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

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ATTITUDE OF FERDINAND I. 221<br />

proceeding afterwards to <strong>the</strong> legatine districts prescribed to<br />

<strong>the</strong>m. At a fur<strong>the</strong>r meeting on January 12th, <strong>the</strong> Emperor<br />

recommended three fur<strong>the</strong>r points for <strong>the</strong>ir consideration.<br />

First, as <strong>the</strong> Protestant princes looked upon <strong>the</strong> Council which<br />

had been summoned as a continuation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> former one,<br />

and were <strong>the</strong>refore full <strong>of</strong> suspicion, this suspicion must be<br />

removed. Second, it was necessary to act in a very discreet<br />

manner when dealing with <strong>the</strong> Protestants, and to <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>the</strong>m<br />

safe-conduct in <strong>the</strong> widest acceptation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> word. Third,<br />

when at Naumburg, <strong>the</strong>y should accommodate <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />

to <strong>the</strong> German usage, and negotiate in writing. To <strong>the</strong><br />

second point, it was possible for Commendone to agree un-<br />

conditionally, but to <strong>the</strong> first he answered that <strong>the</strong>y were<br />

not sent to dispute with <strong>the</strong> Protestants, but only to invite<br />

<strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong> Council, where everyone would be able to speak<br />

freely on all points, and would be listened to in <strong>the</strong> most<br />

courteous manner. With regard to <strong>the</strong> third point, Commendone<br />

referred to his instructions, which forbade written<br />

negotiations in order to avoid useless disputes.^<br />

On January 9th Ferdinand replied to <strong>the</strong> brief, and on <strong>the</strong><br />

15th to <strong>the</strong> Pope's letter. Both documents, it is true, gave<br />

hopes, in general terms, <strong>of</strong> his supporting <strong>the</strong> Council, but<br />

threw no light on <strong>the</strong> Emperor's own intentions. ^ His idea<br />

was to make his decision dependent on <strong>the</strong> answer <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Protestant princes assembled at Naumburg. While he<br />

invited <strong>the</strong> latter, through his envoj^s, to send delegates<br />

to <strong>the</strong> Council, he at <strong>the</strong> same time emphasized his firm<br />

resolve, under all circumstances, to preserve religious<br />

peace.<br />

^<br />

Commendone and Delfino left Vienna on January 14th ;<br />

<strong>the</strong>y travelled as quickly as cold and snow permitted, by<br />

way <strong>of</strong> Prague, where <strong>the</strong>y were received by <strong>the</strong> Archduke<br />

1 See Commendone's report <strong>of</strong> January 13, 1561, in <strong>the</strong> Miscell.<br />

di stor. Ital. VI., 32 seq., in Ehses, VIII., 131 seq. Cf. Planck,<br />

loc. cit. ; Reimann, loc. cit.<br />

''See SicKEL, Konzil, 159 seq.<br />

' See ibid.. 157 seq.

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