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

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288 HISTORY OF THE POPES.<br />

^<br />

aims <strong>of</strong> Ferdinand, <strong>the</strong> objective value <strong>of</strong> his proposals for<br />

reform must be strictly investigated, and it is very evident<br />

that not a few <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m were dangerous and went much too<br />

far. <strong>The</strong> practical usefulness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> important concessions<br />

demanded with regard to <strong>the</strong> chalice for <strong>the</strong> laity and <strong>the</strong><br />

marriage <strong>of</strong> priests, was by no means proved by <strong>the</strong> arguments<br />

brought forward by <strong>the</strong> Emperor, but was ra<strong>the</strong>r open to very<br />

weighty objections.<br />

At <strong>the</strong>ir first perusal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reform libellum <strong>the</strong>re rose in<br />

<strong>the</strong> minds <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> legates <strong>the</strong> remembrance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council <strong>of</strong><br />

Basle, <strong>of</strong> unhappy memory. In consternation at <strong>the</strong> extent<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Imperial demands and proposals, <strong>the</strong>y at once, without<br />

waiting to consult Rome, begged <strong>the</strong> representatives <strong>of</strong> Ferdinand<br />

to refrain for <strong>the</strong> present <strong>from</strong> bringing <strong>the</strong> document<br />

before <strong>the</strong> General Congregation. On June 8th <strong>the</strong>y wrote<br />

to <strong>the</strong> nuncio, Delfino, to beg Ferdinand I. to withdraw or<br />

change <strong>the</strong> document, as to submit it would certainly entail<br />

<strong>the</strong> dissolution <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council. As for <strong>the</strong> claims for <strong>the</strong><br />

reform <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pope by <strong>the</strong> Council, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> head by <strong>the</strong> members,<br />

<strong>the</strong> nuncio might remind <strong>the</strong> Emperor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fatal confusion<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> XVth century. 1 One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Imperial envoys. Arch-<br />

bishop Brus, who returned to Prague <strong>from</strong> Trent on June loth,<br />

also received instructions <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> legates to influence <strong>the</strong><br />

Emperor in this sense.<br />

<strong>The</strong> negotiations <strong>of</strong> Delfino with Ferdinand I. had a success-<br />

ful issue. At <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> June <strong>the</strong> nuncio was able to inform <strong>the</strong><br />

legates that <strong>the</strong> Emperor appreciated <strong>the</strong>ir objections, and left<br />

it to <strong>the</strong>ir judgment to submit <strong>the</strong> libellum, ei<strong>the</strong>r complete<br />

or in part, to <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council at a suitable moment.<br />

On June 29th <strong>the</strong> Emperor himself wrote to <strong>the</strong> legates that<br />

he did not wish to dispute <strong>the</strong>ir right <strong>of</strong> bringing forward<br />

proposals ; if <strong>the</strong> articles in <strong>the</strong> libellum were too numerous<br />

to be dealt with at one time, he would be satisfied if <strong>the</strong>y were<br />

^Steinherz, III., 61 seq. Cf. Susta, II., 184.<br />

2 See Kassowitz, 81 seq.; Steinherz, III., 84; Susta, II.,<br />

190 seq.<br />

3 See Steinherz, III., 69 seq., 76 seq., <strong>of</strong>. 81 seq. ; Kassowitz,<br />

80 seq.<br />

^

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