The history of the Council of Trent is eight books : whereunto is prefixt a disourse containing historical reflexions on councils, and particularly on the conduct of the Council of Trent, proving that the Protestants are not oblig'd to submit thereto / written in French by Peter Jurieu ... ; and now done into English.

CLEM. VII.

On the nineteenth of November, Julius of Medicis, Cosin to Leo X. was chosen Pope, who took the name of Clement VII. he was certainly a man of less vertue than Adrian, but of more wit, greater politick cunning and address, and more skill in the true interests of the Court of Rome. He took a course quite opposite to that of Adrian, and was not of opinion to acknow∣ledge so frankly the disorders which he inten∣ded not to meddle with. Nevertheless seeing he observed in the centum gravamina, that most of the Articles referred to the German Clergy, he thought fit in some things to satisfie the Germans. He therefore sent Laurence Cam∣peggio Cardinal of St. Anastase to the Diet at Nuremberg, which was held in the year 1524.

[year 1524] he gave him his instructions to act and speak in that Diet, as if he had been wholly ignorant of what had past the year before under Adrian: for the Cardinal spoke not a word of the hun∣dred Grievances, but onely offered a Refor∣mation of the inferiour Clergy. The Diet made answer that they were in the same mind as they had been the year before, and that they had given in writing what they demanded, and what they thought necessary for compo∣sing the troubles of Religion. The Cardinal answered that neither the Pope nor he had ever heard of any Writings being presented to the College of Cardinals; that indeed some Copies of the centum gravamina had been seen at Rome, but that it was not believed, that that Writing had been framed by the Princes of the Empire, but was rather looked upon as the work of some private person a great enemy to the Court of Rome. He added, that the Pope was ready to satisfie the Germans touching the Reformation, and that he himself had a full power to set about it. The Diet built no great hopes upon these fair promises: however they deputed some Princes to confer with the Car∣dinal, but these conferences produced nothing at all; for the Princes persisted in demanding the Reformation of the Court of Rome, and the Cardinal refused it, nor would he engage any farther, than in reforming the Clergy of Germany. In that he was as good as his word, for he made a kind of Reformation, which reached onely the puny Clergy; but it was rejected by the Diet, who perceived that it made onely for raising the power and greatness of the Prelates, by lessening their inferiours.

The 18. of April the Diet pass'd their Edict, the Emperour being absent, as he was the year before. Amongst other things it was conclu∣ded in that Recess, that a free Council should, by the Pope and consent of the Emperour, with all expedition be convened in Germa∣ny; that the States of the Empire should as∣semble at Spire, to examine Luther's Books, and to advise about the measures that ought to be taken concerning matters of Religion till that Council were called; and in the mean time that the Magistrates should take care, that the Gospel should be preached accor∣ding to the Doctrine of Authours approved by the Church, and that no Pamphlets or Books injurious to the Court of Rome should be published.

The Legate being altogether dissatisfied with these resolutions, prevailed with the Catholick Princes to assemble at Ratisbonne; where in presence of Ferdinand the Emperour's Brother, he got a Decree past against the Lutherans, which commanded that the Edict of Wormes should in all points be put in execution against Luther. He did more, for he perswaded those Princes to admit of that gentle Reformation of the Clergy, whereof he had proposed the Scheme; and in a word, got these Catholick Princes to enter into a League defensive for the preservation of their Estates and Religion. The rest of the Princes and States of Germany, without whom this Assembly at Ratisbonne was held, complained loudly against it: but the Cardinal Legate did not much value that, his intention being onely to serve his Master accor∣ding to his humour, by staving off the Coun∣cil,

and making a Reformation by the sole au∣thority of the Pope, without the interposition of any other. And indeed, as affairs stood, Pope Clement was convinced that the calling of a Council was the most pernicious counsel that could be given him.

The Emperour, who was in Spain, was as ill satisfied with the Edict of Nuremberg, as the Legate was: because the thought they had en∣croached upon his authority, in treating of af∣fairs of that importance in this absence. He thereupon wrote to the Princes of the Empire pretty sharply, letting them to know that he did not take it well that they had infringed the Edict of Wormes, by which al Luther's Books were prohibited; seeing by the Decree of Nuremberg, none but defamatory Libels, vio∣lent and reproachfull Writings were forbidden. He blamed them for having been too high and peremptory in their way of demanding a Council, that it was the Pope's concern and his own, and that they ought to have applied themselves to him, that he might have obtained it of the Pope. However, as to the main he confessed that he agreed with them in opinion, concerning the necessity of a Council; which he promised to take care of, and have it con∣vened in such time and place as that himself might be present. After all he charged them to assemble to more at Spire, and commanded them to obey the Edict of Wormes. The Ger∣mans could not tell what to make of this impe∣rious style, who were not wont to be so treated by the Emperours Charles his Predecessours: but the Emperour knew what he did; he thought thereby to draw the Pope to his side

against the King of France, with whom he was then in War.

