THE HISTORIE OF THE COVNCEL OF TRENT Conteining eight Bookes In which besides the ordinarie Actes of the Councell are declared many notable Occurrences which happened in Christendome during the space of fourtie yeeres and more And particularly the practises of the Court of Rome hinder the reformation of their errors and to maintaine their greatnesse Written in Italian by Pietro Soaue Polano and faithfully translated into English by NATHANAEL BRENT Vnto this SECOND EDITION are added diuers obseruable Passages and Epistles concerning the trueth of this Historie specified in the next Page DIEV ET MON DROâ— LONDON Printed by BONHAM NORTON and IOHN BILL Printers to the Kings most Excellent Maiestie M. DC XXII THE APPENDIX OF THIS SECOND Edition conteining 1 AN Epistle of Gregory the First Bishop of Rome to Maurice the Emperour 2 A passage of the History of Fr. Guicciardine Florentine concerning Pope Alex. 6. left out of his third Booke in the printed Copies 3 A second passage of the same Author conteining a large discourse of the meanes whereby the Popes of Rome atteined to their greatnesse that they now enioy left out of the fourth Booke 4 〈◊〉 third passage of the same Author left out of his 10. Booke 5 Certaine passages out of the Letters of the Lords de Lansac Pibrâ—â—c Ferrier c. taken foorth of the Instructions and Missies of the Kings of France and their Ambassadours sent to the Councell of Trent Published in French An. 1608. 6 Andr. 〈…〉 udithius Bishop of Quinquecclesiae in Hungary his Testimony of the Councell of Trent in his Epistle to Maximilian 2. Emperour 7 An Epistle â—f Bishop Iewell vnto Seignior Scipio a Senatour of Venice touching the causes mouing the Church of England to refuse Communion with the Councell of Trent now first published according to the Originall annexed 8 Lastly the foresaid Epistle of Dudithius written by himself in Latine TO HIS MOST SACRED MAIESTIE I Offer to your MAIESTIES view the truest and most iudicious Ecclesiasticall Historie that either moderne times or any antiquitie hath afforded to the world impaired I confesse in beautie as being transported out of the naturall lustre both of stile and phrase by a rude and vnskilfull Translator but nothing altered in the trueth and sincerity of the matter which it handleth The Author a stranger to these parts conuersant onely where the Gospell cannot be truely preached was moued to write it as for the common good of all Christendome so particularly in contemplation of your Maiesties seruice For as you hold the highest place amongst all Kings and Princes and are Gods greatest Lieutenant vnder the whole cope of heauen so your admirable perfections of Wisdome Learning Iustice and Religion with which your royall breast is inriched beyond all comparison to bee made with any others cast foorth their bright shining rayes into all Countreis and quarters of the world and rouse vp the endeauors of the worthiest euen in places the farthest remote to labour in the building vp or repairing of Gods Church so farre as the tyranny of Antichrist vnder which they liue and the safetie of their liues which nature bindes them to preserue doth giue them leaue In which number is the Author of this present Treatise The end and scope whereof being the glory of God by discouery of those practises which for many yeeres haue beene concealed by the enemies of CHRIST the aduancement of true pietie and Religion I know not to whom it may be addressed more iustly then to the greatest Maiesty vpon the whole surface of the earth and the chiefest Defender of the true faith amongst vs. And surely if euer any booke except onely the Booke of God did deserue the protection of so excellent a Patron it is this Historie of the Councell of Trent For of all the things in the world Religion is of the greatest consequence and in Religion Ecumenicall Councels next after the holy Writ haue euer caried the greatest sway which being true and guided by the holy Ghost haue beene causes of infinite blessings but being pretended onely and gouerned by humane policies and Arte haue brought foorth as many mischiefes and afflictions to the Church of God Now in this of Trent it is plainely discouered that the Bishops of Rome of whom eight liued and died during the time of the Synode and treatie thereof in stead of being CHRISTS holy Vicars as they pretend haue beene the greatest and most pernicious quackesaluing iuglers that euer the earth did beare It would be infinite to relate the Stratagems they vsed to diuert it before it began their postings to and fro to hinder the proposing of those things which they thought would diminish their profit or pull downe their pride their policies to enthrall the Prelates and Diuines by hopes and feares their diligence in sending their adherents to Trent and so by procuring a maior part of voices to make themselues the absolute Lords of all the determinations that passed By which deuices that which was desired by godly men as the onely remedy against all the errors in manners and doctrine both in Church and Common-wealth and especially against the greatest enormities of the Popes themselues hath beene wrested to a quite contrary vse to weaken the lawfull rights of Kings and Princes to peruert the doctrine and Hierarchie of the Church of GOD and to lift vp the Papacy to an vnsufferable height of pride This is that holy and great Synod of which the Romanists doe boast themselues so much And indeed euery one of any meane capacitie may easily know that many controuerted points betweene them and the true Professors necessary as they maintaine for the sauing of mens soules had neuer any colourable establishment but this which insensibly creeping in by the superstition of the vulgar or secretly set on foote by those that were ambitious and couetous or at the best blindly zealous haue alwaies beene opposed by the Orthodox euen publikely vntill the malitious industry of the greater part put to silence though neuer quite ouercame the paucitie of the better So that their vanting of the Antiquitie of their Religion and of the infancie of ours is vaine and idle And if they will glory as vsually they doe of the vniuersalitie of their doctrine because it was established forsooth by the holy Ecumenicall Councell of Trent as they terme it none can better iudge then your MAIESTY how factious and how vnlawfull that assembly was and by this Historie the whole world may vnderstand the weaknesse of that foundation The Almightie blesse your MAIESTIE with length of daies strength of bodie loyaltie of your people and with all imaginable happinesse in your most Royall Progenie and in swaying the Scepter of your Dominions Your Sacred Maiesties most humble and most faithfully deuoted Subiect NATHANAEL BRENT TO THE READER COurteous Reader thou shalt see in this Booke greater varietie of remarkeable accidents then before the reading of it thou couldest haue possibly imagined The state of religion
night with small satisfaction of the parties and scandall of honest men In the end all was resolued but by the greater part only which did not much exceed in number those who contradicted The seuenteenth of September the day appointed for the Session beeing The Session come the Legats Ambassadors and 180. Prelats went to the Church with the vsuall ceremonies and after prayers made in time of the Masse the Bishop of Ventimiglia preached who with an Episcopall and Senatorious grauitie vsing the comparison betweene ciuill bodies and naturall shewed how monstrous a Synod would be if it had no head he shewed the office of it in making an influence of vertues into all the members and the thankefulnesse and duety of these in hauing more care of it then of themselues exposing themselues also to the defence of it hee said that the chiefe fault of an heretique according to Saint Paul was that hee doth not acknowledge an head on which the connexion of the whole body doeth depend hee added in few words that CHRIST was the inuisible Head of the Church but in many that the Pope was the visible Hee commended the exact diligence of his Holinesse in making prouision for the Synod and put euery one in minde of his duty in presenting the dignity of his Head hee praised the pietie and modestie of the Fathers prayed GOD that that Councell might proceed and end as gloriously as it had begun The Masse being ended the letters of Cardinall Amulius were read who The letters of Cardinall Amulius concerning the Orientall Christians as Protector of the Orientall Christian Nations informed the Synod that Abdisu Patriarch of Muzale in Assyria beyond Euphrates was come to Rome who had visited the Churches rendred obedience to the Pope and receiued the confirmation and Cope from his Holinesse Hee related that the people subiect vnto him had receiued the faith from the Apostles Thomas and Thaddeus and one of their Disciples called Marcus wholy conformable to the Roman with the same Sacraments and Rites whereof they had Bookes written euer since the time of the Apostles In the end hee told the largenesse of the Countrey subiect to that Prelat which extendeth it selfe vnto the further India with innumerable people subiect partly to the Turke partly to the Sophi of Persia and to the King of Portugall The letter beeing read the Ambassadour of Portugall protested that the Easterne Bishops subiect to his King did not acknowledge any Patriarch for their Superior and said that by acknowledging of this Patriarch they might not doe themselues and the King a preiudice Afterwards the Confession of his faith made in Rome the Are confuted by the Portugall Ambassadour◠17 of March was read in which hee swore to maintaine the faith of the holy Church of Rome promising to approoue and condemne that which it did approue and condemne and to teach the same to the Metropolitans and Bishops subiect vnto him Afterwards his letters directed to the Synode were read in which hee excused his not comming to the Councel by reason of the length of the iourney and prayed them that when it was ended the Decrees thereof might be sent vnto him which he promised he would cause to be fully obserued The same things had been read in the first Congregation but not regarded The Portugals protestation made men consider diuers absurdities in that narration and there