January but onely with the Character of a Bishop but in the twenty fourth of February he presented his Commission and made a long discourse in praise of his Master at that meeting the Fathers of the Council were strictly enjoyned Secrecy About the same time Lewis de Saint Gelais Lord of Lansac was sent from France Ambassadour extraordinary to Rome The Pope was highly offended that the liberty of preaching had been granted to the Protestants by the Edict of January and Lansac's chief instructions were to excuse that action He cast the blame upon the misfortune of the times and the impossibility of resisting so great a Torrent because most of the great men were engaged in that Party The Pope was not satisfied with these excuses saying that he prayed God to pardon those who were the cause of so many evils The Designs of the Queen of France for Reformation However designs of afar different nature were hatching in France which would have netled the Pope much more if he had known them The Queen mother sent for the Bishops of Valence and Seez the Doctours Bouthilier Dispense Picherel and Maillard famous Divines to St. Germain that they might consult together about the Reformation of the abuses committed in the use of Images They were all almost of opinion to prohibit the making of any Images of the Trinity the rendering any worship to other Images and the carrying of any in procession but the Cross But Nicholas Maillard Dean of the Sorbonne did so oppose it that in this nothing was concluded no more than in the Conference at Poissy These Conferences were procured by the King of Navarre who favoured the Reformation but durst not advance towards it but slowly The Princes of the House of Guise the Duke and Cardinal of Lorrain entertained far contrary designs to those of the King of Navarre but by an action they did at this time they easily made it appear that what they would have had taken for Zeal in Religion was a piece of carnal Wisedom that struck at the Ruine of a Party which obstructed their way to the Crown They had a Conference at Saverne with the Duke of Wirtemberg a Protestant Prince and his Ministers In this Conference they endeavoured to engage the Lutherans in a League against the Protestants of France under Pretext that the Huguenots of France were Zuinglians and different from them in their opinion about the Eucharist These so Catholick Princes were very willing to enter into Alliance with Hereticks that did them no prejudice for the Ruine of other Hereticks who stood too much in their way as they thought but this Conduct created Jealousies in the minds both of the Pope and King of France because the King did not like that his Subjects should entertain secret Conferences with Strangers and the Pope understood not the meaning of such a Union with Hereticks and it was this interview perhaps that gave occasion to the Rumour that was spread abroad afterwards that the Cardinal of Lorrain was very favourable to the Confession of Ausburg Nay it was reported of him that after the Council of Trent he should have said that he had been once of the opinion of that Confession but that after the Decisions of the Council he had submitted session 18 February 26 the Session was held wherein there happened some Contests about Precedence betwixt the Portuguese and Hungarian Ambassadours The Ambassadour of Hungary as being a Bishop sate on the left side of the Church on the Legates right hand in the rank of the Prelates and he of Portugal as being a Secular sate on the right side where the Ambassadours and Oratours of Princes were placed So that in that respect they could have no Debate but the Quarel broke out when the Instructions of their Princes were to be read To compose this difference without prejudicing the Rights of the Parties the Council ordered that these Instructions should be read according to the order of time wherein they had been presented and so Portugal went first Then the Pope's Brief whereby the matter of the Index was referred to the Council was read for seeing Pope Paul had medled in that affair the Council thinking that the Holy See had taken the Cognisance thereof to it self would not undertake the Examination of it without the Pope's permission Last of all the Decree was read by Antonio Helio Patriarch of Jerusalem who had officiated This Decree imported that the matter of the Index was referred to a Committee named by the Council that the Council invited all who had made Separation from the Roman Church to peace and reconciliation promising in Congregation to grant them a Safe-conduct in the same form as had been formerly granted and the next Session was appointed to be the 14th of March The Legates had written to Rome to know in what form they should invite those who had shaken off the Yoke of the Church to repentance and of what extent the Safe-conduct should be The Pope judged it not convenient to grant an oblivion nor to invite Hereticks because it was his opinion it would be to no purpose and for the Safe-conduct he thought it might be granted in General terms according to