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

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THE CLOSE OF THE COUNCIL IN SIGHT. 339<br />

<strong>The</strong> consideration that <strong>the</strong> Council afforded him an excellent<br />

means <strong>of</strong> bringing pressure to bear on Pius IV., and <strong>of</strong> forcing<br />

him to concessions in o<strong>the</strong>r matters, was certainly <strong>the</strong> principal<br />

reason for Philip's conduct.^ <strong>The</strong> Pope understood this<br />

very well, but his superior statesmanship never<strong>the</strong>less<br />

enabled him to frustrate <strong>the</strong> aims <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spanish king. While<br />

always streng<strong>the</strong>ning <strong>the</strong> understanding with Cardinal Guise,<br />

which was <strong>of</strong> so great importance as far as his countrymen<br />

was concerned, Pius IV. understood in a masterly way how<br />

to complete <strong>the</strong> work begun by Morone, and to win over<br />

<strong>the</strong> Emperor to <strong>the</strong> conclusion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council. As an effective<br />

lever for this purpose he made skilful use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> recognition<br />

<strong>of</strong> Maximilian's election as king, and Morone stood loyally<br />

by <strong>the</strong> side <strong>of</strong> Pius IV. in all his efforts. As early as July<br />

20th, <strong>the</strong> legate wrote to Ferdinand I., representing to him<br />

that a fur<strong>the</strong>r prolongation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> proceedings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council<br />

could only be harmful to <strong>the</strong> Church, and begging him to<br />

agree to its conclusion, and to induce Philip II. to withdraw<br />

his opposition.-<br />

At Trent, on July 20th, <strong>the</strong> legates laid before <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council eleven canons on <strong>the</strong> sacrament <strong>of</strong> Matrimony,<br />

and a decree which declared clandestine marri<strong>ages</strong> invalid,<br />

as well as those contracted by minors without <strong>the</strong> consent<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir parents.^ A considerable number <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>rs,<br />

among <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> legate Hosius himself, were opposed to<br />

any change with, regard to clandestine marri<strong>ages</strong>, and on<br />

this and cognate questions <strong>the</strong>re arose long and difficult<br />

discussions, which lasted far into <strong>the</strong> autumn.<br />

Important deliberations on general reform were being<br />

carried on at <strong>the</strong> same time ; in this connection, Pius IV.<br />

expressly declared that <strong>the</strong> Cardinals must also be reformed<br />

by <strong>the</strong> Council.'* nor were <strong>the</strong> laity to be excepted <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

1 Sae<strong>the</strong> letter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> legates <strong>of</strong> July 12, 1563, in Susta, IV., 122.<br />

* See Raynaldus, 1563, n. 160 ; Sickel, Konzil, 563 ; Stein-<br />

HERZ, III., 382 ; Susta, IV., 135.<br />

^ See <strong>The</strong>iner, II., 313 seq. ; Susta, IV., 136.<br />

* C/. Pallavicini, 22, i; Sagmuller, PapstwahlbuUen, 161<br />

seq. ; Susta, IV., 127.

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