certaine that single life is better in the Clergie and more to be desired but that in respect of the fragilitie of nature and difficulty to bee continent there are but few who doe not feele the prickes of the flesh Therefore Eusebius relateth that Dionysius did admonish Quintus the Bishop that hee should consider of the weakenesse of the maior part and not lay the burthen of single life vpon the brethren And Paphnutius in the Councell of Nice saying that the vse of ones owne wife was chastitie perswaded the Councell not to impose the law of single life And the Synod of Constantinople did not for bid the vse of wiues but in the time when they were to offer sacrifice That if euer there were cause to permit matrimony vnto Clerkes it was in that age That amongst fiftie Catholike Priests hardly one can bee found that is not a notorious fornicator That not the Priests onely desire matrimonie but the Seculars also that they may not 〈◊〉 such beastly behauiour and the Patrons of Churches will not giue the benefices but to married men That there is great want of Ministers onely for the prohibition of Matrimonie That the Church hath formerly remitted the seueritie of the Canons for this cause alone That the Pope did confirme a Bishop in Saragosa who had a wife and children and a Deacon who had been twice married and committed the Sacrament of Confirmation to simple Priests in defect of a Bishop Therefore many Catholiques did then and doe now thinke better to dispence with the law of continencie then by retaining it to open a gate to vncleane single life leauing marriage free for all and the rather because Cardinall Panormitan doeth hold that it would bee good for the saluation of soules to grant Matrimonie and that there are examples of the old Church and in the Anciran Councell of Adam and Eupsychius Cesariensis Priests That it is certaine that the Pope may dispence with Secular Priests which some also extend vnto Regulars That it seemeth a great absurditie not to admit married Clerkes and to tolerate fornicators and to remooue both would bee as much as to remaine without Ministers and that if they ought to be bound to the vow of chastitie none should be ordained but old men That it is not a good reason to retaine single life with the teeth to preserue Ecclesiasticall goods it not being iust in respect of temporall things to make shipwracke of soules Besides prouision might bee made herein by some other meanes which being done concubinate would be banished out of the Church and the scandall which offendeth many taken away The Pope considering these remonstrances was of opinion to call to Rome pious and learned men of all Nations to handle this point with maturity and spake of it to the Ambassadours residing with him But Cardinall Simoneta did disswade saying it would bee a kinde of Councell and that if men should come out of France Spaine Germanie and elsewhere they would bring intelligences and instructions of Princes and would be gouerned and speake according to their interests and that when his Holinesse would be quit of them he could not doe it at his pleasure that if he did not follow their opinion it would distaste the Princes that he should remember what troubles the Councel put him to and not fall into the like dangers The Pope thought the counsell was sincere and profitable and therefore thinking no more of strangers he deputed nineteene Cardinals giuing them order to examine diligently the writing that came out of Germany The twelfth of March the Pope made a promotion of nineteene Cardinals A promotio◠of 19. Cardinals for reward of the great seruice they did him in Councell in which hee resolued not to comprehend any of those who held the Residence and Institution of Bishops to bee de iure diuino howsoeuer their qualities might otherwise deserue the degree and did not forbeare to discouer so much to all sorts of persons vpon euery occasion He created Marcus Antonius Colonna Archbishop of Taranto Aluise Pisano Bishop of Padua Marcus Antonius Bobo Bishop of Aosta Hugo Buon Compagno Bishop of Bestice Alexander Sforza Bishop of Parma Simon Pasqua Bishop of Serzana Carlo Visconte Bishop of Vintimiglia Franciscus Abondius Bishop of Bobio Guido Ferrier Bishop of Vercelli Iohannes Franciscus Commendone Bishop of Zante Gahriel Paleotto Auditor of the Rota all which had laboured faithfully in Councell for the seruice of his Holinesse To these hee added Zacharias Delphinus Bishop of Liesina who beeing resident with the Emperour tooke no lesse paines for concluding the Councell then the others had done in Trent TO THE READER Courteous Reader NOw that thou hast perused this History I intreat thee to reade ouer these small parcels following The first is an Epistle of S. Gregorie the great who was Bishop of Rome about sixe hundred yeeres after CHRIST and was as learned and as consciencious as any that preceded in that Sea or that followed after Thou canst not but perceiue that howsoeuer hee ascribeth to S Peter as much preheminence as any other ancient writer hath done if not more yet hee doth renounce in most ample tearmes or rather abominate that swelling Antichristian power which was then chalenged by Iohn the Patriarch of Constantinople but long since hath been practised by the Bishops of Rome and neuer more nor more preiudicially to the Church Catholique then in this pretended Councell of Trent And that thou mayst not wonder how these Bishops could sore so high as to bee at last aboue Kings and Emperours to whom S. Gregorie and his predecessours professed and performed all duetifull obedience and seruice I haue tendred vnto thee in the next place three seuerall passages out of the Historie of Francis Guicciardine a famous Florentine who knew their practises as well as any and hath dared to relate them plainly The Papalins haue been so wise in their wicked generation as in all late Editions to cause them to bee left out thereby the better to conceale their vniust vsurpations against both Ecclesistiques and Laiques Now lest any might vncontrolably say that howsoeuer they might bee faulty at other times yet those were worthy who gouerned the Sea of Rome when this Councell was assembled to cleere the trueth concerning these looke ouer the passages following taken out of some Epistles written by men of great esteeme who resided in the Councell and gaue account to their Superiours of all that passed or by their Superiours to them backe againe By these it will appeare that the spirit of Antichrist and not the holy Ghost did gouerne in it They shew the practises of Rome to be so grosse and so abhominable that thou mayest easily beleeue that * Invita Pauli 3. Papirius Massonius a Popish writer had iust cause to say speaking of the Popes who liued in the time of this Councell In pontificibus nemo hodiè sanctitatem requirit optimi putantur si vel leuitêr mali
it without great danger if the Emperour consented not because he might find pretences either for that those cities were formerly members of the Dutchie of Milan or might say the Church should not be damnified whereof he was aduocate To dispatch these businesses he sent Cardinall Farnese into Germanie with instructions necessary But the Legats in Trent had commission from the Pope to open the Councell with those few Prelats that were there without expecting a greater number in case they vnderstood that they would treate of Religion in the Dier but if not to gouerne themselues as other respects should aduise They saw that the proposing of the Diet did not binde them but on the other side that the small number of Prelates who then were not more then foure perswaded a prorogation Notwithstanding they were in doubt that the danger of the Turkish armes would constraine Ferdinand to make the Recesse and The Legate know not what to resolue about the opening of the Councell according to promise to intimate another Diet in which Religion should be treated of casting the blame vpon them by saying that notice was giuen them of the proposition that knowing what was promised with good intention they might haue hindered the execution of it by opening the Councell For this cause they sent in diligence to the Pope to receiue order from him what to doe in this doubtfull consultation seeing themselues on the one side constrained by a potent respect to make haste and on the other enforced to desist because they were almost alone in Trent They declared to the Pope that they had many coniectures and signes that the Emperour regarded not the celebration of the Councell that Don Diego after his first comparition had neuer spoken so much as one word and did shew as it were in his countenance that he was pleased with that leasure and spending of time For his appearance onely was sufficient to excuse and iustifie his Master that hauing by himselfe and his Ambassadors continually desired and sollicited the Councell and brought the businesse to that passe and not seeing a conuenient progresse hee might and ought to intimate another Diet to determine the cause of Religion as by reason deuolued vnto him by his owne diligence and negligence of the Pope They resolued to take a It is resolued that the councell should be opened onely by singing a Masse of the holy Ghost middle course that is to sing a Masse of the holy Ghost before the Emperor arriued in the Diet which might stand for a beginning of the Councell and preuent whatsoeuer the Emperour could doe in the Recesse and on the other side remoue all occasion of saying that the matters of the Councell were begun to be handled with foure persons remaining in libertie to enioy the benefit of time and to be able to goe on or desist or transferre or shut vp the Councell as the occurrences should aduise They wished him to consider that if the Councell were opened after that Cardinall Farnese had spoken with the Emperor one might thinke that Cardinall was sent to entreate that it might not be opened and could not obtaine it Besides the fame of the Turkish Armie increasing it would be said it was opened when necessitie compelled to thinke of other matters and when it was knowne it could not be done The Cardinall Santa Croce desired much that signes of deuotion The desire of the Cardinall Santa Croce should be shewed and the people made to runne together with the vsuall ceremonies of the Church and therefore perswaded that all should write to the Pope to demaund a Briefe with authoritie to giue Indulgences dated from the time of their parting that the Indulgence which they granted at their entrie might be made good That Cardinall was serupulous that the people which were present at that entrie should not be defrauded of those three yeeres and thrice fortie daies which they granted and would supplie it by this not considering that a difficultie did arise whether he that hath authoritie to grant Indulgences can make good those which another hath granted without authoritie The Cardinall Bishop and Lord of Trent considering that that Citie little in it selfe and not much inhabited would remaine at the discretion of Strangers and in danger of seditions in case the Councell proceeded gaue the Pope to vnderstand that there was need of a garrison of at the least an hundred and fiftie footmen especially if the Lutherans came which expence himselfe was not able to beare being exhausted by paying his Predecessors The Cardinal et Trent â—esirâ—â—h a garison debts The Pope answered that if he put a garrison into the towne the Lutherans would haue a pretence to publish that the Councell was not free that it was in vaine to make doubt so long as none but Italians were in Trent and that he had no lesse care of the quiet of the Citie then the Cardinall himselfe because the securitie of the Councell more imported the Pope then the Bishop of the place therefore that hee should leaue the care thereof vnto him and assure himselfe that he will be vigilant to prouide against dangers for his owne interest and will not burthen him with any expence Hauing well considered all the reasons which perswaded and disswaded to begin the Councell for disswasion hee saw no weightie reason but this that when the Councell should be opened hee would be intreated to leaue it so vntill the impediments of the Turkish warre and others did cease which was to put a bridle in his mouth which would turne him whither he pleased that held the raines a thing dangerous to his affaires This made him resolue firmely in himselfe by no meanes to let the Councell stand idly open and not to depart from this disiunctiue either to celebrate the Councell if he could or if he could not to shut it vp or suspend it vntill he had published another day The Pope giueth commission to open the Councell on Holiroode day Card. Farnese passeth by Trent to reassume it Hauing established this point he wrote to the Legats to open it vpon Holiroode day which order they published to the Emperours Ambassador and the rest without naming the particular time A little after Cardinall Farnese in his iourney towards Wormes arriued in Trent and brought the same commission and all being consulted of betweene him and the Legats they resolued to continue notifying vnto all the Commission to open the Conncell in generall without descending to the particular day more then this that it should bee when hee had spoken with the Emperour in Wormes And they conceiued good hope because they vnderstood that his Maiestie knowing the dispatch of the Legation was much satisfied with the Pope and declared that hee would ioyntly proceede with him and therefore they would not go on to any new action without his knowledge for feare of disturbing him and the rather because Don Diego and the Cardinall of
first pleased them all The Legates accompanied with the Prelates went to the Church with the vsuall ceremonies on Thursday the thirteenth of Ianuary and held the Session where Andreas Cornarus Archbishop of Spalato sang Masse Thomas Stella Bishop of Salpi did preach and the Decrees of faith and reformation were read The first conteined sixteene heads with their prohemes and thirty three anathematismes After it had forbid to beleeue preach or teach otherwise then was constituted and expressed in that Decree it declared in substance 1. That neither Gentiles by naturall meanes nor Iewes by the letter of Moyses hath been able to free themselues from sinne 2. Whereupon GOD sent his Sonne to redeeme the one and the other 3. Who though he died for all yet those onely enioy the benefit vnto whom his merit is communicated 4. That the iustification of the wicked is nothing but a translation from the state of the sonne of Adam into the state of the adopted sonne of God by IESV CHRIST which after the publication of the Gospel is not done without Baptisme or the vow thereof 5. That the beginning of iustification in men of age proceedeth from preuenting grace which inuiteth to dispose themselues consenting and cooperating with it freely which they doe willingly and might refuse 6. The manner of the preparation is first to beleeue willingly the diuine reuelations and promises and knowing ones selfe to bee a sinner to turne from the feare of Gods Iustice to his mercie to hope for pardon from him and therefore to begin to loue him and hate sinne and finally purposing to bee baptized to begin a new life and keepe the commandements of God 7. That iustification followeth this preparation which is not onely a remission of sinnes but sanctification also and hath 5. causes the finall the glory of God and eternall life the efficient God the meritory CHRIST the instrumentall the Sacraments and the formall iustice giuen by God receiued according to the good pleasure of the holy Ghost and according to the disposition of the receiuer receiuing together with remission of sinnes faith hope and charitie 8. That when Saint Paul saith that man is iustified by faith and gratis it ought to be vnderstood because faith is the beginning and the things that precede iustification are not meritorious of grace 9. That sinnes are not pardoned to him that vaunteth and reposeth himselfe onely in the confidence and certainty of the remission Neither ought it to be said that onely faith doth iustifie but euery one as hee should not doubt of the mercie of God the merits of CHRIST and efficacie of the Sacraments so in regard of his owne indisposition he may doubt because he cannot know by certainty of infallible faith that he hath obtained grace 10. That the iust are more iustified by obseruing the Commandements of God and the Church 11. That it cannot be said that the Commandements of God are impossible to the iust who though he fall into veniall sinnes yet ceaseth not to be so that no man ought to relie on faith onely nor say that the iust sinneth in euery good action or committeth sinne if he do any thing for reward 12. That no man should presume hee is predestinated beleeuing that the iustified can sinne no more or sinning can promise himselfe repentance 13. That no man can promise to himselfe absolute certaintie to perseuere vntill the end but should put his hope in the assistance of God who will continue if man faile not 14. That those that are fallen into sinne may againe receiue grace beeing stirred vp from aboue to recouer it by repentance which differeth from baptisme because it containeth not only contrition but sacramental confession Priestly absolution at the least in vow and satisfaction besides for the temporall punishment which is not alwayes remitted altogether as in baptisme 15. That the grace of God is lost not onely by infidelity but by any mortall sinne though faith bee not lost by it 16. It proposeth to the iust the exercise of good workes by which eternall life is gained as grace promised by the mercie of God and a reward due to good workes by the diuine promise And it concludeth that this doctrine doth not establish any iustice of our owne refusing the iustice of God but the same is said to bee ours because it is in vs and of GOD being infused by him for the merit of CHRIST In fine to make euery one vnderstand not only the doctrine to be followed but that also which is to be auoided it addeth Canons against him that saith 1. That a man may bee iustified without grace by the strength of humane nature and doctrine of the Law 2. That grace is giuen to liue well with greater facilitie and to merit eternall life as if free The Canons will can doe it but with difficultie 3. That a man may beleeue loue hope or repent as he ought without the preuention or assistance of the holy Spirit 4. That free will excited by GOD doeth not cooperate to dispose vs to grace nor can dissent though it would 5. That after the sinne of Adam free will is lost 6. That it is not in the power of man to doe ill but as well bad as good workes are done not onely by Gods permission but by his owne proper working 7 That all workes done before iustification are sinnes and that a man sinneth the more by how much the more hee laboureth to dispose himselfe vnto grace 8. That the feare of hell which maketh vs abstaine from sin and to flie to the mercy of GOD is sin 9. That the wicked is iustified by faith onely without preparation proceeding from the motion of his will 10. That man is iustified without the iustice by which CHRIST did merit for vs or is formally iust by that 11. That he is iustified onely by the imputation of the iustice of CHRIST or onely by remission of sinnes without inherent grace and charitie or that the grace of iustification is onely the fauour of GOD. 12. That iustifying faith is nothing but confidence in the mercy of GOD who remitteth sinnes for CHRIST 13. That for remission of sinnes it is necessary to beleeue they are remitted not doubting of ones own indisposition 14. That man is absolued and iustified because he doeth firmely beleeue it 15. That he is bound by faith to beleeue that hee is in the number of the predestinated 16. That one may be certaine he hath the gift of perseuerance without speciall reuelation 17. That onely that the predestinated obtaine grace 18. That the Commandements of God are impossible to the iust 19. That there is no other Euangelicall precept but of faith 20. That the iust and perfect man is not bound to obserue the Commandements of God and the Church or that the Gospel is a promise without condition of obseruing the Commandements 21. That CHRIST is giuen for a redeemer not for a law-maker 22. That the iustified may
of the Pope and did signifie to them the summe of their Ambassage so those of Wittenberg ought to doe hee therefore wished they Whereof the Legat giueth an account to Rome should come and promised to receiue them with all humanity The Count related the answere wherewith the Ambassadours were not contented saying That it was one of the points required in Germany that the Pope should not preside which not beeing willing to contradict without order from their Prince they would write and expect an answere The Count did cunningly assay to learne the whole secret of their instructions to aduertise the Legate of it But they stood vpon generall termes and would not specifie any particular The Legate sent immediately aduise hereof to Rome desiring to know what hee should doe and the rather because he vnderstood that others would come also In the beginning of Nouember the Emperour to bee neere the Councel The Emperor goeth to Ispruc distant from the Councel but three dayes iourney and the warre of Parma went to Ispruc distant but three dayes iourney from Trent the way being so commodious that if there were occasion hee might heare from his Ambassadours in one day The Pope had newes at once of the arriuall of the Emperour and of those of Wittenberg And although hee trusted vpon the Emperours promises made to him before the conuocation of the Councell and often reiterated and saw the effects because his Ambassadours curbed the Spaniards when they were too bold in maintaining the Episcopall authoritie and was perswaded he would perseuere in regard of their common interests against the French King yet hauing heard of Which maketh the Pope somwhat iealous of him some things handled in Germany hee was a little iealous that either for necessitie or for some great opportunitie which occurrences might bring hee would change his opinion Yet he tooke courage considering that if there were warre in Germany no account would be held of the Councell and during peace all the German Ecclesiastiques would bee on his side as also the Italian Prelates whose number hee could easily encrease by sending thither all those of the Court that the Legat being resolute and hoping to be Pope would labour as for himselfe and that the Nuncio of Siponto was most affectionate to his person that he might at any time be reconciled with France because it was desired by that King by meanes of whom and with the Prelates of his kingdome hee might withstand all attempts made against his authoritie He answered the Legate that hee could giue him but little instruction more that he was not onely acquainted with but principall Author of the The answere of his Holinesse made to the Legate Treaties made in framing the Bull of the Conuocation that hee should remember that the things decreed vnder Paul were studiously approoued therein that it was sayd that it did belong to the Pope not onely to call but also to direct Councels and to preside by his ministers and that hee should not leaue open so much as a little chinke in preiudice of any of these For the rest he should gouerne himselfe according to occasions putting him in mind to fly as the Plague all middle counsels and moderations when any of these were handled but so soone as the difficultie did arise to breake it off suddenly that the aduersaries might not haue time to looke farre into it That he would not lay on his shoulders the Translation or dissolution of the Councell but onely that he should speedily aduertise when hee saw cause Furthermore that he should set on foot as much matter of doctrine as he could which would worke many good effects For it would make the Lutherans despaire of concord without their totall submission would interest the Prelates more against them would not giue time to these to thinke on the point of reformation and make a sudden dispatch of the Councel a matter of the greatest importance because there is danger of some inconuenience so long as it lasteth And when he saw himselfe forced to giue them some satisfaction in amplifying the Episcopall authoritie hee should condescend and yet hold backe as much as might bee For in case some thing should bee granted preiudiciall to the Court as formerly hath beene done yet so long as the Popes authoritie remaineth intire there will bee meanes to reduce them easily to their first state Things standing thus the 25. of Nouember the day appointed for the The Session of the 25 of Nouember Session came The Fathers met and went to Church in the vsuall order where the ceremonies being finished the doctrine of faith the Anathematismes decree of the Reformation were read by the Bishop that said Masse The tenour whereof being already recited there remaineth nothing else to be spoken And finally the last decree was read to giue order for the future Session in which it was sayd that it being already appointed for the 25. of Ianuary the Sacrament of Order ought then to bee handled together with the Sacrifice of the Masse So the Legate would haue it pronounced that according to the Popes opinion they might haue matter of doctrine enough whereon to treat The Session being ended the Legate vsed all diligence that the Decrees might not be printed And his order was obserued at Ripa The decrees are forbid to be published but are printed in Germany where the Presse was and where the other Decrees were printed But no man could hinder the sending of many copies out of Trent whereupon they were printed in Germany and the difficultie and delay to let them see light made the Critiques curious and diligent to examine them more exactly to finde the cause of this secrecy That which was decided in the first point of doctrin and the sixt Canon caused much speech that is that CHRIST when hee breathed on his Disciples and gaue them the holy Ghost saying Whose sinnes you remit they are remitted and whose sinnes you retaine they are retained did institute the Sacrament of â—enanâ—e It was considered that Baptisme was first vsed by the Iewes for legall cleanlinesse afterwards applyed by Saint Iohn for a preparation to goe to the Mess 〈…〉 which was to come and finally by CHRIST in expresse and And there censured plaine words instituted a Sacrament for remission of sinnes and an entrance into the Church ordaining it should bee ministred in the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost Likewise in the captiuitie of Babylon a Postcenium was instituted by the Iewes with bread and wine for a thankes giuing and a memoriall of their going out of Egypt while being out of the land of promise they could not eat the Paschal Lambe in imitation of which rite CHRIST instiruted the Eucharist to giue thankes to GOD for the generall deliuerance of mankind and in memorie of himselfe who was the Author thereof by the sprinkling of his blood And howsoeuer like rites haue beene formerly vsed