[year 1525] All things seemed now to look as if a Coun∣cil should be held maugre the intentions of the Court of Rome but the following year 1525. produced such troubles and dismal revolutions, that there was a necessity of breaking off all Negotiations in Germany: the Bores revolted from their obedience to the Princes and Magi∣strates; and being animated by a furious spirit of Anabaptism, which began that year to ap∣pear, they broke out into strange and astonish∣ing disorders, in the Countreys bordering on the Rhine. The Battel of Pavia was fought in Italy, and King Francis the first, there taken Prisoner; which success so raised the heart of Charles, that he thought nothing impossible for him to atchieve. This made the States of Ger∣many begin to be jealous of their Liberty, and to enter into a League against the Emperour; when at the same time the Pope grew likewise apprehensive of that Prince's power in Italy.

[year 1526] The year following, the Negotiations about the affairs of Religion were again set on foot: and about the end of June the States of the Empire met and held a Diet at Spire, where were read the Emperour's Letters which pres∣sed the execution of the Edict of Wormes. Hereupon there arose great Debates, some be∣ing for, and others against it; and nothing less than a fatal rupture seemed to be threatned: but Ferdinand Brother to the Emperour, thought it no seasonable Juncture to carry it too stifly in that affair; and therefore he condescended to the making of an ambiguous Decree, whereby it was enacted that the several Princes should in their

own States govern matters of Religion, so as that they might be able to give the Emperour a good account of the same, to whom Embassa∣dours were to be sent, to entreat him that within the space of a year, he would endea∣vour the calling of a Council in Germany, either General for all Christendom, or National for the German Nation alone.

[year 1526] The same year the Pope began to clash with the Emperour. The King of France being de∣livered out of Prison, the Pope treated an Al∣liance with him, dispensed with all the Oaths he had taken during his captivity, and made a League against Charles, into which he drew the Princes of Italy, and called it the Holy League. This Treaty was kept secret for some time; but the Pope being no longer able to endure the conduct and actions of the Empe∣rour, which tended evidently to the diminuti∣on of the Papal authority, broke forth, and wrote two Briefs to him, the one dated Janu∣ary 23. and the other the day after: the first was sharp, full of invectives and complaints against the conduct of the Emperour; but particularly he expostulated with him for his invasions of the Rights of the Holy See, in that he undertook every where to make Edicts and Orders concerning matters of Religion, the cognisance whereof belonged onely to the Pope. The second was much milder, and took no more notice of the former, than if it had never been. The design of this Intrigue was to ter∣rifie Charles by the threats of the first Brief, and to soften him by the promises of the se∣cond; but that trick would not take. Charles who yielded to him neither in haughtiness nor

cunning, answered him in the same manner by two Letters, of which the latter was delivered just next day after the former, and were each of them suited to the different style of the Pope's Briefs. In the first he found fault with the Pope's conduct, as not becoming the character of a true Pastor; and having justified his acti∣ons by a long Narrative of all he had done from the beginning of the troubles, he protest∣ed that if what he wrote did not satisfie him, he would appeal to a holy general Council. His answer to the second Brief was in a softer style: and both his Letters were seconded with an Address to the College of Cardinals, where∣in Charles spared not the Pope, exhorting them to call a Council, if the Pope should seem re∣fractary, and promising them his assistance therein; but withall declared, that if they granted not what he desired, he would by his Imperial authority provide for the affairs of the Church according as he should think con∣venient. These Letters wounded the Pope to the Heart, and brought him to an open De∣claration, resolving to employ all his force both Spiritual and Temporal against the Em∣perour. He therefore caused his Forces to march towards Lombardy, to joyn the Veneti∣ans and the other Confederates, who were in league for preserving the liberty of Italy.

