letter written from Trent weighing the inconueniences that would follow if hee kept the Councell at anchor with the ill satisfaction of the Bishops that were there and the mischiefe that might arise if the reformation should begin In fine perceiuing that it was necessary to put something to the hazard and that it was wisdome to auoid the greater euill he resolued to write backe to Trent to begin the action as they had aduised admonishing them not to broach any new difficulties in matter of faith nor to determine any of the things controuersed amongst the Catholiques and to proceed slowly in the reformation The Legates who vntill then had in the Congregations entertained themselues in generall matters hauing receaued power to goe on proposed in the Congregation of the 22. of February that the first foundation of faith beeing established they ought in the next place to handle another more ample which is the holy Scripture wherein are points belonging to the doctrines controuerted with the Lutheranes and others for reformation of those abuses which are most principall and necessary to be amended and so many that perhaps the time vntill the next Session will not bee sufficient to finde a remedy for all They discoursed of the controuersies with the Lutherans in this subiect and of the abuses and much was spoken hereof by diuers Prelates The Diuines who were thirty in number and almost all Friars had vntill then serued in the Councell onely to make Sermons on Holy-dayes in exaltation of the Councell and the Pope and to make light skirmishes with the Lutheranes but now that controuerted doctrines were to bee decided and the abuses of learned men rather then of others to bee reformed their worth The Diuines begin to be esteemed beganne to appeare And order was taken that in the points of doctrine to be decided articles should be extracted out of the bookes of the Lutheranes contrary to the orthodox faith to bee studied and censured by the Diuines that euery one speaking his opinion of them the matter might bee prepared to frame the Decrees which being proposed in the Congregation and examined by the Fathers when euery mans voyce was knowen that might bee established which was to bee published in the Session And for the abuses euery one should call to mind what hee thought worthy of amendment together with the remedy fit for it The articles for matter of doctrine drawen out of the Lutheranes bookes were 1. That the necessary doctrine of Christian faith is wholy conteyned in the holy Scripture and that it is an humane inuention to adde vnto them vnwritten Traditions as left vnto the holy Church by Christ and his Apostles deriued vnto vs by meanes of the continuall succession of Bishops and that it is sacrilege to defend that they are of equall authority with the old and new Testament 2. That amongst the bookes of the old Testament none should bee reckoned but those that haue beene receiued by the Iewes and in the New the sixe Epistles that is that vnder the name of S. Paul to the Hebrews that of S. Iames the 2. of S. Peter the 2. and 3. of S. Iohn one of S. Iude and the Apocalyps 3. That to vnderstand the Scripture well or to alledge the proper words it is necessary to haue recourse to the texts of the originall tongue in which it is written and to reprooue the Latine translation as full of errors 4. That the diuine Scripture is most easie and perspicuous and that to vnderstand it neither glosse nor comment is necessary but onely to haue the spirit of a sheepe of Christs pasture 5. Whether Canons with Anathematismes adioyned should be framed against all these Articles Vpon the two first the Diuines discoursed in foure Congregations and in the first all agreed that the Christian faith is contayned partly in the Scripture and partly in Traditions and much time was spent in alledging for this places of Tertullian who often speakes of them and many were numbred out of Irenie Cyprian Basil Austin and others yea some said more that Tradition was the onely foundation of the Catholique doctrine For the Scripture it selfe is not beleeued but by tradition But there was some difference how this matter might fitly be handled Vicenzo Lunello a Franciscan Friar was of opinion that in regard the holy Scripture and traditions were to be established for ground of faith they ought first to treat of the Church which is a more principal foundation For the Scripture receiueth authority from it according to the famous saying of Saint Augustine I would not haue beleeued the Gospel if the authoritie of the Church had not compelled me and no vse can be made of traditions but by grounding them vpon the same authority For if a controuersie Discourses about the authoritie of traditions arise about a tradition it will bee necessary to decide it either by the testimony or by the determination of the Church But this foundation being laid that euery Christian is bound to beleeue the Church one may securely build thereon He added that they should take example from all those that haue substantially written against the Lutherans as Fryar Siluester and Ecchiâ—s who haue more alleadged the authoritie of the Church then any other argument neither is it possible to conuince the Lutherans otherwise That it is contrary to the end proposed that is to lay all the foundations of Christian doctrine to leaue out the principall and perhaps the onely ground but certainely that without the which the residue cannot subsist This opinion had no followers Some opposed against it that it was subiect to the same difficulties which it made to others For the Synagogues of the heretiques also would arrogate to bee the true Church vnto whom this authoritie was giuen Others holding it to be a thing most knowen and vndoubted that by the name of the Church the Cleargie ought to bee vnderstood and more properly the Councell and the Pope as head said they ought to maintaine that the authority of the Church is already decided and that to treat of it now were to shew there was difficultie or at the least that it was a thing newly cleered and not most ancient euer beleeued since Christianitie began But Anthonius Marinarus a Carmelite Fryar thought fit to refraine speaking of traditions and said that for decision of the first Article in this matter it was meete first to determine whether the question were facti or iuris that is if the Christian doctrine haue two parts one which was written by the will of God and the other which was forbidden to bee writ but onely taught by word of mouth or if in the whole body of doctrine it hath accidentally happened that all hauing beene taught some part hath not beene committed to writing Hee added that it was a cleere case that the Maiestie of God ordaining the law of the Old Testament appointed it should be necessary to haue it in writing and therefore
wrote the Decalogue in stone with his owne finger commaunding it should be laid vp in the Cabinet called the Arke of the Couenant That he often commaunded Moyses to write the precepts in a booke and that one copie should bee kept in the Arke and the King haue another to reade it continually This fell not out in the Gospell which the Sonne of God wrote in the hearts for which neither tables nor chest nor booke is necessary yea the Church was most perfect before any of the Apostles wrote and though they had writ nothing the Church would haue wanted nothing of its perfection But as Christ founded the doctrine of the New Testament in the hearts so hee forbad it not to bee written as in some false Religions where the mysteries were kept secret nor was lawfull to write them but onely to teach them by word of mouth And therefore that it is an vndoubted truth that whatsoeuer the Apostles haue written and whatsoeuer they haue taught by word of mouth is of equall authority because they wrote and spake by the instinct of the holy Ghost which notwithstanding as by assisting them it hath directed them to write and preach the trueth so it cannot bee said it hath forbidden them to write any thing to the end to hold it in mysterie wherefore the Articles of faith cannot bee distinguished into two kinds some published by writing others commaunded to bee communicated onely by voyce Hee said that whosoeuer thought otherwise must fight against two great difficulties the one to tell wherein the difference is the other how the Apostles successors haue beene able to write that which was forbidden by God adding that it was as hard to maintaine the third that is how it hath accidentally happened that some particulars haue not beene written because it would derogate from the prouidence of God in directing the holy Apostles to compose the Scriptures of the New Testament Therefore The Fathers neuer made traditions of equall authority with the Scripture hee concluded that to enter into this treatie was to saile betweene Scriptuâ—e and Caribdis and that it was better to imitate the fathers who serued themselues of this place onely in case of necessitie neuer thinking to make of it an Article of competition against the holy Scripture Hee added that it was not necessary to proceede now to any new determination because the Lutherans though they said they would be conuinced by the Scripture onely haue not made a controuersie in this article and that it is good to keep themselues onely to the controuersies which they haue promoted without setting new on foote exposing themselues to the danger of making a great diuision in Christendome The Fryars opinion pleased but few yea Cardinall Poole reprehended it The opinion of Marinarus was very distastefull and said it better beseemed a Colloquie in Germanie then a Councell of the vniuersall Church that in this they should ayme at the sincere veritie it selfe not as there where nothing is handled but the according of the parties though to the preiudice of the truth that to preserue the Church it was necessarie that the Lutherans should receiue all the Romane doctrine or that as many of their errors as was possible might be discouered the more to make manifest to the world that there was no agreement to be made with them Therefore if they haue framed no controuersie concerning traditions it was necessary to frame it now and to condemne their opinions and to shew that that doctrine not onely differeth from the true in that wherein it doeth purposely