THE HISTORIE OF THE COVNCEL OF TRENT Conteining eight Bookes In which besides the ordinarie Actes of the Councell are declared many notable Occurrences which happened in Christendome during the space of fourtie yeeres and more And particularly the practises of the Court of Rome hinder the reformation of their errors and to maintaine their greatnesse Written in Italian by Pietro Soaue Polano and faithfully translated into English by NATHANAEL BRENT Vnto this SECOND EDITION are added diuers obseruable Passages and Epistles concerning the trueth of this Historie specified in the next Page DIEV ET MON DROâ— LONDON Printed by BONHAM NORTON and IOHN BILL Printers to the Kings most Excellent Maiestie M. DC XXII THE APPENDIX OF THIS SECOND Edition conteining 1 AN Epistle of Gregory the First Bishop of Rome to Maurice the Emperour 2 A passage of the History of Fr. Guicciardine Florentine concerning Pope Alex. 6. left out of his third Booke in the printed Copies 3 A second passage of the same Author conteining a large discourse of the meanes whereby the Popes of Rome atteined to their greatnesse that they now enioy left out of the fourth Booke 4 〈◊〉 third passage of the same Author left out of his 10. Booke 5 Certaine passages out of the Letters of the Lords de Lansac Pibrâ—â—c Ferrier c. taken foorth of the Instructions and Missies of the Kings of France and their Ambassadours sent to the Councell of Trent Published in French An. 1608. 6 Andr. 〈…〉 udithius Bishop of Quinquecclesiae in Hungary his Testimony of the Councell of Trent in his Epistle to Maximilian 2. Emperour 7 An Epistle â—f Bishop Iewell vnto Seignior Scipio a Senatour of Venice touching the causes mouing the Church of England to refuse Communion with the Councell of Trent now first published according to the Originall annexed 8 Lastly the foresaid Epistle of Dudithius written by himself in Latine TO HIS MOST SACRED MAIESTIE I Offer to your MAIESTIES view the truest and most iudicious Ecclesiasticall Historie that either moderne times or any antiquitie hath afforded to the world impaired I confesse in beautie as being transported out of the naturall lustre both of stile and phrase by a rude and vnskilfull Translator but nothing altered in the trueth and sincerity of the matter which it handleth The Author a stranger to these parts conuersant onely where the Gospell cannot be truely preached was moued to write it as for the common good of all Christendome so particularly in contemplation of your Maiesties seruice For as you hold the highest place amongst all Kings and Princes and are Gods greatest Lieutenant vnder the whole cope of heauen so your admirable perfections of Wisdome Learning Iustice and Religion with which your royall breast is inriched beyond all comparison to bee made with any others cast foorth their bright shining rayes into all Countreis and quarters of the world and rouse vp the endeauors of the worthiest euen in places the farthest remote to labour in the building vp or repairing of Gods Church so farre as the tyranny of Antichrist vnder which they liue and the safetie of their liues which nature bindes them to preserue doth giue them leaue In which number is the Author of this present Treatise The end and scope whereof being the glory of God by discouery of those practises which for many yeeres haue beene concealed by the enemies of CHRIST the aduancement of true pietie and Religion I know not to whom it may be addressed more iustly then to the greatest Maiesty vpon the whole surface of the earth and the chiefest Defender of the true faith amongst vs. And surely if euer any booke except onely the Booke of God did deserue the protection of so excellent a Patron it is this Historie of the Councell of Trent For of all the things in the world Religion is of the greatest consequence and in Religion Ecumenicall Councels next after the holy Writ haue euer caried the greatest sway which being true and guided by the holy Ghost haue beene causes of infinite blessings but being pretended onely and gouerned by humane policies and Arte haue brought foorth as many mischiefes and afflictions to the Church of God Now in this of Trent it is plainely discouered that the Bishops of Rome of whom eight liued and died during the time of the Synode and treatie thereof in stead of being CHRISTS holy Vicars as they pretend haue beene the greatest and most pernicious quackesaluing iuglers that euer the earth did beare It would be infinite to relate the Stratagems they vsed to diuert it before it began their postings to and fro to hinder the proposing of those things which they thought would diminish their profit or pull downe their pride their policies to enthrall the Prelates and Diuines by hopes and feares their diligence in sending their adherents to Trent and so by procuring a maior part of voices to make themselues the absolute Lords of all the determinations that passed By which deuices that which was desired by godly men as the onely remedy against all the errors in manners and doctrine both in Church and Common-wealth and especially against the greatest enormities of the Popes themselues hath beene wrested to a quite contrary vse to weaken the lawfull rights of Kings and Princes to peruert the doctrine and Hierarchie of the Church of GOD and to lift vp the Papacy to an vnsufferable height of pride This is that holy and great Synod of which the Romanists doe boast themselues so much And indeed euery one of any meane capacitie may easily know that many controuerted points betweene them and the true Professors necessary as they maintaine for the sauing of mens soules had neuer any colourable establishment but this which insensibly creeping in by the superstition of the vulgar or secretly set on foote by those that were ambitious and couetous or at the best blindly zealous haue alwaies beene opposed by the Orthodox euen publikely vntill the malitious industry of the greater part put to silence though neuer quite ouercame the paucitie of the better So that their vanting of the Antiquitie of their Religion and of the infancie of ours is vaine and idle And if they will glory as vsually they doe of the vniuersalitie of their doctrine because it was established forsooth by the holy Ecumenicall Councell of Trent as they terme it none can better iudge then your MAIESTY how factious and how vnlawfull that assembly was and by this Historie the whole world may vnderstand the weaknesse of that foundation The Almightie blesse your MAIESTIE with length of daies strength of bodie loyaltie of your people and with all imaginable happinesse in your most Royall Progenie and in swaying the Scepter of your Dominions Your Sacred Maiesties most humble and most faithfully deuoted Subiect NATHANAEL BRENT TO THE READER COurteous Reader thou shalt see in this Booke greater varietie of remarkeable accidents then before the reading of it thou couldest haue possibly imagined The state of religion
The Index Catechisme c. and some that others were omitted which did more deserue censure And there was no lesse difficultie about the Catechisme some thinking that that which was made was not fit to be made the common for the whole Church in which the greater part are simple and some desiring that more matter might be put into it And they differed as much about the Rituall bookes some desiring an vniformitie in the whole Church and some maintaining their owne But it appearing that these matters could not bee decided in a whole yeere the Legates propoled that all should bee referred to the Pope Whereunto some few Prelates did not consent and namely the Bishop of Lerida made a long oration to shew that if any thing were proper to the Councell it was the Catechisme it being a booke which after the Symbol ought to hold the first place in the Church that the Rituall bookes ought to hold the second in correcting of which there was need of an exquisite knowledge of antiquitie and of the customes of all countreys which will not bee found in the Court of Rome where though there be men of excellent wit and of great learning yet they want skill in this kind which is necessary to doe any thing commendably herein and that this is more proper to the Councell But the resolution to finish and the desire to depart from Trent caused him to haue but small audience The fiue and twentieth of this moneth the Count of Luna came to the Legats with an instance in writing Hee complained that the most principall matters for which the Councell was assembled were omitted and the others precipitated that they went about to finish the Synod without the priuitie of his King concluding that they ought to heare the opinions of the Diuines concerning the points of doctrine and expect an answere out of Spaine for the end of the Councell The Legats answered that things were in such forwardnesse that there was no time to expect nor was possible to withholde so many Bishops who were already in order to depart The Count replyed that if the Councell were ended without the knowledge of his King besides the instance he would doe something else as hee thought conuenient Hereupon the Legats sent presently to the Pope and the Count to the Ambassadour Vargas to treat with his Holines But Vargas thought it superfluous to speake any more herein both because at the comming of the currier the Pope fell extreame sicke and because hauing made the same instance a few dayes before the Popes finall answere was that he referred it The Popes sicknesse to the Councell the libertie whereof so much desired by his King also hee would not impeach And the Ambassadour saying that the Councel ought to bee held open because all the world did desire it the Pope demanded what that world was which would haue it open the Ambassadour answered Spaine would the Pope replied Write into Spaine that if they buy and studie Ptolomie they shall finde that Spaine is not the whole world The Legats vsed many perswasions to the Count of Luna and so did Loraine also and the Emperours Ambassadours But not being able to preuaile they laboured against him the Ambassadours in the name of the Emperour King of the Romans and of all Germanie and Loraine in the name of his King and of the Kingdome of France The Legats resoluing to finish the Councell according to the Popes order howsoeuer the Spanish Ambassadour might oppose were diligent in dispatch of the matters While these things were in doing the first of December a currier came from Rome late at night with aduise that the Pope was suddenly fallen into a dangerous infirmitie He brought letters from Cardinal Borromeo to the Legats Causeth the end of the Councell to be hastened and Cardinall of Loraine that they should hasten the Councell as much as might be and finish it without respect of any to withstand the inconueniences which might occurre about the election of the Pope in case the Councell should be open in time of vacancie In the letters there were some few words written with the Popes owne hand who did commit the same absolutely and tolde Loraine he should remember his promise It is certaine to speake this particular here though out of place that the Pope was resolued in case he did not recouer quickly to create eight Cardinals and to take order that no confusion might arise in the election of his successor The Legats and Loraine purposed to anticipate the time of the Session and either with the propositions or without to finish the Councell within two dayes that the newes of the Popes death might not first come Therefore they sent to communicate the aduice receiued their resolution to the Ambassadors and did negotiate with the principall Prelates They all agreed except the Spanish Ambassadour who sayd hee had order from his King that if the Sea were vacant he should not suffer the Pope to bee elected in Councel but that the election should be by Cardinals so that there was no neede to precipitate But Morone answered hee knew for certaine that the Ambassadour of France who was as yet in Venice had order from his King to protest that the Kingdome would not obey any Pope but him that should NotwithstaÌ„ding the opposition made by the Count oâ— Luna bee elected in Councell so that it was necessarie by all meanes to finish it for auoyding of danger The Count of Luna made a Congregation of Spanish Prelates in his house and spread a fame that hee was resolued to protest and oppose Notwithstanding the Legates held a Congregation the next morning in which the Decrees of Purgatorie and of the Saints were read as they were composed by the Cardinall of Varmia and the other deputies Afterward the reformation of Friars was read and all appooued with very great breuitie and a little contradiction Then the Articles of reformation were read In the first of the manners of Bishops at the passage where it is said that they shall not inrich their kinred and familie by the reuenues of the Church it was said of the reuenues of the Church of which they are faithfull dispencers for the Pope The Bishop of Salâ—nona did oppose this point saying that the portions of the poore being diuided by ancient Canon as also of the fabrique and of the Episcopall table it cannot bee said that bishops and other beneficed persons are dispencers but were Lords of their owne part which if they did spend ill they did sinne and incurre the wrath of God as euery other man did who spendeth his goods amisse but if they were dispencers for the poore they should bee bound to restitution which cannot be said There were many discourses the maior part defending that beneficed men were Lords of the fruits or vsufructuaries and others saying as the French Ambassadour had done in his Oration that they haue but the vse onely
Cup vsed in Bohemia and setting downe for the principall part of repentance not the diligent confession made to the Priest but rather the purpose of amendment of life for the time to come He passed also vnto Vowes and touched the abuses of the Monasticall Order and these his writings going on their iourney arriued in Louaine and Collen where being seene and examined by the Diuines of those His Bookes were condemned in Louaine and Collen Vniuersities they were condemned by them Neither did this trouble Martin one iote but rather caused him to goe on and to declare and fortifie his doctrine the more it was opposed 29 With these contentions rather then resolute discussions passed the yeere 1519 1519 when many aduertisements comming to Rome of the stirres in Germany and Suisserland augmented with many amplifications and additions as the manner of fame is especially when matters are related from places farre distant Leo was noted for negligence that in so great dangers had not vsed powerfull The Pope was blamed remedies The Friars particularly blamed him that being addicted to magnificence to hunting to deliciousnesse and to musicke with which he was delighted beyond measure he passed ouer things of the greatest importance They said that in point of Faith the least thing ought not to be neglected nor the prouision against it one iote to bee deferred which as it is most easie before the mischiefe take roote so it commeth too late when it is waxed old That Arius was but a small sparke which might easily haue been put out and yet it set the whole world on fire That Iohn Hus and Hierome of Praghe would then haue done as much if in the beginning they had not been suppressed by the Councell of Constance On the contrary side Leo Leo though reprehended for negligence thought hee had done too much repented himselfe of whatsoeuer he had done in these occurrences and most of all of the Briefe of Indulgences sent into Germany thinking it would haue been better to let the Friars dispute amongst themselues and to keepe himselfe neutrall and reuerenced by both parties then by declaring himselfe for one to constraine the other to alienate themselues from him that this contention 1520 LEo 10. CHARLES 5. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 1 was not so great as that it was necessarie to hold it in any reputation and that so long as it was lightly esteemed of few would thinke of it and if the Popes name had not been vsed in it vntill then would haue ended his course and so vanished 30 Notwithstanding for the many instances of the Prelates of Germanie of the Vniuersities who being interessed by the sentence of condemnation betooke themselues to the Popes authoritie for their protection and especially for the continuall importunities of the Friars of Rome he resolued to yeeld to the common opinion And he made an assembly of Cardinals Prelates Diuines and Canonists vnto which he wholly remitted the busines A dispute between the Diuines and Canonists By this it was most easily concluded that the Pope should denounce fire and sword against so great an impietie But yet the Canonists differed from the Diuines these beeing of opinion that he ought presently to descend to this denunciation and those saying that a citation ought to go before The Diuines alleadged that the doctrine was euidently seen to be impious that the books were divulged and the sermons of Luther notorious The others said that Notoriousnes did not take away the defence which is allowed by the law of God and nature alleadging the vsuall places Adam where art thou Where is thy brother Abel and in the accident of the fiue Cities I will go down and see They added that the citation of the Auditor the yeere before by vertue whereof the iudicature was referred to Caietan in Ausburg and remained vnperfect if nothing els were shewed it to be necessary After many disputes in which the Diuines attributed the decision vnto themselues alone because the question was in point of faith the Lawyers appropriated vnto themselues as much as concerned the forme of iudgement a composition betweene them was proposed distinguishing the businesse into three parts the doctrine the bookes and the person For the doctrine the Canonists yeelded that it should be condemned without citation for the person they persisted to maintaine that the citation was necessarie Yet not beeing able to ouercome others who insisted vpon their owne opinions with greater acrimony couered themselues with the buckler of religion they found a middle way that a precept should be sent to Martin with a conuenient terme that so it should be resolued into a citation Concerning the bookes there was more to doe The Diuines did thinke they ought to be condemned absolutely together with the doctrine and the Canonists that they should be ioyned with the person and comprehended vnder the terme It not being possible to make an accord herein they did both the one and the other For first they were condemned for the time present and afterwards a terme alotted to burne them And with this resolution a Bul was framed vnder the date of the 15. of Iune 1520 Which being as it were a beginning and foundation of the Councell of Trent whereof wee are to speake it is necessary to set downe 1520 here a briefe Epitomic thereof 31 In which the Pope directing the beginning of his words to Christ who hath left Peter and his Successours for Vicars of his Church exciteth him to The Popes Bull. assist it in these necessities From Christ he turneth to S. Peter and praieth him by the charge which he receiued of our Sauiour to be carefull of the distresses of the Church of Rome consecrated with his blood And passing to S. Paul desireth the like assistance from him adding that although he hath deemed heresies to bee necessarie for triall of the good yet it is conuenient to extinguish them in the beginning Finally turning himselfe to all the Saints of heauen and to the Church vniuersall hee prayeth them to intercede with God that the Church may be purged from so great contagion Then hee proceedeth to shew how it came to his knowledge and how hee hath seene with his eyes that many errors were renewed which were condemned long before of Grecians Bohemians and others false scandalous apt to offend godly eares and to deceiue simple mindes sowed in Germanie alwayes beloued both by him and by his predecessors who after the translation of the Greeke Empire haue euer taken their protectors from that nation and that many pious decrees against heretikes haue beene made by those Princes which the Popes also haue confirmed Therefore that hee not willing to tolerate the like errors any longer but rather to make prouision against them would recite some of them and here he repeateth 42. Articles which are in the points The Pope condemneth 42. articles of Luthers doctrine of originall sin Penance and remission of
prisoner to the Pope or by some other meanes to procure his death he saw that he was obliged to shew vnto that Prince and to the people of Saxonie and euery one else that he had reason on his side that neither hee nor any other potentate might yeelde to the earnest intreaties of the Romanists made against his life The yeere 1520 being thus passed the diet of Wormes of the yeere 1521. 1521. Luther called to the Diet. was celebrated in Germanie to which Luther was called to render an account of his doctrine and had giuen vnto him a safe conduct by the Emperour Charles elected two yeeres before He was counselled not to goe thither seeing that the sentence of his condemnation made by Leo was published before and hanged vp whereby he might assure himselfe to bring backe nothing but a confirmation of his doome if peraduenture no worse thing happened vnto him Notwithstanding himselfe thought the contrary against the opinion of al his friends and said that though he were sure to haue to doe against as many deuils as there were tiles in the roofes of the houses of that citie he would goe thither And in that place the seuenteenth of Aprill hee was demaunded by the Luther interrogated in the Diet. Emperour and the whole assembly of the Princes if hee were Authour of the Bookes which went abroad vnder his name the Titles whereof were recited and the copies placed in the midst of the roome where they sate were shewed vnto him and whether he would defend whatsoeuer was contained in them or retract something His answer was that concerning the books he acknowledged thē to be his but to resolue whether to maintaine the things cōtained in them or not was a matter of great moment therfore required some time of deliberation There was granted him time that day to giue his answere the next Which being come Martin brought into the assembly made a long oration Answereth First he excused his simplicitie if bred after a priuate simple maner he had not vsed tearmes according to the dignitie of that place and giuen to euery one conuenient titles then he confirmed that he acknowledged the books for his owne And concerning the defence of them hee said they were not all of one sort but some contained doctrine of Faith and Pietie others reprehended the Doctrine of the Romanists and a third kinde was of those which were written contentiously against the defenders of the contrarie doctrine For the first he said he were no Christian or honest man if he should retract them the rather because though all were condemned yet all were not iudged naught by the same Bull of Leo. For the second that it was too manifest that all the Countryes of Christendome were oppressed and groaned vnder the bondage And therefore to retract the things alreadie spoken would bee nothing else but to confirme that tyrannie In the bookes of the third kinde he confessed hee was more bitter and vehement then hee ought excusing himselfe that hee made not profession of Sanctitie nor would maintaine his owne manners but his doctrine onely whereof hee was readie to giue an account to any man whatsoeuer promising not to be obstinate but to cast his books into the fire himselfe in case any errour were shewed him with the Scripture in hand Hee turned himselfe to the Emperour and the Princes saying it was a blessing of God when the true doctrine came to be made manifest as to reiect it was to draw vpon vs a cause of extreame calamities His Oration being ended he was by order required by the Emperour to giue a plaine and simple answere whether or no he would maintaine his writings Luther refuseth to retract any thing Whereunto he answered that hee could not reuoke any thing that hee had written or taught if he were not conuinced by the words of the Scripture or by euident reasons The Emperour hearing these things resolued following the steps of his predecessours to maintaine the Church of Rome and to vse all meanes to quench that fire Howbeit hee would not violate the faith giuen but proclaime a banishment against Martin after hee was safely returned to his house Some of the assembly approouing that which was done at Constance said A noble resolution of the Prince Elector Palatine that the faith ought not to be kept But Lewis Count Elector Palatine opposed himselfe as vnto a thing which would brand the German name with a marke of perpetuall ignominie expressing with disdaine that it was intole-Rable that for the seruice of Priests Germanie should draw vpon it selfe the infamie of not keeping the publique faith Some there were also that said that there was no neede to proceede so fast to condemnation because it was a matter of great moment and which might produce great consequences The dayes following there was a treatie in presence of some of the Princes and in particular of the Archbishop of Triers and of Ioachimus Elector of Brandenburg many things were spokē by Martin in defence of that doctrine and by others against it being desirous to induce him to referre euery thing to the iudgement of the Emperor and of the assembly of the Diet without any condition whatsoeuer But he answering that the Prophet forbade to put our confidence in men yea euen in Princes to whose iudgment nothing ought lesse to bee committed then the word of God it was at last proposed that hee would submit all to the iudgment of the future Councell whereunto Luther referreth himselfe to a generall Councell he agreed with condition that first the articles which he intended to referre might be drawen out of his bookes and that sentence might not be giuen of them but according to the Scriptures Last of all being demanded what remedies he thought might be vsed in this cause he answered those onely which were proposed to the Iewes by Gamaliel that is that if the enterprize were of man it would vanish but if it came frō God it was impossible to hinder it and that it might giue satisfaction to the Pope because all men ought to rest secure as himselfe did that if his deseigne came not from God it would perish in a short time From which things it being impossible to remoue him and standing firme in his resolution not to accept any iudgement but vnder the rule of the scripture he had leaue giuen him to depart and a terme of 21 daies assigned him to returne to his home with condition that hee should neither preach nor write any thing in his iourney For which after hee had giuen thankes he departed the 26. of April 43 Afterwards Charles the Emperour published an Edict in the same Diet The Emperours Edict against Luther at Wormes the 8. of April In which hauing first declared that it belonged to the duty of the Emperour to aduance Religion and to extinguish heresies which began to spring vp he proceeded on to shew
which commandeth to haue the Hebrew text to examine the relitie of the bookes of the old Testament and the Greeke for a direction in those of the new To approoue a translation as authenticall was to condemne S. Hierome and all those who haue translated If any be authenticall to what end serue the rest which are not it would bee a great vanitie to produce vncertaine copies when there are some infallible That they should bee of the opinion of 9. Hierome and Caietane that euery Interpreter may erre though he haue vsed all arte not to vary from the originall But sure it is that if the holy Councell should examine or correct an interpretation according to the true text the holy Ghost which assisteth Synods in matters of faith would keepe them from erring and such a translation so examined and approoued might bee called authenticall But that any could be approoued without such an examination with assurance of the assistance of the holy Ghost hee durst not say except the Synode did determine it seeing that in the Councel of the holy Apostles a great inquisition was made before But this beeing a worke of tenne yeeres and impossible to be vndertaken it seemed better to leaue things as they had remained 1500. yeeres that the Latine translations should be verified by the originall Texts On the contrary the maior part of the Diuines said that it was necessary to account that translation which formerly hath beene read in the Churches and vsed in the schooles to be diuine and authenticall otherwise they should yeeld the cause to the Lutherans and open a gate to innumerable heresies hereafter and continually trouble the peace of Christendome That the doctrine of the Church of Rome mother and mistresse of all the rest is in a great part founded by the Popes and by schoole Diuines vpon some passage of the Scripture which if euery one had liberty to examine whether it were well translated running to other translations or seeking how it was in the Greeke or Hebrew these new Grammarians would confound all and would be made Iudges and arbiters of faith and in stead of Diuines and Canonists Pedanties should be preferred to be Bishops and Cardinals The Inquisitors will not be able to proceede against the Lutherans in case they know not Hebrew and Greeke because they will suddenly answere the text is not so and that the translation is false and euery nouity or toy that shall come into the head of any Grammarian either for malice or want of knowledge in Diuinity so that he may but finde some grammaticall tricke in those tongues to confirme it will be sufficient to ground himselfe thereon and he will neuer make an end That it doth appeare since Luther began to translate the Scripture how many diuers and contrary translations haue seene the light which deserue to bee buried in perpetuall darkenesse and how often Martin himselfe hath changed his owne translation that neuer any hath beene reprinted without some notable change not of one or two passages but of an hundred in a breath that if this libertie bee giuen to all Christianitie will soone be brought to that passe that no man will know what to beleeue To these reasons which the maior part applauded others added also that if the prouidence of God hath giuen an authenticall Scripture to the Synagogue and an authenticall New Testament to the Grecians it cannot be said without derogation that the Church of Rome more beloued then the rest hath wanted this great benefit and therefore that the same holy Ghost who did dictate the holy bookes hath dictated also that translation which ought to be accepted by the Church of Rome Some thought it hard to make a Prophet or Apostle onely to translate a booke therefore they moderated the assertion and said that he had not a Prophericall or Apostolicall Spirit but one very neere And if any should make dainty to giue the spirit of God to the Interpreter yet he cannot deny it to the Councell and when the vulgar edition shall bee approued and an anathema thundered against whosoeuer will not receiue it this will be without error not by the spirit of him that wrote it but of the Synode that hath receiued it for such D. Isidorus Clarus a Brescian and a Benedictine Abbat a man well seene in this studie went about to remooue this opinion by an historicall narration and said in substance that in the Primitiue Church there were many Greeke translations of the Old Testament which Origen gathered into one volume confornting them in sixe columnes the chiefe of these is called of the Septuagint from whence diuers in Latine were taken and many were taken from the Greeke text of the new Testament one of which most followed and read in the Church and esteemed the best by Saint Austin is called Itala yet so as that the Greeke text ought vndoubtedly to bee preferred But Saint Hierom a man as all doe know skilfull in the knowledge of tongues seeing that of the olde Testament to swarue from the Hebrew trueth by the fault partly of the Greeke interpreter and partly of the Latin made one immediately out of the Hebrew and amended that of the new Testament according to the trueth of the Greeke text Hieroms credit made his translation to bee receiued by many but was reiected by some either because they loued more the errours of antiquitie then new trueths or as himselfe complaineth by reason of emulation But a few yeeres after when enuie was laid aside that of S. Hierom was receiued by all the Latins so they were both in vse one being called the olde and the other the new Saint Gregorie writing to Leander vpon Iob testifieth that the Apostolike Sea vseth them both and that himselfe in the exposition of that booke made choice to follow the new as conformable to the Hebrew text yet in the allegations he would vse sometimes one sometimes another as it best befitted his purpose The times following by the vse of them both composed one taking part of the new and part of the olde according as the accidents required and to this the name of the vulgar Edition was giuen The Psalmes were all of the olde because being dayly sung in the Churches they could not be changed The lesser Prophets are all of the new the greater mixt of both This is very true that all hath happened by the ordinance of God without which nothing can succeede But yet it cannot be said that there was in it greater knowledge then humane Saint Hierome saith plainely that no interpreter S. Ierom saith that no interpreter hath spoken by the holy Ghost hath spoken by the holy Ghost The Edition which wee haue is his for the most part it would bee strange to attribute the assistance of God to him that knoweth and affirmeth hee hath it not Wherefore no translation can bee compared to the text in the originall tongue Therefore his opinion was that the vulgar