impossible to reduce this Decree into such a forme as might giue satisfaction to various opinions and to represent them with reseruations and nice distinctions gaue this forme to it in which it now is which as it is subiect to diuers interpretations so it may bee fitted to diuers opinions and being proposed in Congregation it had one hundred thirty and three voyces in fauour of it and nine and fifty did expresly contradict The Legates informed the Pope of all and demanded order what they should doe and whether the contradiction of such a number it beeing impossible to perswade them should hinder the Decree or not There was a A vaine feare of the plague in Trent report which caused some feare amongst the Fathers that the plague was in Ispruc and many would haue been gone if the Cardinal Morone who thought that matters were in good terme to finish the Councel had not vsed meanes to know the certaintie which was that in Sborri a place twentie miles distant from Ispruc many of those poore men who laboured in the mines died of a contagious sicknesse by an infection taken vnder the ground and that those of Ispruc had prouided so well as that there was no danger the disease would come thither which also did decrease in Sborri A great stirre happened likewise amongst the Italian Prelates especially those of the kingdome of Naples and Dukedome of Milan For the Catholike A stirre about the Inquisition in Milan King moued the Pope the moneth before to place the Inquisition in the state of Milan as it is in Spaine and to make a Spanish Prelate the Head of it alleadging that in regard of the vicinity of places infected it was necessary to vse exquisite diligence for the seruice of God and defence of religion and notice came that the Pope had proposed it in consistory did shew howsoeuer it was contradicted by some Cardinals some inclination to it at the perswasion of Cardinall Carpi who told him that it was good for the keeping of the citie of Milan in deuotion towards the Apostolike Sea which office hee performed for a secret hope cherished by the Spanish Ambassador that by this meanes hee should gaine the fauour of the King of Spaine to make him Pope The cities of that state sent Sforza Morone to his Holinesse and Cesare Tauerna and Princisuale Bisosto to the Catholike King and Sforza Briuio to the Councell This last to pray the Prelates and Cardinals of that state to haue compassion on their Countrey which being brought into misery by excessiue impositions would bee wholly dissolued by this which goeth beyond all many citizens preparing themselues to abandon the Countrey knowing well that that office had neuer proceeded in Spaine to heale the conscience but very often to emptie the purse and for many other mundane respects also And if the Inquisitors vnder the Kings owne eyes doe domineere so rigidly ouer their owne Countrey men how much more will they doe it in Milan where remedy will hardly bee found against them towards persons whom they care lesse for Briuio declared how the Cities were generally perplexed with this ill newes desiring the fauour of the Prelates This did more displease the Prelates then the Seculars and those of the Kingdome did doubt that the yoke being put vpon the state of Milan themselues should not bee able to keepe it from their owne neckes as they had done before The Prelates of Lombardie did assemble and resolue to write letters to the Pope and to Cardinall Borromeo subscribed by them all They tolde the Cardinall it would bee a preiudice to him to whom it belonged as Arch-bishop to bee the chiefe in that office And they said to the Pope that there were not such causes and respects as are in Spaine to put so rigorous an Inquisition amongst them which besides the euident ruine which it will bring to that state will be a great preiudice to the holy Sea For he could not refuse to place it in Naples also which would giue occasion to other Princes of Italie to desire the like And that Inquisition hauing authority ouer the Prelates the holy Sea would haue but little obedience from them because they would be forced to seeke the fauor of secular Princes to whom by this meanes they would be subiect so that in occasion of a new Councel he should haue but few Prelates whom hee might trust and commaund freely Neither ought hee to beleeue that which the Spaniards might say that the Inquisition of Milan should bee subiect to that of Rome as doeth appeare by their proceeding in the cause of the Arch-bishop of Toledo euer refusing to send the Processes which haue beene demanded from Rome as also doe the Inquisitors of the Kingdome of Sicilie who depend on Spaine The Prelates not content with this and other reasons alleadged vnto the Cardinals and others of Rome by euery one to those with whom hee had any power did perswade also that some word might bee inserted in the Decrees of the Councel in fauour of the Bishops to exempt or secure them and that the manner of making processes in that matter might be decreed which if it could not be done in the first Session it might in the next Morone gaue them hope of satisfaction And this accident did trouble the Councell very much because many were interested in it But newes came a few dayes after that the Duke of Sessa had found the generall distaste it gaue and for some reports which came vnto him doubting that the Dutchie of Milan would follow the example of the Flemings who became Gueux for so the reformists are called in those Countreys by the attempt of putting the Inquisition vpon them knowing it was not a fit time to handle that businesse stopped their Ambassadors promising to vse meanes that the State should haue satisfaction And but for this some maâ—er of great moment had ensued The Pope seeing the answeres of the Ambassadors made to the Articles proposed by the Legates was more confirmed in opinion that it was necessary to finish the Councell otherwise hee thought some great scandall would follow and the incoâ—ugniences foreseenâ— hee esteemed but light and feared some greater not thought on But seeing the difficulty to make an end The Pope laboâ—â—eth to finish the Councell without determining the things for which the Councel was called if the Princes were not content he resolued to treat with all of them herein Therefore hee wrote concerning this to his Nuncij in Germanie France and Spaine and spake of it to all the Ambassadours residing with him and to the Ministers of the Princes of Italie also vsing this concept that to him that assisted to finish the Councell hee should bee more obliged then if hee had assisted him with armes in some great necessitie To the Legates hee answered that they should principally ayme at the conclusion of the Councell and should grant whatsoeuer was necessary to obtaine it admitting
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
in those negotiations Hauing therefore collected so many things as may minister vnto me sufficient matter for a narration of the progresse I am resolued to set it downe in order I wil relate the causes and managings of an Ecclesiasticall Conuocation by some for diuers ends and by diuers meanes procured and hastened by some hindered and deferred for the space of 22. yeeres and for 18. yeeres more sometimes assembled sometimes dissolued alwayes celebrated with diuers intentions and which hath gotten a forme and conclusion contrary altogether to the deseigne of them that procured it and to the feare of those that with all diligence disturbed it a cleere instruction for vs to referre our selues to God and not to trust in the wisedome of man For this Councell desired and procured by godly men to reunite the 1500 ALEXAND 6. MAXIMILL 1. HENRY 7. LEVVIS 12. The conclusion of this Councell was contrary to the opinion of all men Church which began to bee diuided hath so established the Schisme and made the parties so obstinate that the discords are become irreconciliable and being managed by Princes for reformation of Ecclesiasticall discipline hath caused the greatest deformation that euer was since Christianity did begin and hoped for by the Bishops to regaine the Episcopall authority vsurped for the most part by the Pope hath made them loose it altogether bringing them into greater seruitude on the contrary feared and auoided by the Sea of Rome as a potent meanes to moderate the exorbitant power mounted from small beginnings by diuers degrees vnto an vnlimited excesse it hath so established and confirmed the same ouer that part which remaineth subiect vnto it that it was neuer so great nor so soundly rooted It will not be inconuenient therefore to call it the Iliade of our age in the explanation whereof I will exactly follow the truth not being possessed with any passion that may make me erre And hee that shall obserue that I speake more copiously of some times and more sparingly of others let him remember that all fields are not equally fruitfull nor all graines deserue to be kept and that of those which the Reaper would preserue some eare escapeth the hand or the edge of the sickle that being the condition of euery haruest that some part remaineth to be gleaned after But first I must call to minde that it hath beene a most ancient custome in the Church of Christ to compose the differences of Religion and to reforme The originall cause progresse of Synods the corrupted discipline by the conuocation of Synods So the first which began in the life time of many of the holy Apostles whether the conuerted Gentiles were bound to obserue Moses law was composed by a meeting in Hierusalem of foure Apostles and of all the faithfull which were in that Citie by which example in the occurrences which incidently sprung vp in euery prouince for the space of 200. yeeres and more afterwards the Bishops and chiefest of the Churches assembled themselues together to qualifie and end them that being the onely remedy to reunite diuisions and to accord contrary opinions But after that it pleased God to giue peace vnto his Church by exciting Constantine to fauour religion as it was more easie for many Churches to communicate and treate together so also the diuisions became more common And whereas before the differences went not out of a city or at the most out of a Prouince now by reason of the liberty of meeting together they extended themselues ouer the whole Empire Wherefore also it was necessary that the Councels which were the vsual remedie should be assembled from places more distant Whereupon a Councell of the whole Empire being congregated in those times by that Prince it had the name of the holy and great Synod and a litle after was called the general Oecumenical Councel though not assembled from all parts of the Church a great part whereof extended it selfe beyond the bounds of the Romane Empire but because the vse of that age was to call the Emperour Lord of the whole habitable earth howbeit the tenth part thereof was not subiect vnto him By which example the like Councels were called by Constantine his successors in other occurring differences of Religion And though the Empire was diuided into the Easterne and Westerne notwithstanding the affaires thereof being managed A new deriuation of the name of generall Councels vnder a common name the Conuocation of Synods throughout the whole continued still 7 But after that the East was so diuided from the West that there remained no more communion in the Soueraignty and after that the East was for the most part possessed by the Saracens and the West parted amongst many Princes the name of an Vniuersall and oecumenicall Councell was no more deriued from the Roman Empire but amongst the Grecians from the assembly of the fiue Patriarkes and in these countreys of ours from the vnitie and communion of those Kingdomes and States which obeyed the Pope in causes Ecclesiasticall And the assembling of these hath beene continued not to appease the dissentions about Religion principally as before but either to make warre in the Holy-land or to compose Schismes and diuisions of the Church of Rome or else for controuersies betweene the Bishops and Christian Princes 8 In the beginning of the 16. centurie of yeeres after the natiuitie of our 1500 Sauiour Christ there appeared no vrgent cause to celebrate a Councell neither was there any likely to happen for a long space For the complaints of many Churches against the greatnesse of the Court seemed absolutely to be appeased and all the countreys of the Westerne Christians were in the communion and obedience of the Church of Rome Onely in a small part that is in that tract where the Alpes are ioyned with the Pyrences there were some remainders of the olde Waldenses or Albigenses In whom notwithstanding Waldenses in the Alpes there was so great simplicitie and ignorance in learning that they were not fit to communicate their doctrine vnto others besides their neighbours conceiued so sinister an opinion of their impietie and obscenitie that there was no danger that the contagion could spread any further 9 In some Cantons also of Bohemia there were some few who maintained Picards in Bohemia the same doctrine euen remnants of those whom the Bohemians call Picards whose increase could not be feared for the same reason 10 In the same Kingdome of Bohemia there were some followers of Iohn Hus which were called Calistini or Subutraque who except that particular Calistial in Bohemia that in the holy Communion they ministred the Cup vnto the people in other things differed not much from the doctrine of the Church of Rome But these also were not esteemed considerable aswell for their small number as because they wanted learning neither did it appeare that they desired to communicate their doctrine nor that others were curious to
sins of the communion of Indulgences of Excommunication of the power of the Pope of the authoritie of Councels of good works of Free-will of Purgatory of pouerty all which he saith are respectiuely pestiferous pernicious scandalous offensiue to pious eares contrary to charity contrary to the reuerence which is due to the Church of Rome contrary to obedience which is the sinew of Ecclesiasticall discipline wherefore being willing to proceede to sentence he with the Cardinals genetals of the regular orders with other Diuines and Doctours both of the one and the other law hath made diligent examination of them Therefore hee condemneth and reiecteth them respectiuely as hereticall scandalous false offensiue to pious eares deceitfull to godly minds and contrary to the Catholike trueth Hee prohibiteth vpon paine of excommunication and infinite punishments that no man should dare to keepe them defend them preach them or fauour them And because the same assertions are found in the bookes of Martin therefore he condemneth them commanding Luthers bookes are condemned to the fire vnder the same paines that none may reade or keepe them but that they ought to be burned as well those which doe containe the foresaid propositions as all the rest Concerning the person of Martin himselfe he saith he The Pope giueth an admonition to Luther and his followers hath many times admonished cited and called him with promise of safe conduct and prouision for his iourney that if hee had come hee would not haue found so many errours in the Court as hee saide and that himselfe the Pope would haue taught him that the Popes his predecessors haue neuer erred in their constitutions But because he hath endured the censures for the space of a whole yeere and hath dared to appeale vnto a future Councell a thing prohibited by Pius and Iulius the second vnder the punishments due to heretikes hee could proceed to condemnation without any more adoe notwithstanding forgetting these iniuries hee admonisheth the said Martin and his protectors to change their opinions cease to preach and in the terme of 60. dayes vpon the same paines to reuoke al the foresaid errors and burne the bookes which in case they doe not hee declareth them notorious and obstinate heretiques After he commandeth all vnder the same paines that they keepe not any booke of the same Martin though it conteine not the like errours Then ordaineth that all men ought to shunne as well him as his fauourers yea commandeth euery one to apprehend them and bring them personally before him or at least chase them out of their Lands and Countreys hee interdicteth all places whither they shall goe commandeth that they bee euery where made knowen and that his Bull ought to bee read in euery place excommunicating whosoeuer shall hinder the publication thereof he determineth that the exemplifications ought to be beleeued and ordereth that his Bull be published in Rome Brandeburg Misna and Mansperg Martin Luther receiuing newes of the condemnation of his doctrine and The Popes admonition cruseth Luther to make a solemne Appeale bookes set foorth a writing repeating the Appeale made to the Councell and making replication thereof for the same causes Furthermore for that the Pope had proceeded against a man not called nor conuinced nor the controuersie of the doctrine heard preferring his owne opinions to the word of God and leauing no place for the Councell he offereth to demonstrate all these things praying the Emperour and all Magistrates to accept this his Appeale for defence of the authority of the Councell thinking that this decree of the Pope bindeth not any till the cause be lawfully discussed in a Synod But men of vnderstanding seeing the Bull of Leo marueiled at it for many causes First concerning the forme that the Pope should proceede to a The Bull of Leo censured declaration with clauses of the palace in a matter which ought to be handled with the words of the holy Scripture and especially vsing periods so intricate and so long and prolixe that it was scarcely possible to draw any sense from them as if he had been to giue sentence in a feodatary cause And it was particularly noted that one clause which saith Inhibentes omnibus ne praefatos errores asserere praesumant is so drawen out in length with so many inlargements and restrictions that betweene Inhibentes and Praesumant there are placed more then foure hundred words Others passing on a little further considered that to haue proposed and condemned as hereticall scandalous false offensiue to pious eares and deceitfull to simple minds 42. propositions without declaring which of them were hereticall which scandalous which false but onely with a word respectiuely attributing to euery one of them an vncertaine qualitie caused a greater doubt then was before which was not to define the cause but to make it more controuersed and to shew more plainely that another authority and wisedome was necessary to determine it Some also were filled with admiration for that it was said that amongst the 41. propositions there were errours of the Grecians condemned long agoe Others thought it a strange thing that so many propositions in diuers points of faith should be decided in Rome by the aduice of the Courtiers onely without participating them to other Bishops Academies and learned persons of Europe But the Vniuersities of Louain and Collen being pleased that there was a colour giuen to their sentence by the Popes Edict publikely burned the bookes of Luther Which gaue cause that he also in Wittenberg all that Schoole being The Popes Bull and the Decretals burned in Wittenberg assembled iudicially and publiquely made to be burned not onely the Bull of Leo but together also the Popes Decretals and after gaue an account to the world of that action in a long manifest published in writing noting 521. LEO 10. CHARLES 5. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 1. A Councell was thought to be necessarie for two causes the Papacie in tyrannie of the Church peruersenesse of Christian doctrine and vsurpation of the power of lawfull magistrates But aswell for Luthers appeale as for these and other considerations euery one became of opinion that a lawfull Councell was necessarie by which not onely the controuersies might bee decided but the abuses also long since brought into the Church might bee redressed and alwayes the necessitie hereof appeared the more by how much the more the contentions increased writings being set forth continually both by the one part and the other For Martin failed not to confirme his doctrine by diuers writings and accordingly as he studied hee discouered more light euer passing some step further forward and finding articles of which in the beginning hee had not thought Which hee sayd he did for the zeale of the House of God But hee was constrained also by necessitie For the Romanists hauing laboured effectually in Collen with the Elector of Saxonie by the mediation of Hierom Aleander that he would deliuer Martin
successor of S. Peter gaue them his benediction The Arch-bishop of Mentz answered the Legats oration by order of the And is answerred by the Arch-bishop of 〈◊〉 Emperour and the Diet that Caesar as supreme Aduocate of the Church will vse all meanes to compose the disorders will imploy all his forces in the 〈◊〉 against the Turkes and that all the Princes will joyne themselues 〈…〉 that their actionâ— shall bee approoued by God and the Pope After this many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being heard the Elector of Sacco 〈…〉 and protestant Cities â—oyned with him presented to the Emperour she confession of their faith written Latine and Dutch 〈…〉 it might be read But the Emperour refusing to haue it The Lutherans doe present a confession of their faith And so do the Zuinglians 〈◊〉 in publique it was put off vntill the next day when the Legate would not be present for feare of receiuing some prejudice But the Princes being assembled before the Emperor in an Hall capable to receiue about 〈◊〉 persons it was read with aloud voyce And the Cities which followed the doctrine of Zuinglius presented apart the confession of their faith not differing from the former but onely in the point of the Eucharist The confession of the Princes which afterwards from this place where it was read was called Augustana contâ—ined two parts in the first were The name of the Augustan confession bega 〈…〉 expounded 〈…〉 de of the vnitie of the God-head of originall sinne of the incarnation of iustification of the ministery of the Gospel of the Church of administring the Sacraments of Baptisme of the Eucharist of Confession of Penance of the vse of the Sacraments and the Ecclesiasticall order of the rites of the Church of the ciuill Common-wealth of the last â—udgement of free will of the cause of sinne of faith of good workes and worshipping of Saints In the second were expounded the doctrines which were different from the Church of Rome the abuses which the Confessionists reprooued And these were declared at large in seuen articles of the holy Communion mariage of Priests of the Masse of Confession of the distinction of meates of Monasticall vowes and Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction In conclusion they offered in case it were needfull a more full information But in the proheme thereof they deliuered that they had put their confession in writing to obey the Propose of his Maiestie that all men ought to present their opinions and therefore if the other Princes will giue vp theirs in writing they are readie to conferre peaceably with them that they may come to an agreement whereunto in case they could not come his Maiestie hauing giuen them to vnderstand in all the former Diets that he could not determine or conclude any matter of Religion for diuers respects then alleaged but that he would perswade the Pope to call a generall Councell and finally hauing caused it to bee said in the Diet of Spira that the differences betweene his Maiestie and the Pope being readie to bee composed there could bee no doubt but that hee would giue consent vnto it they offered to app 〈…〉 and to giue a reason and make a defence of their cause in such a generall free and Christian assembly of which it hath alwayes bin treated in all the Diets celebrated during the time of his Empire Vnto which Councell and to his Maiestie they haue formerly in due forme and vpon good cause appealed vnto which appeale they doe yet adhere not intending to abandon it neither by this treatie nor by any other if the difference bee not charitably reduced first to a Christian concord This was the onely Act of the first day But the Emperour before he made any resolution would haue the Legates aduice Who hauing read The Legate would not censure the Confession and considered the confession together with the Diuines which he brought out of Italie though hee was of opinion that it ought to bee opposed and a censure published vnder his name yet foreseeing that it would giue occasion of greater tumults and saying plainely that the difference for the most part seemed verball and that it imported not much whether one spake after one manner or after another and that it was not reasonable that the Apostolicall Sea should take part in the disputations of the Schooles hee conâ—ented not to haue his name vsed in the contentions And hee answered the Emperour that for the present there was no cause to make any 〈◊〉 examination of the doctrine but to consider the example which would bee giuen to all vnquiet and subtile wits who would not haue wanted infinite other nouities to propose with no lesse probabilitie which would haue beene heard with greedines because of the itching of cares which they stirre vp in the world and that by correcting the abuses that were noted greater inconueniencies would be raised then those which one sought to remedie That his opinion was that the doctrine of the Lutherans being read to remoue all preiudice a confutation thereof should be read likewise which should not be But gaue order that a confutation therof should be read and no copie giuen published in copies for feare of opening a way to disputations but meanes should be vsed that the Protestants should 〈◊〉 from going further on by proposing fauours and threats But the Confession being 〈…〉 it wrought diuers effects in the mindes of the Catholiques who heard it Some thought the Protestants more wicked then they were perswaded before they were informed of their particular opinions others on the contrary remitted much of the bad conceit they had against them esteeming their opinions not to absurd as before they did yea for a great part of the abuses they confessed they were iustly reprehended It is not to be omitted that Cardinal Mattheo Langi Archbishop of Salzburg told euery one that the reformation of the Masse The Archbishop of Salzburg would not haue the world reformed by a Monke was honest the libertie of meates conuenient and the demand iust to be disburthened of so many commandements of men but that a poore Monke should reforme all was not to bee endured And Cornelius Scoperus the Emperours Secretarie saide that if the Protestant Preachers had money they would easily buy of the Italians what Religion pleased them best but without golde it was impossible to make theirs shine in the world The Emperour according to the Legates aduice approued also by his owne Counsellers desirous to compose all by a negatiue went first about to separate the Ambassadors of the cities from ioyning with the Princes which proiect not succeeding he caused a confutation to be made of what the Protestants put vp in writing and another of that which was produced by the Cities And hauing called the whole Diet together hee told the Protestants that he had considered of the confession presented vnto him and giuen order to some pious and learned men to deliuer their opinion thereof And heere
himselfe for his owne part would willingly make present answere to the things proposed but because there are many Princes which haue receiued the same confession in the Diet of Ausbug it was not fit nor profitable for the cause to answere alone but an assembly being intimated against the 24. of Iune hee desired hee would bee contented to grant this short delay that he might receiue a more common and resolute conclusion The ioy and hope of the Nuncio was much increased The Nuncio is pleased with the delatory answere The answere of the Protestants assembled in Smalcalde who desired the delay had been rather of yeeres then moneths But the Protestants assembled at the aforesaid time in Smalcalde answered thanking the Emperor that for the glory of God and safetie of the common-wealth hee had taken paines to cause a Councell to bee celebrated which would bee in vaine if conditions were not obserued necessary for the curing of the diseases of Germanie which desireth that her controuersies may be defined with due order and hopeth to obtaine it for that the Emperour hath in many imperiall Diets promised such a one which by the mature deliberation of the Princes and States hath been resolued should be celebrated in Germanie in regard that many errors being reuealed by occasion of the Indulgences published in Sermons Pope Leo condemned the doctrine and the Doctors who discouered the abuses But that sentence was opposed by the testimonies of the Prophets and Apostles Whence did arise the controuersie which cannot be decided but in a Councell where the Popes sentence or the power of whosoeuer may not preiudice the cause and where iudgement may be giuen not according to the Popes lawes or opinions of the Schooles but according to the holy Scripture If this be not performed this so great a labour would bee taken in vaine as may appeare by the examples of some other Councels celebrated before Now the propositions of the Pope were contrary to this end to the petitions of the Diet and promises of the Emperour For though hee propose And their exceptions against the propositions of the Pope a free Councell in words yet in effect hee would haue it tied so that vices and errors may not be reprehended and himselfe may maintaine his power That that was not a reasonable demand that any man should bind himselfe to obserue the decrees before he know by what order maner or forme they are made whether the Pope desire to haue the supreme authoritie in him and his whether hee will haue the controuersies discussed according to holy writ or according to humane lawes and traditions That that clause also seemed captious that the Councell should bee made according to the old custome For it being vnderstood of that old when all was determined by the holy Scriptures they would not refuse it But the Councels of the next preceding age were much different from the other that were more ancient where too much was attributed to the Decrees of Popes and other men That the propose was glorious but it tooke absolutely away the libertie which was demanded and was necessary for the cause That they desired the Emperour to bee a meanes that all might passe lawfully That all men were in attention and stood in hope of a Councell and demanded it with vowes and prayers which would bee turned into great sorrow and vexation of minde if this expectation should bee deluded by giuing a Councell but not such a one as is desired and promised That there is no doubt but that all the States of the Empire and other Kings and Princes also will bee of the same opinion to auoid those snares and bonds with which the Pope thinketh to binde them in a new Councell to whose will if the managing of the affaires shall be permitted they will referre the whole to God and thinke of what they haue to doe Yet for all this if they shall bee cited with good and lawfull assurance in case they see themselues able to doe some thing for the seruice of God they will not refuse to appeare but with condition not to consent to the Popes demands nor to a Councell which is not conformable to the Decrees of the imperiall Diets In the end they prayed the Emperour not to take their resolution in ill part and to endeuour that the power of those be not confirmed who long since haue waxed cruell against the innocent The Protestants resolued not onely to send the answere to the Pope and the Emperour but to print it also together with the Nuncio his proposition which by the same Pope was iudged indiscreete and too open Therefore The Pope recalleth Hugo Rangone B. of Rheggio his Nuncio and putteth Vergerius in his place vnder colour that hee was old and vnable to beare that charge he recalled him and wrote to Vergerius Nuncio with King Ferdinand that he should take vpon him that place with the same instructions admonishing him to remember not to swarue by any meanes from his will or to giue eare to any 1534 CLEMENT 7. CHARLES 5. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 2. moderation though the King desire it that vnaduisedly he cast him not into some strait and constraine him to call a Councell which was not profitable for the Church or for the Apostolicall Sea While these things were in handling the Pope who fore-saw the answere which would come out of Germany before in Bolonia had conceiued but small confidence in the Emperour wholly aliened himselfe from his friendship For in the cause of Modena and Rheggio betweene his Holinesse and the Duke of Ferrara referred to him by the parties hee pronounced for the Duke For all which causes the Pope negotiated a confederation with the French King the which was concluded and established also by the mariage The confederation betweene the Pope and the French King is confirmed by marriage of Henry the Kings second sonne with Catherine de Medici the Popes great grand-child And to giue a compleat perfection to the whole businesse hee went to Marseilles in person to speake with the King But vnderstanding that this iourney was reprehended by all as not addressed to any publike respect but onely to make his house great hee iustified himselfe by saying hee vndertooke it to perswade him to fauour the Councell and to abolish the Lutheran heresie And t is true that there beside other treaties hee perswaded his most Christian Maiestie to deale with the Protestants especially with the Landgraue of Hassia who was to come to him into France to cause them to desist from demaunding a Councel proposing vnto them that they would seeke out any other way to accommodate the differences and promising his owne faithfull and effectuall helpe when time should serue The King did thus negotiate but could obtaine nothing For the Landgraue alleadged The French King treateth with the Landgraue of Hassia at the Popes request about the Councell that there was no other meanes