contradict it but in all other parts that they should endeauour to condemne as many absurdities as can be drawen out of their writings and that the feare was vaine to dash against Scilla or Caribdis for that captious reason whereunto whosoeuer gaue earâ— would conclude there was no tradition at all In the second Article they all agreed in this that a Catalogue should bee Concerning the canon cal bookes of the Scripture made as it was in former times of the Canonicall bookes in which all should be registred which are read in the Romane Church euen those of the Old Testament which were neuer receiued by the Hebrewes And for proofe of this they all alledged the Councell of Laodicea Pope Innocence the first the third Councell of Carthage and Pope Gelasius But there were foure opinions Some would haue two rankes made in the first onely those should be put which without contradiction haue beene receiued by all in the other those which sometime haue beene reiected or haue had doubt made of them and it was said though formerly this was neuer done by any Councell or Pope yet alwayes it was so vnderstood For Austin maketh such a distinction and his authority hath beene canonized in the Chapter In Canonicis And Saint Gregorie who was after Gelasius writing vpon Iob sayeth of the Maccabees that they are written for edification though they bee not Canonicall Aloisius of Catanea a Domican Fryar said that this distinction was made by Saint Hierome who was receiued by the Church as a rule and direction to appoint the Canon of the Scriptures and he alleadged Cardinal Caietan who had distinguished them following Saint Hierom as an infallible rule giuen vs by the Church and so hee wrote to Pope Clement the seuenth when hee sent him his exposition vpon the Historicall bookes of the Old Testament Some thought fit to establish three rankes The first of those which alwayes haue beene held for Diuine the second of those whereof sometimes doubt hath beene made but by vse haue obtained Canonicall authority in which number are the sixe Epistles and the Apocalyps of the New Testament and some small parts of the Euangelists The third of those whereof there hath neuer beene any assurance as are the seauen of the Old Testament and some Chapters of Daniel and Hester Some thought it better to make no distinction at all but to imitate the Councell of Carthage and others making the Catalogue and saying no more Another opinion was that all of them should bee declared to bee in all partes as they are in the Latine Bible of diuine and equall authoritie The Booke of Baruc troubled them most which is not put in the number neither by the Laodiceans nor by those of Carthage nor by the Pope and therefore should be left out as well for this reason as because the beginning of it cannot be found But because it was read in the Church the Congregation esteeming this a potent reason resolued that it was by the Ancients accounted a part of Ieremie and comprised with him In the Congregation on Friday the fifth of March aduise being come The Bishop of Bitonto assisting in Councell is in danger of excommunication in Rome for not paying his Pensionaries that the Pensionaries of the Bishop of Bitonto had demanded in Rome to be paide and for this cause had cited him before the Auditor
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
with all their might and the Prelates alledging that they belonged to them and were vsurped pretended restitution And because the contention was heere not of opinions but of profit they vsed on both sides not onely reasons but deedes also Which differences were set on foote that at the time of the Session nothing might be decided Therefore the Legates resolued to deferre these two points vntill another Session Two Decrees were framed as formerly was resolued and were read in the last Congregation and approoued yet with some exceptions in the point of the vulgar Edition In the ende heereof the Cardinall of Monte after hee had commended the learning and wisedome of them all admonished them of the seemely behauiour which was fit to vse in the publique Session shewing one heart and one minde in regard the points were sufficiently examined in the Congregations and the Congregation beeing ended the Cardinall Santa Croce assembled those that had opposed the vulgar Edition and shewed they could not complaine because it was not prohibited but left free to correct it and to haue recourse to No errors of faith in the vulgar Edition the originall but that onely it was forbid to say there were in it errors of faith for which it ought to be reiected The eight of April appoynted for the Session being come the Masse of the holy Ghost was said by Saluator Alepus Archbishop of Torre in Sardinia and the Sermon was made by Friar Austin of Aretium Generall of the Serui the Pontificall habiliments put on the accustomed letanies and prayers made and the Decrees read by the Archbishop that said Masse The first conteined in substance that the Synode ayming to preserue the purity of the Gospel promised by the Prophets published by Christ and preached by the Apostles Two Decrees read in the Session as the fountaine of all trueth and discipline of maners which trueth and discipline are contained in the bookes and vnwritten traditions receiued by The contents of the former the Apostles from the mouth of Christ and dictated to them by the holy Ghost and passed from one to another doeth according to the example of the Fathers receiue with equall reuerence all the bookes of the old and new Testament and the traditions belonging to faith and manners as proceeding from the mouth of Christ or dictated by the holy Ghost and preserued in the Catholique Church And setting downe the Catalogue of the bookes concludeth that if any will not receiue them all as Sacred and Canonicall in all parts as they are read in the Catholike Church and contained in the vulgar Edition or shall wittingly and purposely despise the traditions let him be Anathema that euery one may know what ground the Synode will vse in confirming the points of doctrine and reforming of maners in the Church The substance of the second Decree was that the vulgar Edition should be The substance of the second Decree held for authenticall in publike Lectures Disputations Sermons and expositions and that none should dare to refuse it That the holy Scripture cannot bee expounded against the sense held by the holy Mother the Church nor against the common consent of the Fathers though with purpose to conceale those expositions and that the offenders should be punished by the Ordinaries that the vulgar Edition should be most exactly printed That no bookes of religion bee printed sold or kept without the authors name and that the approbation appeare in the frontispice of the booke vpon paine of excommunication and pecuniary punishment constituted by the last Lateran Councell That none should dare to vse the words of the holy Scripture in scurrility fables vanity flatteries detractions superstitions inchantments diuinations castings of lots libels and that the transgressors should bee punished at the discretion of the Bishops And it was determined to hold the next The next Session is to be heâ—d the 17. of Iune Session the 17. of Iune Afterwards the Commission of Don Diego de Mendoza and Francis de Toledo the Emperours Ambassadors was read by the Secretarie of the Councel The Commission of the Emperours Ambassadors is read Don Diego was absent and the other hauing in the Emperours name saluted the Fathers in few words said in substance That all the world knew that the Emperour thought nothing to befit him more then not onely to defend the flocke of CHRIST from enemies but to free it from tumults and seditions therefore that he reioyced to see the day when the Councell published by the Pope was opened and that being willing to fauour that occasion with his power and authoritie he had sent thither Mendoza vnto whom in regard of his indisposition himselfe was ioyned So that nothing remained but to pray God vniformely that he would fauour the enterprise of the Councell and which is the Principall would preserue peace betweene the Pope and Emperour for the establishing of the trueth of the Gospel restoring the Church to her puritie weeding the cockle out of the Lords field Answere was made by the Councell that his Lordships comming was most acceptable both for the dutie they did owe the Emperour and for the fauour hee promised them hauing also much hope in the realtie religion of his Lordship That they imbraced him with all their heart and did admit as farre as they could with reason the mandates of Caesar That they were sorry for the indisposition of his Colleague and thanked God for the peace betweene the Pope and the Emperour praying him to fauour the desires of them both for the increase of Christian religion and peace of the Church These things being done with the vsuall ceremonies the Session ended the Decrees whereof were sent to Rome by the Legates and a little after printed But after they were seene especially in Germany they ministred great A few Prelats and not learned do decide the greatest points of religion matter of discourse Some thought it strange that fiue Cardinals and 48. bishops should so easily define the most principall and important points of Religion neuer decided before giuing Canonicall authoritie to Bookes held for vncertaine and apocryphall making authenticall a translation differing from the original prescribing and restraining the manner to vnderstand the word of God neither was there amongst these Prelates any one remarkable for learning some of them were Lawyers perhaps learned in that profession but of little vnderstanding in Religion few Diuines but of lesse then ordinary sufficiencie the greater number Gentlemen or Courtiers and for their dignities some were onely titular and the maior part Bishops of so small Cities that supposing euery one to represent his people it could not be said that one of a thousand in Christendome was represented But particularly of Germany there was not so much as one bishop or Diuine Was it possible that amongst so many no man should be sent Why did not the Emperour cause some of them to goe who assisted in the
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
