without the Sacrament of order nor order without a true Bishop neither can hee receiue order who is not baptized Behold millions of nullities of Sacraments by the malice of one Minister in one Acte onely And hee that thinketh that God supplyeth by his omnipotency and prouideth against these dayly occurrences by extraordinary remedies will sooner make one beleeue that God by his prouidence hath prouided that such accidents should not happen Therefore the Bishop said to euery inconuenience God hath made prouision heerein by ordaining that to bee a Sacrament which is administred according to the rite instituted by himselfe though the Minister haue another inward intention And hee added that this doeth not crosse the common doctrine of the Diuines or the determination of the Florentine Councell which requireth intention because the inward intention is not to bee vnderstood but that which is manifested by the externall worke though inwardly it bee contrary And so all inconueniences are remooued which otherwise are innumerable Hee brought many reasons for proofe and at last the example written by Sozomene That the children of Alexandria being at play by the Sea side did imitate in iest the actions vsed in the Church and Athanasius created Bishop of the play did baptize other children not baptized before whereof Alexander of famous memorie Bishop of Alexandria being Athanasius being a child did baptize other children aduertized he was troubled at it and called the children and asked what their Bishop had done and said vnto them and vnderstanding that all the Ecclesiasticall rite was obserued by the Counsell of other Priests did approoue the baptisme which could not bee maintained if such an intention as others spake of were required but might well bee in that manner that himselfe did expresse it The Diuines did not approoue this doctrine yet were troubled and The opinion of the Bishop of M 〈…〉 was not receiued But a yeere after he published a little Booke to shew that the Synod was of his minde knew not how to resolue the reason But they still defended that the true intention of the Minister was necessary either actuall or virtuall and that without it the Sacrament was not of force notwithstanding any externall demonstration I must not refraine to shew also though it bee an anticipation of the fit time that howsoeuer the Synode did after determine absolutely that the intention of the Minister is necessary yet this Prelate remained firme and in a little Booke that hee wrote of this Subiect a yeere after did say that the Synode of Trent was of his opinion and that the determination ought to bee vnderstood in his sence There was no difficultie in condemning the last Article by reason of that which hath beene said by others The matter of Baptisme in the third Article gaue them greater trouble what that Baptisme is which is giuen by the heretikes All grounded themselues vpon the Schoole-doctrine receiued by the Florentine Councel that a Sacrament requireth matter forme and intention and that water is the matter the expression of the Act in the name of the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost the forme and to doe what the Church doeth the intention Whereupon they established an vndoubted conclusion that those heretikes haue true baptisme and agree with vs in these three things which they sayd was receiued by an Apostolicall tradition established long before by Pope Stephanus the first in the beginning of the third age and approoued by all the Church following But those that vnderstand antiquitie doe know that this was not the opinion of Stephanus in whose time matter forme and intention were not heard of For that Pope did thinke absolutely that those who were conuerted from any heresie whatsoeuer ought not to bee rebaptized though in those times the heretikes except some few Montanists were Gnostiques who vsed extrauagant baptismes by reason of the exorbitant opinions which they held of the diuinitie and person of CHRIST And it is certaine that those Baptismes had not the forme which is vsed now and yet the Church of Rome did the receiue to repentance euery sort of heretikes indifferently without rebaptizing them The Bishops of Africa and Cappadocia were directly opposite saying that all 〈…〉 were to be rebaptized In the Councel of Nice a middle course was 〈…〉 is that the Cathari should not bee rebaptized but the Paulianists and 〈…〉 ists should The Councell of Constantinople did name many heretikes which were to bee rebaptized and others to bee receiued to baptisme with them in whom it would bee hard to shew that the same forme was vsed But which is of more importance Saint Bernard doeth witnesse that the Nouations Eucratiques Saccofors were not rebaptized in Rome whom notwithstanding hee did rebaptize neither did that Saint thinke this diuersitie to bee absurd onely hee said it would bee good to assemble many Bishops to resloue vpon an vniforme proceeding But giuing no more heede to these things then to fables they held the current doctrine that an heretike doth truely baptize if he vseth the words and hath the intention of the Church The fourth Article that Baptisme was Repentance in regard of the force of the speech was held by many not to bee false alleadging the Euangelist who saith that Iohn preached the Baptisme of Repentance and that Paul in the sixt to the Hebrewes calleth Baptisme by the name of Repentance And so many Fathers haue sayd the same that the Article could not bee condemned except it did say that Baptisme was the Sacrament of Penance But because it seemed in this sence to bee the same with the sixteenth Article many thought fit to leaue it The 9. and 10. belonging to the Baptisme of Iohn many were of opinion that they ought to bee omitted For not speaking of those of the old law it was lesse fit to speake of that which was in the middle in regard their scope was to handle the Sacraments of the new law But others said that the heretikes minde was not to exalt the Baptisme of Iohn and to make it equall Whether the Baptisme of Iohn Christ be equall with that of CHRIST but to abase that of CHRIST and to make it equall with Iohns baptisme inferring that as this did not giue grace but was a pure signification so was ours also which is a most formall heresie In the eleuenth of the Rites some would haue the substantials distinguished from others and said that those onely cannot be omitted without sinne Others would exclude the case of necessitie onely and that otherwise it was not lawfull to omit any whatsoeuer for in regard the Church gouerned by the holy Ghost hath ordained them they are necessary by the precept though not by the substance of the Sacrament They alleadged many Chapters of the Popes and Councels all which would prooue vaine if euery one might change as he listeth That part which speaketh of immersion though it bee a more expresse figure of the death
the Popes for he holding things in suspence dispatched his businesse well in Germany giuing the Protestants The Emperor desireth to hold the Councell in suspence hope that if they pleased him he would not suffer the Councell to bee opened and putting them in feare that in case they did not it should begin and proceed against them Therefore he euer caused some new emergents to arise which might hold things in suspence passing the time pleasantly vnder diuers colours and sometimes also proposing that it were better to transferre it to another place giuing hope hee could bee contented it were translated into Italie euen vnto Rome that the Pope and the Prelates of that Nation might more easily hearken to the proposition and draw the Councell in length The Pope was in great straits Sometimes hee had the ancient desire The Pope is doubtfull what course to take of his predecessors that the Councell should not be celebrated and condemned himselfe for hauing proceeded so farre yet hee saw that it was scandalous and dangerous to him to shew openly that hee would not haue it by dissoluing that small congregation which remained in Trent He saw cleerely that it was not a good remedie to extinguish heresies For concerning that which belonged to Italie it was better to prouide against it by force and by the office of the Inquisition whereas the expectation of the Councell hindereth that which is the onely remedie For Germany it appeared plainely that the Councell did rather make difficult then facilitate those things Besides in ease it were celebrated hee doubted whether hee should grant the Emperour the halfe fruits and vassalages of the Monestaries in Spaine For if hee did not his Maiestie would bee angry and if hee did it hee doubted that the Spanish Prelates would discouer in the Councell that they were alienated from him and the Apostolike Sea for giuing that to others which belonged to them He saw likewise that the Prelates of the kingdome were if satisfied who would think it intolerable to pay the tenths and be at charges in the Councel Hee thought that those of France would ioyne with them and incourage them not for charitie but to hinder the Emperors profit Therefore he began to incline to the translation so that it were not caried further into Germany as was treated of in Wormes whereunto he sayd he would neuer consent though hee had an 100. hostages and as many pawnes and the rather because by transferring it more into Italy into a place more fertil commodious and secure he thought he auoyded the inconuenience of continuing in that state and letting the Councell lie at anchor and be drawen in length from season to season the worst resolution that could be made for infinite and perpetuall preiudices which might insue Besides by the time which the translation required the present mischiefe was cured which was to haue Councell and a Colloquie and Diet instituted for religion concurre together not knowing what end the one or the other might haue a thing dishonourable and dangerous and of bad example and the Prelats would be satisfied by parting from Trent Beeing thus resolued that The Bull of translation he might be prouided to put it fitly in execution he sent to the Legates the Bull of faculty to translate it dated February 22. of which it hath beene spoken before These thoughts did not possesse either the whole or the principall part of the Popes mind but he thought much more of infeoffing his son in Parma and Piacenza which he had imparted to Caesar did effect it in the end of August There is much murmuring at the donation of Parma and Piacenza to a bastard not respecting the generall murmuring that while the Clergie was to bee reformed the head of it should bestow principalities vpon a sonne of a damned coniunction This the whole Colledge tooke ill though onely Iohn Dominicus de Cupis Cardinall of Trani with some few more opposed it Iohn Vega the Emperours Ambassador refused to bee present and Margarite of Austria his nephewes wife shewed herselfe discontented because shee desired the inuestiture in the person of her husband for that shee lost the title of the Dutchesse of Camerino and got nothing Afterwards beeing wholly imployed in freeing himselfe from the difficulties and dangers which the Councell brought with it standing thus neither opened nor shut but so as it might serue the Emperours turne against him hee resolued to send the Bishop of Caserta to treate with his Maiestie proposing either to The Pope sendeth a Nuncio to the Emperor haue it opened and begunne or suspended for a time and in case that pleased not he was to propose the translation of it into Italy to giue conuenient time to what should be handled in the Colloquie and Diet or some other match which were not sodishonourable and dangerous for the Church as to haue the Councell remaining still on foote and the Legates and Prelats idle This negotiation had many rubs For the Emperour was resolute not to consent either to suspension or translation not holding it good for his ends to begin it he did not absolutely denie any of the things proposed and hauing no other course to take he knew not what to do but to interpose difficulties to the three propositions Finally in the middest of October hee found out a temper that the Councell should bee opened and the reformation treated of forbearing to speake of heresies and points of doctrine lest they should prouoke the Protestants The Pope aduised heereof by the The Pope is much oftended with thē Emperours answere Nuncio his letters was touched at the very heart For hee saw plainely that this was to giue the victorie into the hands of the Lutherans and to robbe himselfe of all authoritie making him depend of Colloquies and Imperiall Diets ordaining in them treaties of religion and forbidding the Councell tomeddle with them and so to weaken him by alienating his dependants and to strengthen the Lutherans by supporting or not condemning their heresies And beeing assured that his and the Emperours interests were so contarie as that they could not be vnited he resolued to conceale his owne ends and to proceede as best befitted his affaires Therefore without shewing any distaste of the answere he presently replyed to Caserta that for his Maiesties sake hee resolued to open the Councell immediately commanding that the acts thereof should begin and all should proceed with full libertie and in fit manner and order This the Pope sayd in such generall termes because he would not expresse himselfe what should bee first or what last or what treated of or What wholly left out For hee was resolute to handle the matter of religion and points of doctrine principally without alleadging other reason incase he should bee constrained to alleadge any but that to treat of reformation onely was a thing neuer vsed before contrary to the reputation both of himselfe and of the Councell
to reformation was peremptory in this answering those that alleadged the authoritie of Innocentius the third and the generall Councel that they did great wrong to that Pope and those Fathers to say they defended so great an abuse and that they shewed their ignorance For if they reade the 3 chapter of the same Councell which is the third before that which they haue alledged they might haue seene the meaning very plainely and how those Fathers did forbid all exactions condemning also the custome to the contrary And in that Chapter the customes to giue any thing for administring the Sacraments are not allowed but others being lawfull honest and in fauour of the Church are permitted as tenthes first fruites oblations vsually made to the altars canonicall portions and such other laudable vsances alleadging that the Chapter was so vnderstood by Bartolus and Romanus The Fathers deputed to make the decrees in matter of faith considering Anathematismes framed the opinions of the Diuines and the conclusions in which they agreed leauing and distinguishing the Articles according to their direction and ranging them in a better order framed 24. Anathematismes concerning the Sacraments in generall ten of Baptisme and three of Chrisme which were expressed in such a forme as that no Catholique opinion was condemned and all parties satisfied But in composing the Heads to expresse the doctrine It was hard to expresse the doctrine and to displease no persons as was done in iustification it was not possible to vse the tearmes of one opinion but that another seemed to be disallowed which neither pleased the Doctors for the affection they bare to their owne sect nor the Legates and Neutrals for feare of sowing new diuisions But not beeing able to expresse the doctrine so nicely but that more then one of the parties would bee lost they referred it to the generall congregation to define how the Sacraments doe containe and cause grace The Congregation was no lesse perplexed then the Deputies One part inclined to omit wholy the matter of doctrine and to passe with the Anathematismes onely as they did in originall sinne Another part would haue the doctrine by all meanes alleadging the reasons vsed when they treated of iustification that it was necessary to follow the example then begun and that all diligence should be vsed to satisfie all parties But at the last they sayd it must be done and that there was no danger of diuision For the Diuines present in Councel though they sharply defend their owne opinions yet they doe referre themselues to the Synode which the absent will assuredly doe also Therefore they should not refraine to doe the businesse exactly that the heretiques may be conuinced This opinion had preuailed but that Iohn Baptista Cigala bishop of Albenga and Auditor of the Chamber did strongly oppose who said it was neuer found in any Story that euer any man was willing to haue his opinion condemned and though all the Catholiques referre themselues to the iudgement of the Church of Rome yet if their opinion were reiected they would not referre it but defend it more obstinately fortifying thēselues the more by reason of opposition by which meanes of sectes heresies doe spring Therefore that the best way was to tolerate all the opinions and to take care that none condemne another but that all may liue in peace Neither is there such contrarietie betweene them that vsing this moderation any inconuenience can arise whereas without it euery verball difference or little trifle is able to deuide the whole world That many opinions of the moderne innouators might haue been tollerated if they had beene modestly maintained without condemning the Church of Rome and the doctrine of the Schooles This constrained Leo to retor◠against Luther those arrowes which he had first shot against the Apostolike Sea In sum the wife Prelate said that the vsuall protestations of the Doctors to referre themselues to the Church were termes of good maners and reuerence which should be answered with as much respect by keeping theselues neutrall between the contrarieties That it is fit that he that would bee respected should giue respect againe and one ought neuer to beleeue that hee that saith hee doth referre himselfe and submit hath a purpose to doe it if The protestations of Doctors that they referre themselues to the Church are but termes of good maners occasion were offered Of this Luther is a manifest example who while he had to doe onely with the Fryers who were Pardon mongers in Germany in matter of Indulgences as also with the doctors of Rome did alwayes say he referred himselfe to the Pope And when Leo tooke the promise for reall which was made onely in shew Martin did not onely keep it but inueighed more against his Holinesse then hee had done against the Pardoners in Germanie The Legates sent a copie to Rome of all things that were deliberated and The Legates send to Rome of the difficulties remaining as well in matter of Faith as in reformation of the abuses desiring to haue order what they should resolue reexamining in the meane space the same maters but most seriously the matter of the pluralitie of Beneficies proposed long before as hath beene sayde and handled in part at the same time all the substance whereof I will continuately relate in this place In the Congregation of the fifteenth of Ianuarie when the Articles of the Sacraments were giuen out the matter begun the day before continuing still in regard many doe not reside because they are not fit to exercise the charge with the pluralitie of Benefices they handled the qualities and conditions required in Bishops They began with that which Saint Paul requireth in bishops and Deacons insisting much vpon the words irreprehensible The qualities and conditions required in Bishops giuen to hospitalitie not couetous not new in Religion and esteemed by strangers Afterwards other conditions required by many Canons were alleadged wherein there was no difficultie all vniformely declaiming against the vices and defects of the Prelates and Clergie This displeased not the Legates being content to see the Prelates entertaine themselues with this shadow of libertie But in the heate of speaking Iohn Salazar bishop of Lanciano attributed the beginning of all to the Court of Rome which in distributing bishoprickes regarded not the sufficiencie of the persons but seruices performed Whereunto the bishop o Bitonto who spake a little after replyed with much feeling and sayd that the fault of others was vniustly attributed to the Court. For in Germanie bishoprickes are giuen by election in France Spaine and Hungarie by the Kings nomination and in Italie many doe belong to particular Patrons and to those that are free the princes doe recommend and will not be denyed taking all libertie from the Pope But he that will not bee transported by opinion but iudge sincerely will see that those who are made freely at Rome are the best of all Europe Pluralitie of benefices
voyce deliuered in the Congregations and of all the voyces of others which were any way remarkeable Of this number 34. came into my hands in that forme as they were deliuered and of the others I haue vnderstood the conclusion onely but here nothing is to be related but that which is of note The Patriarke of Ierusalem said That this Article had been handled and The Suffrage of the Patriarke of Ierusalem concerning Residence discussed in the first Councell and concluded that to cause residence there are two prouisions One to constitute punishments for those who doe not reside another to remooue the impediments which doe hinder residencie The first was fully ordered in the sixt Session neither can any thing bee added in regard the losse of halfe the reuenues is a very great pecuniary punishment then which a greater cannot be imposed without making the Bishops beggars If the contumacie bee excessiue there can bee no greater punishment except depriuation which requiring one to execute it which must needs be the Pope in regard the ancient vse of the Church was to reserue to that Sea the hearing and determining of the causes of Bishops that sixt Session referred it to his Holinesse to finde a remedie either by meanes of a new prouision or otherwise and bound the Metropolitane to aduise him of the absence For the second they beganne to make prouision and in that and other Sessions many Decrees were made to take away many exemptions which hindered the Bishops to exercise their charge Therefore it now remaineth onely to continue and to remooue the residue of the impediments electing a certaine number of Fathers as then was done to make collection of them that they may bee proposed and prouided for The Archbishop of Granata added that a more potent and effectuall remedie The suffrage of the Arch-bishop of Granada was proposed in that Councell that is that the obligation of Residence was by the Law of God which was handled and examined tenne moneths together and that if that Councell had not been interrupted it would haue beene decided as a necessary yea as a principall article of the doctrine of the Church and was then not onely discussed but the reasons vsed by diuers were put in print also so that the matter is prepared and digested and nothing now remaineth but to giue it perfection When it shall be determined that residencie is de iure Diuino all hinderances will cease of themselues the Bishops vnderstanding their duety wil thinke on their owne conscience they will not be reputed hirelings but Pastors who knowing that the flocke is giuen to them by God to whom they must make an account without laying the fault on others and being assured that dispensations wil neither saue nor helpe them they will apply themselues to performe their duety And he proceeded to proue with many authorities of the New and Old Testament Is approved by the maior part and exposition of the Fathers that this was the Catholike truth This opinion was approoued by the maior part of the Congregation the maintainers whereof laboured to bring authorities and reasons Others did reiect it and said it was new neuer defended neither by antiquity And reiected by others nor by this age before Cardinall Caietan who set the question on foote and maintained that part which notwithstanding hee did abandon in his old age because hee tooke a Bishopricke and did neuer reside that the Church hath euer held that the Pope might dispense that Non-residents haue alwayes beene punished and reprehended as transgressors of the Canons onely and not of the Law of God that indeede it was disputed in the first Councell but the disputation was held to be so dangerous by the Legats men of great wisedome that they did cunningly cause it to bee buried in silence that this example ought to be followed and that the bookes which haue beene written since haue giuen great scandall to the world and made knowen that the disputation proceeded from partiality For the authorities of the Scripture and Fathers they are onely exhortations to perfection neither is there any substantiall proofe but out of the Canons which are Ecclesiasticall lawes Some held opinion that there was neither place nor time nor opportunity to handle that question that no good could come by the determination of it but danger of many inconueniences that the Councell was assembled to extirpate heresies not to make Schisme among the Catholiques which would happen by condemning an opinion followed if not by the greater part yet by one halfe at the least that the authours of that opinion haue not inuented it for trueths sake but the more to vrge men to reside with small ground of reason in regard that the Lawes of GOD are not more diligently obserued then the Lawes of the Church that the precept for keeping of Lent is more strictly obserued then those of the Decalogue that if to confesse and communicate at Easter were commanded by GOD The lawes of the Pope are more strictly obserued then the lawes of God more would not doe it then now doe that to say Masse with Copes is an Ecclesiasticall law and yet no man doth transgresse it hee that doth not obey the penall commands of the Canons will transgresse much more when hee feareth onely the iustice of GOD neither will any Bishop be mooued with that determination but it will giue occasion to plot rebellions against the Apostolique Sea to restraine the Popes authority and as some haue been heard to whisper to depresse the Court of Rome that that was the ornament of the Clergie which is respected in other places onely in regard of it that if it should be depressed the Church would euery where be lesse esteemed and therefore that it was not fit to handle such a businesse without imparting it to his Holinesse and Colledge of Cardinals to whom it doeth principally belong The opinion of Paulus Iouius Bishop of Nocera is not to be omitted who The Suffrage of Paulus Iouius Bishop of Nocera said in substance That certainly the Councel was assembled to cure a great wound which is the deformation of the Church the cause whereof as all are perswaded is the absence of the Prelats from their Churches which beeing affirmed by all is perhaps not sufficiently considered by any But it is not the part of a wise Physician to take away the cause before hee be well assured that the remoouing of it will not cause greater diseases If the absence of Prelats hath beene the cause of the corruptions there will bee lesse deformation in those Churches where they haue resided The Popes for these hundred yeeres haue continually sate in Rome and vsed all diligence to instruct the people yet we doe not see that that citie is better gouerned then others The great capitall Cities of Kingdomes are most out of order where the Prelats haue alwayes resided on the contrary some poore cities which haue not
which did not please the maior part They made also a collection of the abuses which dayly happen in the celebration of Masses which were but few in respect of those which were noted in the yeere 1551. The thirteenth of August a generall Congregation was helde to receiue The Archbishop of Lanciano and of Palerme are contrar in opinion the Proctors of the Bishops of Ratisbone and Basil that they might honour this second to the shame of the Citie of Basil which did contend with him for the title saying hee should not be called Bishop of Basil but of Bontruto The draught being giuing forth the Archbishop of Lanciano was of opinion that the Anathematismes onely should be published and the points of doctrine wholly omitted He alledged the example of other Counsels in very few of which it hath bin otherwise obserued and that this same Councel of Trent in the matter of Original sin of the Sacraments of Baptisme did leaue it out He said it was for Doctors to shew reasons for their opinions but the Iudges such as Bishops in Councel are were to make their sentences absolute that if a reason be added not onely the Decree but that also may bee impugned without which euery one will thinke that the Synod hath been mooued by most potent arguments and euery one will beleeue that it hath beene induced by those which himselfe doth most esteeme that it is not secure to vse reasons though most euident because the heretickes will oppose them and esteeme them but little and the more is sayd the more matter of contradiction is ministred He added also that the coniunctures did require a sudden dispatch of the Councell and did intimate by words vnderstood by the Legats and fauourers of the Pope that by this meanes they should giue satisfaction to his Holinesse Octauianus Preconius Archbishop of Palermo who followed him in order spake to the contrary that the vse of Counsels hath beene to make a Symboll of their owne vnto which the doctrine doeth answere and then to adde the Anathematismes That this hauing beene obserued in this Councell vnder Iulius and now againe in the last Session if it were not continued it would be sayd it was for want of reasons Hee sayd it was base to shun the disputation of Heretiques yea that their contradiction would make the doctrine of the Councel shine more brightly and that they were not to take care to finish the Councell quickely but to finish it well These two Prelats were so tedious that the night concluded the Congregation and they said it was no wonder if a Daminican of Genua for so Landiano was should be contrary to a Franciscan of Sicilie The dayes following diuers practises were vsed by some to finish by others to prolong the Councell and those who were interested vsed these and the like reasons But the matter being proposed once againe in Congregation the maior part thought fit to continue the order begun This set on foote againe the disputation about residence and the same men were desirous of the The Legats vâ— practises to 〈…〉 uert the â—â—scussion of Residence conclusion of the Councel and of the omission of that matter Which gaue occasion to Mantua and Seripando to vse their endeauours and to shewe the Pope by effects that they did accommodate themselues to his pleasure according to the instruction which Lanciano had brought them by word of mouth They employed herein to vse good perswasions the Arch-bishop of Ocranto the Bishops of Modena Nola and Brescia who were not open Papalins but newly gained They did ouercome the Italians inducing them not to change their opinions nor to contradict themselues but not to vrge that matter any more Many did promise that if the Spaniards would surcease themselues would doe the like These foure Prelates made a note of all they had perswaded and found they had gained much but with the Spaniards it was not possible to preuaile a iot yea this made them combine the more They wrote a common letter to the King in answere of that which his Maiestie had written to the Marquis of Pescara first complaining of the The Sanish Prelats write a common letter to their kin 〈…〉 and tell him that there is no libertie in the Councell Pope for not suffering the point of Residence to bee decided in which all the reformation of the Church is to be grounded and with a very faire and reuerend manner of speech they concluded there was no libertie in the Councell that the Italians did ouercome with pluralitie of voyces of which some for pensions some for promises and those who were least corrupted for feare did obey the will of his Holinesse They complained of the Legats who if they had suffered as they ought the point to bee concluded when the fit time was it might haue beene resolued for the seruice of GOD with great concord before they could haue written from Rome That two thirds of the Prelats did desire the definition that all the Ambassadours did fauour the truth herein yet proceeding with modestie and charitie they neuer had the courage to protest They beseeched his Maiestie to consult with godly men about this Article assuring themselues that after mature deliberation he would fauour the opinion as being catholike pious and necessary for making a good reformation This accident assured the Legats and their adherents that it was impossible to burie this matter in silence seeing that the Spaniards were not pacified either by the Kings letter or by the perswasions vsed to them yea had declared themselues againe by writing into Spaine which made them seeme to be insuperable The Papalins therefore consulted together and resolued to send to the Cardinall of Ferrara into France a Copie of the Catholique Kings letter to Pescara that he might procure such another from that King to the French Ambassadours as well to hinder their practises to the contrary which they dayly made as that the French Bishops when they came might not vnite with the Spaniards as these did hope and expect And to discredit the Spaniards with their King they resolued to write into Spaine that Granata and Segouia their Leaders who make shew of conscience had promised their voyces to the Bishop of Fiue Churches for the Communion of the Cup not respecting his Maiestie who doth so much abhorre it At this time the Pope considering in what imminent danger his authoritie was in regard of the difficulties and confusions of Trent stirres of The Pope maketh leuies of Souldiers France and of the Diet which was prepared in Garmanie in which the Emperour would be forced for his owne interests to yeeld to the Protestants thought fit to secure himselfe by all meanes and had giuen money a month before to ten Captaines to raise souldiers which were lodged in Romania and Marca and grew very familiar with the Ministers of the Princes of Italy and with the Cardinals who were their neere friends