was a whispering and the Portugall Prelates began to speake But the Speaker by order of the Legates told them that this should be spoken of in the Congregation And proceeding in the actes of the Councell the Masse Bishop read the The doctrine of the Massè doctrine of the Sacrifice of the Masse diuided into nine heads which contained in summe 1. That for the imperfection of the Leuitical Priesthood another Priest according to the order of Melchisedec was necessary which was CHRIST our LORD who although he offered himselfe but once vpon the Crosse to leaue in the Church a visible Sacrifice representing that of the Crosse and applying the vertue thereof declaring himselfe to be a Priest after the order of Melchizedec offered to GOD the Father his body and blood vnder the Bread and Wine and gaue them to his Apostles commanding them and their successors to offer them And this is that pure offering foretolde by Malachie which Saint Paul calleth the Table of the LORD and was figured by diuers Sacrifices in the time of Nature and of the Law 2. Because the same CHRIST is sacrificed in the Masse without blood who was sacrificed on the Crosse with blood this sacrifice is propitiatory and GOD appeased with this offering bestoweth the gift of repentance and remitteth all sinnes the offering and by the Priests the offerer beeing the same who formerly offered himselfe vpon the Crosse onely in a diuers manner so that this of the Masse doth not derogate from that of the Crosse yea by this the fruits of that are receiued which is offered for the sinnes punishments and necessities of the faithfull and also for the dead not fully purged 3. And though some Masses bee celebrated in memory of the Saints the sacrifice is not offered to them but to GOD onely 4. And to offer him with reuerence the Church hath for many ages instituted the Canon free from all errour composed out of the words of the LORD tradition of the Apostles and constitutions of Popes 5. And for the edification of the faithfull the Church hath instituted certaine Rites to pronounce in the Masse some things with a lowe and some with a loud voice adding benedictions lights odours and vestments by Apostolicall tradition 6. And the Synode doeth not condemne as priuate and vnlawfull but doeth approoue those Masses in which the Priest doeth communicate alone which vse is common in regard the people doeth communicate spiritually and that they are celebrated by a publique Minister and for all the faithfull 7. And the Church hath commanded to put water into the wine because CHRIST hath done so and from his side did issue water and blood together by which the vnion of the people signified by the water with CHRIST their head is represented 8. And howsoeuer the people doe not receiue much instruction by the Masse yet the Fathers haue not thought it fit that it should bee celebrated in the vulgar Therefore retaining the vse of the Romane Church that the people may not bee deceiued the Priests ought to expound something which is read in it especially vpon Holy dayes 9. And to condemne the errours which are spread against this doctrine it doeth adde nine Canons 1. Anathematizing him that shall say that a true and proper sacrifice is not offered to GOD in the Masse 2. Or that shall say that CHRIST by these wordes Doe this in remembrance of mee hath not instituted Priests and The Canons of the Masse commanded them to offer 3. Or shall say that the Masse is a sacrifice onely of prayse or
proposed and many practises were discouered though they were not able to penetrate the ground of them That they gaue order to Otranto and Ventimiglia to learne cunningly of what opinion the Prelates would bee in case they proposed to referre it to his Holinesse who hauing sounded them exactly found that 60 would bee rigidly opposite of whom there was but small hope that they could possibly bee perswaded For howsoeuer the Secretary of the Marquisse had at their instance dealt effectually with the Spaniards yet he brought from them no more then this that they would not oppose with bitternesse but deliuer their opinions quietly and without clamour That they knew the maior part were of the contrary opinion because they depend on Rome but they ought to disburden their conscience That they were assured that this was not contrary to his Holinesse of whose religious and godly disposition they could not doubt but vnto the Bishops onely who are about him They added that the Spaniards hauing discouered that there was a purpose to remit the businesse to his Holinesse sayd the same was done in the matter of the Chalice and that it was in vaine to hold a Councell to handle that which was of no importance and to referre that which deserueth prouision They aduised him of the promise made to the Ambassadours to propose the reformation and of the impossibility to deferre it any longer and being aduertised of the comming of Loraine and the French-men and vnderstanding that they were full of conceits and designes of nouitie they concluded that they would vndoubtedly ioyne with the mal-contents of Trent Therefore not knowing in these ambiguities what course to take they told him they had resolued to expect the commandements of his Holinesse The Pope being aduised at the same time from other places of the proiects With whose aduertisemēts and others his Holinesse is much troubled of Loraine and particularly that hee would reforme the election of the Popedome that the Vltramontans might also bee partakers of it it pierced deepely into his minde Therefore resoluing not to expect the blow but to preuent hee informed all the Italian Princes heereof shewing them what a dishonour it would bee to the Nation if it should succeede that hee spake not for himselfe whom it did not concerne but for publique respects and for the loue of his Countrey And knowing that a Spanish Pope could not bee acceptable to the King of Spaine in regard of the naturall propension that Clergie hath to free themselues from the exactions of the King and that a French man would haue pleased him lesse because of the enmity betweene the Nations and that the greatest part of his trustie friends were in Italy hee wrote vnto his Nuncio to communicate vnto him the designe of the French men to make a Pope of their Nation that by his meanes they may possesse Naples and Milan to which they pretend right And not to bee wanting on his part that hee might remoue some of the foundations on which the Cardinal might build which were the abuses of the times past lately reuiued he made a Bull in this matter which howsoeuer it contained only the prouisions formerly made by diuers Popes which were antiquated yet it might bee sayd there was no neede of more reformation in that behalfe because the Bull did remedie all the inconueniences which happened or at the least tooke all strength from them so that it could not bee pretended they were in force And to him that would prognosticate that it would not be obserued as others made before it might bee answered that hee who doth euil doth thinke ill and that it is the duety of Christian charity to expect good from euery on The Bull was dated the ninth of October 1562. Afterwards newes came that many Congregations were held in Spaine to make a generall reformation and to giue commission to the Ambassador who was to goe to Trent to make the Spanish Prelats ioyne and aime all at one marke The newes that the King would send another Ambassadour did please neither the Pope nor the Legats For the Marquis of Pescara did much conforme himselfe to the Popes will and the Ministers he vsed were of Milan much addicted to the person of his Holines and his kinred and to Card. Simoneta who imployed them in the Popes seruice vpon all occasions But the Count of Luna who was designed to be sent had remained with the Emperor and with the King of the Romans and was very deare vnto them and had their proiects imprinted in him And they feared him the more because there was a fame and it was indeed so resolued though not effected that he should beare the name of the Emperors Ambassador to auoid the difference of precedencie with France but really should be Ambassador of the K. And the Pope did suspect for many causes the coniunction of those Princes especially in regard of the K. of Bohemia who in diuers things had shewed he was auerse from him And the nomination of the Count of Luna was more displeasing to him because he could not come before the Diet of Francfort was ended which being likely to last vntil the end of the yeere he coniectured the King had a purpose to prolong the Councel But hauing receiued the last aduice from the Legats he was perplexed most of all seeing the Prelats euen his owne also were conspired to make it longer by meanes of vnseasonable perswasions howsoeuer their interests did require a quicke dispatch He caused the letters to be read in Congregation of the Cardinals and gaue order that euery one should thinke of the best meanes rather to oppose an infinitie of imminent difficulties then to take away the present grieuance in regard the Councell the longer it continued the harder it was to bee managed Neither could any order bee giuen from Rome but because of the great distance it was vnseasonable before it came to Trent a thing which in continuance of time would produce some great inconuenience Hee complained that the Vltramontans did consent to prolong it for their proper interests the Emperor to gratifie the Duch-men and to make his sonne King of the Romans France to make vse of it in case of composition with the Hugonots and Spaine to keepe the Low Countreys in hope He repeated all the difficulties which arose from the diuers interests of the Prelates in Councell the armes which were discouered in the Spaniards and what was suspected of the designes of the French-men whose comming was expected At this time the French King sent the Abbat of Mante expresly to Rome to giue the Pope an account of his resolution to accept the Decrees of the Councell and of the Cardinall of Loraine his going to Trent accompanied with many Bishops to propose the meanes to reunite Religion in his Kingdome because both himselfe and his Counsell were of opinion that none was more sufficient for that charge as well for learning as for