quite altered in diuers Kingdomes and Countreys of Christendome the Grandies sometimes diuided and armed one against another sometimes ioyned in confederations and leagues the Ecclesiastikes oppressed the Protestants persecuted the Bishops of Rome as it were acting their parts and most liuely deciphered in their naturall colours If learning will content thee marke the disputations of the Theologues and the deepe discourses of the Author himselfe If policie will please thee thou shalt finde it in the consultations and treaties of Princes managed with admirable dexterity by their Ambassadors and Ministers and generally no delight will bee wanting to thee which thy curiositie can desire or any other Historie affoord But consider aboue all in what a strange manner the Conciliarie Acts of this assembly in Trent were caried By reading of those few words of thy Countrey-man Edmond Campian below in this page thou maist perceiue in what repute the Papalins doe hold it and after when thou hast read the Booke thou wilt know how much it is ouer-valued Compare thy iudicious censure with his that is partiall and thou shalt finde them to agree as white with blackenesse darkenesse with light Farewell Verba Edmundi Campiani ratione quarta reddita Academicis TRidentina Synodus quo magis inueterascet eò magis indies ebque perennius efflorescet Bone Deus quae gentium varietas qui delectus Episcoporum totius orbis qui regum rerumpublicarum splendor quae medulla Theologorum quae sanctitas quae lachrymae quae ieiunia qui flores Academici quae linguae quanta subtilitas quantus labor quam infinita lectio quanta virtutum studiorum diuitiae augustum illud Sacrarium impleuerunt The words of Edmond Campian in his fourth reason giuen to the Vniuersities THe Synod of Trent the older it waxeth the more it will flourish Good God what varietie of Nations what choice of Bishops of the whole world what splendor of Kings and Common-wealths what marrow of Theologues what sanctitie what weepings what fasts what Academicall flowres what languages what subtilties what labour what infinite reading what riches of vertues and studies did fill vp that Maiesticall sacred place TO THE MOST REVEREND FATHER IN GOD MY SINGVLAR GOOD LORD THE LORD Archbishop of Canterburie his GRACE Primate of all ENGLAND and Metropolitane and one of His MAIESTIES most Honourable Priuie Councell MOst Reuerend in Christ It may seeme strange and I am sure it is without example that of one Councell onely so large an Historie should be written and so full of all varietie of matter For in those of former ages in which the Holy Ghost did really and effectually assist the Fathers howsoeuer more Prelates and Diuines were assembled from places more remote and the actions guided by the greatest Princes of all those times yet nothing was attempted to encrease or maintaine the Heresies and abuses that raigned then nor was any thing remarkeable but the very Doctrines and Decrees themselues But after that the Bishops of Rome scorning to be Ministers and Seruants made themselues Masters and Monarkes of the Church of God the practises and inuentions of worldly men chased away the heauenly inspirations of the blessed Spirit and greater confusions and troubles did arise in handling Diuine Mysteries then did happen at any other time in negotiating the affaires of Kingdomes and of Common-wealths This hath ministred a whole Ocean of occurrences and affoorded a most copious Subiect to this present Treatise And so irresistable is the force of Truth and the Diuine Prouidence so great that howsoeuer the Romanists haue vsed all possible diligence to hinder the finding out of their vnlawfull proceedings in this Councell by suppressing all publique writings and monuments by which their treacheries and abuses might bee discouered more plainely to the eyes of the world the writer of this Historie a man of admirable learning exquisite iudgement indefatigable industrie and integritie scarcely to be matched hath been raised vp by God who out of the Diaries Memorials Registers and other writings made and preserued by the Prelates and Diuines themselues and by the Ambassadours of Princes and Republiques who were assistants herein which are the most infallible grounds that any writer can haue hath reuealed an infinite of intolerable abuses and as the prouerbe saith Cornicum oculos confixit This Booke I haue translated out of Italian into our vulgar language presuming to commend it to the royall protection of his sacred Maiestie for whose sake as some reasons induce me to beleeue it was principally composed And because I vndertooke this worke at your Graces command who haue beene the chiefest cause why the originall crossed the Seas before the iust natiuitie of it and saw the first light within his Maiesties dominions as also in regard of the high place you most deseruedly beare in the Church of God I thought it my dutie to craue your fauour likewise that as the birth of it hath beene happie by your Graces meanes so the growth may accordingly proceed and the fruit of both which is to remooue an erronious opinion of the infallibilitie of this pretended Councell may constantly endure vntill the worlds end In publishing heereof if my Pen hath not merited such praise as others might yet my desire to benefit Gods Church hath not beene wanting and my zeale to serue your Grace in whatsoeuer I am able shall neuer yeeld to any Vnto whom I wish for the publike benefit of Church and Common-wealth and for your owne particular contentment a perfect accomplishment of all your pious and honorable designes Your Grace's most obliged to doe you seruice NATHANAEL BRENT THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE HISTORY OF THE COVNCELL OF TRENT MY purpose 1500 Pope ALEXANDER 6 Emperour MAXIMLLIAN I. HENRY 7. King of England LEVVIS 12. French king is to write the History of the Councell The purpose of the Author of Trent For though many famous Historians of our age haue made mention in their writings of some particular accidents that happened therein and Iohn Sleidam a most diligent author hath related with exquisite industry the causes that went before notwithstanding all these things put together would not suffice for an entire narration For my selfe so soone as I had vnderstanding The meanes he vsed for collection of his matter of the affaires of the world I became exceeding curious to know the whole proceedings therof and after I had diligently read whatsoeuer I found written and the publique instructions whether printed or diuulged by pen I betooke my selfe without sparing either paines or care to search in the remainder of the writings of the Prelates and others who were present in the Councel the Records which they left behinde them and the Suffrages or opinions deliuered in publique preserued by the Authors themselues or by others and the letters of aduice written from that Citie whereby I haue had the fauour to see euen a whole register of Notes and Letters of those persons who had a great part
that Friar Martine Luther endeauoured to staine Germanie with that contagion so that if he were not hindered all that nation would fall into an horrible ruine that Pope Leo had fatherly admonished him and after that the assembly of Cardinals and other excellent men had condemned his writings and declared him an Heretique if within a certaine terme he reuoked not his errours and had sent by Ierom Aleander his Nuncio a copie of that Bull of condemnation to him the Emperour as protectour of the Church desiring him it might bee put in execution in the Empire his Kingdomes Dominions and Prouinces that notwithstanding this Martin amended not himselfe yea multiplied his Bookes daily full not onely of new heresies but euen of those which haue been long since condemned by holy Councels and not only in the Latine tongue but in the German also naming in particular many of his errours he concluded that there was no writing of his where there was not to bee found some contagion or deadly sting so that it might be said that euery word was a poyson that these things being considered by him the Emperour and his Counsellours of all nations subiect vnto him treading in the steps of the Romane Emperours his predecessours hauing conferred in that Diet of Wormes with the Electors and men of other States of the Empire by their counsell and assent though it was not fit to heare a man condemned by the Pope obstinate in his peruersenes and a notorious Heretique notwithstanding to take away all occasion of cauill many saying it was necessary to heare the man before the Popes decree was executed he resolued to send to fetch him by one of his Heraulds not to know and iudge the things that concerne faith which belongeth to the Pope alone but to bring him to the right way with good perswasions Then hee shewed how Martin was brought into the publique assembly and whereof he was interrogated and what he answered as it hath beene declared before and how he had leaue giuen him and departed 44 Afterwards he goeth on concluding that therefore for the honour of God and reuerence of the Pope and for the duty of the Imperiall dignity by the counsell and assent of the Princes Electors and States executing the sentence and condemnation of the Pope he declared that hee holdeth Martin Luther for a notorious Heretique and determineth that hee ought to be so held of men prohibiting euery one to receiue or defend him in any sort commanding both Princes and States vnder all the penalties to apprehend and take him after the terme of twenty dayes and also to prosecute all his complices adherents and fauourers spoyling them of all their goods mooueable and immooueable Hee commandeth also that no man should reade or keepe his books notwithstanding that some thing be good in them giuing order as well to Princes as others that administer Iustice that they burne and destroy them And because books extracted out of his workes are composed and printed in some places and pictures and images spread abroad to the disgrace of many yea euen of the Pope himselfe he commandeth that none should print paint or keep any of them but that they be taken and burned by the Magistrates and the Printers buyers and sellers punished adding a generall law that no writing may be printed where any point of faith is handled though the least of all without consent of the Ordinary 45 In this selfe same time also the Vniuersity of Paris drawing diuers conclusions from the bookes of Luther condemned them partly as renewed out The Vniuersity of Paris condemned the writings of Luther of the doctrine of Wigleffe and Husse and partly as newly deliuered by him against the Catholique Doctrine But all these oppositions effected nothing else but that Luther answering bookes were multiplyed both of the one side and the other and the contentions waxed more sharpe and the curiosity of many was stirred vp who willing to informe themselues of the state of the controuersie came to note the errours reprehended and so withdrew their deuotion from the Pope 46 Amongst the most famous contradictors which the doctrine of Luther found was Henry 8. King of England who not being borne the Kings eldest Henry the 8. King of England writeth against Luther sonne had beene destinated by his father to be Archbishop of Canterbury and therefore in his youth was made to study But the eldest being dead and after him the father also hee succeeded in the Kingdome and esteeming it a great honour to imploy himselfe in so famous a controuersie of learning he wrot a booke of the seuen Sacraments defending also the Popedome and oppugning the Doctrine of Luther a thing so gratefull to the Pope that hauing receiued the Kings booke he honoured him with the vsuall title of Defender of the Faith But Martin suffered not himselfe to bescared with that Gaineth the Title of Defender of the faith most illustrious glittering name of a King but answered his Maiesty with asmuch acrimony vehemencie and as small respect as he had answered the petty Doctors This Kingly tittle being entred into the controuersies made men more curious and as it happeneth in combats that the lookers on are alwayes ready to fauour the weaker and to extoll his actions though they bee but meanes so so heere it stirred vp a generall inclination towards Luther 47 So soone as the Emperours decree of banishment was published thoroughout the same month Hugo Bishop of Constance in whose Diocesse is the The B. of Constance wrot to Zurie against Zuinglius Citty of Zuric wrot to the Colledge of the Canons of that place of which number Zuinglius was one and another letter to the Senate of the same City In those letters he put them in mind of the dammage which the Churches and Common-wealths also endured by innouation of doctrine with much detriment to spirituall well-fare and confusion of publique quiet and tranquility Hee exhorteth them to beware of new Doctours shewing that they are mooued onely by their owne ambition and instigation of the deuil He sent there withall the Decree of Leo and the banishment published by the Emperour exhorting them to receiue and obey both the one and the other and particularly noted the person and doctrine of Zuinglius and his adherents which constrained him to giue an account of whatsoeuer he had taught his Collegues and to satisfie the Senate Hee wrot also to the Bishop insisting principally vpon this that concubinarie Priests were not any more to bee tolerated from whom sprang infamy to the Clergy and bad example to the people and generally corruption of manners in all a thing which could not be taken away but by bringing in of marriage according to the Apostles doctrine Hee wrot also to all the Cantons of the Suisses in his owne defence making particular mention of an Edict made by the Magistrates their predecessors that euery Priest should bee bound to haue
a good reformation made of the Clergy of Germany but for the abuse of the Court of Rome it was not possible to make him yeeld to anything For when they began to discourse of them either he sayd that it was heresic to reprehend them or that hee referred it to the Pope and that it was necessary to treat with him thereof 74 The Cardinall made a reformation of Germanie the which touching And his reformation was not accepted only the inferiour Clergie and being iudged that it would not onely cherish the euill as light remedies alwaies doe but that it would serue to inlarge the dominion of the Court and greater Prelates to the preiudice of temporall authoritie and would make an entrance to greater extorsions of money was not receiued it being esteemed but a maske to delude Germany and to reduce it vnder greater tyranny though the Legate vsed all effectuall diligence that it might be accepted Wherefore he would not consent to any of the propositions made by the deputies of the Diet. By this it being plaine that it was impossible to conclude any thing with him they published the recesse the eighteenth of Aprill with a Decree that by the Pope with consent of the Emperour a free Councell in some conuenient place in Germany should be The Decree of the Diet. intimated so soone as was possible and that the States of the Empire should assemble themselues at Spira the eighteenth of Nouember to determine what course should be taken vntill the Councell were begun That euery Prince should call together in his owne State men godly and learned to collect the things that ought to be disputed on in the Councell That the Magistrates should haue care that the Gospel should be preached according to the doctrine of the approoued writers of the Church and all pictures and contumelious bookes against the Court of Rome should be prohibited 75 The Legat hauing answered to euery point of the Decree and shewed With which the Legat was not pleasep that it was not the office of Seculars to deliberate of any thing concerning faith and doctrine or preaching thereof he promised that he would giue the Pope an account concerning the Councell onely 76 The Princes being gone from the Diet the Legat endeauoured to bring He laboureth to cause his reformation to be receiued together those that most fauoured the affaires of Rome to cause the reformation which the Diet would not receiue to be published and there did meete him in Ratisbon Ferdinand the Emperours brother the Cardinall Archbishop of Salzburg two Dukes of Bauaria two Bishops of Trent and Ratisbon and the Agents of nine Bishops Where first they made a Decree vnder the date of the sixt of Iuly That it hauing beene ordered in the assembly at Noremberg that the Edict of Wormes against Luther should be put in execution as farre as was possible therefore they at the instance of the Legat Cardinall Campeggio did command that it should be obserued in all their Dominions and States That the innouators should be punished according to the forme of the Edict That nothing should be changed in the Celebration of the Masse and Sacraments That the Apostates Monkes and Nunnes and married Priests and those that receiued the Eucharist without confession or did eate forbidden meates should be punished And that all their subiects that were in the Vniuersitie of Wittenberg should depart from thence within three moneths and returne home or goe to some other place The day following beeing the seauenth the Cardinall published his Constitutions of the reformation And effecteth it which were approoued by all the forenamed Princes and it was commanded that they should bee published receiued and obserued throughout all their States and Dominions 77 In the proheme of the Constitutions the Cardinall said that to reforme the life manners of the Clergie being a thing of great moment for the rooting out of the Lutheran heresie he had ordained these decrees by the counsell of the Princes and Prelats assembled with him which he commanded to be obserued throughout all Germany by the Archbishops Bishops and other The reformation contained 37. heads Prelates Priests and Regulars and published in all the Cities and Churches They contained seauen and thirty heads concerning the apparell and conuersation of the Cleargie administring gratis the Sacraments and other Ecclesiasticall functions Banquets Fabriques of the Churches those that were to take orders celebration of holy-dayes fastings against Priests that were married against those that confessed not nor communicated against blasphemers sorcerers soothsayers and other things like these In conclusion the celebration of Diocesan Councels euery yeare was commanded for the obseruation of these Statutes giuing the Bishops power to inuocate the secular arme against the transgressors 78 The Edict of the reformation being diuulged the Princes and Bishops who in the Diet had not consented to the Cardinals demand were offended as well with him as with all those that assembled in Ratisbon it seeming vnto Diuers Princes and Bishops were offended with the acceptance of this reformation them that they were wronged by the Legat for making a generall order for all Germany in a meeting of some fewe onely and so much the rather because it was done after it was demonstrated vnto him that no good could come thereby They thought themselues iniured also by those fewe Princes and Bishops who alone had taken vpon them to oblige all Germany contrary to the opinion of the rest It was opposed also against that reformation that leauing the things of importance as if there had beene no disorder in them they made prouision in things of the smallest weight For Germany suffered but little inconuenience by the abuses of the inferiour Cleargy but great by the vsurpation of the Bishops and Prelates and greatest of all by those of the Court of Rome And yet there was no mention made of them as if they were now in better order then in the Primitiue Church Then concerning the inferiour Clergy the principall abuses were not treated of but those that were of least consequence which was as it were to approoue them and those also that were reprehended were left without their true remedies being onely noted without applying the medicine necessary to cure the malady 79 But the Legat and the forenamed Princes that met him cared but little for what was said in Germany and lesse for what would follow the publication of the Edict For their end was onely to satisfie the Pope and the Popes end was onely to shew that he had made prouision that there should be no need of a Councell For Clement a man skilfull in State affaires euen in Adrians time alwayes maintained that it was pernicious counsell in the occurrences of those times to vse the meanes of Councels and was wont to say that a Clement did euer thinkes Councell dangerous when the Popes authority was in question Councell was alwayes good when any