in those negotiations Hauing therefore collected so many things as may minister vnto me sufficient matter for a narration of the progresse I am resolued to set it downe in order I wil relate the causes and managings of an Ecclesiasticall Conuocation by some for diuers ends and by diuers meanes procured and hastened by some hindered and deferred for the space of 22. yeeres and for 18. yeeres more sometimes assembled sometimes dissolued alwayes celebrated with diuers intentions and which hath gotten a forme and conclusion contrary altogether to the deseigne of them that procured it and to the feare of those that with all diligence disturbed it a cleere instruction for vs to referre our selues to God and not to trust in the wisedome of man For this Councell desired and procured by godly men to reunite the 1500 ALEXAND 6. MAXIMILL 1. HENRY 7. LEVVIS 12. The conclusion of this Councell was contrary to the opinion of all men Church which began to bee diuided hath so established the Schisme and made the parties so obstinate that the discords are become irreconciliable and being managed by Princes for reformation of Ecclesiasticall discipline hath caused the greatest deformation that euer was since Christianity did begin and hoped for by the Bishops to regaine the Episcopall authority vsurped for the most part by the Pope hath made them loose it altogether bringing them into greater seruitude on the contrary feared and auoided by the Sea of Rome as a potent meanes to moderate the exorbitant power mounted from small beginnings by diuers degrees vnto an vnlimited excesse it hath so established and confirmed the same ouer that part which remaineth subiect vnto it that it was neuer so great nor so soundly rooted It will not be inconuenient therefore to call it the Iliade of our age in the explanation whereof I will exactly follow the truth not being possessed with any passion that may make me erre And hee that shall obserue that I speake more copiously of some times and more sparingly of others let him remember that all fields are not equally fruitfull nor all graines deserue to be kept and that of those which the Reaper would preserue some eare escapeth the hand or the edge of the sickle that being the condition of euery haruest that some part remaineth to be gleaned after But first I must call to minde that it hath beene a most ancient custome in the Church of Christ to compose the differences of Religion and to reforme The originall cause progresse of Synods the corrupted discipline by the conuocation of Synods So the first which began in the life time of many of the holy Apostles whether the conuerted Gentiles were bound to obserue Moses law was composed by a meeting in Hierusalem of foure Apostles and of all the faithfull which were in that Citie by which example in the occurrences which incidently sprung vp in euery prouince for the space of 200. yeeres and more afterwards the Bishops and chiefest of the Churches assembled themselues together to qualifie and end them that being the onely remedy to reunite diuisions and to accord contrary opinions But after that it pleased God to giue peace vnto his Church by exciting Constantine to fauour religion as it was more easie for many Churches to communicate and treate together so also the diuisions became more common And whereas before the differences went not out of a city or at the most out of a Prouince now by reason of the liberty of meeting together they extended themselues ouer the whole Empire Wherefore also it was necessary that the Councels which were the vsual remedie should be assembled from places more distant Whereupon a Councell of the whole Empire being congregated in those times by that Prince it had the name of the holy and great Synod and a litle after was called the general Oecumenical Councel though not assembled from all parts of the Church a great part whereof extended it selfe beyond the bounds of the Romane Empire but because the vse of that age was to call the Emperour Lord of the whole habitable earth howbeit the tenth part thereof was not subiect vnto him By which example the like Councels were called by Constantine his successors in other occurring differences of Religion And though the Empire was diuided into the Easterne and Westerne notwithstanding the affaires thereof being managed A new deriuation of the name of generall Councels vnder a common name the Conuocation of Synods throughout the whole continued still 7 But after that the East was so diuided from the West that there remained no more communion in the Soueraignty and after that the East was for the most part possessed by the Saracens and the West parted amongst many Princes the name of an Vniuersall and oecumenicall Councell was no more deriued from the Roman Empire but amongst the Grecians from the assembly of the fiue Patriarkes and in these countreys of ours from the vnitie and communion of those Kingdomes and States which obeyed the Pope in causes Ecclesiasticall And the assembling of these hath beene continued not to appease the dissentions about Religion principally as before but either to make warre in the Holy-land or to compose Schismes and diuisions of the Church of Rome or else for controuersies betweene the Bishops and Christian Princes 8 In the beginning of the 16. centurie of yeeres after the natiuitie of our 1500 Sauiour Christ there appeared no vrgent cause to celebrate a Councell neither was there any likely to happen for a long space For the complaints of many Churches against the greatnesse of the Court seemed absolutely to be appeased and all the countreys of the Westerne Christians were in the communion and obedience of the Church of Rome Onely in a small part that is in that tract where the Alpes are ioyned with the Pyrences there were some remainders of the olde Waldenses or Albigenses In whom notwithstanding Waldenses in the Alpes there was so great simplicitie and ignorance in learning that they were not fit to communicate their doctrine vnto others besides their neighbours conceiued so sinister an opinion of their impietie and obscenitie that there was no danger that the contagion could spread any further 9 In some Cantons also of Bohemia there were some few who maintained Picards in Bohemia the same doctrine euen remnants of those whom the Bohemians call Picards whose increase could not be feared for the same reason 10 In the same Kingdome of Bohemia there were some followers of Iohn Hus which were called Calistini or Subutraque who except that particular Calistial in Bohemia that in the holy Communion they ministred the Cup vnto the people in other things differed not much from the doctrine of the Church of Rome But these also were not esteemed considerable aswell for their small number as because they wanted learning neither did it appeare that they desired to communicate their doctrine nor that others were curious to
vnderstand it 11 There was yet some danger of Schisme For Iulius the second hauing Pope Iulius the second was more a souldier then a Clergie man addicted himselfe more to the Arts of warre then to the Priestly ministery and gouerned the Popedome with excessiue imperiousnes towards the Princes and Cardinals had constrained some of them to separate themselues from him and to call a Councell And the French King Lewis the twelfth excommunicated Levvis the 12. excommunicated by the same Pope had withdrawen his obedience from him and was ioyned with the separated Cardinals which beginning did seeme might produce some important cōclusion But Iulius opportunely dying and Leo being created in his stead with his dexterity he reconciled in a very short space the Cardinals and the Kingdome of France both at once so that a fire was quenched with admirable celerity and ease which in likelihood might haue burned the Church LEO 10. MAXIMIL 1. HENRY 7. LEVVIS 12. The description of Pope Leo. 12 Leo the tenth as one whose birth and education was noble adorned the Papacie with many good parts which he brought into it amongst which were his singular learning in humanitie goodnesse and a marueilous sweete manner in treating of affayres together with a pleasing behauiour more then humane ioyned with incomparable liberalitie and a great inclination to fauour those that were learned and endowed with any extraordinary quality Which vertues were not found in that Sea of a long time before neither equall nor neere vnto his And he would haue been a Pope absolutely compleate if with these he had ioyned some knowledge in things that concerne Religion and some more propension vnto pietie of both which he seemed carelesse And as he was most liberall and well seene in the Arte of giuing so in that other of gaining he was not able enough of himselfe but vsed the assistance of Lorenzo Pucci Cardinall of Santi Quatro a man exceeding sufficient in that behalfe 13 Leo therefore finding himselfe in this state quiet the Schisme extinguished absolutely without an aduersary as one may say because those few Waldenses and Calistini were not any way considerable liberall in spending and rewarding aswell his kindred as Courtiers and professors of learning other fountaines from whence the Court of Rome was wont to draw riches vnto it selfe out of other nations being dried vp he thought fit to serue himselfe of that of Indulgences 14 This manner of gaining money was put in practise after the yeere When the Art of gaining money by Indulgences began 1100. For Pope Vrbane the second hauing granted a plenary Indulgence and remission of all sins to whosoeuer made warre in the Holy land to regaine and set at liberty the Sepulchre of Christ out of the hands of the Mahumetans was imitated by his Successors for many hundreds of yeeres some of which as alwaies new inuentions are enlarged granted it to those that maintained a souldier in case they could not or would not goe to warre themselues in person And after in progresse of time the same indulgences and pardons were giuen for the taking of armes against those that obeyed not the Church of Rome although they were Christians and for the most part infinite exactions were made vnder those pretences all which or the greater part were applied to other vses 15 Leo being counselled by the Cardinall of Santi Quatro to follow these examples sent an Indulgence and pardon for sinnes throughout all Christendome Leo granted a plenary Indulgence granting it to whosoeuer would giue money and extending of it euen vnto the dead for whom when the disbursement was made his will was that they should be freed from the paines of Purgatory giuing also power to eat egges and whitmeats on fasting daies to choose themselues a Confessor and other such like abilities And although the execution of this enterprise of Leo had some particular in it that was neither pious nor honest as hereafter shall appeare which did giue scandall and caused innouation notwithstanding many of the grants formerly made by the preceding Popes had causes more vniust and were exercised with more auarice and extortion But occasions arise many times which are able to produce notable effects and yet come to nothing for want of those that know how to vse them And which 1517 LEO 10. MAXIMIL 1. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 1. 1517 is more it is necessary for the effecting of anything that the time come in which it may please God to correct the errours of men All these things met together in the time of Leo of whom we speake 16 For hauing published an vniuersall grant of Indulgence in the yeere 1517. he distributed part of the haruest before it was reaped or well sowed giuing vnto diuers persons the reuenues of diuers Prouinces and reseruing some also for his owne Exchequer In particular the Indulgences of Saxonie and of that arme of Germanie which reacheth from thence to the sea hee gaue The Popes sister hath a great part of the benefit of Indulgences Leo was created Cardinal at the age of fourteene to his sister Magdalene wife vnto Franceschetto Cibo bastard sonne of Innocentius the eighth By reason of which marriage this Leo was created Cardinall at the age of fourteene yeeres which was the first beginning of Ecclesiasticall greatnesse in the house of the Medici And Leo vsed this liberality not so much through brotherly loue as for recompense of the charges which the familie of Cibo were at when he retired himselfe to Genua not daring to abide in Rome so long as Alexander the 6. had linked himselfe with the Florentines who being enemies to the house of the Medici had chased it out of Florence The sister that the Pope his gift might be profitable vnto her committed the care of preaching the Indulgences exacting the money vnto Bishop Aremboldus Aremboldus was the agent of the Popes sister who in the assumption of the Episcopal dignity deuested not himselfe of any of the qualities of a perfect Genua Merchant This man gaue power to publish the Indulgences to whosoeuer promised to raise most profit by them without any regard of the qualitie of the persons euen so so rididly that no man of any tolerable condition could contract with him but he found Ministers like vnto himselfe who aimed at nothing but the gaine of money 17 It was a custome in Saxonie that whensoeuer Indulgences were sent by The Heremit Friars were publishers of Indulgences in Saxonie by custome Popes the Friars of the order of the Heremites were imployed to publish them The Pardon-mongers Ministers of Aremboldus would not goe to these because being accustomed to manage the like merchandizes they might vse some deuice to draw some secret profit to themselues and from whom likewise as practised in this office they expected not any extraordinary thing which might bring them more then vsuall aduantage but they The Dominicans were imployed by the
ministers of Aremboldus went to the Dominican Friars These men in publishing the Indulgences desiring to amplifie the value of them more then others had done before spake many strange things which gaue cause of scandall Whereunto was added the bad life of the Pardoners who in Tauernes and elsewhere in games and other things not fit to bee named spent that which the people spared from their necessary expences to purchase the Indulgences 18 By these meanes Martin Luther an Heremite Friar being stirred vp began Martin Luther speaketh against the Indulgences to speake against the Pardoners first reprehending these new excessiue abuses onely after being prouoked by them hee set himselfe to study this matter being desirous to see the foundations and the rootes of the doctrine of Indulgences Which when he had examined passing from the new to the old 95. Conclusions of Luther abuses and from the building to the foundations he published 95. Conclusions in this matter which were proposed to bee disputed on in Wittenberg Iohn Thecel a Dominican proposed Cōclusions contrary to those of Luther where they being seene and read they were not opposed in any vocall conference because no man appeared against him but Iohn Thecel a Dominican Friar proposed others contrary vnto these in Frankfort of Brandeburg 19 These two files of Conclusions were as one may say a ioyning of issue Wherefore Martin Luther went on to write in defence of his and Iohn Ecchius to oppose them and these Conclusions together with other writings being gone to Rome Siluester Prierius a Dominican Friar wrote against Luther Which contestation enforced both the one and the other partie to swarue from this Iohn Ecchius opposeth Luthers conclusions Siluester Prierius wrot against Luther The doctrine of Indulgences was neuer well vnderstood vntill this time matter and passe to other things of greater importance For the doctrine of Indulgences hauing not beene well examined in former ages which did neuer consider how they might bee defended and maintained or how impugned the essence and causes of them were not well vnderstood Some thought they were nothing but an absolution or freeing made by authority of the Prelate from penance which the Church in the most auncient times imposed by way of discipline vpon the penitent which imposition was assumed in succeeding ages by the Bishop onely after delegated to the penetentiary Priest and in conclusion left wholly to the will of the Confessor and that they deliuered vs not from paying the debt due to the Iustice of God Others thinking that this brought more hurt vnto Christians then benefit who being deliuered from Canonicall punishments became negligent to satisfie the diuine Iustice with voluntary penance began to bee of opinion that they set vs free from both the one and the other but these were diuided Some thought that they set vs free though nothing were giuen in recompence for them Others abhorring that opinion said that by reason of the mutuall participation in charitie of the members of holy Church the penance of one might bee communicated vnto another and free him by this compensation But because it seemed that this was more proper to men of an holy and austere life then to the authority of Prelates there arose a third opinion which made them in part an absolution because authority was necessary for them and in part a compensation But in regard the Prelates liued not in such sort as that they could spare much of their merits for others there was made a treasury in the Church full of the merits of all those who had more of them then would serue their owne turnes the dispensation whereof is committed to the Pope who when he giueth Indulgences recompenseth the debt of the sinner by assigning so much in value out of the treasurie Neither was there The treasure of the Church an end of the difficulties for it was opposed that the merits of Saints being finite and limited this treasure might be diminished Wherefore desiring to make it indeficient they added the merits of Christ which are infinite Whence arose a doubt what need there might be of the little drops of the merits of others when there was an infinite Ocean of the merits of Christ which gaue cause to some to make the treasure to bee onely of the merits of our Sauiour 20 These things so vncertaine at that time and which had no other foundation then the Bull of Clement 6. made for the Iubilie of they yeere 1350 seemed not sufficient to oppugne the doctrine of Martin Luther to resolue his reasons and to conuince him Wherefore Thecel Ecchius and Prierius seeing themselues The aduersaries of Luther prooue the doctrine of Indulgences by common reasons only not strong enough in points proper for this matter betooke themselues to common places and layd for their ground worke the Popes authoritie and consent of the Schoolemen concluding that the Pope not beeing 1518 LEO 20. MAXIMIL 1. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 1. Luther beginneth to speake against the Popes authority and other doctrines of the Romane Church able to erre in matters of faith and hauing approoued the doctrine of the Schoolemen and himselfe publishing the Indulgences to all the faithfull it was necessary to beleeue them as an article of faith This gaue occasion to Martin to passe from Indulgences to the authoritie of the Pope which being predicated by others to be the highest in the Church was by him made inferiour to a Generall Councell lawfully called where of he said there was need in that instant and vrgent necessitie and the heat of disputation continuing the more the Papall authority was aduanced by others the more it was by him abased Notwithstanding he conteined himselfe within the bounds of speaking modestly of the person of Leo sometimes referring himselfe to his iudgement And for the same reason the doctrine of remission of sinnes of Penance and of Purgatorie was set on foote the Romanists seruing themselues of all these common places for proofe of Indulgence 21 Friar Iames Hogostrat a Dominican Inquisitor wrote against Martin Luther Iames Hogostrat his perswasion to the Pope more to the purpose then them all who setting these reasons aside exhorted the Pope to conuince Martin with chaines fire and flames 22 Neuertheles the controuersie grew still more bitter and Martin alwaies 1518 went forwards to some new proposition as occasion was offered Wherefore Pope Leo caused him to be cited to Rome by Hierom Bishop of Ascoli Auditor of Meanes vsed by the Pope to bring Luther to Rome the Chamber in August 1518 and wrote a Briefe to Fredericke Duke of Saxonie exhorting him not to protect him He wrote also to Thomas de Vio Cardinall Caietan his Legat in the diet of Ausburg that he should vse all diligence to commit him to prison and to send him to Rome Diuers meanes were vsed to the Pope that he would be contented to order that his cause might be examined in Germany
prisoner to the Pope or by some other meanes to procure his death he saw that he was obliged to shew vnto that Prince and to the people of Saxonie and euery one else that he had reason on his side that neither hee nor any other potentate might yeelde to the earnest intreaties of the Romanists made against his life The yeere 1520 being thus passed the diet of Wormes of the yeere 1521. 1521. Luther called to the Diet. was celebrated in Germanie to which Luther was called to render an account of his doctrine and had giuen vnto him a safe conduct by the Emperour Charles elected two yeeres before He was counselled not to goe thither seeing that the sentence of his condemnation made by Leo was published before and hanged vp whereby he might assure himselfe to bring backe nothing but a confirmation of his doome if peraduenture no worse thing happened vnto him Notwithstanding himselfe thought the contrary against the opinion of al his friends and said that though he were sure to haue to doe against as many deuils as there were tiles in the roofes of the houses of that citie he would goe thither And in that place the seuenteenth of Aprill hee was demaunded by the Luther interrogated in the Diet. Emperour and the whole assembly of the Princes if hee were Authour of the Bookes which went abroad vnder his name the Titles whereof were recited and the copies placed in the midst of the roome where they sate were shewed vnto him and whether he would defend whatsoeuer was contained in them or retract something His answer was that concerning the books he acknowledged thē to be his but to resolue whether to maintaine the things cōtained in them or not was a matter of great moment therfore required some time of deliberation There was granted him time that day to giue his answere the next Which being come Martin brought into the assembly made a long oration Answereth First he excused his simplicitie if bred after a priuate simple maner he had not vsed tearmes according to the dignitie of that place and giuen to euery one conuenient titles then he confirmed that he acknowledged the books for his owne And concerning the defence of them hee said they were not all of one sort but some contained doctrine of Faith and Pietie others reprehended the Doctrine of the Romanists and a third kinde was of those which were written contentiously against the defenders of the contrarie doctrine For the first he said he were no Christian or honest man if he should retract them the rather because though all were condemned yet all were not iudged naught by the same Bull of Leo. For the second that it was too manifest that all the Countryes of Christendome were oppressed and groaned vnder the bondage And therefore to retract the things alreadie spoken would bee nothing else but to confirme that tyrannie In the bookes of the third kinde he confessed hee was more bitter and vehement then hee ought excusing himselfe that hee made not profession of Sanctitie nor would maintaine his owne manners but his doctrine onely whereof hee was readie to giue an account to any man whatsoeuer promising not to be obstinate but to cast his books into the fire himselfe in case any errour were shewed him with the Scripture in hand Hee turned himselfe to the Emperour and the Princes saying it was a blessing of God when the true doctrine came to be made manifest as to reiect it was to draw vpon vs a cause of extreame calamities His Oration being ended he was by order required by the Emperour to giue a plaine and simple answere whether or no he would maintaine his writings Luther refuseth to retract any thing Whereunto he answered that hee could not reuoke any thing that hee had written or taught if he were not conuinced by the words of the Scripture or by euident reasons The Emperour hearing these things resolued following the steps of his predecessours to maintaine the Church of Rome and to vse all meanes to quench that fire Howbeit hee would not violate the faith giuen but proclaime a banishment against Martin after hee was safely returned to his house Some of the assembly approouing that which was done at Constance said A noble resolution of the Prince Elector Palatine that the faith ought not to be kept But Lewis Count Elector Palatine opposed himselfe as vnto a thing which would brand the German name with a marke of perpetuall ignominie expressing with disdaine that it was intole-Rable that for the seruice of Priests Germanie should draw vpon it selfe the infamie of not keeping the publique faith Some there were also that said that there was no neede to proceede so fast to condemnation because it was a matter of great moment and which might produce great consequences The dayes following there was a treatie in presence of some of the Princes and in particular of the Archbishop of Triers and of Ioachimus Elector of Brandenburg many things were spokē by Martin in defence of that doctrine and by others against it being desirous to induce him to referre euery thing to the iudgement of the Emperor and of the assembly of the Diet without any condition whatsoeuer But he answering that the Prophet forbade to put our confidence in men yea euen in Princes to whose iudgment nothing ought lesse to bee committed then the word of God it was at last proposed that hee would submit all to the iudgment of the future Councell whereunto Luther referreth himselfe to a generall Councell he agreed with condition that first the articles which he intended to referre might be drawen out of his bookes and that sentence might not be giuen of them but according to the Scriptures Last of all being demanded what remedies he thought might be vsed in this cause he answered those onely which were proposed to the Iewes by Gamaliel that is that if the enterprize were of man it would vanish but if it came frō God it was impossible to hinder it and that it might giue satisfaction to the Pope because all men ought to rest secure as himselfe did that if his deseigne came not from God it would perish in a short time From which things it being impossible to remoue him and standing firme in his resolution not to accept any iudgement but vnder the rule of the scripture he had leaue giuen him to depart and a terme of 21 daies assigned him to returne to his home with condition that hee should neither preach nor write any thing in his iourney For which after hee had giuen thankes he departed the 26. of April 43 Afterwards Charles the Emperour published an Edict in the same Diet The Emperours Edict against Luther at Wormes the 8. of April In which hauing first declared that it belonged to the duty of the Emperour to aduance Religion and to extinguish heresies which began to spring vp he proceeded on to shew
strength of authoritie 1530 CLEMENT CHARLES HENRY 8. FRANCIS 〈◊〉 and with absolute commaund which would easily take good effect and in case it should not rather to proceede to force of armes then let the raines loose to popular licence to the ambition of the Grandies and peruersenesse of the arch heretiques These reasons vnseemely in the mouth of Friar Iulius de Medici Ganalier Who condescendeth therunto of Malta for so the Pope was called before he was created Cardinall much more of Pope Clement the 7. did notwithstanding preuaile with Charles being seconded by the perswasions of Mercurius de Gattinara the Emperours Chancellour and Cardinall vnto whom the Pope made many promises and particularly that in the first promotion of Cardinals which he then prepared to make he would haue regard to his kinred and dependants and by the Emperours proper inclination to haue more absolute authoritie in Germanie then was granted to his grandfather or his fathers grandfather In Bolonia all the solemne acts and ceremonies of the coronation were 1530 The Emperor is crowned in Bolonia performed which was finished the 14. of February and Caesar being resolued to goe personally into Germanie to giue an end to those disorders be intimated an imperiall Diet for the 8. of April and in March he began his iourney The Emperour parted from Bolonia with this firme resolution to labour And resolueth to employ his authoritie in matter of religion in the Diet with authoritie and command that the Princes separated one from another should returne to the obedience of the Church of Rome and to prohibite Sermons and bookes of the reformed doctrine And the Pope gaue him for company the Cardinall Campeggio as Legate who should Campeggio the Legate goeth with him And Peter Paul Vergerius to Ferdinand follow him to the Diet. He sent also Peter Paul Vergerius Nuncio to King Ferdinand with instruction to labour with him that there should bee no disputation in the Diet nor consultation concerning Religion nor any resolution taken to call a Councell in Germanie to that purpose and to gaine the fauour of that Prince who being the Emperours brother and hauing spent many yeeres in Germanie hee thought was able to doe much hee should grant him power to take a contribution of the Clergie of Germanie for the warre against the Turkes and to make vse of the gold and siluer appoynted for ornament of the Churches Almost all the Princes arriued at the Diet before Caesar who came thither the thirteenth of Iune the eue of Corpus Christi day and went in The Diet of Ausburg The Protestants refuse to goe in procession procession the day following but was not able to obtaine that the Protestants would content themselues to be there Which the Legate perceiuing with infinite displeasure for the preiudice done to the Pope by this contumacie as hee tearmed it to goe a step further and to cause the Protestants to assist at the Ceremonies of the Church of Rome was a meanes that the Emperour eight dayes after being to begin the assembly gaue order to the Elector of Saxonie to carrie the sword before him as he went thither according The Duke of Saxonte carieth the sword after a long disputation whether hee might â—â—tely assist at the Masse to his office and to stand at the Masse The Elector thought that by yeelding hee should contradict his profession and by refusing should loose his dignitie hauing found out that in case of his deniall the Emperour would giue the honour to another But hee was counselled by his Diuines Luthers Schollers that he might doe it without offence to his conscience assisting as at a ciuill not as at a religious Ceremony by the example of the Prophet Elizeus who thought it not inconuinient that the captaine of the troupes of Syria conuerted to the true Religion should bow himselfe in the Temple of the Idole when the King bowed who leaned on his arme This 〈◊〉 sell was not approoued by others because by it one might conclude that euery one might lawfully be present at all the Rites of another Religion as at ciuill Ceremonies for no man could want a cause of necessitie or vtilities which might induce thereunto But others approouing the counsell and the purpose of the Elector concluded that if the new doctors had formerly vsed this reason and would vse it hereafter a gate had not beene opened in many occasions to diuers inconueniences because it would be lawfull to euery one by that example for preseruation of his dignitie or his territorie or the fauour of his Lord or other eminent person not to refuse to giue assistance to any action whatsoeuer at which though others were presentes at a religious acte he assisted as at a ciuill thing In that Masse Vicenzo Pimpinello Archbishop of Rosano the Popes Nuncio The Sermon of Vicen 〈…〉 Pi 〈…〉 the Popes 〈◊〉 made an Oration in Latine before the Offertorie in which he spake not a word of any spirituall or religious matter but vpbraided Germanie for hauing suffered so many wrongs by the Turkes without reuenge and exhorted them by many examples of ancient Captaines of the Romane Common-wealth to make warre against them Hee said the disaduantage of Germanie was that the Turke obeyed one Prince onely whereas in Germanie many obeyed not at all that the Turkes liue in one religion and the Germans euery day inuent new and mocke the old as if it were become mouldie Hee taxed them that being desirous to change the faith they had not found our one more holy at the least and more wise Finally hee exhorted them that imitating Scipio Nasica Cato the people of Rome and their ancestors they should obserue the Catholique Religion forsake those nouities and applie themselues to the warre In the first Session of the Diet the Legat Cardinall Campeggio presented The Leg 〈…〉 presenteth his letters and maketh an oration the letters of his Legation and in the assembly in the presence of the Emperour made an Oration in Latine the substance whereof was that the cause of so many Sects which then reigned was want of charitie and loue that the change of doctrine and rites had not onely rent the Church in pieces but brought all policie to a miserable desolation For remedying of which mischiefe the former Popes hauing sent Legats to the Diets and no fruit comming thereby Clement had sent him to exhort to counsel and to imploy all his indeuours to restore the true doctrine And hauing commended the Emperour hee exhorted all to obey whatsoeuer hee shall ordaine and resolue vpon concerning Religion and Articles of beliefe Hee perswaded them to make warre against the Turkes promising that the Pope would spare no cost to assist them Hee prayed them for the loue of CHRIST for their Countreys and their owne safetie that laying aside all errors they would applie themselues to set Germanie and all Christendome at libertie That in so doing the Pope
the Councell was not truely intended and that they had nothing but words and Court holy water And he deliuered his minde with such graue sentences that the whole The Pope sendeth Nunci◠to all Princes to treate with them concerning the Councel auditorie was mooued In that consistorie it was resolued to dispatch Nuncij to the Emperour to the French King and other Christian Princes with commission to declare that the Pope and Colledge had determined absolutely for the benefit of Christendome to celebrate a Councell exhorting them to fauour it and to procure peace and tranquillitie while it shall last but to tell them that for the time and place his Holinesse was not resolued as yet And the most secret instruction was that they should cunningly finde out what the Princes thought concerning the place to the end that all their interests and purposes being knowen hee might hinder them by opposing one against another and so worke his owne will Hee charged also the Nuncij to complaine of the actions of the King of England and when they saw opportunitie to incite them against him and to offer them also that Kingdome for a prey Among these Nuncij Vergerius Vergerius is sent backe into Germanie with speciall instructions was one sent backe into Germanie with more speciall Commissions to penetrate the minde of the Protestants concerning the forme of proceeding in the Councell that hee might draw from thence such conclusions as were necessarie He gaue him also particular charge to treat with Luther and the other principall Preachers of the reformed doctrine vsing all kindes of promises and offers to reduce them to some composition The Pope reprehended in all occasions the rigidnesse of Cardinall Caietan who in the Diet of Ausburg 1518. refused Luthers offer that silence being imposed to his aduersaries hee would also bee contented to hold his peace and hee condemned the acerbitie of that Cardinall who by vrging obstinately a recantation cast that man headlong into despaire which had cost and would cost the Church of Rome as much as the halfe of her authoritie is worth That hee would not imitate Leo in beleeuing that the Friars are good instruments to suppresse the Preachers of Germanie For reason and experience haue declared the vanitie of that cogitation That there were but two meanes force and treaties both which he would vse being readie to agree to any condition so that the Popes authoritie might remaine intire For which end hee said hee had neede of able men fit for negotiation and therefore the one and twentieth of May hee created sixe Cardinals and the seuenth a few dayes after all which were men much esteemed in the Court. Among these was Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester then prisoner in England for refusing to obey the Kings Decree which tooke away the Popes authoritie The Pope in making choice of him considered that hee honoured this promotion The Pope creaseth seuca Cardinals by putting in that number a learned man and well deseruing for the persecution which hée endured and that hauing increased his dignitie hee In which number was Iohn Fisher B. of Rochester would haue more respect with the King and more credit with the people But that Cardinals Cap profited that Prelate in nothing but to hasten his death which was giuen him 43. dayes after by cutting off his head in publike But howsoeuer the Pope made open demonstrations to desire such a Councell as might giue satisfaction and reduce Germanie yet all the Court and the Popes neerest friends who treated most secretly with him of these The Court was of opinion that Mantua was the fittest place for the Councell things said that it could not any where bee celebrated but in Italie because in no other place it could bee free and that in Italie no place could be chosen but Mantua Vergerius at his returne into Germanie deliuered the Popes Ambassage first to Ferdinand and then to those Protestants that came to that King about the present occurrences and at last hee made a iourney to treate with the others also He had no other answere from any of them but that they would consult together and resolue by common consent in their assembly which should bee called in the ende of the yeere The proposition of the The negotiation of Vergerius in Germanie Nuncio contained that that was the time for the Councels so much desired the Pope hauing treated with the Emperour and all the Kings to call it seriously not as formerly in appearance onely and that it may not bee deferred any more hee determined to chuse Mantua for the place according to the resolution taken with the Emperour two yeeres since Which being a Citie of the Emperours vassall placed neere his confines and the Venetians they might holde it for secure besides that the Pope and the Emperour would giue any greater caution whatsoeuer That it was not necessarie to resolue or speake of the manner and forme of treating in the Councell because this would better bee done in the Councell it selfe when it shall bee called That it could not bee celebrated in Germanie which abounded with Anabaptists Sacramentaries and other sects for the most part both foolish and furious Therefore that it would not bee secure for other nations to goe where that multitude is potent and to condemne their doctrine That to the Pope it is all one to call it in any other Country whatsoeuer but hee would not seeme to bee inforced and to haue that authoritie taken from him which he hath inioyed so many ages to prescribe the place of generall Councels In this iourney Vergerius found Luther at Wittenberg and treated with He treateth with Luther him very courteously vpon these tearmes inlarging and amplifying them very much And first hee assured him that the Pope and Colledge of Cardinals esteemed him exceedingly who were infinitely grieued for the losse of one who if he had been employed in the seruice of God and the Apostolicall Sea which are ioyned together might haue brought foo 〈…〉 inestimable fruit and that they would doe whatsoeuer they could to regaine him Hee told that the Pope blamed the rigiditie of Caietan and that the Cardinals did no lesse that hee might expect all fauour from that holy Sea and that the rigor of Leo which hee vsed by the instigation of others not of his owne disposition displeased all men Hee added also that hee would not dispute with him of the controuersies because hee professed not Diuinitie but that by common reason hee could shew him that it was good to reunite himselfe with the head of the Church For considering that his doctrine comming to light and being published within these eighteene yeeres had raysed innumerable sects of which the one detesteth the other and so many popular seditions with the death and banishment of so great multitudes it could not bee concluded that it came from God But one might well assure himselfe that it was pernitious