and reputation with title of Legate But he feared an affront that way in case the Diet should not receiue him with due honour He found out a temper to send to the Emperor the Cardinall Farnese his nephew and make him passe by VVormes and there to giue instructions to the Catholikes and after he had made the treaties that were conuenient to goe forward toward the Emperour and in the meane space to send Fabius Mignanellus of Siena Bishop of Grosseto for his Nuncio to reside with the King of the Romanes with order to follow him to the Diet. Afterwards applying his minde to Trent hee caused a consultation to be begun concerning the faculties to be giuen to the Legats This had some difficultie because they had no examples to follow For in the Lateran Councell next preceding the Pope was personally present before in the Florentine A consultation about the faculties to be giuen to the Legats Eugenius the fourth was present and that of Constance where the Schisme was taken away began with the presence of Iohn the 23. one of the three deposed Popes and ended with the presence of Martin the fifth Before that the Councell of Pisa was called by the Cardinals and concluded by Alexander the fifth And in more ancient times Clement the fifth was present in the Councell of Vienna in the two Councels of Lions Innocence the fourth and Gregorie the tenth and before these in the Lateran Innocence 3. Onely the Councell of Basil at that time when it obeyed Eugenius the fourth was celebrated by Legats But to imitate any thing that was there obserued was too bad a presage Hee resolued to frame the Bull with this clause that he sent The Contents of the Bull. them as Angels of peace to the Councell which before hee had intimated in Trent and gaue them full and free authoritie that for want of that the celebration and continuation might not bee hindred with facultie to preside there and to ordaine any Decrees or Statutes whatsoeuer and to publish them in the Sessions according to custome to propose conclude and execute whatsoeuer was necessary to condemne errours and roote them out of all Prouinces and Kingdomes to take knowledge heare decide and determine the causes of heresie and whatsoeuer else concerneth the Catholike faith to reforme the State of the holy Church in all her members aswel Ecclesiasticall as Secular to make peace amongst Christian Princes and to determine any thing else which may bee for the honour of God the increase of Christian faith with authoritie to bridle with censures and Ecclesiasticall punishments all contradicting and rebellious persons of what state or preeminence soeuer though graced with Pontificall or Regall dignity and to doe any thing else necessary and fit for the extirpation of heresies and errours and the reducing of those people that are aliened from the obedience of the Apostolique Sea preseruation and restauration of Ecclesiasticall libertie yet with condition that in all things they proceede with consent of the Councell But the Pope considering not onely how to set the Councell forward but of the meanes to dissolue it when it was begun in case his seruice did The Bull for the dissolution of the Councell require it to prouide for himselfe in good time he followed the example of Martin the fifth who for feare of those encounters which happened to Iohn the 23. in Constance when hee sent Nuncij to the Councell of Pania gaue them a particular Briefe with authoritie to prolong dissolue or translate it to what place they would A secret to crosse all deliberation which was contrary to the interests of Rome A few dayes after hee made another Bull giuing the Legates power to transferre the Councell This bare date the 22. of February the same yeere of which being to speake hereafter when the The thirteenth of March 1545. the Cardinals of Monte and Santa Croce 1545 PAVL 3. 〈◊〉 CHARLES 5. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 1. The Legates grant an Indulgence without authoritie arriued in Trent and were receiued by the Cardinall of that place That day they made their publike entrie and granted three yeeres and so many times forty dayes of Indulgence to those that were present They had not this authoritie from the Pope but hoped he would ratifie the fact They found no Prelate there though the Pope had caused some to part from Rome that they might be present at the prefixed time The first thing the Legates did was to consider of the contents of the Bull of Faculties giuen them and resolued to keepe it secret and sent aduice to Rome that the condition to proceede with consent of the Councell tied them too much and made them equall to euery pettie Prelate and would breed great difficulties in the gouernment in case it were necessarie to communicate euery particular vnto all and said it was to giue too much libertie or rather licence to the multitude It was perceiued in Rome that the reasons were good and the Bull was corrected according to the aduice and absolute The Bull was corrected authority was giuen them But the Legates while they expected an answere appoynted out the place for the Session capable of 400. persons within the Cathedrall Church Don Diego de Mendoza the Emperors Ambassador with the Republique Don Diego returneth to Trent of Venice arriued in Trent ten dayes after the Legates to assist at the Councell with large commission giuen him from Bruxels the twentieth of Februarie and was receiued by the Legates assisted with the Cardinall Madruccio and three Bishops who onely were then arriued whose names are not to be omitted because they were the first And they were Thomas Campegio Bishop of Feltre the Cardinals nephew Thomas of S. Felicius Bishop of Caua Friar Cornelius Mussus a Franciscan Bishop of Bitonto the most eloquent Preacher of those times Foure dayes after Don Diego made his proposition in writing which shewed the Emperors good disposition concerning the celebration of the Councell and that order was giuen to the Prelates of Spaine to be there who he thought were already in their iourney he excused himselfe by reason of his indisposition for not being there before desired that the actions of the Councell and the reformation of manners might begin as was proposed two yeeres before in the same place by the Lord Granuel and himselfe The Legates answered in writing commending the Emperour receiuing his personall excuse and shewing their desire of the Prelates comming thither And the proposition and answere were receiued by the parties vnto whom it belonged in the points not preiudiciall to the rights of their Princes respectiuely A caution which giueth a manifest argument with what charitie they treated in the proposition and answere where there were onely words of pure complement except the mention of reformation The Legates not knowing which way to treate made demonstration to The Legates desire to haue two sorts of letters and a cipher
the preparatories there is no necessitie to vse any of them at all The Bishop of Feltre put them in minde that the Protestants desired a Councell where themselues might haue a decisiue voice so that if this title be giuen to the Councell that it representeth the Church vniuersall they will draw an argument from hence that some of euery order of the vniuersall Church ought to be present These being two the Clergie and the Laitie it cannot be intirely represented if the Laitie be excluded But for the rest those also of the Councell who assented to the simple title were of opinion that it ought to bee supplied The Bishop of Saint Marke said that the Laikes are most improperly called the Church For the Canons determine that they haue no authority to command but necessitie to obey and that this is one of the things which the Councell ought to decree that the Seculars ought humbly to receiue that doctrine of faith which is giuen them by the Church without disputing or thinking further on it and therefore that it is very meete to vse the title that the Synode representeth the Church vniuersall to make them vnderstand that they are not the Church but ought to hearken to and obey the Church Many things were spoken and they went on without any firme conclusion but onely that the simple title should bee vsed in the next session as it was in the last When this was ended because certaine Prelates desired that at the last they might come to matters substantiall the Legats to giue them satisfaction proposed that they should consider of the three heads contained in the Popes Bulls that is the extirpation of heresies reformation of discipline and establishing of peace how they should beginne these treaties what course they should holde and how proceede that they should pray God to illuminate them all and euery one should speake his opinion in the first congregation In the ende some commissions from absent Bishops were presented and the Arch-bishop of Aix the Bishops of Feltre and Astorga were deputed to consider of their excuse and relate in the Congregation The next day the Legates wrote to Rome that it appeared that the amplification of the title with addition of Representing the Church Vniuersall was a thing so popular and so pleased all that it might easily be spoken of againe and therefore they desired to know his Holinesse pleasure if they should persist in denying it or yeeld vnto them especially vpon occasion of making some Decree of importance as to condemne heresies or the like They gaue aduice also that they had made the proposition for the next Congregation so generall that they might yeelde to the desire of the Prelates which was to enter into the substantiall points and yet enterpose time that they might receiue instruction from his Holinesse They added that the Cardinall Pacceco had aduice that the Emperor had giuen order to many Spanish Bishops men of exemplary liues and learning to goe to the Councel Therefore they thought it necessary that his Holinesse should send ten or twelue Prelates whom hee might trust men fit to appeare for their other qualities that the number of the Oltramontans increasing especially men rare of exemplaritie The Legates desire to make their partie strong and learning they might in some part bee incountred For amongst those that vntill then were in Trent those that had good mindes had little learning and lesse discretion and those that had vnderstanding were discouered to haue deseignes and hard to be gouerned In the next Congregation assembled the eighteenth to vnderstand the The Imperialists desire to beginne with reformation mindes of all concerning the Propositions made in the last the opinions were foure The Imperialists said that the points of doctrine could not bee touched with hope of any fruit because it was first necessary to remooue the transgressions from whence the heresies arose by a good reformation enlarging themselues very much in this field and concluding that so long as the scandall which the World receiueth by the deformation of the Clergie ceaseth not nothing that they can say or preach will euer bee beleeued all beeing perswaded that deedes ought to bee regarded and not words And that they ought not to take example by the ancient Councels because in them either there was not corruption of maners or that was not cause of heresie and in fine that to deferre the treatie of reformation was to shew themselues incorrigible Some few others thought fit to beginne with doctrine and then to passe to reformation alledging that faith is the ground and foundation of Christian life that no man begins to build from the roofe but from the foundations that it is a greater sinne to erre in faith then in other humane actions and that the point of rooting out heresies was put first in the Popes Buls A third opinion was that the points of reformation and faith might ill bee separated because there was no doctrine without abuse nor abuse which drawed not after it the bad interpretation and bad sense of some doctrine Therefore it was necessarie to handle them at the same time for that the world hauing their eyes fixed vpon this Councell and expecting a remedie as well in matters of faith as maners it would be satisfied better by handling them both together then one after another especially if according to the proposition of the Cardinall of Monte diuers deputations were made and one handled this matter and the other that which should be done quickely considering that the time present when Christendome had peace was precious and not to bee lost not knowing what impediments the time to come might bring And the rather because they should study to make the Councell as short as they could that the Churches the lesse while might remaine depriued of their Pastours and for many other respects intimating that which might arise in length of time to the distast of the Pope and Court of Rome Some others among whom were the French men demanded that that of the peace might be the first that they should write vnto the Emperour the most Christian King and other Princes giuing them thankes for the conuocation of the Councel for continuance whereof that they would establish peace and helpe the worke forward by sending their Ambassadours and Prelates and likewise should write friendly to the Lutheranes inuiting them charitably to come to the Councell and ioyne themselues with the rest of Christendome The Legates vnderstanding the opinions of them all and commending their wisedome said that because it was late and the consultation of weight and the opinions various they would thinke of what euery one had said and in the first Congregation propose the points to bee determined Order was taken that there should bee two Congregations euery weeke Two Congregations euery weeke without intimation on Munday and Friday without warning and in the end the Archbishop of Aix hauing receiued letters
great reason to exempt from originall sinne none but him For vnto him the promise of the Redeemer was made CHRIST is euer called the seed of Abraham and Abraham the Father of CHRIST and of all that beleeue a paterne of the faithfull These be greater dignities then to beare CHRIST in the belly according to that diuine answere that the Virgin was more blessed in hauing heard the word of GOD then in hauing borne CHRIST and giuen him sucke And he that will not for preheminencie except Abraham but onely esteeme for sound the ancient reason that CHRIST IS without sinne because he was borne of the holy Ghost without the seed of man will say it is better to follow the councell of the wise man and containe ones selfe within the bounds set downe by the Fathers They added that the world was much bound to the Councell for being contented to say that it confesseth and thinketh that concupiscence remaineth in the baptized or else men would be compelled to deny to feele that which they do In the decree of reformation it was expected that order should haue been taken with the schoole-men and Canonists with these for giuing diuine proprieties to the Pope euen to call him God attributing vnto him infallibilitie and making the same tribunall of both saying also that he is more mercifull then CHRIST with the Schoole men who leauing the Scripture or making it all doubtfull haue made Aritostles Philosophy the foundation of Theologie euen making a question whether there be a GOD and disputing of it on both sides It seemed strange that it was vnknowen vntill then that to preach was the office of Bishops that the abuse of preaching vanities or any thing but CHRIST was not remooued that prouision was made against the open merchandizing of Preachers vnder the name of almes Newes beeing come of these decrees to the Emperours The D 〈…〉 es a 〈…〉 in the Emperors Court Court it was taken in ill part that light matters not required by Germany were handled and that in matter of faith the disputes were awaked by the decree For the controuersie of originall sinne being almost agreed in the Colloquies from the Councell from whence composition was expected a decree did proceed against the things accorded and it was written in the Emperours name to his Ministers in Trent that they should promote the reformation and endeauour that the controuersie of faith should be deferred vntill the Protestants came whom the Emperour was perswaded hee could bring thither or at least vntill the Prelates of Germany did arriue who would put themselues into the iourney so soone as the Diet was ended But they talked but a little while of these affaires of the Councell because other accidents happened which drew all mens eyes and mindes vnto them For in Rome the 26. of Iune the Cardinall of Trent concluded a league The Cardinall of Trent concludeth a league the 26. of June betweene the Pope and the Emperour against the Protestants betweene the Pope and Emperor against the Protestants of Germanie the treaty whereof was begun the yeere before in Wormes by Cardinall Farnese as hath been said and afterwards continued by other Ministers The causes alleadged and the conditions were because Germany had a long time perseuered in heresie for remedie whereof the Councell was assembled in Trent and already begun whereunto the Protestants refusing to submit the Pope and Emperour for the glory of GOD and safetie of Germanie doe agree The causes and capitulations of this league that the Emperour shall take armes against those that refuse it and reduce them to the obedience of the holy Sea and for this the Pope shall lay in Venice an hundred thousand crownes in trust beside the hundred thousand laid there all ready to spend in this vse onely and shall send to the war at his owne charges twelue thousand Italian foote and fiue hundred light horse for sixe moneths shall giue the Emperour for this yeere halfe the rents of the Churches of Spaine and power to alienate of the reuenewes of the Monasteries of those kingdomes to the valew of fiue hundred thousand crownes that during the sixe moneths the Emperour shall not make an accord with the Protestants without the Pope who also shall haue a certaine portion of whatsoeuer is gained by the war and if the war continue longer new capitulations which shall seeme fit to both parties shall be treated on and place shall be left for other to enter into the league bearing part of the charges and receiuing part of the profits There was one capitulation apart which was kept secret concerning the French Kings that if any Christian Prince during the warre did mooue latines against the Emperour the Pope should bee bound to persecute him with spirituall and temporall forces A few dayes after the Pope wrote to the Suisses inuiting them to assist The Pope writeth to the Suissès him first shewing in ample termes his beneuolence towards them and the griefe he felt for that some of them had ostranged themselues from his obedience and thanking God for those who perseuered and commonding them all for that in this difference of religion they keep themselues in peace whereas in other places diuers tumults did arise for the same cause he added that to prouide against them hee had ordained the Counsell of Trent hoping that no man would refuse to submit himselfe and hee was assured that those amongst them who vntill then 〈◊〉 in the Apostolicall obedience will obey the Councell and the others not conteinneth Hee inuited them also to come thither complayning that many in Germanie who are called Princes did proudly disdaine and despise the Councell whose authoritie is rather Diuine then humane This hath compelled him to thinke of force and Armes And because it hath happened that the Emperour hath made the same resolution hee hath beene constrained to ioyne With him and assist him with his owne and the Churches power to restore religion by warre That hee was willing to signifie his purpose and minde vnto them that they may ioyne their prayers with him render the auncient honour to the Church of Rome and assist him in so pious a cause But the Emperour made shew he vndertooke the warre not for religion The Emperor would not haue it thought that this war is made for religion but for matters of State for that some denied him obedience plotted with strangers against him and refused to obey the Lawes vsurped the possessions of others especially the Churches going about to make Bishoprikes and Abbacies hereditarie and that hauing prooued diuers gentle meanes to reduce them they euer became more insolent On the other side the Protestants laboured to make manifest to the And the Protestants shevv the contrary world that all proceeded from the instigation of the Pope and of the Councell of Trent They put the Emperour in minde of the Capitulations which he swore in Frankfurt when hee was
created Emperour and they made protestation of the iniurie But many of the Protestants kept themselues on his side because they could not beleeue that hee had any other respects then of State And the Arch-bishop of Collen of whom wee haue spoken The Arch-b 〈…〉 of Collen sentenced by the Pope is obeyed by his people and followeth the Emperour before who though hee were sentenced and depriued by the Pope continued in gouerment and was obeyed by his people followed the Emperour who also acknowledged him for Election and Arch-bishop and wrote vnto him that none of his subiects might beare armes against him wherein the Arch-bishop imployed his endeuours sincerely The Elector of Saxonie and the Landgraue seeing this they published a Manifest the eleuenth of Iuly declaring that the warre was vndertaken for Religion and that the Emperour couered his meaning with a cloake of taking reuenge against some few for rebellion to disioyne the confederates and oppresse them by degrees They alleadged that Ferdinand and Granuell and other ministers of his Maiestie had said that the cause of this warre was the The Elector of Saxonie and the Landgraue of Has 〈…〉 a publish a Manifest against the Emperour contempt of the Councell they called to minde the Popes sentence against the Elector of Collen they added that the Spanish Prelates would not haue contributed so much of their proper reuenewes for any other cause they shewed that in other things the Emperour could pretend nothing against them But while the Pope and Emperour prepared against the Lutherans some thing beside Anathematismes the day after the Session the eighteenth of Iune a Congregation was made where after the accustomed prayers and inuocation Iustification is to be handled in the next place of the holy Ghost the Secretary read in the Legates name a writing framed by the principal Theologues in which it was proposed that hauing by diuine inspiration condemned the heresies concerning originall sinne the order of the things to bee handled did require that the doctrine of the modernes in the point of diuinegrace which is the medicine of sinne should be examined and that the rather it was fit to follow the order because it was obserued by the Augustane Confession all which the Councell meaneth to condemne And the Fathers and Diuines were intreated to haue recourse by prayer vnto the diuine assistance and to be assiduous and exact in their studies because all the errours of Martin were resolued into that point For hauing vndertaken from the beginning to oppugne the Indulgences he saw hee could not obtaine his purpose except hee destroyed the workes of repentance in defect whereof Indulgences doe succeede And iustification by faith onely a thing neuer heard of before seemed to him a good meanes to effect this from whence he hath collected not onely that good workes are not necessary but also that a dissolute liberty in obseruing the Law of GOD and of the Church will serue the turne hath denyed efficiencie in the Sacraments authority of Priests Purgatorie sacrifice of the Masse and all other remedies for remission of sinnes Therefore by a contrary way he that will establish the body of the Catholike doctrine must ouerthrow this heresie of iustice by faith onely and condemne the blasphemies of that enemie of good workes When the writing was read the Emperours Prelates said that the more principall and important the point proposed was it should bee the more maturely and opportunely handled that the sending of the Cardinall Madruccio to the Pope shewed that some businesse was on foote the which it was not fit to disturbe but in the meane space to handle some thing of the reformation The Papalins did on the other side inculcate that it was no honour to interrupt the order begun to handle together in euery Session doctrine and reformation and that after originall sinne no other matter could be handled The Legates hauing heard all their opinions concluded that to discusse the points and prepare them was not to define them but that they could not bee determined without preparation before Which they said onely to gaine time and after to put themselues in order to execute what should bee resolued at Rome betweene the Pope and the Cardinall in the Emperours name That to digest that matter was not to hinder the reformation because in that the Diuines would bee imployed and in this the Fathers and Canonists With this resolution it was concluded that the Articles to bee discussed and censured should bee collected out of the bookes of Luther out of the Colloquies Apologies and out of the writings of the Lutherans and Fathers And three Fathers and as many Diuines were deputed to set downe what should bee discussed and to frame the Articles The next Congregation was held to order the matter of Reformation The discourse of the Card. Monte concerning residencie where the Cardinal of Monte sayd that the world hath complayned long since of the absence of Prelats and Pastoures dayly demanding residence that the absence of the Prelats and other Curats from their Churches is the cause of all the mischiefes of the Church For the Church may bee compared to a ship the sinking whereof is ascribed to the absent Pilot that should gouerne it if he were present He shewed to them that heresies ignorance and dissolution doe reigne in the people and bad manners and vices in the Clergie because the Pastours being absent from the flocke no man hath care to instruct those or correct these By the Prelates absence it is come to passe that ignorant and vnlearned Ministers haue beene promoted and persons assumed to bishoprickes that were more fit for any other charge for in regard they neede not execute their duety in person no fitnesse is necessary So he concluded that to establish the point of residencie was a generall remedy for all the maladies of the Church which also hath sometimes beene vsed by Councels and Popes but either for that the transgressions were then but few or for some other cause it was not applyed with such strong and strait bonds as is necessarie now that the disease is come to the height that is with a more seuere commandement with more greiuous and fearefull punishments and by meanes more easie to be executed This was approued by the first voyces of the Prelates But when Iacomo The Bishop of Vesone speaketh in fauour of nonresidency Cortesi a Florentin Bishop of Vesone was to speake commending what had beene sayd by others he added that as hee beleeued that the presence of the Prelats and Curats in times past was the cause of maintayning purity of faith in the people and discipline in the Clergie so hee could cleerely shew that their absence in these latter times hath not beene the cause of the contrary subuersion and that the custome of not residing hath beene brought in because residence hath beene wholy vnprofitable For the Bishops could not then preserue sound doctrine amongst