commission declared that the Popes minde concerning the Councell was the same as before that is that it should one day bee celebrated that hee had suspended it by Caesars consent to make way first to some concord in Germanie but seeing this to bee in vaine hee returned to his former opinion not to deferre the celebration of it But that hee could not consent to make it in Germanie because hee meant to bee there in person and that his age and length of the way and so great a change of the ayre hindered his going into that countrey And that it seemed not more commodious for other Nations Beside that there was a great probabilitie to feare that the differences could not be handled without commotions Therefore that Ferrara Bolonia or Piacenza all great and most opportune cities seemed to him more fit But in case they liked them not hee was contented to call it in Trent a Citie at the Confines of Germanie That his will was to begin it at Whitsontide but for the straightnesse of the time hee had prorogued it to the thirteenth of August Hee prayed them all to bee present there and laying aside all hatred to handle the cause of God with sinceritie Ferdinand and the Catholike Princes thanked the Pope and sayd that not being able to obtaine a fit place in Germanie as Ratibon or Collen they were contented with Trent But the Protestants would not agree 〈◊〉 Trent is named for the place of the Councel but the Protestants would not consent ther that the Councell should be intimated by the Pope or that Trent should be the place which was the cause why nothing was determined in that Diet concerning the Councell Howsoeuer the Pope sent out a Bull of the intimation the two and twentieth of May this yeere wherein hauing declared his desire to prouide The Pope publisheth the Bull of the in t 〈…〉 against the euils of Christendome hee sayd hee had alwayes thought vpon the temedies and finding none more fit then a Councell hee was constantly resolued to call it and making mention of the Conuocation at Mantua then of the suspension after of the Conuocation at Vicenza and of the other suspension made in Genua and finally of that other during pleasure hee went on to shew the reasons that induced him to continue the same suspension vntill then These were Ferdinends warre in Hungary the rebellion of Flanders against the Emperour and the things that happened in the Diet of Ratubon expecting a time appointed by God for this worke But considering in the end that euery time is acceptable to his diuine Maiestie when holy things are handled hee resolued to expect no other consent of the Princes and because hee could not haue Vicenza beeing willing to giue satisfaction to Germanie concerning the place and vnderstanding they desired Trent though a Citie more within Italy seemed to him more commodious yet his fatherly charity inclined his will to yeeld to their demands and hee chose Trent to celebrate there an Oecumenicall Councel the first of Nouember next and that he interposed that time that his Decree might be published and the Prelates haue time to arriue at the place Therefore by the authoritie of the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost and the Apostles Peter and Paul which himselfe exerciseth on earth by the counsell and consent of the Cardinals all suspensions being remooued hee intimateth an holy Oecumenicall and generall Councell in that Citie a fit place free and opportune for all Nations to bee begun the first of that moneth prosecuted and ended calling all Patriarches Arch-bishops Bishops Abbats and those who by law or priuiledge haue voyce in generall Councels and commanding them by vertue of the Oath made to him and the Apostolique Sea and by holy obedience and vnder the punishments by law or custome to bee inflicted vpon the disobedient to bee there in person or in case they shall bee hindered to make faith of the hinderance or send proctors praying the Emperour the most Christian King and all other Kings Dukes and Princes to bee personally present or in case they cannot to send Ambassadours men of grauitie and authoritie and to cause the Bishops and Prelates of their Kingdomes and Prouinces to goe thither desiring further of the Prelates and Princes of Germany for whose sake the Councell is intimated in the place they wished that the things may bee handled which belong to the trueth of Christian religion to the correction of manners to the peace and concord of Christian Princes and people and oppression of the Barbarians and Infidels The Bull was presently sent from Rome to allso inches but went not forth in a fit time For Francis the French King hauing in Iuly denounced warre in threatning tormes against the Emperour and published it by a booke which boo 〈…〉 hee made it at the same instant in Brabant The French King maketh warre against the Emperor The Emperor excepted against the Bul and complayneth of the French King 〈…〉 nt and 〈◊〉 The Emperour hauing receiued the Bull of the Councell answered the Pope that he was not satisfied with it For hauing neuer refused any paines danger or dost that the Councel 〈…〉 ght bee ended and contrarily the French King hauing alwayes endeauoured to hinder it reseemed strange vnto him that they were compared and made equall in the Bul and rehearsing all the iniuries which he protended to haue receiued from the King added also that in the last Diet at Spira he had laboured by his Ambassadours to cherish the discords of religion by promising friendship and fauour to either party In fine he referred it to his Holinesse to consider if the actions of that King did ferue to remedie the mischiefes of the Christian Common-wealth and to begin the Councell which hee did euer crosse for his priuate gaine and had constrained him who did perceiue it to finde a way to reconcile the differences of religion Therefore in case the Councel shall not be celebrated that his Holinesse ought not to blame him but the King and denounce warre against him if hee meant to assist the publique good because this is the onely way to call the Councell establish religion and regaine peace The King presaging what imputations would bee layd vpon him for The French King waxeth cruell against the Protestants to free himselfe from the imputations laid vpon him by the Emperour making a warre to the hurt of religion and hinderance of the seruice of God which might bee expected from the Councel preuented it by publishing an Edict against the Lutheranes commanding the Parliaments to execute it inuiolably with seuere charge that all should bee appeached who had bookes differing from the Church of Rome that made secret conuenticles that transgressed the commandements of the Church and especially that obserued not the doctrine of meates or prayed in any tongue but the Latine and commanded the Sorbonists to be diligent spies against them Afterwards vnderstanding the
but a little riuer betweene them And standing so Octauius Farnese sent by the Emperour The two Armies are neere together and Daueuert is taken by Octauius Farnese with the Italians and some Dutchmen tooke Daueuert in the sight of the enemie who hauing done nothing while he was in Sueuia but hindered the Emperour was constrained in Nouember to abandon the Countrey by reason of a great diuersion made by the Bohemians and others of the Imperiall High Germany is left to the Emperors discretion faction against Saxonie and Hassia places belonging to the two Protestants Heads who retired to defend their owne Countreys leauing High Germanie at the Emperours discretion and this was the cause why many Princes and Cities combined did incline to composition with him hauing honest caution to hold their religion But he would not make mention therof in writing lest the warre should seeme to bee made for that cause which would offend those that followed him make others more vnwilling to render themselues and giue suspicion to the Ecclesiastiques of Germanie who hoped to see the Romane Rites restored in euery place Yet his Ministers promised them all that they should not bee molested in the exercise of religion excusing their Master if for many respects he could not satisfie them to make a capitulation thereof and hee so caried himselfe that his resolution appeared to giue them content by conniuencie By these deditions the Emperour gained much artilery drew much money from the Cities to the value of many hundred thousands and which was of greatest importance was absolute Lord of all High Germanie This happinesse made the Popeiealous and thinke to prouide for himselfe The pope is iealous of the Emperor and recalleth his forces before all Germany were subdued His souldiers vnder the conduct of his grand-child Octauius were much diminished in number by reason of those who parted with the Cardinall Farnese and of others who did runne away by whole rankes for the incommodities they suffered The residue in the middest of December the Emperours Armie being lodged neere the Village of Sothen departed by order from the Pope from whom Octauius had commandement to returne into Italy and to tell his Vncle that the sixe moneths beeing ended the Pope could no longer beare so great a charge that the time of the obligation was ended and that effected for which the league was made that is Germany brought into obedience The Emperour complayned that Whereof the Emperour complaineth he was abandoned when he had most need of helpe For nothing was done so long as the Heads were not oppressed who could not bee said to be subdued but retired onely to defend their owne Territories and being deliuered from feare it was to bee doubted they would returne with greater forces and better order then before But the Pope iustified his not continuing in the The Pope iustifieth his action league and the departure of his men by saying that hee was not made partaker of the composition with the Cities and Princes which could not be established without him and especially because it was made with much preiudice of the Catholique faith tolerating heresie which might haue been rooted out That according to capitulation hee had not been partaker of the profits of the warre nor of the money the Countreys paid which did compound that the Emperour complained when himselfe was offended and disesteemed euen with dammage of religion Nor content with this hee forbade the Emperour to receiue money of the Churches of Spaine longer then the sixe moneths and though the Emperours Ministers made many effectuall treaties with him shewing that the cause continuing for which they were granted it required that the grant also should continue and that all would be in vaine and without fruit if the warre were not ended yet they The Fiesehi make a coÌ„spiracie against the Dâ—rij in Genua for which the Pope is blamed by the Emperiour could not remooue him from his resolution In Genua the family of the Fiesehi making a dangerous conspiracy which had almost taken effect against that of the Dorij which followed the Emperors side the Emperor was assured that the Popes son the Duke of Piacenza was author of it and beleeued that it came from the Pope and refrained not 1547 PAVL 3. CHARLES 5. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 1. to adde this complaint to the others The Pope beleeued the Emperour would be busied in Germanie a long time and not be able to offend him with temporall forces but feared he might trouble him by making the Protestants goe to the Councell To separate the Councell seemed too violent and scandalous a remedy especially hauing continued seuen moneths in a treatie whereof nothing was published He was of opinion to publish the things already digested seeing that by that declaration either the Protestants would The Popes resolution concerning the proceeding in Councell refuse to goe thither or if they went would be constrained to accept it wherein the principall point of all the controuersies consisting the victory would be his owne And if there were no other reason to doe it this was sufficient to prooue it was good for him because the Emperour would not haue any controuersies decided For the counsels of those that haue contrary ends ought to be contrary Hee saw well that the Emperour would not take it for an affront But the distastes betweene them were already so great that little could be added to them and the Pope when hee was pressed with reasons which did perswade and disswade was wont to vse the Florentine saying A thing done hath an head and so to execute that which was necessary Therefore he wrote to the Legates in Christmas that they should hold a Session and publish the decrees already framed This commandement being receiued they called a Congregation the third of Ianuary in 1547 which hauing determined by the vniforme consent of all to imitate a Session for the thirteenth in regard it was tedious to all to remaine there so long and resolue of nothing the Legates did propose the publication of the Decrees framed For those of faith the Emperours Prelates opposed and said that there was no opportunity as yet and that it sufficed to publish the reformation But the Papalins vrged the contrary alledging it was knowen to all the world that the point of grace and iustification had been discussed seuen moneths together and that the Decree was established and that it would be a derogation to the faith if the Councell should seeme to feare the publishing of the trueth which was decided And because these were more in number their opinion assisted by the Legates preuailed The two next Congregations were spent in reading againe the Decrees as well of faith as The Session is held the 13 of Ianuary and the Decrees of faith and reformation are published reformation the which some small matters beeing corrected by the aduice of those who were not present at the
exclude the Arch-bishop of Collen sent two Commissaries to assemble all the orders of his Sate and to cause them to abandon him and to receiue for their Arch bishop Prince Adolphus his coaiutour yeâ—lding obedience and swearing side litievnto him The Cleargie was readie to doe it for the causes before recited but the Nobilite and Ambassadours of the Cities refusing saying they could not abandon a Prince vnto whom they had sworhe The Duke of Cloues bordering vpon him sent to the Arch bishop and caused 〈◊〉 â—â—of the Nobilitie to go thither also to pray him to find a mea 〈…〉 that the whole State might not bee dissolued with the great dammage of the neighbour 1547 PAVL 3. CHARLES 5. EDVVARD 6. FRANCIS 1. Who doth generously renounce his state Countries The Arch-bishop mooued with compassion to free the State from warre and that the innocent people might not suffer did generously renounce the State and absolue his subiects from the oath and so Adolphus was receiued for his successor whom he had alwaies loued as his brother and communicated to him whatsoeuer hee had done for reformation of the Church who was now of another opinion either because hee was truely changed or for some other respect In February newes came to Trent of the death of the King of England Thanks giuen to God and great ioy in Trent for the deâ—th of the K. of England which happened the moneth before The Fathers gaue thankes to GOD and went almost all to the Bishop of Worcesten congratulating that himselfe and the kingdome were as they sayd deliuered from the tyrannie of a cruell persecutor saying it was a miracle that he had left a sonne of but nine yeeres of age that he might not be able to tread in his Fathers steps And it is true that hee did not tread in them all For Henry though he had wholy taken away the Popes authoritie and punished his adherents capitally yet hee did euer constantly retaine all the residue of the doctrine of the Church of Rome But Edward for so his sonnes name was gouerned by his Vncle on the mothers side the Duke of Somerset who was inclined to the doctrine of the Protestants changed religion as shall be said in its place The Popes letters being come the Cardinall Sancta Croce was of opinion that it was good to mollifie the Prelates combined by granting some of the petitions which were granted from Rome thinking they would easily bee pacified with that determination The Cardinall of Monte sayd that to condescend to an inferior especially to a multitude was to make them pretend a greater satisfaction that first he would try his friends when he found he was fortified with the greater number hee would not retire an inch but if he found it otherwise hee would vse art After many discourses as it hapneth betweene Colleagues Sancta Croce yeelded to Monte who was more passionate They receiued aduise that the absent Prelates would bee returned before the end of February whose minds were sounded and many of them were found to adhere to the Pope These being confirmed with hope and others ensnared with the same baite that the Pope would take notice of euery A decree containing 15. heads is proposed in Congregation ones merit they caused the decree to be made with fifteen heads and proposed it in Congregation By this greater difficulties were raised In the Proheme by this exception Sauing alwaies the Apostolicall authoritie in all things Euery foole saw at what it aymed and that it inferred a pertinacious obstinacie in the abuses which they ought to remedie by preseruing their causes Yet none durst oppose but the Bishop of Badacoz who said it had need of declaration because And is there opposed the Councell ought not nor could impeach the authoritie of any much lesse of the Apostolike Sea acknowledged for Head of all the Catholiques But it seemed that the words there placed did signifie that in Rome the proceeding should be in those things as before and that the moderation should not haue power ouer dispensations and other inuentions by which the authoritie of the old Canons hath beene alwayes weakened In defence of the exception it was said that the Lawes of Councels are not as the Lawes naturall where equitie and rigour are the same thing that they are subiect to the common defect of all Lawes which by reason of their vniuersalitie ought to be moderated by equitie in cases not foreseene when it would bee vniust to put them in execution But because there is not alwayesa Councell to which recourse may be had nor it being possible to attend this when there is one the Popes authoritie is necessarie It was replyed that though all Lawes haue the defect of vniuersalitie yet all were published without exceptions that so they should now doe or otherwise it were as much as to say that ordinarily and not onely in rare cases and not foreseene the Pope might dispence with the contrary This opinion was not openly approoued by all who in their conscience But the opposers are 〈…〉 ced thought it true whereupon the Legat Monte taking courage sayd it was a subtiltie not to attribute as much to the Apostolike Sea as they were bound and so he made them all silent The Bishop of Badacoz demaunded that mention should bee made in that Proheme that the Article of residencie was not quite left off but deferred onely The Legates answered that this was a distrust of their promises and a vaine Obligation to doe that which was alwayes in their power Yet to satisfie so great a desire hee sayd it should bee added in the Proheme that all was decreed in prosecuting the point of residencie which they had begun whereby it would appeare that it was not ended in the other Session and that part did remaine to be handled Concerning the Heads of the qualities of Bishops and other Curates the Discourses aboue the qualiues of Bishops and Curates Arch-bishop Torre saide that they did not onely remedie the corruptions brought in but did weaken the ancient remedies For with such generall termes of age manners knowledge abilitie and worth euery one might bee canonized for an able man and to alleadge the decrees of Alexander was to nullifie all other Canons which prescribe other conditions For when one is alwayes named and the others purposely concealed it seemeth that there is some derogation to these that it was necessarie to say plainely what this grauitie of manners and knowledge of letters is which if it Were done euery Courtier would bee excluded for euer That the manners requisite are well repeated by Saint Paul and yet not regarded The learning and Doctorship which Paul requireth is the knowledge of Christian Doctrine and of the holy Writ that Honoriâ—s the third is not to be imitated who depriued a Bishop of the lower Saxâ—â—e because hee had not learned Grammar nor euer read Donatuâ— For the glosse saith he could not teach