Whilst these Negotiations were on foot, the Emperour fomented Divisions in Rome, and openly favoured a powerfull Faction formed against the Pope, by the House of Co∣lonna. Cardinal Pompeio one of that House, supported by Vespasian and Ascanio both of the same Family, was wholly at the Emperour's

Devotion, whose interests the Viceroy of Na∣ples stoutly maintained; the Cardinal, being a bold and daring man, said publickly, That it was the Destiny of his Family to be hated by Tyrannical Popes; but that also it was their good luck to rid the Church of them. The Pope published a severe Monitory against him, and adjourned him upon pain of highest Cen∣sures to appear at Rome; but finding that his Affairs went ill every where, he thought it not convenient to press these ways of rigour. He therefore patcht up an agreement with the Colonna's, and revoked the Monitory, which he had published against the Cardinal. The Colonna's in the mean time who saw into the Pope's politicks, did not rely too much on his promises: they armed their Friends and Sub∣jects, and on the 20th of September, appeared in Arms near Rome on the side of Borgo di San Pedro. The Pope who expected no such thing, being in great surprise, thought of imitating the Example of Boniface VIII. and by putting himself in his Pontifical Robes, try if the Co∣lonna's did inherit all the Audaciousness of their Ancestours, and if that House would dare once more again, to violate in his Person the Ma∣jesty of the Supreme Priesthood; but he was better advised than to run so great a risque. He therefore put himself under the protection of the walls of the Castle St. Angelo, which were thought a stronger defence, than the Pontifical Habit. The Colonna's entred Rome, and plundered the Vatican and St. Peter's Church; but the party of the Ursini having awakened those of their Faction, hindered them from advancing any farther; so that the

Colonna's were forced to draw out of the Town, to a place of retreat which they had pro∣vided near Rome. The Pope being reduced to this extremity, was fain to make a Treaty with the Viceroy of Naples, and a Truce for four Months with Don Hugo de Moncado, who commanded the imperial Army in Naples for the assistance of the Colonna's; the Conditions of this Truce were, that the Colonna's and Neapolitans should draw off from the Neighbourhood of Rome, and that the Pope should recall the Troops which he had sent into Lom∣bardy against the Emperour. This he did in effect, but against his will, as soon appeared: for no sooner was he reassured by the presence of his Forces, but he excommunicated Car∣dinal Pompeio and all of his Family as Here∣ticks and Abetters of Hereticks. The Car∣dinal was secure enough at Naples, from whence he published an appeal to the Council, which he caused in the Night time to be affixt in se∣veral places of Rome; that Appeal struck Ter∣rour into the Heart of Clement; not onely be∣cause he was a Bastard, but also because he had stole up into the Chair by the slight of Simony, which the Cardinal could easily prove: and this was one reason that made him dread a Council above all things in the World, as fearing to be accused, and to meet with a party there, every way as powerfull as Car∣dinal Colonna.

The year 1526 was spent in these stirs; but next year after the War broke out with much greater flame and heat; there was now no more talk of Treaties, nor of a Council, all was buried in silence by the rage of Arms. The

Emperour had an Army in Lombardy, com∣manded by Charles of Bourbon a Prince of the Bloud-royal and Constable of France; who falling into disgrace, had betaken himself to the Emperour's service, from whom he had received the Investiture of the Dutchy of Mi∣lan, and whereof he had made himself Master, in spight of the Efforts of the Confederates. This same Charles of Bourbon, advanced to∣wards Rome, whilst the Viceroy of Naples on the other side brought his Forces into the Field against the Pope, pretending to call him to an account as a Truce-breaker, because of his procedure against the Colonna's. The Duke of Bourbon had in his Army, besides the Imperial Troops, fourteen thousand Ger∣mans almost all Lutherans, commanded by the Count of Fronsperg also a Lutheran: who, with his Soldiers aspired to nothing more than the plunder of Rome, that so they might re∣venge themselves of the persecutions that had befallen them from thence. About the end of January, Charles of Bourbon passed the Po, and put the Pope into a terrible Consterna∣tion, who expected no less than an ignomi∣nious Death: for Fronsperg who commanded the Lutherans, was a Man of a violent temper; and through the interest of his party was so transported with revenge, that he caused an Halter to be carried behind his own Colours, wherewith he threatned to hang the Pope. This obliged Clement to make a second Agree∣ment with the Viceroy of Naples, whereby they clapt up a second Truce for eight Months, upon no advantageous Conditions for Rome. The Duke of Bourbon, in the mean time, though