iusticed they should doe their businesse with too much feare Notwithstanding the Pope forsooke not his resolution but found a temper neuer vsed by any of his predecessors to lift vp the thunderbolt with his hand and to threaten to shoote yet to hold it without flinging it abroad and so to satisfie the Cardinals the Court and others and not to put the Papal authoritie in hazard Therefore he framed a Processe and most seuere sentence against that King the thirtieth of August 1535. and withall suspended the publication during his pleasure Yet secretly he let the copie goe into the hands of some that hee knew would cause it to bee deliuered to the King dispersing the rumor of the Bull that was framed and the suspension with fame that very suddenly hee would remooue the suspension and come to publication yet with deseigne neuer to proceede so farre And though hee wanted not hope that the King either for feare of the excommunication framed or by the inclination of his people or by the satietie of punishments vsed against those that disobeyed his Decree would induce himselfe or by the mediation of the Emperour or French King when by reason of the occurrences of the world hee should bee constrained to vnite himselfe with either of them would bee induced to yeeld yet he was principally mooued by the forenamed cause that he might not shew the weakenesse of his weapons and more confirme the King in his separation But in the end of three yeeres hee changed his purpose by reason of the prouocation which the King seemed to vse against him by sending out manifests against all his callings of the Councell and by opposing his actions though without particular offence of his person and lastly by hauing prosecuted cited condemned S. Thomas of Canterbury for a traitour to the The King of England senteneeth S. Thomas Bec 〈…〉 kingdome with confiscation of goods whom Alexander the third canonized in the yeere 1171. for being slaine in defence of the Ecclesiasticall power and liberty whose solemne feast the Church of Rome doth annually obserue which sentence was executed by taking the bones out of the graue which were publikely burned by the hangman and the ashes sprinkled in the riuer putting his hands into the treasures ornaments and reuenues of the Churches dedicated to him which was to touch a secret of the Popedome of farre greater importance then the matter of the Councel Whereunto ioyning some hope which hee conceiued from the conference with the French King which was that he would assist the malecontents of England so soone as hee was free from the warres with the Emperour the 17. of December he brandished the thunder-bolt of excommunication made three yeeres before and opened his hand to cast it forth which all this while was readie to doe it The causes alleadged were in substance these The diuorce obedience The causes of the excommunication and the punishments taken away the death of the Cardinall of Rochester and the proceeding against S. Thomas The punishments to the King were depriuation of his Kingdome and to his adherents of whatsoeuer they possessed commanding his Subiects to denie him obedience and strangers to haue any commerce in that kingdome and all to take armes against and to persecute both himselfe and his followers granting them their states and goods for their prey and their persons for their slaues But how much the Popes Briefe was esteemed and his commandements The excommunication was generally contemned obserued the leagues confederations peaces treaties which by the Emperour French King and other Catholique Princes were made with that King doe euidently declare In the beginning of the yeere 1539 new controuersies being raised in 1539 Germanie about religion and perhaps by men ofbad intentions who vsed it but for a pretence there was an assembly held in Francfurt whither the An assembly is helde in Francfurt about religion Emperour sent a commissioner and after long disputation there it was by his consent concluded the 19. of April that there should bee a conference in Noremberg the first of August to create quietly and louingly of Religion 1539 PAVL 3. 1. C 〈…〉 15. HENRY 8. 3. F 〈…〉 where on the one side and the other besides the Doctors other persons of wisedome were to be present sent by the Emperour King Ferdinand and other Princes to superintend at the colloquie and deale betweene the parties and what was determined by common consent should be signified to all the orders of the Empire and ratified by the Emperor in the next Diet. The Catholikes would haue the Pope intreated to send also some person to the conferent 〈◊〉 but the Protestants thought it contrary to their protestation and therefore it was not done This newes of the assembly being arriued at Whereat the Pope was much offended Rome the Pope was offended as well because there should be a treatie about Religion in Germanie as because it derogated from the credit of the Councell intimated though hee cared very little to haue it celebrated and more particularly because there was a dispute to admit of one to bee sent by him and in the end his authoritie wholly reiected Therefore hee suddenly dispatched into Spaine the Bishop of Monte Pulciano whose principall message was to perswade the Emperour not to confirme yea rather to annihilate the Decrees of that Diet. The Nuncio had a great and long instruction first to complaine grieuously He sendeth a Nuncio to the Emperor of the demeanor of Iohn Vessalius Archbishop of London his Commissary who forgetting his oath made to that Sea and infinite Benefits receiued from the Pope and the instruction giuen him by the Emperour had consented to the demands of the Lutherans with preiudice of the Apostolique Sea and dishonour of his imperiall Maiestie That London was corrupted with gifts and promises the Citie of Ausburg hauing giuen him 250. thousand Florins of gold and the King of Denmarke promised him 4. thousand Florins yeerely out of the fruits of his Archbishoprique of London which was taken from him That he thought to take a wife and forsake the Church A Citie in Denmarke and had neuer entred into holy orders The Nuncio had commandement to shew to the Emperour that if the things which London had graunted were confirmed by him they would shew that hee was not a sonne of the Apostolique Sea and that all the Catholique Princes of Germanie complained thereof and were of opinion that his Maiestie would not confirme them Hee gaue order also to propose vnto him his interests concerning the Dutchie of Ghelderland and the election of the King of the Romans to moue him the more putting him also in minde that hee could not haue Germanie at his disposition by tolerating the Lutheran heresies as London and others did perswade For it is a thing long since knowen that principalities cannot in likelihood be preserued where Religion is lost or where two religions are suffered
laboured to incite the Pope against him and to haue money from him for the warre The Pope seruing himselfe vpon this occasion was wholy set vpon the gaining The Pope seeketh to gaine Milan of Milan for his Nephewes wherein hee was assisted by Margarite bastard daughter to the Emperour married to Octauius Farnese the Popes Nephew and in that respect made Dutchesse of Camerino The Pope promised the Emperour to combine with him against the French King to make many Cardinals of his nomination to pay him for some yeeres 150000. crownes leauing also in his hands the Castles of Milan and Cremona But because the Imperialists required a million of ducats for the present and another million vpon short dayes of payment nothing could bee concluded and in regard the Emperour could not longer tarrie it was agreed to continue the treatie by meanes of the Popes Ministers who should follow the Emperour Caesar shewed he was satisfied with the Councell that by the sending of Legats and assistance of those few Prelats the Catholiques of Germany at the least had knowen his ready mind and because the impediments might be imputed to the French King he concluded that the remedie He mistrustes the Emperour and turneth to the French King was not to be thought vpon vntill it did appeare how the warre proceeded They parted with great demonstrations of mutuall satisfaction yet the Pope mistrusted the Emperour and from that time turned his mind toward the French King But while he was thus doubtfull the league betweene the Emperour and the King of England against France was published which constrained the Pope wholly to alienate himselfe from him For hee saw how much that league preiudiced his authoritie being contracted with one excommunicated anathematized by him cursed destinated to eternall damnation a schismatique depriued of his Kingdome and dominions whose confederation A league betweene the Emperour and King of England made with whom soeuer was void against whom also all Christians Princes were bound by his commandement to take armes and which most imported that still remaining more contumacious and openly despising his authoritie The Pope was much offended with the league this euidently shewed to the world that the Emperour bare no respect vnto him neither spirituall nor temporall and gaue example to all to make no account of his authoritie And the affront seemed to him the greater because Clement who might easily haue temporized in that cause to please the Emperour and for his interests had proceeded against that King who otherwise was well affected and deserued well of the Apostolike Sea To weigh downe these offences the Pope put in the other ballance that the French King had made so many lawes and edicts before named to preserue religion and his authoritie Vnto which was added that the Parisian Diuines the first of August assembling the people by the sound of a Trumpet published fiue and twentie heads of Christian doctrine proposing the bare conclusions and determinations without adding reasons perswasions or grounds but onely prescribing as it were by authoritie what they would haue beleeued which were printed and sent through all France confirmed by the Kings letters vnder most grieuous punishments against whosoeuer spake or taught other wise with another new Decree to make inquisition against the Lutherans These things the rather pleased the Pope because he knew the King did them not so much for the reason related before that is to iustifie himselfe to the world that hee made not warre with the Emperour to fauour the Lutherans doctrine nor to hinder their extirpation but principally to please him and for reuerence of the Apostolicall Sea But the Emperour knowing the Popes complaints answered that the The Emperors answere to the Popes complaints French King hauing made a League with the Turke to the preiudice of Christians as the siege of Nizza in Prouence made by the Ottoman Armie guided by Polinus the Kings Abassadour and the spoiles taken in the riuers of the Kingdome well shewed it was lawfull for him to vse for his defence the helpe of the King of England a Christian though he acknowledge not the Pope as also by the same Popes leaue himselfe and Ferdinand vsed the assistance of the Protestants more auerse from the Apostolike Sea then that King that the Pope vnderstanding the League of the French King with the Turke should haue proceeded against him But hee saw well what difference was made For the Turkisharmie which had so much damnified all the Christians wheresoeuer it went passed friendly by the Popes riuers yea going to Ostia to take in the fresh water on S. Peters day at night for which all Rome was in confusion the Cardinall of Carpi who commanded in the Popes name that was absent put them out of feare being secure by the intelligence which he had with the Turkes The warre and these complaints put to silence the treaties about the 1544 PAVL 3. 〈◊〉 CHARLES 〈◊〉 HENRY 〈…〉 FRANCIS 〈◊〉 councel for this yeere which the next 1544 returned into the field began in the Diet of Spira where the Emperour rehearsing the paines which he formerly took to remedy the discords in religion finally the care diligence vsed in Ratisbon be put them in mind how it not being then possible to compose the controuersies all was finally referred to a general or National Councel 1544. The treaty a 〈…〉 both the Couâ—cell began againe in the Diet of 〈…〉 or a Diet and that afterwardes the Pope at his instance had intimated the Councel where himself resolued to be in person would haue performed it if the war of France had not hundered him But now in regard the discord in religion remaineth the same is accompained with the same inconueniences it is not time to deferre the remedy any longer for which he gaue order they should consider and propose to him what way they thought to be best The businesse of religion was much considered on But because the affayres of the warre pressed them more it was referred to the Diet which was to bee celebrated in December and in the meane space a Decree was made that the Emperour should giue charge to some honest and learned men to write a forme of reformation and that all the Princes should doe the same that all being conferred together that might bee determined in the Diet by common consent which was to be obserued vntil the future generall Councell to be held in Germany or vntill a Nationall In the meane space that all should remaine in peace without raising any tumult for Religion and the Churches of the one and the other should enioy their goods This Recesse did not generally please the Catholikes but some of them because they inclined to the Protestants opinion approoued this middle way Those that were not contented seeing their number to be small resolue to endure it But the warre went on still and the Popes disdaine conceiued for the league with
without his knowledge with points preiudiciall to his authoritie put into his head he set forth a Bull in which he inuited the whole Church to reioyce for the peace by which the onely impediment of the Councell was remooued which he established againe in Trent giuing order it should begin the 15. of March He saw the terme was straight and not sufficient to giue notice throughout much lesse to giue the Prelates space to put themselues in order and make the iourney Yet he thought it aduantage that in case it were to bee celebrated it should beginne with few and those Italians Courtiers and his dependants whom hee had solicited to bee there first because the manner of proceeding in the Councell should bee handled in the beginning The Popes Bull of the conuocation of the Councell which is the principall yea the onely thing to preserue the Pontificall authoritie vnto whose determination they who daily arriued would be constrained to stand That it was no maruaile that a generall Councell should begin with a few for so it was in that of Pisa and Constance which neuerthelesse had an happie progresse And hauing penetrated the true cause of making the peace he wrote to the Emperour that he had vsed preuention and celeritie to intimate the Councell to doe him seruice For knowing that his Maiestie was constrained by reason of the French warre to permit and promise many things to the Protestants by intimating the Councell he had now giuen him a meanes to excuse himselfe in the Diet which was to be in September if the Councell approaching hee performed not what hee had promised to grant vntill the Councell But the Popes hastinesse pleased not the Emperour nor the reason gaue him satisfaction He desired for his reputation to be the principall cause The Emperor was displeased with the sudden intimation of the Councell to make Germanie accept the Councell more easily and for many other respects And therefore being able to doe nothing else hee vsed all those termes which might shew himselfe to be the Author and the Pope the adherent He sent Ambassadors to all Princes to signifie the intimation and to pray them to send Ambassadors to honour the meeting and to confirme the Decrees which should there be made And he set himselfe to make serious preparations as if the enterprise had been his owne He gaue diuers orders to the Prelates of Spaine and the Low Countries and commanded amongst other things that the Diuines of Louaine should assemble themselues together to consider of the doctrines which were to be proposed which 33. Points of doctrine collected by the Diuines of Louaine they reduced to three and thirtie heads without confirming them by any place of Scripture but explicating magisterially the conclusion only These Heads were after confirmed by the Emperors Edict published with command that they should be defended and followed by all And the Emperor The Emperor sheweth his distast against the Pope concealed not his distaste against the Pope in his speeches to the Nuncio as well vpon that occasion as in other audiences yea the Pope hauing created thirteene Cardinals in December amongst which were three Spaniards he forbad them to accept the armes or vse the name or habit The French King also assembled at Melun the Parisian Diuines to consult of the necessarie positions of the Christian Faith to be proposed in the Councell where there was much contention For some desired to propose the confirmation of whatsoeuer was constituted in Constance and Basil and the reestablishment of the pragmaticall Law and others doubting that the King would be offended by destroying the Concordate made between him and Leo which would necessarily follow gaue counsell not to set that disputation on foote And afterwards because there were diuers opinions in that Schoole concerning the Sacraments vnto which some giue effectiue ministeriall vertue and others not euery one desiring that his opinion should bee an Article of Faith nothing could be concluded but that they should keepe themselues within compasse of the fiue and twenty Heads published two yeeres before But the Pope signifying to the French King how little good will the Emperor bare him desired him for the maintenance of the Apostolike Sea to send Ambassadors to the Councell as soone as might be and charged his Nuncio residing with the Emperor that attending all occasions when the Protestants gaue him any distaste he should offer all assistance from him to recouer the Imperiall authoritie with Spirituall and Temporall aydes Whereof the Nuncio hauing had too many occasions he so wrought that The Emperor is reconciled to the Pope the Emperor finding he might haue need of the Pope both the one and the other way remitted his rigiditie And he gaue an argument thereof by granting the new Cardinals leaue to assume the name and armes and by giuing the Nuncio more gratefull audiences and by conferring with him of the affaires of Germanie more then he was wont to doe The Pope made great haste not onely to call the Councell but to dispatch The Pope dispatcheth the Legates to Trent the Legates whom he charged that for maintenance of their dignitie they should not first send some substitute to receiue the first Prelates as some aduised that afterwards they might make their entrie with meetings and ceremonies but would haue themselues to be the first and to be there before the time He deputed for his Legates John Maria de Monte a Bishop Cardinall of Palestrina Marcellus Ceruinus Priest of the Holy Crosse and Reginald Poole Deacon of S. Mary in Cosmedin In this man he chose Nobilitie of blood and opinion of pietie which commonly was had of him and the rather for that he was an English man to shew that all England did not rebell in Marcellus constancie and immoueable and vndaunted perseuerance together with exquisite knowledge in Monte reallitie and opennesse of minde ioyned with such fidelitie to his patrons that he could not prefer their interests before the safetie of his own conscience These he dispatched with a Briefe of Legation without giuing them as the custome is a Bull of Facultie or any instruction in writing being vncertaine as yet what commission He giueth them no instructions to giue them meaning to gouerne himselfe as the successes and the Emperors proceeding should counsell him So he made them depart with the Briefe onely But besides the care the Pope had for the affaires of Trent another of no lesse moment troubled his minde concerning the Diet to be celebrated in Wormes where he thought the Emperour would not be present and doubting Cardinall Pernese is sent to the Diet of Wormes and to the Emperour that being prouoked by the letter written vnto him he would vnderhand cause some Decree to be made more preiudiciall to his affaires then the former or at the least giue way vnto it he thought it necessarie to haue in that place a minister of authoritie
meane time they might be aduised how to gouerne themselues in the other sessions wherein they desire to haue light and because they might euery houre be interrogated of diuers things for which they could not haue space to aduise and expect an answere they desired that as particular an instruction as was possible should be sent them Aboue all they desired aduertisement concerning the manner and forme to proceede to propose to resolue and what matter should be handled They demanded especially if the cause of heresies should be the first or should be treated of in generall or in particular condemning the false doctrine or the persons of the principall heretikes or the one and the other together if the Prelates propose an Article of reformation where at all seeme to ayme whether it should bee handled together with the Article of Religion or before or after if the Councell ought to intimate its beginning to all people and nations inuiting the Prelats and Princes and exhorting the faithfull to pray God for it or if his Holinesse will doe it himselfe when there shall be occasion to write some letter missiue or responsiue what forme is to be vsed and what Seale likewise what forme is to bee vsed in the extention of 〈◊〉 â—reâ—s if they should take notice of the Colloquie and Diet which will be held in Germany or dissemble it if they shall proceede slowly or swiftly as well in determining the sessionsâ— as in proposing the matters They informed that some Prelates thought fit to proceeded by nations which they held to be seditious that it would make the Prelates of euery one â—oonutin and that the greater number of Italians who are most faithfull to the Sea of Rome would helpe nothing when the suffrage of them altogether would be of equall value with the suffrage of a few French men or Spaniards or Dutchmen They sent aduise also 〈◊〉 it was perceiued that some had a designe to dispute of the authority of the Councell and Pope a thing dangerous to raise a schisme amongst the Catholikes themselues and that in the congregation of the 12. all the Prelats ioyntly and earnestly desired to see the commission of their facultie which they were constrained artificially to auoide not knowing as yet how their presidencie ought to be vnderstood and how farre his Holinesse would haue it extended They demanded also that order might be taken for the rodes that euery day and houre they might send and receiue aduise as occasion serued they desired some order about the precedencie of Ambassadors of the Princes and prouision of money in regard those 2000. crownes sent them a little before were spent vpon some poore Bishops The Prelates were earnest that the worke might beginne wherefore the Legates to giue them some satisfaction and to shew they were not idle called a congregation the 18. day without proposing any thing but the manner of liuing and conuersing and gouerning their families Much was saide against the vse brought in especially in Rome to weare the habit of a Prelate in the ceremonie onely and at other times of a secular Sumptuous apparrell as also base and sordide were equally reprehended and much was saide of the age of their seruants but all was referred to bee resolued in another congregation which was held the two and twentieth and was wholly spent in discoursing vpon such ceremonies concluding that a good reformation of the minde was principally necessary wherefore ayming at the seemelinesse which belongeth to their degree and edification of the people euery one will see what hee hath to redresse in himselfe and his familie The Pope vnderstanding the Councell was begun deputed a congregation of Cardinals and Courtiers to superintend and aduise concerning the affaires of Trent Consulting with these hee resolued that things were not as yet ripe enough to see cleerely what matters were to bee handled and in what order Hee caused an answere to bee sent to the Legates that it beseemed The Popes answere not the Synode to inuite either Princes or Prelates and least of all to desire any one to assist them with prayers because this hee had sufficiently done himselfe by the Bull of the Iubile and that by the Letters for the conuocation of the Councell that they ought not to thinke that the Synod should write to any the Legats hauing power to supply that by their owne letters written in all their names Concerning the extension of the Decrees the title ought to be The most holy Oecumenicall and generall Synode of Trent the Apostolicall Legats being Presidents But for the forme of giuing voyces that their reasons were very good not to doe it by nations the rather because it was neuer vsed in ancient times but was introduced by the Councell of Constance and followed by that of Basill which are not to be imitated But the forme vsed in the last Later as Councel being the best and most decent they should follow that by which late example which succeeded well they might stop the mouth of whosoeuer proposed any to the contrary And concerning the condemnation of the heretikes matters to be handled other things demanded by them order should be giuen in time conuenient in the mean space they should spend the time inpreaÌ„bulary things according to the custome of other Councels That they should maintaine their presidencie with that comlinesse that beseemeth the Legats of the Apostolike Sea yet so as that they may giue satisfaction vnto all but aboue all should vse diligence that the Prelats should not exceed the bounds of honest liberty and reuerence towards the Apostolike Sea It was a matter of greater importance to assist the Prelates that they might bee able to maintaine themselues Therefore hee sent a Briefe by which hee exempted all the Prelates of the Councell from payment of Tenths and granted them the participation of all fruits as well in absence as presence he sent also two thousand crownes to helpe the needie Bishops giuing order they should not care to haue it published because in case it were knowen it could not bee expounded but for a louing courtesie of the head of the Councell This place requireth by reason of that which hath been and will be spoken The manner of giuing voices in the Councell in all ages in diuers occasions about the manner of speaking their opinions in the Councel called Giuing of voyces that it should be declared what the custome was of old how this which is vsed in these times came first vp The assembling of a whole Church to handle in the Name of God the occurrences of doctrine and discipline is a thing most profitable vsed by the holy Apostles in the choyce of Matthias and the seuen Deacons and the Diocesan Councels are much like to this But of the meeting of Christians from many remote places to consult together there is a famous example in the Acts of the Apostles when Paul and Barnabas with others of Syria met the
Apostles and other disciples in Ierusalem who were assembled about the question of keeping the Law And though it may bee said that it was a recourse of the new Churches of the Gentiles vnto the old mother Church frō whence their faith was deriued a custom much vsed in those first ages often rehearsed by Irenie and Tertullian though the letter were written by the Apostles Elders brethren of Ierusalem only yet in regard that not they only but Paul Barnabas also did speake it may well be called a Councel by example whereof the succeeding Bishops thought all Christian Churches to bee but one and likewise all Bishoprickes to be but onely one so framed that euery Bishop held a part thereof not as his owne but so as that all ought to gouerne the whole and euery one to employ himselfe most in that which was particularly recommended to him as S. Cyprian in his little golden booke of the vnity of the Church doth piously demonstrate In case of necessity of any particular Church though the persecutions sometimes waxed warme as many as could assembled themselues to make prouision in common In which assemblies CHRIST and the holy Ghost being president and charity chasing away all humane passion they aduised and resolued of what was fit without ceremonies or formes prescribed But after a certaine time passions of men and charitie beeing mingled together and there beeing a necessity to gouerne them with some order the chiefest man amongst those that were assembled in Councell either for learning or for greatnesse of the Citie or Church whereof he was or for some other respect of eminencie tooke vpon him the charge to propose and guide the action and collect the voyces But after that it pleased God to giue peace to the Christians and that the Romane Emperours receiued the holy faith there happening more difficulties in doctrine and discipline which by reason of the ambition or other bad affections of those that had followers and credite troubled the publike quiet another sort of Episcopal assemblies had beginning congregated by Princes or their Lieutenants to remedie the troubles In these the action was guided by those Princes or Magistrates which did call them together who also were personally present proposing and gouerning the treatie and decreeing interlocutorily the occurring differences but leauing the decision of the principall point for which the Councell was congregated to the common opinion of the assemblie This forme appeareth in the Councels whose actes doe remaine The Colloquie of Catholikes and Donatistes before Marcellinus and many others may serue for example But to speake onely of generall Councels this was done in the first Councel of Ephesus before the Earle Candidianus sent President by the Emperour and more cleerely in that of Calcedon before Martianus and the Iudges by him appointed in that of Constantinople in Trullo before Constantine surnamed Poganatus where the Prince or Magistrate that was President commanded what should bee handled what order obserued who should speake and who be silent and did decide and accommodate the differences in these things And in the other generall Councell the actes whereof are not extant as of the first of Nice and the second of Constantinople the historians of that Age doe witnesse that Constantine and Theodofius did the like Yet in those times when the Bishops themselues did assemble of their owne accord and others medled not the action was gouerned as hath been said by one of them and the resolution taken according to the common consent Sometimes the matter was so easie that it was dispatched in one meeting Sometimes by reason of the difficulty or multiplicitie thereof it was necessarie to reiterate the businesse whence proceeded the many Sessions in the same Councel Not one of them was about ceremony or only to publish what was digested elsewhere but to vnderstand the opinion of euery one and the colloquies discussions disputes and whatsoeuer was done or spoken were called the actes of the Councel It is a new opinion and seldome practised though established in Trent that the Decrees onely are called Actes of the Councel and ought onely to bee published but in the ancient Councels all was giuen vnto all Notaries were present to collect the voyces who when a Bishop spake and was not contradicted wrote not his proper name but thus The Holy Sinode saith And when many said the same thing it was written The Bishops acclaymed or affirmed and the things so spoken were taken for decisions if they spake in a contrary sense the contrary opinions were noted and the names of the authours and the Iudges or Presidents did pronounce Sometimes some impertinencie did vndoubtedly happen by reason of some mans imperfection but charitie which excuseth the defects of ones brother did couer it A greater number of the Prouince where the Councell was held and of the borders was present but without emulation euery one rather desiring to obey then to giue a law vnto others After the Easterne and Westerne Empires were separated there remained still in the West some marke of the ancient Councels and many were celebrated in Councels gouerned by Princes France and Germany vnder the posterity of Charles the Great and not a few in Spaine vnder the Kings of the Gothes At last Princes being absolutely debarred to intermeddle in Ecclesiastical matters that kind of Councel grew in disuse 1546 PAVL 3. CHARLES 5. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 1. that alone remained which was called by the Ecclesiastikes themselues the conuocation of which Prouinciall Councels was almost wholly assumed by the Pope by sending his Legates to bee Presidents wheresoeuer hee heard there was a treatie to hold a Councell And after a certaine time hee tooke that power to himselfe which the Romane Emperours vsed to conuocate a Councell of the whole Empire and to be President himselfe if hee were present or in his absence to send Legates to be Presidents and to gouerne the action But the Prelats assembled in the Synod being deliuered from the feare of a Secular Prince which kept them in awe as worldly respects the causes of all mischiefes did exceedingly increase which caused also the multiplying of many indecencies they beganne to digest and order the matters in priuate that they might obserue a decencie in the publike meeting Afterwards this was obserued for a forme and in the Councels besides the Sessions they beganne to make Congregations of some Deputies to set in order the matters to bee treated of which in the beginning if they were many were diuided and a proper Congregation assigned to euery one And this beeing not sufficient to remooue all the indecencies because those that were not present hauing different interests made difficulties in publique besides the particular Congregation they made a generall before the Session where all were present which according to the ancient rite is the Conciliarie action because the Session euery thing being done before remayneth but a pure ceremonie But a
