Page images
PDF
EPUB

should serve the crusade in person. Basle, at length, was appointed for the meeting of the real representatives of the Church, and they crowded thither in great multitudes during the spring and summer of 1431.

In the meantime, on the 19th of the preceding February, Martin V. died. His long pontificate had been principally devoted to two objects, the recovery of the States of the Church and the amassing

Council of Basle.

of wealth; and he had succeeded in both. As to the former, he had restored the interests of the See nearly to the condition in which they stood before the schism. As to the latter, he destined the treasures, which he collected, rather for the aggrandizement of his own family, than for the benefit of the Catholic Church, or even of the Pontifical Government. At the same time, it is admitted that he possessed considerable talents, and a vigorous and consistent character; and he has escaped the imputation of any great vice, excepting avarice. At this crisis, the character of the successor to the chair was of consequence almost incalculable to the Church. The Council of Basle was irrevocably summoned; and its principles, its policy, and its power could easily be foreseen from the experience of Constance. What policy, then, was the new Pope to pursue? Was he openly to oppose, or craftily to elude, or generously to co-operate, in the work of reformation? The durability of the Roman Catholic Church depended on the

answer.

The Cardinals were not, indeed, disturbed by such distant considerations; and the views, with which most of them entered the conclave, extended not beyond their private intrigues or immediate interests. Being unable at once to agree, they proceeded to the scrutiny; and their secret arrangements being not yet satisfactorily concluded, they continued to throw away their votes upon the names which held the lowest consideration, and were the last in the chance of success. And thus it happened, that, at the conclusion of one of these scrutinies, to the astonishment and dismay of the whole college, one Gabriel Condolmieri, the least and most insignificant member of the sacred body, was found in possession of two-thirds of the suffrages. to repent or retract; the election was already valid, Peter was thus consigned, in the most anxious moment of its destiny, to the hand of Eugenius IV.

Election and Character of Eugenius IV.,

There was no space and the bark of St.

Had that Pontiff been as deeply impressed with his own incapacity as the rest of the Christian world, he might occasionally have followed the counsel of wiser men; but, on the contrary, he was the most presumptuous, as he was the most ignorant, of mankindt. The rigorous habits of a monastic life had equally contracted his principles, and blinded his judgment; so that he perpetually mistook precipitation for decision, and then thought to redeem his rashness by his obstinacy. Without talents or any steady policy, through the very restlessness of his character, he exercised

It is thus that Sismondi describes the elevation of Eugenius, without any question as to the credibility of his authorities. But we are bound to add, that several Eeclesiastical Historians, of various ages, whom we have consulted on this subject, are silent as to the circumstance mentioned in the text. