pope receiued another also named Marderius a Iacobite of Assyria sent by the Patriarch of Antioch to acknowledge the Apostolique Sea and giue it obedience and make profession of the Romane faith But the world beeing satiated with the former did not care for this second After these shadowes of obedience which the Sea of Rome gained there succeeded one reall and of great importance which did abundantly recompence The King of England dieth whatsoeuer was lost in Germanie The sixt of Iuly 1553 Edward King of England died of the age of sixteene yeeres Fifteene dayes before he made a Will with approbation of his Councell wherein hauing declared that it did belong to him to name the Successour according to the lawes of the Kingdome he excluded his sisters Mary and Elizabeth because their legitimation was doubted of and all the posterity of Margaret his fathers elder sister as strangers not borne in the kingdome and named her Queene who followed in order that is Iane of Suffolke grand-childe to Mary formerly Q. of France and younger sister to his father Henry 8. by her daughter notwithstanding that the sayd Henry had in his last Will substituted Mary and Elizabeth which substitution hee sayd was pupillary and did not binde him now hee was of age Iane was proclaimed Queene in London and Mary retiring her selfe into Iane is proclaimed Queene Norfolke that shee might commodiously passe into France if there were occasion named her selfe Queene also and was finally accepted by all the kingdome alleadging in her fauour the Testament of Henry and that of a Matrimony contracted bona fide though there bee a nullity in it the issue is legitimate Iane and her adherents were imprisoned and Mary entred into But Mary obtaineth the Crowne London and was receiued with a generall applause and proclaimed Queene of England and France and had the title of Head of the Church Shee presently set the prisoners at liberty which her father had put into the Tower 1553 IVLIVS 3. CHARLES 5. Q. MARY HENRY 2. A sedition in London about Religion partly for Religion and partly for other causes A little after her entry there arose a sedition in London by occasion of one who tooke the boldnesse to preach Popery and of another who did celebrate the Masse To appease this trouble which was very considerable the Queene caused an Edict to be published that she would liue in the Religion of her Ancestors and therefore would not permit that any thing should bee preached to the people but that which formerly had been Afterwards the eleuenth of October shee was crowned with the vsuall ceremonies The Pope aduertized hereof considering that shee was brought vp in the Catholique Religion interrested in the respects of her mother and cousin by blood vnto the Emperour hoped he might make some entrie into the Kingdome and therefore did make Cardinall Poole his Legate thinking because hee was of the blood royall and The Pope maketh Cardinall Poole his Legat for England of an exemplary life he was the onely instrument to reduce that Kingdome to the Church of Rome The Cardinall who had been banished by publique Decree and depriued of his honour thought it not fit to begin the enterprise before he fully vnderstood the state of things beeing assured that the maior part was still deuoted to the memory of Henry Hee therefore sent into England secretly Giouanni Francesco Comendone to enforme him and wrote a Letter to the Queene in which commending her perseuerance in Religion in the times of her troubles hee exhorted her to continue in the times of her happinesse recommended vnto her the saluation of the soules of those people and the restitution of the true worship of GOD. Comendone hauing obserued euery particular and found meanes to speake with the Queene though compassed and garded on euery side perceiued shee had neuer beene auerse from the Romane faith and had promise from her that shee would labour to restore it into the whole Kingdome which the Cardinall vnderstanding put himselfe into the voyage In England after the Coronation a Parliament was held in which the A Parliament is held the diuorce of Henry the 8. declared to be vnlawfull diuorce of the Queenes mother Katherine of Aragon was declared to be vnlawfull the marriage good and the issue legitimate which was obliquely to restore the Popes supremacie in regard it could not be good without the validitie of the dispensation of Iulius the second and by consequence not without the supremacie of the Sea of Rome It was ordained also that all the constitutions in matter of religion made by Edward should be abrogated and Popeâ—y is established that religion obserued which was in vse at the death of Henry In this Parliament they treated of marrying the Queene though shee were aboue fourty yeeres of age and three were named Poole who had not taken holy Orders And the marriage of the Queene is treated on though he was a Cardinall and Courtney both of the blood Royall and first Cousins of Henry the eight in an equall degree this of the white Rose grand child of Edward the fourth by his daughter and that of the red Rose Nephew to Henry the seuenth by his sister both acceptable to the Nobilitie of England Poole for wisedome and sanctifie of life and Courtney for his louing behauiour and carriage But the Queene preferred Philip Prince of Spaine before these aswell for the treaties made by her cousin Charles the Emperour her affection also inclining much more to the mothers side then to the fathers as because shee thought shee might better secure her owne and the Kingdomes peace with that marriage The Emperour who did much 1554 IVLIVS 3. CHARLES 5. MARY HENRY 2. Vntil the coÌ„clusion wherof the Emperour hindreth Poole in going into England desire to effect it fearing that Poole might disturbe it by his presence in England knowing hee was departed Legate made meanes
by Cardinall Dandinus the Popes Minister with himselfe that hee should not part out of Italie so soone saying that as yet an Apostolique Legate could not goe into England with honour But the Letter of Dandinus not taking effect and Poole beeing in his iourney as farre as the Palatinate hee sent Diego Mendoza to stop him by authoritie It seemed strange to the Cardinall and hee complayned that the Popes Legation was hindered with the damage of Christianitie and of the Kingdome of England and ioy of Germanie Therefore the Emperour not to giue so much matter of talke made him goe to Bruxels and entertayned him in Brabant vntill the marriage was ended and all things accommodated as hee would and for colour imployed him to treate a peace betweene himselfe and the French King In the beginning of the yeere 1554. the Emperour sent Ambassadours 1554. into England to make the conclusion and the Queene proceeding to fauour the olde Religion did the fourth of March publish other Lawes restoring the Latine tongue into the Churches forbidding married men to exercise holy Functions and giuing order to the Bishops not to make them sweare who were to bee receiued into the Clergie as Henrie had appointed that the King was supreme Head of the Church of England and that the Pope had no superioritie there but was Bishop onely of the Citie of Rome Shee ordayned also that the forme of Prayer instituted by Henrie where amongst other things God is prayed to deliuer that Kingdome from sedition conspiracie and tyrannie of the Pope should be razed out of all the Bookes of Rites and forbid to bee printed In April another Parliament was held in which consent was giuen to the contract of marriage where the Queene proposed the restitution of the Popes supremacie which shee could not obtaine because the Nobilitie did resist who considered not that they did vainely denie this demaund which was vertually contayned in their assent to the marriage Philip Prince of Spaine arriued The celebration of the marriage in England the eighteenth of Iuly and on Saint Iames day the Nuptials were celebrated and hee receiued the title of the King of Naples and did consummate the Matrimonie In Nouember there was a new Parliament in which Cardinall Poole was restored to his Honour and Countrey and two were sent to inuite and accompany him with whom hee passed into the Island and arriued at London the three and twentieth of Cardinall Poole commeth to London with the crosse carried before him And maketh an Oration in the Parliment Nouember with a siluer Crosse carryed before him At his first entrie into the Parliament hee made a discourse in English before the King Queene and Orders of the Kingdome Hee thanked them very much that hee was restored to his Countrey saying that in exchange he was come to restore them to the Countrey and Court of Heauen of which they were depriued by departing from the Church Hee exh 〈…〉 them to acknowledge the errour and receiue the benefit which God by his Vicar had sent them The discourse was very long and artificiall and the conclusion was that hee had the Keyes to bring them into the Church which they had shutte by making Lawes against the Apostolique Sea which when they did reuoke hee would open the doores vnto them The Cardinals person was well accepted and an apparant assent was giuen to his Proposition though the Maior part did secretly abhorre the qualitie of a Popes Minister and were grieued to come vnder the yoke againe But they had suffered themselues to bee carried so farre that they knew not how to returne The next day the re-vnion with the Church of Rome was decreed in The manner of the re-vnion with the Church of Rome Parliament and the manner was thus set downe That a Supplication should bee made in the Parliaments name wherein it should bee declared that they were very sorrie for hauing denyed obedience to the Apostolique Sea and for hauing consented to the Decrees made against it promising to endeuour heereafter that all those Lawes and Decrees should bee abolished and beseeching the King and Queene to intercede for them that they may bee absolued from the crimes and censures and receiued as penitent children into the bosome of the Church to serue God in obedience of the Pope and Sea of Rome The last of Nouember Saint Andrewes day their Maiestics the Cardinall and whole Parliament beeing assembled the Chancellour asked the generalitie whether they were pleased that pardon should bee demanded of the Legate and whether they would returne to the vnitie of the Church and obedience of the Pope supreme Head thereof and some saying yea and the others holding their peace a Supplication was presented to their Maiesties in the name of the Parliament which beeing publiquely read they rose to desire the Legate who mette them and shewed himselfe willing to giue them satisfaction and causing the authoritie giuen him by the Pope to bee read hee discoursed how acceptable to God the repentance of a sinner was and how the Angels did then reioyce for the conuersion of that Kingdome and all being on their knees imploring the mercie of God hee absolued them which beeing done hee went to the Church with all the multitude to giue thankes to God The next day an Ambassage was destinated to the Pope to render him obedience Ambassadors are appointed to goe to the Pope for which were named Anthony Browne Vicount Mountacute Thomas Thirlby Bishoppe of Ely and Edward Cerne who had formerly beene Ambassadour in Rome for Henrie the eight and was now to bee resident there againe in that charge Aduice heereof came to Rome For which Processions are made in Rome quickly for which many Processions were made not onely in that Citie but thorow out all Italic to giue thankes to God The Pope approoued what his Legate had done and sent a 〈◊〉 the foure and twentieth of December alleadging in the â—â—ll for a cause that like the Father of the familie hauing recouered his prodigall sonne it was meeâ—e that hee should not onely-shew â—othesticall ioy but generally inuite all to the same Iubilie and hee praysed and extolled the action of the King Queene and people of England The Parliament continued vntill the midst of Ianuarie 〈◊〉 and to the ancient Edicts of the Kings to punish heretickes and of the Iurisdiction of Bishops were renewed the Primacie and all prehertinences of the Pop restored all contrary Decrees made within twentie yeeres last past 〈◊〉 would Henrie as by Edward abolished the penall Lawes against heretickes reuiued and many were burned especially Bishops who would perseuere in the reformation abolished It is certaine that one hundred seuentie and sixe persons of qualitie were burned that yeere for Religion besides many of the common sort which gaue but little content to that people who also were displeased that Martin Bucer and Paulus Fagius dead foure yeeres before were cited and condemned as if
it in a Mercuriall so they call the iudicature instituted to examine and correct the actions of the Counsellors of Parliament and Iudges of the King held in Paris the 15. of Iune where they were to treate of Religion after the Congregation was assembled entred in person Hee said hee had established peace in the whole world by the marriages of his sister and daughter that hee might prouide against the inconueniences bred in his Kingdome about Religion which ought to bee the principall care of Princes Therefore vnderstanding they were to treat of this subiect hee exhorted them to handle Gods cause with sinceritie And hauing commaunded them to prosecute the things begun Claude Viole one of them spake much against the manners of the Court of Rome and the bad customes growen to bee pernicious errours which haue caused the new sects Therefore it was necessary to mitigate the seuere punishments vntill the differences of religion were remooued and the Ecclesiasticall discipline amended by authority of a Generall Councell the onely remedie for these euils as the Councels of Constance and Basil haue iudged commanding that one should bee celebrated euery ten yeeres His opinion was followed by Ludouicus Faber and some others Anne du Bourg did adde that many villanies were comitted condemned by the Lawes for punishment whereof the rope and fire were not sufficient as frequent blasphemies against God periuries adulteries not onely secret but euen cherished with impudent licence making himselfe to be plainely vnderstood that hee spake not onely of the Grandies of the Court but of the King himselfe also adding that while men liued thus dissolutely diuers torments were prepared against those who were guilty of nothing but of publishing to the world the vices of the Church of Rome and desiring an amendment of them In opposition of all this Egidius Magister the prime President spake against the new sects concluding that there was no other remedie but that which was formerly vsed against the Albigenses of whom Philippus Augustus put to death sixe hundred in one day and against the Waldenses who were choked in the caues whither they retired to hide themselues When all the voyces were giuen the King said he had now heard with his owne eares that which before was told him that the contagion of the Kingdome doth hence arise 1559 PIVS 4. FERDINAND PHILIP 2. ELIZABETH HENRY 2. And coÌ„mandeth some of the Counsellors of Parliament to bee imprisoned that there are in the Parliament who doe despise the Popes authoritie and his that he well knoweth they are but few but the cause of many euils Therefore hee exhorted those who are good subiects to continue in doing their duety and immediatly gaue order that Faber and du Bourg should be imprisoned and afterward caused foure more to bee apprehended in their houses which did much daunt those who embraced the new religion For the Counsellors of Parliament in France beeing reputed most sacred and inuiolable who notwithstanding were put into prison for deliuering their opinion in publike Assembly they concluded that the King would pardon none But examples of great feares are alwayes ioyned with others of equall boldnesse 15â—9 The Reformatists hold a Synod in Paris For at the same time as if there had beene no danger at all the ministers of the Reformed for so the Protestants are called in France assembled in Paris in the suburbes of Saint German made a Synode in which Franciscus Morellus the chiefe man amongst them was President ordayning diuers constitutions of the manner of holding Councels of remoouing the domination in the Church of the election and office of Ministers of censures of marriages of diuorces of degrees of consanguinitie and affinitie that throughout all France they might not onely haue an vniforme faith but discipline also And their courage did increase because the fame of the seuerity vsed in France comming into Germanie the three Electors and And are encouraged by the intercession of the Protestant Princes of Germanie other Protestant Princes sent Ambassadours to the King praying him to proceede with pietie and Christian charitie against the professors of their Religion guiltie of nothing but of accusing the corrupted manners and the discipline peruerted by the Church of Rome which had bene done more then an hundred yeeres since by other godly Doctors of France For that Kingdome beeing now in quiet the differences of Religion may easily bee composed by the disputation of able men desirous of peace who may examine their confession by the rule of holy Scripture and of the ancient Fathers suspending in the meane time the seueritie of the sentences which they will receiue as a thing most gratefull and remaine much obliged to him for it The King gaue a courteous answere in generall wordes promising Which did them no good to giue them satisfaction and to send one expresly to signifie so much vnto them Yet he remitted nothing of the seueritie but after the Ambassadours were parted hee deputed foure Iudges of the body of the Parliament in the causes of the prisoners with the Bishop of Paris and the Inquisitor Antonie de Mocares commaunding them to proceede with all expedition The Pope vnto whom all these things were knowen as hee was much discontented with the progresse of the new doctrine in the States of both the Kings so hee was pleased that those Princes did thinke of it and mooued them by his Nuncij and by their Ambassadours residing with him to doe so still But hee would not haue any other meanes then that of the Inquisition which he thought the onely remedie as he said vpon all occasions iudging that the Councell would doe as formerly it had done that is reduce all into a worse state While he was possessed with these cogitations and weake of body the King of France died the second of Iuly by a wound in the eye running at Tilt for which hee seemed very sorrowfull and was so indeede For although hee suspected and with reason the intelligence betweene the 1559. PAVL 4. FERDINAND ELIZABETH FRANCIS 2. Henry the second dyeth the second of Iuly two Kings yet hee had still hope to separate them But the one being dead he saw he was at the discretion of the other alone whom he more feared because he was more offended by him and was of a more close nature hard to be sounded Hee feared also that in France a gate would be set wide open to let in sectes which might bee confirmed before the new King could get so much wisedome and reputation as was necessary to oppose so great difficulties Hee liued some few dayes afflicted with these cogitations but now laying aside all hopes which had vntill then kept him aliue hee died the eighteenth The Pope Iyeth the 18. of August recommending to the Cardinals nothing but the office of the Inquisition of August recommending to the Cardinals nothing but the office of the Inquisition the onely meanes as he said to