from the most Christian King saluted the Synode in his Name and promised that his Maiestie would suddenly send an Ambassadour and many Prelates of his Kingdome and so the Congregation ended The Legates sent aduice of all to Rome and wrote that they had drawen in length the resolution of the things that were handled vnder the pretences before related but in truth to gaine more time that they might receiue instructions and orders how to gouerne themselues beseeching his Holinesse againe to make his will knowne and to consider aboue all that to prolong the Councell and hold it open when he might make it short was not good for the Apostolique Sea adding that they were constrained to hold two Congregations euery weeke to keepe the Prelates in exercise and to take occasion from them to make them by themselues But they said that this would draw on the businesse very fast and therefore that it was necessary to take some course to resolue their proposes quickely and not to deferre to answere them as hitherto hath beene done but to aduise them what they ought to do presently and to foresee as much as might be what could happen And seeing they had written oftentimes that many poore Bishoppes came to the Councell for the hope and good promises which his holinesse and Cardinall Farnese had giuen them they then repeated it adding it was an error to think to vse them as homely in Trent as in Rome where hauing no authority they are humble and in subiection but when they are in the Councell they thinke they should be esteemed and maintained which if it be not done it were better not to haue them in that place then to haue them there ill satisfied and distasted concluding that that enterprise could not succeed Well without diligence and cost It may generally seeme strange that the Pope a wise man and skilfull in the affaires of the world should not giue answere vnto two particulars of such importance and necessitie in so long a time after so many instances of his ministers But his holinesse grounded not his hopes vpon the Councell all his cogitations were turned toward the warre which the Cardinall Farnese The Pope is more intent vpon the war against the Protestants then vpon the Councell treated with the Emperour the yeere before and could not forbeare to make demonstration thereof neither did the Emperour desire the Councell should proceed it being sufficient for his ends that it was opened onely But the Prelates who desired to begin with reformation and leaue the doctrine behind assisted by the Emperours Ministers assayed to draw the others A controuersie how to begin whether with reformation or doctrine or with both together to them which thing being very easie because the reformation was generally desired and not much beleeued their number grew so great that the Legats were confounded Therefore by themselues and their friends they often dealt priuatly with diuers and lastly in the congregation of the 22. day all three one after another set themselues to ruine the foundations which were laid in fauour of the reformation One reason drawen from the Emperours proposition in the Diet of Wormes the last May made a great impression when he said they ought to expect what the Councell would doe in the definitions of doctrine and in the reformation and that if nothing were done he would intimate another Diet to accommodate the differences of religion and correct the abuses arguing from hence that if they handled not the points of doctrine the determinations of the future Colloquie and Diet would bee canonized neither could they with reason hinder them to treat of religion in Germanie which themselues refused to doe in the Councell There was a great rich Prelate in the congregation who with a premeditated speech went about to shew that they ought onely to ayme at the reformation aggrauating much the common deformation of the whole Clergie and inculcating that so long as our vessels were not cleansed the holy Ghost would not dwell in them and by consequence that no right iudgment could be expected in matters of faith But the Cardinall Santa Croce taking from hence occasion to speake said that there was no reason to deferre the reformation of themselues who were to manage the Councell but that was easie and ready and might suddenly be executed without delaying the points of doctrine which were intricate of themselues and of long digestion He much commended that prelate for making mention of a thing so holy and of so good example for beginning from themselues they might easily reforme all the rest of the world and hee earnestly exhorted all to come to the practise thereof This opinion was much commended by all but not followed for many soid the reformation ought to bee generall without loosing time in that particular Therefore they all concluded except two that the Articles of Religion and reformation should be handled together as they are alike desired and deemed necessarie by the whole world and ioyntly proposed in the Popes Bulls The Legats were content with this resolution though they rather desired to treate of faith and leaue the reformation But so great was their feare that they should be constrained to handle reformation alone that they thought it A resolution made to handle doctrine and reformation together a great victorie to ioyne them together And they thought also that their opinion to leaue the reformation was dangerous because they should resist all the Prelates and States of Christendome who desired it which they could not doe without much scandall and infamie If this course which they tooke being constrained thereunto by meere necessitie should not please those at Rome they could not complaine of any but themselues who were so often solicited to answere the letters and send necessary instructions Afterwards it was resolued to write to the Pope to thanke him for calling and opening the Councell and to desire him to maintaine and fauour it and to bee a meanes vnto Christian Princes to continue peace among themselues and excite them to send Ambassadors to the Councell They resolued also to write to the Emperour the French King Kings of the Romans of Portugal and other Catholike Princes to preserue peace to send Ambassadours secure the wayes to mooue their Prelates to appeare personally in the Councell The care of writing these letters was committed to the Bishop of Saint Marke and were to be read and sealed in the next congregation The Legates published two points to bee considered of by the Fathers whereof they were to giue their voices The first whether in the next session the heads of faith and those of reformation which were correspondent should bee handled together The second how to proceed in making choice of the two heads and in handling and examining them The Legats thought they had by these propositions disburthened themselues of the importunate quest made by some to establish some substantiall point in euery congregation
and withall to haue shewed that they held the Prelates in esteeme The next congregation was spent in reading many letters and disputing A Congregation what Seale to vse Some proposed they should bee sealed in leade with a Bull proper to the Synode in which some would haue on the one side the image of the holy ghost in the forme of a Doue and the name of the Synod on the other and some desired other formes all which were glorious But the Legats who had another order from Rome suffering the fathers to dispute heereon diuerted the proposition by saying it sauored of pride and protracted the time because they must send to Venice to make the forme of it in regard no Artisan in Trent was able to doe it adding that it might bee better thought of afterwards and that it was necessarie to dispatch the letters now which might bee done by the name and seale of the Prime Legat. That which remained was put off vntill the next Congregation In the which the two points before proposed were discussed and concerning A Congregation the first there were two opinions One that the Decree should bee framed and published the other that it was not good to tie themselues with a Decree but to keepe their libertie and resolue as occasion should serue They tooke a middle course to make mention onely that the Synode was principally assembled for these two causes without going any further But for the second point the maior part were of opinion that they being assembled to condemne the Lutheran heresie they should follow the order of their confession which others contradicted because it was an imitation of the Colloquies in Germanie which would debase the dignitie of the Councel And the two first heads of the Augustan confession being of the Trinitie and incarnation in which there was no substantiall difference though they were expressed after a new maner and vnusuall in the Schooles if they should bee approoued reputation would bee giuen them and they could not so well condemne the rest and in case they would neither approoue nor condemne them and speake of them not with the termes of that confession but of the Schooles or others there was danger to raise new disputes and new schismes The Legates who aimed at nothing but to driue out the time were glad to heare the difficulties and did carefully cherish them sometimes incouraging one and sometimes another The time prefixed for the session approaching the Legats hauing receiued The Legates were perplexed for want of instruction no instruction from Rome were much perplexed For to passe that session as the former in ceremonies only was to loose all reputation and to handle any matter was dangerous because they had not their marke prefixed whereat to aime That which seemed to haue least perill was to frame a decree vpon the resolution taken in the congregation to handle the points of faith and reformation together whereunto opposition was made that it was to bind themselues and to determine that in the congregation which was vndecided by the Pope In this ambiguitie it was proposed that they should make a delatory decree vnder pretence that many Prelats were in their iourny and would shortly come thither Cardinal Poole told them that in regard a confession of faith hath been made in all the ancient Cauncels the same should be done in that session publishing that of the Church of Rome At the last it was resolued to make the Decree with a simple title and to make mention therein that they ought to treat of religion and reformation but in such generall termes that the Creed might be recited and passed ouer making another Decree to deferre the materiall points vntill another session alleadging for a reason that some Prelates were ready to set forward and some in their iourney already and to prolong the terme of the next session as long as they could for feare of being brought into the like straits yet so as not to put it off vntill after Easter When this was framed they imparted it to the Prelates they trusted most amongst whom the Bishop of Bitonto put to their consideration that to make a session to establish a Creed made 1200. yeeres before and continually beleeued and now absolutely accepted by al might be laughed at by those that were enuious and ill expounded by others That they cannot say they follow the Fathers example in this because they haue either made aconfession against the heresies they did condemne or repeated the former made against the heresies already condemned to giue them greater authoritie adding some thing for declaration or to reduce it into memorie or to secure it against obliuion But now neither a new confession was composed nor a declaration adioyned To giue them more authoritie belonged not to them nor to that age To recall it into memorie in regard it was repeated euery weeke in all Churches and was in the fresh memorie of euery one was a thing superfluous and affected That the heretikes ought to bee conuinced by the confession was true of those who erred against it but it was not so of the Lutherans who beleeued it as the Catholikes If when this preparation shall bee made the confession bee neuer vsed to this purpose it will bee thought to bee done to no other end then to entertaine the time and to sprinkle Court-holy-water not daring to touch the poynts of doctrine nor being willing to meddle with the reformation He thought it better to interpose delay in regard of the expectation of the Prelates and so to end the Session The Bishop of Chioza added that the reasons alleadged might serue the heretikes turnes by saying that if the confession can serue to conuert infidels ouercome the heretikes and confirme the faithfull they could not enforce them to beleeue any thing besides The Legat iudged not these reasons to be so strong as the contrary that not to make a Decree was losse of reputation Therefore they resolued on that side and fitted some words better according to the aduertisements of the Prelates and proposed the Decree in the Congregation of the first of February Of this many things were sayd and though it was approued by the maior part yet in the end of the congregation it gaue distaste and some of the Prelates said reasoning among themselues it will be said that by a worke of twenty yeeres time it hath beene concluded that we should be brought to heare the Creed repeated The fourth day destinated for the Session they went to Church with The Session the same ceremonies and company in which Peter Tragliania Archbishop of Palermo sang Masse Ambrose Catarin of Siena a Dominican Friar Archbishop of Torre read the Decree the substance whereof was that the Synod The Decree is read considering the importance of the two points to be treated of that is the extirpation of heresies and reformation of manners exhorteth all to trust in God and arme
wrote the Decalogue in stone with his owne finger commaunding it should be laid vp in the Cabinet called the Arke of the Couenant That he often commaunded Moyses to write the precepts in a booke and that one copie should bee kept in the Arke and the King haue another to reade it continually This fell not out in the Gospell which the Sonne of God wrote in the hearts for which neither tables nor chest nor booke is necessary yea the Church was most perfect before any of the Apostles wrote and though they had writ nothing the Church would haue wanted nothing of its perfection But as Christ founded the doctrine of the New Testament in the hearts so hee forbad it not to bee written as in some false Religions where the mysteries were kept secret nor was lawfull to write them but onely to teach them by word of mouth And therefore that it is an vndoubted truth that whatsoeuer the Apostles haue written and whatsoeuer they haue taught by word of mouth is of equall authority because they wrote and spake by the instinct of the holy Ghost which notwithstanding as by assisting them it hath directed them to write and preach the trueth so it cannot bee said it hath forbidden them to write any thing to the end to hold it in mysterie wherefore the Articles of faith cannot bee distinguished into two kinds some published by writing others commaunded to bee communicated onely by voyce Hee said that whosoeuer thought otherwise must fight against two great difficulties the one to tell wherein the difference is the other how the Apostles successors haue beene able to write that which was forbidden by God adding that it was as hard to maintaine the third that is how it hath accidentally happened that some particulars haue not beene written because it would derogate from the prouidence of God in directing the holy Apostles to compose the Scriptures of the New Testament Therefore The Fathers neuer made traditions of equall authority with the Scripture hee concluded that to enter into this treatie was to saile betweene Scriptuâ—e and Caribdis and that it was better to imitate the fathers who serued themselues of this place onely in case of necessitie neuer thinking to make of it an Article of competition against the holy Scripture Hee added that it was not necessary to proceede now to any new determination because the Lutherans though they said they would be conuinced by the Scripture onely haue not made a controuersie in this article and that it is good to keep themselues onely to the controuersies which they haue promoted without setting new on foote exposing themselues to the danger of making a great diuision in Christendome The Fryars opinion pleased but few yea Cardinall Poole reprehended it The opinion of Marinarus was very distastefull and said it better beseemed a Colloquie in Germanie then a Councell of the vniuersall Church that in this they should ayme at the sincere veritie it selfe not as there where nothing is handled but the according of the parties though to the preiudice of the truth that to preserue the Church it was necessarie that the Lutherans should receiue all the Romane doctrine or that as many of their errors as was possible might be discouered the more to make manifest to the world that there was no agreement to be made with them Therefore if they haue framed no controuersie concerning traditions it was necessary to frame it now and to condemne their opinions and to shew that that doctrine not onely differeth from the true in that wherein it doeth purposely contradict it but in all other parts that they should endeauour to condemne as many absurdities as can be drawen out of their writings and that the feare was vaine to dash against Scilla or Caribdis for that captious reason whereunto whosoeuer gaue earâ— would conclude there was no tradition at all In the second Article they all agreed in this that a Catalogue should bee Concerning the canon cal bookes of the Scripture made as it was in former times of the Canonicall bookes in which all should be registred which are read in the Romane Church euen those of the Old Testament which were neuer receiued by the Hebrewes And for proofe of this they all alledged the Councell of Laodicea Pope Innocence the first the third Councell of Carthage and Pope Gelasius But there were foure opinions Some would haue two rankes made in the first onely those should be put which without contradiction haue beene receiued by all in the other those which sometime haue beene reiected or haue had doubt made of them and it was said though formerly this was neuer done by any Councell or Pope yet alwayes it was so vnderstood For Austin maketh such a distinction and his authority hath beene canonized in the Chapter In Canonicis And Saint Gregorie who was after Gelasius writing vpon Iob sayeth of the Maccabees that they are written for edification though they bee not Canonicall Aloisius of Catanea a Domican Fryar said that this distinction was made by Saint Hierome who was receiued by the Church as a rule and direction to appoint the Canon of the Scriptures and he alleadged Cardinal Caietan who had distinguished them following Saint Hierom as an infallible rule giuen vs by the Church and so hee wrote to Pope Clement the seuenth when hee sent him his exposition vpon the Historicall bookes of the Old Testament Some thought fit to establish three rankes The first of those which alwayes haue beene held for Diuine the second of those whereof sometimes doubt hath beene made but by vse haue obtained Canonicall authority in which number are the sixe Epistles and the Apocalyps of the New Testament and some small parts of the Euangelists The third of those whereof there hath neuer beene any assurance as are the seauen of the Old Testament and some Chapters of Daniel and Hester Some thought it better to make no distinction at all but to imitate the Councell of Carthage and others making the Catalogue and saying no more Another opinion was that all of them should bee declared to bee in all partes as they are in the Latine Bible of diuine and equall authoritie The Booke of Baruc troubled them most which is not put in the number neither by the Laodiceans nor by those of Carthage nor by the Pope and therefore should be left out as well for this reason as because the beginning of it cannot be found But because it was read in the Church the Congregation esteeming this a potent reason resolued that it was by the Ancients accounted a part of Ieremie and comprised with him In the Congregation on Friday the fifth of March aduise being come The Bishop of Bitonto assisting in Councell is in danger of excommunication in Rome for not paying his Pensionaries that the Pensionaries of the Bishop of Bitonto had demanded in Rome to be paide and for this cause had cited him before the Auditor
otherwise though with reason And S. Paul ment so when hee said that prophecying that is interpretation of the Scripture should bee vsed according to the analogie of faith that is with reference to the Articles thereof And if this distinction were not made they must needes fall into notable inconueniences by reason of the contrarieties which are found in the diuers expositions of the ancient Fathers which doe oppugne one another The difficulties were not so great but that the vulgar edition was approued The vulgar edition is approoued almost by a generall consent the discourse hauing made deepe impression in their mindes that Grammarians would take vpon them to teach Bishops and Diuines Some few thought it fit in regard of the reasons brought by the Diuines to leaue the point for that time but seeing the resolution was otherwise they desired them to consider that hauing approued it they should command it to be printed and corrected and in that case that it was necessary to frame a copie by which to make the impression Whereupon sixe were deputed by common consent and commanded to be diligent in making that correction that it might bee published before the end of the Councell reseruing power to themselues to augment the number if amongst those that were to come any were fit for the worke But in giuing voyces vpon the fourth Article after Cardinall Pacceco had said that the Scripture was expounded by so many and so excellent men in goodnesse and learning that there was no hope to adde any good thing more and that all the new heresies sprang from the new expositions of the Scripture and therefore that it was necessary to bridle the saucinesse of moderne wits and to make them content to be gouerned by the ancients and by the Church and that if any had some singular spirit he should be enforced to conceale it and not to confound the world by publishing it almost all runne into the same opinion The Congregation of the 29. was all spent in the fift Article For the Diuines hauing spoken irresolutely and with reference to the Synod to which it belongeth to make Statutes the Fathers were doubtfull also To leaue out the Anathema wholly was to make no decree of faith and in the very beginning to breake the order set downe to handle the two heads together To condemne euery one for an heretike who would not accept the vulgar Edition in some particular place perhaps of none importance or should publish some inuention of his owne vpon the Scripture through vanitie of minde seemed too rigorous After long discussion they found a temper which was to frame the first Decree and comprehend in it that onely which concerneth the Catalogue of the holy Bookes and the Traditions and to conclude that with an anathema Then in the second which belongeth to reformation to comprehend the translation and sense of the Scripture as if the Decree were a remedie against the abuse of so many interpretations and impertinent expositions It remayned to speake of the other abuses of which euery one had collected The abuses are spoken of a great number and many wayes to redresse them as humane weaknesse and superstition vseth holy things not onely beyond but also contrary to that for which they are appointed Of inchantments to find treasures and to bring lasciuious deseignes to passe or to obtaine things vnlawfull much was said and many remedies proposed to roote them out Amongst inchantments some put carying the Gospel about one names of God to preuent infirmities or to be healed of them or to bee kept from euils and mischiefes or to bee prosperous likewise to reade them for the same ends and to write them with obseruation of times In this catalogue were numbred Masses said in some Countries vpon red hot Iron vpon boyling waters or vpon cold or other matters for vulgar purgations to recite the Gospel ouer Armes that they may haue more force against the enemies In this ranke were put the coniurations of dogges to make them not bite of serpents to make them not offend of harmefull beasts in the field of tempests and other causes of the barrennesse of the land requiring that all these obseruations might bee condemned forbid and punished as abuses But in diuers particulars there were contradictions and disputes For some defended as things deuout and religious or at the least permitted and not damnable which others did condemne for wicked and superstitious The like happened speaking of the Word of God by casting of lots or diuinations or extracting schedules with verses of the Scripture or obseruing those they met when they opened the booke To vse sacred words in scandalous libels and other detractions was generally condemned and much was sayd of the meanes how to remooue the Pasquins of Rome wherein the Cardinall of Monte shewed great passion in desiring a remedie because he was often made a subiect of the saucinesse of the Courtiers tongues by reason of his naturall liberty and pleasantnesse of wit All agreed that the Word of God could neuer bee reuerenced enough and that to vse it to mens commendations though Princes and Prelates is not seemely and generally that all vaine vse of it is a sinne But yet the Councell ought not to busie it selfe in this in regard they were not assembled to prouide against all faults neither was it to beforbid absolutely to draw the words of the Scripture to humane matters because S. Antoninus in his storie condemned not the Sicilian Ambassadors who asking pardon of Martin the fourth deliuered their Ambassage in no other termes but saying three times Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi miserere nobis Nor the Popes answere who likewise said thrise Aue Rex Iudeorum Et dabant illi alapas Therefore that it was the malice of the Lutherans to reprehend the Bishop of Bitonto who in his sermon made in the publike Session said that to him that refused the Councel it might bee replied Pap 〈…〉 lux venit in mundum dilexerunt homines magis tenebras quam lucem So many Congregations were spent heerein and the number so increased and the weakenesse of the remedies proposed did so much appeare that the common opinion inclined to make no particular mention of any of them nor to descend to the proper remedies or particular punishments but onely to forbid them vnder generall heads and leaue the penalties to the discretion of the Bishops Of the abuses of the Prints there was not much to be spoken for all agreed that the Printers should bee brideled and prohibited to Print any sacred thing before it was allowed but for this the Decree of the last Lateran Councel was sufficient But about readings and preachings there were terrible controuersies A great contention betweene the Regulars and Prelats about readings and preachings The Regulars beeing already in possession of them as well by the Popes priuiledges as by the practise of 300 yeeres laboured to preserue them
The Protestants are cōfirmed in their opiniō by this sentence there was no remedie hee thought it follie to complaint in vaine That sentence produced another bad effect because the Protestants tooke occasion to confirme their opinion that the Councell was intimated only to insnare them For if the controuersed doctrine of faith ought to bee examined in the Councell how could the Pope before the definition thereof proceede to sentence and condemne the Arch bishop of heresie Therefore it appeareth that in vaine they should goe to that Councell where the Pope domineereth who cannot dissemble though hee would that hee esteemeth them as men condemned That it was manifest also that the Pope made no account of that Councell because after it was begun hee proceeded definitiuely in that which belongeth to the Councel without imparting any thing vnto it The Duke of Saxonie signified this to the Emperour by his Ambassadours and after sayde vnto him that the Popes minde being now made manifest it would bee high time to prouide for Germany by a Nationall Councell or by handling seiorusly the points of Religion in a Diet. But to returne to the businesse of the Councell there remained as hath beene sayde as remnants of the things handled before in the last Session the two points to prouide for the Lectures of the holy Scripture and preaching of the word of God For this was handled in the first Congregation and to begin the matter of faith it was proposed to treat likewise of originall sin Wherunto the Spanish Prelats opposed and sayd that to prouide against the abuses of preaching reading was matter enough for one session Which opinion also was followed by the Italian Prelates who were on the Emperors side And the Legats thought they had discouered that this was plotted by Caesars ministers who at the very instant had seriously treated with those Prelats Therfor they sent aduice thereof to the Pope from whom they had answere that they should take heed to go on warily vntil he were able to giue them a resolution Therefore they vsed artificiall diligence entertaining themselues with part of the Abuses without comming to the conclusion of them and without making demonstration whether they would proceede in the matter of originall sinne And thus the case stoode vntil Easter Which being past the Pope wrote they should proceede and propose Don Francis of Toledo perswadeth that the reformation should be handled without doctrine that matter This being deliuered the second of May came to the know ledge of Don Francis who going to visite the Legats vsed much arte sometimes making shew to giue them counsell sometimes proposing his opinion for the prosecuting of the reformation onely to know their mindes and to perswade them obliquely to embrace his deseigne But seeing that did no good hee began to speake as plainely as was needfull that hee had letters from the Emperour by which hee was charged to be a meanes that they should not enter into the points of doctrine but should handle the reformation only The Legats brought many reasons to the contrary amongst others they said they could not doe it without contradicting the Popes Buls which proposed these two things together and that which was established in the Councell that they should goe forward cheeke by iowle adding that they had written to his Holinesse that they would begin eight dayes after Easter Diuers discourses and replyes were made on both sides and in conclusion the Legats said they were commanded by the Pope and could not be wanting to their duetie Don Francis sayd it was the dutie of good ministers to maintaine amitie betweene Princes and sometimes to expect the second Commission This was not denyed by the Legates but they answered that more was not to be expected from them then they were able to doe with their honour They gaue the Pope an account of all this adding that the Cardinall of Trent told them that if the Article of originall sing were proposed the Emperor would be discontented and therefore on the one side being desirous to make peace and concord and on the other to obey his Holinesse commandements they thought good to send away this aduise in diligence beseeching him not to let them erre adding that if no other aduise came they would follow his last commandement and would labour to perswade Don Francis and the Cardinall of Trent that this Article of originall sinne was no more questioned in Germany but accorded as was manifest by the last Colloquie of Ratisbon where his Maiestie for the first Article to bee accorded caused that of iustification to be taken But to giue as much more time as is possible they will entertaine themselues as many dayes as they honestly can in dispatching that which remaineth of the last Session A Congregation was made for this onely to giue a better forme how they should more orderly proceede then they formerly had done as well in handling the doctrine of faith as the matter of reformation And they distinguished two sorts of Congregations one for Diuines to discourse on the matter of faith which should be proposed whose opinions should bee written by one of the Notaries of the Councel to whom should bee added A forme to proceed in Councell is set downe Canonists when reformation was spoken of which Congregations were to bee held in the presence of the Legates in which any of the Fathers that would might be present Another sort of Congregations should consist of Prelates to frame the heads of Doctrine and reformation which beeing examined and set in order according to the most common opinion should be proposed in the generall Congregation to vnderstand euery ones voyce that by the determination of the maior part the decrees might be established which are to be published in the Session According to this order they treated of Lectures and Sermons framing The diff 〈…〉 between the Prelates and Regulars about lectures and sermons doth returne and reforming diuers draughts of Decrees neither was it possible to finde a way to please al because the Prelats that were much interessed to desire that all might depend vpon the Episcopall power without exemption of any But on the other side the Legates desired to maintaine the priuiledges giuen by the Pope especially to the Mendicants and Vniuersities And after many disputes when the matter was sufficiently debated they thought that in the Congregation of the tenth of May all would agree But it prooued to the contrary for though it lasted till night yet in some points they could come to no conclusion for the diuersitie of opinions amongst the Prelats themselues and in others because the Legates would not yeelde to the generall opinion to remooue or at the least to moderate the priuiledges They alledged against the Bishops that they were more moued by their proper interest then by reason that they made none account to preiudice the regulars that they were too bold in correcting the former
