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The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

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l86 HISTORY OF THE POPES.<br />

but never <strong>close</strong>d. Vargas, <strong>the</strong> representative <strong>of</strong> Philip II.,<br />

received a similar declaration.^<br />

<strong>The</strong> solemn meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ambassadors in <strong>the</strong> presence<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pope, which had been announced, took place on June<br />

3rd, 1560. <strong>The</strong> ambassador <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Emperor, and <strong>the</strong> repre-<br />

sentatives <strong>of</strong> Spain, Portugal, Florence and Venice, were<br />

present ; <strong>the</strong> Polish envoy was absent on account <strong>of</strong> illness,<br />

as was <strong>the</strong> representative <strong>of</strong> France, on account <strong>of</strong> a dispute<br />

about precedence with <strong>the</strong> envoy <strong>of</strong> Philip II. <strong>The</strong> Pope's<br />

declaration struck a note that was as definite as could be :<br />

" We wish for <strong>the</strong> Council, We wish for it emphatically, and<br />

We wish it to be both free and general ; did We not wish for<br />

it, <strong>the</strong> world would delay it for three or four years, on account<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> difficulties as to <strong>the</strong> place. In order to avoid all<br />

disputes as to <strong>the</strong> place and <strong>the</strong> manner <strong>of</strong> holding <strong>the</strong> Council,<br />

it is best to continue it in Trent ; later on it can be trans-<br />

ferred, if necessary, to ano<strong>the</strong>r and more suitable place,<br />

but it is impossible to spend more time in conferring upon<br />

that question now, for <strong>the</strong> progress <strong>of</strong> heresy, in almost every<br />

country <strong>of</strong> Christendom, makes immediate action necessary."<br />

<strong>The</strong> envoys might make this decision known to <strong>the</strong>ir princes<br />

by express messenger, and call upon <strong>the</strong>m for <strong>the</strong>ir support.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y have already been informed <strong>of</strong> it by <strong>the</strong> Pope, but<br />

have not yet answered. Should <strong>the</strong> Pope, contrary to his<br />

expectations, meet with no response <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> princes, his<br />

decision would never<strong>the</strong>less remain unaltered, especially as<br />

France was pushing forward a national council. In any case,<br />

he hoped for favourable repUes, and also that <strong>the</strong> German<br />

princes would be present ; he believed he could take it for<br />

granted that <strong>the</strong> Margrave <strong>of</strong> Brandenburg would attend.<br />

"Whatever is decided upon by <strong>the</strong> Council," <strong>the</strong> Pope concluded,<br />

" your princes must assist us in carrying out. We<br />

wish <strong>the</strong> Council to meet as soon as possible, and shall only<br />

^ <strong>The</strong> letter <strong>of</strong> Borromeo to O. Raverta in Dembinski, I.,<br />

257 seq., that to Hosius in Steinherz, I., 36 ; <strong>the</strong> declaration to<br />

Vargas in his report <strong>of</strong> May 25, in Voss, 44. Cf. also Ehses,<br />

Berufung des Konzils, 6 and VIII., 27.

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