Cities promising to goe thither in person but saw it would bee ill construed by the world He was resolued not to accept of any Citie beyond the Mountains no not to heare any proposition of it The Cardinall Pacceco proposed Milan and he condescended so that he might haue the Castle in his hands during the time of the Councell which was to referre himselfe to an impossible condition He thought also vpon some of the Venetian Cities but the Republique excused it selfe lest they should make the Turkes suspicious of whose forces they were then afraid When hee had considered all he found no fitter place then Trent For the Councell hauing been held there twice before euery one had experience of what was good and what bad in that place Who after consultation thinketh Trent the fittest place for the assembly and therefore would more easily consent to goe thither then elsewhere And there was also some appearance of reason for it because the Councell celebrated by Iulius was not finished but suspended Hee thought to satisfie the French men by sending Cardinall Tornon into France not in qualitie of a Legate but with power when he was there and saw there neede to assemble And sendeth Card. Tornon into France to hinder a Nationall Synod there some of the Prelats of the Kingdome such as the King and himselfe thought fit but not all that there might be no appearance of a Councell and to treate with these but to resolue of nothing There were also two other accidents of no lesse consideration which thrust the Pope forward to speake more plainely of a Councell one farre off but imported the losse of a Kingdome the other concerned one person onely but was of great consequence The Nobilitie of Scotland who had a Scotland reuolteth from the Pope long time made warre to chase the French men out of the Kingdome and to take the gouernment out the handes of the Queene Regent and had euer encountred many difficulties in regard of the great succours sent her by her sonne in law the French King to maintaine the kingdome for his wife finally that they might quite free themselues they resolued to ioyne with the English and incite the people against the Regent To this end they gaue way to libertie of religion to which the people was inclined By this meanes they brought the Frenchmen into great straits and the old religion was little esteemed for which the Pope was blamed because the world thought that if the Councell had beene begunne all popular commotions would haue beene stopped The other accident was that the King of Bohemia had a long time held intelligence with the Protestant Electors and Princes of Maximilian is not without cause thought to be a Protestant Germanie and was formerly suspected for it by Paul the fourth so that hee could not refraine to obiect to the Emperour in priuate discourse which hee had with Martin Gusman his Ambassadour that his sonne was a fauourer of heresie The same suspicion continuing in the Court after the death of Paul the Pope caused the Count of Arco to tell him that if he would not liue as a Catholique hee would not confirme him King of the Romanes yea would depriue him of all Dominion Notwithstanding this aduice came afterwards to Rome that hee entertained a Preacher and heard him often who had brought in the vse of the Cup in diuers places but not in the Citie and the King himselfe sayd hee could not receiue it otherwise which although he put not in practise yet those words gaue the Pope great suspicion especially because almost in all places of Germanie the Communion of Which two accidents incite the Pope to call the Councell quickly the Chalice was vsed by all that would and none hindered the Priests to minister it For all these former respects the Pope was resolute to make this great iumpe The third of Iune he called the Ambassadours of the Emperour of Spaine Portugal Polonia Venice and Florence who appearing all before his Holinesse except the Ambassadour of Polonia that was sicke hee complained first that hee could not call the French Ambassadour for feare of some question of precedencie which was a cause to hinder the publique benefit of consulting on the common affaires of Christendome but those two Kings being cousins it was necessary they should resolue to accommodate the difference Wherein hee declareth his purpose to all the Ambassadors residing with him for the good of the Christian Common-wealth and especially of their owne Kingdomes Then hee said that the cause why hee had called them was the celebration of the Councell which hee was resolued to bring to effect remoouing all difficulties which Princes for their owne ends might set on foote that the place should be Trent which hauing pleased twice could now be denied by none in regard it was not a new place and the Councell celebrated there onely suspended Therefore taking away the suspension the Councell is open as before and many good Constitutions hauing been made there it would not be fit to call them in question by making shew of calling a new Councell He added that it was necessary to doe it quickly because things grew worse euery day as appeared in France where they treated of a Nationall Councell which hee neither would nor could endure because Germanie and euery Prouince would doe the like that hee would giue order to his Nuncij with the Emperour Kings of France and Spaine to treate hereof with their Maiesties and did now intimate the same to all them that they might send their Princes word of it For although he could both resolue and execute of him selfe yet hee thought fit to doe it with their knowledge that they might put him in minde of some things for the common benefit and reformation of the Church and send Ambassadours to the Councell and fauour it by treating with the Protestants Hee added that hee did beleeue that some of the Princes of Germanie would goe thither in person and that he was sure the Marquisse of Brandeburg would Vargas made a long answere relating what had been done in former Councels He discoursed of the manner of celebrating Councels and then descended to the place and spake of what was done in Trent where himselfe was present He distinguished Generall Councels from Nationall much condemning that which was intimated in France The Ambassadour of Portugall commended the Popes purpose and promised the obedience of his Master The Venetian sayd that in times past neuer any better remedie was found then Councels and thanked GOD for inspiring his Holinesse to doe so pious a worke which was for the preseruation of Religion and benefit of Princes who could not hold their States in peace in change of Religion The Florentine Ambassadour spake in the same manner offering all assistance from the Duke The Pope wrote to his Nuncio in Germany France But alwyes vttereth something that may crosse it and Spaine in
Supper and they had much adoe to make him desist Finally beeing almost out of hope to bee ready to hold the Session at the time appointed the Decree of the Sacrifice was established in the Congregation of the seuenth day by consent of the maior part howsoeuer Granata laboured to interpose impediments and delayes After this tenne Articles for reformation of the abuses occurring in the Masse were proposed and eleuen more in diuers other points of reformation which were purposely chosen of easie matters not subiect to contradiction and fauourable to the authoritie of Bishops that their proceeding might not bee hindered by the opposition of any which was well knowen to the Ambassadours and Prelates who complained of it These began to be handled the ninth of September and the Prelates deliuered their opinions briefly fourty in a Congregation There was no remarkable opposition onely Philadelphia sayd that Germany expected that matters of weight and importance should be handled in Councell Hee named diuers and amongst others the creation of Cardinals and pluralitie of Benefices Ioannes Zuares Bishop of Conimbria sayd that small matters were not to bee neglected but thought that the dignitie of the Synode did require that some speciall order should bee followed that it may appeare why these particulars The Councel is taxed by diuers Prelates for omitting the chiefe points of Reformation are proposed before others that the reformation ought to begin from the Head and passe to the Cardinals from the Cardinals to the Bishops and from them to other degrees otherwise he feared that the Catholikes would be offended and the protestants laugh Paris sayd that for these hundred and fiftie yeeres the world hath demanded a reformation in the Head and the members and hitherto hath beene deceiued that now it was time they should labour in earnest and not by dissimulation that he desired the French men should bee heard for the necessities of that Kingdome that in France a farre more profitable reformation was made then that which was proposed in Councell The Bishop of Segouia sayd they did imitate an vnskilfull Physician who gaue a lenitiue or anointed with oyle in mortall diseases The Bishop of Oreate sayd that the Pope ought not to grant so great faculty to the Crusado and the Fabrique of Saint Peter by vertue of which euery one in Spaine will haue Masses in his house which if it be not moderated the prouisions of the Councell will bee in vaine that it was necessary to declare that the Decrees of the generall Councell doe binde the Head also Whereat buzzing beeing raised hee made a signe they should bee silent and added that hee meant in respect of the direction and not of coaction He proceeded and sayd that it was necessary to finde a meanes to take away contentions and suits or at the least to make them fewer and shorter in causes of Benefices that this caused great expences hindered the worship of GOD and scandalized the people The Bishop of Fiue Churches spake concerning the point of conferring Bishopriques expounding the wordes hee had said that base and vnworthy persons were promoted and declaring that the abuse proceeded from Princes who did importunately recommend them to the Pope saying they would bee better bestowed vpon the horse-keepers of his Holinesse And he complained that his words had been ill expounded The Spanish Agent complained in the Kings name that in the eight Article too much authority was giuen to Bishops ouer Hospitals Mountaines of pietie and such places and particularly in Sicilia against the priuiledge which that Kingdome aunciently hath for whose satisfaction the Legates caused a clause to bee added for reseruation of the places which are immediately vnder the protection of the King These things beeing ended the Legates were in a strait because there were but three dayes to the Session and many things vnresolued especially that which was of greatest importance in which euery one was carried with ā strong affection that is the communion of the Cup. But one accident made them to prolong the time For the French Ambassadour in Rome hauing earnestly desired the Pope in the Kings name to cause a delay vntill the comming of his Prelates his Holinesse though nothing could more displease him then the prolonging of the Councell aswell in regard of his owne inclination as of the Cardinals and Court who were in hope and much desired to see it ended in December notwithstanding to conceale his feares did answere that it was all one to him and that it did depend on the Prelates who if they did abhorre euery delay it was no maruell in regard of their long and incommodious abiding there saying that they ought to be respected and that he neither could nor would compell them or impose a law vpon them contrary to the ancient vse that hee would write to the Legates concerning this instance and shew hee was contented with the dilation that this is all that can be required of him and enough to satisfie the King Thus he wrote adding that they should make vse of this permission as it should seeme most reasonable to the Fathers This letter and the backwardnesse in their businesse and that which was written by Delphinus Nuncio with the Emperour and the instance of the Emperours Ambassadours that the Decree of the Masse might not bee published made some of the Legates incline to deferre the Session But Simoneta who vnderstood the Popes minde rather as it was in his head then as it was expressed in the letter opposed so strongly that the contrary was resolued And he sent aduice to Rome how dangerous a thing it was to change the absolute commands formerly giuen to come quickly to the conclusion of the Councell onely to giue verball satisfaction to others encouraging those who had bad intentions to crosse good resolutions and laying burthens vpon them to make them odious to lose reputation and to make them vnfit to doe the seruice of his Holinesse Simoneta was fauoured by the euent For there beeing no opposition of moment the Article of the abuses of the Masse was established together with the eleuonth of reformation and the Decree of the Communion had lesse difficulty then was beleeued It did not passe at the first proposing because it said that the Pope by consent and approbation of the Councell should doe what he thought good This was impugned by those who held the negatiue and the remissiue part which made the Legats resolue to omit this matter wholly and excused themselues to the Imperialists because the fault did not proceed either from the Pope or from them The Ambassadours desired that it should bee proposed without the clause of consent and approbation which the Legates thinking would cause a delay of the Session did refuse The Ambassadours protested that seeing so small esteeme was held of the Emperour they would assist no more either in Congregation or Session vntill his Maiestie aduised hereof had giuen those orders that befitted the Imperiall