should be fitted to the exigence of the text read and the capacitie of the auditors After many Discourses in many Congregations they came to establish the Decrees for the Sermons and to ouercome the difficulties they caused the Prelates who were their assured friends to negotiate with the Italian Bishops wishing them to consider how much they were bound for the honour of their nation to vphold the dignitie of the Papacie whose authoritie was treated of by medling with the priuiledges and what they might hope for from the Pope and Legates applying themselues to that which is iust and not depriuing the Friars of that they haue enioyed so long That it was dangerous to despise so many learned men now when heresies doe trouble the Church That the authoritie of Bishops should be enlarged by granting them power to allow or disallow the Preachers when they preach out of the Churches of their Order and when they preach in them by making them acknowledge the Prelate first asking his benediction That the Bishops might punish the Preachers for heresie forbid them to preach to auoyd scandall That they should bee contented with this and that other things should bee added as occasion serued By this meanes they gained so many that they were secure to establish the Decree with those conditions But there remained another difficulty because the Friars and Generals were not satisfied and to distaste them was not secure and expresly forbid by the Pope They endeauored to shew them that the grant made to the Bishops was iust and necessary whereof themselues were cause by extending their priuiledges too much and by passing the bounds of honesty In fine by admonishing the Bishops to proceed so that the Friars might not haue cause to complaine the Generals also were pacified When they made knowne their resolution to condemne in the same Session the Lutheran opinions of originall sinne they alleadged that to keepe the order of putting both the matters together it was necessary to handle some poynt of faith and that they could not begin from any other poynt And they proposed the Articles extracted out of the Protestants doctrine in that matter to bee examined and discussed by the Diuines in the Congregations whether they ought to bee condemned for hereticall The Cardinall Pacceco said that the Councell was to handle Articles of faith onely to reduce Germanie the which hee that would doe out of season should not onely faile of his ende but make matters worse When there is opportunitie to doe it it cannot bee knowen to those in Trent but onely to him that sitteth at the sterne of that Countrey who seeing all particulars knoweth when to applie the medicine Therefore hee aduised that they should craue by letters the opinion of the principall Prelates of the Nation before they went any further or that the Popes Nuncio should speake thereof with the Emperour To which opinion the Emperours Prelates induced by the Ambassadour did adhere But the Legates commending their iudgement and promising to write to the Nuncio added that notwithstanding this the Articles might bee disputed by the Diuines to gaine time whereunto the Cardinall also and the others adhered hoping that many difficulties might come acrosse to cause a delay and the Ambassadour Toledo was contented so that the Summer might bee past before the definition were made The Articles proposed were 1. That Adam by transgressing the precept hath lost iustice and incurred the The points of originall sinne to bee discussed wrath of God and mortalitie and though hee bee impaired both in soule and bodie yet no sinne is transferred from him to posteritie but onely corporall punishments 2. That Adams sinne is called originall because it is deriued from him to posteritie not by transmission but by imitation 3. That originall sinne is ignorance or contempt of God or want of feare without confidence in his Maiestie without diuine loue and with concupiscence and bad desires and generally a corruption of the whole man in his will soule and body 4. That in children there is an inclination to euill proceeding from the corrupted nature so that after the vse of reason it bringeth forth a loathing of diuine things and an immersion in matters of the world and that this is originall sinne 5. That children at the least borne of faithfull parents though they are baptized into the remission of sinnes yet they haue no sinne by descending from Adam 6. That originall sinne is not cancelled in Baptisme but not imputed or so razed that it beginneth to diminsh in this life and is wholly rooted out in that to come 7. That the sinne remayning in the baptized hindereth his entrance into heauen 8. That concupiscence which cherisheth sinne and remayneth after baptisme is truely sin 9. That the principall punishment due to originall sinne is hell fire besides corporall death and other imperfections vnto which man is subiect in this life The Diuines in the Congregation agreed that to discusse those Articles it was necessary not to proceed in that order but to examine all the matter methodically and see what was sinne in Adam and what deriued from him to posterity is sin in all men called originall how it is transmitted and how remitted In the first point also they agreed that Adam being depriued of righteousnesse The discussion of originall sinne his affections rebelled against reason which the Scripture vseth to expresse saying the flesh rebelleth against the spirit and by one onely name calleth his defect Concupiscence That hee incurred the wrath of God and corporall mortalitie threatned by God together with the spirituall death of the soule and yet that none of these defects can be called sinne but punishments that follow For sinne is formally the transgression of a diuine precept And here many enlarged themselues to finde out the kinde of this fault Some said it was pride some gluttony some infidelity and some more soundly that it might bee drawne to all these and more But hee that will take S. Pauls words for his ground can put it in no other kinde but of pure disobedience But seeking to know what thing deriued from Adam is sin in vs the opinions were more diuers For S. Austine who first sought into the essence thereof following S. Paul said it is concupiscence And S. Anselmus many hundred yeeres after holding that sin is cancelled in the baptized concupiscence still remayning maintayned that it is the priuation of originall righteousnesse which in Baptisme is renewed by a thing equiualent which is grace But S. Thomas and S. Bonauenture desiring to reconcile these two opinions considered that in our corrupted nature there are two rebellions one of the soule against God the other of the sences against the soule and that this is concupiscence and that vnrighteousnesse and therefore both together are the sin And S. Bonauenture gaue the first place to concupiscence saying that this is positiue and the other negatiue And S. Thomas contrarily made
the people when the Friars and Pardoners had authoritie to preach against their wills It is well knowen that the innouation in Germany sprang from the Sermons of Fryar Iohn Techel and of Friar Martin Luther among the Suisses from the Sermons of Friar Samson of Milan And the residing Bishop was able to doe nothing but fight with disaduantage against these who were armed with priuiledges The Bishop is not able to make the Clergie liue honestly for that besides the generall exemption of all the Regulars euery Chapter hath one and there bee few particular Priests that want it The Bishop cannot prouide that fit men bee promoted to that charge for the licences to promote and the faculties which the titular Bishops enioy who suffer him not to vse so much as the ministery of the Pontificals And it may be said in one word that the Bishops doe not reside because they haue nothing to doe or rather that they may not make greater inconueniences to arise which would happen by their concurrence and contention with priuiledged men Hee concluded that as he thought it fit to restore residency so they ought to treat how to restore the Episcopall authoritie The Bishops that spake after this Prelate followed his opinion that it was necessary to commaund residency and to remooue the exemptions which do hinder it And the Legats were enforced to cōsent that both should be considered of and that euery one speake his opinion of them and that some Fathers should be deputed to frame the Decree that it might be examined The deputies for collecting the Articles of iustification hauing receiued The Deputies for collecting the Articles dissent about the manner of proceeding the extracts of the propositions noted by euery one to be censured were not all of one opinion One part desired that foure or sixe fundamental Articles of the new doctrine might bee chosen and condemned as was done in the matter of originall sinne alleadging that it was fit to follow the stile begun and the example of the ancient Councels which hauing declared the principall Article condemned the heresie neuer descending to particular propositions but condemning the bookes of the heretiques in that vniuersall they comprehended all the pernitious doctrine and so the honour of the Councell required But the other part aymed to put vnder censure all the propositions which might receiue a bad construction that those might be condemned which in reason did deserue it saying that it was the office of a Pastor to discerne intirely the wholesome grasse from the hurtfull and not to suffer the flocke to taste of this And if the example of ancient Councels ought to be imitated they should imitate that of Ephesus which made so many and so famous Anathematismes against the doctrine of Nestorius that they did containe whatsoeuer the heretique had saide and the Councels of Africa which descend to the condemnation of all the propositions of the sectes The first opinion did vndoubtedly propose a more easie way and would 25. Articles concerning iustification haue pleased whosoeuer desired a speedie ende of the Councell and left a chinke open for agreement which future times might produce Yet the second was embraced which said it was good to examine all the propositions of the Lutheran doctrine to censure and condemne that which after mature deliberation should seeme necessarie and conuenient And 25. Articles were framed 1. Faith without workes is sufficient to saluation and alone doth iustifie 2. Iustifying faith is a sure trust by which one beleeueth that his sinnes are remitted for CHRIST and those that are iustified are bound to beleeue certainely that their sinnes are remitted 3. By faith onely wee are able to appeare before God who neither regardeth nor hath need of our workes faith onely making vs pure and worthy to receiue the Eucharist beleeuing that in it wee shall receiue grace 4. Those that doe honest things without the holy Ghost do sinne for that they do them with awicked heart and it is sinne to keepe the Commandements of God without faith 5. The best repentance is a new life and the repentance of the life past is not necessary neither doth the repentance of actuall sinnes dispose vs to receiue grace 6. No disposition is necessary to iustification neither doth faith iustifie because it disposeth vs but because it is a meanes or instrument by which the promise and grace of God is laid hold on and receiued 7. The feare of hell helpeth not in gaining of iustice yea hurteth and is sinne and maketh the sinners worse 8. Contrition which ariseth from the discussion calling to minde and detestation of sinnes weighing the grieuousnesse multitude and filthinesse of them or the losse of eternall happinesse and gaine of perpetuall damnation maketh a man an hypocrite and a greater sinner 9. The feares by which sinners are terrified either internally by God or externally by Preachers are sinnes vntill they are ouercome by faith 10. The doctrine of the dispositions destroyeth that of faith and taketh consolation from the consciences 11. Onely faith is necessary and other things are neither commanded nor forbid neither is sinne any thing but incredulity 12. Hee that hath faith is free from the precepts of the Law and hath no neede of workes to bee saued for faith giueth all abundantly and alone fulfilleth all the Commandements and no worke of a faithfull man is so bad as may accuse or condemne him 13. A man baptized cannot lose saluation by reason of any sinne whatsoeuer except hee will not beleeue and no sinne but infidelity separateth vs from the grace of God 14 Faith and workes are contrary and workes cannot be taught without shipwracke of faith 15. Externall workes of the second Table are hypocrisie 16. The iustified are set free from guilt and punishment and satisfaction neither in this life nor after death is necessary and therefore there is no Purgatory or satisfaction which is part of Penance 17. The iustified though they haue the grace of God cannot fulfill the Law or auoide sinnes though mortall 18. Obedience vnto the law in the iustified is weake and vnpure in it selfe not acceptable to God but accepted for the faith of the person reconciled who beleeueth that the remainders of sinne are forgiuen him 19. The iust sinneth in euery good worke and no worke maketh the sinne veniall 20. All the works of men yea of the most sanctified are sinne the workes of the iust are veniall by the mercie of God but in the rigor of his iudgement are mortall 21. Though the iust ought to doubt that his workes bee sinnes yet hee ought withall to be assured that they are not imputed 22. Grace and iustice are nothing but the will of God neither haue the iustified any inherent iustice in them and their sinnes are not abolished but onely remitted and not imputed 23. Our iustice is nothing but the imputation of the iustice of CHRIST and the iust haue neede of a continuall
places of the other Epistles where he saith We haue nothing but what wee haue receiued from God that wee are not able of our selues so much as to thinke well and where in giuing the cause why some haue reuolted from the faith and some stand firme he said it was because the foundation of God standeth sure and hath this Seale the Lord knoweth who are his They added diuers passages of the Gospel of Saint Iohn and infinite authorities of Saint Austin because that Saint wrote nothing in his old age but in fauour of this doctrine But some others though of lesse esteeme opposed this opinion calling it hard cruell inhumane horrible impious and that it shewed partialitie in GOD if without any motiue cause he elected one and reiected another and vniust if he damned men for his owne will and not for their faults and had created so great a multitude to condemneit They say it destroyed free wil because the elect cannot finally doe euill nor the reprobate good that it casteth men into a gulfe of desperation doubting that they bee reprobates that it giueth occasion to the wicked of bad thoughts not caring for penance but thinking that if they bee elected they shall not perish if reprobates it is in vaine to doe well because it will not helpe them They confessed that not onely workes are not the cause of Gods election because that it is before them eternall but that neither works foreseen can moue GOD to predestinate who is willing for his infinite mercie that all should bee saued and to this end prepareth sufficient assistance for all which euery man hauing free-will receiueth or refuseth as pleaseth him and GOD in his eternitie foreseeth those who will receiue his helpe and vse it to good and those who will refuse and reiecteth these electeth and predestinateth those They added that otherwise there was no cause why GOD in the Scripture should complaine of sinners nor why hee should exhort all to repentance and conuersion if they haue not sufficent meanes to get them that the sufficient assistance inuented by the others is vnsufficient because in their opinion it neuer had or shall haue any effect The first opinion as it is mysticall and hidden keeping the mind humble and relying on GOD without any confidence in it selfe knowing the deformitie of sinne and the excellencie of diuine grace so this second was plausible and popular cherishing humane presumption and making a great shew and it pleased more the preaching Fryars then the vnderstanding Diuines And the Courtiers thought it probable as consonant to politique reasons It was maintained by the Bishop of Bitonto and the Bishop of Salpi shewed himselfe very partiall The defenders of this vsing humane reasons preuailed against the others but comming to the testimonies of the Scriptures they were manifestly ouercome Catarinus holding the same opinion to resolue the places of Scripture which troubled them all inuented a middle way that GOD of his goodnesse hath elected some few whom he will saue absolutely for whom hee hath prepared most potent effectuall and infallible meanes the rest he desireth for his part they should be saued and to that end hath prouided sufficient meanes for all leauing it to their choice to accept them and bee saued or refuse them and be damned Amongst these there are some who receiue them are saued though they be not of the number of the elect of which kind there are very many Others refusing to cooperate with God who wisheth their saluation are damned The cause why the first are predestinated is onely the will of GOD why the others are saued is the acceptation good vse and cooperation with the diuine assistance foreseene by GOD why the last are reprobated is the foreseeing of their peruerse will in refusing or abusing it That Saint Iohn Saint Paul and all the places of Scripture alleadged by the other part where all is giuen to GOD and which doe shew infallibilitie are vnderstood onely of the first who are particularly priuiledged and in others for whom the common way is left the admonitions exhortations and generall assistances are verified vnto which hee that will giue care and follow them is saued and he that wil not perisheth by his own fault Of those fewe who are priuiledged aboue the common condition the number is determinate and certaine with God but not of those who are saued by the common Way depending on humane libertie but onely in regard of the foreknowledge of the workes of euery one Catarinus said hee wondred at the stupidity of those who say the number is certaine and determined and yet they adde that others may bee saued which is as much as to say that the number is certaine and yet it may bee inlarged and likewise of those who say that the reprobates haue sufficient assistance for saluation though it be necessary for him that is saued to haue a gratâ—er which is to say a sufficient vnsufsicient Hee added that Saint Austins opinion was not heard of before his time and himselfe confesseth it cannot be found in the works of any who wrote before him neither did himselfe alwayes thinke it true but ascribed the cause of Gods wil to merits saying God taketh compassion on hardeneth whom he listeth But that will of GOD cannot bee vniust because it is caused by most secret merits and that there is diuersitie of sinners some who though they be iustified yet deserue iustification But after the heate of disputation against the Pelagians transported him to thinke and speake the contrary Yet when his opinion was heard all the Catholikes were scandalized as S Prosper wrote to him And Genadius of Marscilles 50. yeeres after in his iudgement which he maketh of the famous writers said that it happened to him according to the words of Salmon that in much speaking one cannot auoyd sinne and that by his fault exaggerated by the enemies the question was not then risen which might afterwards bring forth heresie whereby the good Father did intimate his feare of that which now appeareth that is that by that opinion some Sect and diuision might arise The censure of the second Article was diuers according to the three related opinions Catarinus thought the first part true in regard of the efficacie of the Diuine will toward those who are particularly fauoured but the second false concerning the suffiencie of Gods assistance vnto all and mans libertie in cooperating Others ascribing the cause of Predestination in all to humane consent condemned the whole Article in both parts But those that adhered to S. Austin and the common opinion of the Theologues did distinguish it and said it was true in a compounded sence but damnable in a diuided a subtiltie which confounded the mindes of the Prelates and his owne though hee did exemplifie it by saying hee that mooueth cannot stand still it is true in a compound sence because it is vnderstood while hee moueth but in a diuided sence it is
laboureth in his place And indeed where the industry of the person is not chosen for the worke but a place and degree is prouided for the person there is no reason hee should bee bound to labour for himselfe or assist him that doeth The disorder proceeded so farre that it would haue ouerthrowen the Clergie if the Popes had not in part resisted commanding that Prelates and other Curates though they might exercise the charge by substitutes yet should be tied to assistance in the place which they called residence Whereunto also they bound the Canons without constraining other beneficed Clerkes vnto it not so much as speaking of them but leauing them to the custome or rather abuse brought in by which silence it came to passe that they thought themselues obliged Neither did this voluntarie deceipt displease the Pope who saw very well that it would end in the greatnesse of the Court. And hence arose the pernicious and neuer sufficiently detested distinction of Benefices of residence and not residence which followed as well in deed as in doctrine without any blush of absurditie which it did euidently bring with it that is to giue a title and salarie without Obligation And to palliate it or rather to make it more shamefull whereas the Canonists haue a maxime conuincing this absurditie that is that euery Benefice is giuen for an office they haue expounded it vnderstanding by office the houres or prayers of the Breuiarie so that a reuenue of a thousand or tenne thousand or more crownes is giuen for this onely to take a Breuiarie in hand and read as fast as one can in a low voice not marking any thing but to pronounce the words But the distinction of the Doctours and the prouision of the Popes augmented the abuse in the short time For without those some of the beneficed men might perhaps haue made conscience of it but with them they thinke the abuse is iustified as a thing lawfull And for the Curates the Popes dispensation was neuer denyed to any that sought it by that way by which euery thing is obtained at Rome So that the poore onely doe reside and those that gaine by it and the abuse first a little remedied by the Popes lawes did by the dispensations not onely leape to the height but spread it selfe abroad and infected the earth After the stirres of Germanie for Religion which gaue occasion to speake of and desire reformation euery one ascribing the mischiefe to the negligence and small care of the Prelates desiring to see them at the gouernement of their Churches detesting the dispensations which caused them to be absent discourses were made of their Obligation and some Pious men amongst whom was Friar Thomas Caietan Cardinall affirmed that the Obligation of residence was by the Law of GOD. And it happened as it doeth in all things that the preceding passion perswaded the more rigid opinion and more strict Obligation and made the disobligation more hard This caused them to adde vnto it the vigor of the Law of GOD. The Prelates seeing the mischiefe and desiring it should be excuseable and a small fault would needes beleeue that they were not bound by GOD but by the Pope whose dispensation or silence did saue them With these preuious dispositions of doctrine the matter Great controuersies in the Councell about residence was proposed in the Councell as hath beene said which because it produced a small controuersie in the beginning a greater in the progresse and in the end which was in the yeeres 1562. and 1563. greatest of all it will not be vnseasonable to make some recapitulation and to recount some particular occurrences Therefore though the Articles first proposed were but to adde greater bonds and punishments to the precepts to remooue the impediments and A controuersie whether residence be de iure Diuine facilitate the execution and all agreed alleadging perswasions out of the old and new Testament Canons of the Councels doctrine of the Fathers and out of the inconueniences which sprang from the non-residencie yet the maior part of the Diuines especially the Dominicans did determine that the obligation was by the Law of God Friar Bartholomew Caranza and Friar Dominicus Soto Spaniards were the most principall authors The most grounded reasons they brought were that Bishoprickes are founded by CHRIST as ministeries and workes and so require a personall action which a man absent cannot performe that CHRIST describing the qualitie of a good shepheard saith that hee giueth his life for the flocke knoweth the sheepe by their names and walketh before them The Canonists and Italian Prelates did dispute that the obligation was by the Ecclesiasticall law alleadging that anciently neuer any non-resident was reprehended as a transgressour of the Law of God but of the Canons onely That Timothie though Bishop of Ephesus was long in his iourney by order of S. Paul That it was sayd to Saint Peter Feede the Lambes which is vnderstood of all and yet hee cannot bee euery where present so the Bishop may fulfill the commandement of feeding without residence They answered the contrary reasons that the conditions of a Pastor proposed by CHRIST doe agree to none but CHRIST himselfe Friar Ambrosius Catarinus though a Dominican was contrary to the rest He sayd the Bishopricke instituted by CHRIST is one onely which the Pope hath the institution of the others is by the Pope who as hee diuideth the quantity and number of the sheepe to bee fed so hee prescribeth also the manner and qualitie Therefore it belongeth to the Pope to appoint euery Bishop to attend the flocke by himselfe or his substitute and may allot vnto him either much or little and depriue him also of the power of feeding Thomas Campeggius Bishop of Feltre answered another way that the Bishop as Saint Ierom testifieth is the institution of CHRIST but the diuision of Bishoprickes was after instituted by the Church that CHRIST gaue the charge of feeding to all the disciples but tied them not to a place as the actions of the Apostles and of their Disciples doe shew the assigning of this portion of the flocke to one and that to another was an Ecclesiasticall institution to gouerne better These things were handled by the Bishops with much passion The Spaniards did not onely adhere to but cherish the opinion that it was de The Spanish secret in this point iure diuino hauing a secret which they communicated onely amongst themselues to make great the Episcopall authority For if it were once decided that they had the charge from CHRIST to gouerne their Church it would bee decided also that they haue from him authority necessarie for it which the Pope could not restraine These designes were smelled out by those that leaned to the Court therefore in regard of the importance of the matter they also incouraged the maintainers of the contrary opinion The Legats thought it better to withstand the danger by dissembling their knowledge of it and
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
the artifice of that proposition which is in the fifth Chapter Neque homo ipse nihil omnino agat which they sayd was not intelligible and without example For if the Synode would signifie Etiam homo ipse aliquid agat it might say so plainely as is fit to doe in matter of faith where the more simple expression is the better and if they would vse an elegancie they might say Etiam homo ipse nihil agat But the word omnino beeing interposed that speech is incongruous and without sence as all are which haue two negatiues that cannot be resolued into an affirmatiue For to resolue that one must say Etiam homo ipse aliquid omnino agat which is incongruous and not to bee vnderstood what aliquid omnino may signifie heere For it would say that a man hath an action in a certaine kinde which in another kinde is no action The Fathers were defended by saying that to examine the forme of Speech so seuerely was nothing but to cauill Whereunto they replyed that a gentle interpretation was due vnto vsuall formes of speach but that it is a publique vtility to discouer the artifice of him that leauing the cleere and vsuall phrases inuenteth those that are incongruous and containe in them contradiction to cauill and to play on both sides Those that vnderstood Theologie said that the doctrine that a man may alwayes refuse diuine inspirations was contrary to the publike and ancient prayer of the Church Et ad te nostras etiam rebelles compelle propitius Uoluntates Which is not fit wee should say is a vaine desire but that it is made by faith as S. Iames saith and granted by God to his elected They added that one could no more say with S. Paul that it commeth not from man which doth separate the vessell of wrath from those of Gods mercie that which separateth being that humane Non nihil omnino Many did consider that place of the seuenth Chapter where it is sayd Iustice is giuen by measure according to the good pleasure of God and the disposition of the receiuer both which things cannot bee true For if it pleased God to giue more to him that were lesse disposed it would not bee by measure of the disposition and if it bee by the measure of that there is alwayes the motiue by which God worketh and doeth not vse his good pleasure They marueiled that those were condemned who sayd that the Precepts of God were impossible to bee kept seeing that the same Councell in the Decree of the second Session exhorteth the faithfull assembled in Trent that repenting confessing and communicating they should obserue the Commaundements of God Quantum quisquis poterit Which modification would bee impious if the iustified could keepe them absolutely and they noted that the same word Praecepta was there to take away all cauill Those that were read in the Ecclesiasticall Story sayd that in all the Councels held in the Church from the Apostles time vntill now there were neuer so many Articles decided as in this Session onely in which Aristotle had a great part by hauing exactly distinguished all the kindes of causes which if hee had not done wee had wanted many Articles of Faith The Polititians also though they ought not to examinematters of Religion but simply follow them yet found matter of discourse in this Decree For seeing in the tenth Chapter the Obligation of obeying the Commandements of GOD and the Church and the same replied in the twentieth Canon they were scandalized because there was no mention of Obligation to the commandements of Princes and Magistrates They said that obedience vnto these is more plainely set downe in the Scripture that the old Law is full of it that the doctrine is cleere in the new Testament expressed and handled at large by CHRIST himselfe by Saint Peter and Saint Paul That there is found an expresse Obligation to heare the Church but none expresse to obey it Hee is obeyed who commandeth of his owne power and hee is heard who doeth promulgate that which belongeth to another man Neither were these men satisfied with the excuse that the commandements of Princes are included in those of God and that obedience is due vnto them because God hath commanded they should bee obeyed But they replyed that by this reason the Church rather ought to bee omitted and said that the Church was expressed and the Princes passed ouer in silence to breede according to the ancient scope of the Ecclesiastiques that pernicious opinion that men are bound to obey them for conscience sake and Princes and Magistrates onely for feare of temporall punishments and that otherwise their commandements may be transgressed without respect and so to cause euery gouernment to be hated accounted tyrannicall and subuerted and by describing the subiection vnto Priests to be the only principall way to gaine heauen to draw all iurisdiction to themselues and by consequence all authority The Decree of reformation was said to bee a meere illusion For to trust in God and the Pope that prouision should bee made of persons worthy to gouerne the Churches belongeth rather to him that prayeth then to him that reformeth To renew the ancient Canons with one word onely and one so generall was more to confirme the disuse of them but if they would restore them in earnest they should remooue the causes which haue buried them in silence giue them strength by penalties and deputation of those that should put them in execution and should vse other meanes which doe reuiue and preserue Lawes In fine it was said to haue done nothing but establish that one might bee absent all the yeere by loosing halfe the reuenewes or rather one was taught how hee might not reside eleuen moneths and more without any punishment by interposing those thirty dayes or fewer in the midst of the other time of the yeere and that the Decree was wholly destroyed with the exception of iust and reasonable causes which no man is so simple as not to find being to haue Iudges for whom it will be profitable not to haue residencie practised This place requireth that mention should bee made of a particular accident which then begun though it ended not vntill after foure moneths belongeth wholly to the present Session maketh knowen what the Councell was and in what estimation it was had by those that assisted in it For the vnderstanding whereof I will repeat that Friar Dominicus Soto who had as hath been sayd a great part in the Synod in framing the Decrees of originall sinne and iustification hauing noted all the opinions and reasons vsed in Soto and Catarinus publish Bookes one againâ— another concerning the meaning of the Councell and the Fathers are much diuided those discussions thought to communicate them vnto the world and to draw the words of the Decree to his owne meaning printed a booke containing the whole together and did intitle it De natura gratia and did dedicate
Councell of Pauia alone without the presence of any Prelate THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORY OF THE COVNCELL OF TRENT THe Legat and Nuncij being come to Trent accompanied The PresideÌ„es of the Councell and some Prelats striue in Trent with some Prelats who followed them from Rome and some other beeing arriued who hauing been 〈…〉 llcited by the Pope came thither a little after they assembled the foresayd day with the wanted Ceremonies in the vsuall place played within the Cathedrall Church which was not pulled downe where the Archbishop of Torre sang Masse and the Secretary read the Popes Bull of the Conuocation and the 〈◊〉 of the Presidents and hee that sayd Masse read the Decree interrogatorily Pleaseth the Fathers that according to the Popes letters the Councell of Trent should be resumed and prosecuted And all hauing giuen their voyces hee sayd againe Please it you that the next Session The next Session is appointed for the first of September be held the first of September next Whereunto all agreed And the Cardinall Prime President concluded by the consent and in the name of all the Synode that the Councell is begun and shall bee prosecuted Nothing else was done that day nor the next though the Prelats were often assembled in the Legats house because the Congregations had no forme there being no Diuines Onely the thing dispared in 〈◊〉 were read to make the deliberation of that winch was to bee handled more 〈◊〉 especially in matter of reformation which was esteemed to bee of the greatest moment In the ende of the moneth the Pope sent 〈…〉 to the The Pope sendeth a Nunciâ— to the Suisses Suisses who before had beene the Nuncio of Pope Paul to that nation principally to prouide that the French King might not haue Souldiers from them and to obtaine of them a leule the affaires of Parma And vpon that occasion hee wrote vnto them the seuen and twentieth of May that as hee had taken the name of Iulius the second so affectionate to them so hee would follow his example in louing them and vsing 〈◊〉 assistance which he had begun to doe by taking a guard of their Nation for the safety of his owne person and another for Bolonia Now the Councel being intimated and begun in Trent the first of May hee prayed them to send their Prelates against the first of September when the second Session shall bee held The French King sought to perswade the Pope by Termes his Ambassadour that hee had vpon good reasons taken vpon him the defence of The French King excuseth to the Pope his protection of Parma Parma praying him to bee contented with it and to shew him that doing otherwise and preferring warre before peace hee should not onely damnifie Italieâ— but hinder the prosecution of the Councell â—or cause it to dissolue And that though 〈◊〉 did not fall out yeâ— in regard no French Bishop could goe thither it could not with reason bee called a generall Councell The Pope offered to doe any thing elâ—e which the King should desire and after many discourses it beeing represented to him that the King could by no meanes retire and that in case his Holinesse would not bee neutrall but make himselfe the Emperours minister by whom the King was certaine that hee was guided his Maiestie would bee forced to vse those remedies of reason and fact which his ancestors haue vsed against partiall Popes the Pope grew angry or fained to be so and answered that if the King tooke Parma His Holinesse is angry from him hee would take France from the King and if the King did take from him his obedience hee would take from the King the commerce of all Christendome and â—he spake of force let him doe the worst he could if of Edicts and prohibitions and such things hee let him know that his pen paper and inke were not inferiour But though the Pope spake so high yet hee was afraid and therefore to excite the Emperour hee signified vnto him by his Nuncio the Bishop of Imola whome hee had sent in place of the Archbishop of Siponto all these discourses with the French and afterwards tolde him that in Rome there was doubt of another sacke in regard of so many rumours of the Turkes and French-men and feare of Nationall Councels Therefore there was neede of Armes to preuent these attempts and to defend themselues when neede required The King seeing it was impossible to perswade the Pope wrote a publike The French King maketh preparation for a Nationall Councel from which and from the protection of Parma he is disswaded by the Pope letter to all the Bishops of his Kingdome as well in France as elsewhere commanding them to bee at their Churches within sixe moneths and to put themselues in order there for a Nationall Councell and the letter was presented to those also who were in Rome neither durst the Pope hinder them for feare of doing them and his owne reputation more hurt But he sent Ascanius della Câ—rna his nephew into France to disswade the King from the protection of Parma to make him vnderstand that Octauius Farnese being his Vassall hee should by no meanes endure to be contemned by him in regard it would bee an eternall infamy and an example to others not to acknowledge him for Pope That his inclination to France and his Maiesty was great and his minde auerse from those who were emulous of him and that this is knowen to the whole world Yet the foresaid respect is so potent that if his M tie would not giue a remedy it were enough to make him cast himselfe into the armes of him that he would not His instruction also was that if the King would not be perswaded to this he should pray him to consider well how great inconueniences a Nationall Councell would draw after it and that it would be a beginning to giue his Subiects licence whereof hee would repent him and would presently cause this bad effect to hinder the generall Councell which would be the greatest offence could be done to God and the greatest damage to faith and the Church He prayed him to send an Ambassadour to Trent assuring him he should receiue all honour and respect from the Presidents and all the Prelats who were his Holinesse friends Wherunto if hee did not condescend but perseuere in maintaining the Edict hee should for taking away all scandall propose to him a temper to declare that his meaning was not to hinder the generall Councell by that Edict The King hearing the Ambassage shewed also that his honour did constraine But he continueth firme in his resolution him to continue the protection of the Duke and to maintaine the Edict but with such words as made it plaine hee was displeased with the distastes giuen him and that hee had a desire to right himselfe And to answere the Pope hee sent the Lord of Monluc the Elect of Bourdeaux to him not