[year 1527] he acted for the Emperour as well as the Viceroy of Naples, yet would not accept of that Truce, nor engage in the Treaty, when even the Death of Fronsperg who died of an Apoplexy, was a considerable loss, and depri∣ved him of a valiant Commander. So on he marched, untill he came and en∣camped under the very Walls of Rome with a brave Army, but no Cannon. Next day after his arrival he made an assault by Scalade on the side of the Vatican; and was there killed by a Musquet Shot which he recei∣ved in the right Groin. The Imperial Army, notwithstanding, remained victorious, though vigorously opposed by the Pope's Soldiers, and Roman youth. The Town was taken by force, the Churches plundered, the Cardinals basely used, led about in procession riding on Asses in their Pontifical Habit, nay and some of them soundly bastonnado'd too. Nothing was spared in the City; the plundering lasted three days, and all excess committed that the Rage of War could suggest. It was also very observable that (as all acknowledge) the Ita∣lians and Spaniards, who were so good Catho∣licks out-did the Lutheran Germans in Cruelty, in brutish baseness towards the women, gree∣diness in plundering, and in barbarity to∣wards the Cardinals. The Pope rejected the Counsel that had been given him of with∣drawing and leaving the City; but for safety betook himself to the Castle St. Angelo; where being besieged, he was forced to render on discretion, and was detained Prisoner in the same place. The City of Florence, that groaned under the Government of the Medicis, laid

hold on this occasion of regaining their Li∣berty; for Cardinal Cortona who was Gover∣nour for the Pope, having left the place, the Citizens immediately, re-established their an∣cient Government, drove out the Medicis, and threw down their Statues. Whilst this Tra∣gedy was acting, the Emperour was at Ma∣drid; and being a great Master in the Art of Dissimulation, seemed to be extremely affected with the sad Condition of the Church, and of its Head the Pope: At Valladolid, where he was when the News was brought him, he caused the publick rejoycings, that then were making there for the Birth of his Son, to cease: but made no haste, for all that, to set the Pope at liberty; onely sent him great Complements of Condoleance for his Misfor∣tunes, and ample Excuses for what had been acted against him, and, in the mean time, let him lie seven Months in Prison. Nor would he at all have been dissatisfied it the Pope had been brought into Spain, that he might have triumphed over him, as he had done before over Francis I. But the Spanish Prelates abhor∣ring that design, he durst not push it farther; onely he obliged the Pope to accept of igno∣minious Conditions of Peace, and for Caution, to give him up the Towns of Ostia, Civita Vecchia, Civita Castellana, and the Citadel of Forli, with his tow Nephews Hippolito and Alexander for Hostages. This being concluded, he had liberty to goe out on the 9th of Decem∣ber; but he thought it not fit to expect the prefixed day, nor to come out as a released Prisoner; he therefore retired by Night on the Eighth, under the disguise of a Merchant, and went to Monte-Fiascone.

During the troubles of Italy the affairs of Religion went ill for the interest of the Court of Rome: for the City of Berne in Suisserland following the example of Zurich, received the Doctrine Zuinglius. At Basil they broke down the Images, and the same year the Ci∣ties of Strasbourg, Constance and Geneva fell off from their obedience to the Church of Rome. These new Preachers had the boldness to preach the Doctrine of Reformation even in Italy, and in places subject to the Pope's Do∣minion, and amongst others in the Town of Faenza, which belongs to the Ecclesiastick State.

The year following the countenance of af∣fairs was much changed in Italy. The French made great progresses in the Kingdom of Naples, and forced the Imperialists to abandon the City of Rome. This little interval wrought such an alteration, that the Pope was solicited to excommunicate the Emperour, and to de∣pose him from the Kingdom of Naples; but he found his Party as yet too weak to venture on giving so great a blow. He had, besides, other, prospects than those of his Allies, a great mind to recover Florence, and knew of none but the Emperour that could serve him that Design: for as to the Venetians and French, he was suffi∣ciently perswaded, that if they had the better on't they would leave the Florentines to their liberty. He therefore resolved to be reconci∣led to the Emperour upon any terms whatsoe∣ver. Throughout this whole year, his discourse was so submissive and humble, that for some time it was really thought, his afflictions had humbled him in good earnest. He often said

[year 1528] that he would goe in person into Germany, and there lead so holy a Life, that all might take example from him, be converted and return into the bosom of the Church.

[year 1529] By this Conduct Clement succeeded in his In∣tentions, he moved the Emperour to compas∣sion, who restored to him Civita Vecchia, Ostia, and the other cautionary Towns; and by the mouth of Francis Guignonez Cardinal of Santa∣croce made him great offers on his part. A∣mongst other things, Charles obliged himself to re-establish Alexander de Medicis the Pope's Nephew in the Principality of Florence, and to give him Margaret his natural Daughter in Marriage. He promised him also assistance for recovering of the Towns of Cervia, Modena, Ravenna and Reggio, which the Venetians and the Duke of Ferrara had taken from him. Nor were the Lutherans forgot in this Treaty; for the Emperour promised to employ his Arms against them, if no fair means could pre∣vail. On his own part he demanded of the Pope the Convocation of a Council; but no∣thing was then fixt upon as to that. And thus by this Treaty, which was held at Barcelona, the See of Rome did, as it were, in a moment, recover its ancient Splendour and Greatness, to the amazement of all Europe.