so it was most iust that the perturbers of it should be punished The Bishop of Caua would neither excuse himselfe for that which hee had said nor receiue the admonition with silence though it was in generall but said that the causes ought to bee remooued that the effects might cease that if the words of the Bishop of Guadice had offended his owne person he would haue endured it for Christian charitie which as it requireth patience in wrongs committed against ones selfe so it maketh men sensible of the iniuries done vnto CHRIST whose diuine Maiestie is offended when the authoritie of his Vicar is touched that hee had spoken well yea as well as might be and confirmed the same with other words of the same sence which were generally condemned of petulancie Iacobus Gilbertus of Nogueras Bishop of Aliffe in deliuering his voyce The suffrage of the Bishop of Aliffe concerning the institution of Bishops said that concerning the institution of Bishops one could not speake with better ground then considering well and vnderstanding the words of Saint Paul to the Ephesians For as it is most true that CHRIST did rule the Church with an absolute gouernment while hee liued in mortall flesh as others had iudiciously said so it was a great vntruth which was added that is that being in heauen he hath abandoned the same gouernment yea hee doeth exercise it rather more then before And this is it which he spake to his Apostles at his departure I am with you vntill the end of the world adding also the assistance of the holy Ghost so that now also not onely the inward influence of graces commeth from CHRIST as from the Head but an externall assistance also though inuisible to vs which doeth minister occasions of saluation to the faithfull and driueth away the temptations of the world Notwithstanding besides all these things hee hath instituted also some members of the Church for Apostles Pastours c. to defend the faithfull from errours and to direct them to the vnitie of faith and knowledge of GOD. And vpon these he hath best owed a gift necessary for the exercising of this holy office which is the power of iurisdiction which is not equall in all but so much as euery one hath is giuen him immediatly by CHRIST Nothing is â—ord contrary to Saint Paul then to say that it was giuen to one onely to impart it to whom he listed It is true that it is not equall in all but according to the diuine distribution which as Saint Cyprian saith that the vnitie of the Church might bee preserued did ordaine that the supreame should be in Peter and his successors not that it should bee absolute and according to the Prouerbe that the will may bee a law but as Saint Paul saith for edification of the Church onely not for destruction so that it cannot bee extended to abrogate lawes and Canons made by the Church for a foundation of gouernement And heere hee began to alleadge the Canons cited by Gratian in which the ancient Popes doe confesse themselues to be subiect to the Decrees of the Fathers and to the constitutions of their predecessors The Cardinall Varminese interrupted him and sayd that the subiect to speake on was the superioritie of Bishops so that this discourse was beside the matter The Bishop answered that the authority of Bishops being handled it was necessary to speake of that of the Pope And Granata stood vp and said that others had spoken of it superfluously not to say perniciously meaning Laynez and therefore that Aliffe might speake of it likewise The Bishop of Caua stood vp and sayd that others had spoken of it but not in that manner and whisperings beginning to arise amongst the Prelates Simoneta made a signe to Caua to hold his peace and admonishing Aliffe to speake to the point he quieted the noyse But he continuing to alleadge the Canons as hee had begun Varmiense interrupted him againe not speaking vnto him but making a formall discourse to the Fathers concerning that matter He said the heretikes pretend to proue that Bishops elected by the Pope are not true and lawfull and that this is the opinion which ought to be condemned but whether true Bishops are instituted iure Diuino or not there is no difference betweene the heretikes and the Catholikes and therefore the question doth not belong to the Synod which is congregated only to condemne the heresies He aduised the Fathers to abstaine from speaking things which might giue occasion of scaudall and exhort them to leaue these questions Aliffe desired to replie but Simoneta with the assistance of some other Prelates did pacifie him though with some difficulty And after him spake Autonius Maria Saluiaâ—â— Bishop of Saint Papulo who sayd that all were assembled for the seruice of GOD and proceeded with a good intention though some one way and some another And hauing sayd many things which serued partly to accord the opinions but principally to reconcile their mindes was a cause that the Congregation did quietly ende and that words of humanitie and reuerence did passe betweene the Cardinall and the Bishop The fourth of December the Cardinall of Loraine deliuered his opinion The suffrage of the Card of Loraine concerning the same matter and spake at large saying that iurisdiction was giuen by God immediatly to the Church Hee alleadged the place of Saint Austin that the keyes are giuen to Peter not vnto one person but vnto the vnitie and that Peter when CHRIST promised him the keyes did represent all the Church who if hee had not been a Sacrament that is representing the Church CHRIST would not haue giuen them vnto him And hee shewed a great memory in reciling the places word by word Then he said that that part of iurisdiction which is ioyned with Episcopall order the Bishops doe receiue immediatly from God and declaring in what it doeth consist amongst other things hee specified that power of excommunication is contained in it inlarging himselfe much in the exposition of that place of Saint Matthew in which CHRIST doeth prescribe the manner of brotherly correction and iudiciall of the Church with authority to separate the disobedient from the body thereof Then hee disputed against that opinion alleadging diuers reasons taken out of the wordes of CHRIST spoken to Saint Peter and from the exposition which S. Leo the Pope doeth giue vnto them in many places Hee exemplified in many Bishops who had acknowledged all their iurisdiction to come from the Apostolike Sea and spake with so much eloquence and in such sort that it could not clearely bee discouered what his opinion was Afterwards hee sayd that Councels had authoritie immediately from God alleadging the words of CHRIST Where two or three shall be assembled in my name I will be in the middest of them and the Councell of the Apostles which ascribeth the resolution to the holy Ghost and the stile of all Councels in saying they are congregated
proportion of the Diocesse should preach euery Sunday and Holyday in Lent on fasting dayes and in Aduent and as often as it shall bee fit 10. That the parish Priest should doe the same as often as hee hath auditors 11. That the Abbat and Conuentuall Prior shall reade the holy Scripture and institute an Hospitall so that the ancient Schooles and hospitality may bee restored to the Monasteries 12. That Bishops Parish Priests Abbats and other Ecclesiastiques vnable to performe their charge shall receiue Coadiutors or leaue their Benefices 13. That concerning the Catechisme and summarie instruction of Christian doctrine that should be ordayned which the Emperour hath proposed to the Councell 14. That no man should haue more then one benefice taking away the differences of the quality of persons and of Benefices compatible and incompatible a new diuision not heard of in the ancient Decrees and a cause of many troubles in the Catholique Church and that the regular Benefices should bee giue into regulars and secular to seculars 〈◊〉 That he who now hath two or more shall retaine that only which he shall choose within a short time or shall incurre the penalty of the ancient Canons 16. That to take away all note of auarice from the Clergie nothing bee taken vpon any pretence whatsoeuer for the administration of holy things but that prouision be made that the Curates with two Clerkes or more may haue whereon to liue and mainetaine hospitality which may bee done by the Bishops by vniting benefices or assigning tenths vnto them or where that cannot bee done the Prince may prouide for them by 〈◊〉 or collections imposed vpon the Parishes 17. That in parish Masses the Gospel be expounded cleerely according to the capacity of the people and that the prayers which the Parish-Priest maketh together with the people bee in the vulgar tongue and that the sacrifice being ended in Latine publike prayers bee made in the vulgar tongue likewise and that at the same time or in other houres spirituall hymnes or Psalmes of Dauid approoued by the Bishop may bee sung in the same language 18. That the ancient Decree of Leo and Gelasius for the Communion vnder both kinds bee renewed 19. That before the administration of euery Sacrament an exposition bee made in the vulgar so that the ignorant may vnderstand their vse and efficacie 20. That according to the ancient Canons benefices may not bee conferred by the Vicars but by the Bishops themselues within the terme of sixe moneths otherwise that the collation may bee deuolued to the next Superiour and by degrees to the Pope 21. That the Mandats of Prouision expectatiues regresses resignations in confidence and commendaes bee reuoked and banished out of the Church as contrary to the Decrees 22. That the resignations in fauour be wholly exterminated from the Court of Rome it being as it were an election of ones selfe or a demanding of a successour a thing prohibited by the Canons 23. That simple Priories from which the cure of soules is taken away contrary to the foundation and assigned to a perpetuall Vicar with a small portion of tithes or of other renenue bee restored to their former state at the first vacancie 24. That benefices vnto which no office of preaching administring the Sacraments nor any other Ecclesiasticall charge is annexed may haue some spirituall cure imposed vpon them by the Bishop with the councell of the chapter or bee vnited to the next parishes because no Benefice ought or can bee without an office 25. That pensions bee not imposed vpon benefices and those abolished which are imposed already that the Ecclesiasticall reuenues may bee spent in maintaining the Pastors and poore and in other workes of pietie 26. That Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction throughout the whole Diocesse be restored to the Bishops all exemptions being taken away but of the chiefe gouernors of the Orders and Monasteries subiect vnto them and those who make generall Chapters to whom exemptions are granted by a lawfull title but yet with prouision that they bee not exempted from correction 27. That the Bishop may not vse iurisdiction and handle matters of great weight concerning the Diocesse without the counsell of the Chapter and that the Canons may reside continually in the Churches bee of good conuersation learned and at the least 25. yeeres of age in regard the lawes not giuing them the free disposition of their goods before that time they ought not to bee made counsellours to Bishops 28 That the degrees of affinity consanguinity and spirituall kindred be obserued or reformed and that it may not bee lawfull to dispence therein but with Kings and Princes for the publique good 29. That in regard many troubles haue risen by meanes of images the Synode would make prouision that the people may be taught what they ought to beleeue concerning them and that the abuses and superstitions if any be vsed in the worship of them may be taken away and that the same be done concerning indulgences pilgrimages reliques of Saints and of companies or confraternities 30. That the publike and ancient penance in the Catholike Church forgrieuous publike offences be restored and brought into vse as also fastings and other exercises of sorrow and publique prayers to appease the wrath of God 31. That excommunication be not decreed for euery sort of offence or contumacie but onely for the greatest and in which the offender doth perseuere after admonition 32. That to abbreuiate or quite take away suits of law for benefices by which the whole Clergie is blemished the distinction of petitorie and possessorie newly inuented in those causes may bee taken away nominations of Vniuersities abolished and a commandement giuen to Bishops to giue benefices not to those that seeke them but to those that auoid them and are worthy of them and their merit will be knowen if after their degree receiued in the Vniuersitie they shall haue spent some time in preaching with the consent of the Bishop and approbation of the people 33. That there beeing a suit for a benefice an Economique may bee created and arbitrators elected by the litigants which in case they refuse to doe that the Bishop may nominate and that these may determine the controuersie within six moneths and that no appeale may lie from them 34 That the Episcopall Synods may bee held once a yeere at the least and the Prouinciall once in euery three yeeres and the Generall if th ere bee none impediment euery tenth yeere The first of Ianuarie Vintimiglia arriued in Rome hauing made the iourney The negotiation of the Bishop of Vintimiglia in Rome in seuen daies Hee presented the letters to the Pope and declared his credence relating the cogitations and diuers ends and humours which were in the Councell and in what sort the Legates and other good seruants of his Holinesse thought the difficulties ought to bee managed The Pope held a congregation the third day and gaue account of the relation of Vintimiglia
is not bound that hee is exempted from the Law The last day but one of February the Cardinall of Loraine returned to Trent hauing remained fiue dayes in Ispruc which hee sent in continuall The Card. of Loraine returneth negotiation With the Emperour King of the Romans and their Ministers At his returne he found the Popes letters to him in which hee said that hee did desire a reformation should bee made and not deferred any longer and that they might haue time to labour therein the words of the decree of Order which were in difficultie should bee taken away The Cardinall did publish these letters purposely in Trent where it was generally knowen that the Legates had a contrary Commission But the Papalins vsed all diligence to find what businesse the Cardinall had by meanes of those who were in his company and in particular what resolution was taken concerning the seuenteene Articles and the rather because Count Fredericke Massei who came from Ispruc but the day before related that the Cardinall was euery day in priuate conferrence more then two houres with the Emperour and King of the Romans The Frenchmen made show to vnderstand nothing of the Articles and said that none of the Dutch diuines had treated with the Cardinall but Staphilus onely who presented him with a booke which hee had made in matter of residence and Canisius when hee went to see the Colledge of the Iesuites that the Diuines had not spoken to the Emperour but onely when going to see the Librarie they ouertooke him and the King his sonne who demanding what they thought concerning the grant of the Cup the Abbat of Claneual who was first of them answered that he thought it could not be granted then the Emperour turning to the King of the Romanes spake this verse of the Psalme in Latin Fourtie yeeres haue I endured this generation and haue alwayes found them to erre in their will But Loraine in visiting the Legates said nothing but that the Emperour was very well and zealously affected towards the Counsel desiring it might produce some fruit and that if occasion were he would assist in person and goe to Rome also to pray the Pope to haue compassion of Christendome and to suffer a reformation to be made which might not diminish his authority to which he bare exceeding great reuerence nor would haue any thing spoken of touching his Holinesse and the Court of Rome But to others in priuat he said that if the Councel had beene gouerned with that wisedome as was conuenient it would haue had a sudden and prosperous end that the Emperour was resolued that a good and a strong reformation should bee made which if the Pope would continue to crosse as hitherto he had done some great scandall would ensue that his Maiestie purposed to goe to Bolonia in case the Pope came thither with desseigne to receiue the crowne of the Empire and such other things It is not to bee doubted that the Cardinall spake of the affaires of the The points on which the Cardinall of Loraine treated with the Emperour Councel and informed the Emperour of the disorders and deliuered his opinion what remedies might be vsed to oppose the Court of Rome and the Italian Prelates of Trent to obtaine in Councel the communion of the Cup the mariage of Priests the vse of the vulgar tongue in holy matters the relaxation of other precepts of positiue law a reformation in the Head and the members and a meanes to make the Decrees of the Councel indispensable and how in case they were not able to obtaine they might haue a colourable occasion to iustifie their actions if of themselues they should make prouision for the necessities of their people by making a Nationall Councel assaying also to vnite the Germans with the French-men in matters of religion But this was not his negotiation onely For he treated a mariage also betweene the Queene of Scotland and the Arch duke Ferdinand the Emperours sonne and another betweene a daughter of his Maiestie and the Duke of Ferrara and to find a meanes to compose the differences of precedence betweene France and Spaine which things as domesticall doe touch Princes more neerely then the publique After the returne of Loraine the Congregations continuing Iames Alan a French Diuine entred likewise into the matter of dispensations and sayd that authority to dispence was immediately giuen to the Church by Christ and by it distributed to the Prelates as neede required according to times places and occasions Hee extrolled the authority of Generall Councels which represent the Church and diminished the Popes adding that it belongeth to the Generall councel to enlarge or restraine it The second of March the Cardinall of Mantua hauing beene sicke a few The Cardinal of Mantua dieth daies passed to another life which was cause of many mutations in Councel The Legates did presently send aduice hereof to the Pope and Seripando who remained prime Legate beside the common letter wrote in particular that he would be glad his Holinesse would send another Legate his superiour to gouerne the Councel or remooue him but in case hee would The three Legats remayning write to the Pope leaue him prime Legate he told him he would proceed as God should inspire him and that otherwise it were better to remoue him absolutely The Cardinall of Varmia wrote a part also that his Church had great neede of the presence of a Pastor and that the communion of the Cup was brought in and other notable abuses desiring leaue to goe thither to make prouision heerein and that generally in all Polonia there was neede of a person who might keepe the residue of the people in obedience saying he should doe the Apostolique Sea more seruice in those quarters then he could by remaining in the Councel But Simoneta desirous that the weight of the whole businesse should lie vpon his shoulders hoping to guide it with satisfaction of the Pope and his owne honour considering that Seripando was satiated with it and not inclined to gouerne it and that Varmiense was a simple man fit to beled he wrot to the Pope that the affaires of the Councel being not in a good state euery nouity would shake it much and therefore did thinke fit to continue without sending other Legates and promised a good issue In those dayes aduice came from Rome that a cause of the Bishop of Segouia which was to be proposed in the Rota was refused and that one of the Auditors told his Proctor that the Bishop was suspected of heresie This made a great stir not onely amongst the Spaniards but all the Oltramontanes also complaining that in Rome calumnies and infamies were raised against those who did not absolutely adhere to their wils The fourth of March the third ranke beganne to speake and for the fift Article all agreed that it was hereticall and to be condemned and so they did of the sixt Yet there was a difference because some