King did oppose by his Ambassadour Marleus M 〈…〉 assisted by Vergerius who knowing the searets and ends of the Romanes told Vergerius discouereth the secret ends of the Romanists to the Suisses and Grisons him how hee should perswade that nation and wrote also a Booke in this subiect so that in the Diet of Bada which then was helde not onely the Euangelicall but the Catholique Suisses also were perswaded not to send any and the Crisons entring into suspicion vpon the aduertisements of Vergerius that the Pope did plotte something to their preiudice did recall Thomas Planta Bishop of Coira who was already in the Councell In Trent the Congregations of the Diuines were diligently hastened who though they spake according to the order of the twelue Articles yet all the matter of Penance was handled not as the Schoole-men only but also as the Canonists doe handle it following Gratian who maketh a question thereof diuided for the length of it into sixe distinctions and the manner prescribed by the Presidents to deduce and prooue the conclusions from the The manner of discussing the points of doctrine is censured fiue places aforesaid caused not prolixity superfluity and vnprofitable and vaine questions to bee auoided but gaue occasion of greater abuses For when they spake Scholastically they kept themselues within the matter at the least and the discourse was all serious and seuere But in this new maner which they call positiue an Italian word drawne from plaine apparell without superfluous ornaments they ranne into fooleries For alleadging the Diuine Scripture they brought all the places of the Prophets and Psalmes especially where the word Confiteor and its verball Confessia are found which doth signifie in the Hebrew prayse or rather religious profession and haled them to the Sacrament of Confession and which was lesse to the purpose figures were drawen from the Olde Testament to shew that it was prefigured without any regard whether it might bee applied to it with similitude and hee was held most learned who brought most of them All the rites signifying humility griefe and repentance vsed by those who confessed were boldy called Apostolicall Traditions Innumerable miracles were related ancient and moderne concerning things which sueceeded well to those who were deuoted to Confession and ill to those who were negligent and despisers of it All the authorities alleadged by Gratian were often recited but various and diuers sences giuen them according to the matter and others also were added And hee that should haue heard those Doctours speake could not but conclude that the Apostles and ancient Bishops did neuer any thing but kneele at Confession or sit to confesse others In summe that to which all did come and which was most to the purpose was the Councell of Florence Among the memorials there doth nothing appeare worthy of particular mention except that which is to be spoken of when the substance of the doctrine must be recited But thus much was necessary to be deliuered Out of these sheaues of diuers sorts of corne caried into the barne it is no maruell if a mingled grist were threshed The points of doctrine by reason of the mixture did absolutly please but few neither was it obserued in this subiect as in others not to condemne any opinion of the Catholikes but where the opinions of the diuines were various to make the expression with such a temper that al parties might be satisfied Which causeth me not to obserue my former order but first to expound the substance of the Decree as it was established to be read in the Session and then to adde that which the same persons of the Councell did not approue The Decree was this That although in handling Iustification much The Decree concerning Penance was spoken of the Sacrament of Penance yet to roote out diuers heresies of this age it was fitte to illustrate the Catholike trueth which the holy Synode doth propose to bee perpetually obserued by all Christians adding that Penance was alwayes necessary in euery age of the world and after CHRIST to those also who were to be baptized which Penance is not a Sacrament There is another instituted by CHRIST when breathing vpon his Disciples he gaue them the holy Ghost to remitte and retaine sinnes that is to reconcile the faithfull fallen into sinne after Baptisme For so the Church hath alwayes vnderstood it and the holy Synode doeth approoue this sense of the wordes of our Lord condemning those who vnderstand them of the power to preach the Gospell And this Sacrament differeth from Baptisme not onely in the matter and forme but also because the minister of Baptisme is not iudge whereas after Baptisme the sinner doth present himselfe before the tribunall of the Priest as guilty to bee set at libertie by his Sentence And by Baptisme a full remission of sinnes is receiued which is not receiued by Penance without sighes and paines And this Sacrament is an necessary for sinners after Baptisme as Baptisme it selfe is to him that hath not receiued it But the forme thereof consisteth in these words of the minister I doe absolue thee vnto which other prayers are laudably added though they bee not necessary And Contrition Confession and Satisfaction are as it were the matter of the Sacrament which are therefore called parts of Penance The thing signified and the effect of the Sacrament is reconciliation with God whence peace and clearenesse of conscience do sometimes arise And therfore the Synod doth condemne those who make horror of conscience and faith to be parts of Penance Contrition is griefe of minde for sinne committed with purpose to sinne no more and was euer necessary in all times but in sinners after Baptisme it is a preparation to remission of sinnes being ioyned with a purpose to doe whatsoeuer else is required for the lawfull receiuing of this Sacrament And it is not onely a ceasing from sinne or a purposing and a beginning of a new life but also an hate of the life past And though Contrition be sometimes ioyned with charity and reconcileth a man to GOD before the receiuing of the Sacrament yet this vertue cannot bee ascribed to it without purpose to receiue the said Sacrament of Penance But the action which ariseth either by reason of the filthinesse of sinne or of the feare of punishment with hope of pardon is not hypocrisie but the gift of GOD by which the penitent beeing assisted doeth goe on to receiue Iustice which although it cannot bring vs to iustification without the Sacrament yet it doeth dispose vs to obtaine grace from GOD in the Sacrament of Penance By this the Church hath euer vnderstood that CHRIST hath instituted the entire confession of sinnes as necessary by the Law of GOD to those that fall after Baptisme For hauing instituted the Priests his Vicars for Iudges of all mortall sinnes it is certaine that they cannot exercise this iudgement without knowledge of the cause nor obserue equitie in imposing
that occurre they thought fit to deferre this vntill another time they might treate of vsing other meanes They knew not how to make vse of a Nationall Councell because the maner forme and name of them were disused The Colloquies whereof they had often made proofe did no And proposeth a Colloquie good because both parties aymed more at priuate gaine then publique pietie and vtilitie Yet hee sayd they were not to be despised now if they would lay aside the obstinacie of their priuate affections and counselled them to trye them once more if the Diet did not propose a better way This proposition was made by Ferdinand with others concerning the peace and warre with the Turkes that it might passe through Germanie and serue to inuite men to the Diet to which very few were come But it was ill expounded in regard of his former Edict published in his States much contrarie to this proposition and more in regard of the execution of it hauing chased more then two hundred Preachers out of Bohemia And it went to Rome also where the Pope cursing as hee vsually did the Which displeaseth the Pope Colloquies and inuentors of them complayned that there was no end of these difficulties and that hee was to haue a Councell a Colloquie or a Diet alwayes on his backe Hee blamed those times for beeing so full of troubles praysing former ages when the Popes might liue quietly not beeing in feare of their authoritie Yet hee was comforted by the perfect subiection of England to his obedience by the decrees made in his fauour by the Who is consolated with the obedience of England Letters of thankes which hee receiued and with the promise that a solemne Ambassage would come ere long to thanke him personally for his fatherly clemencie and benignitie and to promise him obedience Wherewith beeing well pleased hee could not choose but iest and sayd that hee did enioy some part of happinesse in that hee was thanked by those vnto whom he owed thankes But though the Pope had little hope of Germanie yet not to neglect it nor any ouerture that might bee made in proposing meanes to reduce to the Church those that wandred hee sent Cardinall Morone for his Legate Hee sendeth Cardinall Morone to the Diet. to the Imperiall Diet with instructions euer to lay before them the example of England and by that to exhort Germanie to know their disease and receiue the same cure and aboue all to diuert all Colloquies and treaties of religion The Cardinall was no sooner arriued in Ausburg but Pope Iulius died whereof hee receiued aduise eight dayes after He therefore departed And dieth presently after the last of March together with the Cardinall of Ausburg to assist at the election of the new Pope Before they came Marcellus Ceruinus Cardinall de Santa Croce was Marcellus Ceruinus is created Pope and reteineth his name elected Pope in Rome the ninth of April a man graue and seuere by nature and of a constant minde which he was willing to demonstrate in the first action of his Papacie by retaining the same name shewing the world that his dignitie had not changed him contrarie to that which so many of his predecessors had done For after the changing of the names began because Dutch men were made Popes to whose names Romane eares were not accustomed all that followed obserued the same vse signifying thereby that they had changed their priuate affections into publique and diuine cares But this Pope to shew that in his priuate estate hee had thoughts worthy of the Popedome would by retaining the same name shew his immutabilitie Another action of his also was like to this For the capitulations made in the Conclaue beeing presented to him that hee might sweare to them hee answered it was the same thing which hee had sworne a few dayes before and that he would obserue it by deedes and not by promises The holy weeke which then was celebrated and Easter holy dayes approching put the Pope by the assiduitie of Ecclesiasticall ceremonies into an indisposition Yet his thoughts were still fixed on the things hee had disseigned with many Cardinals before his Popedome to which hee did euer thinke hee should ascend and particularly hee imparted his purpose to the Cardinall of Mantua to compose the differences of Religion by a Councell which hee sayd did not formerly succeede well because a good course was not taken That it was necessary He purposeth to make a reformation first to make an intire reformation by which the reall differences would bee accorded which beeing done the verball would partly cease of themselues and partly would be composed with some small paines of the Councell That his Predecessors for fiue successions abhorred the name of reformation not for any bad end but because they were perswaded that it was set on foote to pull downe the Papall authoritie But his opinion was contrary and that nothing could more preserue it then that yea that it would bee a meanes to enlarge it For obseruing things past euery one might see that onely those Popes who haue made reformations haue aduanced and inlarged their authoritie That the reformation did not alter any thing but that which was for shew and vanitie not onely of no moment but of charge and burthen as ryots pomps great traines of Prelates excessiue superfluous and vnprofitable charges which doe not make the Papacie venerable but rather contemned which vanities being cut off the true power reputation and credit with the world will increase together with the reuenue and other sinewes of gouernement and aboue all the protection of God which euery one may assure himselfe doth worke in conformitie of ones proper duetie These dissignes published in Court were by his wel-willers adorned And is censured by the Court. with the titles of Pietie loue of Peace and Religion but some that were emulous sayd the end was not good that the Pope did ground himselfe vpon Astrologicall predictions following his fathers steps who became great by that profession which as some times either by chance or otherwise they succeede so for the most part they are occasions of the fall of many Amongst the Popes particular dissignes one was to He purposed to institute a religion of an hundred persons institute a Religion of an hundred persons like vnto a Caualarie of which himselfe would be Head and make the election taking them out of any other Religion or state of persons euery one of which should haue yeerely fiue hundred crownes out of the Chamber should take a very solemne and strict Oath of fidelitie to the Pope should not bee assumed to any other degree nor haue any more reuenue except for their deserts they were created Cardinals in which case they were not to forsake the compunie These onely hee would imploy for Nuncij and ministers of businesses Gouernours of Cities Legates and in all other occasions of the Apostolique Sea And many
done already or vndoing that which is done well Many other reasons were alleadged in confirmation of this opionion by many Bishops creatures of Paul 4 admirers of his wisedome in managing the Ecclesiasticall discipline who maintained that it was necessary to preserue yea to augment the rigour instituted by him if they would preserue the purity of religion Iohn Thomaso S. Felicio was of a contrary opinion that the Councell should treate againe of bookes as if there had been no precedent prohibition The opinion of Iohn Thomaso S. Felicio because that beeing made by the Inquisition of Rome is odious for the name to the Vltramontans and besides is so rigid that it cannot bee obserued and nothing doth more easily bring a law into disuse then the impossibilitie or great difficulty in keeping it and the great rigour in punishing the transgressours he sayd that indeed it was necessary to preserue the reputation of that office but that might bee done conueniently enough by making nomention thereof and by ordayning onely things necessary and moderate punishments And therefore his opinion was that all consisted in setting downe the manner and spake what himselfe thought to be the best that is that the bookes not already censured should be diuided amongst the Fathers and Diuines of the Counsel and those that were absent also to bee examined and censured and that a great Congregation should be deputed to iudge betweene the censure and the booke and that this also should bee obserued in those which are censured already and then all should be proposed in the generall Congregation to decree that which was best for the publike good For citing the Authors hee said there were two sorts of them some separated from the Church and some incorporated in it of the former no account is to be made seeing that by their separation they haue as Saint Paul saith condemned themselues and their owne workes so that there is no cause to heare them of the others some are dead and some aliue of which the latter are to be cited and heard because their good name and honour being in question one cannot proceed against they workes before the hearing of their reasons Concerning the dead whatsoeuer the publike good doth require may be done without danger of offending any Another Bishop added to this opinion that the same forme of iustice vsed towards the Catholiques aliue should be vsed also towards those that are dead because they haue kinred and schollars who doe participate of the fame of infamie of the dead and are therefore interested and in case there were none such yet the onely memory of the dead cannot be iudged before it be defended Some also did thinke it was not iust to condemne the workes of Protestants without hearing them For howsoeuer the persons be condemned by themselues yet the lawes doe not permit the declaratory without citation though in a notorious fact and therefore it cannot be pronounced against a booke though it doth notoriously containe heresie Fryar Gregory Generall of the Heremites sayd he did not thinke it necessary to obserue so many subtilties For the prohibition of a booke is as the prohibition of a meate which is not a sentence against it nor against him that hath prepared it but a precept to him that is to vse it made by him who hath the charge of his health therefore the credit of the Victualer is not in question but the benefit of the sicke who is forbid to eate of a meat that is hurtfull to him though in it selfe it may be good So the Synod as a Physician ought to forbid that which is hurtfull or dangerous to the faithfull wherein none will receiue wrong For howsoeuer the booke may bee good in it selfe yet peraduenture it may not agree to the infirmity of the mindes of this age Many other considerations did passe which were finally resolued into one of these Concerning the third Article to inuite the heretickes to repentance with The Legats and Prelats are diuided concerning the generall safe conduct promise of clemencie and grant of a safe conduct there were diuers opinions euen amongst the Legates themselues Mantua was for a generall pardon saying that many would bee gained thereby and that it was a remedie vsed by all Princes in seditions or rebellions to pardon those whom they cannot ouercome because by that meanes those that are least faultie doe retire and the others remaine more weake and although but few were gained or but one onely yet it was to bee done that though none at all could bee gained yet it would be great gaine to vse and shew clemencie Simoneta said that this would be dangerous for the ruine of others because many are induced to transgresse when they see it is easie to get a pardon and that rigour though it be hard to him that feeleth it doth keepe many in their duety that it is sufficient to shew clemencie to him that desireth it but to carrie it after him that doeth not demaund or doeth refuse it doth make men more carelesse of themselues and heresie will be thought to bee but a small fault when men see it is so easily pardoned In these two opinions the Prelates were diuided and those who did not approoue the Safe Conduct said it was not giuen to any in the first Conuocation of this Councell which would haue been done if it had beene necessary or conuenient because the Pope that sate then was most wise and the Legats the chiefest of the Colledge that it was giuen in the second Conuocation because Maurice Duke of Saxonie and other Protestants did desire it and the Emperour also in their behalfe but now it beeing demaunded by none Germanie saying aloud and protesting that it doth not hold this Councell to be lawfull a Safe Conduct would but giue them matter to make some bad exposition of the Synods meaning The Spanish Prelats would by no meanes consent to a generall Safe Conduct because it would preiudice the Inquisition of Spaine in regard so long as that lasted euery one might professe himselfe to bee a Protestant and make himselfe ready for the voyage and could not be arrested by that office The Legates thought the like might happen to the Inquisition of Rome and Italy All The resolution of the generall Congregation concerning the Index and Safe Conduct being considered concerning the Index it seemed sufficient for that present to make Deputies and to let those that were interested vnderstand by some little part of the Decree that they should be heard and inuite all to the Councell and for the Safe Conduct to referre themselues in regard of the difficulties to a further consideration While these things were handled the Popes Nephew Cardinall Altemps the fift Legate came to Trent and withall the newes of the Edict of France before rehearsed which put them all into a confusion that Princes should permit by publique Decree those nouities which the Councell was then assembled to
it was as contrary to the Catholique doctrine to giue the Cup to the Laiques by diuine precept as it was to denie it to them by diuine precept Therefore all those reasons which did so conclude were to be layd aside and those of the disciples in Emmaus and of Saint Paul in the ship because by them it would bee concluded that it was not sacriledge to consecrate one kinde without the other which is contrary to all the Doctors and meaning of the Church and ouerthroweth the distinction of the Eucharist as it is a Sacrifice and as it is a Sacrament That it was plaine also that the distinction of the Laicall and Clericall Communion in the Romane Ordinary was a diuersitie of places in the Church not of the Sacrament receiued because otherwise this reason would conclude that not onely those who say Masse but all the Clergie should haue the Cup. Of the authority of the Church in changing the accidentall things of the Sacraments no man can doubt but hee sayd it was not a time to dispute whether the Cup were accidentall or substantiall Hee concluded that this Article might bee omitted as already decided in the Councel of Constance and that the fourth and fifth Articles might bee exactly handled because granting the Cup to all Nations that desire it all other disputations are superfluous yea hurtfull Iohn Paul a Diuine of the Bishop of fiue Churches spake also to the same purpose and both of them did displease because it was thought they spake against their conscience at the instance of their masters Concerning the second Article the Diuines were also vniforme in the affirmatiue and all their reasons were reduced to three Heads The congruities of the old Testament when the people did participate of the meate offerings in the sacrifices but neuer of the drinke offerings To take away from the vulgar occasion to beleeue that one thing is contained vnder the bread another vnder the wine The third the danger of irreuerence And heere the reasons recited by Gerson were brought that the blood might be shed either in the Church or in bringing of it especially ouer the Mountaines in winter that it would hang in the beards of the Laikes that it would bee sower if it were kept that there would want vessels to hold enough for ten thousand or twenty thousand persons that in some places it would bee too great a charge in respect of the price of wine that the vessels would not bee kept cleane that a Laie man would bee of equall dignitie with a Priest Which reasons it was necessary to say that they were iust and good otherwise the Prelates and Doctors for so many ages would haue taught an vntrueth and the Church of Rome and Councell of Constance erred All these reasons except the last were thought ridiculous because those dangers might bee more easily withstood in these times then they could in those 12. first ages when the Church was in greater pouerty And the last seemed to bee of no force to shew that the change was reasonably made but was good to maintaine it after it was made The two Diuines afore named did aduise that this Article also might bee omitted In the third Article that all CHRIST is receiued vnder one kinde the doctrine of concomitancie deliuered by the Diuines was taken for an argument For the body of CHRIST being vnder the bread by vertue of the consecration CHRIST hauing sayd by words omnipotent and effectiue This is my body and the body being aliue it must needes haue blood soule and diuinitie so that all CHRIST was vndoubtedly receiued vnder the bread But some inferred hereby that therefore all graces are receiued in it seeing that he who hath all CHRIST wanteth nothing because hee is abundantly sufficient Others sayd to the contrary that the illation was neither necessary nor probable For those who are baptized are filled with CHRIST as St. Paul saith and yet other Sacraments are giuen vnto them And because some auoyded the force of the reason by saying that the other Sacraments are necessary in respect of sinnes committed after baptisme it was replyed that the ancient Church did immediately communicate the baptized so that as from being filled with all CHRIST in baptisme it cannot bee inferred that the Eucharist doth not conferre other graces so from hauing receiued all CHRIST vnder the bread it cannot be inferred that no other grace is to be conferred by the blood neither can it be sayd without great absurdity that the Priest in the Masse hauing receiued the body of our LORD and by consequence all CHRIST doeth not receiue any grace in drinking of the Cup for otherwise to drinke of it would be a worke indifferent and vaine Moreouer it is decided by the common doctrine of the Schooles and of the Church that by euery sacramentall action by vertue of the worke it selfe which they call Ex opere operato a degree of grace is conferred But it cannot be denied that to drinke the blood of CHRIST is a sacramentall action therefore it can not bee denied that it hath a speciall grace annexed In this controuersie the greater part of the Diuines held that not speaking of the quantity of grace answerable to the disposition of the receiuer but of that which the Schoole-men call sacramentall it was equall in him that receiued one kinde onely and in him that receiued both The other opinion was defended though with the smaller number yet more earnestly Friar Amante Seruita a Brescian a Diuine of the Bishop of Sebenico a fauourer of this second opinion passed very farre I know not with what aime or end who alledging the doctrine of Thomas Caietane that blood is not part of humane nature but the first aliment and adding that it could not bee sayd that the body doth necessarily draw in concomitance its aliment did inferre that the thing contained vnder both kindes is not absolutely the same and hee added that the blood of the Eucharist according to the words of CHRIST was blood spilt and by consequence Friar Amante concurreth in opinion with the Lutherans out of the vaines in which if it remained it could not bee drinke so that it could not bee drawen in concomitancie with the vaine and that the Eucharist was instituted in memory of the death of CHRIST which was by separation and effusion of blood Whereat there was a noyse raysed amongst the Diuines and a cracking of the benches Therefore recalling himselfe But presently recanteth and asketh pardon hee retracted and said that the heat of dispuaion had caryed him to alledge the reasons of the aduersaries as if they had beene his owne which notwithstanding hee purposed to resolue in the end and hee spent the residue of his discourse in resoluing them and in conclusion asked pardon of the scandall giuen because hee had not spoken with such caution as to shew plainely that those reasons were captious and contrary to his owne opinion And he made
prescribing the order and time of speaking and distributing to euery one his owne part This was commended by Varmiense and they agreed to giue order for it when the Sessions should bee held The Imperialists were now out of hope to obtaine the Chalice and their interests were ceased But the French men with some Prelates laboured much that nothing might be done in the Session of the sixteenth day but all deferred vntill the next as had beene done twice before The Legates to auoid the shame did labour with all their force to establish the points that those foure that concerne communion and the nine of reformation might be published These therefore did seeke to remooue and those to interpose difficulties There remaining but two dayes to the Session a Congregation was held in the morning of the 14. day in the beginning where of Granata desired the Legates that in regard of the importance of the matter to bee handled they would protogue the Session and made as it were an Oration to shew how many difficulties were still on foot necessary to bee decided The Legates resolute to the contrary admitted no reason and caused the examination of the doctrine to begin In reading of the first point when they came to the place where it is said that it cannot bee inferred by the words of our Lord in S. Iohn If you shall not eat the flesh of the Sonne of man and drinke my blood c. Granata began and said that that passage did not speake of the Sacrament but of Faith vnder the Metaphore of nutrimont alleadging the Text and many Expositions of the Fathers and of S. Austin in particular Cardinall Seripando expounded that place as if hee had read in the Chaire and it seemed that euery one was satisfied But Granata replied more earnestly and in the end desired that an addition might be ioyned to it saying that by those words howsoeuer they were vnderstood according to diuers Expositions of the Fathers the Communion of the Cup could not be inferred This addition did not please some of the Fathers and others did not regard it but it seemed strange that after things were concluded one should come with vnnecessary additions to disturbe the points established and there were 57. who said Non Placet But to come to an end the Legates were content that the clause should be added â—and indeede it seemeth to bee inserted by force and doeth begin in the Latine Vtcunque inxta Varias In the second point of the authoritie of the Church ouer the Sacraments when they came to this place that they might change the vse of the Cup by the example of the forme of Baptisme Iacobus Gibertus Bishop of Alife stood vp and said it was a blasphemie that the forme of Baptisme was immutable that it was neuer changed that ouer the essence of the Sacraments which consisteth in the forme and matter there is no authoritie and much beeing sayd Pro contra in the end they resolued to take away that particle It would be tedious to relate all that was spoken by some to hinder the proceeding and by some not to be silent when others spake It is naturall when a multitude is in motion for euery one to striue to mooue most neither was there euer any Colledge of Noblemen so absolute but that it might bee diuided into persons of honour and of the common sort The patience and resolution of the Legates ouercame the difficulties so that in the Congregation of the afternoone the points of doctrine and the Anathematimes were established howsoeuer the Cardinall Varmiense did very zealously interpose a doubt at the instance of some Diuines who tolde him that where as it is sayd in the third point of doctrine The faithfull are not defrauded of any grace necessary to saluation by receiuing one kinde onely much cause of disputation was giuen because the Eucharist being not a necessary Sacrament it might bee inferred by the same reason that the Church might take it away wholly Many of the Prelats adhered hereunto demanding that it might be reformed in regard the reason alleadged against it was euident and vnanswerable Cardinall Simoneta did pacifie them with very much adoe saying that a draught should bee made in writing how it should be reformed and shewed in the next Congregation In that the Bishop of the Fiue Churches gaue new occasion of distastes Who hauing beene tolde our of Congregation that in Rome Bishopriques were giuen onely to promote men returned to that matter and spake of it at large He seemed to declare his minde by way of excuse but indeed hee confirmed the things spoken and the end of his discourse was an exhortation to the Fathers to deliuer their opinions freely without respect Simoneta was much angry at the occurrences of that Congregation and when it was ended did remonstrate to Varmiense how contrary it was to the seruice of the Apostolique Sea to giue care to the impertinencies of the Diuines men accustomed to bookes of speculation onely and for the most part vaine subtilties of which themselues make great esteeme though indeed they are but Chimerae where of one proofe is because they agree not among themselues that before many of them did approue that point without contradiction and now some broach new matters which in conclusion will be opposed by others that it is a plaine case that what word soe uer is spoken will bee defended by those that fauour the Speaker and oppugned by his aduersaries Neither will they much care though it be somewhat dangerous to doe it But hauing intimated two Sessions and done nothing if the like should happen in this the reputation of the Councell would irrecouerably be lost and therefore that they must be carefull to doe some thing Varmiense was ouercome and answered that hee had done nothing but to a good end and that those Diuines were addressed to him by the Emperours Ambassadours Simoneta perceiued that the honesty of that Prelate was abused by the subtiltie of others and told the other Legates that he doubted that the Imperialists might draw some secret from him and agreed with them to admonish him of it vpon some good occasion The last day had some encounters also For the Bishop of Nimes at the perswasion of the French Ambassadours desired that in the first point of reformation where some fee is allowed to the Notary for the Letters patents of Orders the custome of France might not be preiudiced where nothing is The Legates about to part out of the CoÌ„gregation are stopped by the Bishop of Girone giuen He was followed by some Spaniards and they were satisfied by an addition in the Decree that the custome should bee saued Other mutations were desired and granted and all was in order for the Session the next morning The Legats rising vp to depart Arias Gallego Bishop of Girone came and stopped them and desired they would set downe againe and heare him They looked one vpon another but
infinite or some preiudiciall thing resolued But the Legates concealing these reasons answered the Ambassadors with honourable termes in the maner formerly vsed by them That the Councell was called principally for France that their Prelates had beene long since called that to entertaine so many Fathers a longer time in the same expectation would bee an indignity to the Councell and that if the things discussed were not published the world would thinke that it was eithe by reason of some dissention amongst themselues or because the reasons of the Protestants had some validity But Lansac being satisfied with no answere and still pressing the dilation more complained that the Councell was The complaint of Lansac opened for the French-men and yet they were not expected that hee could neuer obtaine any request of the Legates that his remonstrances were contemned that stead of gratifying his King they vsed greater precipitation that hee did not attribute this to the Legates knowing they did nothing but what was commanded from Rome that they were in an error for suspecting the comming of the French-men that hauing assayed so often to obtaine that which was iust and ought to bee granted without demand it was now fit to thinke of other remedies and spake so as that he made them doubt he would doe some extraordinary matter This raised a rumour in the Councell that it would bee dissolued Which pleased the greater part some to free themselues from the incommodities they suffered some because they thought that remaining there they should doe God little or no seruice and the Papalins for feare of some attempt It was publiquely said that Loraine vpon all occasions had shewed an inclination to diminish the Popes authority that hee would open some way for France to ascend to the Papacie which he thought not fit should be wholly in the disposition of the Colledge of Cardinals consisting of Italians that France hath euer pretended to limit the Popes power to subiect it to the Canons and Counsels that this opinion would bee fauoured by the Spaniards who already howsoeuer they were much reserued in their speaches had declared their desire for the same and would be followed by many Italians who because they cannot or know not how to make vse of the preferments of the Court doe enuie those that doe besides those who are desirous of nouity not knowing why of whom there seemed to be a considerable number In Trent a discourse was published which passed through the hands of A discourse published in Trent all and was sent by the Legates to Rome in which it was shewed that it was impossible to finish the Councell in a short time because all Princes were inclined to prolong it Of the French men and Imperialists it could not bee doubted in regard of their demand made for the dilation The King of Spaine shewed the same minde hauing destinated the Count di Luna for Ambassadour to the Synode so soone as the Diet of Francfort should bee ended to which hee was first sent The Prelates by their redious discourses would draw the matters in length also Then was shewed the impossibility to continue long in this sort there being no prouision of corne but for September onely and it beeing not knowen where any may bee gotten in regard of the generall dearth and the delay made by the Emperour and Duke of Bauaria to answere the demand made vnto them concerning victuals it did seeme they could not bee relieued It was added that the Protestants would alwayes be laying some snares to make the Fathers fall into some dishonourable resolution and raising nouities to cause Princes to propose things preiudiciall that the Bishops seemed to aspire to liberty and would not in time be contained within such narrow bounds and that the Synode would not onely be made free but licentious also and by a fine metaphor the progresse of the Councell was compared to a mans body which doth get with delight a small and in the beginning not regarded French infection which afterwards doth encrease and possesseth all the blood and all the powers of it It exhorted the Pope to consider well on it and not to come to a translation or suspension for feare of being contradicted by all Princes but to learne how to vse those remedies which God doth send him Amidst these troubles the Legates hastened to conclude the Decrees for Three opinions about the grant of the Chalice the Session That of the sacrifice stood in good termes but they talked still of the grant of the Chalice and there were three opinions One extreame and negatiue that by no meanes it should be granted another affirmatiue that it should bee granted with the conditions and cautions which seemed good to the Synode which was maintained by fifty of the most intelligent persons and amongst these some would haue Ambassadours sent into the Countreys which did desire it to take information wheth 〈…〉 the grant were fit and with what conditions The third that it should be remitted to the Pope which was diuided into many branches Some would haue had an absolute remission without declaring whether he should grant or deny it and others with a declaration that he should grant it according to his wisdome Some would haue restrained him to particular Countreys and others left him to his liberty The Spainyards did absolutely deny it because the Ambassadour Vargas had written to them from Rome that it would bee for the good of religion and seruice of the King in regard of the Low Countreys and the State of Milan who when they should see their neighbours enioy that liberty would require it themselues also and whether it were graunted or denied a great gate would be opened to heresie The Venetian Prelates perswaded by their Ambassadours were of the same minde also for the same reason I will recite the principall Authors onely of these opinions and the things remarkable spoken by them The Cardinall Madruccio who spake first approued Of which the principall authors were the grant without exception The three Patriarches did absolutely deny it Fiue Arch-bishops who followed referred themselues to the Pope Granata who had promised the Emperours Ambassadours to fauour them that they might adhere to him in the matter of Residence on which he insisted aboue all said hee did neither affirme not deny but that it could not bee concluded in that Session and was necessarily to be deferred vntill another but would not referre himselfe saying it was a matter of great deliberation because it could not be regulated by the Scripture or Traditions but by wisedome onely wherein it is necessary to proceed with circumspection for feare of being deceiued in the circumstances of the fact which cannot be knowne by speculation or discourse that hee made no difficulty as others did for the danger of effusion shewing that the Wine is not spilt in the ablution which is now made that if it would make an vnion in the Church it should
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
dignity Hereupon the Legates were content not onely to propose it againe without the clause but to vse perswasions themselues also and to employ others And the day following which was the next day before the The grant of the Cup is referred to the Pope Session the Decree corrected did passe by the maior part though contradicted by all of the negatiue to the great ioy of the Legats and Papalins aswell because the Session was not prolonged which they greatly feared as also because they thought it more honour for the Pope that the grace should totally depend on his authority The Ambassadours were well satisfied with this particular but perceiuing that the Session would bee in order and that the publication of the sacrifice of the Masse could not bee hindered as they had desired in the Emperours name they ioyned with the French-men who were mal-content because the request which their King had made in Rome was denied Therefore the same day in the afternoone all the Ambassadours A generall consultation of the Ambassadours met in the house of the Imperialists saying they would consult of a thing common to all Princes The Venetians and Florentiue beeing called excused themselues saying they could not come without expresse commission from their Masters In that Assembly the Bishop of Fiue Churches made a long discourse to shew that hitherto nothing of worth had beene handled in the Councel that they had vainely disputed of points of doctrine which did the heretiques no good who were resolued not to change their opinion nor the Catholiques who are sufficiently perswaded already that for reformation nothing hath beene proposed but things of no moment of Notaries Receiuers and such like that it did plainely appeare that the Legates would make the next Session according to the same stile and afterwards spend the time in disputes deciding of Doctrines making Canons of Order Marriage or some other sleight matter to auoyd as they haue done the substantiall points of reformation And by these and other reasons well amplified he perswaded the Ambassadours to ioyne together and to goe to the Legats and desire that for that Session they would omit to speak of the sacraments of doctrines or canons because it was now time to thinke vpon a good reformation to take away so great abuses to correct bad manners and to labour that the Councell may not bee vnfruitfull The Spanish Secretary would not assent For his King desiring that the continuation should bee declared in the end of the Councel feared hee should preiudice himselfe if the manner of proceeding which was to handle the doctrine and reformation together should be changed because that alteration might bee vsed for an argument that it was a new Councel The Ambassadour of Portugal hauing made a long vnconcluding speech to shew he desired a reformation but vpon more pleasing termes retired from the company The Susse seeing the examples of those two and that the Venetians were not present fearing to commit an errour said it were good to consider of it againe before they resolued All the others were resolute to goe Lansac by consent spake for them all saying They were sent by their Princes to assist and fauour the Councell and to procure that the proceeding should bee pertinent not by disputing of doctrine whereof none of them being Catholikes doe doubt and is superfluous in absence of those who doe Who choose Lansac to speake for them impugne it but by making a good holy and absolute reformation of manners Now because notwithstanding all their remonstrances they saw they would determine principall points of controuersed doctrine and touch the reformation but slightly he prayed them to change their purpose and to employ the next Session in reformation onely proposing more important and necessary Arguments then those whereof hitherto they had spoken The Legates answered in the vsuall forme That the desire of the Pope and The answere of the Legats theirs was to doe the seruice of God procure the good of the Church and satisfie and gratifie all Princes but yet that it was not conuenient to breake the order alwayes obserued in the Councell to handle doctrine and reformation together that the things already done were but a beginning that they had a good intention to doe better that they would most readily receiue the Articles which the Ambassadours would propose that they maruelled that the Articles determined at Poisi in France were not sent to the Pope who would haue approued them Lansac replied that the Pope hauing referred all matters concerning Religion to the Councell the French Prelates when they came would propose both those and many other things The Legats answered they should be welcome and willingly heard but that they ought not for that cause to deferre the Session in regard that nothing should bee handled in it in preiudice of their propositions that most of the Fathers were resolued the Session should bee held that it was dangerous to giue them distaste and that if they expected in Trent with great discommoditie those who liued at their ease and deferred their comming which they promised it was not fit to discontent them more by making them remaine idle This cunning perswasion being not strongly opposed by the Ambassadours they held the Congregation and framed the Decrees which being established when they came to appoint the time and the matter for the next Session Granata counselled them to prolong the time that the French-men and Polonians might haue space not onely to come but to informe themselues and that they would not proceede to a precise declaration of that which was to be handled but stand vpon the generall as formerly they had done and resolue according to occurrences For so many persons beeing to come it could not bee but that they would bring some new matters which might cause new determinations This opinion was followed by the Spaniards and many others and was like to haue beene generally approoued But it being noysed that the Popes absolute commandement was come that the Session should not be deferred aboue two moneths and that the Sacraments of Order and Marriage should bee handled together the Papalins were induced to perswade that the time might not bee prolonged and that both those Sacraments might be discussed The Legates shewed they were forced to make the Decree in conformitie heereof But there were two other true causes of it the one the quicke dispatch of the Councell because they hoped by so doing to finish all in that Session alone the other that the Spaniards and other fauourers of the reformation might not haue time beeing busied in matters of faith to handle any thing of importance and particularly that they might be hindered to promote or insist vpon Residence After that this point was established all the Decrees beeing read together new contradictions were raised besides the vsuall contentions which the Legats could hardly stoppe with faire words The Congregation lasted vntill two houres within
of them altogether is humane and hee who heareth it spoken that Bishops are not instituted by CHRIST must needs thinke that this Synod is a Congregation of profane men in which CHRIST doth not preside but a power receiued precarily from men and so many Fathers would in vaine reside in Trent to their great charge and trouble because hee who hath giuen the power to Bishops and the Councell may with more authoritie handle the same things and it would bee a great illusion generally of all Christendome to propose it not onely as the best but as the onely and necessarie meanes to decide the present controuersies He added that he had beene fiue moneths in Trent with this perswasion that neuer any would haue doubted whether the Councell hath authoritie from GOD and whether it may say as the first Councell of Ierusalem did It seemed to the holy Ghost and to vs that hee would neuer haue come to the Councell if hee had beleeued that CHRIST had not beene in the midst of it Neither can any one say that where CHRIST assisteth the authoritie commeth not from him that if any Bishop should beleeue and thinke his authoritie to bee humane it had beene great boldnesse in him to denounce in the former difficulties anathematismes and not rather referre all to him who hath greater authoritie And if the authoritie of the Councell bee not certaine it was fit in the yeere 1545. when this was first assembled that this matter should haue beene sifted and decided what the authoritie of Councels is as is vsually done in places of iustice where in the beginning of the cause it is disputed and decreed whether the Iudge bee competent least in the end there bee a nullitie in the sentence for want of authoritie The Protestants who doe take all occasions to detract from and wrong this holy Synod cannot haue any more fit then that it is not certaine of its owne authoritie He concluded that the Fathers should take heed what they did resolue in a point which beeing resolued truely doeth establish all the actions of the Councell and if otherwise ouerthroweth all The nineteenth of October all the Fathers made an ende of speaking in this matter except Father Laynez Generall of the Iesuites who beeing to speake last did purposely absent himselfe that day that hee might haue a whole Congregation for himselfe alone And to make the cause hereof vnderstood Laynez spendeth a whole congregation himselfe The importance of this point of the institution we must returne a little backe and remember that when the question was set on foote in the beginning the Legates thought that the aime was onely to make great the authoritie of Bishops and to giue them more reputation But before the second Congregation was ended they perceiued very late by the voyces giuen and reasons vsed of what importance and consequence it was For it did inferre that the keyes were not giuen to Peter onely that the Councell was aboue the Pope and the Bishops equall vnto him who had nothing left but a preeminence aboue others They saw that the dignitie of Cardinals superiour to Bishops was quite taken away and that they remained meere Priests or Deacons that by that determination residence was inferred by a necessary consequence and the Court brought to nothing that the preuentions and reseruations were remooued and the collation of Benefices was drawen to the Bishops It was noted that the Bishop of Segouia had a few dayes before refused to admit one to a Benefice in his Diocesse to whom it was giuen in Rome And these things did still appeare more plainely as new suffrages were dayly giuen and new reasons alleadged For these causes the Legates did vse the sollicitations aforesaid for feare that more Italians might ioyne with the Spaniards Yet they were not able to preuaile so much but that almost the halfe were of that opinion And the other Papalins reprehended the Legates because they foresaw not what might happen but suffered such great preiudices to come vpon them saying they proceeded by chance and admitted not counsels and aduertisements of wise men that so soone as Granata deliuered his suffrage they were put in minde to vse effectuall sollicitations which afterwards they were forced to vse when it was too late that by their want of care if not malice in some matters haue beene handled of the greatest importance that can possibly happen in Councell They added that the Ambassadour Lausac had by many sollicitations vsed to diuers of the Prelates discouered himselfe to be not onely a fauourer but a promoter of that opinion and considered what an addition would be made vnto it when the French-men came who were expected And they spake so openly that some words came to the eares of the Legates themselues who seeing now the danger not foreseene thought in regard the matter had proceeded so farre and so many had put themselues on that side that it was not fit to thinke of diuerting the question but of finding a temper to giue the Spaniards some satisfaction And after long consultation they determined to compose the Canon with these words That Bishops haue the power of Order from GOD and in that are superiour to Priests not naming iurisdiction for feare of making them suspect For by such a forme of wordes it might be inferred that the iurisdiction remained wholly in the Pope without saying it They sent Father Soto to treat with the Spanish Prelats concerning this forme not so much with hope to remooue any of them as to penetrate to what they might be brought Granata gaue him audience but no answere He laboured with others also and gained the reputation of a good Courtier of Rome in stead of the other of a good Friar as he was before And to win some that wauered and some who vnaduisedly fell into that opinion beeing otherwise deuoted to the Pope they resolued to vse solicitations vnto them that vnderstanding the difficulty they might bee content to referre it to his Holinesse or at the least to speake more sparingly To performe this with the two aforenamed they ioyned the Archbishop of Rosano and the Bishop of Ventimiglia And that those who would acknowledge their error might haue colour to retire they gaue order that Laynez should make an exact ful Lecture on this matter and that it might be heard attentiuely and make an impression they would not haue him as hath beene sayd speake after the others in the ende of the Congregation but allowed him one wholly for himselfe The foure Iesuits consulted together concerning the opinion and Caueglione laboured more then the rest And not to omit any good meanes of diuersion they busied the Prelates in another matter For to returne to the occurrences of that Congregation after that the Generall of the Serui who was the last had giuen his voice in conformitie of the Spaniards the Cardinall of Mantua admonished the Fathers deputed for the Index and shewed how important
the Germanes in the Diet to goe and submit themselues to the Councell For so long as the Dutch and French-men continue in their resolution not to goe to it nor acknowledge it the Fathers doe in vaine abide there to their great cost and incommoditie and when his Maiestie shall see they cannot be perswaded he will procure a suspension of the Councel thinking it will bee a greater seruice to God and benefit to the Church to leaue matters vndecided and in the state they are expecting a more fit time for the conuersion of those who are separated then by precipitating as hath beene done vntill that time the decision of controuersies in absence of those who haue put them in disputation to make the Protestants irreconciliable without any benefit of the Catholiques saying that in the meane while they might treat of the Reformation that the Ecclesiasticall goods may bee distributed to persons of desert and all haue part of them and the reuenues may be well dispensed and the part belonging to the poore not vsurped by any and such other things In the end hee demaunded of them whether the Count of Luna comming with the title of the Emperours Ambassadour the difference betweene Spaine and France for precedence will cease The Legates answered to this last that they did not see what pretence the French-men could haue to contend and for the rest they sayd they could not forbeare to handle the points of doctrine but that with them they would handle the Reformation effectually according to the order set downe by the Synode They commended the Emperours intention to desire the Protestants to submit but added that for this hope the Councell ought not to bee prolonged For the Emperour Charles in the Papacie of Iulius the 3. made meanes for the same and obtained it also but the Dutch-men proceeded with dissimulation to the damage of the Church and of the Emperour himselfe Therefore it was not fit the Councell should change its pace before the Emperour was assured of the intentions of the Princes and people aswell Catholique as Protestant and what kinde of obedience they will yeeld to the Decrees made already and to be made in this Councel and in the former requiring the obseruation of the Synode with authenticall Mandats of the Prouinces and Princes and obligation from them for the execution of the Decrees that their cost and labour may not be in vaine and laughed at And in conformity heereof they answered the Emperour A Congregation was held the 25. of October to receâ—ue Valentinus Erbuâ—us The Ambassador of Polonia is receiued Bishop of Premisa Ambassadour of Polonia who made a short spe 〈…〉 concerning the Kings deuotion the tumults of the Kingdome about religion the necessity of a good reformation the vsing of some remission in yeelding to the desires of the people in matters which are de iure positiuo The Speaker answered in the Synods name thanking the King and the Ambassadour and offering to giue assistance in all the occasions of that Kingdome The Legats did not permit that any thing else should bee handled in that Congregation for the cause which shall be related The Court in Rome and the Popes Ministers in Trent were no lesse troubled with the Spaniards and their adherents in Councell then with the expectation of the comming of Loraine and of the french-men with which they were not so much mooued so long as there was hope that some rubbe might stoppe them as after that certaine newes came that they would The coÌ„ming of the French Prelates doth much trouble the Pope and Court keepe the day of All Saints with the Duke of Sauoy The Cardinal either vainly or of purpose made it knowne at the french Court before he parted and in many places in the iourney that he would handle diuers things in diminution of the popes authority and commodities of the Court which beeing reported diuers waies both in Rome and Trent made an impression in both places that the generall intention of the French-men was to prolong the Councel and according to occasions to discouer and put in practise their particular desseignes and they had coniectures to make them beleeue that it was not without the knowledge of the Emperour and of other Princes and Lords of Germany And howsoeuer they were assured that the Catholique King held not full intelligence with them yet they had strong arguments to make them beleeue that his desseigne was to prolong the Councel or at the least not to suffer it to end To crosse this purpose they How the reformation of Princes began determined to propose the abuses of the Kingdome of France and to let the Ambassadours vnderstand that they would make prouision for them because all Princes who desire a reformation in the Church would not willingly endure any at all of themselues so that they thought that if any matter of importance were handled to their preiudice they would forbeare and make their Prelats forbeare also to speake of things preiudiciall to the Apostolique Sea Therefore after some packets had passed betweene Rome and Trent it beeing iudged a good course the abuses were collected which were said to be principally in France and partly in other Dominions And hence the reformation of Princes began which in the relation of the things that follow will affoord vs much matter Besides in Rome it was thought to bee a good remedie that the Legates should bridle the transcendent boldnesse of the Prelates vsing their authority and superiority more then they had done And in Trent it was thought to be a good course to keepe the Prelates their adherents vnited well edified and satisfied For howsoeuer the voyces of the contrary part might encrease yet they should euer exceede in number and bee Lords of the resolutions And they thought fitte also proceed to finish the Councel or suspend or translate it They wrot also and made many of the popish Prelates to write to their friends and Patrons in Rome that there could bee no better resolution or prouision then to giue occasion which might easily bee done that some Prince might desire the suspension not suffering any to slippe and for this end they demanded diuers Briefes to be sent from Rome in matter of translation suspension c. that they might make vse of them as occasion was offered They counselled the Pope also to goe to Bolonia in person For besides the receiuing of more frequent and fresh aduices and the sudden making of incident and necessary prouisions hee might haue a colourable reason to translate the Councel to that Citie vpon euery small occasion or to suspend it desiring him that as they had imparted nothing to the Cardinall Madruccio so nothing might come to the eares of the Cardinall of Trent his vncle who for many respects and particular interests would certainely vse all meanes that it might not bee transferred from Trent To quench the boyling heat in the controuersie about the institution of
saying of CHRIST A good shepheard goeth before the flocke calleth euery sheepe by name runneth through the desert to seeke that which is lost and layeth downe his life for them He sheweth that this was vnderstood of all those whom CHRIST hath instituted Pastors which are all those who haue cure of soules especially the Bishops as Saint Paul said and wrote to the Ephesians that whosoeuer did hold himselfe not to be bound by the Decree of CHRIST to performe these offices or was more fit for the affaires of Kingdomes or Common-wealths ought to leaue the charge of a Pastor and apply himselfe to those matters onely that it is very much to performe one charge well but to performe two which be contrary is impossible His prolixitie did not please the Cardinals because he was the first that disputed that matter with reason Hee spake with great vehemencie vsing many phrases and words taken out of Saint Hierome Simoneta would willingly haue interrupted him but forbare in regard of the occurrence of the Bishop of Guadice But hee called him in the presence of many Prelats and reprehended him sharpely for speaking against the Pope The Bishop defended himselfe humbly and with reasons and a few dayes after alleadging indisposition asked leaue to depart and had it and departed the one Who quieteth Trent for feare and twentieth of the moneth After this time the controuersie about residence changed state and those The Prelats are terrified with y e Popes authority who did abhorre it did labour no more to demonstrate by reasons or authoritie as vntill then they had done that it was of the law of man but began to terrifie those of the contrary opinion by saying that to maintaine that it was de iure diuino was to diminish the Popes authority because it would follow that hee could not enlarge or diminish diuide or vnite change or transferre Episcopall Seas nor leaue them vacant or gaue them an administration or commenda that hee could not restraine much lesse take away the authoritie to absolue that by this determination all dispensations granted by Popes were condemned at once and power taken away to grant them hereafter The other part who saw the necessitie of those consequences which they thought were not vnfit but that it was the trueth and the lawfull vse of the ancient Church and that the declaration was proposed for no other ende then to remooue those inconueniences themselues also omitting to vse reasons and authority to prooue it to bee de iure diuino began to shew that residence beeing restored by that declaration it would turne to the inlargement of the Popes power and encrease the reuerence towards the Clergie and especially towards the Pope who hath lost authority in so many Prouinces because Bishops not residing but gouerning by vnable Vicars haue left a way open for the sowing of new doctrines which with so much detriment of the Popes authoritie haue taken roote If Bishops doe reside his authoritie will be preached euery where and confirmed where it is acknowledged as yet and restored where it hath been shaken Neither of the parties could speake with such termes but that their dissimulation was perceiued on both sides and their inward thoughts which they would haue concealed were but too manifest They were all masked and yet all knowen Being assembled againe the sixteenth of December one halfe of the Prelates hauing not as yet giuen their voyces Cardinall Seripando proposed the prorogation of the Session and beeing not able then to foresee when they could dispatch they resolued to prefixe a certaine time within fifteene dayes And the Cardinal admonished the Prelats of their great prolixitie in giuing their voyces which did ayme only at ostentation tooke away the reputation of the Councell and did prolong it to the great in commoditie of them all The Pope was much afflicted with the death of Fredericke Boromeo his nephew which happened in the end of the last moneth vpon whom thinking to conferre all the greatnesse of his house hee had married him to a daughter of the Duke of Vrbin made him generall gouernour of the Church and purposed also to giue him the Dukedome of Camerino and because hee was old and oppressed with griefe hee fell into a dangerous sicknesse out of which beeing recouered hee applyed his minde to the affaires of the Councell Hee held diuers Congregations to finde a temper concerning the two Canons of the Institution and of Residence which were thought by all the Court to bee very dangerous for the Popes authoritie as also to make some prouision against the prolixitie of the Prelats in deliuering their opinions because it did prolong the Councell and left a gate open for all those to enter who would attempt any thing against his dignitie Aboue all that which was desseigned by the Frenchmen did trouble him especially because hee did neuer receiue Letters from Trent in which it was not sayd that either the Cardinall of Loraine or some of the Ambassadours did make request for reformation with this addition that if they could not obtaine those prouisions they demanded they would make them at home making mention often of prouiding against the annats preuentions and other things properly belonging to the Pope of Rome He resolued to deale plainely with the French-men and to those which were in Rome he sayd that hauing so often offered to treat with the King concerning his owne rights and to come to a friendly composition and seeing that his ministers in the Councell doe alwayes make shew that they will speake of them in the Synode hee was resolute to see whether hee would breake out into an open dissention with him Hee gaue order by an expresse currier to his Nuncio in France to speake hereof and wrote to the Cardinall of Loraine that those matters could not be proposed in Councell without breach of the Kings promises expressely made vnto him by Monsieur d' Auxerres Hee complained in Consistory of the impertinencie of the Bishops in Trent in making euery thing long to no purpose Hee exhorted the Cardinals to write to their friends and himselfe wrote to the Legats to vse threats and authoritie seeing that perswasions did no good Concerning the Articles of the Institution he wrote that to make the institution of Bishops absolutely de iure diuino was a false opinion and erroneous because the power of Order was from CHRIST but of iurisdiction from the Pope which in this respect may bee said to be from CHRIST because the Papall authoritie commeth from his Diuine Maiestie so that whatsoeuer the Pope doeth CHRIST doeth by him And for a resolution hee wrote that either the words de iure diuino should bee quite omitted or they should be vsed in that forme which hee sent in which it was sayd that CHRIST did institute Bishops to be created by the Pope who may distribute to them what and how much authority it pleased him to giue them for the benefit
would inferre the word Publique for a necessary condition doeth inferre that the consent only is not sufficient and that the Councell of Florence hath failed in a necessary declaration That CHRIST sayd in generall of Matrimonie that man cannot separate that which GOD hath ioyned meaning both the publique and the secret coniunction That in the Sacraments nothing ought to be affirmed without authoritie of the Scriptures or tradition neither of which doe allow this authoritie to the Church yea by tradition wee finde the contrary because all Churches in all nations throughout the world are vniforme in not pretending any power herein On the contrary it was said to be a cleere case that the Church hath power to make any man vncapable of marriage because many degrees of consanguinitie and affinitie are made hinderances by the Ecclesiasticall law onely and likewise the impediment of a solemne vow was made by the Popes law and therefore secrecie may bee likewise made an impediment by the same authoritie The other part answered that the prohibition by reason of kinred is de iure diuino as Saint Gregory the Pope and many of his successors haue determined that matrimonie cannot be contracted betweene two vntill it bee knowen in what degree of kinred they are ioyned and if other Popes haue restrained this vniuersalitie to the seuenth degree afterwards to the fourth this was a generall dispensation as Diuorce was to the Iewes and that a solemne vow doeth hinder de iure diuino not by the Popes authoritie But Camillus Campeggius a Dominican Friar agreeing with the others that no humane power is extended to the Sacraments added that whosoeuer can destroy the essence of the matter can also make it vncapable of the Sacrament that no man can make water not to be the matter of Baptisme or some bread of wheat not to bee the matter of the Eucharist but hee that shall destroy the water turning it into ayre or shall burne the bread turning it into ashes shall make those matters not to bee capable of the forme of the Sacraments So in Matrimony the ciuill nuptiall contract is the matter of the matrimoniall Sacrament by Diuine institution which beeing destroyed and made of no force can no more bee the matter of it Therefore it cannot bee said that the Church can make a nullity in the secret marriage for so it would haue authority ouer the Sacraments but it is true that the Church can nullifie a secret nuptiall contract which as beeing voyd cannot receiue the forme of a Sacrament This doctrine did much please the generality of the Fathers because it was plaine easie and resolued all the difficulties But Antonius Solisius who spake after him did contradict saying the speculation was true but could not bee applied to this purpose For the reason as it is meant of Baptisme and the Eucharist that whosoeuer doeth destroy the water and the bread doeth make them vncapable of the formes of those Sacraments doeth not argue an Ecclesiasticall power but a naturall so that whosoeuer hath vertue to destroy the water may by this meanes hinder the Sacrament whereby it would follow that hee that can nullifie a ciuill nuptiall contract may hinder Matrimonie but the annullation of such contracts belongeth to the ciuill Lawes and to secular Magistrates therefore they must take heede lest while they would giue authoritie to the Church to make voyd secret marriages it bee not rather giuen to the secular power Amongst those who attributed this power to the Church it was disputed whether it were fit that the Church should vse it And there were two opinions One to make voyd all the secret in regard of the inconueniences which ensue The other that the publique made without consent of parents in whose power they are should be made voyd also And these alleadged two reasons one that as great inconueniences did follow by these in respect of the ruines which happen to families by mariages vnaduisedly contracted by yong men the other that the Law of GOD commanding obedience to parents doeth include this case as principall That the Law of GOD doeth giue this particular authoritie to the Father to giue his daughter in marriage as it plainely appeareth in Saint Paul and Exodus That there are examples of the Patriarches in the olde Testament all married by their fathers That the humane ciuill Lawes haue esteemed the marriages voide which haue beene contracted without the father That as then it was iudged expedient to nullifie secret marriages so now seeing that the Popes prohibition is not sufficient which hath forbidden them without addition of nullitie there is more reason in regard the malice of man will not obey the Law of GOD which forbiddeth to marry without consent of parents that the Synode should adde vnto it a nullity also not because the Fathers haue authoritie to make voyde the marriages of children which is heresie to affirme but because the Church hath authoritie to nullifie both these and other contracts prohibited by diuine or humane Lawes This opinion as honest pious and as well grounded as the other pleased many of the Fathers And so was the Decree framed howsoeuer the publication was omitted for causes which shall be related hereafter But the Prelates did not for beare to discusse the controuersies about the Popes authoritie and institution of Bishops And the Frenchmen did perseuere in their resolution not to admit the words Church-Vniuersall lest they should preiudice the opinion held in France of the superioritie of the Councell and if it had beene proposed would haue made protestation of the nullitie and departed The Pope wrote it should bee proposed whatsoeuer did The Legates dare not propose the Article of the institution of Bishops follow But the Legats fearing that euery little stirre would be much out of season now the Emperour was so neere wrote backe that it was better to deferre it vntill the Article of Matrimony was finished The seuenteenth of February Father Soto was the first that spake in the second ranke who vpon the Article of Diuorce did first distinguish the matrimoniall coniunction into three parts the bond the cohabitation and the carnall copulation inferring that there were as many separations also He shewed at large that the Ecclesiasticall Prelate had authoritie to separate the married or to giue them a diuorce in respect of cohabitation and carnall copulation for all causes which they shall iudge expedient and reasonable the matrimoniall bond still standing sure so that neither can marrie againe saying that this was it which was bound by GOD and could not bee loosed by any He was much troubled with the words of Saint Paul who granteth to the faithfull husband if the vnbeleeuing wife will not dwell with him to remaine separated Hee was not contented with the common exposition that the Matrimonie of the vnbeleeuers is not insoluble alleadging that the insolubilitie is by the law of Nature as also the words of Adam expounded by our
