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

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IQO HISTORY OF THE POPES.<br />

quite impossible <strong>of</strong> fulfilment, that <strong>the</strong> proposal <strong>of</strong> Pius IV.<br />

seemed to be altoge<strong>the</strong>r negatived.^<br />

In <strong>the</strong> introduction to this very comprehensive document,<br />

indeed, <strong>the</strong> Emperor approves <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pope's decision, and<br />

he declares himself anxious for its immediate fulfilment.<br />

He <strong>the</strong>n, however, goes on to explain that on account <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> matter, and <strong>the</strong> differences <strong>of</strong> opinion<br />

among <strong>the</strong> Christian princes, a period <strong>of</strong> at least a year would<br />

be necessary for <strong>the</strong> preparation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council. <strong>The</strong> objec-<br />

tions and difficulties, on <strong>the</strong> solution <strong>of</strong> which a successful<br />

issue depended, were set forth under six heads :<br />

1. <strong>The</strong> war between France and England must be brought<br />

to an end, as general peace among <strong>the</strong> Christian princes is<br />

necessary for <strong>the</strong> holding and carrying out <strong>of</strong> a General<br />

Council.<br />

2. <strong>The</strong> Pope must see that all <strong>the</strong> Christian powers,<br />

not only Spain, France, Portugal, Scotland, Poland and<br />

Venice, but also such kingdoms as have already fallen away<br />

<strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church, such as Denmark, Sweden, and England,<br />

are represented at <strong>the</strong> Council, and that all shah obtain a<br />

hearing. Stress is especially laid upop. <strong>the</strong> difficulty <strong>of</strong><br />

obtaining <strong>the</strong> participation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Protestants, whose onerous<br />

conditions, <strong>drawn</strong> up at <strong>the</strong> Imperial Diet at Augsburg in<br />

1559, are appended for general information. Forcible<br />

proceedings against <strong>the</strong> Protestants are not advisable, but<br />

<strong>the</strong> Emperor promises to do everything in his power to induce<br />

<strong>the</strong>m to take part in <strong>the</strong> Council.<br />

3. <strong>The</strong> personal attendance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pope, whose absence<br />

was very prejudicial to <strong>the</strong> former assembly at Trent, is<br />

stated to be essential.<br />

4. Doubts are expressed as to whe<strong>the</strong>r Trent should be<br />

chosen as <strong>the</strong> seat <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council. <strong>The</strong> town is too small,<br />

and since <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> schism a Council has always<br />

been needed in German territory. <strong>The</strong> most suitable place<br />

<strong>of</strong> all would be Cologne, and after that Ratisbon or Constance.<br />

^<strong>The</strong> opinion <strong>of</strong> STEmNERZ I., Ixvii. Cf. Ehses, Berufung<br />

des Konzils, 10.

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