that Kingdome would prosper where there is a manifest disobedience vnto the Apostolike Sea vntill the King and the Councel did cause themselues to bee absolued from the censures and did persecute the heretikes with all their forces In defence whereof the French-men saide that the tribulations continually supported by all France and the manifest danger of the ruine of the Kingdome did sufficiently iustifie this action against the opposition of those who regarding onely their owne interests doe not consider the necessitie in which the King was which is more potent then any lawâ— alleadging that of Romulus that the good of the people is the most principall law of all But these reasons were not esteemed and the King was blamed aboue all because hee said in the proheme that the time and the fruite of an holy free generall or Nationall Councell would cause the establishment of tranquillitie which they sayde was an iniurie to the generall Councell to bee put in alternation with a Nationall and that the Cardinalls of Borbon and of Guise should bee named amongst the Authours of the Councell to make peace saying it was a great iniurie to the Apostolique Sea The Synode beganne also to bee troubled amongst themselues for a small cause which did giue much matter of discourse Friar Peter Sota about The letter of Soto to the Pope this time and three dayes before his death did dictate and subcribe a letter to bee sent to the Pope in which by way of confession he declared his opinion concerning the points controuerted in Councell and did particulary exhort his Holinesse to consent that residence and the institution of Bishops might bee declared to bee de iure diuino The letter was sent to the Pope and Friar Ludouicus Sotus his companion kept a copie of it who thinking to honour the memorie of his friend begann to spread it This caused much speach Some were mooued with the action of a doctour of an honest life and at the time of his death Others saide he did it not by his owne motion but at the instigation of the Arch-Bishop of Braganza Simoneta laboured to get in all the copies which did increase curiositie and made them published the more so that they were in the hands of all And it is certaine that the maintainers of these opinions were incouraged by this accident The Spaniards did often meete in the house of the Count of Luna where Granata informed him of the present and past occurrences of the Councell and the Bishops of Leria and Patti being departed he saide these are forlorne men who like to animals suffer the burthen to be laid vpon them and themselues to bee gouerned by the will and opinion of another who are good for nothing but to make a number adding that if in their resolutions they proceeded by number of voyces as hitherto they had done little good could bee hoped for and that it was necessary that matters should bee handled by way of Nations The Count said it was necessary to prouide for that and many other things beginning from the reuocation of the Decree that the Legates onelymay propose and from establishing the liberty of the Councell for which things hee had speciall commission from the King which being well setled the residue would bee prouided for with ease The Legats and other Papalins were displeased to see that the Spaniards their opposits did neuer go from the Count and as it happeneth when oneentreth new in a place where are contrarie factions euery one hopeth to gaine him the Legats also did striue to put him on the side of the Prelats the Kings Subiects whom they called their well-willers because they had intelligence with them that they might doe a good office and as they saide vndeceiue him and make him to know the truth They imployed also herein the Ambassadour of Portugal who hauing much opportunitie to speake often with him because those Kings had almost the same interest in respect of matters Ecclesiasticall did cunningly because hee was much obliged to the Pope lay before him the things which the Popes ministers had suggested to him for the seruice of the Court of Rome The 22. of Aprill appointed for the Session drawing neere a congregation was held the day before to consult about the prorogation of it The Legates did propose the deferring of it vntill the third of Iune But Loraine said it was a great scandall to all Christendome to prorogue the Session so often and neuer to hold it which would be increased also if it were put off to another day and afterwards deferred againe therefore seeing that none of the things proposed and handled concerning Residence and the Sacraments of Order and Matrimony were resolued it was better not to prefixe a certaine day but to expect vntill the twentieth of May and then to resolue vpon the time because the progresse of all things would then more plainely appeare and in the meane while not to loose time voyces may bee giuen concerning the Articles of the abuses of the Sacrament of Order before the ende whereof Cardinall Morone would be returned from the Emperour with ample resolution wherby the matters in controuersie may bee composed and diligence vsed to finish the Councell within two or three moneths Cardinall Madruccio and so many of the Fathers followed that opinion that it preuailed and it was decreed that the day to celebrate the next Session should bee prefixed the twentieth of May. The Congregation being ended Antonius Chierelia Bishop of Budua who in deliuering his voyce was wont to entertaine the Father with some witty conceit and oftentimes to adde some merrie Prophecies which were spread abroad in diuers parts did then also deliuer one concerning the citie of Trent Hee said in substance that Trent had been fauoured and elected for the citie in which the generall concord of Christendome was to bee established but beeing made vnworthy of that honour by reason of the inhospitalitie thereof would shortly incurre a generall hatred as the seminarie of greater discords The sence was couered with diuers enigmaes in a Poeticall Propheticall forme yet not so but that it was easily vnderstood Loraine hauing obtained the generall consent with so much reputation the Papalins grew iealous who considering the honour which was done to him the day before by those who met him and now by the receiuing of his opinion thought it not onely an indignitie to the Legats but an entrance also to breake the Decree that onely the Legates should propose And they speake Publiquely that the Pope said well that the Cardinall was Head of a partie and that hee prolonged the quicke dispatch of the Councell and hindered the iourney to Bolonia But Loraine not caring what was said in Trent and intending his negotiation with the Emperour dispatched a Gentleman to him with the opinion of the Doctours concerning the Articles put into consultation by his Maiestie Loraine sendeth a gentleman to the Emperour whom hee caused to
did happen she would subiect both those Kingdomes to the obedience of the Apostolique Sea The letters beeing read the Cardinall made an cloqnent Oration to 〈…〉 use the Queene for sending neither Prelates nor Ambassadouts to the Councell because they were all heretiques and promised that she would neuer vary from the true Religion For answere thankes were giuen in the name of the Synode Some laughed because the negotiation was as if it had been of a priuate person not of a Prince and maruelled that she had not so much as one Catholique subiect to send But the wiser sort did beleeue this was begged and extotâ—ed from her because shee was able to doe like a Prince in regard shee had euer many Catholiques about her The Secretarie of Loraine was returned whom he sent to Rome to cleere him of the imputation that he was a Head of a faction whom the Pope receiued with demonstration of loue and seemed to beleeue his exposition and wrote to the Cardinall that he was content that the contentious matterâ— should be omitted the doctrines of Order and Residence not spoken of but the reformation onely treated on Loraine imparting this letter to 〈…〉 that order might be taken to begin was deferred vntill the returne of Morone where with hee was distasted as if he had been mocked by the Pope And ioyning this with the aduice which came vnto him that Morone speaking with the Emperour of the libertie of the Councell sayd that himselfe and the French Ambassadours did hinder it more then others he complained vpon euery occasion to all with whom hee spake that the Councell had no libertie and that not onely the resolution of euery litle particular was made aâ— Rome but that the Fathers and especially the Gardinall M 〈…〉 and himselfe were not thought worthy to know what was commaunded by the Pope that they might conforme themselues to the will of his Ho 〈…〉 and that it was 〈◊〉 that so many 〈◊〉 should bee disparched from Trent to Rome by the Legaâ—s for euery shall 〈…〉 and sometimes 〈…〉 concerning the same matter and yet it could heuer be kno 〈…〉 what resolution or answere came from the 〈…〉 The 〈…〉 hereat because the things went so apparant and publike that they could neither be denied no◠〈◊〉 Loraine full of these â—ll satisfactions beeing called the 〈…〉 consultation to treat of begining the Congregations because Morone had w 〈…〉 would bee in Trent within eight dayes 〈…〉 t parties steel a good while without speaking one word afterwards entring into complements they 〈…〉 from another without talking of the bus 〈…〉 sse The Proctor 〈…〉 the French Prelats who remained in the Kingdome being 〈…〉 in Trent they dessired the Ambassadours that they might bee admitted in Congregation which 〈◊〉 refusing Lansae replied that they La 〈…〉 spor 〈…〉 had doth anded it in reuerence not because they did acknowledge the Legats for Iudges and that hee was resoliue that the difficulty should be proposed in Councell This made the Legats aâ— per their perpose to expect Morone and appointed a Congregation for the fourteen the of May to handle the abuses 〈…〉 Where Loraine giuing his voice 〈…〉 the first point which The Cardinal of Lorain in deliuering his susâ—rage afterwards was taken away for the causes which shall bee related hereafter spake at large of the abuses 〈…〉 ring in that matter And that hee right more 〈…〉 gh against the disorders of Rome he begain with France not spâ—ring the King he could 〈◊〉 the Concordate said that the distribution of the Benefites of the Kingdome which ought 〈◊〉 belong to the Chapters was diuided betweene Pope 〈◊〉 and King F 〈…〉 scareely forbearing to say as the prey is diuided amongst Hunters He disliked that the King and Princesâ— all the nomination of Prelatures and that Cardinals did possesse Bishop 〈…〉 also the vaccord lately made by the King with the Hugonots But leauing France hee sayd that Rome was the fountaine whence all di 〈…〉 that no Cardinall was without a Bishopricke yea without 〈…〉 how 〈…〉 charges were incompatible that the inuention of Commendaes Vnions for life administrations by which against all law many Benefic 〈…〉 with appearance that hee had but 〈…〉 was 〈…〉 king of the Maiestie of GOD. Hee often allead 〈…〉 that place of Saine P 〈…〉 Take heede of errours for God is not mocked and one shall reape only that which hee hath soâ—ed Hee spake much against dispen 〈…〉 by which the strength of all lawes is taken away as also against many other abuses and with such cloquened that hee spent the whole Congregation His discourse was not 〈…〉 taken by the Papalins Simoneta did openly treats with 〈◊〉 Preiats 〈…〉 said he spake like the Lu 〈…〉 and God grant that hee were not of their opinion wherewith Lo 〈…〉 was 〈…〉 to the Pope In the Congregations following one thing 〈◊〉 ordinary 〈◊〉 of memorie was spoken except 〈…〉 obliquely vsed by those who had vn 〈…〉 by Loraine In this inter iâ— Cardinall Morone had his dispatch in writing from the Emperour very generall termeâ— that bee would defend the authoritie of Is thought to speake like a Lutheran and Hope against heretikes 〈…〉 would remaine at 〈◊〉 and passe further that the 〈…〉 noâ— to be made without 〈◊〉 of the King 〈…〉 for 〈◊〉 〈…〉 because being done on the sudden 〈…〉 much matter of discourse 〈…〉 manie that bee would â—est satisfied with the proceeding in 〈…〉 vpon the 〈◊〉 conditions that the reformation 〈…〉 Trent and that euery one might propose desiring they would presently begin to handle the Articles exhibited by him and France Concerning this negotiation of the Cardinall and of the answere made I haue related what I haue found registred in publike monuments but I ought not to omit the fame then diuulged in Trent and beleeued by men of the greatest vnderstanding that the Cardinall had treated with the Emperour and with his sonne King of the Romans more secret matters and shewed them that in respect of the diuers The secret negotiation of the Cardinall Morone with the Emperor ends of Princes and Prelats and of their diuers and important interests which were contrary it was impossible the Councell should haue such an end as some of them did desire Hee told them that in the matter of the Chalice marriage of Priests and of the vulgar tongue things desired by his Maiestie and the French King neither the King of Spaine nor any Prince of Italie would euer consent that in matter of reformation euery sort of persons would remaine in their present state and reforme others whence it commeth that euery one demandeth reformation and yet when any Article thereof is proposed more doe oppose then fauour it that euery one thinketh of himselfe onely and doth not consider the respects of another that euery one would haue the Pope a minister of his designes not thinking whether others will remaine offended for it for whom it
the Councell should be communicated vnto him whereof though he saw no effect yet he did not complaine but he was troubled that he had commanded the Legats not to impart vnto him their owne proper affaires and especially that in which he might haue done more good then another adding that more mischiefe had insued but for his mediation Hee sayde moreouer that the blame of all was imputed to his Holinesse and prayed him that he would not be the authour and cause of so great an euill Hee sent Musottus vnto him also by post to informe him more particularly of the resolution of the French Ambassadours and of the imminent danger The Count of Luna complained of the stiffenesse of the French Ambassadours and magnified his owne great patience and modestie and desired the Legates that the next Sunday he might be admitted to equall place ceremonies according to the Popes order Some thought it was a stratagem of the Pope to dissolue the Councell and the Papalins called Amoreuoli said that if they must come to a dissolution they desired it should rather happen for the controuersie about the words of the Councell of Florence That the Pope is Rector of the Church vniuersall thinking it would be more easie to iustifie his Holinesse in that and to lay all the blame vpon the French-men The next morning the last of Iune the Count hauing assembled the Spanish Prelats and many Italians told them that the day before hee went into the Chappell not to giue occasion of any disturbance but to keep the right of his King and make vse of the Popes order that since he had vnderstood that in case he should returne to the Chappel againe the French-men would protest which if they should doe hee must not faile to answere them in the same maner and termes that they should vse as in regard of his Holinesse so also in the behalfe of the Maiestie of his King The Prelats answered that if it came to this they would be readie to doe his Holinesse seruice and not faile to hold esteeme of his Catholique Maiestie as farre as did concerne them The Count prayed them againe to consider well of all which might happen in such a case saying that himselfe would come prepared also And knowing that the French-men could take but three courses either against the Legats or against the King or against him the Ambassadour hee meant to be prouided for an answere for all All the Ambassadours of other Princes perswaded the Legats to find a temper that so great disorder might not happen who answering that they must needs execute the Popes command which was precise and without any reseruation and the rather because they had promised the Count to doe it whensoeuer he would request it the Cardinal of Loraine protested to them that in case they did so hee would goe into the pulpit and shew of what importance the matter was and what a ruine it would bring to all Christendome and with the crucifixe in hand would cry Misericordia perswading the Fathers and people to goe out of the Church that they might not see so fearefull a schisme and crying Hee that desires the welfare of Christendome let him follow me would depart out of the Church hoping he should be followed by euery one The Legats mooued heerewith perswaded the Count to be content that no Chappell should be helde the next Sunday nor any procession made according to the vse and sent the Pope aduise of all Continuall congregations were held in the house of the French and Spanish Ambassadours The Spaniard sometimes gaue hope he would bee content and sometimes made instance to goe to Church to execute the Popes order for the Incense and Pax. And the French Ambassadours were resolued to protest and depart and said openly that they would not protest against the Legates being but meere nor against the King of Spanic or the Count his Ambassadour in regard