it. In fact, the desire for a council began at this time pretty generally to prevail. It seemed to offer the only means by which existing controversies could be decided, and grievances redressed. Civil governors hoped to set bounds to the overgrown power of the prelates and other ecclesiastics, and to restore the ancient discipline, which was fallen into decay: the sacerdotal order wished to prevent the Pope from usurping their rights; and the middle ranks of the community ardently longed to be relieved from the oppressive burdens of ecclesiastical taxation, which well nigh swallowed up all the fruits of their industry, and served only to administer to the pleasures of an indolent and sensual priesthood.

Affairs were in this state when Leo X. died. 13 His successor, Adrian VI., a well-meaning, honest man, but ill fitted for the intrigues and duplicity of the Court of Rome, thought to quell the German rebellion by intermingling concession with severity. He avowed himself favourable to reform; instituted inquiry into alleged abuses; endeavoured, though ineffectually, to introduce some salutary emendations; and despatched Cheregate, his nuncio, to attend a diet of the empire at Nuremburg, in November, 1522.14 The nuncio met the assembled princes, and addressed them at great length. He reproached them for their remissness, in suffering the edict of Worms to be neglected, and strongly urged them to adopt prompt and decisive measures for the punishment of the heretics-as Dathan and Abiram, Ananias and Sapphira, were smitten of God for their disobedienceas the Christian emperors of Rome had in after-ages put to death obstinate schismatics-and as John Huss and Jerome of Prague, who seemed to live again in Luther, were punished by the Councils of Constance and Basle. He could but confess that the general complaints against corruptions and abuses were not wholly without foundation: the pontiff, he said, saw and lamented them, and was fully resolved on reform: but the evils were of such a kind as required much time for their removal, and none ought to be surprised that the progress of reformation was slow 15 In reply, the diet informed the nun

13 Dec. 2, 1521. 14 Le Plat, ii. 140-149. 15 Similar statements were given in a letter to the diet, delivered

cio, that in their opinion the best remedy for existing evils would be the convocation of a free general council in Germany, within a year. Their proceedings were afterwards published, and a long memorial was subjoined, entitled "Centum Gravamina"-the hundred grievances. It contained an ample exposition of the grievances suffered from the tyranny and rapaciousness of the priesthood, and the corrupt state of the Court of Rome, couched in strong, firm, but respectful language. In the conclusion the Pope was assured, that unless immediate and effective attention was paid to these complaints, they would be compelled, however reluctantly, to take the business of reform into their own hands, for that the people neither would nor could endure such oppressions and abuses any longer. 16

Adrian's public career was short and disturbed: he died Sept. 14, 1523.17 Roman Catholic writers speak highly of his personal excellences, but depreciate his official character, and for obvious reasons. Clement VII. his successor, was every way fitted for his office, as the prevailing maxims at Rome required it to be administered, A profound dissembler-a practised politician-subtle-cautious-evasive he was admirably qualified for that management which the Popedom needed. He seemed to have an instinctive horror of a council, and the history of his pontificate records little more than repeated attempts on the part of the German States to procure one, and his successful opposition to their wishes. Diets of the Empire were held nearly every year, and they scarcely ever closed without a strong expression of anxiety for the assembling of a council, which the continued progress of the reformers rendered increasingly necessary. The Emperor, too, became very desirous for the adjustment of the religious

by the nuncio. Adrian promised reform, but said that it must be "pedetentim"-step by step--by slow degrees. "Step by step, indeed," said Luther, who published the letter, with notes of his own, "he means that between each step there shall be an interval of centuries." Sleidan, lib. iv. p. 54. edit. 1559.

16 Le Plat, ii. 160-207.

17 His epitaph is a striking lesson to the ambitious: "Hadrianus Papa VI. hic situs est, qui, nihil sibi infelicius in vitâ duxit, quam quod imperaret." Onuphrius Panvin. in Adrian.

differences that agitated Germany, but could obtain nothing from the pontiff except a promise to employ all the machinery of spiritual terror, if he on his part would unsheath the sword, and save himself the trouble of convincing heretics by destroying them. During all this time Luther and his coadjutors were diffusing their opinions with remarkable success, and evangelical religion daily gained new triumphs, in Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and even in Italy and Spain. 18 At a diet held at Spire in 1529, the reformers acquired the name of "Protestants," from their protesting against an iniquitous decree which declared unlawful, all changes in doctrine or worship, which should be introduced previous to the decision of a general council. 1 o

The Emperor left no means untried to restore the Protestants to the church of Rome. At the diet of Augsburg, in 1530, they presented their confession of faith, written by the elegant pen of Melancthon. It was read in the presence of the Emperor and the assembled princes. The Roman Catholic divines replied to it: conferences were held; but it was now evident that a re-union of the parties was no longer to be expected, as the points of difference were held by each to be of vital interest. Charles was enraged at the result. "In compliance with his opinions and remonstrances, the diet issued a decree, condemning most of the peculiar tenets held by the protestants; forbidding any person to protect or tolerate such as taught them, enjoining a strict observance of the established rites; and prohibiting any further innovation under severe penalties. All

18 See Dr. M'Crie's two interesting volumes, containing the his tory of the progress and suppression of the Reformation in Spain and Italy.

