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

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DELFINO AND THE EMPEROR. I97<br />

is a matter for his own judgment. <strong>The</strong> Protestants who<br />

appeared at Trent would have no grounds for complaint ;<br />

<strong>the</strong>y would receive safe-conduct in <strong>the</strong> most sure and complete<br />

form, and would be listened to most willingly. <strong>The</strong> suspension<br />

<strong>of</strong> 1552 had only been effected in order to await <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> war ; as universal peace now prevailed, <strong>the</strong> Council<br />

could again come into being. <strong>The</strong> objection that Trent<br />

was unequal to <strong>the</strong> task <strong>of</strong> providing <strong>the</strong> necessary maintenance<br />

and accommodation was also disposed <strong>of</strong>. <strong>The</strong><br />

Emperor must reahze that, in <strong>the</strong> places which he proposed,<br />

it would be in <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> every reckless prince to suppress<br />

<strong>the</strong> Council, but at Trent this would be impossible. His<br />

Majesty must also remember that Trent had been formerly<br />

approved <strong>of</strong> by all <strong>the</strong> Christian princes, including himself,<br />

as a suitable place for <strong>the</strong> meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council, and that<br />

those who now raised doubts in his mind had no o<strong>the</strong>r object<br />

in view than to prevent <strong>the</strong> continuation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council.<br />

An earnest admonition <strong>the</strong>n follows, which implores Ferdinand<br />

to consider <strong>the</strong> present state <strong>of</strong> affairs, and above all <strong>the</strong><br />

conditions in France, which require a speedy assembly <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Council, and to agree, without taking into consideration any<br />

personal advantage, but for <strong>the</strong> honour <strong>of</strong> God and <strong>the</strong> well-<br />

being <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nations, to <strong>the</strong> convocation <strong>of</strong> a General Council<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church at Trent. This would also be in <strong>the</strong> interests<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> concessions which he desired, concerning <strong>the</strong> chalice<br />

for <strong>the</strong> laity and <strong>the</strong> marriage <strong>of</strong> priests. In conclusion,<br />

as in <strong>the</strong> answer to France, reference is made to <strong>the</strong> possible<br />

subsequent removal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council to some safe place which<br />

is not under suspicion <strong>of</strong> heresy.<br />

Delfino is commissioned, in <strong>the</strong> very detailed instructions<br />

which were given to him, and which were certainly <strong>drawn</strong><br />

up by Morone,! to explain more fully <strong>the</strong> Pope's answer to<br />

<strong>the</strong> Imperial memorandum. <strong>The</strong> nuncio is to point out,<br />

with regard to ecclesiastical reform, that <strong>the</strong> Pope has taken<br />

1 Printed in Pogiani Epist., II., 130, and also in Steinherz, I.,<br />

100 seq. ; cf. ibid., Ixxx seq. ; Eder, I., 56. Voss (p. 76 seq.) is<br />

wrong in doubting <strong>the</strong> sincerity <strong>of</strong> Pius IV.

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