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

308 HISTORY OF THE POPES.
against this proposal. ^ Accordingly, on the same day, eight
articles on the sacrament of Matrimony were submitted to
the theologians, as fresh matter for deliberation, and these
were discussed from February gth onwards. ^ On February
I2th steps were taken to form a commission of ten prelates,
who were to compile a list of the abuses in the ordination of
priests.^
To all these difficulties a new one was now added by the
fact that the French, in conjunction with the Imperialists,
endeavoured to force the Pope to accept a reform at the hands
of the Council. On January 3rd the French envoys had
presented to the General Congregation a reform libellum in
thirty-four points. It was expressed, indeed, in terms of
moderation, but it contained claims which were either im-
practicable or dangerous, as for example the one concerning
the concession of the chalice to the laity. '^ Lansac then
declared that if the Council would not grant these claims,
France would introduce them on her own authority.^ In
the General Congregation on February nth, the French envoys,
following upon the receipt of a letter from their king, and sup-
ported by Guise, again put forward their demands for reform.^
These proceedings of the French caused the Emperor, whose
activities had hitherto been paralysed by other cares, once
more, on the advice of his chancellor, Seld, to intervene in the
conciliar discussions. He gave instructions to his envoys at
Trent to support the reform proposals of the French, and to
insist upon the discussion of the libellum which he had presented
in June, 1562. In order to be neare'r to the Council, he
^ See Raynaldus, 1563, n. 17; Le Plat, V., 672; Theiner,
II., 230-2 ; Pallavicini, 19, 16.
2 See Raynaldus, 1563, n. 19 ; Le
II., 232 seqq. ; Susta, III., 212.
3 See MtrsoTTi, 33.
Plat, V., 674
; Theiner,
* See Raynaldus, 1562, n. 86-9 ; Le Plat, V., 629-43 ; Palla-
vicini, 19, II ; Baguenault
de Puchesse, 338 seq.
^ So reported Strozzi on January 4, 1563 ; see Susta, III., 154.
* See Raynaldus, i 563, n. 23-6 ; Le Plat, V., 677-84 ; Theiner
II., 235 seq. See Baquenault de Puchesse, 343 seq.