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

338 HISTORY OF THE POPES.
chapters contained precise regulations for the conferring and
reception of the various orders, as well as to the quahties
necessary for those who were to be ordained. The rules in
the last chapter, the eighteenth, as to the training and educa-
tion of future priests, were of great importance. All the
bishops, it laid down, were to found institutions, seminaries
in which boys could be trained for the priesthood from twelve
years of age and upwards. This enactment, by which the
theological faculties were by no means abolished, aimed at
affording the opportunity of theological study, together
with protection from moral dangers, to all youths, especially
such as were without means.
Divine right was again not mentioned in the decree as to
residence ; several of the fathers, nevertheless, were of
opinion that certain words in it might be interpreted in that
sense. The number of those who objected, however, to
this hotly debated decree, or who accepted it only conditionally,
or objected to certain passages, was only eleven. The
Bishop of Feltre, Francesco Campegio, protested against
the decree, though he declared his readiness to submit to
the decision of the Pope ; all the other fathers gave their
approval. The other reform decrees were accepted by a
simple placet, with the exception of six votes. Finally,
unanimous approval was given to the decree read at the
close, appointing September i6th for the next Session, when
the sacrament of Matrimony, and other doctrmal points
which had not yet been decided, the provision of bishoprics,
and other reforms, would be dealt with.
This happy ending of the seventh Session fiUed the Pope
and the legates with the greatest joy, and confirmed them
in their intention of completing as quickly as possible the
remaining tasks of the Council. The policy of Philip II.,
however, put serious obstacles in their way. It soon became
apparent that in Spain they were working for the prolonga-
tion of the Council, and the proposal of Count di Luna once
more to invite the Protestants had no other object in view.^
iC/. Pallavicini, 22, T ; Steinherz, III., 381 ; Susta, IV.,
129 sea.