26.06.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

DISCUSSION AS TO PROCEDURE. 261<br />

this on December 9th. In a letter to Borromeo, dated<br />

December nth, <strong>the</strong> legates gave <strong>the</strong>ir reasons for thus de-<br />

viating <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> expressed will <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pope, and begged<br />

for his approval. This was granted <strong>the</strong>m through Borromeo<br />

on December 20th, and it was added that should <strong>the</strong> arrival<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Imperial envoys, or <strong>the</strong> representatives <strong>of</strong> any o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

great power, still be imminent, <strong>the</strong>n a fur<strong>the</strong>r shoit postponement<br />

would be allowed.^<br />

Immediately after <strong>the</strong> arrival <strong>of</strong> Simonetta, <strong>the</strong> legates<br />

consulted toge<strong>the</strong>r as to what matter <strong>the</strong>y should deal with<br />

first ; <strong>the</strong>y decided that it would be best to commence with<br />

<strong>the</strong> Index <strong>of</strong> forbidden books, so as to avoid bringing up <strong>the</strong><br />

question <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> continuation at <strong>the</strong> very outset, by going on<br />

with <strong>the</strong> doctrine* <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sacraments. Simonetta commu-<br />

nicated this intention to Rome on December nth, and <strong>the</strong><br />

Pope consented.^ Before <strong>the</strong> answer arrived, however, <strong>the</strong><br />

legates returned to <strong>the</strong> question on December i8th, paying<br />

special attention to <strong>the</strong> objections and difficulties, and changed<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir proposal in such a way that <strong>the</strong>y now decided that it<br />

would be advisable to put <strong>the</strong> question to <strong>the</strong> assembled<br />

prelates in <strong>the</strong> first congregation after <strong>the</strong> opening, as to<br />

whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y thought it best to continue to deal with <strong>the</strong><br />

articles not yet decided, or to deliberate upon new ones ;<br />

<strong>the</strong>y were <strong>of</strong> opinion that everyone would accept <strong>the</strong> con-<br />

tinuation, and that in this way nobody would b'e able to say<br />

anything against <strong>the</strong> Pope, as <strong>the</strong> Council itself would have<br />

declared its opinion. To this <strong>the</strong>y received an answer <strong>from</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Pope, through Borromeo, on December 27th, that His<br />

Holiness left it entirely to <strong>the</strong>ir discretion to act as <strong>the</strong>y<br />

thought best.^ On January 3rd <strong>the</strong> legates, who had been<br />

^ SusTA, I., 122 seq., 139. Borromeo had previously (to Ercole<br />

Gonzaga, December 15, 1561) recommended <strong>the</strong> Epiphany as a<br />

suitable day for <strong>the</strong> opening <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council. Pius IV. also decided<br />

in favour <strong>of</strong> that day in <strong>the</strong> consistory <strong>of</strong> December 17 ; see<br />

SusTA, I., 132 seq., 134.<br />

139-<br />

^ Borromeo to <strong>the</strong> legates on December 20, 1561, in Susta, I.,<br />

^ SusTA, I., 129 seq., 143.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!