called them and then to end the Councell And if any thing were opposed to this deseigne they might shew that the fault was not in them Many who read these occurrences will maruell that the Pope from whom all consultations of farre lesse moment were wont to proceed is not named Which they will cease to doe when they shall know that hee was aduised from point to point of all the accidents and deseignes and that when those of Wittenberg were arriued and newes came that more were expected hee answered his Legate and Nuncij that the Protestants should bee entertained with as much courtesie as was possible knowing it was necessary in such cases to suffer some indignity willing them to vse discretion because patience winneth honour in the end That they should abstaine from all publique Colloquie in matter of religion either by writing or by word of mouth That they should endeauour by perswasions and hopes to gaine some of the Protestant Doctours and should spare no cost The Pope was aduised of euery thing that was done yet nothing hapned that might make him alter his purpose But when hee vnderstood that the Emperours Ambassadours had giuen the Protestants hope to moderate the Papall authoritie and said that they expected to see a gate laide open by their negotiation that afterwards they might second it and bring in those things which they had deseigned and that the Fathers did hold it necessary to restraine it Why the Pope is aliened from the Emperour hauing other intelligence that all the Spaniards were of that minde and that the Emperour did deseigne to aduance himselfe by debasing the Papacie and did cherish the Protestants to shew that it did not proceed from him his mind was aliened from him and turned to the French King Hee therefore hearkened to the treaty of the Cardinall Tornon in the Kings name which being executed the dissolution of the Councell would follow without his paines or without shewing that he did desire it The Session beeing made the Protestants though they perceiued that the Safe Conduct was not enlarged as they desired dissembling the knowledge of it did demand it and an authenticall copie was consigned by the Emperours Ambassadours to the Ambassadours of each Prince Who hauing read it did complaine that promises were not kept and required the Synods answere to their expositions and to their requests made concerning the manner of proceeding in the Councell The Imperialists perswaded them to goe on with dexterity saying as before that with time they should obtaine all but seeking things distastfull and before there was opportunity euery thing would be more hard That it was not necessary to expresse in the Safe Conduct that they might exercise their religion in their houses in regard it was vnderstood to be granted because it was not forbid That nothing should bee done to their disgrace was plainely expressed in that good and reall vsage was promised and besides that publique prohibitions will be made to all which will be of greater force For the reasons to be alleadged in Councell the same was said in substance that the Scripture shall bee the ground but when there is controuersie of the meaning of it it will bee necessary that the Councell should be iudge For it is dumbe of it selfe without soule and as ciuill Lawes hath neede of a Iudge to giue it life which in matter of religion is the Councell as hath been obserued euer since the Apostles time The Protestants receiued the Safe Conduct but with Protestation that they did it onely to send it to their Princes The Protestants receiue the safe conduct with protestation 33. Articles concerning Matrimony aâ—e giuen to be discussed The Presidents to examine the Sacrament of Matrimony as was decreed making a generall Congregation and choosing Deputies gaue foorth 33. Articles in that matter to be discussed by the Diuines They ordained also that the Deputies should make the Canons as the particulars were examined Some Congregations were held and sixe Canons framed Whereupon the Protestants complained to the Emperours Ambassadours that the hope that with time they should obtaine a reuiew of the things decided was quite taken away because they proceeded to new decisions while their Diuines were expected The Emperours Ambassadours could not obtaine of the Whereof the Protestant Ambassadors do complaine Presidents to stop their proceeding which they hastened with all diligence that either the Protestants might not come to Trent or if they came might finde all decided For the reexamination the Pope the Court and all the The Papaline doe desire to proceed the faster Prelates were resolued to denie it constantly And they thought that they might with better ground denie the reuision of many things then of a few But the Emperour whom it did much concerne to bring the Protestants to Trent but nothing at all to haue the matters reexamined aduised by his Ambassadours of what the Protestants complained and how they were hindered But are stopped by the Emperour to goe to the Councell sent a man to Trent with commission to goe to Rome also to negotiate that all action might be deferred for some few dayes shewing that that haste did precipitate the businesse gaue suspicion to the Protestants and made them more vnwilling to goe to the Councell He gaue order also that his men should bee commanded not to proceede and should Protest against the Papalins if perswasions would not serue This resolution of the Emperour signified in Trent caused a generall Congregation to be called where it was resolued to desist from all Conciliary act during pleasure of the Synode But the Pope was displeased with that which was done and disdaining Wherewith the Pope is displeased at the Emperour for other causes also wrote to Trent that suspending the actions as few dayes as was possible they should for reputation of the As also with the attempt of Ferdinand against the Bishop of Veradine Councell resume them without respect Another cause which besides this had prouoked the Pope and Cardinals was that Ferdinand desiring to possesse Transiluania which was assaulted by the Turkes on the other side vpon pretence to keepe it for the young sonne of Iohn Vaiuode George Martinaccio Bishop of Veradino a man of excellent wisedome and great reputation in that Countrey was willing to keepe it in liberty and to auoyd greater danger not being able to contest with the Turkes and the house of Austria at once made choyce to ioyne himselfe with these by whom counterpoysing the Turkes he held all in an euen balance Those of Austria knowing that by gaining of this Prelat they should wholly obtaine their purpose Ferdinand besides other things which hee did to oblige him more vnto them promised him a pension of eighty thousand Crownes and the Emperour obtayned of the Pope with great instance to create him Cardinall and which was seldome vsed to send the Cap and to giue him leaue to weare the scarlet
onely in Rome but throughout all Italie of the immense number of the Christians in those parts and how much the lists of the Apostolique Sea were enlarged And particularly they spake of the great number of Churches in the Citie Muzal which they sayd was the old Assur vpon the riuer Tigris from which Niniue renowmed for the preaching of Ionas was not farre distant situated beyond the riuer Vnder this iurisdiction they put Babylon Tauris and Arbela famous for the battaile betweene Darius and Alexander with many Countreys of Assyria and Persia They found also the ancient Cities named in the Scripture and Ecbatan which the stories doe call Seleucia and Nisibi They sayd that this man elected by all the Bishops was sent to the Pope for confirmation accompanied with seuenty persons as farre as Ierusalem and from thence by three of whom one died and another remained sicke in the iourney and the third called Calefi came with him to Rome All these things were printed and very curiously read The Pope receiued another also named Marderius a Iacobite of Assyria sent by the Patriarch of Antioch to acknowledge the Apostolique Sea and giue it obedience and make profession of the Romane faith But the world beeing satiated with the former did not care for this second After these shadowes of obedience which the Sea of Rome gained there succeeded one reall and of great importance which did abundantly recompence The King of England dieth whatsoeuer was lost in Germanie The sixt of Iuly 1553 Edward King of England died of the age of sixteene yeeres Fifteene dayes before he made a Will with approbation of his Councell wherein hauing declared that it did belong to him to name the Successour according to the lawes of the Kingdome he excluded his sisters Mary and Elizabeth because their legitimation was doubted of and all the posterity of Margaret his fathers elder sister as strangers not borne in the kingdome and named her Queene who followed in order that is Iane of Suffolke grand-childe to Mary formerly Q. of France and younger sister to his father Henry 8. by her daughter notwithstanding that the sayd Henry had in his last Will substituted Mary and Elizabeth which substitution hee sayd was pupillary and did not binde him now hee was of age Iane was proclaimed Queene in London and Mary retiring her selfe into Iane is proclaimed Queene Norfolke that shee might commodiously passe into France if there were occasion named her selfe Queene also and was finally accepted by all the kingdome alleadging in her fauour the Testament of Henry and that of a Matrimony contracted bona fide though there bee a nullity in it the issue is legitimate Iane and her adherents were imprisoned and Mary entred into But Mary obtaineth the Crowne London and was receiued with a generall applause and proclaimed Queene of England and France and had the title of Head of the Church Shee presently set the prisoners at liberty which her father had put into the Tower 1553 IVLIVS 3. CHARLES 5. Q. MARY HENRY 2. A sedition in London about Religion partly for Religion and partly for other causes A little after her entry there arose a sedition in London by occasion of one who tooke the boldnesse to preach Popery and of another who did celebrate the Masse To appease this trouble which was very considerable the Queene caused an Edict to be published that she would liue in the Religion of her Ancestors