him vpon whom they were conferred by whose death the vnion was vnderstood to bee dissolued ipso facto and the benefices returned to their first state So they shewed the world their excellent inuentions conferring a benefice which was but one in shew but many in deed as one confessed hee had stollen a bridle concealing it was vpon a horse head which hee stole with it To remedy pluralitie it was necessary to remooue the abuse of these three pretences This the wiser sort of Prelates vnderstanding agreed vniformely at the first propose to inhibite all of what condition soeuer to haue more then three benefices And some added when two amount not to the vallew of foure hundred ducats of gold and that if one were worth so much no man whatsoeuer should haue any more nor more then three though they were not worth so much Of this there was much disputation and A dispute about the remedy of Pluvalitie much more when Aluise Lipomano Bishop of Verona proposed that this decree might touch them also who were now possessors of more who without exception of any should bee constrained to renounce those that were supernumerary within sixe moneths if they were in Italy and within nine if in other places which if they did not they should bee depriued without any further declaration notwithstanding the benefices were Vnited or commended or possessed by any othertitle To this opinion the Bishop of Feltre did adhere but did moderate it by distinguishing Dispensations Commendaes and Vnions saying that some were made for the good of the Churches and some in fauour of the possessor desiring that the former should remaine in force and the other should be regulated The Bishop of Lanciano did not admit this distinction saying that hee that would make a lasting law must not put exceptions into the body of it in regard the malice of man is apt to inuent them and to free themselues from the rule The Byshop of Albenga made a long oration to shew that good lawes doe regulate Lawes ought to looke forward onely and not backward the future onely and that hee who not containing himselfe within the bounds of reason will amend that which is past doth euer raise tumults and in stead of reforming make a greater deformation that it were strange to depriue men of their possessions and perswade them to be content Hee added that he foresaw that if such a Decree were made either it would not be receiued or if it were would cause colourable and simoniacall resignations and greater mischiefes then plurality could For hereafter the prouision seemed vnto him superfluous for no man beeing to haue more benefices but by the Popes dispensation it sufficed that he was resolued not to dispence In that Congregation amongst many tragicall exclamations made by diuers men Bernardus Dias Byshop of Calabora said that the Church of Vicenza was so disordered as all men knew that it required rather an Apostle then a Bishop taxing the Cardinall Ridolfi who possessed that Bishopricke besides many other benefices not gouerning it nor hauing the Episcopall order neuer seeing it nor knowing any thing but the rents And euery one spake against the inconuenience that famous Churches should neuer see their Bishops because they were imployed in other Bishoprickes or more beneficiall dignities Some said that the Pope onely might prouide against this and were of the opinion of Albenga that he alone might make the reformation This pleased the Legates as well for the Popes dignity as to free themselues from taking paines in this matter which in regard of the varietie of opinions and interests they thought would bee of an hard digestion hoping that when they had gone so farre as to leaue this reformation to the Pope they should easily leaue also vnto him the point of residencie which was as hard to be concocted for that it was popular and drew with it the regaining of the Episcopall authoritie and iurisdiction Therefore the Legates being in hope that it might bee obtained especially if it were proposed as a thing done not to bee done they presently sent the Pope word of it who was glad of the newes because both the Court and himselfe were doubtfull where the attempts and designes of the Prelates might end And thinking fit to strike the yron while it was hote hee made a greater stride then the Legates would haue had him and dispatched a Bull by which hee recalled vnto himselfe the whole businesse of the Reformation But in Trent whilst an answere was expected from Rome they proceeded in the treatie begun and made a draught of the Decree that no man should haue more then one Bishoprike and hee that had more should quit the rest that heereafter whosoeuer shall obtaine many inferiour incompatible Benefices shall bee depriued without further declaration and hee that formerly hath possessed more then one shall shew his dispensations to the Ordinarie who shall proceede according to the Decretall of Innocentius 4. Ordinarij In giuing their voyces vpon these points many desired to haue dispensations forbid The shewing of the dispensations Of dispensations for Pluralitie and the proceeding according to the Decree of Innocentius pleased but few because it was a kinde of approbation of them all and an increasing of the mischiefe For Innocentius saith that if the dispensations bee found good they shall bee admitted if there bee any doubt recourse shall bee had to Rome in which case no man doubted but that any of them might bee doubted of and receiue a declaration at Rome conformable to the grant Many feared that when they were examined and approued there remayning no doubt the abuse would bee confirmed and therefore would haue had them prohibited absolutely Others sayd they haue alwayes beene in the Church and were necessary and that all was in vsing them well Marcus Vigerius Bishop of Sinigaglia was of an opinion which if it had beene receiued and beleeued would easily haue reformed the whole Clergie Hee sayd the Synode might remooue all inconueniences by declaring that a lawfull cause was necessary for a dispensation and that whosoeuer doeth otherwise grant it doeth sinne and cannot bee absolued but by reuoking it and that hee who obtaineth it is not secure in his conscience notwithstanding the dispensation and continueth in sinne vntill hee quitteth the Benefices so gotten This opinion wanted not contradictors For some stood vp and said that hee who granteth licence of Pluralitie without a lawfull cause doth sinne yet the dispensation is good and the dispensed is secure in his conscience though hee knew the vnlawfulnesse of the cause And the difference continued many dayes these saying that it was to take all authoritie from the Pope and those that the Popes authoritie stretched not so farre as to make that euill should not bee euill From this they went to another doubt whether Pluralitie was forbid by the Law of A doubt moued by what law Plurality is forbid God or of man Those
beene all instituted by CHRIST or that they are more or lesse then seuen or that any of them is not truely and properly a Sacrament 2. And that they differ not from those of the old Law but in the ceremonies and rites 3. And that none of them is in no respect more worthy then another 4. That they are not necessary to saluation and that the grace of God may bee gained by faith alone without them or without any purpose to receiue them 5. That they are ordained onely to nourish faith 6. That they doe not conteine in them the grace signified or doe not giue it to him that doth not resist but are externall signes of iustice and Characters of a Christian profession to discerne the faithfull from Infidels 7. That grace is not alwayes giuen by the Sacraments nor vnto all for as much as belongeth to God though they bee lawfully receiued 8. That by Sacraments Grace is not giuen in vertue of the administration of them called Opus operatum but that it sufficeth onely to beleeue the promise 9. That in Baptisme Confirmation and Order no indeleble Character is imprinted in the soule for which cause they can bee receiued but once 10. That all Christians haue power to administer the Word and all the Sacraments 11. That in ministring the Sacraments the ministers intention at the least to doe what the Church doth is not necessarie 12. That the minister who is in mortall sinne giueth not the true Sacrament though he obserue all things necessary 13. That the vsuall rites approued by the Church may be despised or omitted or changed for others by euery Pastour Of Baptisme there were fourteene Anathematismes 1. Against him The Canons of Baptisme that saith the baptisme of Iohn had the same vertue with that of Christ 2. That true and naturall water is not necessarie to baptisme 3. That in the Church of Rome which is the Mother and Mistris of all the Churches there is not to bee found the true doctrine of baptisme 4. That Baptisme giuen by heretiques in the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost with intention to doe what the Church doeth is not true baptisme 5. That the baptisme is free that is not necessary to saluation 6. That the baptized cannot loose Grace though he sinne so that he leaue not to beleeue 7. That the baptized are bound onely to beleeue and not to obserue the Law of CHRIST 8. That they are not bound to obserue the Lawes of the Church 9. That by the memory of baptisme all vowes made afterwards are of no force but derogate from faith and baptismall profession 10. That sinnes committed after baptisme by faith and memory thereof are remitted or made veniall 11. That baptisme is to be renewed in him who hath denied the faith 12. That none should bee baptized but in the age of CHRIST or at the time of death 13 Against him who putteth not children baptized in the number of the faithfull or saith they must be rebaptized at the yeeres of discretion or that it is better to omit their baptisme vntill then 14. That children baptized when they come to age ought to be required to ratifie the promise made in their name and to bee left to their will if they refuse not compelling them to Christian life but by denying them other Sacraments Of Confirmation there were three Canons 1. Against him that saith it is an The Canons of Confirmation idle ceremony not a Sacrament properly or that it was formerly vsed that children might giue a publike account of their faith 2. That to giue vertue to the Chrisme is to wrong the holy Spirit 3. That euery simple Priest is the ordinary minister of Confirmation and not the Bishop onely After this the decree of reformation was read which in the Actes bare The decree of Reformation this title A Canon concerning residencie And it contained in substance 1. That no Bishop be created but of lawfull matrimonie of ripe yeeres learned and of good behauiour 2. That none may haue or keepe more Bishoprickes then one in Title Commenda or any other way and whosoeuer hath now more then one shall choose one and quit the rest within sixe moneths if they be of the Popes free collation or else within a yeere otherwise all shal be accounted void but the last 3. That other benefices especially with Cure be giuen to worthy persons able to take charge of soules otherwise the ordinary Patron is to be punished 4. That hereafter whosoeuer shal receiue many incompatible Benefices by way of Vnion for life perpetuall Commenda or otherwise or shall keepe those that he hath receiued against the Canons shall bee depriued of all 5. That the dispensations of those who haue many Benefices with Cure or incompatible shall bee shewed to the Ordinaries making prouision afterwards for the cure of soules and other obligations 6. That perpetuall Vnions made within forty yeeres shall be reviewed by the Ordinaries as delegates and those that are vniust shall be nullified and those that haue not beene in possession or shall be made hereafter shall be presumed to be surreptitious if they be not made for reasonable causes and with citation of all that be interested and nothing to the contrary of this shall be declared by the Apostolique Sea 7. That Benefices with cure vnited shall bee visited by the Ordinaries euery yeere and shall haue Vicars a signed perpetuall or temporall with such a portion of the fruits as to them shall seeme meete without respect of Appeales or Exemptions 8. That the Ordinaries shall euery yeere by the Apostolique authority visit the Churches exempted prouiding for the care of soules and other dueties without respect of Appeale Priuiledges or Customes prescribed 9. That Bishops shall be consecrated within the time set downe by the Law and all prolongations for more then sixe moneths shall bee voyd 10. That the Chapters of Churches in vacancie of the Bishopricke shall not grant Dimisories for Orders but to him that is obliged to take them because of a Benefice 11. That licences to bee promoted by any Bishop shall bee voyd if a lawfull cause be not expressed for which they may not bee promoted by their owne Bishop and in that case they shall bee promoted by a Bishop that resideth in his Diocesse 12. That Faculties not to receiue due Orders shall not serue for longer time then a yeere but in cases expressed in the law 13. That men presented to Benefices by any Ecclesiasticall person whatsoeuer shall not be instituted before examination made by the Ordinaries except those who are presented by Vniuersities Colledges and generall Studies 14. That in the causes of the exempted a certaine forme shall be obserued and where the question is of reward or concerning those who sue in forma pauperis the Exempted also who haue a Iudge deputed shall be conuented before the Ordinarie but those who haue no Iudge deputed shal bee conuented in all causes
a great concourse of people to that deuotion euery one beleeued that this would mooue the Cardinals to proceed quickly to the election These were diuided into three factions Imperialists French and dependants on the dead Pope and by consequence on his nephewes The Imperialists would haue created Cardinall Card Poole was named to be Pope Poole and the French Saluiati But neither of these parties was able to make the election of it selfe nor to agree in regard of the contrary ends of their Princes The Dependants of the Farnesi were able to conclude the election to which part soeuer they adhered and they were contented to choose Cardinall Poole for the goodnesse of his disposition and his continuall obseruance of the Pope and the Cardinall Farnese But Cardinall Theatino opposing him and saying hee was blemished with Lutheranisme made But not elected for suspicion of Lutheranisme many retire Farnese did not adhere to Saluiati was resolued not to consent but vpon some creature of his vncle The interests of the factious were so great that the respect of the holy yeere and the expectation of so much people who were assembled all that day vntill night could not preualle At the last the partie of Farnese assisted by the French-men did ouercome Card Monte is created Pope and Iohn Maria di Monte Legate of the Councell in Trent and Bolonia was created vpon whom Farnese did concurre thinking him a faithfull seruant to him and his grandfather and the French-men thinking hee would fauour their King and crosse the Emperour in regard of the Translation of the Councell to Bolonia Neither were the Imperialists against him because Cosmo Duke of Florence made them beleeue that hee fauoured the French no more then his thankefulnesse to the Pope had constrained him whose interests he thought he was bound to maintaine so that this cause beeing remooued hee would carry himselfe vprightly Many did loue in him his 1550 IVLIV◠3. CHARLES 5. EDWARD 6. HENRY 2. naturall libertie free from hypoerisie and dissimulation and open to all Immediatly after the election in conformitie to that which was capitulated hee did sweare to prosecute the Councel Hee was elected the eight of February and crowned the 23. and the 25. he opened the holy gate The Emperour perceiuing that the affaires of religion in Germanie did not goe as he would haue them hoping to remooue the difficulty by his presence 1550 did intimate a Diet for that yeere in Ausburg and sent Lewis d Aulla The Emperor sendeth an Ambassadour to the Pope to congratulate and to desire a restitution of the Councel to congratulate with the Pope for his assumption and to desire him to set the Councell on foote againe The Pope answering with as much courtesie made great offers of his good will For the Councel his answere was in generall tearmes onely beeing not as yet resolued in himselfe and spake hereof with the same irresolution to the Cardinal of Guise who was to returne into France but affirmed that hee would not doe it before hee had communicated euery thing to the French King And to Cardinall Pacceco and other Imperialists who often spake thereof with him hee sayd he would easily accord with the Emperour in this particular so that the proceeding were sincere to confound heretiques to fauour the Emperors desseignes and not to disfauour the Apostolique Sea whereof hee had many considerations which in fit time hee would make knowen to his Maiestie Hee presently gaue a taste what his gouernment would bee spending whole dayes in gardens plotting out delicious buildings and shewing himselfe more inclined to pleasure then businesse especially when any difficultie was annexed The Emperours Ambassadour Don Diego hauing curiously obserued these things The new Pope is more Inclined to pleasure then businesse wrote to the Emperour that all the negotiations of his Maiestie with the Pope would easily succeede for that being carried away with delights one might make him doe what he would by making him afraid And the opinion was more confirmed that he would be more addicted to his priuate affection then to the publique good by the promotion of a Cardinall which he made the last of May to whom hee gaue the Cap according to the custome Iohn Maria di Monte when he was Bishop of Siponto beeing gouernour of He createth a strange Cardinall Bolonia receiued into his house a boy of Piacenza of vnknowen parents and loued him as if hee had been his owne sonne It is recorded that beeing sicke in Trent of a great and long sickenesse whereof the Physicians thought hee would die hee sent him by their counsell to Verona to change the Aire where hauing recouered his health and returning to Trent the day of his arriuall the Legate went out of the Citie for recreation accompanied with many Prelats and mette him neere the gate shewing many signes of ioy This gaue matter of discourse whether it were by chance or whether the Cardinall going forth vnder another colour had a secret purpose to meere him Hee was wont to say that hee loued and fauoured him as authour of his owne fortune because the Astrologers had foretold hee should haue great dignity and riches which hee could not haue if he did not ascend to the Papacie So soone as he was created Pope his will was that Innocen 〈…〉 s for so the yong man was called should be adopted the sonne of Bold win di Monte his brother by which adoption hee was called Innocenti 〈…〉 di Monte. Hauing giuen him many benefices on the day aforesaid hee created him Cardinall giuing subiect of discourse and Pasquins to the Courtiers who did striue to shew the true cause of such an vnusuall action by coniectures of diuers accidents past Charles before he parted out of the Low Countreys established the Inquisition there whereat the Dutch and English Merchants of whom there were many in those parts beeing much mooued had recourse to Queene The Emperor establisheth the Inquisition in the low Countreys Mary and the Magistrates desiring a mitigation of the Edict or otherwise protesting they would depart Those who were to execute the Edict and institute the Inquisition found difficulty euery where so that the Queene was enforced to goe to Caesar who was in Ausburg to celebrate the Diet to perswade him that the populous Countrey might not be made desolate and some notable sedition arise Caesar yeelded very hardly yet in the end hee was content to take away the name of Inquisition and to reuoke whatsoeuer And reuoketh it as faare as concerneth strangers in the Edict did concerne strangers all standing firme which belonged to the Naturals of the place The Emperour dealt with the Pope by his letters and Ambassadour to reassume the Councell of Trent desiring a precise answere The Emperor requireth frō the Pope a precise answer concerning the Councell not such as hee gaue to D' Auila nor with such ambiguity as he vsed
The letters The Abbat readeth a protestation being recited the Abbat read a Protestation containing a narration of a Protestation made by Termes in Rome saying That the King after hee had taken vpon him the defence of Parma seeing that those laudable things which hee had done were reprehended vsed great care that Paul Termes his Ambassador should giue an account of all to the Pope Colledge of Cardinals to take from them all sinister opinion shewing that the taking of the Duke into his protection was the effect of a pious humane and kingly minde wherein there was no cunning or priuate gaine but respect onely of the Church as appeared by the propositions of accord which aymed at nothing but that the Church might not be robbed and Italy preserued in peace and libertie And if the Pope thought this a cause to put all Europe into warre he was sorry but it could not be imputed to him hauing not onely accepted but offered also all honest and fit conditions Neither could the dissolution of the Councell assembled bee prescribed to him praying the Pope to consider what mischiefes would accompany the war and to preuent them with peace Which if his Holinesse will not regard but desire rather to set Europe on fire and hinder the Councell giuing suspicion that it was called not for the good of the Church but for priuate interests excluding from it a most Christian King hee could not choose but to protest to him and the Colledge that he could not send his Bishops to Trent where the accesse is not free and secure and that he could not esteeme that a generall Councell but priuate from which he was excluded neither could the people or Prelates of France be obliged to the decrees of it Afterwards he protested that he would come to the remedies vsed by his ancestors in like occurrences not to take away his due obseruance from the Apostolique Sea but to reserue it for better times when armes shall bee laid downe which are dishonestly taken vp against him desiring of his Holinesse that this Protestation might bee registred and giuing him a copie of it to peruse These things hauing beene already protested in Rome he desired should be likewise protested in Trent with the same instance that they might be registred in the actes of that assembly and that there being a publike instrument made of it he might vse it in time and place When the Protestation was read the Speaker hauing talked with the President answered in substance That the Kings modesty in his letters was gratefull to the Synode that it doth not accept the person of the Abbat but as it is lawfull that warneth him to bee in the same place the eleuenth of October to receiue the answere which shall bee made to the Kings letters and forbiddeth the Nuncij to make an instrument of the present action but ioyntly with the Secretary of the Councell And nothing else beeing to bee done the Session was ended Then the Abbat demaunded an instrument of the action but could not obtaine it When Termes had protested in Rome though many did not know of the The censure of this Protestation act yet it was beleeued that the Pope would deferre the Councell because it must needes bring forth new diuisions if such a principall Nation did resist But he deceiued the world not for any desire hee had to celebrate it but for that he would not seeme to be cause of the dissolution being resolued that if it were separated without him hee would answere with an open mouth to whosoeuer should desire it again that he had done his part and would do no more But the Protestation made in Trent a place so conspicuous was presently published euery where and gaue matter of discourse The Imperialists esteemed it a vainity saying That the act of the maior part of the vniuersality is euer esteemed lawfull when the lesser being called either cannot or wil not be present that all are called to the Councell and the Frenchmen also might haue come without passing by the Popes territories but in case they could not yet their absence doth not derogate from the Councell because they are not neglected but inuited It was said to the contrary that to call in words and to exclude in deeds was not to inuite and for the Popes territories one might goe from France to Trent without passing by them but not without passing by those of the Emperour and the maior part hath full authoritie when the lesser cannot appeare and is silent because it is presupposed to consent and when it will not appeare because it is accounted contumacious but when it doth protest it bath its place and especially if the impediment proceed from him that calleth the action in absence cannot be of force And the Counsellors of the Parliament of Paris said some thing more The Decrees of Councels do not binde the Churches absent That it is true that the authoritie of the whole vniuersalitie is transferred into the maior part when the cause is common to all and nothing belongeth to particular men but when the whole belongeth to all and euery one hath his part the assent of euery one is necessary Et prohibentis conditio potior and the absent not giuing their voyces are not bound Of this sort are Ecclesiasticall assemblies and bee the Councell as populous as it will the absent Churches are not bound if they thinke fit not to receiue it This hath alwayes beene vsed in ancient times that the Councels beeing ended the Decrees should be sent to be confirmed to the Churches that were absent in which otherwise they had no force which euery one that readeth Hilarius Athanasius Theodoretus and Victorinus who handle this particular may see plainely And iâ— happened sometimes that some part of the Canons were receiued by some Church and some left out as euery one thought fit for their necessities manners and vses And S. Gregorie himselfe doth witnesse that the Church of Rome did not receiue the Canons of the second Councell of Constantinople nor of the first of Ephesus Wisemen not considering the subtilties said that the King had giuen that Councell an vncurable wound For it hauing no other ground then Christian charity and the assistance of the holy Ghost it would neuer bee beleeued that these were present in an assembly against which a most Christian King persecutor of all Sects with the adherence of a kingdome not blemished in Religion did protest in that forme And they brought an experience for proofe For they said that the Presidents retyring to consult with the Emperours Ambassadours did shew who guided the Councell And which was of more importance when these fiue had consulted and imparted nothing to any body else the Speaker sayd The holy Synod doth receiue the letters And what was that holy Synode And likewise the Abbats exposition The Presidents take vpon them the authority of the Councell beeing read the answere resolued