The same year, in the Month of March, there was a Diet held at Spire, where the Ro∣man Catholicks powerfully bestirred themselves to divide their Adversaries; and for that end industriously improved the difference of opini∣ons that was betwixt Luther and Zuinglius concerning the Doctrine of the Eucharist. But the prudence of the Landgrave of Hesse hinde∣red

[year 1529] the effects of those intrigues; many and great Debates past in that Diet about Matters of Religion: and at length a decree was made ordering the Edict of Wormes to be put in Exe∣cution in all places where it had been begun to be executed; but as for other places where some innovation had been made, matters should continue, at least, as they were without far∣ther proceeding untill the ensuing Council, and that in the mean time, no person should be permitted to turn Lutheran; after all, the Decree ordained that the Celebration of Mass should be permitted every where, and that no new opinions should be started. The Electour of Saxony, with five other Princes, and four∣teen of the chief Towns of Germany protested against this Decree, declaring that they could not recede from the resolutions that had been taken in former Diets, whereby every Prince was allowed to live in his own Religion, and to have power within his own Territories, either to establish the reformation, or prohibit the Exercise of the Roman Religion as he should think fit: And thereupon they appealed to the Emperour, and a free Council; from this Pro∣testation the Followers of Luther and Zuinglius got the Name of Protestants.

The Landgrave of Hesse, having in the last Diet well observed what might be the conse∣quences of the difference in opinion betwixt Luther and Zuinglius, formed a design of bring∣ing them to an Agreement; and to compass this design, he assembled the heads of both parties to a Conference at Marpurg, which lasted all the Month of October. But these Conferences had no effect, flesh and bloud came in for a

share, and both parties were too much addic∣ted to their Sentiments to yield in any thing. Some time after, Luther wrote to one of his Friends, that he would not expose the Princes of his party to a greater hatred of the Roma∣nists, by Adopting the expressions of the Zuing∣lians, which were detested by all men. And this probably was the consideration that hin∣dered him from condescending to the agree∣ment proposed.

In the Treaty concluded betwixt the Em∣perour and the Pope, it was agreed that the Emperour should receive the Imperial Crown from the Pope; and that the City of Bologna should be the place where the Ceremony was to be performed. In order thereunto they met there in the Month of November, One thousand five hundred and twenty nine. They continued there four Months, and Lodged in the same place: During which time they had many and great conferences. The chief matters in hand were the means of procuring the Peace of Italy; but especially the Destruc∣tion of the Lutherans in Germany. Charles and his Councellors endeavoured to perswade the Pope, to try if mildness could doe the thing, and to determine the controversies by a Coun∣cil: But the Pope gave many reasons to prove that a Council would produce nothing but mischief, and omitted nothing that could per∣swade the Emperour that there was a neces∣sity of employing Force and Arms to reduce those that had separated themselves from the Church. Charles V. seemed to yield to his reasons; and so they parted with a resolution to join their Forces for the ruine of the Protestant

party. The Emperour was Crowned the eighth of March; and immediately after he called a Diet to be held at Ausbourg the eighth of May following. About the end of March he parted from Bologna, but arrived not at Ausbourg be∣fore the thirteenth of June.

[year 1530] This was one of the most famous Diets that ever was held in the Empire: The Emperour was there in person, after an absence of many years that he had spent in Spain. Cardinal Campeggio came to the Diet in quality of Le∣gate, and Paul Vergerio as Nuncio to King Fer∣dinand, both with instructions from the Pope to oppose all deliberations decisive about mat∣ters of Religion, and especially to hinder all resolutions that tended to the calling of a Council. The Emperour arrived at Ausbourg on Holy-thursday Eve, but the Protestant Prin∣ces refused to assist at the Ceremonies of the next days Festival. The Emperour being of∣fended that he could obtain nothing as to that point, was more positive in another: which was, that the Duke of Saxony, as high Martial of the Empire, should carry the Sword before him, when he went to Mass, which was to be sung at the opening of the Diet. The Divines were hereupon consulted, who dispensed with the Duke to doe what was demanded of him, according to the example of Naaman whom the Prophet Elisha permitted to wait on his Master, and to serve him in the Temple of the Idol. In this famous Diet the Lutherans by the hands of the Duke of Saxony presented their Confession of Faith, which derives its name from thence, and is called the Confession of Ausbourg. Luther gave the heads of it, and