strength of authoritie 1530 CLEMENT CHARLES HENRY 8. FRANCIS 〈◊〉 and with absolute commaund which would easily take good effect and in case it should not rather to proceede to force of armes then let the raines loose to popular licence to the ambition of the Grandies and peruersenesse of the arch heretiques These reasons vnseemely in the mouth of Friar Iulius de Medici Ganalier Who condescendeth therunto of Malta for so the Pope was called before he was created Cardinall much more of Pope Clement the 7. did notwithstanding preuaile with Charles being seconded by the perswasions of Mercurius de Gattinara the Emperours Chancellour and Cardinall vnto whom the Pope made many promises and particularly that in the first promotion of Cardinals which he then prepared to make he would haue regard to his kinred and dependants and by the Emperours proper inclination to haue more absolute authoritie in Germanie then was granted to his grandfather or his fathers grandfather In Bolonia all the solemne acts and ceremonies of the coronation were 1530 The Emperor is crowned in Bolonia performed which was finished the 14. of February and Caesar being resolued to goe personally into Germanie to giue an end to those disorders be intimated an imperiall Diet for the 8. of April and in March he began his iourney The Emperour parted from Bolonia with this firme resolution to labour And resolueth to employ his authoritie in matter of religion in the Diet with authoritie and command that the Princes separated one from another should returne to the obedience of the Church of Rome and to prohibite Sermons and bookes of the reformed doctrine And the Pope gaue him for company the Cardinall Campeggio as Legate who should Campeggio the Legate goeth with him And Peter Paul Vergerius to Ferdinand follow him to the Diet. He sent also Peter Paul Vergerius Nuncio to King Ferdinand with instruction to labour with him that there should bee no disputation in the Diet nor consultation concerning Religion nor any resolution taken to call a Councell in Germanie to that purpose and to gaine the fauour of that Prince who being the Emperours brother and hauing spent many yeeres in Germanie hee thought was able to doe much hee should grant him power to take a contribution of the Clergie of Germanie for the warre against the Turkes and to make vse of the gold and siluer appoynted for ornament of the Churches Almost all the Princes arriued at the Diet before Caesar who came thither the thirteenth of Iune the eue of Corpus Christi day and went in The Diet of Ausburg The Protestants refuse to goe in procession procession the day following but was not able to obtaine that the Protestants would content themselues to be there Which the Legate perceiuing with infinite displeasure for the preiudice done to the Pope by this contumacie as hee tearmed it to goe a step further and to cause the Protestants to assist at the Ceremonies of the Church of Rome was a meanes that the Emperour eight dayes after being to begin the assembly gaue order to the Elector of Saxonie to carrie the sword before him as he went thither according The Duke of Saxonte carieth the sword after a long disputation whether hee might â—â—tely assist at the Masse to his office and to stand at the Masse The Elector thought that by yeelding hee should contradict his profession and by refusing should loose his dignitie hauing found out that in case of his deniall the Emperour would giue the honour to another But hee was counselled by his Diuines Luthers Schollers that he might doe it without offence to his conscience assisting as at a ciuill not as at a religious Ceremony by the example of the Prophet Elizeus who thought it not inconuinient that the captaine of the troupes of Syria conuerted to the true Religion should bow himselfe in the Temple of the Idole when the King bowed who leaned on his arme This 〈◊〉 sell was not approoued by others because by it one might conclude that euery one might lawfully be present at all the Rites of another Religion as at ciuill Ceremonies for no man could want a cause of necessitie or vtilities which might induce thereunto But others approouing the counsell and the purpose of the Elector concluded that if the new doctors had formerly vsed this reason and would vse it hereafter a gate had not beene opened in many occasions to diuers inconueniences because it would be lawfull to euery one by that example for preseruation of his dignitie or his territorie or the fauour of his Lord or other eminent person not to refuse to giue assistance to any action whatsoeuer at which though others were presentes at a religious acte he assisted as at a ciuill thing In that Masse Vicenzo Pimpinello Archbishop of Rosano the Popes Nuncio The Sermon of Vicen 〈…〉 Pi 〈…〉 the Popes 〈◊〉 made an Oration in Latine before the Offertorie in which he spake not a word of any spirituall or religious matter but vpbraided Germanie for hauing suffered so many wrongs by the Turkes without reuenge and exhorted them by many examples of ancient Captaines of the Romane Common-wealth to make warre against them Hee said the disaduantage of Germanie was that the Turke obeyed one Prince onely whereas in Germanie many obeyed not at all that the Turkes liue in one religion and the Germans euery day inuent new and mocke the old as if it were become mouldie Hee taxed them that being desirous to change the faith they had not found our one more holy at the least and more wise Finally hee exhorted them that imitating Scipio Nasica Cato the people of Rome and their ancestors they should obserue the Catholique Religion forsake those nouities and applie themselues to the warre In the first Session of the Diet the Legat Cardinall Campeggio presented The Leg 〈…〉 presenteth his letters and maketh an oration the letters of his Legation and in the assembly in the presence of the Emperour made an Oration in Latine the substance whereof was that the cause of so many Sects which then reigned was want of charitie and loue that the change of doctrine and rites had not onely rent the Church in pieces but brought all policie to a miserable desolation For remedying of which mischiefe the former Popes hauing sent Legats to the Diets and no fruit comming thereby Clement had sent him to exhort to counsel and to imploy all his indeuours to restore the true doctrine And hauing commended the Emperour hee exhorted all to obey whatsoeuer hee shall ordaine and resolue vpon concerning Religion and Articles of beliefe Hee perswaded them to make warre against the Turkes promising that the Pope would spare no cost to assist them Hee prayed them for the loue of CHRIST for their Countreys and their owne safetie that laying aside all errors they would applie themselues to set Germanie and all Christendome at libertie That in so doing the Pope
the Emperour related in publique Diet whatsoeuer was done vntill The Emperours opinion concerning Religion to which the Lagâ—â— doth agree that time and communicated vnto them the writing of the Legat and concluded that hauing vsed all possible diligence hee saw not what more could be done but only to deliberate whether sauing the recesse of the Diet of Ausburg the articles agreed on in this conference ought to bee receiued as being Christian nor any more to be disputed of at the least vntill a generall Councell which shall be held very shortly of which opinion the Legat seemed to bee or in case there were no Councell vntill a Diet where all the controuersies of religion may bee exactly handled The Electors approoued for good and vndoubtedly profitable that the Articles agreed on in the conference should by all be receiued vntill the time of the Councell in which they may bee examined againe or in case that faile in a Nationall Councell or Diet because it would serue to make a perfect The answere of y e Electors reconciliation in the Articles not accorded as yet But yet they prayed his Maiestie to goe on if there were any hope to make any further agreement in that Diet and if opportunity serued not they thought it good that by his fauour a generall or Nationall Councell might bee called in Germanie as soone as might bee that the vnion might wholly be established The Protestants The answere of the Protestants made the same answere onely declaring themselues that as they desired a free and Christian Councell in Germanie so they could not consent to any where the Pope and his Ministers had power to heare and iudge the causes of religion But the Bishops and some few other Catholike Princes The answere of the BB. and of the Catholike Princes answered after another manner first confessing that in Germanie and other Nations there were many abuses sectes and heresies which could not bee extirpated without a generall Councell adding that they could not assent to any change in religion ceremonies and rites seeing that the Popes Legate offereth a Councell within a short time and that his Maiestie will treate with his Holinesse thereof But in case the generall Councell could not bee celebrated they desired that the Pope and Emperour would ordaine a Nationall Councell in Germanie which if they would not doe another Diet should bee assembled to roote out the errours and that they were resolued to adhere to the old religion as it is contained in the Scripture Councels doctrine of the Fathers and also in the Imperiall Recesses especially in that of Ausburg That they will neuer consent to receiue the Articles accorded in the Colloquie because some of them are superfluous as are the 4. first and because there are words in them not conformable to the custome of the Church besides some positions which are partly damnable and partly to be tempered and because the Articles accorded are of lesse moment and those of consequence remaine in controuersie and because the Catholikes of the Colloquie had granted too much to the Protestants whereby the reputation of the Pope the Catholike states was wounded They concluded it was better the acts of the Colloquie were left to their place and whatsoeuer belonged to religion deferred to a generall Councell or Nationall or a Diet. Not the opinion only of the Catholikes that the Emperors proposition was too aduantagious for the Protestants caused them to make this answere but also because the three Catholike Doctors of