the form of that which was given to the Germans in the year 1552. but he would not condescend that the same Safe-conduct should be granted to those who lived under the Inquisition Nevertheless he would not have that exception mentioned lest it might be thought that the Pope had not a Supreme Power over the Tribunal of the Inquisition and that he could not exempt any from the Rigours of the same In the beginning of March the Council held several Congregations about that point and at length the Legates brought matters so about that the resolutions of the Council agreed exactly with the Sentiments of the Pope So they adjusted the form of the Decree which was divided into three Articles In the first the Council granted the Germans a Safe-conduct in the same form as it had been granted them before In the second this Safe-conduct was extended to all places where they preached and publickly taught Doctrines contrary to the Doctrine of the Church In the third it contained this Qualification that though the Safe-conduct seemed not to extend to all Nations yet none who would return into the bosome of the Church should be excluded from the benefit of the Oblivion and that a Safe-conduct was also intended for that third sort But as to these last the Council did not perform the promise The German Ambassadours were still for pressing a Reformation and now the Emperour's Ministers desired that they would write to the Protestants to invite them to the Council As to this last point the Legates answered that that was the way to expose the Councils Letters to the danger of being used by the Protestants as the Nuncio's of his Holiness had been already served that is with insolence and indignity As to the matter of
the first place after the Cardinal Deacon who was on the left hand others that he should have a seat at the lower end of the Bench of the Cardinal Deacons But that accommodation did not remove difficulties no more than that which had been made at Trent For the Ambassadours could not avoid Competition when the Pope's Train was to be carried and water presented him to wash his hands on the days when he did celebrate Pontifically For commonly the Chief of Ambassadours carry up the Train and present water the same Competition must happen also when they were to receive the Incense and the Pax. It was proposed to give the Incense and the Pax to all those who sate on the Ambassadour's side even to the Ambassadour of Florence who was the last before they went to the left where the Ambassadour of Spain was That did not please the Spanish Ambassadour nor was it accepted by the French who declared that either the Spanish Ambassadour should absent himself or that he should sit below him and if otherwise he would instantly leave Rome The Pope seeing that he could not content them by that means resolved to let the Spanish Ambassadour know that he would continue the King of France in the Privilege of Precedence which he had enjoyed time out of mind The Spanish Ambassadour desired leave to protest and did so He was introduced into the Pope's Chamber with four Witnesses and kneeling before his Holiness he made his Protestation wherein he told his Holiness that the King his Master ought to goe before the King of France because of the Antiquity and Greatness of his Kingdom of Spain and for the many other Kingdoms whereof he was Sovereign and especially because he had so succesfully defended the Catholick Faith and that therefore he opposed all Declaration of Precedency or Parity which might be made in favour of the King of France as being null and contrary to the Right of the King his Master The Pope answered him that he had done nothing but preserved to the Crown of France the Right whereof it was in possession that nevertheless he would refer the matter to the College of Cardinals and that he was ready on all occasions to serve the Catholick King The Pope persisted not long in the humour of doeing the French Justice but was quickly overswayed by the Ambassadour Vargas This is the account of what was done at Rome let us now return to what was done in the Council They had found a Place for the Count de Luna that he might be present at the Congregations but that inferred nothing for the day of the Session which is properly the day of Ceremony when all the Actions and Persons ought to be placed in their Order The French were therefore resolved to make new Instances to oblige the Count de Luna to take his place after them that day Besides that there was a necessity that one or other must be first when the Council should hold a Chapel and when the Incense and the Pax were to be given and the French could not imagine that they would give them to the Spaniards before them The Pope to adjust that difficulty at the Instance of the Spanish Ambassadour at Rome wrote to the Legates that in the next Session they should give the Count de Luna a Place apart from the other Ambassadours as had already been done in the Congregations and that the first time they should hold a Chapel for avoiding Competition in giving the Incense and the Pax they should have two Censers and that they should cense the two Ambassadours of France and Spain at the same time that the like should be done as to the Pax that they should have two Paxes presented severally to the two Ambassadours to be kist at the same moment of time and for preventing of underhand dealings and intrigues that might be practised to hinder the effect of that resolution he ordered the Legates to keep it secret In effect Cardinal Morone according to the Pope's Instructions kept the thing so secret that the French had not the least notice of it And on the nine and twentieth of June when all were assembled in the Chapel or Dome to hear Mass Service being begun on the sudden a Purple Velvet-Chair was brought out of the Vestry and placed in the rank opposit to that of the Ambassadours betwixt the youngest Cardinal and eldest Patriarch and at the same time the Count de Luna came and placed himself in that seat The French immediately complained of it and the Cardinal of Lorrain took it exceedingly ill that such a thing should have been offered to be done without acquainting him The French Ambassadours sent the Master of the Ceremonies to make the same Complaint on their Parts and at the same time protested that they would receive the Incense and the Pax first They told them that it should be remedied by two Censers and two Paxes But they opposed that and declared that they would admit of no Parity and that they would retain the Possession of Precedency This bustle of coming and going and loud whisperings caused a dull and confused noise that hindered the hearing of the Epistle and Gospel read But when Sermon was begun the Legates called into the Vestry the Cardinals Imperial Ambassadours and Du Ferrier Ambassadour of France And all the Sermon-time was spent in Debates without any Conclusion At length the Bishop of the five Churches and the Ambassadour of Poland came out and prayed the Count de Luna in name of the Legates that he would condescend that for that day there should be no giving neither of the Incense nor Pax promising that the first convenient day and upon the first Demand that he should make of it they should give him that satisfaction which the Pope had promised but that they had need of some time to consult how they might avoid Trouble and Confusion The Count de Luna consented and so soon as the Ite missa est was said whereas in all the Congregations he used to go out last of all he went out the first even before the Cross followed by a great many Spanish Prelates and Italians of his Master's Subjects The Legates to justifie what they had done shew'd the Commission which they had received from the Pope Du Ferrier fell into a Passion and said that had it not been for the respect he bore to the Holy Action they were about he would have then protested and declared that for the future he would doe it if they did not give him the Incense and the Pax according to the Order of Precedency that belonged to him The Cardinal of Lorrain wrote a very smart Letter about it to the Pope and complained in high terms that the Pope having promised to doe nothing without first acquainting him they made notwithstanding a Mystery even of things wherein he had a particular interest The Count de Luna on his part complained of the Obstinacy of the French
Canonists of Trent had done that the Authority of the Pope over Bishops was not raised high enough insomuch that the diligence and pains of the Legates had no success at this time About this time the Court of Rome was in no little perplexity upon occasion of Maximilian lately Elected King of the Romans who had no great kindness for that Court He resolved to send Ambassadours to the Pope to acquaint him with his Election but he would not doe it in the form that some of his Predecessours had done who had promised and sworn to the Pope whatever he pleased He therefore desired to know what terms he should make use of The matter was taken into deliberation and the Cardinals concluded that he ought to demand Confirmation from the Pope and promise him all obedience as they who had gone before him had done He refused it declaring that his Ambassadour should promise no more in his name but all devotion reverence and complaisance for his Holiness and the Holy See There were great Negotiations about this affair and at length it ended so as that the Ambassadour neither demanded Confirmation nor promised Obedience and yet the Pope in his Answer gave the Confirmation which was not required of him and accepted the Obedience that was not offered This was a Comedy that diverted no body neither the Pope himself nor his Cardinals In the Congregation of the one and twentieth of June the answer which was to be given to President Birague was read and because he was not there it was sent to him in writing About the same time the Council appointed Adamo Fumamo Assistant to the Bishop of Tilesio who continued still ill of the Stone in the Office of Clark of the Council The following Congregations were spent in cavillings about those questions so often canvas'd concerning