and therefore would not permit that any thing should bee preached to the people but that which formerly had been Afterwards the eleuenth of October shee was crowned with the vsuall ceremonies The Pope aduertized hereof considering that shee was brought vp in the Catholique Religion interrested in the respects of her mother and cousin by blood vnto the Emperour hoped he might make some entrie into the Kingdome and therefore did make Cardinall Poole his Legate thinking because hee was of the blood royall and The Pope maketh Cardinall Poole his Legat for England of an exemplary life he was the onely instrument to reduce that Kingdome to the Church of Rome The Cardinall who had been banished by publique Decree and depriued of his honour thought it not fit to begin the enterprise before he fully vnderstood the state of things beeing assured that the maior part was still deuoted to the memory of Henry Hee therefore sent into England secretly Giouanni Francesco Comendone to enforme him and wrote a Letter to the Queene in which commending her perseuerance in Religion in the times of her troubles hee exhorted her to continue in the times of her happinesse recommended vnto her the saluation of the soules of those people and the restitution of the true worship of GOD. Comendone hauing obserued euery particular and found meanes to speake with the Queene though compassed and garded on euery side perceiued shee had neuer beene auerse from the Romane faith and had promise from her that shee would labour to restore it into the whole Kingdome which the Cardinall vnderstanding put himselfe into the voyage In England after the Coronation a Parliament was held in which the A Parliament is held the diuorce of Henry the 8. declared to be vnlawfull diuorce of the Queenes mother Katherine of Aragon was declared to be vnlawfull the marriage good and the issue legitimate which was obliquely to restore the Popes supremacie in regard it could not be good without the validitie of the dispensation of Iulius the second and by consequence not without the supremacie of the Sea of Rome It was ordained also that all the constitutions in matter of religion made by Edward should be abrogated and Popeâ—y is established that religion obserued which was in vse at the death of Henry In this Parliament they treated of marrying the Queene though shee were aboue fourty yeeres of age and three were named Poole who had not taken holy Orders And the marriage of the Queene is treated on though he was a Cardinall and Courtney both of the blood Royall and first Cousins of Henry the eight in an equall degree this of the white Rose grand child of Edward the fourth by his daughter and that of the red Rose Nephew to Henry the seuenth by his sister both acceptable to the Nobilitie of England Poole for wisedome and sanctifie of life and Courtney for his louing behauiour and carriage But the Queene preferred Philip Prince of Spaine before these aswell for the treaties made by her cousin Charles the Emperour her affection also inclining much more to the mothers side then to the fathers as because shee thought shee might better secure her owne and the Kingdomes peace with that marriage The Emperour who did much 1554 IVLIVS 3. CHARLES 5. MARY HENRY 2. Vntil the coÌ„clusion wherof the Emperour hindreth Poole in going into England desire to effect it fearing that Poole might disturbe it by his presence in England knowing hee was departed Legate made meanes
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
had been granted by the Councell of Basill and by Paul the third whose ministers had they been more couragious and not retired from that dispensation for small terrors because some impertinent Friars preached against them would haue done more good that hee was much offended with the reason alleadged by some that as no man could be receiued with condition that fornication should bee permitted vnto him no more can these people who would be reconciled so that they may haue the vse of the Cup. For the first condition is absolutely bad and this onely as it is prohibited Hee answered the Bishop of Sogorne that the Emperour did not contend with any Prince nor sought preiudices against others and desired the Cup for his people by Grace and not by way of Iustice But vpon those who sayd the care hereof ought not to bee committed to the Ordinaries but that Delegates were to bee sent from the Apostolique Sea hee iested somewhat sharpely asking whether hee that had the charge of their soules and all the Spirituall gouernement might not bee trusted with a thing indifferent or whether they thought that this thing did exceed the Episcopall gouernement He said that to referre it to the Pope was to giue him new and continuall molestations To Philadelphia hee answered that the Catholiques would not onely not be troubled but consolated because they might liue vnited with those with whom they are now much troubled To them who would haue Proctors sent expresly he said it was no maruell that none came to demand this Grace because the Emperour had vndertaken to demand it for them who could make an infinite number of them to come if the Fathers would But as the Councell was carefull not to make the Safe conduct too large that so many Protestants might not come as to put them in fear so they ought to haue the same respect herein because more would come to obtaine this grant His conclusion was that they would haue compassion on their Churches and hold an esteeme of the demand of so great a Prince who out of his desire of the vnion of the Church doeth neuer speake of this businesse without teares In the ende he shewed griefe for the passion of many Prelats who for a vaine feare of seeing a change in their owne Countreys were content with the losse of others In particular he complained of the Bishop of Rieti who held the Emperour for a Prince ignorant in gouernement not knowing what was good for his States which hee sayd his most Reuerend Lordship accustomed to serue at the Cardinals tables in Rome could not teach him Finally hee sayd that many other things did remaine to bee answered which were spoken as to challenge him to a Duell but hee thought it better to beare them and passe them ouer with patience Hee repeated that which hee had sayd before that is that if the Cup were not graunted it had beene better that the Councell had neuer beene called which hee expounded thus that much people remained in obedience to the Pope hoping that this Grace would in the Councell bee graunted vnto them who would wholly aliene themselues when they saw they were defrauded Andreas di Cuesta Bishop of Lion in Spaine sayd that the good intention of the Emperour and Duke of Bauaria could not be doubted of nor disputed whether the Councell might giue such a permission but that it was onely to bee considered what was expedient His opinion was that the ancient Fathers and continuall vse of the Church neuer to yeeld to the petitions of the heretikes was to bee imitated It appeared by the practise of the Nicen Councell that howsoeuer the world went topsie turuie they would neuer graunt any thing vnto them and the Doctours abstained from words vsed by the heretikes though they had a good sence that they would neuer haue been pleased with this grant that the Catholikes would take it ill that for an vncertaine hope of reducing a few heretikes many Catholikes would be lost that because the Bishops of Germanie did not make the demand it was a great argument that it proceeded not from deuotion comming from a people who giue no signe of any spiritualitie that he could not vnderstand how they were penitent and would returne to the Church beleeuing it was gouerned by the holy Ghost and yet be obstinate not to doe it without this fauour that this obstinacie sheweth that they haue not the formall reason of faith that if the Councell of Basil did formerly grant this to the Bohemians it was because they did absolutely referre themselues to the Church which afterwards in kindnesse did graunt it that it ought not to be called a true remedie which is not necessarie by the nature of the thing but by the malice of men that the Synode ought not to nourish nor cherish them that the example of CHRIST in seeking the wandring sheepe is sufficiently imitated when they are called inuited and prayed that if this fauour must bee graunted it were better to bee done by the Pope who may reuoke it if the conditions bee not performed that the Councell granting it if the Pope would afterwards recall it they will pretend he cannot doe it and that his authority is not aboue the Councel that the heretikes doe euer proceede with falshoods and deceits Antonius Coronicius Bishop of Almeria said that hee was confirmed in the negatiue by the reason vsed by the defenders of the affirmatine that howsoeuer God giueth many helpes to the impenitent as preaching miracles and good inspirations yet hee giueth the Sacraments to the penitent onely that if they would bee mooued with charitie they should bee more carefull to preserue the Catholikes then reduce the heretikes that the Councell of Constance ought to bee imitated which to maintaine the good children of the Church prohibited the Communion of the Chalice taught by Iohn Husse that now they ought so to deale with the Lutherans that this grant would open a gate to infinite mischiefes that they would demaund marriage of Priests abrogation of images of fasts and of other godly constitutions alwayes proposing their demands as the onely and necessary remedies to vnite them to the Church that euery little change of the Law doeth breede great dammage especially if it bee made in fauour of heretikes that hee would not giue counsell that the Pope should doe it though hee might doe it better that the people would bee lesse offended then if the graunt were made by the Councell howsoeuer it ought to bee confessed that the supreame authoritie is in the Pope that in case he should graunt it it ought not to bee committed to the Bishops though knowen to bee worthy for some time because they may become bad of a peruerse faith moued by their priuate interests Franciscus di Gado Bishop of Lugo in Spaine made a long exhortation to the Fathers that to auoyde difficulties or to giue satisfaction to Prince or people they would not derogate