otherwise though with reason And S. Paul ment so when hee said that prophecying that is interpretation of the Scripture should bee vsed according to the analogie of faith that is with reference to the Articles thereof And if this distinction were not made they must needes fall into notable inconueniences by reason of the contrarieties which are found in the diuers expositions of the ancient Fathers which doe oppugne one another The difficulties were not so great but that the vulgar edition was approued The vulgar edition is approoued almost by a generall consent the discourse hauing made deepe impression in their mindes that Grammarians would take vpon them to teach Bishops and Diuines Some few thought it fit in regard of the reasons brought by the Diuines to leaue the point for that time but seeing the resolution was otherwise they desired them to consider that hauing approued it they should command it to be printed and corrected and in that case that it was necessary to frame a copie by which to make the impression Whereupon sixe were deputed by common consent and commanded to be diligent in making that correction that it might bee published before the end of the Councell reseruing power to themselues to augment the number if amongst those that were to come any were fit for the worke But in giuing voyces vpon the fourth Article after Cardinall Pacceco had said that the Scripture was expounded by so many and so excellent men in goodnesse and learning that there was no hope to adde any good thing more and that all the new heresies sprang from the new expositions of the Scripture and therefore that it was necessary to bridle the saucinesse of moderne wits and to make them content to be gouerned by the ancients and by the Church and that if any had some singular spirit he should be enforced to conceale it and not to confound the world by publishing it almost all runne into the same opinion The Congregation of the 29. was all spent in the fift Article For the Diuines hauing spoken irresolutely and with reference to the Synod to which it belongeth to make Statutes the Fathers were doubtfull also To leaue out the Anathema wholly was to make no decree of faith and in the very beginning to breake the order set downe to handle the two heads together To condemne euery one for an heretike who would not accept the vulgar Edition in some particular place perhaps of none importance or should publish some inuention of his owne vpon the Scripture through vanitie of minde seemed too rigorous After long discussion they found a temper which was to frame the first Decree and comprehend in it that onely which concerneth the Catalogue of the holy Bookes and the Traditions and to conclude that with an anathema Then in the second which belongeth to reformation to comprehend the translation and sense of the Scripture as if the Decree were a remedie against the abuse of so many interpretations and impertinent expositions It remayned to speake of the other abuses of which euery one had collected The abuses are spoken of a great number and many wayes to redresse them as humane weaknesse and superstition vseth holy things not onely beyond but also contrary to that for which they are appointed Of inchantments to find treasures and to bring lasciuious deseignes to passe or to obtaine things vnlawfull much was said and many remedies proposed to roote them out Amongst inchantments some put carying the Gospel about one names of God to preuent infirmities or to be healed of them or to bee kept from euils and mischiefes or to bee prosperous likewise to reade them for the same ends and to write them with obseruation of times In this catalogue were numbred Masses said in some Countries vpon red hot Iron vpon boyling waters or vpon cold or other matters for vulgar purgations to recite the Gospel ouer Armes that they may haue more force against the enemies In this ranke were put the coniurations of dogges to make them not bite of serpents to make them not offend of harmefull beasts in the field of tempests and other causes of the barrennesse of the land requiring that all these obseruations might bee condemned forbid and punished as abuses But in diuers particulars there were contradictions and disputes For some defended as things deuout and religious or at the least permitted and not damnable which others did condemne for wicked and superstitious The like happened speaking of the Word of God by casting of lots or diuinations or extracting schedules with verses of the Scripture or obseruing those they met when they opened the booke To vse sacred words in scandalous libels and other detractions was generally condemned and much was sayd of the meanes how to remooue the Pasquins of Rome wherein the Cardinall of Monte shewed great passion in desiring a remedie because he was often made a subiect of the saucinesse of the Courtiers tongues by reason of his naturall liberty and pleasantnesse of wit All agreed that the Word of God could neuer bee reuerenced enough and that to vse it to mens commendations though Princes and Prelates is not seemely and generally that all vaine vse of it is a sinne But yet the Councell ought not to busie it selfe in this in regard they were not assembled to prouide against all faults neither was it to beforbid absolutely to draw the words of the Scripture to humane matters because S. Antoninus in his storie condemned not the Sicilian Ambassadors who asking pardon of Martin the fourth deliuered their Ambassage in no other termes but saying three times Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi miserere nobis Nor the Popes answere who likewise said thrise Aue Rex Iudeorum Et dabant illi alapas Therefore that it was the malice of the Lutherans to reprehend the Bishop of Bitonto who in his sermon made in the publike Session said that to him that refused the Councel it might bee replied Pap 〈…〉 lux venit in mundum dilexerunt homines magis tenebras quam lucem So many Congregations were spent heerein and the number so increased and the weakenesse of the remedies proposed did so much appeare that the common opinion inclined to make no particular mention of any of them nor to descend to the proper remedies or particular punishments but onely to forbid them vnder generall heads and leaue the penalties to the discretion of the Bishops Of the abuses of the Prints there was not much to be spoken for all agreed that the Printers should bee brideled and prohibited to Print any sacred thing before it was allowed but for this the Decree of the last Lateran Councel was sufficient But about readings and preachings there were terrible controuersies A great contention betweene the Regulars and Prelats about readings and preachings The Regulars beeing already in possession of them as well by the Popes priuiledges as by the practise of 300 yeeres laboured to preserue them
the conclusion of that point euery one might plainely see that the cause ought to haue beene giuen for that no man can certainely know that he hath obtained grace But to satisfie one part hee added certainety of faith and the Dominicans thinking this was not enough vrged him to adde Catholique But because the adherents of Catarinus were not contented in stead of those words Catholique faith it was said Faith which cannot be subiect to falshood This contented both sides For one party inferred then that certainty of faith which can be had herein may bee false and therefore is vncertaine the other inferred that this certainety could haue no doubt of falsehood while it remained but by changing from the state of of grace to the State of sinne it may become false as all contingent truthes by alteration of their subiects are made false But the Catholike faith is not onely certaine but vnchangeable because the subiect of it 〈…〉 things necessary or past which cannot be altered And truly concerning these particulars it is not fit to robbe the Cardinall of his due praise who knew how to satisfie men euen obstinate in contrary opinions And those that would be better informed therein may vnderstand that immediatly after the Session Friar Dominicus Soto principall of the Dominicans Dominicus Soto Principall 〈…〉 the Dominicans and Andreas Vega 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 publish books as commentaries of the Decree contraâ—â— one to an 〈…〉 wrote three bookes and did intitle them of Nature and Grace for commentary of this Doctrine and in his expositions all his opinions are found when this worke was published Fryar Andrew Vega the most esteemed of the Franciscans fet foorth fifteene great bookes for Commentaries vpon the 〈…〉 eene points of that decree and did expound it all according to his owne opinion These two opinions do not only differ almost in all the Articles but in many of them are expresly contrary Both which workes were printed in the yeere 1548. and hee that shall reade them obseruing that they doe giue very often interchangeable and doubtfull sences to the words of the Councell wil maruaile how these two persons the chiefe for learning and estimation who had greater part therein then others did not know the onely sence and true scope of the Synode of which also some few others of those which were interested hauing written diuersly I could neuer finde whether that assembly did agree in one sence or whether there was vnitie of words onely But to returne to the Cardinall when the Decree was approued The Decree is sent to Rome and approued there by all in Trent he sent it to the Pope and the Pope gaue it to the Fryars and learned men of Rome to be consulted of and it was approoued by them because euery one might vnderstand it in his owne sence I haue rehearsed altogether what was done in matter of faith that I mighâ— not diuide things that are connexed But in the meane time some dayes Reformation is handled were spent about the reformation and in those congregations it was proposed to set downe the qualities requisite in the promotion of the greater Prelats and Ministers of the Church And very graue sayings were deliuered with great ostentation but there was no way found how those things whereof they spoke might be obserued For where the Kings haue the presentation they saw not with what bonds to tie them where election hath place the chapter doth consist of great and mighty persons for the residue all dignities are conferred by the Pope and more then two thirds of the benefices The point concerning the qualities of the Prelats is omitted are reserued to the Apostolike Sea vnto which it is not fit to prescribe a law Whereupon after many and long discourses it was concluded that it was better to leaue the businesse The discourses in point of residency were neither fewer nor shorter The point of residence is handled which ended not in the resolution which was necessary desired by many and made some confusion then and prepared matter for other times For the vnderstanding whereof it is necessary to resume this matter from the beginning The Ecclesiasticall Degrees were not originally instituted as dignities preheminencies rewards or honours as now they are and haue beene many A discourse of the author concerning residency hundred yeeres but as ministeries and charges otherwise called by Saint Paul works and those that exercise them are called by CHRIST our LORD in the Gospel Worke-men and therefore no man could then enter into cogitation to absent himselfe from the execution thereof in his owne person and if any one which seldome happened retired from the worke it was not thought reasonable he should haue either title or profit And though the ministeries were of two sorts some anciently called as now they are with care of soules others of temporal things for the sustenance and seruice of the poore and sicke as were the Deaconries and other inferiour workes all held themselues equally bound to that seruice in person neither did any thinke of a substitute but for a short time and for great impediments much lesse to take another charge which might hinder that The Church being increased where there were many Christians and free from persecutions another sort of Ministers was instituted to serue in the Ecclesiasticall assemblies aswell in reading the diuine Scriptures as in other functions to stirre vp deuotion There were instituted also Colledges of Ministers which might in common apply themselues to some charge and others as Seminaries from whence to take Ministers instructed already These of the Colledges not hauing any personall charge seeing the Congregation did administer as well with one more as with one lesse sometimes by reason of studie or greater instruction or for some other cause were absent from the Church one for a short time another for along without hauing title charge or profit So Saint Ierom a Priest of Antioch but without any particular Cure and Ruffinus in the same manner of Aquileia and Saint Paulinus ordained Priest of Barcellona did reside but little But when the number of them increased they did degenerate and were called vagabond Clerkes because that manner of liuing made them odious who are often spoken of in the Lawes and nouell constitutions of Iustinian But neuer any thought to holde the title of an office or inioy the profit without doing seruice but onely after the yeere seuen hundred in the West Church when the Ecclesiastical ministeries were changed and made dignities and honours and rewards for seruices done And as before a person was chosen fit for the necessitie of the Church so afterward a degree dignitie or emolument was fitted to the qualitie of the person from whence arose the exercising of the ministery by a substitute This abuse hath drawen in another by consequence that is to thinke ones selfe disobliged not onely to minister but to bee present and assist him that