the Colloquie dissented amongst themselues But the Legate vnderstanding that the Emperour had named him as consenting to the establishment of the things accorded as well for feare as at the instance of the Ecclesiastikes of the Diet he went to the Emperour and complained that his answere was ill interpreted and that hee was blamed The Legate complaineth that his answere was mistaken for hauing giuen consent that the things accorded should be tolerated vntill the Councell that his minde was that nothing should be resolued on but all sent to the Pope who promised by the faith of a good Pastour and Vniuersall Bishop that all should bee determined by a generall Councell or by some other way equiualent sincerely and without passion not hastily but maturely alwayes ayming at the formed of God That his Holinesse had to the same end in the beginning of his Papacie sent letters and Nuncij to the Princes to celebrate the Councell and after did intimate it and sent his Legats to the place and if hee had endured so many ireaties of religion in Germanie with small reuerence of his authoritie to whom onely it appertaineth to make them it was vpon his Maiesties purpose and promise that all should bee for the beste that it was vnreasonable that Germanie should assume that to her selfe with iniurie to the Apostolik Sea which belongeth to all nations of Christendome Wherefore the Popes clemencie was no longer to be abused by concluding that in a Diet which belongeth to him and the Church vniuersall but sayd that the booke and all the actes of the Colloquie together with the opinions of both parties was to bee sent to Rome and the determination of his Holinesse to bee expected And not satisfied with this hee published a third writing in which hee sayd that his writing giuen to the Emperour concerning the treatie of the Colloquie being diuersly interpreted some expounding it as if hee had consented to the Articles accorded of vntill the generall Councell and others vnderstanding that hee had referred both these and all other things to the Pope to the end there may remaine no doubt heerein he declareth that in the writing he had no intention to decide any thing in this businesse nor that any Article should bee receiued or tolerated vntill the future Councell and least of all did then decide or define them but had referred the whole treatie and all the Articles thereof vnto the Pope as hee did referre them still Which hauing declared to the Emperour by word hee would also declare and confirme it to the whole world in writing And hee was not contented with this but considering that all the Catholike Princes euen the Ecclesiastikes did agree in demanding a Nationall Councel and that in his instruction he had straight charge from the Pope to oppose himselfe when that should bee vrged though they would doe it with his authoritie and with the presence of the Apostolicall Legats to shew what danger it would be to mens soules and iniurie to the Popes authoritie from whom would be taken the power which God hath giuen him and granted to one Nation to put the Emperor in mind how himselfe being in Bolonia detested a Nationall Councel knowing it to be pernicious to the Imperiall authoritie because the Subiects incouraged by seeing power giuen them to innouate in matter of religion would thinke to doe the like in the temporall state and that his Maiestie after the yeere
the Legates knowing how much it concerned the reputation of the Councell entertained them partly by saying they had not power to giue leaue and partly by giuing hope that the Councell should begin within few dayes Caesars Ambassadour returned to his Ambassage at Venice vpon pretence of indâ— position leauing the Legates doubtfull whether it were by the Emperours commission vpon some tricke or for being wearâ— to bee idle and incommodated Hee promised a speedie returne adding that in the meane while the Ambassadours of the King of the Romanes remained there to assist the seruice of God and yet hee desired the Councell should not bee opened vntill his returne But in the end of the next moneth the greater part of the Bishops moued some by pouertie and some by incommoditie made grieuous complaints and raised as it were a sedition among themselues threatning that they would depart and had recourse to Francis Castel-Alto gouernour of Trent whom Ferdinand had appointed to hold his place together with 〈◊〉 Gineâ—a This man came before the Legats and desired them in the name of his King that now at last they would begin it being plaine how much good would ensue by the celebration and how much euill by temperizing thâ—â— The Legats held themselues offended herewith because they thought it was to shew the world that which was contrary to the trueth and to attribute to them the delay which proceeded from the Emperour And though they among themselues resolued to dissemble and to answere in generall termes yet the Cardinall Monte could not bridle his libertie but in making answere concluded in the end with perswasion to expect Don Diego who had more particular commissions then hee It was hard to entertaine and comfort the Prelates who ill endured that idle delay and especially the poore ones who wanted money and not wordes Wherefore they resolued to giue at the Popes charge fortie Ducats a yeere to the Bishops of Nobili Bertinoro and Money is giuen to the poore Bishops Chioza who complained more then the rest and fearing that the munificence might giue pretence hereafter they declared themselues that it was for a subsidie and not for prouision They gaue the Pope an account by letter of what they had done shewing him the necessitie to assist them with some greater ayde but telling him withall that it was not good to giue it as a firme prouision that the Fathers might not seeme the stipendaries of his Holinesse which would cherish the Protestants excuse not to submit themselues to the Councel because it was composed only of those that depended on and were obliged to the Pope At the same time the Emperor in Wormes cited the Archbiship of Collen The Archbishop of Collen is cited by the Emperour in Wormes to appeare before him within thirtie dayes or to send a Proctor to answere to the accusations and imputations layd vpon him commanding him in the meane space not to make any innouation in Religion and Rites but to reduce the things innouated to their former state Hermannus Bishop of Collen desiring to reforme his Church in the yeere 1536. called a Councell of the Bishops his Suffragans where many Decrees were made and a booke printed composed by Iohn Groperus a Canonist who for seruice done to the Church of Rome was after created Cardinall by Pope Paul the fourth But whether the Archbishop and Groperus himselfe were not satisfied with the reformation or whether hee changed his opinion hee assembled the Clergie and Nobility and chiefe men of his state in the yeere 1543. and established another reformation This though it were approoued by many pleased not the whole Clergie yea the maior part opposed it and made Groperus their head who before had giuen counsell for it and promoted it They entreated the Archbishop to desist and expect a generall Councell or at the least an Imperiall Diet which not being able to obtaine in the yeere 1545 they appealed to the Pope and to the Emperour as supreme aduocate and protectour of the Church The Archbishop published by a writing that the appeale was friuolous and that hee could not desist from that which belonged to the glory of God and amendment of the Church that hee had not to doe either with the Lutherans or others but that hee obserued the doctrine agreeable to the holy Scripture The Archbishop going on in his reformation and the Clergie of Collen insisting vpon the contrary the Emperour receiued the Clergie into his protection and cited the Arch-bishop as hath beene said This newes comming to Trent gaue matter to passe the time at the least with discourses The Legates were much mooued and amongst the Prelates which were present those that were of any vnderstanding blamed the Emperour for making himselfe Iudge of faith and reformation the most gentle word they spake was that the Emperours proceeding was very scandalous They began to know they were not esteemed and that to bee idle was to be scorned by the world Therefore they did discourse that they were constrayned to declare themselues to be a Councel lawfully called and to be beginne The Emperor is blamed for the Citation by the Fathers of Trent the worke of God proceeding first against the foresayd Archbishop the Elector of Saxony the Landgraue of Hassia and likewise against the King of England They grew into so great spirits that they seemed not the same who a few dayes before thought themselues confined in prison The Ministers of the Archbishop of Mentz abated this heat putting them in minde of the greatnesse of those Princes and their adherents and the danger to make them vnite themselues with the King of England and so to make a greater fire in Germanie and the Cardinall of Trent spake in the same forme The Italian Bishops thinking it a great matter to meddle in such eminent subiects said it was true that all the world would be attentiue at such a processe yet that all the importance was to begin and ground it well They incited one another saying it was necessary to redeeme the slownesse past with celerity hereafter That they should demand of the Pope some man of worth to perorate against the accused as did Melehior Baldassino against the Pragmatique in the Laterane Councel beeing perswaded that to depriue Princes of their States had no other difficultie then to vse well the formes of Processes But the Legates as well for this as for other occurrences knew it to be necessarie to haue such a Doctor and wrote to Rome to be prouided of one The Pope vnderstanding the Emperors action was astonished and doubted The Pope was wonderfully distasted with the Citation whether to complaine or be silent To complaine when no effect would succeed he thought friuolous and a demonstration of his small power And this mooued him exceedingly But on the other side considering well how much it imported him not to passe ouer a matter of that moment hee resolued not to giue words