they did prosecute their cause nor against the Apostolike Sea which they would alwayes honour following the steps of their predecessours but against the person of the Pope from whom the preiudice and innouation came as making himselfe a partie and giuing cause of schisme and for another cause also appealing vnto the future Pope lawfully elected and to a true and lawfull councell threatning to depart and to celebrate a Nationall The Prelats and other Frenchmen apart did commonly say to euery one that the Ambassadors had protestations against the person of the Bishop who caryed himselfe for Pope being not lawfull because there was a nullitie in the election for Simonie intimating particularly the obligation which Cardinall Caraffa had from the Duke of Florence The Prenchmen make a question whether the Pope were lawfully elected with promise of a certaine summe of money which that Cardinall sent afterwards to the Catholike King pretending it could not be made but by consent of the Pope before his assumption as also another obligation made by the Popes owne hand then Cardinall in the Conclaue to the Cardinall of Naples wherof mention hath bin made before And the President de Ferrieres prepared a very sharpe Oration in Latine and a protestation which howsoeuer it was not made yet it was printed and was shewed by the Frenchmen and is still to be seene in print as if it had beene recited to relate the substance whereof is not besides our present purpose that it may be seene not what the French said only but what opinion they brought to the Councel He said in substance That that Councel hauing bin called by means of Francis The protestation and Charles brothers French Kings they the French Kings Ambassadors were sory they should be forced to depart or consent to the diminution of the Kings dignitie that the prerogatiue of the French King was knowen to whosoeuer hath reade the Popes Law and the Histories of the Romane Church as also those who haue read the volumes of the Councels must needs know what place themselues ought to holde that the Ambassadours of the Catholique King in former generall Councels haue followed the Ambassadours of the most Christian that now the mutation was made not by the Fathers who if they had beene in libertie would not haue depriued any Prince of his possession nor by the Catholique King so neerely allied in amitie and kinred with their King but by the Father of all Christians who in stead of bread hath giuen his eldest sonne a stone and for fish a serpent to wound with one sting the King and the French Church together that Pius 4. dooth sow seeds of discord to disturbe the peace of Kings who are in amitie changing by force and iniustice the order of sitting alwayes vsed by the Ambassadours and lastly in the Councels of Constance and Lateran to shew that he is aboue Councels that he can neither disturbe the amity of the Kings nor alter the doctrine of the Councels of Constance and Basil that the Councel is
ab oue the Pope that Saint Peter had learned to abstaine from wordly matters whereas this his successor and no imitator did pretend to giue and to take honours from Kings that by the diuine Nationall and ciuill Law account was held of the Eldest sonne both in the life time and after the death of the father but Pius doth refuse to preferre the eldest King before those who were borne long after him that GOD in respect of Dauid would not diminish the dignitie of Solomon and Pius the fourth with out respect of the merites of Pipin Charles Lewis and of other Kings of France doeth pretend with his decree to take away the prerogatiues of the successors of those Kings that against the Lawes of GOD and man without any knowledge of the cause hee hath condemned the King taken his most ancient possession from him and pronounced against the cause of a pupil and widow that the ancient Popes when a generall Synod was celebrated haue neuer done any thing without approbation thereof and Pius hath without that Councell which representeth the Church vniuersall taken away the possession of the Orators of a King a pupill not cited sent not to him but to the Synod that to the end prouision might not bee made against it he hath vsed diligence to conceale his decree commancing the Legats vpon paine of excommunication to keepe it secret that the Fathers should consider whether these be the facts of Peter and other Popes and whether they the Ambassadours are not forced to depart from the place where Pius hath left no place for Lawes nor so much as any print of libertie of the Councell in regard nothing is proposed to the Fathers or published if it be not first sent from Rome that they did protest onely against that Pius the fourth adoring the Apostolike Sea and the Pope and the Church of Rome refusing onely to obey this man and to esteeme him the Vicar of CHRIST that they will alwayes haue in great veneration the Fathers but seeing that whatsoeuer is done is not done in Trent but in Rome and that the Decrees published are rather of Pius the fourth then of the Councell of Trent they will not receiue them for the Decrees of a generall Synod In conclusion he commanded the Prelates and Diuines in the Kings name to depart and to returne when GOD should restore the due forme and libertie to generall Councels and the King receiue his due place But there was no occasion to protest For the Count considered finally that howsoeuer the Spanish party was greater in number of Prelats then the French yet because the dependants of the Pope who at the first were on this side when they vnderstood the will of his Holines would now knowing that a dispatch was made to Rome for this cause thinke fit he should desist vntill the answere and the new order came and therefore ioyne with the French his side would prooue to bee the weaker Therefore inclining to a composition and all the other Ambassadours and the Cardinall Madruccio interposing after many difficulties they agreed that neither Incense nor the Pax should be giuen in the publique ceremonies vntill the answere of the King of Spaine did come This accord displeased the Popes dependants who would haue beene glad of that occasion to interrupt the progresse of the Councell as also those who beeing weary of Trent and nor seeing how the Councell could either proceed or be ended desired the interruption as the lesser euill that the discords might not increase It is certaine that the Pope himselfe receiuing aduice of this composition did take it ill in regard of the same feare that the discords may not bee made greater and some euill enâ—de And the Spanish ministers in Italy did all blame the Count for letting slippe so fauourable an occasion for the seruice of the King This controuersie being composed the Legats intent vpon the celebration How the difficulties in the points for the next Session were remooued of the Session because the time approched consulted what might 〈◊〉 done to remooue the differences Loraine proposed the omission of the two articles that is of the Institution of Bishops and of the authority of the Pope as things wherein the parties were to passionate and concerning Bishos to say nothing but what concerneth the power of Order To some of the Papalins this seemed a good remedie but to others not who said that this would bee attributed to the Pope as if the forme last composed did not please him and the Princes would wonder why his Holines should not rest content hauing the same power giuen him which Saint Peter had which would haue giuen matter of discourse to the heretiques Besides the Spaniards would take occasion to haue little hope hereafter to agree together in any thing whence infinite difficulties would arise in other matters also Moreouer there might bee a doubt whether it could be effected because it was probable that many of the Fathers Would require that those Articles should bee declared The Cardinall of Loraine offered that the Frenchmen should not require it and so to labour with the Spaniards that they also should be content adding that in case the Legats would doe the like with the Italians who doe with too much passion oppose the others all would bee composed And very fitly order camefrom the Emperour to his Ambassadours to vse all meanes that the authoritie of the Pope should not bee discussed in Councell which his Maiestie did because hee saw the maior part was inclined to enlarge it and feared that something might bee determined which might make his concord with the Protestants more difficult The Ambassadours hauing treated with the Legats in conformitie hereof as also with Loraine and other principall Prelates did cause this Article to bee omitted as also that other of the Institution of Bishops But first they made many consultations about it admitting vnto them the Prelates which were of greatest note and had most followers sometimes more sometimes fewer that they might so dispose of matters as that all might rest contented and the Decrees of the prouisions made against the abuses were giuen sorth Concerning the first point which was of the election of Bishops the Ambassadors of Spaine and Portugall did sharply oppose this particular that the Metropolitans should examine the persons promoted to Bishoprikes whereof much hath beene said before saying that this was to subiect the Kings to the Prelats their subiects because authoritie was indirectly giuen them to reiect the Kings nominations The French Ambassadors beeing demanded what their opinion was made shew they did not câ—re whether it were decreed or not Whereupon the Popish Prelats who thought it as diminution to the Popes authoritie sayd that all that point might bee omitted especially because in the fift Session sufficient prouision was made in that matter But others opposing hotely a conclusion was made by common consent that it should bee deforred vntill the next
giuen by the Legates made for the interests of Rome could not be fitted to other countreys But the Cardinall of Loraine and the French and Portugall Ambassadours contradicted alleadging that euery one might speake his opinion concerning the Articles proposed and propose others if there were cause so that there was no need to giue this distast to the Pope and the Legates who could not endure to heare speach of Nations in Councell And the Imperialists comming to this opinion also the Count retired but said that diuers considerations ought to bee had concerning those which were proposed The Cardinall of Loraine counselled the Legats to facilitate the businesse and to take away those points which might seeme to cause contradiction adding that the fewer matters were handled the better it would be whereat Varmiense seeming to wonder Loraine asked him whether hee marueiled The Card of Loraine excuseth the change of his minde because hee saw not in him that heate and desire of reformation as hee had made demonstration of at other times and he added that his desire was the same and had the same disposition of minde to imploy all his force therein but that experience hath taught him that not onely nothing perfect or ordinarie can bee done in Councell but that euery enterprise in that businesse turneth to the worst He perswaded also the Count of Luna not to seeke to hinder the reformation totally but if there were any thing which did not fully satisfie him hee should make the partcular knowen and hee would labour that contentment should be giuen him The Emperours Ambassadours first of all gaue their answere in writing the one and thirtieth of Iuly in which they said that desiring a generall reformation in the head and members and hauing read the Articles exhibited they had added some things and noted others desiring they might be corrected accordingly and discussed by the Fathers And because the Emperour with the Ambassadours of many Princes did hold a Diet in Vienna to handle many things concerning the Councell they hoped they would take it in good part if hauing receiued a new commandement from his Maiestie they should present other considerations also and that for the present they added eight Articles to those proposed by them 1 That a serious and The Imperialists adde 8. Articles more durable reformation of the Conclaue might bee made in Councell 2. That alienation of Ecclesiasticall goods without the free and firme consent of the Chapter might be prohibited and especially in the Roman Church 3. That Commendaes and Coadiutories with future succession might bee taken away 4. That Schooles and Vniuersities might be reformed 5. That the Prouinciall Councels may bee inioyned to correct the Statutes of all the Chapters as also that authoritie may bee giuen to reforme Missals Breuidries Agends and Graduals not in Rome onely but in all Churches 6. That Lay-men may not bee cited to Rome in the first instance 7. That causes may not bee remooued from the Secular Court to the Ecclesiasticall vpon pretence of iustice denyed before the trueth of the supplication bee knowen 8. That Conseruators may not bee giuen in prophane matters And concerning the Articles exhibited by the Legates they noted many things part whereof as being but of small weight it will not be amisse to omit Those of importance were That Cardinals might bee chosen out of all Nations that the Vniuersall Bishop might bee created by Electors of all Countreys That the prouisions against Pensions Reseruations and Regresses should bee extended not onely to the future but to those also that are past That the kissing of the Gospel should not be taken from the Emperour and Kings who ought to defend it That it may be declared what secular affaires are prohibited to Ecclesiastiques that that which is determined in the decree of Residence may not be crossed That in the Article of not laying taxes vpon the Ecclesiastiques the cause of Subsidie against the Turkes and other Infidels may be excepted The proposition though it were of hard digestion did not so much trouble the Legats as the doubt mooued that some extraordinary demaund for change of Rites receiued by the Church of Rome and relaxation of Precepts de iure Positiuo might come from the Diet in Vienna The third of August the Frenchmen gaue their obseruations the essentiall whereof were That the number of Cardinals might not exceed foure and The articles exhibited by the French-men twentie and that no more might be created vntill they were reduced to that paucitie That they may bee elected out of all Kingdomes and Prouinces That there may not be two of one Diocesse nor more then eight of one Nation That they may not bee lesse then thirtie yeeres of age That the nephew or brother of the Pope or of any Cardinall liuing may not bee chosen That Bishoprickes may not bee giuen them that they may the better assist the Pope and that their dignitie being equall their reuenew may bee equall also That none may haue more then one Benefice and that the difference vnknowen to the good ages of the world of Benefices simple and with cure compatible and incompatible may be taken away and that hee that hath two at this present may choose and keepe one only and that within a short time That resignations in fauour may be quite taken away That it may not bee prohibited to conferre Benefices onely vpon those who haue not the language of the Countrey because the Lawes of France forbid all strangers without exception to haue Offices or Benefices in the Kingdome That the criminall causes of Bishops may not be iudged out of the kingdome in regard of the ancient priuiledge of France that none may bee iudged out of the Kingdome neither voluntarily nor by compulsion That power may bee restored to Bishops to absolue from all cases without exception That to take away suits for Benefices preuentions resignations in fauour mandats expectatiues and other vnlawfull wayes to obtaine them may be remooued That the prohibition that the Clergie may not meddle in secular matters may be expounded so that they may abstaine from all functions which are not holy Ecclesiasticall and proper to their order That the Pensions alreadie imposed may be taken away and abrogated That in causes of Patronage the ancient institution in France may not be changed to giue sentence in the possessorie for him who is in the last possession and in the petitorie for him who hath a lawfull title or a long possession That the lawes of France concerning Ecclesiasticall causes may not bee preiudiced that the possessorie may beiudged by the Kings Iudges and the petitorie by the Ecclesiastiques but not out of the Kingdome That none may be assumed to bee Canon in a Cathedrall Church before he be fiue and thirtie yeeres old That for the Article containing the reformation of Princes the Clergie may bee first intirely reformed in this Session and that which belongeth to the dignity