it with an Epistle to the Councell to bee as hee sayd in the dedication a Commentary of the two foresaid Decrees Comming to the Article of the certainety of grace hee said in a long discourse that the Synode had declared that a man cannot know hee hath grace by so great certain 〈…〉 e as is that of faith excluding all doubt Catarinus newly made Bishop of Minori hauing defended the contrary and still perseuering did print a little booke with an Epistle Dedicatory to the same Synode the scope whereof was to maintaine that the Councels meaning was not to condemne the opinion of him that saith a iust man may know hee hath grace as certainly as hee knoweth the Articles of Faith to bee true yea that the Councell hath decided that hee is bound to beleeue it because in the sixe and twentieth Canon it hath condemned him that saith that the iust man ought not to hope for and expect a reward it being necessary that hee that ought to hope as a iust man should know hee is so In this contrariety of opinions both writing affirmatiuely to the Councell either of them did not onely say that his opinion was the opinion of the Synode but afterwards wrote also and printed Apologies and Antipologies making complaints to the Synode the one of the other of attributing that to it which it neuer said bringing diuers testimonies of the Fathers to proue their owne opinion who bare witnesse some for one some for another so that the Fathers were all diuided into two parts except some good Prelates who as neutrals said that they vnderstood not the difference but gaue consent to the Decree in the forme as it was published because both the parties were agreed The Legate Santa Croce did testifie for Catarinus Monte said hee was of a third party This seemed to put all men out of hope to vnderstand the meaning of the Councel seeing the principall men that were present in it did not agree And it doth raise a difficulty what that Synode was that determined the Article vnto which Soto and Catarinus did write and appeale each thinking it was on his side so that it was necessary that either one of them or both should bee deceiued And what shall one thinke of the others when it so happened to these It might bee sayd it was the aggregate of all together vnto which the holy Ghost giuing assistance made it to determine the Trueth though not vnderstood by him that did determine it as Cataphas did prophesie because hee was high Priest not vnderstanding the prophesie as the Bishop of Bitonco said in his Sermon But this answere had two oppositions the one that God made the reprobate and infidels prophesie without vnderstanding but the faithfull by illuminating their minde the other that the Diuines doe vniformely say that Councels doe not deliberate of faith by diuine inspiration but by humane disquisition which the Spirit doth assist to keepe them from errors so that they cannot determine without vnderstanding the Councels doe deliberate of faith not by diuine inspiration but by humane disquisition matter Perhaps he should hit vpon the trueth that should say that debating the contrary opinions in framing the Decree euery party did refuse wordes contrary to his opinion and all rested in those which he thought might be fitted to his owne meaning so that the expression of the matter became capeable of diuers interpretations But this would not serue to resolue the doubt proposed and to find what the Counsell was because it is to giue it vnity of words and contrariety of meanings But that which hath been related in this All agreed in condemning the Lutheran opinions particular and perhaps did happen in many matters occurred not in condemning the Lutheran opinions 〈…〉 did agree with an exquisite vnitie One aduertisement of the sante Catarinus concerning his ma 〈…〉 written An aduertisement giuen by Catarinus to the Synode in the 〈◊〉 booke is not to bee 〈◊〉 the Author 〈◊〉 uing not to be defrauded of his 〈◊〉 〈…〉 that it was 〈◊〉 pugnancie to say that 〈…〉 certaine he hath it because no man can receiue a thing 〈◊〉 which hee knoweth not to be giuen him and without being sure he hath receiued it 〈◊〉 But to returne to the Councell the day after the Session a generall Congregation was assembled to deliberate of and put in order the matter to be digested in the next Session and for matter of faith it being already determined to follow the confession of Ausburg the first point was of Ecclesiasticall ministery which the Lutherans say is authoritie to preach the Gospel and to administer the Sacraments and some resting vpon the first part did propose that the Ecclesiasticall authoritie should bee handled declaring all those functions spirituall and temporall which God hath giuen them ouer the faithfull and are denied by the Lutherans And this did generally please the Prelates because it was a matter of an easie vnderstanding without any crabbednesse of the Schoole and where themselues might haue a part But it was not gratefull to the Diuines because those things were not handled in the Schooles so that they should haue nothing to dispute and must referre themselues for the most part to the Canonists They said that the Augustanes doe not handle all Ecclesiasticall authoritie but that onely of preaching whereof there was as much decreed in the last Session as was sufficient but in the second part there was matter that did cohere with iustification The subiect of the next Session is the Sacraments The Legates desire to preuent y e handling of the authoritie of the Councell and Pope that is the Sacraments which are the meanes to be iustified and said it was more fit to make these the subiect of the next Session The Legats and their dependants adhered hereunto in shew for the same reasons but indeede for another more potent because in the other consideration they might haue handled the authoritie of Councels and of the Pope and proposed many hard matters not fit to bee mooued Hauing resolued to handle the matter of the Sacraments it was considered that it was various and ample not possible to bee comprehended in a Session nor easie to bee determined into how many parts it ought to bee diuided The Augustans made it short by taking away foure Sacraments of which they ought to treate more exactly to reestablish them therefore that it was good to begin to discusse the Sacraments in generall charge was giuen to put in order the Articles drawen out of the Lutheran doctrine descending also to the Sacraments in particular of as many as seemed easie to discusse and that the reformation might follow the definition of faith and doctrine the abuses occurring in the minister of the Sacraments should be put together ordaining a Congregation of Prelates and Canonists to discourse of the remedies and to frame the Decrees with order that if they both hapned on the
it is a cause for that the effect doeth follow not by any vertue of its owne but by the promise of God to giue grace at that time as the merite is cause of the reward without any actiuitie This they prooued not onely by the authoritie of Scotus and Saint Bonauenture their Diuines but by Saint Bernard also who saith that grace is receiued by the Sacraments as a Canon is inuested by the booke and a bishop by the ring The reasons were expounded on both sides with great prolixitie and sharpenesse And they censured one another The Dominicans said that the other opinion was neere to Lutheranisme and the others that theirs being impossible gaue occasion to the heretikes to calumniate the Church Some good Prelates desired though without effect to make peace saying that in regard they agreed in the conclusion that the Sacraments conteine and are cause of grace it did little import in what manner and that it was better not descending to particulars to stand in the generall But the Fryars replied that they spake not of words but of establishing or annihilating the Sacraments There would neuer haue been an end if the Legate Sancta Croce had not giuen order that they should passe to that which remained and that afterwards they should returne to examine whether it were necessary to decide the point or to leaue it The Legates called vnto them the generals of the orders and prayed The Legates vse meanes to represse the dangerous libertie of the Fryars them to cause the Fryars to treat with modestie and charitie without partialitie to their owne sect shewing they were called to speake against heresies and not to make new arise by disputes And they wrote thereof to Rome shewing how dangerous the libertie was which the Friars did assume and to what it might come And they told the Pope that a moderation was necessary For there being a fame spred of those dissensions and censures which one partie pronounced against the other it must needs raise scandall and small reputation of the Councell It was thought fit to omit the fifth Article as decided in the former Session But Friar Bartholmew Miranda called to minde that Luther by that paradox of his that the Sacraments doe not conferre grace but by exciting faith drew also a conclusion that those of the old and of the Euangelicall law are of equall vertue which opinion was to bee condemned as contrary to the doctrine of the Fathers and the Church all hauing said that the olde Sacraments were onely signes of grace but the new conteine it and cause it No man did contradict the conclusion but the Franciscans proposed that it should not bee sayd of the old Law but of Moses Law in regard that Circumcision it selfe did cause grace but it was not a Mosaicall Sacrament for CHRIST also said it was not of Moses but of the Fathers and also because other sacrifices before Abraham did conferre and cause grace The Dominicans replyed that Saint Paul sayd plainely that Abraham had receiued the Circumcision onely for a signe that hee being the first vnto whom it was giuen it is as much as to say it was instituted onely for a signe And the questions of the manner of conteining and causing grace returned into the field Friar Gregorie of Padua said hereupon that it was a cleere case in Logique that things in the same kinde haue identitie and difference among themselues If the old Sacraments and ours had onely difference they would not all bee Sacraments but equiuocally if onely identitie they would bee absolutely the same thing Therefore they must beware to put difficultie in plaine matters for some diuersitie of wordes and that Saint Augustine had sayd that these and those are diuers in the signe but equall in the thing signified And in another place that they were diuers in the visible species but the same in the intelligible signification and that else where he puts a difference that those were promissiue and these demonstratiue which another doth expresse in another terme that those were prenunciatiue and these contestatiue Whence it plainely appeareth that they agree and differ in many things which no sensible man can deny and therefore it was wisedome not to put that Article in the beginning neither was it to any purpose to touch it in the present Decree Another opinion came forth that the opinion of the Lutherans and Zuinglians was to bee condemned without descending to the particulars For they say there is no difference betweene the old and new Sacraments but in the Rites But it hath beene shewed that there are other differences and therefore they are to be condemned for this onely without descending to shew what those differences are But the sixt was censured by the Dominicans who said it was proper to the Euangelicall Sacraments to giue grace and that the old did not giue it but onely by the vertue of deuotion and that this was the opinion of Saint Thomas They alleadged for a principall ground the determination of the Florentine Councell that the Sacraments of the old Law did not cause grace but did figure that it must bee giuen by the passion of CHRIST But Because S. Bondaenture and Sootus did maintaine that the Circumcision did conferre grace Ex opere operato Scotus adding that immediatly after the sinne of Adam a Sacrament was instituted in which a grace was giuen to babes by vertue of it that is Ex opere operato the Franciscans said the Article was true and could not be censured and that if as Saint Thomas said children before CHRIST were saued by the fathers faith the state of Christians was worse For now the fathers faith doth not helpe the children without Baptisme and Saint Austine saith that the childe that is caried by the father to be baptized if hee die in the way is damned So that if faith onely did then suffice the condition of the sonnes of Christians is now worse In these difficulties many did propose that the Article as probable should bee omitted To leaue out the seuenth and eighth there was a great agreement But in Concerning the Character imprinted by the Sacrament the ninth of the Chalacter Friar Dominicus Soto endeauoured to declare that it hath foundation in the holy Scripture and hath euer bin held in the Church for an Apostolicull Tradition and though the name hath not been vsed by the Fathers yet the thing signified is most ancient Others did not grant him so great a scope because it did not appeare that Gratian or the Master of the Sentences had made any mention thereof Yea Iohn Scotius said that it was not necessary by the words of the Scripture or of the Fathers to affirme it but onely by the authority of the Church a thing vsuall with that Doctor to denie things with a kinde of courtesie It was worth the knowing what thing they meant it should be and where situated in such multiplicity of Schoole-opinions some
liberty and the Protestant Preachers are recalled The Diet is deserted yeare in many parts betweene diuers Princes and Cities of the Empire But the Cities recalled their Preachers and Doctors of the Augustan Confession and restored the Churches Schooles and exercise of Religion and though in regard of the banishments and persecutions against the Doctours and Preachers there remained but few of them and those concealed vnder the protection of the Princes yet as if they had risen againe there wanted not to furnish all places The warre hindred the assembling of the Diet disseigned and deferred it from one yeere to another vntill February 1555. whereof wee will speake in the fit place THE FIFT BOOKE OF THE HISTORY OF THE COVNCELL OF TRENT THe Pope now freed from many cares by the dissolution of the Councell thought fit to preuent all occasions of relapse and proposed in Consistory the necessity to reforme the The Pope maketh a great shew that hee will reforme the Church Church He said he had reduced the Councel to Trent for this end which hauing not succeeded according to his desire in regard of diuers accidents of warre first in Italy then in Germany it was meete to doe that in Rome which in Trent could not be done Hee appointed therefore a great congregation of Cardinals and Prelates to consider of the businesse Hee sayd hee elected many that resolutions might bee more mature and haue greater reputation though his ende was thought to bee that by reason of the multitude more impediments might arise and so all might come to nothing And the euent was iudge For the Reformation was handled in the beginning with great heate afterwards it went on for the space of many moneths very coldly and at the last was buried in silence And the suspension of the Councell in The suspension of y e councel made for two yeeres lasteth ten stead of two yeeres did continue tenne verifying the maxime of the Philosophers that the causes ceasing the effects doe cease also The causes of the Councell were first the great instances of Germanie and the hope conceiued by the world that it would cure all the diseases of Christendome But the effects that were seene vnder Paul the third did extinguish The causes of the two Conuocations of the Councel the hope and shew to Germanie that it was impossible to haue such a Councell as they desired Of the second reduction of the Synode there was another cause which was the great desire of Charles the Emperour to put Germanie vnder his yoke by meanes of Religion and to make the Empire hereditarie by causing his sonne to succeede him and so to erect a Monarchie greater then any since the Roman euen then that of Charles the great For this the victories hee had obtained was not sufficient 1553 I 〈…〉 3. 