some holding that the Pope onely is instituted iure diuino vntill it came to the Arch-bishop of Zara who said it was necessary to adde the words de iure Diuino to condemne that which the heretiques say to the contrarie in the Augustane Confession Varmiense said againe that in that Confession the heretikes did not dissent in this and Zara alleadging the place and the words the contention was so long that the Congregation did end with it In the Congregations following the opinions were diuers also In particular the Arch-bishop of Braga demaunded the same adiunct saying it could not be omitted He prooued at large the institution of Bishops De iure Diuino bringing reasons and arguments like to those of Granata and said that the Pope could not take from Bishops the authoritie giuen them in their consecration which doth containe in it the power not onely of Order but of iurisdiction also because in it the people is assigned to him to be fed and gouerned without which the Ordination is not of force whereof this is a manifest argument that to titular and porâ—atiue Bishops a Citie is allotted which would not be necessary if the Episcopall Order could subsist without iurisdiction Besides in giuing the Pastoâ—all this forme is vsed that it is a signe of the power which is giuen him to correctvices And which is of more importance when the Ring is giuen him it is said that with it he doth marry the Church and in giuing the booke of the Gospell by which the Episcopall Character is imprinted it is said that hee must goe to the people committed to him and in the end of the consecration that prayer is say'd Deus omnium fidelium Pastor Rector which since hath beene in the Missals appropriated to the Pope by turning himselfe to GOD and saying that his will is that the Bishop should gouerne the Church Moreouer Innocentius the third said that the spiritual mariage of the Bishop with the Church is a bond instituted by GOD not to bee loosed by the power of man and that the Pope cannot translate a Bishop but because hee hath speciall authoritie to doe it all which things would bee very absurd if the institution of Bishops were De iure Diuino The Arch bishop of Cyprus sayd that it ought to be declared that Bishops are superiors to Priests Iure Diuino but reseruing the authority in the Pope The bishop of Segouia adhearing wholly to the conclusions and reasons of Granata made a long repetition of the places of the heretiques where they denie the superiority of Bishops and their institution to be De iure diuino Hee said that as the Pope is successour of Peter so the Bishops are of the Apostles and that it was plaine by the Ecclesiasticall History and by the Epistles of the Fathers that all Bishops gaue an account one to another of all that happened in their Churches and receiued approbation thereof from others The Pope did the same for the occurrences of Rome Hee added that the Patriarches when they were created sent a circular Epistle to the others to giue them an account of their Ordination and faith which was as much performed by the Popes to others as by others to them that if the power of the Bishops be weakened that of the Pope is weakned also that the power of Order and iurisdiction is giuen to the Bishops by GOD and that the diuision of Diocesses and the application of them to the person proceedeth from the Pope He alleadged an authoritie of Anacletus that Episcopall authoritie is giuen in the Ordination with the vnction of the holy Chrisme that the degree of a Bishop is as well an Order instituted by CHRIST as the Priest-hood that all Popes vntill Siluester haue either professedly or incidently sayd it is an Order which commeth immediatly from God that the words spoken to the Apostles Whatsoeuer yee shall binde on earth c. giue power of iurisdiction which is necessarily conferred vpon the Successors that CHRIST did institute the Apostles with iurisdiction and since that time the Church hath euer instituted Bishops in the same sort Therefore this is an Apostolicall tradition and it beeing defined that points of faith are taken out of the Scripture and Traditions it cannot bee denied that this of the Episcopall institution is an Article of faith and the rather because S. Epiphanius and S. Austine doe put Aerius in the number of heretiques for saying that Priests are equall to Bishops which they would not haue done if Bishops had not beene De iure diuino Fifty nine Fathers were of this opinion and perhaps the number had been Simoneta vseth practises in the point of institution of Bishops greater if many had not been ill at case at that time of a defluction of rheume which then did generally raigne and some others had not fained the same impediment that they might bee out of the crowde and offend none in a matter handled with such passion especially those who for speaking what they thought in the matter of Residence found they had incurred the displeasure of their Patrons as also if Cardinall Simoneta when hee saw matters proceed so farre had not vsed diuers perswasions employing herein Iohannes Antonius Faâ—binetâ—us Bishop of Nicastrâ— and Sebastianus Vantiue Bishop of Oruieto who perswaded with much cunning that the enterprise of the Spaniards was to shake off their obedience to the Pope and that it would bee an apostacy from the Apostolike Sea to the great shame and damage of Italy which hath no other honour aboue the Nations beyond the Mountaines but that which it receiueth from the Papacy Fiue Churches said it was fit that it should bee declared quoiure all the Orders and degrees of the Church are instituted and from whom they receiue authoritie Some others adhered to him and in particular Pompeius Picholhomini Bishop of Tropeia who making the same instance added that when all the degrees of the Church were handled from the greatest to the least and declared quo iure they were he would deliuer his opinion also concerning the degree of Bishops if the Legats would giue leaue In this number some briefely adhered to the opinion of others who had spoken in this matter and some amplified the same reasons and turned them into diuers formes so that it would be too long to make a narration of all the suffrages which are come into my hands That of George Sincout a Franciscan Friar Bishop of Segna doth well deserue to be repeated who adhering to Granata said that hee would neuer haue beleeued that any could haue doubted whether Bishops are instituted and haue authority from Christ For it they haue it not from his diuine Maiestie neither can the Councell haue any from him which consisteth of BB. that it is necessarie that a Congregation though very populous haue their authoritie from whom the particular persons haue it that if Bishops are not instituted by CHRIST but by men the authoritie
principall points were That they might say to the Fathers as the Ambassadours of the Iewes did to the Priests Ought wee also to continue fasting lamenting That there are more then 150. yeres part since the most Christian Kings haue demanded of the Popes a reformation of the Ecclesiasticall discipline that for this end only they haue sent Ambassadors to the Synods of Constance Basil and the Lateran to the first of Trent finally to this second What their demands were Iohn Gerson Ambassadour in that of Constance the Orations of Petrus Danesius Ambassadour in the first of Trent of Guido Faber and of the Cardinall of Loraine in this second doe testifie in which nothing was demanded but the reformation of the manners of the ministers of the Church and notwithstanding this they must still fast and lament not seuentie yeeres but two hundred and GOD grant they be not three hundred and many more And if any should say that satisfaction hath beene giueth them by Decrees and Anathematismes they did not thinke that this was to satisfie to giue one thing in payment for another If it shall bee said that they ought to bee satisfied with a great bundle of reformations proposed the moneth before they had spoken their opinion concerning that and sent it to the King who had answered that he saw few things in it befitting the ancient discipline but many things contrary That that is not the plaster of Isaias to heale the wound but of Ezekiel to make it raw though healed before That these additions of excommunicating and anathematizing Princes was without example in the ancient Church and did make a way to rebellion and all the Articles concerning the reformation of Kings and Princes haue no ayme but to take away the libertie of the French Church and offend the Maiestie of the most Christian Kings who by the example of Constantine Iustinian and other Emperours haue made many Ecclesiasticall lawes which haue not onely not displeased the Popes but they haue inserted some of them in their Decrees and iudged Charles the Great and Lewis the ninth principall authors of them worthy of the name of Saints He added taht the Bishops had with them gouerned the Church of France not only since the times of the Pragmatique or Concordate but foure hundred yeeres and more before the booke of the Decretals and that these lawes haue beene defended and renewed by the later Kings since that the Decretals substituted in place of them haue derogated from them in the times following That the King beeing now of age would reduce those lawes and the libertie of the French Church into obseruation because there is nothing in them contrarie to the doctrine of the Catholique Church to the ancient Decrees of Popes nor to the Councels of the Church vniuersall Hee said moreouer that those lawes doe not prohibite Bishops to reside all the yeere and to preach euery day not onely nine moneths and in the feasts as was decreed in the last Session nor forbid them to liue in sobrietie and pietie and hauing the vse onely and not the benefit of the reuenues to distribute them or rather to render them to the poore who are owners of them And hee proceeded in naming other things of the Councel with the like ironicall manner that hee seemed to iest at them Hee added that the power giuen by GOD to the King the lawes of France and the libertie of the French Church haue alwayes forbid Pensions Resignations in fauour or with Regresse pluralitie of Benefices Annats Preuentions and to litigate for the Possessorie before any but the Kings Iudges or for the propriety or other cause ciuill or criminall out of France and forbid also the hindering of appeales as from abuse or to hinder