in the holy Ghost and in particular of that of Constance which sayth plainely that it hath authority immediatly from CHRIST But hee added that speaking of Councels his meaning was that the head should bee ioyned with it and that nothing was of more seruice for the vnion of the Church then to confirme well the Popes authoritie that himselfe would neuer consent to determine any thing in diminution thereof and that all the Prelates and Clergie of France were of the same opinion And returning to the institution of Bishops and speaking still with the same ambiguitie hee concluded in the ende that the question was boundlesse Afterwards exhorted the Fathers to leaue it and himselfe gaue a forme to the Canon in which the wordes iure diuino were omitted and instead of them it was sayd Instituted by CHRIST The French Prelates who spake then after Loraine and the dayes following vsed not the same ambiguity nor the same respect towards the Apostolike Sea but maintained openly that the authoritie of Bishops was de iure diuino alleadging the reasons deliuered by the Cardinall and expounding them who howsoeuer while they spake leaned his head vpon his hand as if hee had been displeased yet they noted him for ambition as if he had purposely procured a Comment to bee made vpon his opinion But the Spaniards were not satisfied with the French men though they did openly defend their opinion as well because the Cardinall had spoken ambiguously as for that hee and the other Prelates did not hold the institution and superiorritie of Bishops de iure diuino to be necessary to be determined in Councell but rather that it ought to be omitted And they were more displeased with the forme of the Canon proposed by the Cardinall in which the words de iure diuino were left out howsoeuer more for their satisfaction then for any other respect these words were put in That they are instituted by CHRIST The Frenchmen and Spaniards had the same end to prouide against the ambition and auarice of the Court which did domineere at their pleasure with precepts vnprofitable and of no fruit and drew a great quantitie of money from Christian nations by collation of Benefices and dispensations But the Spaniards iudged in regard of the deuotion which the people of their Countrey beare to the Pope and of the inclination of the King and of his counsell abhorring nouities if this had been done directly and openly it would haue raised a scandall and could not haue been effected and that the Pope would easily haue interposed so many difficulties with the Princes that they should neuer haue been able to come to the declaration thereof but that according to the custome of that nation they ought to take their aime afarre off and by declaring that iurisdiction and residence are from CHRIST and de inre diuino to put that order in reputation with the people to withstand the violent courses which the Court of Rome might take against their persons that so in progresse of time they meght haue meanes to reforme the Churches for the seruice of GOD and tranquillity of the people restoring the libertie vsurped by the Romans But the Frenchmen who by nature doe proceede openly and with passion esteeme these artes vaine They said there would not want meanes at Rome to make them vnprofitable and that they required so much time before they could be brought to effect that no good hope could bee conceiued of them that the true meanes was without art directly and plainely to rush downe the abuses which are too cleare and manifest and that there was no greater difficultie to obtaine this which was the principall end then there was to obtaine the pretence which beeing obtained would bee as much as nothing And their councels were no lesse different in another particular also They all agreed in iudging it necessary that the execution of the Decrees of the Councel should bee so firme and stable that it might not bee altered But there was some difference betweene the Frenchmen and Spaniards about the manner how to order that the Decrees of that Councel might neither bee derogated from nor altered by the Pope by dispensations non obstanties and such other clauses of Rome And therefore the Frenchmen disseigned that the superiority of the Councell aboue the Pope should bee decided or a constitution made that the Decrees thereof could nither bee derogated from nor dispensed with which would bee an absolute remedie The Spaniards thought it a hard point and therefore not to bee attempted because the Pope would alwayes bee fauoured by Princes when hee should complaine that his authoritiy was diminished and would bee assisted by the greater part of the Italian Prelats in regard of the dignity of their Countrey and for many priuate interests And for themselues they thought it sufficient that the Councell should make the Decrees purposing afterward to obtaine a pragmatique from the King vpon them by which meanes they would so bee established that the Popes dispensations to the contrary could not enter into Spaine The Legates dispatched an expresse Currier with a copie of the proposition of the Cardinall of Loraine and of the animaduersion of some Canonists made vpon it shewing that the Papall authority was in question demanding that order should bee sent them what to doe Whereof the Cardinall when he knew it was very sensible and complained that hauing giuen the copie before hee spake in the Congregation and the Legates seeming to bee pleased they had afterwards shewed so much distrust of him He The Legates send the proposition of the Card of Loreine to Rome said hee thought it strange that feare was apprehended by euery thing that either himselfe or any of the French Prelates said or did Hee complained that his Nation was wronged by the Italians affirming that with his Wherewith he is displeased owne eares hee had hard some Italian Prelates scornefully vse that scurrile prouerbe which was already made common throughout all Trent that is That from the Spanish scabbe we are fallen into the French poxe of which the other Frenchmen did complaine vpon euery occasion and the Spaniards also Whose complaints as the custome is did more incite the curious and A disgrace full prouerbe in Trent the suspicions and diffidences btweene the Nations did with very great danger encrease neither were the Legates and wiser sort of Prelates able to stop the motion though they opposed both with authoritie and with perswasions The Frenchmen being prouoked did resolue to make proofe of their libertie and agreed that in the Congregation of the seuenth day the Cardinall of Loraine should not bee present and that their Prelates who were to speake should vse freedome and that if they were reprehended their Ambassadours should protest and Lansac that they might knowe it and beware in presence of many of them said to Antonius Lecius Bishop of Orange one of the speakers that hee ought to speake freely
not performe its duty and that which is expected from it by so holy and necessary a reformation to call a Nationall hauing first giuen satisfaction to GOD and men by continuall perswasions vsed to the Fathers and the Pope to obtaine of them a remedy against the common euill that to effect this with greater ease he had dispatched the Lord of Oysel to the Catholique King and the Lord d' Allegres to the Pope and commanded Birague that after he had performed his charge with the Fathers of the Councell he should passe to the Emperour to try if by meanes of these Princes bee might gaine so great a benefit It is certaine that the Pope was much distasted with the peace as well for the preiudice of his authority as because it was concluded without his knowledge hauing made so great contributions to the war But the King of Spaine was displeased more For beeing by his souldiers a party in the warres and the victory and hauing spent so much hee thought all was lost and that it was not iust to conclude a peace without him to the preiudice of religion which hee vndertooke to defend and maintaine especially hauing so great interests therein in respect of the damage hee did receiue in the gouernment of the Low Countries it beeing plaine that euery prosperity of the Hugonots in France would encourage the people of Flanders and strong then them more in their contumacie For these reasons the Catholique Ambassadour in France made great complaints which was the principall cause why these extraordinary Ambassages were sent to Rome and into Spaine to make knowen that the King and his Councel were not induced to make this accord by their owne will but by meere necessity and for feare that grosse Armies would bee sent out of Germany to the Hugonots which as was reported were prepared about Strasburg and in other places For those Dutch men who had made warre in France beeing returned home loaden with spoiles they inuited others to goe thither and make themselues rich Neither were they without feare that the Princes of the Empire would vpon that occasion assay to 〈◊〉 Monte 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and other Cities of the Empire and that the Queene of England would assist 〈◊〉 Hugonots more potently then she had done to possesse some other places 〈◊〉 already shee had possessed Haure de Grace But besides this principall end of both the Ambassages d'Oysel was afterwards to make a proposition for translating the Councel from Trent to Constance Wormes Ausburg or some other place in Germany and to represent to the King that in regard it ought to bee celebrated for the Dutch English Scottish and part of the French-men and other Nations who were resolute not to adhere to nor euer to accept that of Trent it was in vaine to continue in that place Conde was author of this negotiation who hoped by this meanes if it did succeed to strengthen his party by vniting it to the interests of so many Kingdomes and Princes and to weaken the Oatholiques by promoting difficulties against the Councell of Trent But it did not take effect For the King of Spaine hauing heard the proposition which I say by way of anticipation that I may not returne to this matter did perceiue what the aime was and made a full answere that the Councell was assembled in Trent with all the solemnities with consent of all Kings Princes and at the instance of Francis the