〈…〉 CHARLES 〈…〉 EDWARD 〈…〉 HENRY 〈…〉 neither did hee thinke hee could supply what was wanting by new forces onely but supecting the people vnto him by Religion and the Princes by treaties hee had conceiued a vast hope to immortallize his name This was the cause why hee was so earnest with Iul 〈…〉 for the second Conuocation of the Councell and of his effectuall persâ—asions not to call them violent Charles vseth meanes to make the Empire hereditary to the three Electors to goe thither and to the Protestents with whom hee had power to send their Druines But while the Councell was celebrated Charles hauing put all Christian Princes in iealousie found the first encounters in his owne house For Ferdinand though hee seemed formerly to haue consented to make the Empire common to them both as it was to Marcus and Lucius with equall authority an example followed by Dioclesian and many others afterwards and then to labour that Philip should bee chosen King of the Romanes to succeed them wherein Charles had employed But cannot effect it his sister the Queene of Hungary to perswade him to it for the aduancement of their house yet better aduised by his sonne Maximilian hee began to change his opinion To effect this businesse already set on foote Philip was called by his father that hee might bee knowen to the Electors in the Diet of Ausburg in the yere 1551. which made Ferdinand retire himselfe the foresaid Queene to goe thither to make peace betweene the brothers But Maximilian fearing that his father out of his good nature would yeeld leauing the gouernment of the Kingdomes of Spaine which the Emperour had giuen him in the hands of his wife the Emperours daughter returned suddenly into Germanie by whose perswasions Ferdinand remained constant in his purpose and Charles had nothing from the Electors but good words By this opposition the Emperours edge was abated who sent his sonne backe into Spaine without hope euer to obtaine the consent of Maximilian And afterwards being compelled by the foresaid warre to make an agreement despairing of his sonnes succession he layd aside all thought of restoring the ancient Religion in Germany and by consequence all care of the Councel though he continued many yeeres after in the Empire And the Court did care for it as little because none did desire it But diuers accidents then happened Which causeth him to lay aside all care of Religion and of the Councel which though they seemed to make the suspension perpetuall yet in the secret prouidence of God did minister causes for the third Conuocation which the continuation of the story requireth should not bee passed ouer in silence in regard the knowledge of the causes doeth helpe much to penetrate the effects which happened after that the Councell was resumed The Pope seeing that the people of his obedience did not so much esteem him by reason of the alienation of Germany did imitate Eugenius the fourth 1553. who maintained the reputation which the Councell of Basill tooke from How y e Pope maintained his reputation him by a shew of Grecians and a shadow of Armenians and the late example of his predecessour Paulus 3. who when the contentions were hoâ—e betweene him and the Emperour for the translation of the Councell to Bolonia for which the people also did distaste him receiued with many ceremonies on Steuen by the name of Patriarke of Armenia the greater with one Archbishop and 2. Bishops who came to knowledge him for the Vicar of CHRIST and generall commander of the Church and to render him obedience According to these examples Iulius did receiue with much publike solemnitie one Simon Sulâ—akam elect Patriarke of all the people which are betweene Euphrates and India sent from those Churches to be confirmed by the Pope successour of Peter and Vicar of CHRIST Hee ordained him Bishop and gaue him the Patriarchall Robe with his owne hands in the Consistory and sent him backe to his home that the Churches might not suffer in his absence accompanied with some religious men who vnderstood the Syriaque tongue All the discourse was 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
determination to the Cardinals exhorting them to consider that it did not stand with the honour of the Apostolike Sea nor of that Colledge to receiue rules and reformations from others and that the condition of the times when all crie out for reformation not vnderstanding what The Pope promiseth to make a reformation in the Court. it is did require that in regard of the glorious name thereof it should not bee refused that in this contrariety of reasons the best temper was to make by way of preuention a reformation of his owne accord which would not serue to that purpose onely but win commendations also by making himselfe an example to others that for this cause hee would reforme the Penitentiary and Datary principall members of the Court and afterwards consider of smaller matters and he deputed cardinals for one and the other charge He discoursed of the causes why the opening of the Councell could And hastneth the opening of the Councell no longer be deferred For it being discouered that the Vltramontans haue bad ends and disseignes to abate the absolute power which GOD hath giuen to the Pope of Rome the more time they haue to thinke on it the more their plots will encrease and that there is danger that by time some of the Italians may bee gained also that therefore it is the safest way to vse expedition and that if the great expences which are made in maintaining the Prelats be not quickly ended the Apostolike Sea will not bee able to beare them Afterwards he gaue the crosse of the Legation to the Card. Altemps with order to put himselfe in readinesse and to bee in Trent at the opening of the Councell if it were possible The cause why hee reuoked the order giuen at the departure of Cardinall Simoneta to open the Councell at his arriuall was the instance of the Emperours Ambassador in Rome that the Ambassadours of his Master might bee present at it But afterward hauing aduertized his Holinesse that they would be in Trent before the midst of Ianuary hee earnestly entreated the Marquis of Pescara whom the King of Spaine had sent Ambassadour to the Councell to bee in Trent and assist at the opening of it Hee solicited the Venetians also to send their Ambassage beeing carefull that that ceremony should passe with reputation Notwithstanding he wrote to the Legats to open the Councell so soone as the Ambassadors of the Emperour and of the forenamed Princes were arriued and that if they came not by the middest of the moneth they should deferre it no longer And in this coniuncture the yeere 1561 did end THE SIXT BOOKE OF THE HISTORY OF THE COVNCELL OF TRENT THe Legats 1562 PIVS 4. FARDINAND ELIZABETH CHARLES 9. in conformitie of that which the A generall congregation is hel the 15. of April in which two great controuersies did arise Pope had last commanded the fifteenth of Ianuary made a generall Congregation in which the Cardinall of Mantua as prime Legate made a discourse to shew how necessary and fit it was to open the Councell and exhorted the Prelates to promote so sacred and pious a worke with fastings almes and frequent Masses Afterwards the Bull of the Legation was read dated the tenth of March which was in generall termes with the vsuall clauses that he sent them as Angels of peace to preside in the Councell which was to begin at Easten After this three other Briefes were read The first dated the fifth of March and was a facultie to the Legates to giue leaue to the Prelates and Diuines to reade during the time of the Councell bookes prohibited The second dated the three and twentieth of May that the Legates should haue facultie to absolue those who would secretly abiure for cause of heresies The third was dated the last of december in which the Pope to take away all controuersie which might happen betweene the Prelates about precedencie doth command that the Patriarkes should haue the first place the Archbishop the second and the Bishops the third regarding onely the time of the promotion not the dignitie of the Sea or of the Primacie whether true or pretended This being read Friar Bartholomew de Marâ—iri Archbishop of Braga in One about precedence of the Prelates Portugall exclaimed that the Councell should begin with doing iniurie to the principall Churches of Christendome saying that his Sea which had the Primacie of Spaine should by this sentence be made inferiour not onely to three Archbishopricks subiect vnto him but also to the Archbishop of Rosano who hath no Suffragan and to the Archbishops of Nissia and Antiuari who haue not any residencie and scarce any Christians to gouerne that it is not equitable to make one law for ones selfe and another for others and to pretend the preseruation of ones owne right and to depriue others of theirs He spake so earnestly that the Legats were troubled and did hardly pacifie him though they caused a declaration to bee written that the Popes meaning and theirs was that no man should gaine or lose any right by that Decree neither in 〈…〉 possission but that euery Primate whether true or pretended should after the Councell remaine in the same state in which hee was before The Archbishop beeing with much adoe appeased the other Spaniards made request that the opening of the Councell Another whether this Conuocation of the Councell should be a continuation of the old or a new Councell might be declared to be a continuation of that which was begun vnder Paul and prosecuted by Iulius le 〈…〉 any one might cauill that it was a new Councell The Bishop of Zante who had been in Germany and knew how that action would be calumniated and how distastfull to the Emperour replied that as the things already determined ought not to bee questioned but held as decided so to declare so much now without necessitie would cut off all hope from the Emperour and French King to finde such a coniuncture as that the Protestants would submit themselues to the Councell and assist in it The Legats especially Mantua and Varmiense did second the opinion of the Bishop with many discourses and much was spoken on both sides very bitterly and the Spaniards sayd they would protest and returne yet after many consultations they finally agreed to desist from their instance not to oppose the Emperour the French King the Dutchmen and Frenchmen nor to giue matter of complaint to the Protestants so that no words were vsed to signifie it was a new Councell or to preiudice the continuation The Cardinals promised in the Popes name that his Holinesse would confirme whatsoeuer was done in Trent in the two precedent Councels though this were dissolued without conclusion The Spaniards were content and after long discoursing it was concluded that a forme of words should be vsed A decree for opening the Councell to signifie that the Councell did begin to be celebrated all suspension being remoued which
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
done already or vndoing that which is done well Many other reasons were alleadged in confirmation of this opionion by many Bishops creatures of Paul 4 admirers of his wisedome in managing the Ecclesiasticall discipline who maintained that it was necessary to preserue yea to augment the rigour instituted by him if they would preserue the purity of religion Iohn Thomaso S. Felicio was of a contrary opinion that the Councell should treate againe of bookes as if there had been no precedent prohibition The opinion of Iohn Thomaso S. Felicio because that beeing made by the Inquisition of Rome is odious for the name to the Vltramontans and besides is so rigid that it cannot bee obserued and nothing doth more easily bring a law into disuse then the impossibilitie or great difficulty in keeping it and the great rigour in punishing the transgressours he sayd that indeed it was necessary to preserue the reputation of that office but that might bee done conueniently enough by making nomention thereof and by ordayning onely things necessary and moderate punishments And therefore his opinion was that all consisted in setting downe the manner and spake what himselfe thought to be the best that is that the bookes not already censured should be diuided amongst the Fathers and Diuines of the Counsel and those that were absent also to bee examined and censured and that a great Congregation should be deputed to iudge betweene the censure and the booke and that this also should bee obserued in those which are censured already and then all should be proposed in the generall Congregation to decree that which was best for the publike good For citing the Authors hee said there were two sorts of them some separated from the Church and some incorporated in it of the former no account is to be made seeing that by their separation they haue as Saint Paul saith condemned themselues and their owne workes so that there is no cause to heare them of the others some are dead and some aliue of which the latter are to be cited and heard because their good name and honour being in question one cannot proceed against they workes before the hearing of their reasons Concerning the dead whatsoeuer the publike good doth require may be done without danger of offending any Another Bishop added to this opinion that the same forme of iustice vsed towards the Catholiques aliue should be vsed also towards those that are dead because they haue kinred and schollars who doe participate of the fame of infamie of the dead and are therefore interested and in case there were none such yet the onely memory of the dead cannot be iudged before it be defended Some also did thinke it was not iust to condemne the workes of Protestants without hearing them For howsoeuer the persons be condemned by themselues yet the lawes doe not permit the declaratory without citation though in a notorious fact and therefore it cannot be pronounced against a booke though it doth notoriously containe heresie Fryar Gregory Generall of the Heremites sayd he did not thinke it necessary to obserue so many subtilties For the prohibition of a booke is as the prohibition of a meate which is not a sentence against it nor against him that hath prepared it but a precept to him that is to vse it made by him who hath the charge of his health therefore the credit of the Victualer is not in question but the benefit of the sicke who is forbid to eate of a meat that is hurtfull to him though in it selfe it may be good So the Synod as a Physician ought to forbid that which is hurtfull or dangerous to the faithfull wherein none will receiue wrong For howsoeuer the booke may bee good in it selfe yet peraduenture it may not agree to the infirmity of the mindes of this age Many other considerations did passe which were finally resolued into one of these Concerning the third Article to inuite the heretickes to repentance with The Legats and Prelats are diuided concerning the generall safe conduct promise of clemencie and grant of a safe conduct there were diuers opinions euen amongst the Legates themselues Mantua was for a generall pardon saying that many would bee gained thereby and that it was a remedie vsed by all Princes in seditions or rebellions to pardon those whom they cannot ouercome because by that meanes those that are least faultie doe retire and the others remaine more weake and although but few were gained or but one onely yet it was to bee done that though none at all could bee gained yet it would be great gaine to vse and shew clemencie Simoneta said that this would be dangerous for the ruine of others because many are induced to transgresse when they see it is easie to get a pardon and that rigour though it be hard to him that feeleth it doth keepe many in their duety that it is sufficient to shew clemencie to him that desireth it but to carrie it after him that doeth not demaund or doeth refuse it doth make men more carelesse of themselues and heresie will be thought to bee but a small fault when men see it is so easily pardoned In these two opinions the Prelates were diuided and those who did not approoue the Safe Conduct said it was not giuen to any in the first Conuocation of this Councell which would haue been done if it had beene necessary or conuenient because the Pope that sate then was most wise and the Legats the chiefest of the Colledge that it was giuen in the second Conuocation because Maurice Duke of Saxonie and other Protestants did desire it and the Emperour also in their behalfe but now it beeing demaunded by none Germanie saying aloud and protesting that it doth not hold this Councell to be lawfull a Safe Conduct would but giue them matter to make some bad exposition of the Synods meaning The Spanish Prelats would by no meanes consent to a generall Safe Conduct because it would preiudice the Inquisition of Spaine in regard so long as that lasted euery one might professe himselfe to bee a Protestant and make himselfe ready for the voyage and could not be arrested by that office The Legates thought the like might happen to the Inquisition of Rome and Italy All The resolution of the generall Congregation concerning the Index and Safe Conduct being considered concerning the Index it seemed sufficient for that present to make Deputies and to let those that were interested vnderstand by some little part of the Decree that they should be heard and inuite all to the Councell and for the Safe Conduct to referre themselues in regard of the difficulties to a further consideration While these things were handled the Popes Nephew Cardinall Altemps the fift Legate came to Trent and withall the newes of the Edict of France before rehearsed which put them all into a confusion that Princes should permit by publique Decree those nouities which the Councell was then assembled to
