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

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324 HISTORY OF THE POPES.<br />

demand foi <strong>the</strong> national deputations, which now only appeared<br />

as a counsel, did not seem to him to be dangerous ; he<br />

considered it, on <strong>the</strong> contrary, even advantageous, in so far<br />

as it was calculated to promote <strong>the</strong> acceptance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> decrees<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council by all <strong>the</strong> nations. <strong>The</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> Emperor<br />

expressly declared that <strong>the</strong> subjects proposed for discussion<br />

should only be prepared by <strong>the</strong>se deputations, and <strong>the</strong>n laid<br />

by <strong>the</strong>m before <strong>the</strong> assembled fa<strong>the</strong>rs, to be decided by <strong>the</strong>m<br />

by <strong>the</strong> majority <strong>of</strong> votes, could not but allay Morone's fears.<br />

With regard to <strong>the</strong> right <strong>of</strong> proposition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> legates, he was<br />

also relieved to see that <strong>the</strong> Emperor did not adhere to his<br />

demands. He looked upon <strong>the</strong> Emperor's proviso that, in<br />

<strong>the</strong> event <strong>of</strong> a refusal by <strong>the</strong> legates, <strong>the</strong> envoys codld also<br />

make proposals, as being reasonable and just, and <strong>the</strong>refore<br />

believed that it would not be displeasing to <strong>the</strong> Pope ei<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

With regard to <strong>the</strong> conclave bull, <strong>the</strong> answer <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Emperor<br />

was to <strong>the</strong> effect that for <strong>the</strong> time being he asked nothing<br />

fur<strong>the</strong>r than that it should be carried out in <strong>the</strong> most exact<br />

and secure way, and that <strong>the</strong> secular ambassadors, as well as<br />

<strong>the</strong> electors in <strong>the</strong> conclave and <strong>the</strong> whole Roman populace,<br />

should be deterred <strong>from</strong> interference by <strong>the</strong> infliction <strong>of</strong> severe<br />

penalties ; it would be best that <strong>the</strong>se last should be settled<br />

by <strong>the</strong> Council. This extension <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> conclave bull, Morone<br />

rightly did not consider in any way disadvantageous to <strong>the</strong><br />

Pope ; on <strong>the</strong> contrary, he thought that it would render <strong>the</strong><br />

intrigues <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> secular princes more difficult <strong>of</strong> execution.<br />

He <strong>the</strong>refore answered <strong>the</strong> Emperor without any hesitation,<br />

thanked him for <strong>the</strong> contents <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> letter he had just received,<br />

and, in view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> goodwill shown by his majesty, expressed<br />

great hopes for <strong>the</strong> favourable progress <strong>of</strong> public affairs.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> final report which he sent to Rome, which in its<br />

simplicity, pertinency, and absence <strong>of</strong> vainglory, is a masterpiece,<br />

^ Morone did not conceal his satisfaction that he had<br />

succeeded in blunting <strong>the</strong> dangerous aims <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bye-council<br />

at Innsbruck, and in convincing <strong>the</strong> Emperor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sincere<br />

1 See Morone's final report <strong>of</strong> May 17, 1563, in Steinherz, III.,<br />

307 seq.<br />

2 <strong>The</strong> opinion <strong>of</strong> Steinherz, III., 313.<br />

^

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