some of those Prelates had a purpose The Pope is troubled with the designe of the Portugal Diuines that the superioritie of the Councell aboue the Pope should be defined in the Synode which point they had studied and caused many Diuines to doe the like The Pope was troubled with this aduice and considered what hee might looke for when the Prelates were assembled in the Councell and did treate altogether who had such high thoughts before they parted from home and feared that the King and his Counsell had a finger in it Yet as a wise Prince hee considered that when the Councell was held not that nouitie onely would be proposed but many more to the disaduantage of others as well as of himselfe saying that euery weight had his counterpoyse and that of the things that are attempted not one in a thousand doeth take effect Hee was more attentiue to the enterprises of the French-men as beeing more imminent and of persons who are not flegmaticall in resoluing as the Spaniards are Therefore hee imparted to the Ambassadour euery aduice that came vnto him and told him in diuers conferences that they were not to thinke of Nationall Councels assemblies or Colloquies in matter of Religion because hee could not but esteeme them all for schismaticall that hee prayed the King not to vse those remedies which would certainely reduce France not onely into a worse condition but into the worst of all that the difficulties of Spaine being remooued the Councell should certainly be celebrated because those which doe continue in Germanie are not considerable that the Catholique Princes and Bishops will consent and perhaps the Duke of Saxonie also as hee hath made shew by separating himselfe from the others assembled in Neumburg that hee hoped the Emperour would assist personally if there were neede as himselfe did promise to doe if hee thought it fit wherein hee would not subiect himselfe to the iudgement of any but himselfe Easter drawing neere which time was appointed to begin the Councell One of the Presidents falleth sicke and another is put in his place and Cardinall Puteus being very sicke hee put in his roome Friar Ierolamus Cardinal Seripando a Diuine of much fame and caused him to depart presently and to passe by Mantua taking with him the other Legate and to bee at Trent at the time appointed Notwithstanding which commandement they came not thither vntil the third feast of the resurrection and found there nine Bishops who were arriued before them The Pope was diligent to make the Italian Bishops put themselues in order and therefore wrote effect all errors to the Vice-roy of Naples and to his Nuncio there and caused his Ministers to perswade the Bishops of the State of Milan to bee ready for their iourney to the Councell as soone as might be Hee desired also the State of Venice to send the Bishops of their Territories in Italy of Candia Dalmatia and Cyprus with all possible expedition and to create Ambassadors to assist in the Councell in the name of that Republike The Italian Prelats were not easily moued because they knew the beginning could not be before the consent of the The Italian Prelates are not so hasty to goe to the Councel as y e Pope would haue had them Emperour did come which was still prolonged because the Spaniards and French-men were expected before whose arriuall in Italy they thought it superfluous to goe to Trent And many of them especially the Courtiers could not beleeue but that the Pope did counterfeit But the trueth was that being assured he could not auoide the Councell hee did desire to see it quickly Hee said he knew what incouenience the prolongation did cause but knew not what the celebration might doe and thought that the enemies of his owne person and of the Apostolique Sea might doe him more hurt in the time of the expectation then they could doe in the Councell it selfe And being of a resolute nature hee vsed the Prouerbe It is better to prooue the euill once then alwayes to feare it While these delayes were vsed the Duke of Sauoy made a composition The Duke of Sauoy maketh 〈◊〉 composition with the Waldenses of Montsenis with the Waldenses of the Valleys of Montsenis For hauing made more then a yeeres tryall to reduce them by punishments and after they stood vpon their guard as hath been sayd maintained Souldiers against them for which the Pope did assist him with money howsoeuer they proceeded rather with skirmishes then any set warre because of the craggednesse of the Countrey yet at the last they came to a formall battaile in which the Duke had a great ouerthrow lost seuen thousand men and slew but fourteene of the enemies and although hee did often repaire his Army yet he had alwayes the worse By reason of a great ouerthrow Therefore considering hee did nothing but make his Rebels more warlike consume his owne Countrey and spend his money hee resolued to receiue them into fauour and made an agreement with them the fifth of Iune in which hee pardoned all faults past gaue them libertie of conscience assigned them certaine places where they might make their Congregations in other places gaue them leaue to comfort the sicke and doe other dueties of religion but not to preach gaue leaue to those that were fled to returne againe and restitution of goods to those that were banished It was agreed also that the Duke might send away which of their Pastors he pleased and that they might prouide themselues of others that the Roman Religion might be exercised in all places but no man inforced to professe it The Pope was much distasted that an Italian Prince assisted by him and not so potent but that Which giueth distaste to the Pope hee might still haue neede of him should permit heretikes to liue freely in his state and the example did trouble him aboue all because it would be alleadged to him by greater Princes when they would permit another religion Hee made a bitter complaint hereof in the Consistorie comparing the ministers of the Catholique King with that Duke who hauing at the same time discouered three thousand Lutherans who went out of Cosenza and retired themselues to the mountaines to liue according to their doctrine did hang some burne others and put the rest into the Galleys and hee exhorted all the Cardinals to thinke of a remedie But there was great difference betweene oppressing a few disarmed persons farre from helpe and ouer comming a great number of armed men in a place aduantagious for them with potent succours at their shoulders The Duke sent to iustific his cause and the Pope not able to answere his reasons was pacified In France though the Queene and Prelates did desire to satisfie the Pope in referring the causes of religion to the Councell yet a congregation of the Who was pacified by the 〈◊〉 The Pope is offended with the Congregation of the Prelates
could not without danger and assistance of money thinke of Councels and some sayd that there beeing a diuision of the Protestants it was good to let them alone and not to name them alleadging that it was dangerous to mooue in a body ill humours which were at quiet To giue a Safe Conduct to English men which neither they nor any of them doe require would bee a great indignitie They were content it should bee giuen to the Scots because the Queene would demand it but so as that the demaund should first bee made For France there was a doubt made whether the Kings Counsell would take it well or not because it would bee thought to bee a declaration that the King had rebels Of Germanie none could doubt because it had beene formerly graunted to them and if it were graunted to that Nation alone it would seeme that the others were abandoned Many thought fitte to grant it absolutely to all Nations but the Spaniards did oppose and were fauoured by the Legates and others who knew the Popes minde to the great indignation of those who thought that an inference might bee made that the Councell was not aboue the Inquisition of Spaine In the ende all difficulties were resolued and the Decree framed with three parts In the first a Safe Conduct was giuen to the Germans iust word by word as it was made in the yeere 1552. In the second it was sayd that the Synod doeth giue Safe Conduct in the same forme and words as it was giuen to the Dutchmen to euery one who hath not communion of faith with her of euery Nation Prouince Citie and place where any thing is preached taught or beleeued contrary to that which is beleeued in the Church of Rome In the third it was sayd that although all nations The Decree of the Safe Conduct doe not seeme to be comprehended in that extention which hath been done for certaine respects yet those who repent and returne to the bosome of the Church are not excluded of what nation soeuer they be which the Synod desireth should be published to all But because it must be maturely consulted on in what forme the Safe Conduct must bee giuen them they haue thought fit to deferre that point vntill another time thinking it sufficient for the present to prouide for the securitie of those who haue publiquely abandoned the doctrine of the Church The Decree was presently printed as was fit it being made onely to bee published Yet the Synode did not keepe promise to consult of the forme of the Safe Conduct to be giuen to those of the third kinde and in printing of the body of the Councell this third part was left out leauing it to the speculation of the world why they did promise to prouide for those also and publish it in print with a desire to haue all men know it and afterwards not to do it and labour to conceale that which then they did desire to manifest The Emperours Ambassadours sollicited the Legates to make the reformation and to write to the Protestants exhorting them to come to the Councell as was done to the Bohemians in the time of the Councell of Basil The Legats answered that for these fourty yeeres all both Prince and people haue desired reformation yet neuer any part thereof was handled but themselues did crosse and hinder it so that they haue been constrayned to abandon the worke that now they will endeauour to make a generall reformation of all Christendome but for one particularly for the Clergie of Germanie which doth most neede it and which the Emperour doeth principally expect they saw not how they could make it seeing that the Dutch Prelats were not come to the Councell and for writing to the Protestants in regard they haue answered the Popes Nuncij with such exorbitant vnseemelinesse they could not but expect that they would make a worse answere to the Letters of the Synod The eleuenth of March the Legates proposed twelue Articles in the generall Twelue Articles to be discussed Congregation to bee studied and discussed in the next Congregations 1. What prouision might bee made that Bishops and other Curates may reside in their Churches without beeing absent but for causes iust honest necessary and profitable for the Catholique Church 2. Whether it bee expedient that none be ordained but vnto a title of some Benefice in regard many deceits are discouered which arise from ordination to a title of the Patrimony 3. That nothing be receiued for Ordination either by the Ordainers or their Ministers or Notaries 4. Whether it ought to bee granted to the Prelates that in the Churches where there are no dayly distributions or so small as that they are not esteemed they may conuert one of the Prebends to that vse 5. Whether great Parishes which haue need of many Priests ought to haue many titles also 6. Whether small Benefices with Cure which haue not a competent reuenue for the Priest ought to be reformed making one of many 7. What prouision is to be made concerning Curates ignorant and of a bad life whether it be fit to giue them coadiutors or able Vicars assigning them part of the reuenues of the Benefice 8. Whether power ought to bee giuen to the Ordinarie to incorporate into the mother Churches ruinated Chappels which for pouertie cannot be rebuilt 9. Whether it ought to be granted to the Ordinary that hee may visite Benefices held in Commenda though they be regular 10. Whether secret marriages which shall bee contracted hereafter ought to be made voyd 11. What conditions ought to bee assigned that a marriage may not bee esteemed secret but contracted in the face of the Church 12. What prouision ought to be made concerning the great abuses caused by the Pardoners After these the point following was giuen to the Diuines to bee studied One Article more concerning clandestine mariages and discussed in a Congregation appointed for that onely Whether as Euaristus and the Lateran Councell haue declared that clandestine or secret marriages are reputed not good both before the Iudge and in estimation of the Church so the Councell may declare that they are absolutely voyd and that secrecie ought to bee put amongst the impediments which doe make a Nullitie in the marriage In the meane space it beeing The Protestants of Germany treate a leaâ—ue and raise Souldiers discouered that the Protestants of Germanie did treate a league and make some leuies of Souldiers the Emperour wrote to Trent and to the Pope also that the Councell might surcease vntill it did appeare whither the motion did tend For this cause and because of holy dayes the residue of this moneth was spent in ceremonies onely The sixteenth day Franciscus Ferdinandus d'Aualos Marquis of Pescara The Spanish Ambassadour is receiued an oration is made in his name Ambassadour of the Catholique King was receiued in a generall Congregation and his Mandate being read an Oration was made on his name
prudence and wisedome hath compassion and yeeldeth to euery one They said they saw no considerable reason adduced by the others but onely that the Lutherans would say that they had prooued that the Church hath erred and would make other demands But hee is deceiued who beleeueth that a Negatiue will make them hold their peace They haue sayd already that an error hath beene committed they will say hereafter that obstinacie is added to it and where humane ordinations onely are in question and alteration will not seeme strange nor misbeseeme the Church Who knoweth not that the same thing cannot agree to all times that there are innumerable Ecclesiasticall rites established and abolished and that it is not against the honor of the Councell to haue beleeued that a rite hath beenegood which experience hath shewed to be vnprofitable To perswade ones selfe that this demand will beget others argueth too much suspicion and desire of aduantage but S. Paul saith that simplicitie and christian charitie doth not thinke euill beleeueth euery thing supporteth all hopeth well It belonged to these onely to speake of the first Article because those of the absolute negatiue had nothing to say of it But these were diuided into two opinions One which was the more common that it should be graunted vpon such conditions as Paul the third did grant it of which wee haue spoken in their place The other of some few that if they would graunt the Cup to make them stand fast in the Church who now doe stumble it is meet so to temper it as that it may produce the effect desired which those conditions cannot doe yea would vndoubtedly make them fall headlong into Lutheranisme It is certaine that the penitent man ought rather to choose any temporall euill then to sinne yet Caietan gaue counsell not to come to any specificall comparison and say that it is better to bee put to death with pincers or vpon the wheele c. because by this meanes one should tempt himselfe without necessitie and fall from a good disposition presenting horrours to himselfe to no purpose So in the present occasion these ambiguous men when the Councels fauor shall bee brought vnto them will rest satified and thanke GOD and the Church and will thinke no more of it strengthening themselues by little and little It is the precise commandement of S. Paul to receiue the weake in faith not with disputations or prescribing them opinions rules but simply expecting opportunitie to giue a more ample instruction Hee that should now propose a condition in Germanie to beleeue this or that would trouble them much while their mindes doe wauer so that thinking whether they ought to beleeue it or not they will fall into some errour on which they world not otherwise haue thought To this reason they added that howsoeuer it is maintained that the Church hath for iust causes taken away the Cup if afterwards it doeth grant it vpon other conditions without prouiding against those inconueniences for which it was first remooued it is confessed that it was taken away without cause Therefore they concluded that it was fit to constitute for conditions all the remedies to the inconueniences which first caused the prohibition that is that the Cup should neuer be carried out of the Church and that the bread onely should be sufficient for the sicke that it should not bee kept to take away the danger of sowernesse that they should vselittle pipes to auoid effusion as formerly was done in the Romane Church This being done it will appeare that the prouision was first made vpon good reason reuerence will be stirred vp people and Princes will be satisfied and the weake will be tempted no more A Spaniard said that it was not so easily to be beleeued that the Catholiques did with such heat of deuotion desire the Cup and therefore that it were good to send into Germanie to be informed who they be that demand it what their faith is and what be their motiues that the Synod receiuing the relation may haue a foundation to proceed on and not ground an selfe vpon the words of other In the sixt Article they al expressed themselues in few words because there was not much to be said For the Eucharist not being a Sacrament necessarily and Saint Paul commanding that he who is to receiue it should examine himselfe whether he bee worthy it doeth plainely appeare that it cannot be administred to any that hath not the vse of reason and if the contrary hath beene practised in ancient times it hath beene where and when the trueth was not so well declared as now it is Therefore the Synod ought to determine that the present vse should bee maintained Some well obserued that they ought to speake of Antiquitie with more reuerence and not say that they wanted the knowledge of the Trueth Desiderius a Carmelite Friar of Palermo had an opinion by himselfe that the Article ought to be omitted saying that the difficultie being not mooued by the Protestants of these times it was not good by handling of it to set a nouitie on foot that the matter was probable on both sides and that when it should be knowen that it was handled in the Councel it would excite the curiositie of many to thinke on it giue them occasion to stumble For some might be persuaded to beleeue that the Eucharist is a Sacrament of necessitie as well as Baptisme because the ground of that are the words of CHRIST He that shall not be borne againe of water and the Spirit shall not enter into the Kingdom of heauen and of this If ye eate not my flesh and drinke my blood yee shall not haue life And the exception of children cannot plainely be grounded vpon the precept of S. Paul to examine our selues which children cannot doe because the Scripture doth likewise command that an instruction in the doctrine of Faith ought to precede Baptisme which if it be applyed to men of age without excluding children of baptisme who cannot learne the examination preceding the Eucharist may also be applyed to men of discretion without excluding children from it His conclusion was that hee did approoue the vse not to giue them the communion but would not haue the Councell to handle that which no man opposeth The congregations of the Diuines being ended the Legats did incline to The Legats doe incline to graunt the Cup to Germany grant the Cup to Germanie with the conditions of Paul the third and some more and consulting with their inward friends framed decrees concerning the first fourth and fifth points deferring the others vntill they had better considered how to auoid the difficulties concerning them related by the Diuines And calling a congregation of the Prelates they demaunded whether the three decrees should be proposed that they might speake their opinions of them in the first congregation Granata who had found the Legats intention and was most opposite to the grant of the
their desire to hold the Session taught them patience They sate downe againe with the distaste of many Prelates especially the Courtiers The Bishop causing the point of the distributions to bee read sayd that it seemed to him a hard thing that power should be giuen to the Bishop to take the third part of the Prebends and conuert them into distributions that formerly all was distributions and that Prebends crept in by abuse that Bishops had authoritie to infringe bad customes that it was not iust that the Councell by giuing the Bishop a third part of the authority which hee hath should take two thirds from him Therefore hee desired it should bee declared that the Bishops haue ample power to conuert into distributions as much as they thinke conuement The Archbishop of Prague confirmed this opinion with other reasons and the Spaniards seemed by their countenance to giue consent The Cardinall of Who maketh a speech vnto them concerning distributions Mantua hauing much commended the pietie of those Bishops affirmed that it was a point worthy to bee consulted on by the Synod and promised in the name of the Legates whose consent he first had that it should bee spoken of in the next Session The sixteenth day beeing come the Legats Ambassadours and Prelates went to the Church with the vsuall ceremonies The Sermon was made by A Session is held The Bish of Tiniana preacheth the matter of whose sermon was the Cōmunion of the Cup and Residence the Bishop of Tiniana who howsoeuer hee was resolued not to speake then of granting the Chalice did not forbeare to take that matter onely for his subiect and to discourse that the vse of the Chalice was common so long as the heare of charitie did endure but that decreasing and inconueniences succeeding by the negligence of some the vse thereof was not interdicted but onely it was taught that those who could hardly auoyd irreuerence should lesse offend if they did abstaine from it whose example in progresse of time others did follow that they might not tie themselues to diligence In the first he commended the memorable example of pietie and blamed the impietie of the moderne innouators who to haue it haue kindled so great a fire He exhorted the Pathers to charitie and to extinguish the flame and not to suffer all the world to burne by their default to condescend to the imbecillitie of their children who demand nothing but the blood of CHRIST He admonished them not to cast away so many Prouinces and Kingdomes to spare so small a matter that seeing that blessed blood is sought with so earnest a desire they would not feare the former negligence for which it was omitted but grant it that CHRIST would not haue them so obstinate in their owne opinion as to maintaine so pernicious a discord amongst Christians for that blood which himselfe shed to vnite them in a most strict bond of charity Hee passed dexterously from that matter to an exhortation to residence and concluded with the distaste of the others who desired to haue those matters buried in silence When the ceremonies were ended the Masse-Bishop read the doctrine The doctrine is read contained in four heads expressed in foure heads containing in substance That the Synod in regard of many errors which goe about concerning the Sacrament of the Eucharist hath determined to expound that which belongeth to the Communion SubVtraque and of children prohibiting all the faithfull to beleeue teach or preach otherwise Therefore according to the iudgement and custome of the Church it doth declare that the Laickes and Clerkes who doe not say Masse are not bound by any diuine precept to communicate Sub Vtraque and that it cannot be doubted without preiudice of faith that the Communion vnder one kinde is sufficient that howsoeuer CHRIST hath instituted and giuen the Sacrament vnder two kindes it cannot be inferred from hence that all are obliged to receiue it so nor from the speech of our LORD related in the sixt Chapter of Saint Iohn where although there be words which name both kinds yet there be also which name that onely of bread Besides it doth declare that the Church hath euer had power to make a mutation in the dispensation of the Sacraments so long as the substance remaineth Which may bee drawen in generall from the wordes of Saint Paul that the Ministers of Christ are dispensers of the Mysteries of God and particularly in the Eucharist concerning which power is reserued to it to giue order by word of mouth That the Church knowing this her authority howsoeuer the vse of both kindes was frequent from the beginning yet the custome beeing changed for iust causes hath approued that other to communicate with one onely which no man can change without the authoritie of the same Church it doeth declare besides that All CHRIST is receiued vnder either of the kindes and the true Sacrament and that hee who receiueth one onely is not defrauded of any Grace necessary to saluation as concerning the fruit thereof Finally it doeth teach that children before the vse of reason are not bound to Sacramentall Communion because Grace cannot bee lost in that age not condemning antiquity for the contrary custome obserued in some places because it is to be vndoubtedly beleeued that they haue done it not for necessitie of saluation but for other probable causes In conformitie of this doctrine foure Anathematismes were read 1. Against him that shall say Foure Anathematismes are read that all the faithfull are bound by diuine precept or necessitie of saluation to receiue both the kindes in the Eucharist 2 That the Church hath not had iust causes to communicate the Laickes and the Clerkes who doe not celebrate the Masse with the kinde of Bread onely or that it hath erred herein 3. Against him that shall denie that All CHRIST the Fountaine and Author of all graces is receiued vnder the bread onely 4. Against him that shall say that the Communion of the Eucharist is necessary for children before the vse of reason After this another Decree was read also saying that the Synode will examine with the first occasion and define two other Articles not discussed as yet that is Whether the reasons for which the Church hath communicated vnder one kinde are good still so that the Cup ought not to A Decree is read concerning two points to be handled hereafter be granted to any and in case it doeth appeare that it may be granted for honest causes with what conditions the grant is to be made During the time of the Masse Alfonsus Salmeron and Franciscus della Torre Iesuites discoursed the one with Varmiense and the other with Madruccio as they stood behinde their seats that in the first point of doctrine the matter of the institution of the Sacrament vnder both kindes is obscurely expressed and that it is necessary to speake plainly and say that CHRIST did institute it for his Apostles and
those that say Masse onely and not for all the faithfull that it was necessary to insert this clause to remooue all doubt from the Catholiques and all occasion of opposing and calumniating from the heretikes that they as Diuines sent from the Pope could not forbeare to giue their aduice in a matter of so great importance and were both so earnest especially Salmeron who talked with Varmiense that the reading of the Decree being ended Varmiense first and then Madruccio made the proposition which pleased many but was reiected by the greater part not for its owne sake but for the manner of proposing it on the sudden without allowing time to consider on it It did not please the other Legats for the same cause also yet in regard of the honour of the place they said without any adoe that it should be reserued to the next Session in the handling of the two next Articles Afterwards the nine points of reformation were read That for collation of Orders Dimisories Testimonials Seale or any thing else neither the Bishop Nine points of Reformation are read nor any of his Ministers shall receiue any thing though voluntarily offered That the Notaries where there is custome not to receiue and where they haue no salarie may receiue the tenth part of a crowne That no secular Clerke though sufficient may be promoted to holy Orders if hee haue not a Benefice patrimony or pension able to maintaine him and that the Benefice may not be renounced nor the pension extinct nor the patrimony aliened without licence of the Bishop That in the Cathedrall or collegiate Churches in which there are no distributions or very small the Bishop may conuert to that vse the third part of the profits of the Prebends That in Parish Churches where much people is the Bishops may compell the Rectors to take the assistance of other Priests and those that are large in compasse may bee diuided and furnished with new Rectors if there shall be neede and the people may be compelled to contribute That the Bishops may make a perpetuall Vnion of Benefices with cure or without because of pouertie or other iuridical causes That the Bishops may giue Coadiutors to Parish Priests that are vnlearned and punish those that are scandalous That the Bishops may ioyne the Benefices of old ruinous Churches to others and cause the Churches to bee built compelling the people to contribute to the fabrique That they may visite all Benefices held in Commenda That the name office and vse of Receiuer be taken away in all places In the end the Session was ordained for the seuenteenth of September and a declaration made that the Synod might abbreuiate or prorogue at pleasure as well that Terme as any other which shall be limited for the future Sessions The actions of this Councell were not in so great expectation in former times as at this present in regard all Princes had agreed in demanding it and sent Ambassadors and that a great number of Prelats were assembled foure times so many as before and had beene begunne now sixe moneths and The actions of the Councell are censured those spent in daily and continuall treaties and discussions with dispatches of many Curriers and Prelats from Rome to Trent and from Trent to Rome But when the Session came out in print the vsuall Latine prouerbe of The birth of the Mountaines was generally vsed by all And particularly the delaying of two Articles was noted it seeming strange that hauing made foure Articles of faith with foure Anathematismes they were not able to declare that of granting the Cup which is de iure Ecclesiastico Some were of opinion that it ought to haue beene handled first because if it had beene granted all the disputations had ceased The third point of doctrine was much considered on in the conclusion For it being said that the faithfull who receiueth the body of CHRIST onely is not defrauded of any necessary Grace it First in matter of doctrine seemed a confession that some grace not necessarie is lost And here a doubt was made whether there bee any authoritie of man which can hinder the superabundant and not necessarie grace of God and if it can whether these impediments bee charitably vsed Two things were much spoken of amongst the rest one the obligation imposed to beleeue that antiquitie did not hold the Communion of children to bee necessarie because where the trueth of a story is in question it is a matter of fact and past in which there is no authoritie that can alter the things done Yet hee that readeth Austin will know that in nine places not in a word but with a discourse hee doeth affirme the necessitie of the Eucharist for children and two of them doe make it equall to the necessitie of Baptisme yea hee saith more then once that the Church of Rome hath held and defined it to bee necessarie for the saluation of children and doeth alleadge for it Pope Innocentius whose Epistle doeth yet remaine in which hee saith it plainely And they marueiled why the Councell would without necessitie trouble it selfe here in to no end when it might bee said that either it or Innocention had erred The other was the second Anathematisme with the declaration that he is an heretike who saith the Church was not induced vpon iust causes to communicate without the Cup which was to ground an Article of faith vpon a fact of man And they held it a miraculous thing that they would say that one is bound to obserue the Decree onely iure humano but is bound iure Diuino to beleeue it is iust and to make Articles of faith in things which may bee changed daily Others added also that if the causes were so iust they should say what they were and not force men to beleeue by terrour but induce them by perswasion because that was to domineere ouer the faith which Saint Paul doth so much detest Concerning the points of reformation Secondly in point of Reformation it was generally said that more light points could not be handled nor more lightly and that they did imitate the Physician who in an Hecticall bodie laboured to kill the itch And to put their hands into mens purses to maintaine Curats or repaire Churches seemed a strange thing both for the matter and for the manner For the matter because the Cleargie was luperfluously rich and rather indebted to the Layne for diuers euident respects for the manner because neither CHRIST nor his Apostles did euer compell men to make contributions but onely gaue power to receiue those that were voluntarie And he that readeth Saint Paul to the Corinthians and to the Galathians shall see the masters treatment of the Oxe that treadeth the Corne and the dutie of the catechised towards him that doth teach yet so as that those labourers haue no action or right by rigour of Law nor any Chancerie to relieue them The Session being ended the Legats began