Residence and the Institution of Bishops And indeed it was all the talk in private Conversations but the Bishops began at length to be weary of it The Spaniards made a great deal to doe about it but most of the rest being cloy'd with such debates were of opinion that these Points should be laid aside This opinion prevailed at length but not without great opposition There were likewise great disputes about a certain Article of Reformation by which the more severe sort would have had a Decree to tie up the hands of those who had the right of Nomination to Bishopricks and oblige them to chuse always the worthiest The Ambassadours of Kings and the Pope's Party opposed this alledging that it was too severe an imposition upon Princes that it was sufficient that they conferred not Bishopricks but upon deserving persons without obliging them to chuse always the worthiest and that it was not Just to deprive the Pope and Kings of the Power of gratifying their faithfull Servants that it was enough that they did not abuse the Power which the Council left them and never put into Bishopricks but deserving men They farther alledged that the Overture that was proposed was absolutely impracticable for these Reformers desired that when a Bishoprick fell to be vacant the Metropolitan should acquaint the Chapter with the name of him that was Nominated that his name should be published in all the Parish Churches of the Town and affixt on the Doors and that afterward the Metropolitan should goe to the Episcopal Town and make a very strict inquiry into the Learning Life and Manners of him that had been Nominated and that all who had any thing to object might be heard Lainez the Jesuit among others represented that this method would be found so difficult and perplexing that it would be impossible to reduce it into practice The Council found out an Expedient for this affair as they did for all others which we shall speak of hereafter The Legates suffered also some Propositions to be made for the Reformation of the Cardinals for the Pope being informed of all that was talkt of at Trent and in the Courts of Princes thought it was his policy and interest not to appear averse from that Reformation He brought it therefore under deliberation both at Trent and at Rome whether that Reformation should be made at Rome or in the Council The Legates and Cardinals who were present aswell as those who aspired to a Hat brought matters so about that this point was not medled with so that it went no farther and was no so much as proposed The Pope had also some thoughts of having Bishops discharged from medling in the management of worldly affairs but Cardinal Simoneta represented to him that the Church-men of France and of other Countries would thereby sustain great prejudice because they were employed in all the Offices of State And thus all the Propositions of Reformation were stifled in the birth The Emperour disgusted at this Conduct and losing all hopes of procuring any benefit from the Council The Emperour loses all hopes of obtaining any good of the Council and leaves Inspruck left Inspruck and at parting wrote to the Cardinal of Lorrain that expecting no good from that Assembly he thought it better to suffer the present Calamities than to occasion greater by applying of Remedies that would not be taken And now we have the Germans aswell as the French overcome and disheartned There were none now but the Spaniards who stood their ground a little for the Emperour wrote to his Ambassadours that they should urge no more the Decision of the question about the Power of the Pope because he well foresaw that to speak of it would be the way to enlarge it and that must be avoided for fear of alienating more and more the minds of the German Protestants The Ambassadours acquainted the Legates with the Emperour's intentions and that came in very pat to confirm the opinion of the Cardinal of Lorrain who was clearly of the mind that they should speak no more of the Institution of Bishops and of the Authority of the Pope The last Debates about the Decrees of the Residence and Institution of Bishops And the last Point is wholly laid aside The Legates at length that they might essay to put an end to these long Debates resolved to hold private Assemblies into which all the most considerable Members of the Council should be admitted to the end that matters being adjusted and resolved upon by the leading men they might be carried without noise and difficulty in the General Congregations In these Assemblies the Legates proposed the Decrees that were framed for the Reformation of Abuses The first ordained that the Metropolitan should examine those who were nominated to Bishopricks that so none but the more deserving should be admitted but the Ambassadours started Objections again grounded on the Interests of Princes from whom the Right of Nomination to Bishopricks was taken by giving Power to Metropolitans to thwart these Nominations under Pretext of the unworthiness of those who were nominated After much Contest it was agreed that that Article