[year 1530] Melancthon who was of a far more moderate temper, put it into form. This Confession of the Lutherans was read in open Assembly, and the Emperour by advice of the Legate caused a refutation of it to be made, which was also pub∣lickly read; but this did not put an end to the differences. The Emperour endeavoured to divide the Ambassadours of the Protestant-towns; but neither did that succeed; and therefore, at length he condescended to a con∣ference betwixt the two parties. At first there were seven Disputants allowed on each side, but they were afterwards reduced to three; yet all these conferences and disputes had no happy issue; for though both parties were wil∣ling to remit in some slight matters, and accor∣dingly some Articles presently agreed upon; yet when they came to points of greater im∣portance, both were obstinate and inflexible. [year 1531]

The Emperour gaining no ground by this means, attempted both publickly and private∣ly to draw over the most Zealous; but all these endeavours were unprofitable, nor could ei∣ther his promises or threatnings work any ef∣fect: Nay he could not obtain so much of the Protestants that they would suffer Mass to be said within their Territories till the meet∣ing of the next Council, though he promised it should fit within six months. Therefore about the end of September they departed; but not before they had heard the Imperial Edict read, which gave them six months time to renounce Lutheranism, and strictly prohibited them to make any innovation in the Faith, or to hinder the free exercise of the Roman Catholick Reli∣gion. But in the conclusion of the Diet, the

Emperour made another Edict against them, wherein he decided the points of Faith in the controverted Articles. As for instance, about Images, the Sacraments, Free-will, Justificati∣on by Faith alone, the invocation of Saints, Ho∣ly days, Fasts and many other points. He Commanded that this Edict should stand for a rule of Faith untill the meeting of the next Council, that no other Religion should be tole∣rated in Germany, and that the disobedient should be punished with the highest rigour.

[year 1531] The Pope was no ways satisfied with the Emperour's conduct herein; he looked upon it as an Encroachment on his Authority, that a Secular Prince should make himself Judge of controversies. But being a man of great Sense, that he might not clash a second time with the Emperour, he pretended that it was done by their mutual consent, and accordingly wrote to all Christian Princes. The Prote∣stant Princes, on the other hand took this oc∣casion of writing to them also, to justifie them∣selves, and to desire their assistance for calling a Council. In prosecution of the Edict of Aus∣bourg, the whole year 1532 was spent in ri∣gorous proceedings against the Protestants. Nothing but sentences and confiscations: but the Princes that were absolute in their own Territories despised these rigours, and con∣temned the Decrees of the Imperial Cham∣ber at Spire. Such courses served onely to put them upon their Guard, and to think of strengthening themselves by Foreign allian∣ces, and mutual leagues at home, that they might not be exposed to violence. And so they did in their Assembly of Smalcalde, where

all the Protestant Princes and Towns made a League defensive, for the security of their States and Religion. This brought the Em∣perour to condescend to milder courses: and several means being proposed, it was at length concluded that for a better accommodation, a Diet should be held at Ratisbonne the year following 1532.

The same year 1531. there arose such heats in Suisserland, that the Cantons, fell together by the Ears. The City of Zurich sent their Forces to this War, as all the other Protestant Cantons did, and Zuinglius went along with the Zu∣richers. The eleventh of October they Fought, the Zurichers were defeated, and Zuinglius killed in the Battel. Oecolampadius his Friend and Collegue died for grief a few days after: and the death of those two made way for an accommodation amongst the Suissers. For the Roman Catholick Cantons were apt to believe, that seeing Providence had rid them of those two Preachers, who had been able to stir up so many people, all would again return into the Bosome of the Church, from which they had fallen off.

Next year was employed in negotiating an accommodation betwixt the Catholick and Protestant parties; wherein the Elector of Mentz, and the Palatine endeavoured all that lay in their power. But the Emperour find∣ing that such tentatives for healing of Reli∣gion would never succeed, persisted in his thoughts of calling a Council. He wanted a pretext for using of Force, and hoped to find one in a Council, because the Protestants would be obliged to submit to it, and if they

[year 1533] refused, he would have law on his side to force them. He therefore sent to Rome to represent to the Pope and College of Cardinals the ne∣cessity of calling a Council without any delay. This demand was seconded by the Ambas∣sador of the King of France; and though the Pope was resolved not to grant, yet durst he not flatly refuse it. He therefore consent∣ed to it, but under conditions that rendred the thing impossible; for he purposed the hold∣ing of a Council at Bologna, Piacenza, or in some other Town of the Ecclesiastick State; well foreseeing that the Germans would never agree to that. He also declared that none but Bishops and Abbots should have a decisive Vote; which was not the free Council that the Germans so urgently desired. The Em∣perour perceiving that nothing was to be ex∣pected on that side, at length resolved to re∣store Peace to Germany; which he did by the Edict of Nuremberg, dated July 23, 1532. whereby he gave full liberty to all States, Princes, Towns and private Persons to enjoy and live in the Religion that they had chosen, without molesting of others, and without be∣ing molested by any, till the sitting of the next Council, which the Pope should be so∣licited to call within six months, and open within a year. This was the first Edict of toleration that the Protestants obtained in Germany, which extremely netled the Court of Rome. Things however were husht up, and after all, they found that the Emperour was not so much to be blamed: For the Prote∣stants obstinately refused to make head a∣gainst Solyman, who with a formidable Ar∣my