principall points were That they might say to the Fathers as the Ambassadours of the Iewes did to the Priests Ought wee also to continue fasting lamenting That there are more then 150. yeres part since the most Christian Kings haue demanded of the Popes a reformation of the Ecclesiasticall discipline that for this end only they haue sent Ambassadors to the Synods of Constance Basil and the Lateran to the first of Trent finally to this second What their demands were Iohn Gerson Ambassadour in that of Constance the Orations of Petrus Danesius Ambassadour in the first of Trent of Guido Faber and of the Cardinall of Loraine in this second doe testifie in which nothing was demanded but the reformation of the manners of the ministers of the Church and notwithstanding this they must still fast and lament not seuentie yeeres but two hundred and GOD grant they be not three hundred and many more And if any should say that satisfaction hath beene giueth them by Decrees and Anathematismes they did not thinke that this was to satisfie to giue one thing in payment for another If it shall bee said that they ought to bee satisfied with a great bundle of reformations proposed the moneth before they had spoken their opinion concerning that and sent it to the King who had answered that he saw few things in it befitting the ancient discipline but many things contrary That that is not the plaster of Isaias to heale the wound but of Ezekiel to make it raw though healed before That these additions of excommunicating and anathematizing Princes was without example in the ancient Church and did make a way to rebellion and all the Articles concerning the reformation of Kings and Princes haue no ayme but to take away the libertie of the French Church and offend the Maiestie of the most Christian Kings who by the example of Constantine Iustinian and other Emperours haue made many Ecclesiasticall lawes which haue not onely not displeased the Popes but they haue inserted some of them in their Decrees and iudged Charles the Great and Lewis the ninth principall authors of them worthy of the name of Saints He added taht the Bishops had with them gouerned the Church of France not only since the times of the Pragmatique or Concordate but foure hundred yeeres and more before the booke of the Decretals and that these lawes haue beene defended and renewed by the later Kings since that the Decretals substituted in place of them haue derogated from them in the times following That the King beeing now of age would reduce those lawes and the libertie of the French Church into obseruation because there is nothing in them contrarie to the doctrine of the Catholique Church to the ancient Decrees of Popes nor to the Councels of the Church vniuersall Hee said moreouer that those lawes doe not prohibite Bishops to reside all the yeere and to preach euery day not onely nine moneths and in the feasts as was decreed in the last Session nor forbid them to liue in sobrietie and pietie and hauing the vse onely and not the benefit of the reuenues to distribute them or rather to render them to the poore who are owners of them And hee proceeded in naming other things of the Councel with the like ironicall manner that hee seemed to iest at them Hee added that the power giuen by GOD to the King the lawes of France and the libertie of the French Church haue alwayes forbid Pensions Resignations in fauour or with Regresse pluralitie of Benefices Annats Preuentions and to litigate for the Possessorie before any but the Kings Iudges or for the propriety or other cause ciuill or criminall out of France and forbid also the hindering of appeales as from abuse or to hinder that the King Founder and Patron of almost all the Churches of France may not make vse of the goods and reuenues though Ecclesiasticall of his Subiects for instant and vrgent necessitie of the Common-wealth Hee said afterwards that the King marueiled at two things One that they the Fathers adorned with so great Ecclesiasticall power in the ministerie of GOD assembled onely to restore Ecclesiasticall discipline not regarding this should binde themselues to reforme those whom they ought to obey though they were stiffenecked Another that they should think they can and ought without any admonition excommunicate and anathematise Kings and Princes which are giuen by GOD to men which ought not to bee done to any ordinary man though perseuering in a most grieuous offence He said that Michael the Archangel durst not curse the Deuill or Micheas or Daniel the most wicked Kings and yet they the Fathers were wholly conuersant in maledictions against Kings and Princes and against the most Christian if hee will defend the lawes of his ancestors and the liberty of the Gallicane Church His conclusion was that the King did desire them not to decree any thing against those 〈◊〉 or if they should that hee commanded his Ambassadors to oppose the Decrees as 〈…〉 they did oppose them But if 〈…〉 ting the Princes they would attend seriously to that which al the world expectch it would bee most 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ble to the King who did command them the Ambassador 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 that 〈…〉 hee spake in the Kings name Afterwards hee did 〈…〉 the heauen earth and the Fathers to consider whether the Kingâ— demand were iust whether it were honest for them to make orders for themselues throughout the whole world whether this were a â—â—me to take compassion not vpon the Church nor vpon France but vpon themselues the Fathers their dignity reputation and 〈…〉 s which cannot do preserued but by the Arts by which they were gained in the beginning that in so great confusions they must bee wary and not cry when CHRIST commeth sâ—nd Vs into the heard of 〈◊〉 that if they would restore the Church to the ancient reputation comp 〈…〉 the aduersaries to repentance and reforme Princes they should follow the example of Ezekias who did not imitate his father nor his first second third and fourth grand-father who were vnperfect but went higher to the imitation of his perfect ancestors so it was not fit at that time to respect the next predecessors though very learned but to ascend as farre as Ambrose Augustine and Chrysostome who ouercame the heretiques not by arming Princes to the warre themselues in the meane while picking their nailes at home but with prayers good life and sincere preaching For they hauing framed themselues first like Ambrose Austine and Chrysostome will make the Princes also to become Theodosii Honorij Arcadij Valentiniani and Gratiani which he said they hoped for and praied God it might bee so and here hee ended The Oration when it was pronounced did anger very much not onely the Papalins but the other Prelates more and French-men also Is censured and when it was ended there was such a whispering that it was necessary to finish the Congregation Some did taxe it
of heresie and others said it was much to bee suspected at the least and others that it was offensiue to godly eares They said hee had taken occasion to doe it in absence of the Cardinall of Loraine who would neuer haue endured those termes and that his end was to dissolue the Councell that hee did attribute to Kings more then belongeth to them that hee inferred that the Popes authority is not necessary for the vsing of Church goods that hee made the French King like to the Queene of England But nothing did so much offend as that hee said that the authority of the French Kings ouer persons and goods Ecclesiasticall was not founded vpon the Pragmatique Concordates and priuiledges giuen by Popes but vpon the law of Nature holy Scripture ancient Councels and lawes of the Christian Emperours The French Ambassadours were reprehended also because they did not follow the steps of the Emperours and Spanish Ambassadors who though they had the same interests made not such a commotion because they knew there was no reason for it De Ferrieres defended himselfe said that the Legates had promised the Cardinall of Loraine that this matter should not bee spoken of but with such moderation as that it should not touch the affaires of France which was not performed that the Kings instruction had beene imparted to the Cardinall who if he had beene present would not onely haue consented to but counselled Protestation that those were great Ignorantes who hauing seene nothing but the Decretals Lawes of foure hundred yeeres did thinke that there were 〈◊〉 Ecclesiasticall lawes before them that if any would reforme the King by the Decretals he would reforme them by the Decrees and lead them also to more ancient times not onely of Saint Austine but of the Apostles also that he did not make the French King as the Queene of England but did oppose them who haue begunne long since to enlarge their owne authority by di 〈…〉 ing the Kings that if those Articles did so much damnifie the Emperour and Catholique King as they doe France they would neuer haue beene proposed and therefore he was not to take example by those who haue not equall interests The Arch-bishop of Sant and the Abbat of Claraual were distasted most of all who went vp and downe saying that the Ambassadours had done ill to protest and that their end was to make a confusion and giue occasion for a Nationall Councel in France that they were men not well affected creatures of the King of Nauarre sent by him to the Councel for his owne deseignes had protested without the Kings commission that it was fit to make them shew their instructions to frame an Inquisition against them as not hauing a good opinion in matter of faith Where in great differences did arise between the Ambassadours and them The next day the Ambassadors gaue the King an account of the causes why they had deferred the protestation vntill then and how they were forced at that time to come vnto it adding that they would deferre the registring of it in the acts of the Councell vntill his Maiesty had seene it and commanded them what they should doe The Legats not hauing a copie of the Oration made a collection of it by the memory of those who had beeene most attentiue to send it to the Pope of which de Ferrieres hauing gotten a copie complained that many things were expressed against his intention and in particular where hee named Ecclesiasticall lawes it was repeated spirituall lawes and that Kings might take Church goods at their pleasure whereas hee had sayd onely for necessary cause By this he was forced to giue foorth his Oration and sent a copie of it to Rome to the Cardinall of Loraine excusing himselfe for not hauing vsed words of such acrimony as he was commanded in the last instructions and in the first which are reconfirmed in those adding also that he thought it necessary to obey the King and was not willing to vndergoe the reprehensions of the Counsellors of Parliament who would haue taxed him if in a Generall Councell matters of so great importance had beene determined against that which hath beene by them so exactly maintained besides the Kings authority which hee defended hauing beene vpheld foure hundred yeeres by the Kingdome of France against the war in opposition of it made by the Court of Rome it was not iust that the Fathers of the Councell the greater part of whom are Courtiers should be Iudges of the ancient differences which the kingdome hath with that Court He gaue a copie of the oration to the Ambassadors also and to as many as did desire it and some saide that he had pronounced it otherwise then it was written Whereunto hee replyed that that could not bee said by any that had any meane vnderstanding of the Latine and that howsoeuer it was the same pronounced and written yet if they thought otherwise they must remember that the stile of the Synod was neuer to iudge of things as they were deliuered in voyce but as they were exhibited in writing and therefore they should moue no controuersie herein or if they would himselfe was to bee beleeued before any other The oration being published it was answered in the name of the Synod And answered by a namelesse man Hee said that the French Ambassadours had reason to compare themselues to the Ambassadours of the Iewes because they had both made an vniust complaint against GOD and that the same answere might be giuen them which the Prophet gaue to that people in the name of GOD that if they had fasted and lamented so many yeeres or ate and drunke all was for their owne interests that the Kings of France were cause of all the abuses of that Kingdome by naming to Bishoprickes vnlearned persons ignorant in Ecclesiasticall discipline and more inclined to a lasciuious then to a religious life that the French-men would not haue a resolution in the controuersies of faith that Christian doctrine might allwayes be vncertaine and place might be giuen to new masters who might rub the itching eares of that vnquiet Nation that they spared not to say in those turbulent times that it belonged to the King though very yong as yet to dispose of all the gouerment of the Church that they had sayd with asseueration that beneficed men had onely the vse of the reuenues whereas in France time out of mind they haue carried themselues for Vsufructuaries making Testaments and receiuing inheritances from their kinsfolke who die intestate that to say the poore are owners of the reuenues was much contrary to another saying in the same oration that the King is Patron of all Ecclesiastical goods and might dispose of them at his pleasure that it was a great absurdity to say that the King might not bee reprehended by a generall Councell seeing that Dauid was reprehended by the Prophet Nathan and tooke it in good part that it did
a little sauour of heresie to taxe Bishops of these later times as if they were not true Bishops In the end hee spake at large against the saying of the Ambassador that Kings are giuen by GOD confuting it as hereticall condemned by the extrauagant of Boniface the eight Vnam sanctam if hee did not distinguish that they are from GOD but by mediation of his Vicar The Ambassadour published an Apologie in answer of this writing as if Which causeth him to make an Apologie it had beene made to the Synod saying that the Fathers could not answere them as the Prophet did the Iewes for they demaunded a reformation of the Cleargie principally in France knowing the defects of it and not as the Iewes to whom the cause of their fasting and lamentation was imputed because they were ignorant of their owne defects that the Fathers ascribing the cause of the Ecclesiasticall deformation to their Kings should take heede they did not like Adam who layd the blame vpon the woman which God had giuen him for company saying it was a great fault in the Kings to present vnworthy Bishops but a greater in the Popes to admit them that they had desired the reformation before the doctrine not to leaue it vncertaine but because all Catholiques consenting therein they thought it necessary to begin with corrupted manners the fountaine and source of all heresies that he was not sorry hee had said that in the Articles proposed there are many things repugnant to the ancient decrees yea he would adde that they did derogate also from the constitutions of the Popes of later times that hee had said that Charles the great and Lewis the ninth had constituted Ecclesiasticall Lawes by which France had beene gouerned not that the present King did meane to make new and if he had he had spoken conformably to the holy Scripture the ciuill lawes of the Romans and to that which the Ecclesiasticall authors Greeke and Latine doe write before the booke of the Decrees for saying that beneficed men had onely the vse of the reuenues hee asked pardon because he should haue sayd that they were onely Administrators and that those who take his saying in ill part must complaine of Ierom Austin and the other Fathers who did not say onely that the Ecclesiasticall goods did belong to the poore but that Clergy men like seruants did gaine all for the Church that he neuer said that the King had free power ouer Ecclesiasticall goods but that all did belong to the Prince in time of instant and vrgent publike necessitie and he that knew the force of those words did vnderstand well that in such a time neither request nor authoritie of the Pope could take place that he had reprehended the Anathema against Kings in that manner as it was set downe in the Articles and did grant that Princes and Magistrates might bee reprehended in that sort as Nathan did but that they should not bee prouoked with iniuries and maledictions that hauing incited them by the example of Ezekias to make a reformation according to the paterne of the ancient times it could not bee inferred that he did not thinke the Bishops of the last times to be lawfull knowing very well that the Pharises and Popes sit in Moyses chaire that in saying the power of Kings commeth from God he hath said absolutely and simply as the Prophet Daniel and Paul the Apostle haue written not remembring the distinction of mediate immediate nor the Constitution of Boniface of which if hee being a French-man had thought he would haue repeated what the Stories say of the cause and beginning of that extrauagant This Apologie did not diminish the bad opinion conceiued against the Ambassadours but increased it rather it being as they sayd not an excuse The gouernmēt of France is taxed by the Fathers of the error committed but a pertinacie in maintaining it And many discoursed not so much against the Ambassadours as against the Kingdome They sayd it did plainly appeare of what mind they were who managed the affaires of France They noted the Queene Mother that shee gaue credit to the Chastilons especially to him that had quitted the Cardinals Cap that the Chancellor and the Bishop of Valence had too much power with her at whose instance that vnluckie checke had beene giuen to the Parliament of Paris with the detriment of Religion that she had inward familiaritie with Cursor and with his wife whom in respect of their Religion shee should not haue endured to looke vpon That the Kings Court was full of Hugonots exceedingly fauoured that sollicitation was still vsed to sell Ecclesiasticall goods to the great preiudice of the Church and other things they sayd of this nature But while the Councell was in this motion by meanes of these differences the Count of Luna according to his vse to adde difficulties to those which were proposed by others made instance for the abrogation of Proponentibus Legatis A thing which did much trouble them because they knew not how to content him without preiudice of the formed Sessions For not onely the reuocation but euery modification or suspension did seeme to bee a declaration that they had not lawfully proceeded in the things past But the Ambassadour seeing nothing done concerning his demand so often The abrogation of proponentibus Legatis is promoted againe made said that hitherto he had negotiated modestly but should bee forced to alter his course and spake more boldly because the Pope vpon his former instances had written that they should doe that which was conuenient and did wholly referre himselfe vnto them The Legates to be quit of his importunitie answered that they would leaue it in the liberty of the Councell to make the declaration if he thought good and so the name of libertie of the Councel did serue to couer that which did proceed from others For the Legates did at the same time vse strong perswasions with the Prelates their friends that a delay might bee interposed to referre this particular to the end of the Councel and to enioy the benefit of time that some ouerture might bee made to some course lesse preiudiciall But the Count hauing discouered the practises prepared a protestation desiring the Emperours French and Portugal Ambassadours to subscribe it who perswaded him not to bee so earnest at that time For Morone hauing promised the Emperour that prouision should bee made herein before the end of the Councel vntill it were vnderstood whether that would be performed or not they knew not how hee could protest concerning the other And Cardinall Morone to pacifie the Count sent Paleotto often to negotiate with him in what maner his request might be granted which himselfe did not well vnderstand because his meaning was not to preiudice the decrees past and with this condition it was hard to finde a temper In conclusion the Legates gaue the Count theirword that the declaration should be made in the next Session