of them altogether is humane and hee who heareth it spoken that Bishops are not instituted by CHRIST must needs thinke that this Synod is a Congregation of profane men in which CHRIST doth not preside but a power receiued precarily from men and so many Fathers would in vaine reside in Trent to their great charge and trouble because hee who hath giuen the power to Bishops and the Councell may with more authoritie handle the same things and it would bee a great illusion generally of all Christendome to propose it not onely as the best but as the onely and necessarie meanes to decide the present controuersies He added that he had beene fiue moneths in Trent with this perswasion that neuer any would haue doubted whether the Councell hath authoritie from GOD and whether it may say as the first Councell of Ierusalem did It seemed to the holy Ghost and to vs that hee would neuer haue come to the Councell if hee had beleeued that CHRIST had not beene in the midst of it Neither can any one say that where CHRIST assisteth the authoritie commeth not from him that if any Bishop should beleeue and thinke his authoritie to bee humane it had beene great boldnesse in him to denounce in the former difficulties anathematismes and not rather referre all to him who hath greater authoritie And if the authoritie of the Councell bee not certaine it was fit in the yeere 1545. when this was first assembled that this matter should haue beene sifted and decided what the authoritie of Councels is as is vsually done in places of iustice where in the beginning of the cause it is disputed and decreed whether the Iudge bee competent least in the end there bee a nullitie in the sentence for want of authoritie The Protestants who doe take all occasions to detract from and wrong this holy Synod cannot haue any more fit then that it is not certaine of its owne authoritie He concluded that the Fathers should take heed what they did resolue in a point which beeing resolued truely doeth establish all the actions of the Councell and if otherwise ouerthroweth all The nineteenth of October all the Fathers made an ende of speaking in this matter except Father Laynez Generall of the Iesuites who beeing to speake last did purposely absent himselfe that day that hee might haue a whole Congregation for himselfe alone And to make the cause hereof vnderstood Laynez spendeth a whole congregation himselfe The importance of this point of the institution we must returne a little backe and remember that when the question was set on foote in the beginning the Legates thought that the aime was onely to make great the authoritie of Bishops and to giue them more reputation But before the second Congregation was ended they perceiued very late by the voyces giuen and reasons vsed of what importance and consequence it was For it did inferre that the keyes were not giuen to Peter onely that the Councell was aboue the Pope and the Bishops equall vnto him who had nothing left but a preeminence aboue others They saw that the dignitie of Cardinals superiour to Bishops was quite taken away and that they remained meere Priests or Deacons that by that determination residence was inferred by a necessary consequence and the Court brought to nothing that the preuentions and reseruations were remooued and the collation of Benefices was drawen to the Bishops It was noted that the Bishop of Segouia had a few dayes before refused to admit one to a Benefice in his Diocesse to whom it was giuen in Rome And these things did still appeare more plainely as new suffrages were dayly giuen and new reasons alleadged For these causes the Legates did vse the sollicitations aforesaid for feare that more Italians might ioyne with the Spaniards Yet they were not able to preuaile so much but that almost the halfe were of that opinion And the other Papalins reprehended the Legates because they foresaw not what might happen but suffered such great preiudices to come vpon them saying they proceeded by chance and admitted not counsels and aduertisements of wise men that so soone as Granata deliuered his suffrage they were put in minde to vse effectuall sollicitations which afterwards they were forced to vse when it was too late that by their want of care if not malice in some matters haue beene handled of the greatest importance that can possibly happen in Councell They added that the Ambassadour Lausac had by many sollicitations vsed to diuers of the Prelates discouered himselfe to be not onely a fauourer but a promoter of that opinion and considered what an addition would be made vnto it when the French-men came who were expected And they spake so openly that some words came to the eares of the Legates themselues who seeing now the danger not foreseene thought in regard the matter had proceeded so farre and so many had put themselues on that side that it was not fit to thinke of diuerting the question but of finding a temper to giue the Spaniards some satisfaction And after long consultation they determined to compose the Canon with these words That Bishops haue the power of Order from GOD and in that are superiour to Priests not naming iurisdiction for feare of making them suspect For by such a forme of wordes it might be inferred that the iurisdiction remained wholly in the Pope without saying it They sent Father Soto to treat with the Spanish Prelats concerning this forme not so much with hope to remooue any of them as to penetrate to what they might be brought Granata gaue him audience but no answere He laboured with others also and gained the reputation of a good Courtier of Rome in stead of the other of a good Friar as he was before And to win some that wauered and some who vnaduisedly fell into that opinion beeing otherwise deuoted to the Pope they resolued to vse solicitations vnto them that vnderstanding the difficulty they might bee content to referre it to his Holinesse or at the least to speake more sparingly To performe this with the two aforenamed they ioyned the Archbishop of Rosano and the Bishop of Ventimiglia And that those who would acknowledge their error might haue colour to retire they gaue order that Laynez should make an exact ful Lecture on this matter and that it might be heard attentiuely and make an impression they would not haue him as hath beene sayd speake after the others in the ende of the Congregation but allowed him one wholly for himselfe The foure Iesuits consulted together concerning the opinion and Caueglione laboured more then the rest And not to omit any good meanes of diuersion they busied the Prelates in another matter For to returne to the occurrences of that Congregation after that the Generall of the Serui who was the last had giuen his voice in conformitie of the Spaniards the Cardinall of Mantua admonished the Fathers deputed for the Index and shewed how important
impertinently with superfluous questions which then were wisely buried in silence that it appeareth by the same reasons that there is no neede to handle any thing now but that which was proposed in the Decree And amongst other things hee sayd that they were confirmed by the speach of the Ambassadour Lansac who had often shewed by good reasons that nothing was to bee required but that residence should be executed and that it was to no purpose to shew whence the obligation came Amongst other particles there was in the Decree that the Bishops residing should not be bound to pay Tenths Subsides or any other Taxe imposed by what authoritie soeuer though at the instance of Kings and Princes This mooued all the Ambassadours very much but Lansac dissembling complained that the Cardinall of Mantua had named him without telling him of it before granting hee had spoken so much vnto him but as a particular friend not as an Ambassadour And to make his complaint the more grieuous hee found fault also that the Catholike King was named before the most Christian Of the Tenths hee sayd nothing hoping that by that which he had said and by some opposition which the fauourers of ius diuinum would make that forme of Decree would bee hindered Fiue Churches sayd onely that hee did not beleeue that the Emperours minde was as the Cardinall had proposed But the Secretary of the Marquis of Pescara demanded openly that the words might be amended so that they might not preiudice the grace granted by the Pope to his Catholike Maiestie for the Subsidie of the Gallies The Legates did beleeue they had by this meanes gained the Prelates but after they vnderstood the exception for Spaine they began to say amongst themselues that they were fauoured in that which could not bee granted For in Spaine and France and vnden euery other Prince they should bee forced to pay and in the state of the Church also with a Non obstantibus the grace would bee made of no force The next day they passed from residence to Episcopall Order And Segouia replied that the institution of Bishops de iure Diuino was handled and A difference betweene the Cardinall of Mantua and the Bishop of Segonia resolued in the same Councell vnder Iulius the third with a generall consent and that himselfe had deliuered his opinion therein and specified the day and hourâ— when it was The Cardinall of Mantua caused the actes of that time to be searched and that to be read by the Secretary which was then defined to be published expounding them so as that hee concluded that it was neither decided nor examined nor proposed in that manner as it was sayd by Segouia The Bishop answering though reuerently in appearance there passed so many replies that they were forced to breake vp the Congregation And because some will perhaps desire to knowe which of them spake with most reason it will bee fit to recite heere that which was then decided in the Congregations though not published in Session by reason of the sudden dissolution of that Councell before related Three heads of doctrine were then composed the third where of was inscribed of the Hierarchie and of the difference of Bishops and Priests and hauing spoken much of the Hierarchie it saith thus afterwards as it is translated verbatim out of the Latine Besides the holy Synod doth teach that those are not to be bearkened vnto who say that Bishops are not instituted Iure diuino it appearing manifestly by the words of the Gospel that CHRIST our Lord hath himselfe called the Apostles and promoted them to the degree of the Apostleship into whose place the Bishops are subrogated neither ought wee to thinke that this so eminent and necessary a degree hath beene brought into the Church by humane institution for so wee should detract from and disesteeme the diuine prouidence for failing in the most noble things These were the wordes vsed in that point of doctrine There were noted also eight Canons the last whereof said thus Hee that shall say that Bishops are not instituted iure Diuino or are not superiour to Priests or haue not authoritie to ordaine or that this doeth belong to Priests let him be anathema Euery one being prepossessed with an opinion doth finde it in all this that is read and it is not wonder if each of those two Prelates did finde his owne in the same words which the Papalins did interprete onely of the power of Order and the Spaniards of all which containeth order and iurisdiction Yet some of the Popish Prelates did beleeue that Mantua studiously faining to thinke as they did caused the old determination to bee read not to confirme his owne opinion but the Spanish which secretly hee defended The Cardinall of Loraine beeing entred into Italie the Pope could not denie the French-men to cause that he should be expected And hee wrote to Trent that they should prolong the Session yet not so as to passe Nouember The Legates receiuing aduice that the Cardinall was vpon the Lago di Garda in the Congregation of the ninth of Nouember Mantua proposed the deferring of the Session vntill the 26. of the same moneth which Loraine not knowing sent Carlo de Grassi Bishop of Monte Finscoue and wrote letters also to the Legates that if it would please them to tary for him he would be in Trent within a few dayes And they resolued to make no more Congregations vntill his comming to giue him the more satisfaction The Bishop related that the Cardinall did shew a good intention in all his discourses and that hee would send his opinions to his Holinesse that hee might see them that the Prelates in his company came for the seruice of God and with a good mind toward the Apostolique Sea and did hope that their comming would make a concord in the Councell and cause them to bee diligent in making a fruitfull reformation without any respect of their owne interest and many such things hee said which though they were testified by Grassi and confirmed by the Ambassador de Ferriores yet the Popish Prelates did beleeue them onely in complement and purposed to vse all the remedies desseigned both in Trent and Rome Loraine entred Trent and was met a mile on the way by Card. Madruccio The entrie of the Cardinall of Loraine into Trent and many Prelats and by all the Legates at the gate of the Citie from which place he was accompanied to the house where he was lodged Hee rode betweene the Cardinals Mantua and Seripando which honour they thought necessary to doe vnto him because the same was done vnto him by Monte and Sancta Croce Legates in Bolonia when the Councell was helde in that Citie at the time when he went to Rome for the Cap. In the euening he went to visit the Cardinall of Mantua and had audience the next day before the Legates He visiteth the Card. of Mantua had audience the next day
fit to dissemble it Hee sent into France fourtie thousand Crownes the residue of the hundred thousand which hee promised And hee caused Sebastianus Gualterus Bishop of Viterbo and Ludouicus Antinori to goe to Trent who hauing bin in France had some acquaintance with some of those Prelats and had made themselues knowne to the Cardinall vnder colour to honour him And hee wrote to this Cardinall and to Lansac letters full of complement and confidence Yet they thought that these men were sent to discouer the Cardinals intention and to obserue his proceedings and the rather because they had receiued aduice from Rome that the Bishop had exhorted the Pope not to be so much afraid in regard the Cardinall also would finde difficulties and impediments more then he beleeued hee should and said that himselfe would make more to arise The 22. of Nouember the Cardinall resolued to enter into the Congregation the day following and it was agreed that the Kings letters should be read and himselfe make a speach But Loraine proposed also that the Ambassadour de Ferrieres should make another To this the Legates did not consent because if this had beene once permitted both hee and all other Ambassadours would still bee desirous to speake and propose with danger of making greater confusion but concealing this cause they said that neither in this Councell nor vnder Paul or Iulius it was euer permitted to Ambassadours to speake in Congregation but onely when they were first receiued and that without the Popes consent they could not yeelde to such a nouitie But Loraine answered that the Kings letter and the instruction beeing new it might bee called a new Ambassage and that the first entrance After many answeres and replies Loraine hauing giuen his word that they should not desire to speake any more the Legates to giue him satisfaction and that hee might not haue cause of open distast were contented Therefore the next day the Congregation beeing assembled the Kings letter was read with this inscription To the most holy and most reuerend Fathers assembled in Trent to celebrate the sacred Councell In which hee said that it hauing pleased God to call him to the Kingdome it hath pleased him also to afflict him with many warres but hath so opened his eies that howsoeuer hee be yong hee knoweth that the principall cause of the euils is The French Kings leters the diuersitie of religion By meanes of which diuine illumination in the beginning of his Kingdome hee made instance for the celebration of the Councel in which they were then assembled knowing that in them the ancient Fathers haue found the most proper remedies to the like infirmities and that he was grieued that being the first to procure so good a worke hee had not beene able to send his Prelates with the first the causes whereof beeing notorious hee thought hee was sufficiently excused and the rather because the Cardinall of Loraine was now arriued accompanied with other Prelats That two principall causes hath mooued him to send that Cardinall the first his owne great and frequent instance to haue leaue to satisfie his duty in regard of the place he holdeth in the Church the second because being of his Priuie Councell and exercised from his youth in the most important affaires of the Kingdome he knoweth the necessity thereof better then any other and whence the occasions doe arise so that he will be able to make a relation vnto them conformable to the charge which is giuen him and demand in his name the remedies which are expected from their wisdome and fatherly affection as well for the tranquillity of the Kingdome as for the generall good of all Christendome Hee beseeched them to proceede herein with their wonted sincerity that they may come to an holy reformation and that the ancient lustre of the Catholique Church may appeare in the vnion of all Christendome in one religion which will bee a worke worthy of them desired by the whole world recompenced by God and commended by all Princes In conclusion for the particulars hee referred himselfe to the Cardinall praying them to beleeue him in whatsoeuer heâ— should say vnto them on his part After this the Cardinall spake In the begining hee shewed the miseries The speech of the Cardinall of â—oraine of the Kingdome deplored the warres the demolitions of Churches occisions of religious persons conculcation of the Sacrament burning of the libraries images and reliques of Saints ouerthrowing of the monuments of Kings Princes and Bishops and expulsion of the true Pastours And passing to ciuill matters hee shewed the contempt of the Kings Maiestie vsurpation of his rents violation of the lawes and seditions raised amongst the people He attributed the cause of all this to the corruption of manners to the ruine of Ecclesiasticall discipline and negligence in repressing heresie and in vsing remedies instituted by God Turning to the Ambass of Princes he told them that that which they doe now behold at leasure in France they shall find at home when it will be too late to repent if France tumbling downe with its owne weight shall fall vpon places neere vnto it He spake of the vertue and good disposition of the King the counsels of the Queene and King of Nauarre and of the other Princes but said the principall matter was expected from the Synode whence the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding ought to come That the most Christian King being assured hereof in regard of his obseruance towards that Synod and of his sorrow for the differences of religion did demand two things of them The first that they would auoyd new discords new and vnprofitable questions and cause a suspension of Armes amongst all Princes and States that scandall may not bee giuen to the Protestants and occasion to beleeue that the Synode doth more labour to incite Princes to warre and to make confederations and leagues then to keepe the vnity of peace That King Henry hath first established it and then Francis continued it and that the present King vnder age and his mother haue alwayes desired it which how soeuer it hath vnhappily succeeded yet they might feare that the accidents of the warre would bee more vnfortunate For all the states of the Kingdome beeing in danger of shipwracke one cannot helpe another Hee therefore desireth that some account may bee held of those who are gone astray from the Church pardoning them as much as may be done without offending God and holding them for friends as much as is possible euen as farre as vnto the Altars The second request common to the King with the Emperour and other Kings and Princes was that a reformation of maners and of Ecclesiasticall discipline should bee handled seriously wherein the King did admonish and coniure them by CHRIST our LORD who will come to iudgement that if they meant to restore the authoritie of the Church and retaine the Kingdome of France they would not balance the incommodities
King refused to goe thither to oppose his person against the ill disposition of the people and the dessignes of the Grandies as Granuel the chiefe in that Gouernment had giuen him counsell For that wise King knew how dangerous it was to be contemned to his face and doubted that in stead of gaining Flanders hee should make it more contumacious and in the meane while loose Spaine But he thought The Queene mother resuseth the Spanish armie that by subduing the Frenchmen who rebelled against their King hee might make an absolute prouision against the contumacie of his owne Subiects And therefore he offered the Queene great assistance of men and money sufficient to subiect the whole Kingdome vnto her But the Queene refused the men and demanded the money knowing that if she had receiued a Spanish armie she should haue beene forced to gouerne France not according to her owne intrests but of the King of Spaine Yet taking a middle course she receiued sixe thousand men with which and with her owne forces conducted by the Constable and the Duke of Guise the battell was made the seauenteenth day aforesaid in which three thousand Hugonots and fiue thousand Catholiques were slaine and the Generals on both sides Conde and the Constable taken prisoners Neither of the armies was discomsited by venue of the Lieutenants on both sides Guise for the Catholiques and Colignie for the Hugonots The Queene did make Guise the Generall which did not deterre Collignie from maintaining his armie preseruing the places he possessed and making some progresse also For this victorie for so it was called though it deserued not the name thankes were giuen to God in Trent by all the Fathers assembled together making a procession singing a Masse Franciscus Belcarrus Bishop of Metz made an Oration also in which relating all the storie of the confusions of France since the death of Francis the second and the successe of the last warâ—e Solemnities are vsed in Trent for the victory in France hee gaue the praise of all that was well done to the Duke of Guise only Hee said Martin Luther was cause of all those troubles who though but a little sparke had raised a great fire first in Germanie and afterwards in all the Prouinces of Christendome except Italie and Spaine Hee exhorted the Fathers to assist the Christian common-wealth because they onely were able to extinguish that flame Hee told them that this was the sixe and twentieth yeere since Paul the third began to heale this disease by intimating the Councell there which was first deferred then dissembled and finally celebrated with diuers factions vntill it was transferred to Bolonia where there were many dilations and greater contentions and more bitter factions then before Afterwards it was recalled to Trent and by reason of the warres dissolued Now that they were come to the last there was no more place for dissimulation because the Councell would either reconcile the whole world or cast it headlong into an infallible ruine Therefore it was fit that the Fathers should not regard their priuate interests nor haue particular designes nor speake in fauour of others in regard the cause of religion was in question which will be vtterly ouerthrowne if they cast their eye vpon any thing besides This libertie of speach hee tempered with flatterie first towards the Pope then towards the Emperour kings of the Romanes and of Polonia He passed to the commendations of the Queene Mother of France and of the King of Portugal and in the end exhorted them to reforme the Ecclesiasticall discipline The Cardinall of Loraine hauing receiued newes of the imprisonment of the Prince was very glad particularly for the honour of his brother and desired the more to returne quickly into France to assist him in the Court and in the Kings Councell and to raise himselfe also one degree higher in regard Nauar and the Constable to whom hee was neccessarily to yeeld were both taken away The Pope was full of suspicion for the iourney to Ispruc which the Emperour The Pope is troubled that the Emperour will goe to Ispruc had published thinking hee would not goe thither without great designes and without assurance to effect them Hee beleeued hee had secret intelligence with France and Spaine but knew not to what ende but onely in generall that it was a plot against him Therefore hee resolued to goe in person to Bolonia to send eight or tenne Cardinals to Trent to make greater alliance with the Italian Princes and to confirme the Prelates his adherents in Councell vntill bee could finde some occasion to dissolue or suspend it And â—o hinder all treaties in Trent of reforming the Court hee laboured much himselfe in that businesse Hee reformed the Rota publishing a Briefe dated the seuen and twentieth of December in which he ordained that no Auditâ—r should proceede to a definitiue howsoeuer the case might be plaine before he made the proposition to the whole Colledge without 1563 PIVS 4. FEâ—â—INAND ELIZABETH CHARLES 9. PHILIP 2. consent of the parties that the sentences propounded in writing should be produced within fifteene dayes that the causes of the Auditors themselues or of their kinsfolke vnto the second degree or of any of their familie shall not bee heard in the Rota that the parties shall not bee forced to receue an Aduocate that no decision shall bee made against those which bee printed except two thirds of the voyces doe consent that they shall bee bound to remit euery cause which seemeth to bee criminall In the same Bull hee made also a taxe for moderation of fees Hee reformed likewise by other Bulls published the first of the next Ianuarie the signature of iustice the tribunals of Rome the office of the Friscall Aduocate ordaining what fees they should haue But the vsuall extorsions were so farre from being redressed by those prouisions that by transgressing the new orders they learned to violate the olde which were in some vse The Courtiers in Rome thinking the Catholikes in France had gotten an absolute victorie and that the Hugonots were reduced to nothing were exceeding glad For beleeuing that France had obtained that by Armes which it expected from the Synode and there being no further regard to bee had of Germanie which protested against it they thought that all causes of holding the Councel were ceased so that it might be suspended or deferred and them selues deliuered from feare which had increased euery weeke by reason of the nouities which happened in Trent But the Pope made no great matter of it For being informed that the Catholike forces were not augmented nor the Hugonots diminished and that this battell would giue occasion to treate a peace which could not bee without his preiudice nor without giuing matter of more nouities in Trent hee was more afraide and troubled then before And the yeere 1562. ended thus a congregation in Trent hauing beene helde the thirtieth of the moneth in which it was