French King that the Emperour had superiority in that City as in the others that were named and might giue full security to all in case the former Safe conduct were not sufficient that hee could not choose but fauour it in the place where it was and accept the determinations thereof And hee aduised the Pope of all assuring him hee would neuer change that resolution The French men in Trent thought it superfluous to make instance to the Fathers as the King had commanded before the returne of Morone it being generally resolued that all Conciliary actions should bee deferred vntill then But the Emperour had not dispatched that Cardinall and informed Loraine at the same time that for diuers accidents and because the propositions were of the weight and importance as that they did deserue mature deliberation and consultation he had not beene able as yet to giue a resolute answere but hee hoped it should bee such as to make all men know that his actions were answerable to his desire to see the affaires of the Councell set straight for the common benefit Therefore notwithstanding the occasions and vrgent necessities of his other Prouinces hee resolued to continue his residence in Isprue to fauour the liberty of the Councell by his presence vntill hee had hope to see some good fruit This delay did not please Morone not that the Emperour should referre as hee did all the negotiations to the Diuines and Counsellors and both hee and the Pope did doubt that the answere would be deferred vntill he had heard Birague who as they were informed was to propose the translation of the Councel into Germany to giue satisfaction to the Hugonots whereunto the Pope was resolute not to consent as well by his owne inclination as in regard of the instance made vnto him by the Colledge of Cardinals and all the Court. And he maruelled at the humor of the French-men who demanded reformation and a translation at the same time and desired to haue a supply from the Clergie for payment of the Kings deâ—ts and yet would make shew to be fauourers of the Church But the truth was that the French-men being assured they could obtaine nothing fit for their 〈…〉 ce so long as the Italians did make the maior part beganne to despaire and to hold no esteeme of the Councel while it remayned in Trent Therefore they tooke from the Diuines sent by the King their publique allowance and gaue them all leaue either to depart or 〈…〉 ine there so that almost all went away one after another The two Benedictines remained vntill the ende who were â—haintained by chest Monasteries as also Hugonius whom the Papalins caused to be lodged and defrayed in the Monastery and gaue him fifty crownes euery three moneths Loraine hauing 〈…〉 ed the allâ—gations sent by the Pope to the Emperour and made a conâ—ure vpon them sent it to his Maiestie 〈◊〉 thought The conâ—ure of 〈…〉 vpon the 〈…〉 allegations he had done all secretly but Hagonots had not onely discoured it but giuen a copie to the Legates who expecting Morone shortly wrote by order from the Pope to the Bishops departed from Trent that they should returne to resume the actions of the Councel In the meane while a congregation was made the tenth of May to reade the letters of the Queene of Scotland presented by the Cardinall of Loraine in which she declared that shee did submit herselfe to the Councell made mention of her succession to the Kingdome of England promising that in case it
iudge yet there is no doubt but that in the declaration they would say they meant the Ecclesiasticall onely And they thought it an vsurpation of temporall authoritie to punish Seculars with infamie and incapacitie of dignities Neither did they approoue the constitution against conculinaries any a yeere in excommunication that they should be punished by the Ecclesiastique because excommunication is the extreme last and greatest of Ecclesiasticall punishments according to the doctrine of all the Fathers so that to passe that was to enter vpon the Temporall power and the rather because they giue themselues power to course concubines out of their countreys deriding the secular Magistrates by imploring their arme if there shall bee need which is as much as to affirme that ordinarily the execution of this banishment may be made by the Ecclesiastique himselfe The Decree of reformation in the first Article was noted either of defect or of presumption For if the Synode had authoritie to giue Law to the Pope especially in things so iust it was not fit to doe it by way of narration or by obloquitie of words But if it ought to receiue Law from the Pope it cannot bee excused for hauing passed its bounds because it doeth sharpely reprehend the former actions of this and other Popes though it doeth it obliquely Those that were seene in the Ecclesiasticall stories said that to draw all the causes of Bishops to Rome was a new policie to make the Court great whereas all the examples of antiquitie and Canons of the Counsels of those times doe shew that the causes of Bishops though of depositions were handled in the countries of each of them Those who expected a prouision against the abuse of pensions seeing what was decreed in the 13. Article did iudge that the matter would passe to a greater corruption as the euent also hath shewed The fourteenth Article was commended by euery one because it did seeme to take away the Annates and paying for Bulls dispatched at Rome for collation of Benefices But in progresse of time it appearing that those remained still and that there was not so much as any cogitation either to remooue or moderate them they remembred that onely the small abuses of other Churches being prouided against the saying was verified that onely moates were taken out of the eyes and beames neuer Euery wise man thought that this age was not worthy of that Decree for the vnitie or at the most dualtie of Benefices and that it would not be obserued but in the poorer sort onely Likewise for the examination in concurrence in the collation of Benefices euery one did prognosticate that it would bee deluded by some sinister interpretation And the prophecie was quickly verified For in Rome within a short time they began to declare that concurrence was not to bee obserued in case of resignation but that hee onely was to bee examined to whom the resignation was made which was as much as to abolish the Decree for the most part because the better sort were excluded by resignation and hee onely preferred who pleased the resignant and Benefices are not vacant for any other cause but casually The Decree of the cognition of causes in the first instance was quite destroyed by the exception added that is except those which the Pope will commit and call to himselfe For causes were neuer taken from the lawfull tribunals but by commissions and auocations of Popes and now the cause of the disease was preserued and the symptom onely cured And howsoeuer the adiunct for vrgent and reasonable causes did seeme to moderate the matter wel yet men of vnderstanding knew that it was as much as to say for any arbitrary cause But in the last poynt which was in expectation so many moneths touching the essentiall liberty of the Councell seeing it was declared that the meaning of the Synod was not to change the manner of proceeding nor to make any addition or diminution of the old constitutions wise men said that concerning this Councell it was a declaration contrary to the fact and published when it did no good neither was there any more vse of it then of a medicine applyed to a dead body And some mocked and said that it was as much as the consolation of an honest man whose wife had brought him children by other men and said she did it not to doe him wrong But by an example giuen to posteritie it did teach how all violence and exorbitancie might bee vsed in Councell from the beginning to the end and all inconuenience done excused by such a declaration yea iustified and maintained for lawfull At this time besides the aduice of the Session helde three other sorts of distastfull newes came into France The first was the Popes answere about the hundred thousand crownes The second the protestation made in Councell and the displeasure taken at it in Trent and Rome The last was the sentence against the French Bishops and the citation of the Queene of Nauarre The French-men hauing much considered on these things resolued The Alienation of Ecclesiasticall reuenues in France not to treate any more with the Pope for his fauour in the alienation but to execute the Kings Edict approued in Parliament without any consent of his Holinesse This being suddenly performed few buyers could bee found as well because men doe not easily resolue to lay downe their money as because they were disswaded by the Ecclesiastiques who told them that the sale wanting the Popes confirmation would not hereafter be esteemed to bee good This was a hinderance to the King and no fauour to the Clergie For the sale was made but it was done at a low rate neither was there raysed more then two millions and halfe of Francks small in regard of the things aliened seeing that it was made at twelue for an hundred whereas it had beene a small price if they had giuen an hundred for foure And it is worthy to bee repeated heere that amongst the things solde one was the iurisdiction which the Arch-bishop of Lions had held vntill that time ouer that citie which was sold at the outcry for thirty thousand Francks But the Bishop complained so much that in supplement of the price he had giuen vnto him 400. crownes yeerely Concerning the protestation made in Councell the King wrote to his Ambassadors the ninth of Nouember that hauing seene what the Cardinall of Loraine had written against their protestation and heard the relation made by the Bishop of Orlience of all things done in Trent he was pleased with it as also with their retire to Venice and commanded that de Ferrieres should not depart thence vntill he had new order which should bee when hee was aduised that the Articles were so reformed that the rights of the King and of the Gallican Church were not put in question And he wrote to the Cardinall of Loraine that himselfe and his Counsel knew that his Ambassadors had protested vpon great and iust
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