protestation made by the French Ambassadours would haue which was read with varietie of affections Those who were ill affected to the Court of Rome did commend it as true and necessarie But the Popes adherents thought it as abominable as the Protestations formerly made by Luther In the sixt Anathematisme of Matrimonie many did wonder that the dissolution The censure of the Decrees of mariage not consummated for a solemne vow should bee made an Article of faith because the matrimoniall coniunction though not consummated by carnall copulation is a bond instituted by the Law of GOD. For the Scripture doeth affirme that there was a true mariage 〈…〉 Mary and Ioseph and the solemnitie of the profession being or 〈…〉 reâ— po 〈…〉 as Boniface the eighth hath decreed it seemed strange not so 〈…〉 humane bond should dissolue a diuine as that he should bee condemned for an hereticke who will not beleeue that an inuention of man borneth any hundred yeeres since the Apostles should preuaile against a diuine instituted on made at the first creation of the world In the seuenth it was thought to bee a captious speech to condemne for an hereticke him that shall say that the Church hath erred in reaching that Matrimonie is not dissolued by adulterie For if one should say absolutely that Matrimony ought to be dissolued for that cause without saying or thinking that one hath erred or not erred in teaching the contrary it seemeth that this man should not bee comprehended and yet it doeth not appeare how one can thinke so except the hold the contrary to bee an errour It was iudged that they should haue spoken plainely and said absolutely that 〈…〉 noâ— dissolued by adulterie or that both opinions are probable and not to make an Article of faith concerning a word onely But these men would not haue made the difficultie if they had knowen the causes before mentioned why they did speake in that maner The ninth Canon did affoord matter of speech also by that affirmatiue that God doth not deny the gift of chastitie to him that doth demaund it a right because it did seeme to be contrary to the Gospel which affirmeth that it is not giuen to all and to Saint Paul who doth not exhort to demaund it which was more easie then to marry The Polititians knew not what to thinke of the twelfth Anathematismem that it should bee heresie to hold that matrimoniall causes doe not belong to Ecclesiasticall Iudges it being certaine that the Lawes of mariage were all made by the Emperours and the iudicature of them administred by the secular Magistrates so long as the Roman Lawes were in force which the reading onely of the Theodosian and Iustinian Codes and of the Nouels doth euidently demonstrate And in the formes of Cassiodore there is mention of termes vsed by the Gothish Kings in the dispensations of degrees prohibited which then were thought to belong to ciuill gouernment and not to bee matters of religion and to him that hath any skill in story it is most knowen that the Ecclesiastiques began to iudge causes of this nature partly by commission and partly by negligence of Princes and Magistrates But in the beginning of the Decree of reformation of Matrimony many wondred how it could bee defined as an Article of faith that clandestine mariages are true Sacraments and that the Church hath alwayes detested them because it doeth implie a contradiction to detest Sacraments And to command that the Parish Priest should 〈…〉 gate those that are ioyned and vnderstanding their consent should say I ioyne you in Matrimony in the Name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost was derided by the criticks saying that either they are ioyned by those words or not if not then that is not true which the Councell of Florence hath determined that matrimony receiueth perfection from consent if so what coniunction is that which the Priest maketh of persons ioyned before And if the word I ioyne should be expounded I declare them ioyned a way would be layd open to conclude that the words of the absolution are declaratory also But howsoeuer it was they said the decree was made to no other end but that within a short time it might bee made an Article of faith that those words pronounced by the Parish Priest were the forme of the Sacrament For making void clandestine mariages they spake as much as was spoken of it in the Councell it selfe For some did extoll the decree to the heauens and others said that if those matrimonies were Sacraments and consequently instituted by CHRIST and the Church hath alwayes detested them and finally made them voyd it did not appeare how those who had not made prouision for it in the beginning could be excused from the blame of ignorance or negligence And when the distinction on which they founded the decree was published that the contract was nullified which is the matter of the Sacrament it was hard to vnderstand a long time because the matrimoniall contract hath no distinction from the matrimony nor the matrimony from the Sacrament and the rather because the matrimony was indissoluble before it was a Sacrament in regard CHRIST doeth not pronounce it insoluble as instituted by him but as by GOD in the earthly Paradise But it being admitted that the Matrimoniall contract is an humane and ciuill thing separate from the Sacrament which is nullified some said this annullation would not belong to the Ecclesiasticall Iudge but to the Secular to whom the discussion and cognition of all ciuill contracts doeth appertaine The cause alleadged to moderate the impediments of mariage was much commended as reasonable but it was obserued withall that it did necessarily conclude many more restrictions then those that were decreed in regard there are no lesse inconueniences by the impediments confirmed then by those that were abolished The end of the Article of matrimoniall dispensations mooued a vaine question in the curious whether the Pope by reseruing them to himselfe alone did more good or hurt to his authoritie For the good was alleadged the great quantitie of gold which did flow into the Court through this chanell and the obligations of so many Princes gained by this meanes as to be satisfied in their appetites or interests so to defend the Papall authoritie on which onely the legitimation of their children was grounded For the hurt the losse of the reuenues of England and of the obedience of that crowne was produced which did weigh downe all gaine or friendship which the dipensations might procure The Frenchmen did not like the decree that hee that stealeth a woman shall bee bound to endow her at the pleasure of the Iudge saying that the Law concerning dowries cannot be made by Ecclestiâ—all authoritie and that it was an artifice to take the iudicature of that delict from the secular Magistrate For if the Ecclesiastique may make the Law hee may iudge the cause And howsoeuer they said absolutely at the pleasure of the
confirmed by those that heard them rather then by him that did not know them But others answered that there was no neede the Pope should then see them because nothing was done in Trent which was not first resolued by him In many consistories following the Pope spake for the obseruation of the Decrees of the Councell saying he would obserue them himselfe though hee was not bound and gaue his word that hee would neuer derogate from them but for euident and vrgent causes and with consent of the Cardinals He charged Morone and Simoneta to bee diligent in aduertising him if any contrary thing were proposed or handled in consistorie which was but a small remedie against the transgressions because not an hundreth part of the grants made in Rome are dispatched in consistorie He sent the Bishops to their residence and resolued to make vse of the Protonotaries and Referendaries in gouerning the citie of Rome and the Ecclesiasticall state But howsoeuer he was freed from great trouble by the conclusion of the Councell yet there were some remainders of it in all kingdomes which brought new difficulties vpon him Aduice came out of Spaine that the King was offended with the ending of And are executed in Spaine by the Kings authority onely the Councell and determined to call the Bishops and agents for the Clergie of Spaine before him to set downe in what manner it might bee executed And the aduice was not false For not only all that was done in Spaine for receiuing and executing the Decrees of the Councell that yeere partly in the Spring and partly in the Autumne was by order and resolution taken in the Kings Councell but the King sent also his Presidents to the Synods which were held causing to bee proposed that which pleased him and was fit for his seruice to the great distast of the Pope who was angry the King should take so much vpon him in matters Ecclesiasticall But hee made no demonstration Which maketh the Pope angry heereof to his Ministers purposing to make vse of it in another opportunitie designed by himselfe which shall bee related in due place The President de Ferrieres hauing while hee remained in Venice made obseruations vpon the Decrees of the two last Sessions held after his departure from Trent and sent them to the Court the Cardinall of Loraine at his The Card of Lorain is taxeâ— in France at his returne returne into France had many assaults and reprehensions for consenting to things preiudiciall to the Kingdome They said that by the words of the first Article of reformation in the last Session where it is said that the Pope hath charge of the vniuersall Church in Latin Sollicitudinem Ecclesiae Vniuersae hee had yeelded the point which himselfe and all the French Bishops had so long contended for and obtained that preiudice might not bee done to the opinion of France of the superioritie of the Councell aboue the Pope that hee might haue remedied this with one little word by making them say as S. Paul had done care of all the Churches because no man would haue denied that kind of speech which S. Paul did vse that preiudice was likewise done to the same opinion of the superioritie of the Councell in the one and twentieth Article of the last session sauing in all the Decrees the authoritie of the Apostolique Sea and in the last Decree for demanding the Popes confirmation It was opposed also that the King and French Church hauing contested that the Councell might bee declared to bee new and not the old continued the continuation was declared that it was one Councell with that of Paul and Iulius in the said one and twentieth Article and in the Decree for reading the things constituted vnder those Popes by which all was basely yeelded which had beene two yeeres maintained by the King They sayd moreouer that the approbation of the things done vnder Iulius was dishonourable and preiudiciall to the protestation then made by King Henry the second But they reprehended aboue all that honourable mention hauing beene alwayes made vnder Paul and Iulius of King Francis the first and King Henry the second together with Charles the fifth the Cardinall had not caused a memorie to bee made of them in the acclamations when it was made of Charles nor the present King to bee named when the liuing Emperour was The Cardinall excused other things saying that with sixe Prelates for hee had no more in his company hee was not able to resist the consent of more then two hundred But this last opposition hee knew not how to excuse though hee sayd it was to preserue the peace of the two Kingdomes For it was replied that he might haue suffered others to make the inâ—onation and not to haue been the authour himselfe of that preiudice And so it is seene that vaine men often times thinking to gaine reputation by retaile doe lose it in grosse But the Counsellers of the Parliament found many other things to oppose The censure of the Parliament of Paris vpon the last Session against the Articles of Reformation published in those two Sessions where the Ecclesiasticall authority they said was inlarged beyond its bounds with the wrong and diminution of the temporall by giuing power to Bishops to proceede to pecuniary mulcts and imprisonment against the Laitie whereas no authority was giuen by CHRIST to his Ministers but meere and pure Spirituall that when the Clergâ—e was made a member and part of the policie the Princes did by fauour allow the Bishops to punish inferiour Clergie-men with temporall punishments that discipline might bee obserued amongst them but to vse such kinde of punishments against the Laiques they had neither from the Law of God nor of man but by vsurpation onely that in the matter of Duell they pretend to proceede against the Emperour Kings and other Souâ—reignes who graunt it in their Kingdomes euen by excommunication whereas their opinion was that to permit Duell in some cases was not amiffe as the permitting of fornication and other offences howbeit they are sinnes was not ill in regard of publique vtilitie and to auoyd greater inconueniences They said that this power beeing naturall and giuen to the Princes by God could not bee taken away or restrained by any power of man They thought it also intolerable to excommunicate Kings and Princes holding it for a sure maxime in France that the King cannot bee excommunicated nor his officers for execution of their offices They added that to depriue Princes of their States Lords of their Fees and to confiscate the goods of priuate men were all vsurpations of the temporall authoritie because that which was giuen by CHRIST to the Church doeth not extend it selfe to things of this nature Concerning Patronages they said great wrong was done to the Seculars in disabling their proofes and that the whole Article was grounded vpon a false maxime that all benefices are free if the Patronage bee not