19 Le Plat, ii. 301-321. The princes who entered this protest were John, Elector of Saxony, George, Elector of Brandenburg, Ernest and Francis, Dukes of Lunenburg, the Landgrave of Hesse, and the prince of Anhalt. They were joined by thirteen imperial towns, viz. Strasburg, Ulm, Nuremburg, Constance, Reutlingen, Windsheim, Memmingen, Nortlingen, Lindaw, Kempten, Heilbron, Weissimburg, and St. Gall. Pallavacini remarks that by "Protestants," was meant "enemies both to the Pope and the Emperor." Hist. lib. ii. c. 18. s. 6. This is a stale calumny: see Amos vii. 10; John xix. 12; Acts xvii. 7.

orders of men were required to assist, with their persons and fortunes, in carrying this decree into execution; and such as refused to obey it were declared incapable of acting as judges or of appearing as parties in the Imperial Chamber, the supreme court of judicature in the empire. To all which was subjoined a promise, that an application should be made to the Pope, requiring him to call a general council within six months, in order to terminate all controversies by its sovereign decisions." 20

In pursuance of this promise, Charles corresponded with the Pope respecting a council. Clement, as usual, hesitated and objected. Still the emperor urged the matter, and at length the Pope signified that he was willing to convene the long-desired assembly, on the following conditions;-that the objects for which it should be called should be, to obtain subsidies against the Turks, restore the Lutherans to the faith, suppress heresies, and punish the refractory, but not a word about reformation; that the emperor himself should be present; that it should be holden in Italy, at Bologna, Placentia, or Mantua; that none should have the right of suffrage but those who had enjoyed it by prescription already; and that the Lutherans should both desire it and engage to obey its decrees.

It was easy to see that the Pope was insincere. Nevertheless, to save appearances, he despatched letters to the European princes and states, informing them of his determination, and requesting their assistance, either in person or by their ambassadors, whenever the council should be summoned. 21 It seems that at Rome it was seriously believed that his Holiness was in earnest, and so great was the panic in consequence that the price of public offices fell in the market to almost nothing!22 The number and power of the Protestants continued

20 Robertson, book v. Le Plat, ii. 479-501.

21 Le Plat, ii. 501-503. On one occasion Clement had sent the Emperor two bulls, either of which might be used by him, at his discretion. By the one, he deprived the elector of Saxony, a Protestant, of his right of suffrage in the choice of an emperor, because he was a heretic; by the other, he granted him the right, although he was a heretic! Pallav. lib. iii. c. 9. s. 2.

22 Vilissimum pretium, "a most mean price," whom we are indebted for this curious fact."

says Pallavicini, to Lib. iii. c. 7. s. 1.

to increase, and for the present Charles was obliged to relinquish the hope of forcing them back to popery. By the peace of Nuremburg, established in July 1532, it was arranged that the decree of the diet of Augsburg should be suspended, and that all molestations on account of religion should cease till the convocation of a general council, which the emperor once more promised should take place within six months; but that if it did not, another diet should be summoned, to determine on some mode of settling the religious differences of Germany.23 In the latter end of the year, the Pope and emperor met at Bologna. The result of their conference was that the former sent a nuncio and the latter an ambassador to the German princes, to negotiate with them respecting the place, mode of proceeding, &c. of the proposed council. 24 But the wily pontiff had offered such conditions as he well knew the Protestant princes would not accept. In fact, Clement had resolved that a council should not be assembled while he possessed the power to prevent it. He succeeded: by pretexts, excuses, and artifices, he deferred the dreaded meeting, and kept all Europe at bay till his death, which took place, Sept. 25, 1534.

Paul III. who succeeded Clement, professed great zeal for the reformation of abuses, and would have it believed that he was extremely desirous of a council. Scarcely ever did the cardinals meet in consistory but the Pope harangued them on the necessity of reform, which, he said, must begin with themselves. But his own conduct gave little hope that any efficient measures would be adopted. Only two months after his elevation to the pontificate he gave cardinals' hats to two lads, one aged 14, the other 16, the sons of his own illegiti mate children!

Early in 1535 nuncios were sent to all the European sovereigns, announcing the Pope's intention respecting a council, and soliciting their co-operation. Peter Paul Vergerio was selected for Germany. 5 He was

23 Le Plat, ii. 503-510.

24 Le Plat, ii. 510-515.

25 Le Plat, ii. 519. An interesting account of an interview between Luther and Vergerio, and of the conversion of the lat