onely giue his voice with modestie and serue the Legats out of his loue in any honest worke as farre as he was able And Madruccio did not forbeare to say that there was a secret Councell within the Councell which did arrogate more authoritie A Councell within the Councell The Legates perceiuing that euery thing turned against them caused the Congregations to be omitted Neither was this sufficient For the Prelats Practises to dissolue the Councell made priuate congregations amongst themselues and the Legats continuall consultations The Arch-bishop of Otranto and others who aimed at the Cardinalitie of which they thought themselues assured if the Councell were separated agreed together to oppose euery thing to make some tumult arise and went passionately about euen in the night also making practises and causing men to set their hand to papers Which though in effect it pleased the Legats yet for the manner it displeased the most of them as beeing of bad example which might giue scandall And on the contrary side there wanted not those who desired a dissolution But each partie expected an occasion that the cause of it might be attributed to the other so that the suspicions did encrease on both sides The Cardinall of Loraine complained to all that plots were laid to dissolue the Synod and especially to the Ambassadours of Princes desiring them to write to their Masters to perswade the Pope that the Councell may bee continued that the practises might bee moderated and the Fathers left to their libertie saying that otherwise a composition would bee made in France that Of which the Card of Loraine complaineth euery one might liue as hee would vntill a free Councell as this was not in which nothing could be resolued but as pleased the Legates nor by the Legates but as the Pope listed that he would be patient vntill the next Session And of the want of libertie in Councell and then if he sawe not things goe better hee would make his protestations and together with the Ambassadours and Prelates returne into France to make a Nationall Councel in which perhaps Germanie would concurre with them a thing which would be displeasing vnto himselfe in regerd of the danger that the Apostolique Sea would not bee acknowledged any more In those dayes many Curriers passed betweene Rome and Trent For the Legates As did also the French-men in Rome aduised the frequent contradictions and the Pope sollicited the proposing of the Canons which he sent And the French-men in Rome made the same complaint to the Pope which Loraine had done in Trent and vsed the same threats of a Nationall Councell and the assistance of Germanie But The Pope answereth resolutely the Pope who had been vsed to these things said hee was not daunted with words was not afraid of Nationall Synods did knowe that the French Bishops were Catholiques and that Germanie would not subiect it selfe to their Councels He said that the Councell was not onely free but might be called licentious that the practises of the Italians in Trent were not with his knowledge but did arise because the Vltramontans would tread the Popes authoritie vnder their feete that hee hath had three good occasions to dissolue the Councell but was willing it should continue hoping that GOD would not abandon his Church and that euery attempt against it would come vpon the head of the Innouators Fiue Churches departed and went to the Emperours Court in the time of these confusions to giue his Maiestie an account of the state of the Councel and of the combination of the Italian Prelates and it was discouered that Granata and his adherents had desired him to perswade the Emperour to write to the Catholique King concerning the Reformation and Residence that both in those and in other occasions they might speake freely according to their conscience all which the Legates did beleeue to proceede from Loraine And therefore for a counterpoise themselues also a few dayes after sent the Bishop Commendone to the Emperour vpon pretence to excuse and render the causes why the demands of his Maiesty could not as yet be proposed And they gaue him commission to exhort the Emperour to be content not to demand of the Councel bot of the Pope himselfe those points of his petition which concerne his authoritie as also other instructions such as seemed them good But Martinus Crame 〈…〉 Bishop of Vormis Ambassadour of the King of Polonia to the Emperour being come to Trent vpon pretence to visit the Cardinall of Varmia his ancient and in ward friend there was a great suspicion that he was sent by the Emperor to be an eye-witnes of the proceedings in Councell and to relate them to him All these things made the Legates doubt that the Councell would be dissolued in some manner dishonourable to the Pope and themselues obseruing that it was desired by many euen by some of the Papalins themselues and that disorders were purposely procured by others to iustifie themselues in case it should happen They sent vnto all the Ambassadours a writing which conteined the present difficulties and desired their counsell But the French Ambassadours answered vpon this occasion that which they desired to say many dayes before that as the Councell was assembled to remedie abuses so some were willing to make vse A free speech vsed by the French Ambassadours of it to encrease them that before any thing else were done it was fit to withstand such manifest practises that they were intolerable that if they were remoued and euery man had libertie to speake freely what hee thought a good accord would easily bee made that the Pope was Head of the Church but not aboue it that he was to gouerne and direct the other members but not to domineere ouer the body that to remedie the differences it was necessary to follow the Councell of Constance which hauing found the Church most disorderly by meanes of these opinions did reduce it into tolerable tearmes They sayd that one cause of discord was because the Secretary Seconded by the Imperialists did not set downe their voyces faithfully so that the greater part seemed in the acts to be the lesser and that could not be taken for a resolution which was concluded by the common opinion and therefore that it was fit to ioyne another with him The Imperialists said almost the same things and were more earnest for another Secretary The other Ambassadors stood vpon generall tearmes desiring a continuation of the Councell and an vnion of mindes Things standing thus Ventimiglia redispatched by the Pope returned The B of Ventimiglia returneth to Trent to Trent the nine and twentieth of Ianuary who made a relation of his credence to the Legates and by their aduice sought to remooue two opinions spread in the Councell one that the Pope could not liue long the other that hee desired a dissolution of the Councell Hee testified the desire of his Holinesse that laying aside
coÌ„uenient for Charles to stand vnited with the Pope that he might not subiect himselfe to the Dutch Princes whereas this Emperour is as it were subiect vnto them alreadie finally that this remedie might bee deferred because it would alwayes bee in season but by dissembling a while hee might obliquely make triall to hinder the resolution of the consultations which were made by sending the Cardinall of Mantua to his Maiestie The writing which went about against the petitions of the French-men did not one displease them who tooke it for an affront but the Emperour Displeaseth the French-men and the Emperour also very much And the Legates hauing receiued commission from Rome concerning them were but ill satisfied and thought that this was not to giue commission to Presidents of Councell but aduertisments rather to ministers to make vse of intreaties by way of negotiation They wrote backe onely to demand what they should doe in case the Imperialists should make instance to haue their petitions proposed and they caused Gabriel Paleotto Auditor of the Rota to write a full information of the difficulties which they sent But the Cardinall of Mantua in regard the Emperour had tolde Commendone that hee would giue answere to the Councell by his Ambassadour thought it not conuenient to goe vnto him before they receiued that resolution besides the Cardinall of Loraine being at the Emperors Court and the effect of his negotiation not knowne hee should be doubtfull in what manner to proceede Vpon these reasons hee excused himselfe to The Card. of mantua writeth freely to the Pope the Pope and besides wrote to him with his owne hand that hee had not a face to appeare any more in Congregation to giue wordes onely as hee had done two yeeres together that all the Ministers of Princes doe say that howsoeuer his Holinesse doth promise much for reformation yet seeing nothing to bee executed they doe not thinke hee hath any inclination to it who if hee had performed his promises the Legates could not haue beene Wanting to giue satisfaction to the instances of so many Princes Neither ought any to maruaile that this Cardinall a Prince conuersant so many long yeeres in many great affaires and of a most compleate conuersation should vse this passage with his Holinesse it beeing a thing naturall to men that are neere their graue for some intrinficall cause vnknowen euen vnto themselues to bee distasted with humane matters and to neglect pure ceremonies to which gaole hee was then very neere there remayning but sixe dayes of his life from the date hereof But in the Congregation the last that spake in the second ranke was Adrian a Dominican Friar who touching but lightly the matter in question discoursed at large of dispensations and with Theologicall tearmes and formes defended the things mentioned by Doctour Cornisius and speake of them not without scandall Hee sayd that authoritie to dispence in humane lawes was absolute and vnlimited in the Pope because hee was superiour to them all and therefore when hee did dispence though without any cause the dispensation was notwithstanding to bee held for good that in diuine lawes he had power to dispence but not without a cause Hee alleadged Saint Paul who saith that the Ministers of CHRIST are the dispencers of the mysteries of God and that to him the Apostle dispensation of the Gospel had beene committed Hee added that howsoeuer the Popes dispensation concerning the Diuine Law bee not of â—orce yet euery one ought to captiuate his vnderstanding and beleeue that hee hath granted it for a lawfull cause and that it is temeritie to call it into question Then hee discoursed of the cause of dispensations which hee reduced to publique vtilitie and charitie towards priuate men This discourse gaue occasion to the French men to speake of the matter with the ill satisfaction of the Papalins The secondranke hauing made an end of speaking for obseruation of the promise made to Loraine not to handle the mariage of Priests in his absence they changed the order and made the fourth ranke speake next Iohn Verdun handling the seuenth Article of the degrees of affinitie and consanguinitie passed immediatly from it and came to the matter of dispensations and seemed to haue none other aime then to contradict Frier Adrian labouring to weaken the Popes power First hee expounded the places of Saint Paul That the Ministers of CHRIST are the dispensers of the mysteries of God and of the Gospel and said the glosse was contrary to the text For the place doth not prooue a dispensation that is a disobligation from the Law but a publishing and declaring the diuine mysteries and the word of God which is perpetuall and remaineth inuiolable for euer Hee granted that in humane lawes a dispensation might lie in regard of the law-makers imperfection who could not foresee all cases and making generall lawes must needes reserue power to him that gouerneth the Common-wealth because of Sundrie occurrences which may bring acceptions in particular matters But where God is the Law-giuer from whom nothing is concealed and by whom no accident is not foreseene the law can haue no exception Therefore the law of God and Nature ought not to be called a written Law which in some cases ought to bee expounded and made more gentle but all that Law is euen equitie it selfe In humane lawes in which some cases by reason of particular accidents if they had been foreseene would not haue been comprehended a dispensation may well bee granted But the dispencer cannot in any case free him that is bound and if hee denie a dispensation to him that deserueth it the partie refused shall notwithstanding remaine without all obligation That the world hath conceiued a wrong opinion that to dispence is to bestow a fauour and that the dispensation is requisite to be giuen as any other part of distributiue iustice to bee exercised that the Prelate doth offend if hee giue it not to whom it is due And in summe he said that when a dispensation is desired either the case is such as if it had been foreseene it would haue been excepted and here there is an obligation to dispence or would haue been comprehended though it had been thought on by the Law-maker and to this the power of dispensing is not extended Hee added that flatterie ambition and auarice haue perswaded that to dispence is to bestowe a fauour as the master would doe to his seruants or one that giueth of his owne The Pope is not Lord and the Church a seruant but hee is seruant of him who is spouse of the Church and by him set ouer the Christian familie to giue as the Gospel saith to euery one his owne measure that is that which is due vnto him And in conclusion hee said that a dispensation was nothing but a declaration or interpretation of the Law and that the Pope could not by dispencing vnbinde any that was bound but declare onely to him that
said that howsoeuer the Orientall Church and the Occidentall did differ in regard this did admit to Priesthood and holy Orders continent persons onely and that did admit maried men yet no Church did euer grant that Priests might marie and that this is so by Apostolicall tradition not by reason of vow or of any Ecclesiasticall constitution and therefore that absolutely they were to bee condemned for heretiques who say it is lawfull for Priests to marie though they restraine not themselues to the West nor make mention of vow or law of the Church And others said that no disp 〈…〉 could bee granted for Priests to marry for any cause whatsoeuer Some said that matrimonie was forbidde to two sorts of persons for two causes To secular Clerkes in regard of holy Orders by Ecclesiasticall law to regulars in regard of their solemne vow That the prohibition of mariage by constitution of the Church may bee taken away by the Pope or in case that remaine in force still the Pope may dispense with it They alleadged the examples of those who haue bene dispensed with and the vse of antiquitie that if a Priest did marry the mariage was good but the man was separated from the Ministery which hath continually beene obserued vntill the time of Innocenntius the 2. who first of all the Popes ordained that there should bee a nullity in the mariage But with those who are bound to continencie by solemne vow this beeing de iure diuino they said the Pope could not dispense They alleadged Innocentius the third who affirmed that the obseruation of chastity and the abdication of the proprietie of goods doth so cleaue to the bones of Munkes that the Pope cannot dispense therein Then they added the opinion of Saint Thomas and of other Doctors who affirme that the solemne vow is a consecration of the man to God and that because no man can make a thing consecrated to returne to humane vses no man likewise can make a Munke to returne to the power of marrying and that all Catholique Writers doe condemne Luther and his sectaries of heresie for saying that Munkship is an humane inuention and doe affirme that it is by Apostolicall tradition whereunto the opinion that the Pope may dispense is directly contrary Others did maintaine that the Pope might dispense euen with these also and marueiled at those who granting the dispensation of simple vowes did deny that of solemne as if it were not most cleare by the determination of Boniface the eigth that euery solemnity is de iure positiuo making vse also of the examples of things consecrated to prooue their opinion For as a thing consecrated remaining so cannot bee imployed in humane vses but yet the consecration may bee remooued and the thing made prophane whereby it may lawfully returne to a promiscuons vse so a man consecrated to Munkship remaining so cannot marry but the Munkship and consecration arising from the solemnity of the vow which is de iure positiuo being remoued hee may without any hinderance liue as others doe They brought places of Saint Austin by which it doth manifestly appeare that in his time some Munkes did marry And howsoeuer it was thought they offended in it yet the mariage was lawfull and Saint Austin reprehendeth those who did separate them They said moreouer it was necessary to dispense with Priests or to take away the precept of continencie And the Duke of Bauaria hauing sent to Rome to demaund of his Holinesse the Communion of the Cup requested also that married men might haue leaue to preach vnder which name all the Ecclesiasticall ministery was vnderstood exercised by Parish-Priests in the cure of soules Many reasons were alleadged to perswade the graunt which were resolued into two scandall giuen by incontinens Priests and want of continent persons sit to exercise the ministerie And the famous saying of Pope Pins the second was in the mouth of many that Priests were by the Occidentall Church forbid to marry for good reason but there was stronger reason to restore mariage to them againe Those of the contrary opinion said that it is not the part of a wise Physician to cure one disease by causing a greater that if Priests are in continent and ignorant yet the Priest-hood is not to bee prostituted to 〈…〉 d 〈◊〉 And here many Popes were alleadged who did not permit it because they said it was impossible to attend to the flesh and to the spirit and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was a carnall estate that the true remedie was to make prouision of continent and learned persons by education by diligence by rewards and punishments and in the meane time not to ordaine any but mâ—n of an approoued life and for doctrine to cause Homilies and Catechismes to bee printed in the Dutch and French tongues composed by learned and religios men to bee read to the people out of the booke by the 〈…〉 learned Priests by which meanes the Parish Priests though vnsufficient might satisfie the people The Legates were blamed for suffering this Article to be disputed as being dangerous because it is plaine that married Priests will turne their affections The principal reason why Priests are forbid to marry and loue to their wiues and children and by consequence to their house and Country so that the strict dependance which the Cleargie hath on the Apostolike Sea would cease and to grant mariage to Priests would destroy the Ecclesiasticall Hierarchie and make the Pope to bee Bishop of Rome onely But the Legats excused themselues that to please the Bishop of Fiue Churches who had made this request in the name of the Duke of Bauaria and of the Emperor also to make the Imperialists not to be so earnest in the matter of reformation which was of more importance they were forced to yeeld to this disputation The French-men perceiuing it was the more common opinion that the mariage of Priests might bee dispensed with consulted together whether it were fit to demaund a dispensation for the Cardinall of Borbon as Loraine and the Ambassadours had commission Loraine was of opinion that it was not fit saying that without doubt the Councell would hardly be perswaded that the cause was reasonable and vrgent in regard it was not necessary he should haue posterity the King being young there being two Brothers and other Princes of the blood Catholikes and for gouerning during the minoritie of the King hee might doe it remaining in the Cleargie that in regard of the differences betweene the French and Italians about reformation and the authoritie of the Pope and Bishops their opposities would diligently oppose this demaund that it was better to go to the Pope or expect a better occasion and that it was sufficient for that time to prouide that no doctrine should be established in preiudice of it Some thought that Loraine did not like in his priuate opinion that Borbon should marry in regard it might cause an emulation or diminution of his house
the reformation would be caused thereby to excuse the Pope that he could not personally assist in Councell and to pray him to hasten the end of it proposing the translation to Bolonia where his Maiestie and the Pope might meete which would bee a good meanes for him to receiue the Crowne of the Empire in so famous an assembly a fauour which neuer had beene done to other Emperours He had charge also to pray him to maintaine the authoritie of the Apostolike Sea against all the plots made to diminish it or rather to bring it to nothing and that the reformation of the Court of Rome might not be made in Trent but by the Pope himselfe that no mention might bee made of renewing the things determined vnder Paul and Iulius in the same Councell that his Maiestie would bee content that the Decrees should bee made in Councell by the proposition of the Legates onely first imparting them and hauing the consent of the Ambassadours of his Maiestie and of other Princes He had commission also to giue the Emperour hope of a particular grant of whatsoeuer hee would demand for his people and to disswade him from holding intelligence with the French King in this matter of the Councell shewing him that as the State of France and Germanie was not the same so the ends of his Maiestie and of that King must needes be diuers and their counsels different The Legates remayning in Trent did willingly giue the Prelates leaue to depart and especially those who held the institution of Bishops and residence to bee de iure diuino The 20. of Aprill Loraine returned and was met by the Ambassadours of the Emperour of Polonia and of Sauoy and the same day newes came of the peace concluded by the French King with the Hugonots which was more for the aduantage of the Catholique party For after the battell before mentioned the factions were equally balanced vntill the death of Guise Afterwards Colignie tooke by assault the fort of Cadome with so much reputation to himselfe and diminution of the Catholiques that it was resolued in the Kings Councell to conclude the treaty of peace which was continually managed euer since the battell To this end the seuenth of March an assembly was made to which the prisoners Conde and the Constable were brought And after some speech they being released vpon promise to conclude the 〈◊〉 conditions the Hugonote Ministers assembled and resolued not to consent to any agreement except the Edict of Ianuary might bee obserued without any exception or condition adding also that hereafter their religion should not bee called new that children baptized by them should not bee rebaptized that their marriages should bee esteemed lawfull and their children legitimate From which conditions because they would by no meanes depart Conde and the Nobility weary of warre without calling the Ministers any more did make the agreement And the capitulations concerning religion were these That where the Noblemen of the Hugonots haue high iustice they may liue in their houses in liberty of conscience and exercise of the reformed religion with their families and subiects The conditious of the accord in Frace That other Gentlemen who hold in fee not dwelling vnder other Catholique Lords of high iustice but immediatly vnder the King may exercise the same in their houses for themselues and their families onely That in euery Bayliweeke an house shall bee appointed in the Suburbs in which the reformed religion may be exercised by all of that iurisdiction That euery one may liue in his owne house without being enquired into or molested for his conscience That in all Cities where that religion hath beene exercised vntill the seuenth of March it shall bee continued in one or two places of that citie so that the Catholike Churches be not taken for that vse which also shall be restored to the Ecclesiastiques in case they haue beene surprised by them yet so as that they shall not pretend any thing for demolitions made That in the Citie and Precincts of Paris there shall bee no exercise of that religion but those who haue houses or reuenues there may returne and enioy them without being molested for matters either past or to come concerning their consciences That all shall repossesse their goods honors and offices notwithstanding the sentences to the contrary and executions of them since the death of Henrie the second vntill now That the Prince of Conde and all his followers shall be said to haue a good end and intention for the seruice of the King That all prisoners of warre or iustice for matter of religion shall freely be set at libertie That an obliuion of things past shall be published and iniuring and prouoking one another as also disputing and contending about religion shall be forbid and that they shall liue as brothers friends and fellow Citizens This accord was established the twelfth of March to the discontentment of Colignie who sayd their affaires were not in state to make such aduantagious conditions That it was proposed vnto him in the beginning of the warre to make peace with the Edict of Ianuary and now that they might require more aduantage the conditions were worse To say that in euery Bayliweeke there shall be one place for the exercise of religion is to take away all from GOD and to giue him a portion But the common inclination of all the Nobility did force him to be content Concerning these conditions the Kings letters were dispatched the nineteenth of the same moneth◠in which it was sayd That it hauing pleased God to permit for some yeeres the kingdome to be afflicted with seditions and tumults raised for matter of religion for which cause armes were taken with infinite slaughters sacking of cities ruines of Churches and now by continuance of the euill hauing experience that warre is not the proper remedie for this maladie the King hath thought fit to reunite his Subiects in good peace trusting that time and the fruit of an holy free generall or Nationall Councell will establish the same And heere the Articles concerning religion were added besides the others in matters of State which letters were published and registred in Court of Parliament and publikely proclaimed in Paris the seuen and twentieth of the same moneth This was blamed by the greater part of the Fathers in Councell who said it was to preferre the things of the world before the things of GOD yea to ruine both the one and the other For the foundation of a state which is religion being remoued it is necessarie that the temporall should come to desolation whereof the Edict made before was an example which did not cause peace and tranquillitie as was hoped but a greater warre then before And some of the Prelats did dare to say that the King and the whole Counsell had incurred the excommunications of many Decretals and Bulls for hauing giuen peace to the heretikes and that there was no hope that the affaires of
of discipline wherewith it is maintained would disorder euery thing The Bishops sayd that a priuiledge is euer with detriment and derogation of the Law and the reuocation fauourable reducing things to their owne nature and therefore to take them away was not to innouate but to restore things to their ancient state On the other side it was answered that the exemption of the Regulars was so well prescribed by antiquity that it could no more bee called a priuiledge but common-law that when the Monasteries were subiect to Bishops the Ecclesiasticall discipline both in them and their Canons was so well gouerned and so seuere that it merited to superintend ouer all that if they will restore antiquity they must doe it in all parts that if Bishops would returne to bee as they were in those times Monasteries might bee subiected to them now as then they were but it was not iust that they should demand the superintendency ouer Monasteries before they made themselues to be such as was necessary the Rectors of a regular life should bee The Regulars were fauoured by the Ambassadours and by the Legates for the interests of the Court which would haue lost a great instrument if they had not depended wholly on it And they wanted not the fauour of some Prelates who confessed their reasons were good This contention continued certaine dayes but did abate by little and little because the Bishops who had mooued it did discouer euery day more difficulty in it The third Article was concerning the impediments which Bishops receiue from secular Magistrates who to preserue the temporall power doe not suffer them to exercise that absolute dominion which they would not only ouer the Cleargy but ouer the people To this effect the reformation of Princes was made whereof wee haue spoken already and will hereafter more at large This part and others which cohere with it were deferred vntill another Session because it was thought a difficult matter and that it would haue much prolonged the businesse But the Bishops did expound this delay as if they had meant to haue done nothing in it And they complained that purposing to reforme the whole Church the Cleargie onely should be reformed The Legates vsed all meanes to appease them shewing that not this only was deferred but other matters also which were necessary to be handled promising that the delay was only to proceed with more maturitie and that they should certainely bee discussed that it was necessary to facilitate the dispatch of that Session which should be a preparatorie for the other in which all that remaineth should be handled The Legats were all bent to hold the Session at the time appointed thinking it necessary for the quicke dispatch of the Councell for which the Pope by euery ordinary Currier and sometimes by an extraordinary did sollicite them that he might be set at liberty from it In the Congregation of the seuenth of September Friar Martinus Roias Ambassador for the Hospitalaries of S. Iohn of Ierusalem now called Knights of Malta was receiued which was deferred by reason of the great opposition of some principall Bishops that hee might not haue The Ambassadour of the Knights of Malta is receiued place aboue them saying it was not iust that a religion of Friars should precede the whole body of so many Prelats But finally the matter was accorded and published in Congregation that place was giuen him amongst the Ambassadours without preiudice of the Prelates who pretend precedence The Ambassador made an Oration and excused their grand Master who did not send to Trent sooner by reason of the rumors of the Turkish Armada and His Oration of the incommodities they receiued by Dragut the Pyrate He exhorted the Fathers to remedie the present euils which also did not a little touch the Friars of their religion who are not idle members of the Christian Common-wealth He perswaded the extirpation of heresies offering that their grand Master and Societie would take vpon them the patronage and defence of the cause spending not their goods onely but their life and blood Hee related the beginning of their religion which was fourtie yeeres before Godfrey did goe to the conquest of the holy land the heroicall workes done by their ancesters the like whereof they could not performe now because they were spoiled of a great part of their lands and possessions that they are a Barracado of Sicilie and Italie aginst the Barbarians Therefore hee prayed the Fathers to take notice of the antiquitie nobilitie merits and dangers of that Societie and to cause their possessions and Commendaes vsurped from them to bee restored and that it might be decreed by the Councel that they should be conferred vpon none but of their order ratifying the immunities and priuiledges thereof The Speaker receiued the excuse in the name of the Synod and promised that they would haue that consideration as his demand for the preseruation of the Commendaes and priuiledges of that religion did deserue But howsoeuer hee made the same instance afterwards to the Legates and the relation to the Pope his Holinesse would neuer answere any thing but that it belonged to him onely to make prouision herein and that hee would doe it in time conuenient In that Congregation and those that followed voyces were giuen concerning the 21 Articles of reformation proposed in which though there was nothing of great moment yet for the order of the storie and declaration of many things which happened afterwards it is not amisse to make mention of the principall In the first which was of the election of Bishops it being said that there was an obligation to prouide the most worthy the difficultie formerly mooued did returne that it would binde very straitly the hands as of the Pope in collations so of kings and Princes in the nominations if they were tyed to nominate one person onely And the greater part was of opinion to remooue the comparatiue and to say onely that they were bound to prouide a worthy person But on the other side some considered that the Fathers haue alwayes vsed this maner of speech that In the p 〈…〉 mo 〈…〉 Pr 〈…〉 ther 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 worthy 〈◊〉 to be preferred the most worthy should be preferred and alleadged the reason that hee cannot bee without blame who preferreth the least worthy though fit before an other of more desert There was much disputation herein but a meanes was found to compose all leauing in shew the word more worthy and speaking first in positiue termes and passing afterwards to comparatiues that the prouision might bee vnderstood to be free and so that forme was vsed which is now in Print that is that there is an obligation to prouide good and fit Pastours and that he doth mortally sinne who doth not preferre the more worthy and more profitable to the Church leauing a naturall exposition to these words that many are more worthy and more profitable in respect of others who are lesse in