voyce deliuered in the Congregations and of all the voyces of others which were any way remarkeable Of this number 34. came into my hands in that forme as they were deliuered and of the others I haue vnderstood the conclusion onely but here nothing is to be related but that which is of note The Patriarke of Ierusalem said That this Article had been handled and The Suffrage of the Patriarke of Ierusalem concerning Residence discussed in the first Councell and concluded that to cause residence there are two prouisions One to constitute punishments for those who doe not reside another to remooue the impediments which doe hinder residencie The first was fully ordered in the sixt Session neither can any thing bee added in regard the losse of halfe the reuenues is a very great pecuniary punishment then which a greater cannot be imposed without making the Bishops beggars If the contumacie bee excessiue there can bee no greater punishment except depriuation which requiring one to execute it which must needs be the Pope in regard the ancient vse of the Church was to reserue to that Sea the hearing and determining of the causes of Bishops that sixt Session referred it to his Holinesse to finde a remedie either by meanes of a new prouision or otherwise and bound the Metropolitane to aduise him of the absence For the second they beganne to make prouision and in that and other Sessions many Decrees were made to take away many exemptions which hindered the Bishops to exercise their charge Therefore it now remaineth onely to continue and to remooue the residue of the impediments electing a certaine number of Fathers as then was done to make collection of them that they may bee proposed and prouided for The Archbishop of Granata added that a more potent and effectuall remedie The suffrage of the Arch-bishop of Granada was proposed in that Councell that is that the obligation of Residence was by the Law of God which was handled and examined tenne moneths together and that if that Councell had not been interrupted it would haue beene decided as a necessary yea as a principall article of the doctrine of the Church and was then not onely discussed but the reasons vsed by diuers were put in print also so that the matter is prepared and digested and nothing now remaineth but to giue it perfection When it shall be determined that residencie is de iure Diuino all hinderances will cease of themselues the Bishops vnderstanding their duety wil thinke on their owne conscience they will not be reputed hirelings but Pastors who knowing that the flocke is giuen to them by God to whom they must make an account without laying the fault on others and being assured that dispensations wil neither saue nor helpe them they will apply themselues to performe their duety And he proceeded to proue with many authorities of the New and Old Testament Is approved by the maior part and exposition of the Fathers that this was the Catholike truth This opinion was approoued by the maior part of the Congregation the maintainers whereof laboured to bring authorities and reasons Others did reiect it and said it was new neuer defended neither by antiquity And reiected by others nor by this age before Cardinall Caietan who set the question on foote and maintained that part which notwithstanding hee did abandon in his old age because hee tooke a Bishopricke and did neuer reside that the Church hath euer held that the Pope might dispense that Non-residents haue alwayes beene punished and reprehended as transgressors of the Canons onely and not of the Law of God that indeede it was disputed in the first Councell but the disputation was held to be so dangerous by the Legats men of great wisedome that they did cunningly cause it to bee buried in silence that this example ought to be followed and that the bookes which haue beene written since haue giuen great scandall to the world and made knowen that the disputation proceeded from partiality For the authorities of the Scripture and Fathers they are onely exhortations to perfection neither is there any substantiall proofe but out of the Canons which are Ecclesiasticall lawes Some held opinion that there was neither place nor time nor opportunity to handle that question that no good could come by the determination of it but danger of many inconueniences that the Councell was assembled to extirpate heresies not to make Schisme among the Catholiques which would happen by condemning an opinion followed if not by the greater part yet by one halfe at the least that the authours of that opinion haue not inuented it for trueths sake but the more to vrge men to reside with small ground of reason in regard that the Lawes of GOD are not more diligently obserued then the Lawes of the Church that the precept for keeping of Lent is more strictly obserued then those of the Decalogue that if to confesse and communicate at Easter were commanded by GOD The lawes of the Pope are more strictly obserued then the lawes of God more would not doe it then now doe that to say Masse with Copes is an Ecclesiasticall law and yet no man doth transgresse it hee that doth not obey the penall commands of the Canons will transgresse much more when hee feareth onely the iustice of GOD neither will any Bishop be mooued with that determination but it will giue occasion to plot rebellions against the Apostolique Sea to restraine the Popes authority and as some haue been heard to whisper to depresse the Court of Rome that that was the ornament of the Clergie which is respected in other places onely in regard of it that if it should be depressed the Church would euery where be lesse esteemed and therefore that it was not fit to handle such a businesse without imparting it to his Holinesse and Colledge of Cardinals to whom it doeth principally belong The opinion of Paulus Iouius Bishop of Nocera is not to be omitted who The Suffrage of Paulus Iouius Bishop of Nocera said in substance That certainly the Councel was assembled to cure a great wound which is the deformation of the Church the cause whereof as all are perswaded is the absence of the Prelats from their Churches which beeing affirmed by all is perhaps not sufficiently considered by any But it is not the part of a wise Physician to take away the cause before hee be well assured that the remoouing of it will not cause greater diseases If the absence of Prelats hath beene the cause of the corruptions there will bee lesse deformation in those Churches where they haue resided The Popes for these hundred yeeres haue continually sate in Rome and vsed all diligence to instruct the people yet we doe not see that that citie is better gouerned then others The great capitall Cities of Kingdomes are most out of order where the Prelats haue alwayes resided on the contrary some poore cities which haue not
prescribing the order and time of speaking and distributing to euery one his owne part This was commended by Varmiense and they agreed to giue order for it when the Sessions should bee held The Imperialists were now out of hope to obtaine the Chalice and their interests were ceased But the French men with some Prelates laboured much that nothing might be done in the Session of the sixteenth day but all deferred vntill the next as had beene done twice before The Legates to auoid the shame did labour with all their force to establish the points that those foure that concerne communion and the nine of reformation might be published These therefore did seeke to remooue and those to interpose difficulties There remaining but two dayes to the Session a Congregation was held in the morning of the 14. day in the beginning where of Granata desired the Legates that in regard of the importance of the matter to bee handled they would protogue the Session and made as it were an Oration to shew how many difficulties were still on foot necessary to bee decided The Legates resolute to the contrary admitted no reason and caused the examination of the doctrine to begin In reading of the first point when they came to the place where it is said that it cannot bee inferred by the words of our Lord in S. Iohn If you shall not eat the flesh of the Sonne of man and drinke my blood c. Granata began and said that that passage did not speake of the Sacrament but of Faith vnder the Metaphore of nutrimont alleadging the Text and many Expositions of the Fathers and of S. Austin in particular Cardinall Seripando expounded that place as if hee had read in the Chaire and it seemed that euery one was satisfied But Granata replied more earnestly and in the end desired that an addition might be ioyned to it saying that by those words howsoeuer they were vnderstood according to diuers Expositions of the Fathers the Communion of the Cup could not be inferred This addition did not please some of the Fathers and others did not regard it but it seemed strange that after things were concluded one should come with vnnecessary additions to disturbe the points established and there were 57. who said Non Placet But to come to an end the Legates were content that the clause should be added â—and indeede it seemeth to bee inserted by force and doeth begin in the Latine Vtcunque inxta Varias In the second point of the authoritie of the Church ouer the Sacraments when they came to this place that they might change the vse of the Cup by the example of the forme of Baptisme Iacobus Gibertus Bishop of Alife stood vp and said it was a blasphemie that the forme of Baptisme was immutable that it was neuer changed that ouer the essence of the Sacraments which consisteth in the forme and matter there is no authoritie and much beeing sayd Pro contra in the end they resolued to take away that particle It would be tedious to relate all that was spoken by some to hinder the proceeding and by some not to be silent when others spake It is naturall when a multitude is in motion for euery one to striue to mooue most neither was there euer any Colledge of Noblemen so absolute but that it might bee diuided into persons of honour and of the common sort The patience and resolution of the Legates ouercame the difficulties so that in the Congregation of the afternoone the points of doctrine and the Anathematimes were established howsoeuer the Cardinall Varmiense did very zealously interpose a doubt at the instance of some Diuines who tolde him that where as it is sayd in the third point of doctrine The faithfull are not defrauded of any grace necessary to saluation by receiuing one kinde onely much cause of disputation was giuen because the Eucharist being not a necessary Sacrament it might bee inferred by the same reason that the Church might take it away wholly Many of the Prelats adhered hereunto demanding that it might be reformed in regard the reason alleadged against it was euident and vnanswerable Cardinall Simoneta did pacifie them with very much adoe saying that a draught should bee made in writing how it should be reformed and shewed in the next Congregation In that the Bishop of the Fiue Churches gaue new occasion of distastes Who hauing beene tolde our of Congregation that in Rome Bishopriques were giuen onely to promote men returned to that matter and spake of it at large He seemed to declare his minde by way of excuse but indeed hee confirmed the things spoken and the end of his discourse was an exhortation to the Fathers to deliuer their opinions freely without respect Simoneta was much angry at the occurrences of that Congregation and when it was ended did remonstrate to Varmiense how contrary it was to the seruice of the Apostolique Sea to giue care to the impertinencies of the Diuines men accustomed to bookes of speculation onely and for the most part vaine subtilties of which themselues make great esteeme though indeed they are but Chimerae where of one proofe is because they agree not among themselues that before many of them did approue that point without contradiction and now some broach new matters which in conclusion will be opposed by others that it is a plaine case that what word soe uer is spoken will bee defended by those that fauour the Speaker and oppugned by his aduersaries Neither will they much care though it be somewhat dangerous to doe it But hauing intimated two Sessions and done nothing if the like should happen in this the reputation of the Councell would irrecouerably be lost and therefore that they must be carefull to doe some thing Varmiense was ouercome and answered that hee had done nothing but to a good end and that those Diuines were addressed to him by the Emperours Ambassadours Simoneta perceiued that the honesty of that Prelate was abused by the subtiltie of others and told the other Legates that he doubted that the Imperialists might draw some secret from him and agreed with them to admonish him of it vpon some good occasion The last day had some encounters also For the Bishop of Nimes at the perswasion of the French Ambassadours desired that in the first point of reformation where some fee is allowed to the Notary for the Letters patents of Orders the custome of France might not be preiudiced where nothing is The Legates about to part out of the CoÌ„gregation are stopped by the Bishop of Girone giuen He was followed by some Spaniards and they were satisfied by an addition in the Decree that the custome should bee saued Other mutations were desired and granted and all was in order for the Session the next morning The Legats rising vp to depart Arias Gallego Bishop of Girone came and stopped them and desired they would set downe againe and heare him They looked one vpon another but
for the deferring of it Wherefore though the time was past they came to the Legates and told them they had a new commission from the King to make request that they would labour in the reformation and for points of doctrine expect the comming of his Prelates adding that if the matter of Order and Matrimonie were disputed by the Diuines and handled by the Prelates no more points of doctrine would remaine and the comming of the Frenchmen would bee to no purpose Wherefore then request was that they would be pleased to deferre them vntill the end of October imploying themselues in the meane space in the matter of reformation or one day in that and another in matter of doctrine not deferring as they had done all the matter of reformation vntill the last dayes immediatly before the Session so that there scarce remained time so much as to see the Articles much lesse to consult vpon them The Legates answered that their propositions did desire to be weighed well To which the Legates answered and that they would be carefull to giue them all possible satisfaction demanding a copie of their instructions that they might resolue the better The Ambassadours gaue them a writing of this tenour That the King hauing seene the Decrees of the sixteenth of Iuly concerning the Communion Sub vtraque and deferring two Articles in the same matter and those proposed in the Congregations concerning the sacrifice of the Masse howsoeuer hee commendeth that which is done yet he cannot conceale that which is generally spoken that is that the matter of discipline and manners is either quite omitted or slenderly handled and the controuersed points in Religion in which all the Fathers doe agree hastily determined Which although hee thinketh to bee false yet hee desireth that the propositions of his Ambassadours may bee expounded as necessary to prouide for the good of Christendome and the calamities of his Kingdome And hauing found by experence that neither seuerity nor moderation hath beene able to reduce those who are separated from the Church hee thought fit to haue recourse to the Generall Councell which hee hath obtained of the Pope that hee was sory that the tumults of France did hinder the comming of his Prelates that hee saw well that the constancie and rigour in continuing the forme begunne by the Legats and Bishops was not fit to reconcile peace and make an vnity in the Church that his desire was that nothing might bee done to aliene the mindes of the aduersaries now in the beginning of the Councell but that they may bee inuited and in case they come receiued as children with all humanitie hoping that by this meanes they will suffer themselues to be taught and brought backe to the bosome of the Church And because all that are in Trent doe professe the same Religion and neither can nor will make doubt of any part thereof hee thinketh the disputation and censure in poynts of religion to bee not onely superfluous but impertinent for the Catholiques and a cause to separate the aduersaries the more For hee that thinketh they will receiue the Decrees of the Councell in which they haue not assisted doeth not know them well neither will any thing bee done by this meanes but arguments ministred of writing more Bookes Therefore the King thinketh it better to omit the matter of Religion vntill the other of Reformation bee well set in order and that this is the scope at which euery one must ayme that the Councell which now is great and will bee greater by the comming of the Frenchmen may produce fruit Afterwards the King demandeth that in regard of the absence of his Bishops the next Session may bee put off vntill the end of October or the publication of the Decrees deferred or a new order expected from the Pope to whom hee hath written labouring in the meane while in the matter of Reformation And because he vnderstandeth that the ancient libertie of Councels is not obserued that Kings and Princes or their Ambassadours may declare the necessities of their States his Maiestie demandeth that their authoritie may bee preserued and all reuoked which hath been done to the contrary The same day the Emperours Ambassadours came to the Legats requiring The petition of the Emperors Ambassadors that the Articles sent by his Maiestie and presented by them might bee proposed and were very earnest that the points of doctrine might bee deferred vntill the comming of the Frenchmen and that the reformation may bee seruiceable not onely for the whole Church but for the Church of euery particular Kingdome their desire was that two of euery Nation might bee deputed to put them in minde of that which did deserue to bee proposed and discussed in Councell The Legats made a common answere to them both that they could not alter without great preiudice the order set downe which was to handle Doctrine and Reformation both together and if they should that other Princes would oppose but to content them they would ordaine that the Diuines and Prelates should examine the matter of Order onely and afterwards handle some poynts of Reformation obseruing still the former vse that euery one of what condition soeuer may put them the Legats in minde of what they thinke necessary profitable or conuenient which is a greater liberty then to haue two deputed for euery nation and afterwards they would treat of Matrimonie The Ambassadours being not one iote contented the Legats sent all their demands to the Pope The Frenchmen complained to all men of this austeritie and for that the Pope had lately commanded other Prelats to goe to the Councell that hee might exceed in number which the Papalins themselues did not like should bee done so openly and iust when the newes was spread of the comming of the French-men desiring to be secured by a maior part yet so as not to haue it knowne for what cause it was done But the Pope did of set purpose proceede 〈◊〉 openly that the Cardinall of Loraine might know that his attempts would be in vaine and so resolue not to come or that the Frenchmen might take some â—easion to make the Councell dissolue Neither was the Pope oâ—â—ly of 〈…〉 pinion but all the Court fearing some great preiudice by the Cardinals desseignes which howsoeuer they might not succeede a thing which they could scarce hope hope 〈…〉 yet his comming onely would hinder prolong and disturbe the Councell Ferraâ—â— told Loraine his kinseman 〈◊〉 his iourney would bee of no moment and of small reputation to himselfe in regard hee would arrâ—ue after all was determined and Biancheto a familiar friend of the Cardinall of Armignac who also had credit with Loraine 〈◊〉 as much to them both and the Secretary of Seripando who had 〈…〉 ritie 〈◊〉 the President Ferrier â—olde him the same all which was though too bee do 〈◊〉 by commission from the Pope or to please him at the least But tâ—â—ir care of the actions of the
is neither honest nor profitable to fauour one with the disseruice of another that euery one would haue the glory to procure the reformation and yet perseuere in the abuses laying the burthen vpon the Pope onely The Cardinall discoursed also that for the reformation of the Pope himselfe he would not say what the minde of his holinesse was but for that which neither doth nor can touch him how can any one perswade himselfe that hee would not condescend but that hee knoweth that which is vnknowne to others because the respects of all are referred vnto him alone Hee saide moreouer that the experience of these fifteene moneths since the opening of the Councell hath shewed that the pretensions are multiplied and the diuersitie of opinions increased and doe still proceede forward to the height that in case it should continue long some notable scandall must necessarily happen Hee told him of the iealousie which did possesse the Princes of Germanie and the Hugonots of France and concluded that seeing it was plaine that the Councell could doe no good it was expedient to finish it in the best manner it was possible It was sayd that those Princes were perswaded that they could neuer obtaine any thing that was good by meanes of the Councell and therefore thought it better to bury it with honour and that they gaue their word to that Cardinall to vse conniuencie heereafter and not to take it ill if the Councell were ended And hee that shall obserue what ende the Who giueth his word to conniue hereafter Councell had and that those Princes had no satisfaction in any of their demands will easily beleeue that the fame was true but considering on the other side that the instances of the Emperours ministers did not cease after this negotiation hee will thinke it a vaine rumour But to auoyde both the absurdities one may beleeue that those Princes did then lay hope aside and resolue not to oppose the ending of the Councell yet so as that they helde it not honourable to make a sudden retreate but to remit their instances by degrees that they might not publish their want of iudgement for conceiuing hope of good by that meanes and for not beleeuing the obseruation of Saint Gregory Nazianzen who testifieth that contentions haue alwayes been increased by the Episcopall assemblies The trueth of this particular I put in the number of those things the knowledge whereof I cannot attaine vnto But it is certaine that the catastrophe of the Councell which it was thought could not possiblie haue a quiet conclusion had beginning in this time THE EIGHTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORY OF THE COVNCELL OF TRENT THe seuenteenth of May Cardinall Morone returned to Trent from his Legation in Ispruc and the Legates presently beganne to treat amongst themselues about the certaine day of the Session because the twentieth was neere when it was to bee determined And because they knew not when the matters would bee in order in the Congregation of the nineteenth day a prorogation was made vntill the tenth of Iune to determine then the prefixed time In that Congregation two notable things did happen One was the contention whether it did belong to the Legates or to the Councell to determine A question about the authority of the Legats whether the Proctors of the Bishops ought to be admitted in Congregation begunne as we haue said by Lansac The French Prelates did maintaine that the Legates had no other prerogatiue but to be the first and had no authority as they were separated from the Fathers of the Councell alleadging the Councell of Basil and other monuments of antiquity On the other side it was said that the Councell could not bee lawfull except it were called by the Pope and that it belongeth to him onely to determine who may assist and haue voyce in it and that to giue this power to the Councell would be to giue it authority to generate it selfe After some contention the matter did remaine vndecided In giuing of voyces concerning the abuses of Order another question succeeded For the Bishop of Philodelphia made a great and a long exclamation that Cardinals haue Bishopriques without maintaining so much as a Suffragan which was much derided by many as if the Bishop being but titular had spoken for the interest of himselfe and of such as he was In the Congregation of the 21. of May the Count of Luna was receiued The Count of Luna is receiued in Congregation forty dayes after his arriuall in regard of the difficulties for precedence with the French Ambassadours In the meane while many consultations were held to compose them but the French would by no meanes yeeld that hee should haue any place but below and after them Whereupon he thought to stand on his feet in the midst of the place amongst the Emperors Ambassadours who had order from their Master to accompany him and to stand by them vntill hee had finished his oration and then to returne presently to his house But this seemed dishonourable for the King Therefore hee laboured to perswade the French not to enter in Congregation that day whereunto they not consenting He thought to force them to it by making some Spanish Prelat demaund that Secular Ambassadours might not assist in the Congregations because they were neuer admitted in the ancient Councels But thinking that this would offend all Princes hee purposed to vse meanes that some Prelats should propose the handling of some things at which it would not be reasonable that the French Ambassadours should bee present as might be the preiudices which might come to Christendome by the capitulations made with the Hugonots or some such thing This comming to the eares of the Cardinall of Loraine put another course in his head and consulting with the other French men they resolued not to contest any more if a place were giuen him a part out of the order of the Ambassadours Therefore the Count entring into the Congregation the day before mentioned and comming to the place assigned for him which was in the midst of His protestation about place the assembly ouer against the Legates he presented the Mandat of his King which being read by the Secretarie hee immediatly protested that howsoeuer in that and all other places he ought to be next after the Emperors Ambassadours yet because that place the cause which was handled and the time did not comport that the course of diuine matters and of the publique welfare should be hindred by humane contentions he did receiue the place giuen him but protesting that his modesty and the respect hee had not to hinder the progresse of the Councell ought not to be preiudiciall to the dignity and right of his Prince Philip the Catholike King nor of his posterity but that they remaine intire so that they may alwayes make vse of them as if his due place had now beene giuen vnto him requiring that his protestation might be written in the
Nouice two yeeres at the least at what age soeuer he entred The Generals opposed saying it was not iust to hinder any from entring into Religion who was capable to know what the Regular vowes did import which capacitie was iudged by the Church to bee at the age of sixteene yeeres in a time when the world was not so well awake and therefore that it was fit rather to make the age lesse then greater which reason they vsed also against the two yeeres of the Nouiceship In the end because they were willing to please all they resolued to satisfie the Generals also and to make no innouation herein Besides the twentie two Articles there was another in which power was giuen to the Prouincials Generals and Heads of the Orders to expell the incorrigible out of the Order and to depriue them of the habite Which Iohannes Antonius Fachinnettus Bishop of Nicastro opposed sharpely saying that the profession and Act of admission to it are a mutuall contract and as it were a marriage by which the professed is bound to the Monastery and the Monastery to him and as the one could not depart so the other could not put him away and that by meanes of this Decree all Cities would bee filled with expelled Friars to the great scandall of the world The Arch-bishop of Rosano said to the contrary that the relation was not as betweene man and wife but as betweene father and sonne and that the sonne could neuer lawfully refuse the father but the father might emancipate his sonne especially if hee were disobedient and that it was a lesse euill to see expelled Friars in the Cities then incorrigible in the Monasteries The Generals were not all of one opinion The perpetuall did approoue the expulsion but the temporary did not The maior part inclined according to the custome of a multitude when it consulteth to leaue things in the state they were and not to decree either for the one side or the other But in this consultation it was often repeated and by many that the people did receiue great scandal to see some weare a religious habit many yeeres and afterwards become seculars This brought the secret profession into question and made a consultation to begin whether they ought to declare it to bee of force as it had beene vntill that time or that no profession doth bind but that which is expresse But this had difficulties also for temper whereof this resolution was taken that the religious Prelat the yeere of probation being ended should be bound either to giue the Nouice leaue to depart or admit him to the profession And this was inserted in the sixteenth Article as in a place conuenient Generall Laynez commended the Decree very much as necessary but desired that his societie might bee excepted alleadging that the condition of it was different from that of other regular Orders that in those tacite profession hath place by ancient custome and approbation of the Apostolique Sea which in their society is prohibited that the cause of scandall which the people receiueth in seeing some in a secular habite who haue long worne the religious doth cease in them in regard the habit of the Iesuits doth not differ from the secular that their society hath also a confirmation from the Apostolique Sea that the Superiour may admit to the profession after a long time which hath neuer beene made to any Regular All inclined to fauour him with this exception for extention whereof hee contended that the Rules of speaking Latine did require that the expression should bee in the plurall saying that by these things the Synod doth not intend to alter the institution of the Iesuits c. And it was not considered that this manner of speech might bee referred both to the admitting or dismissing of Nouices in the end of the Laymez maketh vse of the negligence of the Fathers in Trent yeere of Probation and to the whole Contents of the sixteenth Article as also that it might be referred to all the things contained in the sixteen heads But the Father knew how to make vse of the negligence of others laying a foundation on which the succeeding Iesuites might build that singularitie which now appeareth in their Societie The Congregation of the two and twentieth treated of Indulgences the difficultie and length of which matter made the maior part to bee of opinion to speake of it no more in regard all were resolued before to auoide impediments But some desired to handle them saying that otherwise the Heretickes would say that they were omitted because there was no ground to maintaine them Others thought it sufficient to speake of their vse onely and to take away the abuses which the corruption of times hath brought in The Ambassadour of Portugall said hee was sorry that prouision was not made for the Crusadoes but would bee silent lest occasion might bee taken to prolong the Councell The Emperours Ambassadours though they did ioyntly sollicite the Expedition by commission from their Master were not of accord in this Prague would not haue them speake of the points of doctrine Fiue-Churches said that if they were omitted and the abuses of reliques Images and Purgatorie not taken away the Synode was quite shamed The Bishop of Modena tolde the Fathers that in case they would handle Indulgences as they had done Iustification considering all the causes and resoluing all the questions they would finde it difficult and to require a long time it being impossible to make that matter plaine but by determining first whether they bee absolutions or compensations onely and suffrages or whether they doe remit the penalties imposed by the Confessor onely The Councel dareth not handle the matter of Indulgences exactly or all that are due likewise whether the Treasure which is put for their foundation doeth onely consist of the merits of CHRIST or whether those of Saints bee required also whether they may be giuen though the receiuer performe nothing whether they extend to the dead also and other things of no lesse difficultie But to determine that the Church may graunt them and hath done so in all times and that they are profitable for the faithfull who doe worthily receiue them needeth no great disputation The authoritie to graunt them is prooued by the Scripture their continuall vse by Apostolicall tradition and authoritie of Councels and the perspicuitie of the whole matter by the vniforme doctrine of the Schoolemen Vpon this a Decree may be composed without difficultie The opinion had many followers and hee with other Friar Bishops was deputed to make a Decree in this sense adding a prouision against abuses In the Congregations following they handled the Index of bookes Catechisme Breuiarie Missals and Agends And all things determined in the particular congregations of the Prelates deputed for these matters since the beginning of the Synod were read Wherein they did not all agree Some thought that certaine Authours and Bookes were censured without reason
many cases the whole care of matters terrene belonged to them sometimes they deposed the Emperours and mooued the Electors to make choyce of others in their roome and sometimes the Emperours chose new Popes or caused them to be chosen by others By these controuersies and by the Popes abode seuenty yeeres at Auignion and by meanes of a Schisme which happened in Italie after that the Popes were returned to Rome it came to passe that in those Cities which were subiect to the Church especially in those of Romania many potent Citizens each in his owne Countrey attained to souereigne power The Bishops of Rome either persecuted them or not being able to ouercome them gaue them these Cities to bee held of them in Vassallage or inuested other commanders in them So the Cities of Romania began to haue particular Lords by the name for the most part of Vicars of the Church Thus Ferrara first giuen by the Pope to Azo de Esti to be gouerned by him was afterwards granted to him vnder the title of Vicarship This familie was in processe of time exalted to more illustrious honours Bolonia being thus possessed by Iohn Visconte Arch-bishop of Milan was after giuen him by the Pope as a Vicarship of Rome Vpon the same occasions there arose many particular Lords in many places of the Marquisat of Anconia of the Patrimonie of Saint Peter and of Vmbria now called the Dukedome of Spoleto all which was done either against the Pope his will or by his forced consent The same variations being also in Lombardie amongst the Cities of the Empire it sometimes fell out that the Vicars of Romania and of other Ecclesiasticall territories withdrawing themselues openly from the Church acknowledged to hold those Cities in Vassalage from the Emperours and those who possessed Milan Mantua and other Imperiall places were contented to hold them from the Bishops of Rome In these times Rome though still named the Domaines of the Church was gouerned by it selfe When the Popes returned from Auignion into Italie for a while they were obeyed as Lords but the Romans soone after erected the magistracie of the Banderefi and relapsed into their wonted contumacie Hereupon the Popes retaining but small authoritie absented themselues wholly from thence vntill the Romanes beeing fallen into great pouertie and grieuous disorders by the absence of the Court and the yeere 1400. approaching in which they hoped if the Pope were at Rome there would be a great concourse of all Christendom by reason of the Iubelie they most humbly besought Pope Boniface to returne to them offering to put down the office of the Banderefi and to yeeld him absolute obedience Vpon these conditions hee returned to Rome and while the people were intent vpon their gaine made himselfe absolute Lord of the Citie and fortified and put a garrison in the Castle of S. Angelo Those who succeeded vntill Pope Eugenius found many difficulties but then the souereigntie was so well established that all his successors gouerned the Citie euen at their owne pleasure Being raised by these steps vnto earthly power they laid a side by little and little the care of soules and of diuine precepts so that setting their affections wholly vpon earthly greatnesse and vsing their spirituall authoritie only as an instrument of their temporall they seemed rather to bee secular Princes then Priests After this their care and businesse was no more sanctitie of life increase of religion loue and charitie towards their neighbour but armies and wars against Christians handling the sacrifices euen with bloudie hands but heaping vp of wealth but new lawes new arts new snares to scrape monie from all parts For this end they vsed their spirituall weapons without respect and sould things both sacred and profane without any shame at all The Popes and the Court thus abounding with wealth there followed pompe riot dishonestie lust and abominable pleasures no care of posteritie no thought of maintayning the perpetuall dignitie of the Papacie but in place hereof succeeded ambitious and pestiferous desires to exalt their sonnes nephewes and kindred not onely to immoderate riches but to Principalities and to kingdoms bestowing their dignities and benefices not vpon virtuous and well deseruing men but eyther selling them to those who would giue most or misplacing them vpon ambitious couetous and impudently voluptuous persons Hauing lost by this meanes that respect and reuerence which formerly the world did giue them they did notwithstanding maintaine in part their authoritie by the powerfull name and maiestie of religion and somewhat they were helped by the facultie which they haue in gratifiing of great Princes and those who were potent about them by bestowing some Enclesiasticall fauours and dignities vpon them Hence it cometh to passe that they are in high respect amongst men so that whosoeuer taketh armes against them is esteemed infamous for it and findeth many oppositions by other Princes Whatsoeuer hapneth there is but smale gaine to bee made by striuing with them For those that conquere them vse the victorie as the Popes will who being conquered obtaine what conditions they please Now because they haue a great desire to raise their neerest kinred from the state of priuat men to bee great Princes oftentimes they haue beene for very many years last past the occasions and the instruments of raysing now wars and tumults in Italie But to returne to our principall purpose from which my most iust griefe for the publique losse hath transported mee further then the lawes of an historie doe well permit let vs declare that the Cities of Romania being vexed c. A part of the historie of FRANCIS GVICCIARDINE stollen out of his tenth Booke Saying that the great oppression endured by the generous Romans and that those spirits which conquered the world should become seruile may in part bee excused in respect of former times Such honor was then giuen to religion and religion was so graced with miracles and sanctified manners that their ancesters without any constraint of armes or violence yeelded obedience to the gouernment of Ecclesiastiques and willingly submitted their necks to the sweet yoke of Christian pietie But now what necessitie what virtue what dignitie is there which can couer in any part the infamie and shame of this seruilitie Is it integritie of life holy examples giuen by these Priests or any miracles done by them what generation is there in the world more corrupt or more defiled with brutish and debauched manners It is miraculous that God the fountaine of Iustice hath so long indured such abominable wickednesse Some peraduenture may say that this tyrannie is supported by prowesse of armes or mens assiduous care and industrie for the preseruation of the Papall greatnesse But what generation is there in the world more auerse from the studies of war or more vnwilling to endure the labours belonging to it more giuen ouer to idlenesse and pleasure more negligent of the honor and profit of their successors The principalitie of the
to the conscience of euery one to auoyde them or reade them to a good end After the yeere 800. the Popes of Rome as they assumed a great part of the politique gouernment so they caused the bookes whose authors they did condemne to bee burned and forbad the reading of them Notwithstanding one shall finde but few bookes forbid in that sort vntill this age A generall prohibition of reading bookes containing doctrine of heretiques or suspected of heresies vpon paine of excommunication without any further sentence was not vsed Martinus 5. doth in a Bull excommunicate all the Sects of heretiques especially Wiglesists and Hussites not mentioning those who read their bookes though many of them went about Leo the tenth condemning Luther did withall forbid all his bookes vpon paine of excommunication The Popes following in the Bull called In oena hauing condemned and excommunicated all heretiques did excommunicate those also who reade their bookes and in other Buls against heretiques in generall did thunder the same censures against the readers of their bookes This did rather breed a confusion For the heretiques not beeing condemned by name one was to iudge of the bookes more by the quality of the doctrine then by the name of the authors wherein diuers men beeing of diuers opinions many scruples of conscience did arise The Inquisitors being more diligent made Catalogues of those whom they knew which not being conferred were not sufficient to remooue the difficultie Philip King of Spaine was the first that gaue a more conuenient forme in the yeere 1558 making a Law that the Catalogue of bookes prohibited by Inquisition should be printed According to this example Paul 4. also ordained that an Index should be composed by that office and printed and so it was in the yeere 1559. in which they did proceede many steps further then formerly they had done and layd foundations to maintaine and make great the authority of the Court of Rome by depriuing men of that knowledge which is necessary to defend them from vsurpations Vntill that time they contained themselues within the tearmes of the bookes of the heretiques neither was there any booke forbidden if the author were not condemned This Index was diuided into three parts The first conteineth the names of those all whose workes of what argument soeuer though prophane are forbidden and in this number are placed not onely those who haue professed doctrine contrary to that of Rome but many also which liued and dyed in the profession therof The second conteineth the names of the bookes which are particularly condemned others of the same authours not beeing condemned In the third some bookes are condemned without a name but onely by a generall rule that all those are forbidden which beare not the names of the authors written after the yeere 1519 and many Authours and bookes are condemned which for 300. 200. and 100. yeeres haue beene commonly read by the learned in the Church of Rome with the knowledge and without the contradiction of the Popes of those times and amongst the modernes some of those which were printed in Italy euen in Rome with approbation of the Inquisition and allowed also by the Briefes of the Pope himselfe are forbidden as the Annotations of Erasmus vpon the New Testament◠which Leo the tenth hauing read approued by his Briefe dated in Rome September The annotations of Erasmus vpon the New Testament read approued by Leo 10. are forbidden to be read 10. 1518. But it is a thing considerable aboue all that vnder colour of faith and religion bookes are prohibited and condemned with the same seuerity in which the authority of Princes and Temporall Magistrates is defended from they surpations of the Clergie and of Councels and Bishops from the vsurpations of the Court of Rome in which hypocrisies or tyrannies are manifested by which the people vnder pretence of Religion are deceiued In summe a better mystery was neuer found then to vse religion to make men insensible That Inquisition went so sarre that it made a Catalogue of 62. Printers and prohibited all bookes printed by them of what authour art or idiome soeuer with an addition of more weight that is and bookes printed by such Printers who haue printed bookes of heretiques so that there scarce remained a booke to bee read And for the height of rigour the prohibition of what booke soeuer contained in that Catalogue was vpon paine of excommunication 〈◊〉 sententiae reserued to the Pope depriuation and incapacitie of offices and benefices perpetuall infamie and other arbitrary punishments Concerning this seueritie remonstrance was made to this Pope Pius who referred the Index and all the matter to the Councell as hath been said Touching the Articles proposed there were diuers opinions Ludouicus Becatelli Archbishop of Ragusi and Friar Augustin Seluago Archbishop of The opinion of the Arch-bishop of Ragusi and of Genua concerning the Index Genua thought that no good effect could proceed from handling the matter of bookes in Counsell yea that it would rather hinder the conclusion of that for which the Councel is principally assembled For Paul 4. by the counsell of all the Inquisitors and of many famous men who sent him aduice from all parts made a most compleat catalogue to which nothing can bee added except some booke come foorth within these two yeeres which deserueth not the labour of a Synod But hee that would allow any that are prohibited in that collection would shew that they haue vnaduisedly proceeded in Rome and so would take away all reputation from the Index already published and from the Decree it selfe which they would make it beeing a common maxime that new lawes doe remooue estimation more from themselues then from the old Besides said Becatelli there is no need of bookes the world hath too many already especially since printing was inuented and it is better to forbid a thousand bookes without cause then permit one that deserueth prohibition Neither were it fit the Synod should be troubled with rendring the causes of the prohibitions making censures or approouing those which are already made in diuers places by the Catholiques For it would bee to call for contradiction It belongeth to a Doctor to giue a reason of his saying a law-maker if he doe it doth diminish his authority because the subject doth wrestle with the reason alleadged and when hee thinketh he hath resolued it hee thinketh also that hee hath taken all vertue from the precept Neither is it good to correct or purge any booke for the same causes for feare of making men say that something is omitted that deserued and something changed that did not deserue correction Moreouer the Synod would incurre the displeasure of all that are affectionate to the bookes prohibited and would induce them not to receiue the other necessary Decrees which shall bee made Hee concluded that the Index of Paul being sufficient he thought it not fit to take paines in vaine in doing of that anew which is