SAVIOVR and the vse of the Church that married vnbeleeuers after they haue beene Baptized are not married againe and that their matrimonie is not different from that of the faithfull And he refolued to approue the exposition of Caietan that the separation mentioned by Saint Paul of the faithfull from the vnbeleeuer is not vnderstood of the matrimoniall bond and that it was a thing worthy to be considered by the holy Synod For Fornication he sayd that it ought not to be a cause of separation from the bond but from copulation and cohabitation onely But he found himselfe much intangled because hee had said first that diuorce might bee granted in many respects and for many causes whereas the Gospel doth admit but one which is Fornication which must needes be vnderstood in respect of the bond because Diuorce in the other two respects may haue many causes Hee gaue many expositions of that place of the Gospel without approcuing or disproouing any of them and concluded that the Article ought to be condemned because the contrary is made an Article of faith by Apostolicall tradition howbeit the words of the Gospel are not so plaine as that they are sufficient to conuince the Lutherans Concerning the fourth Article of Polygamic hee sayd it was against the law of Nature nor could bee permitted so much as to infidels who are subiect to Christians Hee said the ancient Fathers had many wiues by dispensation and the others who were not dispensed with by GOD did liue in perpetuall sinne For the prohibition of marriages at certaine times he briefly alleadged the authoritie of the Church and the disconuenience of marriage with some times and tooke this occasion to say that no man had reason to be grieued because the Bishop might dispence Hee returned to the causes of Diuorce and concluded that the world would not complaine of any of these things if the Prelates did vse their authoritie with wisedome and charity But the cause of all the euils is because they doe not reside but giue the gouernement to a Vicar and oftentimes without conuenient maintenance so that Iustice is ill administred and graces not well bestowed And here hee spake at large of Residence saying that if it were not declared to bee de iure diuino it was impossible to remooue those and other abuses and to stoppe the mouthes of heretiques who not obseruing that the euill commeth from the bad execution lay the blame vpon the Popes constitutions and therefore the Popes authoritie will neuer be defended well but by Residence well established nor that well executed without the declaration de iure diuino and that they did notoriously erre who thought it preiudiciall to the authority of the Pope whereas it is the onely foundation to vphold and preserue it Hee concluded that the Councell was bound to determine the trueth and spake with such efficacie that he was willingly heard by the Vltramontans but did displease the Papalins who thought the time impertinent to touch that matter And it gaue occasion to both parties to renew their practises In the Congregation of the twentieth of February Iohn Ramirez a Franciscan Friar after hee had spoken vpon the same Articles according to the common opinion of Diuines of the insolubilitie of mariage sayd that the same reasons which are betweene man and wife are also betweene the Bishop and the Church and that as the man ought not to depart from his wife so ought not the Bishop to depart from his Church and that this Spirituall bond was of no lesse force then the other which was corporall Hee alleadged Innocence the third who decreed that a Bishop could not bee transferred but by the diuine authoritie because the matrimoniall bond which is lesse sayd the Pope cannot be dissolued by any power of man And he was copious in shewing that the Popes authoritie was rather increased then diminished hereby who as a generall Vicar might make vse of Bishops in an other place where there was more neede as the Prince may employ maried men for publique occasions sending them to other places without dissoluing the matrimoniall bond And hee laboured to resolue the cotrary reasons with much prolixity In the Congregation of that afternoone Doctor Cornisius said that both these Aricles the third and fourth were hereticall because they were condemned by many Decretals of Popes and oxalted the authority of the Apostolique Sea in many words saying that all ancient Councels in the determinations of faith did perpetually follow the authority and will of the Pope Hee exemplified in the Councell of Constantinople in Trullus which followed the instruction sent by Pope Agathone the Councell of Chalcedon which did not onely follow but worship the sentence of St. Leo the Pope calling him also Ecumenicall and Pastour of the Vniuersall Church And after hee had alleadged many authorities and reasons to show that the words of CHRIST spoken to Saint Poter Feede my sheepe doe signifie as much as if hee had sayd rule and gouerne the Church Vniuersall he amplified very much the Popes authoritie in dispensations and other things also Hee brought the authoritie of the Canonists that the Pope may dispence against the Canons against the Apostles and in all the law of GOD except the Articles of faith In the ende hee alleadged the Chapter Si Papa that euery one ought to acknowledge that his saluation doth depend after GOD vpon the holinesse of the Pope amplifying these words because they proceede from a Saint and a Martyr of whom no man can say that he did respect any thing but the trueth At this time Commendone returned from the Emperour whose negotiation had not that successe as the Legats desired For the Emperour hearing his propositions answered that hee must haue time to thinke on them because of their importance and that hee would consider of them and answere The relation of Commendone returned from the Emperour the Councell by his Ambassadour Hee presently gaue an account heere of by letters adding that hee found the Emperour was grieued and had an ill conceit of the actions of the Councell Beeing now returned hee sayd further that by the words of his Maiestie and by that which he had vnderstood by his counsellers and obserued by their proceedings hee thought hee knew that hee was so firme in that bad opinion that hee feared some disorder would ensue That as farre as hee could comprehend the cogitations of his Maiestie were wholly bent to obtaine a great reformation with such prouisions as that it might bee obserued and that hee could certainely affirme that he would not bee content that the Councell should be finished That hee had vnderstood that Delphinus the Nuncio resident hauing named suspension or translation the Emperour was offended Then hee related that there was an opinion in that Court that the Catholique King held intelligence with the Emperour concerning the affaires of the Councel which hee did beleeue because hee was assured that the Spanish
Prelates had sent letters to him in which were complaints against the proceedings of the Italians and many Articles of Reformation which 't is like they would not dart to doe except they knew their Kings minde Hee said also that the Count of Luna when the Popes ministers had spoken of the too much licence of the Spanish Prelates in their speaches answered thus what could bee done if those Prelates should say that they spake as they thought in their conscience Hee layd moreouer that in the conference hee will haue with the Cardinall of Loraine hee was of opinion that they would conclude to make their petitions to bee proposed by the Ambassadours and that his Maiestie had caused his Diuines to consult vpon them and vpon other conciliarie affaires and that howsoeuer himselfe and the Nuncio Delphinus had vsed much diligence yet they were not able to learne the particulars But within a short time they came to light For the Iesuite Canisius do rote to the Generall Laynez that the Emperour was ill affected towards the Councell and made many points to bee consulted on that hee might resolde how to proceede in case the Pope did prefeuere in refusing to propose the reformation or in giuing words contrary to his deeds One point was what Points consulted on in the Emperours cour the Emperours authoritie might be in Councell and that Fredericus Staphilus Confessor to the Queene of Bahemia was the chiefe man in the consultation Canisius desired that one of the Societie might be sent vnto him whom he might bring into the consultation and by him discouer all Whereupon Laynez hauing conferred with Cardinall Simoneta they resolued to send Father Natalis by whom all was discouered And the Articles consulted on were seuenteene 1. Whether a generall Councell lawfully In number 17 assembled by the fauour of Princes may change the order determined by the Pope to be obserued in handling the matters and bring in a new manner 2. Whether it be profitable for the Church that the Councell should handlematters and determine them as it is directed by the Pope or Court of Rome so that it may not doe otherwise 3. Whether if the Pope die in time of the councell the Fathers thereof ought to choose another 4. What the Emperours power is the Sea of Rome being voyde and the Councell open 5. Whether when matters are handled concerning the peace and tranquillitie of the Christian common wealth the Ambassadours of Princes ought to haue a deciding voice howsoeuer they haue it not concerning matters of faith 6. Whether Princes may recall their Orators and Prelates from the councell without imparting it to the Legats 7. Whether the Pope may dissolue or suspend the Counsel without the participation of Princes and especially of the Emperour 8. Whether it be fit that Princes should interpose to cause more necessarie and expedient matters to be handled in Counsell 9. Whether the Orators of Princes may expound to the Fathers in person those things which the Princes commit vnto them to be expounded 10. Whether a meanes may be found that the Fathers sent by the Pope and Princes may bee free in giuing their voyces in Councell 11. What course may be taken that the Pope and Court of Rome may not interpose in ordayning that which is to be handled in Councell that the libertie of the Fathers may not bee hindered 12. Whether a meanes may be found that no fraude violence or extortion bee vsed in deliuering the opinions of the Fathers 13. Whether any thing may bee handled bee it point of doctrine or reformation of the Church before it bee discussed by the learnell 14. what remedie may bee found if the Italian Prelates doecont inue their obstinacie in not suffering matters to be resolued 15. What remedie may be vsed to him 〈…〉 the con 〈…〉 of the Italian Prelates when the Popes authoritie is in question 16. Now the practises may bee remoued which hinder the determination of the point of residencie 17. Whether it bee seemely that the Emperour should personally assist in Councell But a long and serious consultation was held in Rome whether the petitions A consultation in Rome of the French-men ought to be proposed and they consideredred not so much the weight of the things themselues as the consequences thereof For obseruing what de Ferrieres had said in his Oration that the petitions exhibited were of the lighter sort and that others remained of more weight they coniectured that the French-men hauing not made those demands because they desired to obtaine them they aimed to make entrance by that way to propose others which they had in their minde and that by these which they call light the gate being opened passage might not bee denied them what attempt soeuer they would make besides For these and other respects it was resolued to write to the Legates that absolutely they should not bee proposed nor a negatiue giuen but onely a delay interposed and the meanes they were to vse were written also At the same time a writing of an vncertaine Authour came from Rome in answere of those petitions A writing published in Rome against the French petitions which immediately was spread in Trent and in the Emperors Court And it was beleeued in Rome that by these meanes they had giuen a good counterpoise to the instances of the French-men But the Pope was more troubled with the nouitie at the Emperours Court to consult of matters so preiudiciall to him knowing well that the Papall dignitie is preserued by the reuerence and certaine perswasion of Christians that it cannot bee called into question that when the world doeth begin to examine matters apparant reasons will not be wanting to disturbe the best things He obserued that his predecessors had vsed potent remedies in like occasions and that when the foundation of faith is questioned that precept to resist the beginnings taketh place For as in the breaches of riuers if the smallest ruptures be not stopped the chanell cannot be kept full so when there is but a small ouerture against the supreame authoritie and not stopped it is easily caried to an absolute downefall Hee was counselled to write a Briefe to the Emperour concerning this his distaste as Paul the third did to the Emperour Charles about the Colloquies of Spira and reprehend him for questioning those Articles as things that are most cleare and in another Briefe to reproue the Counsellers for perswading him to it and to admonish the Diuines who haue assisted in the businesse to seeke an absolution from the censures But hauing thought well on it hee considered that the state of things was not then as it was vnder Paul First because that disputation was publike whereas this was priuate and concealed of purpose that it might not bee knowne so that hee might dissemble all notice of it whereas if it should continue after his publike reprehension of it hee should put himselfe into greater danger that it was
of that The state of religion in Piemont Countrey in no better state then those in France For in diuers places of the Marquisate of Saluzzo all the Priests were hunted away and in Cherie and Cuni places belonging to the Duke of Sauoy and in many other Cities neere vnto them many were of the same opinions with the Hugonots and many euen in the Dukes Court also did professe them and more were discouered euery day And howsoeuer the Duke had set forth a Proclamation a moneth before that all that followed those opinions should within eight dayes part out of the Countrey and some also were departed yet afterwards he commanded that there should bee no proceeding against them yea pardoned many condemned by the Inquisition and made their processes void as also of those who were in the Inquisition and not condemned and gaue leaue to some that were departed to returne But the Cardinall vnderstanding the reasons of the Duke was forced to beleeue that which hee was vsed to say of the affaires of France that to doe so would turne to the seruice of the Church This Cardinall receiued institution in the same place from the Bishop of Vintimiglia who went expresly to informe him as hath beene said before of the affaires of the Councell and how to treate with Loraine Both the Cardinals met in Asti the foure and twentieth of May. Ferrara hauing related the estate of France and of their familie since the death of the Duke of Guise and of the Prior exhorted him to a Sudden returne showing what necessitie the family had of his presence Hee told him that since the peace The Cardinals of Loraine and Ferrara meet in Ostia was made with the Hugonots there formation would not produce those good effects in France as was beleeued But he found which hee could not haue beleeued before that hee had a great impression that his honour did require that he should abandon the negotiation Loraine complained that Morone turned from the Emperour had acquainted him with no part of his businesse saying that hee had beene aduised of all by his Maiestie Hee said that the Catholique King was well vnited with the Emperour and that there was good intelligence betweene the Count of Luna and him In the matter of residence hee said it was necessary it should bee declared and that this was the opinion of the Emperour and of almost all the prelates except some few Italians and that the declaration was demanded that the Pope might not dispeuce so that the labour of the Cardinall of Ferrara did little good And the Cardinall of Loraine returning to Trent did diuulge that the Cardinall of Ferrara had perswaded him in the name of the Pope and Legates that the residence might bee determined with a penall Decree without declaring that it is de iure diuino whereunto hee said hee would neuer assent But Cardinall Morone to pacifie Loraine before hee entred seriously into the affaires of the Councell knowing it was necessary to make shew of referring And their cōference was to no purpose all matters vnto him went to visite him pontifically with the Crosse before accompanied with many Prelates and after complements told him that his desire was he should giue counsell and commaund and proceed◠as if hee were one of the Legates that the Pope did desire reformation and had famous Articles very seuere and written that those which were mentioned by the Emperours and French Ambassadors should be proposed also leauing those which belong to the Court of Rome which his Holinesse will 〈◊〉 himself for the vpholding of the authority of the Apostolique Sea But Loraine suspecting that Morone had a purpose to lay some bad matter vpon him and to make the Spaniards mistrust him answered that the weight of a Legate was too heauie for his strength who was not able to 〈◊〉 then to giue his voyce a◠an Archbishop that he commended the deale of his Holinesse to reforme other Churches and desired he would bee content that the Bishops should giue as many Articles also for the Cardinalls and the residue of the Court that the Apostolique Sea was worthy of all 〈◊〉 and respect but the abuses ought not to be couered with that 〈◊〉 The answere of this Cardinall made the Legates resolue 〈…〉 in order And in the meaned while 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Prelates were secretly and seriously perswaded hot 〈◊〉 that the Decree of residende c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 might bee 〈◊〉 There fell out an accident which was sufficient to confound and diuide the Popish Prelates amongst themselues For aduice came to Trent that Cardinals should be created the next Ember weeke and a list of those who were in Rome was sent The pretendants who were manie were ill satisfied and as passionate men vse to doe did not containe themselues within such bounds but that their words did shew their affections and that they were very sensible of it In particular Marcus Antonius Columna Archbishop of Taranto and Alexander Sforza Bishop of Parma who in regard of the great power of their families in Court had more hope then others were noted to haue said that they would hold intelligence with Loraine which Simoneta beleeuing did aduise it to Rome wherewith they were both much offended and spake very feelingly of it The distastes did continue certaine dayes but no promotion of Cardinals beeing made and satisfaction beeing giuen to these bishops all things were finally well accommodated After this time Loraine began to remit his rigor For France beeing now by obseruation of things past assured that nothing fit for the seruice Loraine doth remit his rigor of that kingdome could possibly bee obtained in Trent and seeing also that the peace was accommodated with great facilitie so that there was hope to restore absolute obedience to the King without medling with Religion and perhaps beeing informed by the Emperour of the treatie with Morone as also in regard of the perswasions which the Pope vsed to the Queene mother by his Nuncio did resolue not to labour anymore with such affection in matters of the Councell but rather to gaine the good will of his Holinesse and if any good came from Trent to receiue it and onely to take care that nothing should be done to their preiudice Therefore the Queene The Queene mother writeth to the Pope and the Cardinall of Loraine wrote to Rome and offered the Pope to ioyne with him to finish the Councell quickly to curbe Loraine and the French Prelates that they may not impugne his authoritie and to cause all the Hugonot Souldiers to depart from Auignion and the territorie thereof Shee wrote likewise to the Cardinall of Loraine that the affaires of France did proceede exceedingly well and that to giue them perfection nothing wanted but his presence where beeing able to doe more good then in Trent in which place he had found by experience that no profitable thing can bee done hee should vse meanes to quitte
Nouice two yeeres at the least at what age soeuer he entred The Generals opposed saying it was not iust to hinder any from entring into Religion who was capable to know what the Regular vowes did import which capacitie was iudged by the Church to bee at the age of sixteene yeeres in a time when the world was not so well awake and therefore that it was fit rather to make the age lesse then greater which reason they vsed also against the two yeeres of the Nouiceship In the end because they were willing to please all they resolued to satisfie the Generals also and to make no innouation herein Besides the twentie two Articles there was another in which power was giuen to the Prouincials Generals and Heads of the Orders to expell the incorrigible out of the Order and to depriue them of the habite Which Iohannes Antonius Fachinnettus Bishop of Nicastro opposed sharpely saying that the profession and Act of admission to it are a mutuall contract and as it were a marriage by which the professed is bound to the Monastery and the Monastery to him and as the one could not depart so the other could not put him away and that by meanes of this Decree all Cities would bee filled with expelled Friars to the great scandall of the world The Arch-bishop of Rosano said to the contrary that the relation was not as betweene man and wife but as betweene father and sonne and that the sonne could neuer lawfully refuse the father but the father might emancipate his sonne especially if hee were disobedient and that it was a lesse euill to see expelled Friars in the Cities then incorrigible in the Monasteries The Generals were not all of one opinion The perpetuall did approoue the expulsion but the temporary did not The maior part inclined according to the custome of a multitude when it consulteth to leaue things in the state they were and not to decree either for the one side or the other But in this consultation it was often repeated and by many that the people did receiue great scandal to see some weare a religious habit many yeeres and afterwards become seculars This brought the secret profession into question and made a consultation to begin whether they ought to declare it to bee of force as it had beene vntill that time or that no profession doth bind but that which is expresse But this had difficulties also for temper whereof this resolution was taken that the religious Prelat the yeere of probation being ended should be bound either to giue the Nouice leaue to depart or admit him to the profession And this was inserted in the sixteenth Article as in a place conuenient Generall Laynez commended the Decree very much as necessary but desired that his societie might bee excepted alleadging that the condition of it was different from that of other regular Orders that in those tacite profession hath place by ancient custome and approbation of the Apostolique Sea which in their society is prohibited that the cause of scandall which the people receiueth in seeing some in a secular habite who haue long worne the religious doth cease in them in regard the habit of the Iesuits doth not differ from the secular that their society hath also a confirmation from the Apostolique Sea that the Superiour may admit to the profession after a long time which hath neuer beene made to any Regular All inclined to fauour him with this exception for extention whereof hee contended that the Rules of speaking Latine did require that the expression should bee in the plurall saying that by these things the Synod doth not intend to alter the institution of the Iesuits c. And it was not considered that this manner of speech might bee referred both to the admitting or dismissing of Nouices in the end of the Laymez maketh vse of the negligence of the Fathers in Trent yeere of Probation and to the whole Contents of the sixteenth Article as also that it might be referred to all the things contained in the sixteen heads But the Father knew how to make vse of the negligence of others laying a foundation on which the succeeding Iesuites might build that singularitie which now appeareth in their Societie The Congregation of the two and twentieth treated of Indulgences the difficultie and length of which matter made the maior part to bee of opinion to speake of it no more in regard all were resolued before to auoide impediments But some desired to handle them saying that otherwise the Heretickes would say that they were omitted because there was no ground to maintaine them Others thought it sufficient to speake of their vse onely and to take away the abuses which the corruption of times hath brought in The Ambassadour of Portugall said hee was sorry that prouision was not made for the Crusadoes but would bee silent lest occasion might bee taken to prolong the Councell The Emperours Ambassadours though they did ioyntly sollicite the Expedition by commission from their Master were not of accord in this Prague would not haue them speake of the points of doctrine Fiue-Churches said that if they were omitted and the abuses of reliques Images and Purgatorie not taken away the Synode was quite shamed The Bishop of Modena tolde the Fathers that in case they would handle Indulgences as they had done Iustification considering all the causes and resoluing all the questions they would finde it difficult and to require a long time it being impossible to make that matter plaine but by determining first whether they bee absolutions or compensations onely and suffrages or whether they doe remit the penalties imposed by the Confessor onely The Councel dareth not handle the matter of Indulgences exactly or all that are due likewise whether the Treasure which is put for their foundation doeth onely consist of the merits of CHRIST or whether those of Saints bee required also whether they may be giuen though the receiuer performe nothing whether they extend to the dead also and other things of no lesse difficultie But to determine that the Church may graunt them and hath done so in all times and that they are profitable for the faithfull who doe worthily receiue them needeth no great disputation The authoritie to graunt them is prooued by the Scripture their continuall vse by Apostolicall tradition and authoritie of Councels and the perspicuitie of the whole matter by the vniforme doctrine of the Schoolemen Vpon this a Decree may be composed without difficultie The opinion had many followers and hee with other Friar Bishops was deputed to make a Decree in this sense adding a prouision against abuses In the Congregations following they handled the Index of bookes Catechisme Breuiarie Missals and Agends And all things determined in the particular congregations of the Prelates deputed for these matters since the beginning of the Synod were read Wherein they did not all agree Some thought that certaine Authours and Bookes were censured without reason
Many are burned in England for Religion they had beene liuing and their bodies digged vp and burned an action commended by some as a reuenge of what Henrie the eight had done against S. Thomas by others compared to that which the Popes Stephanus the sixth and Sergius the third did against the Corps of Pope Formosus Many also were at the same time burned in France for Religion not And in France also without the indignation of honest men who knew that the diligence vsed against those poore people was not for pietie or Religion but to satiate Which was done to satiate the couetousnesse of Diana Valentina the couetousnesse of Diana Valentina the Kings Mistris to whom he had giuen all the confiscations of goods made in the Kingdome for cause of Heresie It was wondred also that those of the new reformation should meddle with blood for cause of Religion For Michael Seruetus of Tarragona made a Diuine of a Physician renewing the old opinion of Paulus Samosatenus and Marcellus Anciranus that the word of God was not a thing subsisting and therefore that Christ was a pure man was put to death for Michael Seruetus is burned in Geneua it in Geneua by Counsell of the Ministers of Zuric Berne and Schiaffusa and Iohn Caluin who was blamed for it by many wrote a Booke defending that the Magistrate may punish Heretickes with losse of life which Doctrine being drawen to diuers sences as it is vnderstood more strictly or more largely or as the name of Hereticke is taken diuersly may sometime doe hurt to him whom another time it hath helped At that time Ferdinand King of the Romanes published an Edict to all The King of the Romanes publisheth an Edict against all innouation in Religion the people subiect vnto him that in points of Religion and Rites they should not innouate but follow the ancient customes and particularly that in the holy Communion they should bee content to receiue the Sacrament of bread onely Wherein though many persons of note the Nobilitie and many of the Cities made Supplication vnto him that at the least the Cup might bee granted them saying that the institution was of Christ which might not bee altered by men and that it was the vse of the old Church as was confessed by the Councell of Constance promising all submission and obedience in all other things praying him not to burthen their consciences but to accommodate his commandement to the orders set downe by the Apostles and of the Primitiue Church yet Ferdinand perseuered in his resolution and answered them that his commandement was not new but an ancient institution vsed by his Ancestors Emperours Kings and Dukes of Austria and that the vse of the Cup was a nouitie brought in by curiositie or pride against the Law of the Church and consent of the Prince Yet hee moderated the rigour of the answere saying that the question being of a point that concerneth saluation hee would thinke of it more diligently and answere them in fit time but that in the meane while hee expected from them obedience and obseruation of the Edict Hee published also a Catechisme the fourteenth of And a Catechisme August made by his authoritie by some learned and pious Diuines 1555 PAVL 4. CHARLES 5. MARY 〈◊〉 HENRY 2. Which gaue distaste to the Court of Rome commaunding all the Magistrates of those Countries not to suffer any Schoolemasters to reade any but that either in publique or in priuate because by diuers Pamphlets which went about Religion was much corrupted in those Countryes This constitution distasted the Court of Rome because it was not sent to the Pope to bee approoued by his authoritie nor came foorth in the name of the Bishop of the Countrey the secular Prince assuming the office to cause to bee composed and to Authorize Bookes in matter of Religion especially by name of Catechisme to shew that it belonged to the secular power to determine what Religion the people should follow and what refuse The two yeeres of the suspension of the Councell being expired they treated in the Consistorie what was fit to bee done For although the condition in the Decree was that the Councell should be of force againe when the impediments were remooued which did still continue by reason of the warres of Siena Piemont and others betweene the Emperour and the French King yet it seemed that any man of an vnquiet Spirit might say that those impediments were not sufficient and that it was vnderstood that the Councell was on foote againe so that to free themselues from those dangers it might be good to make a new declaration But wiser men It is resolued in Rome not to speak of the Councell though the two yeeres of suspension were ended gaue counsell not to mooue the euill while it was quiet while the world was silent while neither Prince nor People demaunded the Councell lest by shewing they were afraid they might excite others to require it This aduice preuayled and made the Pope resolue neuer to speake more of it In the yeere 1555. there was a Diet in Ausburg which the Emperour 1555. A Diet. 〈◊〉 had in Ausburg to compose the differences in Religion had intimated principally to compose the controuersies of religion in regard this was the fountaine of all the troubles and calamities of Germanie with the losse not onely of the liues of many thousands of men but of their soules also Ferdinand began the Diet in the Emperours name the fifth of Februarie where hee shewed at large the lamentable spectacle of Germanie in which men of the same Baptisme Language In which Ferdinand maketh an Oration and Empire were distracted by so various a profession of Faith there arising new Sects euery day which did shew not onely small reuerence towards God and great perturbations of mens mindes but was cause also that the multitude knew not what to beleeue and that many of the principall Nobilitie and others were without all faith and honestie making no conscience of their actions which tooke away all commerce so that now it could not bee sayd that the Germanes were better then the Turkes and other barbarous people for which causes God hath afflicted it with so great calamities Therefore it was necessarie to take in hand the businesse of religion Hee sayd a generall free and pious Councell was formerly thought the onely remedie For the cause of Faith beeing common to all Christians it ought to bee handled by all and the Emperour imploying all his forces heerein did cause it to bee assembled more then once But there was no neede to say why no fruit came by it it beeing well knowen to all that were present Now if they desired to prooue the same remedie againe it was necessary to remooue the impediments which did 1555 MARCDILVS 〈◊〉 CHARLES 5. MARY HENRY 2. hinder them from attaining the wished end But if by reason of the accidents