occasion For as hee would continue in the vnion and obedience of the Church so hee would preserue inuiolable the rights of his crowne without suffering them to be questioned or disputed or himselfe forced to shew them That they should not thinke to satisfie him with saying in the ende Sauing and reseruing the rights c. because vnder this colour they would binde him to shew a reason in euery opposition That if hee had seene the Articles as they were proposed hee would haue iudged that the Ambassadour could not haue done otherwise then make the opposition which his desire was they should first haue shewed to him but said they were to bee excused in regard of the occasion suddenly arising and of the circumstances which did produce it and of the suspitions which made them doubt of some Artifice to precipitate the decision And if the Pope had no intention as hee the Cardinall giueth him to vnderstand that the rights of the Emperour and Kings should bee touched and disputed his Holinesse must turne his anger vpon the Legats who proposed the Articles and named Kings Emperour Republikes and not vpon the Ambassadors That hee thinketh the protestation may be iustified before all Christendome when the Articles shal be seene That the Legats hauing proposed those Articles against the intention of his Holinesse he ought not to referre himselfe to their discretion hereafter nor to cause his Ambassadors to returne vntill he had ful assurance that those Articles should not be spoken of any more which being done he will command them to goe againe to the Councell Concerning the citation and sentence the King gaue order to Henry Clutia The French King taketh part with the Queene of Nauarre Lord d'Oysel to tell the Pope that his Maiestie had vnderstood to his great displeasure that which he did not beleeue by the fame which was spread vntill he had seene a copie of the monitories affixed in Rome that the Queene was so proceeded against as that hee was bound to defend her First in regard the cause and danger was common to all Kings who therefore were obliged to protect her and the rather because she was a widow and his obligation was the greater in respect of the neere kinred hee hath with her by both lines and by agnation with her husband who died but a little before in the warre against the Protestants leauing his sonnes Pupils Therefore hee could not abandon her cause following the examples of his ancesters and the rather because hee ought not to indure that any should make warre against his neighbours vnder colour of religon adding that it was not pious to put the Kingdomes of Spaine and France lately ioyned in friendship in danger of a bloody warre for this cause He said moreouer that the Queene hauing many Fees in France shee could not by the rights and priuiledges of that Kingdom be compelled to appeare either in person or by Proctor adding many examples of Princes and Popes who haue proceeded with due and lawfull moderation Hee touched the forme of the citation by Edict a thing not heard of in former times inuented by Boniface the eighth and as too hard and vniust moderated by Clement the fifth in the Councell of Vienna He said that such citations could by no meanes take place but against the inhabitants to whom the accesse is not secure and that the Queene remayning in France a great iniurie was done to him and the Kingdome by vsing that forme as also was done by exposing to prey and granting to the Vsurpers the Fees she holdeth in France the right whereof belongeth to him And euery one marueiled hee said that his Holinesse who did fauour so affectionately the cause of King Antonie while he liued in being his mediator with the King of Spaine would now oppresse his children and widow But he complained most of all that so many Kings Princes and cities hauing departed from the Church of Rome with in fourtie yeeres hee had not so proceeded with any other which shewed well that he did it not for the good of her soule but for other ends Hee wished his Hol. to consider that power was giuen to Popes for saluation of soules not to depriue Princes of their States nor to order any thing in earthly possessions which hauing beene formerly attempted by them in Germanie did much trouble the publike quiet Hee intreated the Pope to reuoke all his Actes against the Queene protesting that in case hee would not hee would proceede to those remedies which his predecessours haue vsed Hee complained also of the cause of the Bishops and commanded his Ambassador And with the Bishops that declaring vnto him the ancient examples the liberties and immunities of the French Church and the authoritie of the Kings in causes Ecclesiasticall he should pray the Pope not to make any innouation Monsieur d' Oisel performed this office with great vehemencie and after many treaties with the Pope obtained of him to speake no more either of the Queene or of the Bishops But in Trent the Session being ended and matters well agreed on betweene the Legates and Loraine and the businesse imparted to the principall Papalins Otranto Taranto and Parmaâ— as also to the Emperours Ambassadours The Card of Loraine publisheth y e desseigne to finish y e Councell Loraine began to publish their deseigne that the Councel might bee finished with one Session more Hee sayd hee could not bee in Trent at Christmas that himselfe and all the French Bishops must depart before that time that hee desired to see the Councel ended and was loath to leaue so honourable an assembly but that hee could not otherwise doe beeing commanded by the King The Imperialists also did publish in the Councell that the Emperour did desire the dispatch and that the King of the Romanes did write that his desire was it should bee finished by Saint Andrewes day or at the longest in the beginning of the next moneth by all meanes And indeede that King not to please the Pope but because it was his opinion did sollicite the conclusion For beeing to hold a Diet hee was not willing his Father should haue Ambassadours in the Councell and said that if that were shut vp the affaires of Religion in Germanie would bee in farre better case The greater part of the Fathers were glad to heare this and Morone making a Congregation in his house the fifteenth of Nouember of the Legates two Cardinals and fiue and twenty Bishops the principall of euery Nation hee proposed that the Councell hauing beene assembled for the necessities of Germanie and France and now the Emperour King of the Romanes Cardinall of Loraine and all Princes desiring that it should bee finished they would speake their opinion concerning the concluding of it and the manner Loraine sayd it was necessary to finish it not to hold Christendom in suspence any longer to shew the Catholikes what they ought to beleeue and to take away the
prooued For Churches haue no temporall goods but granted by the seculars who can not bee presumed to grant them so as that they may bee managed and dissipated at the pleasure of the Ecclesiastiques by which meanes it ought to bee presupposed that euery benefice had a Patrone from the beginning of it except an absolute donation with a totall cession of the patronage can be shewed And as the Common-wealth or Prince doth succeed him that hath no heire so all benefices the Patronage of which doeth not belong to any ought to bee vnder the publique patronage Some mocked that forme of speech that benefices which had Patrons were in seruitude and the others free as if it were not plaine seruitude to bee vnder the disposition of the Court of Rome which doth manage them contrary to the institution and foundation whereas the seculars doe preserue them Besides the censure of some decrees for this cause they added that others were against the customes and immunities of the French Church as the reseruation of great criminall causes against Bishops to the cognition of the Pope alone taking away the power of Prouinciall and Nationall Councels which haue alwaies adiudged them in all cases and burthening the Bishops by forcing them to litigate out of the Kingdome contrary not onely to the custome of France but to the Canons of ancient Councels also which haue determined that such causes should bee iudged and ended in their proper Countries They saide it was against iustice and the vse of France that benefices should bee clogged with Pensions and Reseruations of Fruits as was obliquely determined Likewise that it was not tolerable that causes of the first instance should be taken out of the Kingdome by the Pope because it taketh away a very ancient vse confirmed by many constitutions of Kings Neither could it bee iustified by the exception of vrgent or reasonable cause experience of all times hauing shewed that all causes may bee taken out of the Kingdome by this pretence For hee that would dispute whether the cause were vrgent or reasonable doeth enter into a double charge and difficulty because not onely the principall cause but that Article also must be discussed in Rome They did by no meanes approoue that the possessing of immoueables should bee granted to begging Friars and sayd that they hauing been receiued into France with that institution it was iust that they should bee maintained in the same state that this was a perperuail Artifice of the Court of Rome to take goods out of the hands of seculars and to draw them into the Clergie and afterwards to Rome that the Munkes did first gaine credit by pretence of the vow of pouerty as if they aimed at no temporall thing but did all in charity for the good of the people afterwards hauing gained reputation the Court do the dispence with them for their vow by which meanes the Monasteries being made rich are giuen in Commenda and finally all commeth to the Court. To this they added an exhortation in the twelfth article made to all the faithfull to giue largely to Bishops and Priests which had beene good in case they did serue the people as they ought and were in need For so Paul doth exhort that hee that is instructed in matters of faith should giue some part of his goods to him that doth instruct him But when hee that beareth the name of a Pastor doth intend rather any other thing then to instruct the people the exhortation is not fit and the rather because Ecclesiasticall goods formerly were for maintaining the poore and redeeming slaues for which cause not the immoueables only but euen the very ornaments of the Church and holy vessels were sold But in these last times it is prohibited to doe it without the Pope which hath enriched â—he Clergie exceeding much In the Mosaicall law God gaue the tenth to the Leuites who were the thirteenth part of the people prohibiting that any more should be giuen vnto them but the Clergie now which is not the fiftieth part hath gotten already not a tenth onely but a fourth part and doth still proceed and gaine vsing also many Artifices therein They said that Moses hauing inuited the people to offer for the fabrique of the Tabernacle when as much was offered as did fuffice did forbid them in the name of God to offer any more but here no end will bee found vntill they haue gotten all if men will continue in the lethargie If some Priests and religious persons bee poore it is because others are excessiuely rich and an equall diuision would make them all rich abundantly But to omit these so euident considerations if they did exhort the people to assist the poore Bishops and Priests in their necessities it would bee tolerable but to say they should bee assisted to maintaine their dignitie which is their pride and luxurie doth signifie nothing but that they are quite without shame It is true that in exchange another Decree was made in the eighteenth Article infauour of the people that dispensations should be giuen graâ—is which beeing commanded by CHRIST and not obserued there was no hope that this Decree would doe any more good These things being obiected to the Cardinall of Loraine that hee had authorized them against the expresse commandement of the King in his letters of the twentie eighth of August before mentioned hee defended himselfe in one word onely that in the Congregation of the tenth of Nouember the The defence of the Card of Loraine Decrees being read to bee published in the Session the next day the rights and authority of the French King and priuiledges of the Gallican Church were reserued Whereunto Monsieure le Feure replied that himselfe and his colleague hauing vsed all diligence to haue a copie of that Decrce they could neuer obtaine it and that in humane affaires not to appeare was as much as not to bee Besides this did not serue to excuse the things published in the last Session But that which was saide concerning the Synode in the Councels of the King and Parlament was nothing to that which the Bishops and Diuines and their seruants also according to the French libertie did relate to euery one vpon all occasions making iests at the discords and contentions betweene the Fathers at the practises and interests with which the matters of reformation were handled And those who were most familiar with the Cardinall of Loraine spake most of all And The censure made by the French BB. of the Councell after their returne into France A Prouer be made in France concerning the Councell it passed in France in manner of a Prouerbe that the moderne Councell had more authoritie then that of the Apostles because their owne pleasure onely was a sufficient ground for the Decrees without admitting the holy Ghost But in Germany the Decrees of reformation were not thought considerable neither by the Protestants nor by the Catholiques The Protestants did examine the
gaue to those which were built before In like manner euery one payed them tithes due either by law or custome as in the old Testament is commanded Wherein euery one was the more forward because Clergie-men in those times contented themselues with necessaries onely and bestowed the remainder either to repaire their Churches or to adorne them or in workes of charitie and pietie Now the Bishops of Rome pride and ambition hauing not as yet possessed their harts were acknowledged by all Christians to bee superiours of all Churches in all Spirituall gouernment as successours vnto the Apostle Saint Peter because that Citie by reason of the dignitie and greatnesse thereof retained the name and maiestie of the Empire as head of all the rest and because Christian Religion was thence diffused into the greater part of Europe and because Constantine hauing beene baptized by Siluester did willingly acknowledge that such authority belonged to him and his successors Besides there is a fame that Constantine beeing constrained to translate the seate of the Empire to Bizantium now called by his name Constantinople by occasion of some accidents hapning in the Westerne Prouinces gaue to the Popes the Lordships of Rome and of many other Cities and Prouinces in Italie This fame though cherished by succeeding Popes and beleeued by many by reason of their authoritie and credit is not onely disproued by more probable authors but euen by the very things themselues For it is most manifest that Rome as also all Italy obeyed the Emperours and their Magistrates both then and many yeeres after Some wil not beleeue any thing at all that hath been spoken concerning Constantine and Siluester such is the obscurity of things done so long agoe affirming that they liued not at the same time yet no man denieth that the translation of the Empire was the first cause of the Popes authoritie For the people of Rome withdrew their obedience from the Emperours by occasion of their absence and of the difficulties which they found in the East and did the rather performe willingly some certaine obsequiousnesse to the Bishops of Rome though indeed no absolute subiection These things appeared but slowly because of the inundations of the Gothes and Vandals and other barbarous nations into Italy by which Rome hauing beene often sacked the Popes in respect of temporall matters were obscure and meane and in Italy the Emperours had very small authoritie hauing left it as a pray to the Barbarians Of these nations the rest being past away like a torrent the Gothes who were Christians both by name and by profession and had their 〈◊〉 from some parts of Dacia and of Tartaria continued their power there seuentie yeeres together When these were driuen out of Italie by the Emperours the Countrey began againe to bee gouerned by Greeke magistrates the chiefe of which called by a Greeke word Exarke kept his residence at Rauenna a Citie very ancient and then very rich and much inhabited by reason of the fertility of the Countrey This Citie beeing much augmented by the great armada which Augustus Caesar and other Emperours continually maintained in the Port neere adioyning which now is vanished was inhabited by many Captaines and after a good while together by Theodorick King of the Gothes and by his successors who made choyce of it for the seate of their Kingdome because that Sea was neerer to the Emperours of Constantinople whose power they suspected The Exarks seated themselues in the same place because of the opportunity thereof though vpon a contrary ground and deputed particular magistrates whom they called Dukes to gouerne Rome and other Cities of Italie Hence the Exarchate of Rauenna tooke the name vnder which was conteined whatsoeuer was not gouerned by particular Dukes In those times the BB. of Rome had no temporall power at all and hauing lost their former Spirituall reuerence because their liues began to be more corrupt they were subiects to the Emperours without whose confirmation or of their Exarks they durst not accept the Papacie though they were solemnly chosen by the Clergie and people of Rome Nay because the principall seate of Religion followeth the power of the Empire and of armies the Bishops of Constantinople and Rauenna did often iustle with them for superioritie But the State of those Countreys was changed not long after For the Lombards a fierce Nation entred into Italie possessed that part which was called Gallia â—isalpina and now Lombardia from their name as also Rauenna and the whole Exarchat and aduanced their forces as farre as the Marquisate of Ancona Spoletum and Beneuentum in which two last places they created particular Dukes The Emperours made no prouision against these things partly by reason of their negligence and partly because they were hindered by the affaires of Asia so that Rome hauing no assistance from them and the Exarks beeing driuen out of Italie began to gouerne her selfe by the aduice and authoritie of her Bishops These together with the Romans beeing a good while after oppressed by the Lombards did finally implore the ayde of Pipin King of France who passing into Italie with a great armie chased the Lombards from a part of their Dominion which they had enioyed more then two hundred yeeres This part being become his by right of warre hee gaue to the Bishop and Church of Rome that is to say Vrbino Fano Agobbo and much land neere Rome Rauenna and the whole Exarchat vnder which is comprehended all from the confines of Placentia which are contiguons to the territory of Pauia vnto Arimini betweene the riuer of Po the Apennine mountaine the lake of the Venetians and the Adriatique Sea as also from Arimini to the riuer of Toglia now called Isauro The Popes beeing molested by the Lombards after Pipins death Charles his sonne iustly surnamed the Great for the great victories he atchieued vtterly rooted them out and confirmed his father's donation to the Church and while hee made warre with the Lombards hee gaue to the Bishop of Rome the Marquisat of Ancona and the Dukedome of Spoleto which comprehendeth the Citie of Aquila and a part of Abrazzi These things are reported for certaine and some Ecclesiasticall writers adde that Charles gaue to the Church Liguria vnto the riuer Varus which is the vtmost border of Italie Mantua and whatsoeuer the Lombards possessed in F 〈…〉 li and Histria Another writer sayth as much of Corsica and of the whole territorie betweene the Citie of Luni and Parma For these merits the Kings of France haue been magnified by the Popes and haue obtained the name of Most Christian Kings Afterwards in the yeere 800. after CHRIST Pope Leo and the people of Rome by the Popes authoritie onely as head of that people made this Charles Emperour of Rome separating this part of the Empire from those Emperours which had their seat at Constantinople because Rome and the Westerne Prouinces beeing abandoned by them could not well subsist without a Prince of their
Churches by a nationall Councell 31 For wee know that the spirit of God is tied neither to places nor to numbers of men Tel it to the Church saith Christ not to the whole Church spread ouer the world but to a particular which may easily meet in one place Wheresoeuer saith he two or three shall bee gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them When Paul would reforme the Churches of the Corinthians and of the Galatians he did not command them to expect a Generall Councell but onely wrot vnto them that what error soeuer or vice was amongst them themselues should presently cutt it off So in times past when Bishops did sleepe or intended by-matters or did defile and pollute the Lords Temple God did alwaies extraordinarily rayse vp some men of great spirit and courage who made all well and sound againe 32 For our selues wee haue done nothing but with very good reason nothing but what wee sawe to bee lawfull and to haue beene practised by the Fathers of the primitiue Church without any reprehension at all wherfore wee called a full Synod of Bishops and by common consent of all sorts purged our Church as it were Augeus his stable of those excrements which either the negligence or the malice of men had brought in wee haue restored all things as much as possibly wee could to the ancient puritie of the Apostolicall times and the similitude of the primitiue Church This was iustly in our power to doe and because wee could doe it wee did it boldly 33 Here I thinke it fit that you should heare what Pope Gregory the first hath written concerning this matter which pleaseth mee the more because hee wrote it to Augustine Bishop of the English about the institutiō of the Church of England Hee exhorteth him not to call a Councell but to ordaine that which he himselfe in his own wisdome did thinke would most promote pietie and religion Your brotherhood sayth hee knoweth the Custome of the Romane Church in which you haue been brought vp It pleaseth mee to heare that you haue beene carefull to make choyce of as many things as you can finde acceptable to GOD either in the Church of Rome France or of any other that you may bring them into the English Church which is as yet but new in faith and as it were but now to bee framed For things are not to bee valewed because of the place where they are found but places are to bee valewed for the things that are in them 34 So the Fathers in the Councell of Constantinople write to Damasus Bishop of Rome and to the other Westerne Bishops You know say they that the old Decree and definition of the Nicen fathers concerning the care of particular Churches hath alwayes been in force that the husbandmen of the Lord's vineyard in euery Prouince taking their next bordering neighbours vnto them if they please should bestowe Ecclesiasticall honours vpon those whom they thinke will vse them well The Bishops of Africa wrote thus to Celestinus Bishop of Rome Let your Holinesse as becommeth you take away all wicked euasions of Priests and inferiour Clergie-men because none of the Fathers haue denied this to the Church of Africa And the Decrees of the Nicen Councell doe most plainely referre not onely meane Clergie men but euen the Bishops themselues to their Metropolitans For businesses are best ended in the places where they are neither is the grace of the Holy Spirit wanting vnto any Prouince Let this equitie be wisely obserued and constantly maintained by the Ministers of CHRIST 35 Eleutherius Bishop of Rome writeth to Lucius King of Britannie much better and more appositely to our present purpose You haue saith he desired that wee should send you the lawes of the Romans and of the Emperours that you may make vse of them in the kingdome of Britannie These lawes wee may abrogate when we will but the lawes of God we cannot You haue receiued by God's mercie into your kingdome of Britannie the law and faith of CHRIST you haue there the Old and the New Testament from them take through the grace of God lawes by a Councel of your owne kingdome and God permitting you instruct your kingdome of Britannie by them For you are Gods Vicar in that kingdome according to that of the Psalmist The earth is the Lords 36 What should I say more Victor Bishop of Rome held a prouinciall Synod at Rome Iustinian the Emperor commandeth that Synods if there were occasion should be held in euery Prouince protesting to punish them if they did not doe it Euery prouince saith Hierom hath peculiar maners and rites and conceipts which cannot be altered without a great deale of trouble What should I repeat those old prouinciall Councels at Eliberis Gangra Laodicea Ancyra Antioch Tyrus Carthage Mileuitum Tholouse Burdeaux This is no new inuention The Church of God was so gouerned before the Fathers met in the Nicen Councel men did not presently run to a general Councel Trophilus held a prouinciall Councel in Palestina Palmas in Pontus Irenaeus in France Bacchylus in Achaia Origen against Berillus in Arabia I omit many other National Councels held in Africa Asia Graecia Egypt without any order from the Bishop of Rome which Councels were godly Orthodox and Christian For Bishops in those times vpon the sudden if any occasion had been offred did prouide for the necessity of their Churches by a domesticall Councell and somtimes craued ayd from their neighbor Bishops so that they mutually helped one the other Neither did Bishops onely beleeue that the cause of Religion belonged to them but euen Princes too For to passe ouer Nabuchadnezar who commanded vpon paine of death that the name of the God of Israel should not be blasphemed to omit Dauid Solomon Ezekias Iosias who partly built partly purged the Temple of the Lord Constantius the Emperour put downe Idolatrie without a Councell and made a most seuere edict that it should be capitall to sacrifice to Idols Theodosius the Emperour caused the Temples of the heathen Gods to bee pul'd to the very ground Iouinian so soone as he was created Emperour made his first law for the restoring of banished Christians Iustinian the Emperour was wont to say that hee had no lesse care of Christian Religion then of his owne life When Iosua was made ruler of the people he presently receiued command concerning religion and the worship of God For Princes are nursing Eathers of the Church and keepers of both tables Neither is any greater cause that hath mooued God to erect politique States then that alwaies there might bee some to maintaine and preserue Religion and pietie 37 Princes therefore now a dayes doe more greiuously offend who indeede are called Christians but sit idly follow their pleasures and patiently suffer impious worships and contempt of God leauing all vnto their Bishops whom they know to make but a mocke of Religion as if the care of the