was coming to powr in upon Austria, unless that indulgence were granted them. So that the fear of the Turks, whom Charles had to doe with, was the sole cause of his mo∣deration.

So soon as that War was ended, and the Turks driven out of Austria, the Emperour renewed his design of concluding the affairs of Religion in Germany. He made a jour∣ney into Italy, and had a second interview with the Pope at Bologna. In this interview they had a fresh conference about the necessity of holding a Council, the Pope persisted to op∣pose it, and if at any time he seemed to con∣descend, yet stood he firm that the Council should be held upon the conditions he had proposed. Charles who had no other interest in the affair, than that of his Authority which he desired to settle, by obliging the Germans to live under the same Laws, was not very much troubled upon what conditi∣ons a Council were held, provided the Lu∣therans accepted them. They therefore agreed betwixt themselves to send Ambassadors to the Elector of Saxony, to incline him to accept of the conditions proposed by the Pope: The Elec∣tor desires leave to communicate the affairs to the Assembly of Protestants which was to be held at Smalcalde the 23 of June the same year. And, indeed, he did so; but the Assem∣bly rejected the Pope's propositions, and per∣sisted in demanding a free Council, to be held in Germany, where every one might have free∣dom to speak their minds, and wherein judg∣ment should be pronounced according to the word of Go, without any respect had to the

Authority of the Pope, Traditions or Canons. Their Answer was long and argumentative, of which Copies were sent to the Pope and the Emperour, and afterwards Printed with the Pope's propositions.

This interveiw of the Pope and Emperour did not all contribute to the cementing of their friendship; for they began to entertain Jealousies one of another: the Pope could not relish those reiterated instances that the Empe∣rour made to him for calling a Council, to which he had an incurable aversion: But a∣bove all, that which most increased their mis∣understanding, was the Judgment given by the Emperour upon the debate which the Pope had with the Duke of Ferrara concerning the Towns of Rheggio and Modena. Both parties agreed to refer that affair to the determination of the Emperour, that as Umpire he might give Sentence therein. The Emperour pronoun∣ced against the Pope, and confirmed the Duke of Ferrara in the possession of those two Towns. So that the Pope being ill satisfied with the Emperour, took a resolution of entring into a strict alliance with the King of France: and at the same time to raise the Grandure of his Fa∣mily, he Married Catharine of Medicis his Neice to Henry, second Son to that King: and for the accomplishment and confirmation of the Treaty, the Pope gave the King of France an interveiw at Marseilles. Amongst other things that past at that interveiw, the Pope required of the King that he would use his interest with the Protestants of Germany, and especially with the Landgrave of Hesse, to take them off from de∣manding a Council, or that they should de∣mand

it on conditions more easie for the Court of Rome. The King attempted it, but could not succeed; however the Landgrave of Hesse yielded in some things, and consented that the Council might not be held in Germany, provi∣ded the place of its meeting were out of Italy, and in a Town where the Council might be free. The King himself proposed to the Pope the Town of Geneva, an dundertook to get the Protestants to accept of it. This proposal seemed strange to the Pope, who perceived that the King of France was no fit Agent to transact matters according to the intentions of the Court of Rome; and therefore they thanked him for the pains he had taken, and desired him to proceed no farther; so that a stop was put to that Negotiation in the beginning of the year 1534. [year 1534]

The same year the Court of Rome had the trouble to see one of the most considerable Members of the Roman Church fall off from it; whilst they endeavoured to recover Ger∣many, they lose England. Henry VIII. had Married Catharine, Infanta of Spain, Aunt by the Mother to the Emperour Charles V. This Princess by a former Marriage had been Wife to Prince Arthur elder Brother to Henry. Arthur being dead, the Father with a dispen∣sation from Pope Julius II. gave her to his second Son; by whom she had onely one Daughter alive, called Mary. Henry who pas∣sionately desired to have Male issue, sought to Divorce her, under colour of invalidity in the dispensation. This afforded matter for a long and tedious process, which depended from the year 1528. to 1534. In the beginning of this