that the King Founder and Patron of almost all the Churches of France may not make vse of the goods and reuenues though Ecclesiasticall of his Subiects for instant and vrgent necessitie of the Common-wealth Hee said afterwards that the King marueiled at two things One that they the Fathers adorned with so great Ecclesiasticall power in the ministerie of GOD assembled onely to restore Ecclesiasticall discipline not regarding this should binde themselues to reforme those whom they ought to obey though they were stiffenecked Another that they should think they can and ought without any admonition excommunicate and anathematise Kings and Princes which are giuen by GOD to men which ought not to bee done to any ordinary man though perseuering in a most grieuous offence He said that Michael the Archangel durst not curse the Deuill or Micheas or Daniel the most wicked Kings and yet they the Fathers were wholly conuersant in maledictions against Kings and Princes and against the most Christian if hee will defend the lawes of his ancestors and the liberty of the Gallicane Church His conclusion was that the King did desire them not to decree any thing against those 〈◊〉 or if they should that hee commanded his Ambassadors to oppose the Decrees as 〈…〉 they did oppose them But if 〈…〉 ting the Princes they would attend seriously to that which al the world expectch it would bee most 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ble to the King who did command them the Ambassador 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 that 〈…〉 hee spake in the Kings name Afterwards hee did 〈…〉 the heauen earth and the Fathers to consider whether the Kingâ— demand were iust whether it were honest for them to make orders for themselues throughout the whole world whether this were a â—â—me to take compassion not vpon the Church nor vpon France but vpon themselues the Fathers their dignity reputation and 〈…〉 s which cannot do preserued but by the Arts by which they were gained in the beginning that in so great confusions they must bee wary and not cry when CHRIST commeth sâ—nd Vs into the heard of 〈◊〉 that if they would restore the Church to the ancient reputation comp 〈…〉 the aduersaries to repentance and reforme Princes they should follow the example of Ezekias who did not imitate his father nor his first second third and fourth grand-father who were vnperfect but went higher to the imitation of his perfect ancestors so it was not fit at that time to respect the next predecessors though very learned but to ascend as farre as Ambrose Augustine and Chrysostome who ouercame the heretiques not by arming Princes to the warre themselues in the meane while picking their nailes at home but with prayers good life and sincere preaching For they hauing framed themselues first like Ambrose Austine and Chrysostome will make the Princes also to become Theodosii Honorij Arcadij Valentiniani and Gratiani which he said they hoped for and praied God it might bee so and here hee ended The Oration when it was pronounced did anger very much not onely the Papalins but the other Prelates more and French-men also Is censured and when it was ended there was such a whispering that it was necessary to finish the Congregation Some did taxe it
Interim of Germanie which could not be done by any other meanes because it was to continue vntill the end of the Councell and to continue it longer could not bee without great dammage of the Catholique Church And that it was needefull to finish the generall Councell in Trent to hinder a Nationall in France For the manner hee sayd it might bee ended with one Session handling in it the residue of the reformation and dispatching the Catechisme and the Index of the bookes prohibited which were in order already referring other matters to the Pope not disputing the Articles of Indulgences and Images nor anathematizing particular heretiques but proceeding with generall termes only They all agreed in some sort to finish the Councell except the Archbishop of Granata who referred himselfe to the Ambassadour of his King Some said it could not absolutely bee ended because so many matters did remaine to bee handled but that it might bee done by intimating another ten yeeres after which also would serue to hinder the calling of Nationall Councels and to deferre the determination of the things remayning and the Anathematismes The Bishop of Brescia proposed a middle course betweene an absolute ende and a suspension because the former would make the heretiques desperate and the latter not satisfie the Catholiques But these opinions had no followers all the others adhering to that which the Cardinall had sayd For the manner Otranto thought it necessary to anathematize the Heretiques because it hath been vsed in all Councels and is the principall thing which is required of Synods For many are not capable to vnderstand the trueth or falshood of opinions by their owne iudgment but doe follow or abhorre them according to the credit or discredite of the authours He sayd that the Councel of Chalcedon full of learned men to cleere themselues whether Theodoret Bishop of Ciros were a Catholique or not would not heare an account of his faith which hee desired to render but onely wished him to denounce a plaine anathema against Nestorius that if Luther and Zuinglius dead and their followers aliue were not anathematized it might bee sayd that the Councell had laboured in vaine The Cardinall replyed that diuers times did require diuers counsels that the differences in Religion were then betweene the Bishops and the Priests that the people were but as an accessory that the Grandees either did not meddle or if they did adhere to any heresie they did not make themselues Heads and leaders But now all was quite contrary because the heretique Ministers and Preachers could not bee sayd to bee heads of the Sectes but the Princes rather to whose interests their Ministers and Preachers doe accomodate themselues Hee that would name the true Heads of heretiques must name the Queene of England the Queene of Nauarre the Prince of Conde the Elector Palatine of the Rhene the Elector of Saxonie and many other Dukes and Princes of Germanie Hee sayd that this would make them vnite and shew they were sensible of it and that the condemnation of Luther and Zuinglius onely would so prouoke them that some great confusion would certainely arise Therefore to doe not what they would but what they could hee thought that the more vniuersall resolution was the better Morone sent to call the Ecclesiasticall Ambassadours to whom hauing imparted the proposition and opinion of that assembly they consented to the end and the manner according to the opinion of Loraine Which resolution being also communicated to the secular Ambassadors they did all assent except the Spaniard who sayd hee knew not the expresse will of his King and desired time that he might vnderstand it Notwithstanding this the Legates resolute to execute this determination gaue the matter concerning Princes omitting the Anathematismes and all the particular Articles onely renewing the old Canons of the Ecclesiasticall liberty and iurisdiction speaking of Princes with much reuerence onely exhorting them to cause their ministers not to violate them The same day at night a Congregation was made to beginne to speake of the reformation and an order was set downe that there should bee two Congregations a day vntill all the voyces were giuen Which were deliuered with great shortnesse resolution except by some A difficulty about subiecting the Chapters in Spaine to the Bishops few Spaniards who desired to hinder whereas all the others did endeauour to promote the expedition with breuity The greatest difficultie was concerning the sixth Article of the subiection of Chapters to Bishops in regard of the great interest which not onely the Bishops but the King also had in diminishing the Capitular authoritie that they might not oppose the subsidies which are often imposed in Spaine and on the other side for the fauours the Legates did the Chapters by whose meanes and for the reasons alleadged many Italians who first seemed to fauour the Bishops turned on the Chapters side The Count of Luna sent a Currier to Rome in diligence by whose aduice Vargas the Ambassadour entreated the Pope for his fauour to the Bishops Who according to his custome referring himselfe to the Councell the Ambassadour complained that the Italian Prelates had beene perswaded to change their opinion in that matter Whereunto the Pope readily answered that they changed because they were free but that the departure of the Agent for the Chapters from the Councell was not free hauing beene driuen from thence and vpon that occasion complained that the Count of Luna in Trent did disswade the finishing of the Councel Notwithstanding he wrote according to the Ambassadours request but in such termes as did not disfauour the pretensions of the Chapters And finally the Decree was made with some enlargement of the Episcopall authoritie in Spaine but not so much as they desired The Venetian Ambassadours made instance that in the Article of Patronages those of the Emperour and Kings being excepted those of their Republique might bee excepted also The Legates were willing to please them but could hardly tell how For to except all Republiques was too much and to name them particularly would breed matter of iealousie They found a temper to comprehend that in the number of Kings declaring that amongst those are contained the possessors of Kingdomes though they haue not the name In the Congregation of the twentieth day a proposition was made to The Popes confirmation is demanded demand the Popes confirmation of all the Decrees of the Councell as well vnder Paul and Iulius as vnder his Holinesse The Arch-bishop of Granata opposed saying that in the sixteenth and last Session vnder Iulius when the Councel was suspended it was ordained that all the Decrees made by the Synode vntill then should be obserued without saying that there was any neede of confirmation so that to demaund it now would bee to condemne those Fathers who then thought that the Decrees might bee executed without any confirmation at all Hee professed hee did not say this because he disliked the demand of a
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