the assistants in Councell 554 Salmeron the Iesuite proceedeth by faction in matter of faith 555 Laynez Generall of the Iesuites spendeth a whole congregation in a discourse concerning the Institution of Bishops 609 610 611 His suffrage concerning dispensations 721 Fauors done to him in Councel by the Legats 721. 722 The Iesuites doe professe to liue by begging but will not be bound to it 799 They make vse of the negligence of the Fathers in Councell to raise their order to more greatnesse 801 Images and their doctrine 806 Index is disputed on 474 475 502 a Decree made concerning it 480 Indulgences when they began to bring money to the Popes coffers 4 a plenary Indulgence granted by Vrban the second and Leo the tenth 4 the profit of the Indulgences of Saxonie is granted to the Popes sister 5 The doctrine of Indulgences was neuer well vnderstood before Luther wrote against them 6 foure different opinions concerning them and all Catholique 22 The Councell dareth not handle Indulgences exactly 801 The Decree concerning them 812 an Indulgence granted by the Legates in Trent without authority 113 In quisition brought into Naples 271 and into the Low-Countreys 300 the office of Inquisition is mainly promoted by Paul the fourth 409 the Inquisition should haue beene brought into Milan which causeth a great tumult there and in the Councell 757 758 Intention of the Ministers to doe as the Church doeth whether it be necessarie in Baptisme and the other Sacraments 240 241 c. Interim or peace of religion is made in Germanie 62 It displeaseth both Papists and Protestants 294. Is abrogated 379 Iohn Tancherel is condemned in France for maintaining that the Pope may depose kings 463 464 Ireland is made a kingdome by Pope Paul the fourth which title it had long before 392 Ispruc is taken by the Protestants 378 Iubile published in Rome 130 And in Trent 203 Another Iubile celebrated in Rome for ioy of the determination to celebrate the Councell 435 Iulius the 2. Pope was more a souldier then a Clergie man 3 Iulius the 3 created Pope 298 Is more inclined to pleasure then businesse createth a yong Car. of vnknown parents 299 Restoreth the Councell to Trent 302 303 Is aliened from the Emperour 371 Suspendeth the Councell 376 Maintaineth his reputation by the Patriarke of Armenia 382 383 Reioyceth for the restitution of the obedience of England he dieth 389 Iustice by whom it is to be administred in Councell 82 Iustification is discussed in many articles 192 Which did trouble the Prelates and Diuines because it was neuer well discussed by the Schoolemen 194 K KIng of Denmarke embraceth the reformed religion 84 King of Nauarre hath a guard set vpon him 436 Is set at libertie and gouerneth France 437 Writeth to the Protestant Princes in Germanie that hee will preserue Religion in France 480 Was slaine with a Bullet at the siege of Roan 640 His death maketh a great alteration in France 641 Knights of Malta send an ambassadour to the Councell who is receiued in Congregation and maketh an Oration 762 L. LAndgraue of Hassia preuenteth a diuision amongst the Reformatists in the Diet of Spira 47 publisheth a Manifest against the Emp. 190 who setteth forth a Bando against him 201 Landgraue and Saxon had equall authoritie in the warre against the Emperour which was a great disaduantage to them 204 He yeeldeth himselfe prisoner to the Emperour 270 is set at libertie 379 Lateran Councell what aduantage it brought to the Sea of Rome 19 Latin translation of the Bible is discoursed of 155 156 157 c. and is approued 159 it is said that no errors of faith are in it 161 Lawes of Popes are more strictly obserued then the lawes of God 488 League between the Pope and the French King is confirmed by marriage 67 betweene the Pope and the Emperour against the Protestants 188 the League betweene Charles the Emperour and Henry 8. King of England offendeth the Pope 105 a league of all Catholiques against the Protestants is treated by the Pope 515 but cannot be effected 516 a league betweene the Pope the French K. against the Emp. confirmed by mariage 252 another of the Protestants in Germany against the Emperour 312 484 Legates in Trent desire to haue two sorts of letters from the Pope and a cipher 113 Leo 10 Pope his description 3 Lewis 12. French King is excommunicated 3 Libertie of Friars is held dangerous by the Legates and repressed 228 a Friar of Brescia is disgraced for speaking of the Eucharist like Luther 422 Libertie of the Councel violated by the Pope 503 Libertie of the Councell is thought by the Speaker to be too great 533 and by the French Ambassadours to bee none at all 542 as also by the Spaniards 551 The Presidents vse meanes to curbe the Spanish Prelates 620 the Cardinall of Loraine said openly the Councell was not free 635 The Bishop of Veglia quitteth the Councell for feare 644 the Prelates are terrified with the Popes authoritie 645 Martin Guzdalin a Spaniard complaineth that the Councell is not free 661 and the Spanish Ambassadour doth the like who is answered by Cardinall Morone 754 Limbo is the place where children are who die without Baptisme before the vse of reason 178 Luther speaketh against Indulgences 5 And against the Popes authoritie 7 Appealeth to the Councell 8. 12 Passeth to other points of doctrine 9 Burneth the Popes Bull and Decretals in Wittenberg 12 Is called to the Diet of Wormes 13 And an Edict is published against him after his departure 15 Which was neuer executed by the Princes of the Empire 26 27 c. His answere to Vergerius 75 Hee dieth 148 Diuers fables are raised of his death 149 M. MAntua is chosen to hold the Councel in 79 Wherewith the Duke is contented at the first but repenteth afterwards 82 Marcellus the Second created Pope 389 Purposeth to make a seuere reformation of the Court and Clergie and to erect a religious Order of an hundred persons 390 Hee dieth hauing sate but two and twentie dayes 392 Marriage of Priests what inconuenience it bringeth 460 Why it is forbid 680 Matrimonie is proposed to bee disputed 662 665. The inconuenience of secret marriages 665 668 c. Whether Priests may marry 678 679 A marriage is desired and sought by the King of Spaine betweene his sister and his sonne Charles 685 Marriage of children without consent of their parents is spoken against by the French ambassadours 746 747 754 Marriage of Priests is promoted and opposed in councell 747 The abuses of matrimonie are discussed 747 748. A question discussed whether one may be forced to marry 749 750 Diuers opinions concerning clandestine marriage 782 The doctrine of Matrimony is decreed 784 The reformation of the abuses of it is decreed 784 785 The impediments of Matrimony are decreed 785. Mary obtaineth the Crowne of England 383 Establisheth Popery 384 Is married to King Philip. 385 Appointeth ambassadors to go to
with it that the losse would be great to France and little to him For the Apostolike Sea receiueth yeerly out of that Kingdome but fiue and twentie thousand crownes but on the other side the Kings authority being great granted by the Popes to dispose of Benefices hee would loose it all in regard the Popes authoritie being taken away the Pragmatike wold take place and the Bishops would be elected by the Canons the Abbats by the Monasteries and the King bereaued of all this Therefore hee was sorry for nothing but for the losse of so many soules But if GOD would correct them for their faults and infidelity he could not helpe it In the beginning of Nouember Letters came to Rome from the Emperor The Emperor writeth to the Pope against the commuation of the old Councell and so the conuocation of a new in which he said though in generall termes that concerning the Councell hee would doe for his owne person whatsoeuer the Pope pleased but added that to hold a Councell out of Germanie or to continue that of Trent by taking away the suspension would doe no good but raise a greater hatred in the Protestants with danger that they would endeuour to hinder it with Armes in which kinde hee had heard of diuers treaties but making a new Councell there was hope to perswade them to goe thither This caused variety of opinions amongst the Cardinals it being plaine that if there were not a continuation of the Councell of Trent all the things already determined would be vaine and voide hauing neuer beene confirmed by any Pope This was proposed in Congregation by his Holinesse whereof they consulted Wherein the Cardinals are diuided in opinion and spake much without giuing of voyces which being demanded in another Congregation Carpi shewed at large that it was necessary to continue the Councell remoouing the suspension onely and was followed by Cesis and Pisano But the Cardinall of Trent who was next said that in a matter where they were to treat de summa rerum full of so many difficulties it was better to thinke a little more on it And this opinion was followed by all the other Cardinals And fitly the next euening a Currier came in haste to Rome out of France with protestations from the King that if the generall The protestation of the French King sent to Rome Councell were not called he could no longer deferre the Nationall and that they were not to thinke of Trent or any place in Italie in regard the Councell hauing been desired so many yeeres for the necessities of Germany and now the danger of France beeing added it was meete to holde it in a conuenient place for both the nations otherwise it would bee in vaine if the Germanes and French-men went not thither adding that if any place in France were chosen it should be most secure In the end the Pope thought not fit to delay it any more but the fifteenth of Nouember resolued in the Consistory to make the next Sunday a Procession in sackecloth and ashes giuing A Procession and Iubelie for the determination to celebrate the Councell a Iubelie and singing the Masse of the holy Ghost for the determination made to celebrate the Councell in Trent concluding that if after it was assembled it seemed commodious to translate it to another place hee would doe it and goe himselfe also in person so that it were secure He added that he could finde Armes to vse if any went about to infringe the things determined and began to consider of the tenour of the Bull. Euery day a Congregation A great question in Rome whether the continuation should plainly be declared was held to resolue whether they should plainely declare the continuation taking away the suspension as he desired that the things determined might not be disputed on againe or examined The Imperialists and French men laboured much with the Pope and the Deputies that it might be called a new Councel that the Dutch and French-men might go thither saying they might resolue in it that the things already handled might not be handled againe otherwise it were in vaine to speake of a Councell to reduce the Protestants giuing them occasion at the first to refuse it and to say they could not submit themselues to those who haue condemned them before they were heard On the contrary the Spaniards and Duke of Florence who was then in Rome laboured that the suspension only might be remoued and a continuation declared The Pope and deputies tooke a middle way hoping both parties would be satisfied A Iubelie was published and sent into all places and the 24. day the Pope with the Colledge of Cardinals all the Court went on foote with a solemne Procession from S. Peters Church to Minerua in which there was great cōfusion For the Ambassadors who were wont to go before the Crosse perceiuing that the BB. did follow and after them the Duke of Florence between 2. minor Cardinals they would haue that place also Wherupon there arose a disorder for cōposing wherof after some contestation the Pope gaue them place betweene himselfe and the Cardinals who went before him The 29. day the Conuocation of the Councell was published in the Consistory the Bul wherof was intitled of the Intimation of the Councel of Trent the Latine word was Indictionis And it was so printed in many places though afterwards when the whole body of the Councell was printed the word Celebrationis was vsed The tenor of the Bull was That the Pope from the beginning of his assumption did apply his mind The Bull of the intimation of the Councell to the rooting out of heresies extinction of diuisions and amendment of manners for remedie whereof he resolued to celebrate a generall Councell that Paul the third and Iulius had assembled it before but could not finish it and relating all the occurrences vnder those Popes ascribeth the successe to diuers impediments promoted by the enemy of mankinde at the least to deferre so great a benefit of the Church which hee could not absolutely hinder saying that in the meane while the heresies and diuisions were multiplied But it hauing pleased GOD to giue peace to Christian Kings and Princes he conceiued hope to put an end to the euils of the Church by means of the Councell which hee would not deferre any longer that hee-might take away schisme and heresies reforme manners and preserue peace amongst Christians Therefore by the counsell of the Cardinals and aduice of Ferdinand Emperour elected and other Kings and Princes whom hee hath found ready to helpe forward the celebration by the authoritie of GOD and of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul hee doth intimate a generall Councell in the Citie of Trent to begin at Easter remoouing all suspension whatsoeuer exhorting and commanding vnder the canonicall punishments all Patriarkes Archbishops Bishops Abbats and others who haue a deciding voyce by law priuiledge or ancient custome not
beeing lawfully hindered to bee there before that day admonishing those also in the same manner who haue or may haue any interest there praying the Emperour Kings and Princes to send their Proctors if they cannot be personally present and to cause their Prelates to performe their duetie without excuse or delay and to make the passage free and secure for them and their company as himselfe will doe within his Territories hauing no other end in celebrating the Councell but the honour of GOD the reducing of the dispersed sheepe and the perpetuall peace of Christendome ordaining that the Bull should be published in Rome and that by vertue thereof after the end of two moneths it shall binde all that are comprehended as if it had been personally intimated vnto them The Pope thought hee had satisfied himselfe those who would haue a Did not please either party new Councell intimated and those who desired a continuation of the old But as middle counsels doe vsually displease both parties so the Pope gaue satisfaction to none as shall be declared Presently after the publication of the Bull the Pope sent Nicheto into France with it with commission if the forme did not please to say that they should not except against the word Continuare because it did not hinder them to speake againe of the things already proposed Hee sent it also to the Emperour and King of Spaine He sent likewise Zacharias Delphinus Bishop of Liesina to the Princes of high Germany and Ioannes Franciscus Comendone Bishop of Zante to those of Lowe Germany with letters to them all and with order first to receiue instruction from the Emperour how to treate with them and then to execute their ambassage He sent also the Abbat Martinengo to the Queene of England to inuite her and her Bishops to the Councell beeing perswaded so to doe by the forenamed Edward Cerne who promised him that his Nuncio should be receiued The Queene of England is inuited to the Councell by one halfe of the Kingdome by the Queenes consent And although the Pope was put in minde to send Nuncij into England and to Princes elsewhere who doe professe open separation from the Sea of Rome would be a disreputation to him yet hee answered hee would humble himselfe to heresie in regard whatsoeuer was done to gaine soules to CHRIST did beseeme that Sea For the same reason also he sent Canobius into Polonia with desseigne to make him to goe into Moscouia to inuite that Prince and Nation to the Councell though they haue neuer acknowledged the Pope of Rome Afterwards he returned to speake of the Councell in Consistory desiring to be informed of the learned men of good life and opinion of diuers Prouinces fit to dispute and perswade the trueth saying he purposed to call many of them promising that after hee had vsed all possible diligence to make all Christians come thither and to vnite them in Religion though some or many refused to come he would not forbeare to proceede Yet he was troubled because the Protestants of Germanie vnto whom a great part of France was vnited would denie to come or would demand exorbitant things which hee could not grant them and doubted they might bee able to disturbe the Councell with Armes Neither did hee hope to be assisted by the Emperour against them in regard of his small forces Hee confessed that the dangers were great and the remedies small and was perplexed and troubled in mind The Bull of the Councel going through Germany fell into Protestants hands assembled at the mariage of the Duke of Salzemburg who did intimate a Diet in Namburg to begin the twentieth of Ianuary Vergerius wrote a booke against this Bull in which after a great inuectiue Vergerius writeth a booke against the Bull. against the pompe luxury and ambition of the Court hee said that the Councell was called by the Pope not to establish the doctrine of CHRIST but the seruitude and oppression of poore soules that none were called but those who were bound by oath to the Pope so that not onely all were excluded who are separated from the Church of Rome but also men of the greatest vnderstanding amongst themselues taking away all liberty in which onely there was hope of agreement At this time newes came to Rome that the French King had imprisoned The Prince of Conde is imprisoned and a guard is set vpon y e King of Nauarre the Prince of Conde and set a guard vpon the King of Nauare which pleased the Pope much as a thing which might wholly disturbe the Nationall Councell And his hope was the stronger that he should receiue no distaste because aduice came that the King was very sicke in danger to die which hindred the assembly of the States in Meaux And in the end there was great alteration For Francis the French King dying the fift of December and Charles the ninth of the age of ten yeeres succeeding in regard of his minoritie The French King dieth Charles the 9. succeedeth the gouernment fel principally vpon the King of Nauarre as first Prince of the Blood The Queene in other adhered to him to maintain calld continue 1560 PIVS 4. FERDINAND ELIZABETH CHARLES 9. The King of Nauar Q. mother gouerne France 〈…〉 Which maketh the Protestants more confident the authority which shee had taken in the life time of her other 〈◊〉 and Nauar was content to participate with 〈…〉 the better to maintaine his owne He did almost openly fauour the new religion and was wholly gouerned by the counsell of Iasper Coligni the Admirall who did make profession of it so that the Protestants were more confident to obtaine liberty of religion as they desired They assembled almost publikely with much discontent and indignation of the people and danger of section Hereupon the Kings mother and the chiefe of the Counsell resolued to hold the States in Orliens and began to doe it the 13. of December Amongst other things there proposed for the benefit of the Kingdome The States are held in Orliens Where the Chancellor beginneth to speake the Chancellor said that religion is the most potent weapon ouercommeth all affections and charitie and is the forest bond of humane society that Kingdomes are more bounded and more diuided by Religion then by the confines themselues that he that is moued with Religion contemneth wife children and kinred If there be difference of religion in the same familie the father agreeth not with his sonnes nor the brothers among themselues nor the husband with the wife To remedie these disorders there is neede of a Councell which the Pope hath promised but in the meane while it is not to be tolerated that euery one should shape out his owne religion and bring in new Rites at his pleasure and so trouble the publique pence If the Councell faile by the Popes default the King will make prouision another way but it was necessary that euery