[year 1534] affair, the Pope being in War with the Empe∣rour, gave orders to Cardinal Campeggio his Le∣gate in England, so to manage the Trial, that the procedures might run in favour of Henry, thereby vex Charles V. but a reconciliation being pieced up betwixt the Pope and the Em∣perour, the case of the Divorce betwixt Henry and Catharine changed countenance, because the Pope intended to oblige Charles, by favour∣ing his Aunt. This change provoked Henry, so that he prohibited all his Subjects to pay any Peter-pence to the Receivers: and the Pope by and Evocation brought the Trial to Rome, where the business went very slowly on. Hen∣ry who could no longer indure these delays, published his Divorce with Catharine of Spain; and in the year 1535. Married Anne Bullen. Sometime after, News, whether true or false was brought to Rome, that there had been a Co∣medy Acted before the King of England, where∣in the whole Court of Rome, the Pope and Cardinals, had been shamefully expos'd, and turned into ridicule. This was News indeed that over-heated the spleen of all those who thought themselves concerned, and set them on revenge; which made them out-run the constable in pronouncing Sentence the 24. of March: whereby the Marriage of Henry and Catharine, was declared good and valid; and upon that account Henry ordained to adhere to her, and in case of refusal, that he should ipso facto be Excommunicated. Henry on the other hand took the alarm as hot as they, when he had seen this Sentence. Well, said he, let the Pope be Bishop of Rome, and for my part, I'll be Master within my own King∣dom.

And so he was as good as his word; for he issued out a Proclamation, wherein he de∣clared himself head of the Church of England, prohibited the paying of Peter-pence to the Pope's Receivers, and got this Declaration confirmed by Act of Parliament: though in all other things he retained the Roman Religion, and afterwards published severe Proclamations a∣gainst the Doctrine of Luther.

In Germany the State of affairs was nothing better; they began to take up Arms; for King Ferdinand had seised the Dutchy of Witten∣berg from Prince Ulrich, and the Landgrave of Hesse had by Force of Arms retaken and resto∣red it to its lawfull Master. The Emperour who feared that things might not stop here, was in good earnest angry with the Pope, for starting so many difficulties to obstruct the holding of a Council, and thereupon wrote expostulatory Letters to Rome. But within a few days after the receipt of these Letters, Clement fell sick of a Distemper that carried him out of the world, about the end of September 1534.

Notes

• Adrian dies without any thing done. Julius of Me∣dicis is chosen in his place by the name of Clement VII.
• He sends ano∣ther Legate into Germany to the Diet at Nuremberg.
• The Legate as∣sembles the Catholick Princes at Ra∣tisbonne and obtains a De∣cree against Luther.
• The Emperour is dissatisfied with the Diet of Nurem∣berg; and writes there∣upon sharply States of Germany
• The superveni∣ent Troubles stifle all thoughts of a Council.
• The Troubles being over, the Negotiations about matters of Religion were again renewed.
• The Pope cla∣shes with the Emperour, and absolves Fran∣cis of his oaths that he had taken in Pri∣son.
• The Emperour provides work enough for the Pope within Rome, by means of the Colonna's who enter the City in Arms, and plunder the Vatican.
• The War is re∣newed. Charles of Bourbon with the Im∣perial Army takes Rome, and makes the Pope Prisoner.
• Zuinglius's Reformation gains ground in Suisserland. Berne and Ba∣sil embrace it.
• 1528.
• The Imperia∣lists quit Rome. the Pope makes Peace with the Emperour.
• A Diet at Spire, where it is attempted to divide the Lutherans and Zuinglians.
• The Land∣grave of Hess attempts an agreement be∣twixt Luther and Zuinglius, but without success.
• The first in∣terview of the Pope and the Emperour at Bologna: the Emperour is Crowned there by the Pope.
• The Diet of Ausbourg, where the Pro∣testants pre∣sent their Con∣fessions, and depart with∣out any accom∣modation, though attem∣pted in vain.
• The Pope is dissatisfied with Charles, and the Pro∣testant Prin∣ces despise his rigorous E∣dicts.
• A religious War in Suis∣serland, wherein Zuinglius is killed.
• The Emperour presses a Coun∣cil, and not obtaining it makes his first Edict in fa∣vour of Pro∣testants.
• A second in∣terview be∣twixt the Pope and the Emperour, the Pope refuses a Council; but after grants it on condi∣tions which the Protes∣tants refuse to accept.
• The Pope dis∣satisfied with the Emperour, enters into a league with the King of France.
• Henry King of England shakes off the Pope's authori∣ty, without any innova∣tion in Reli∣gion.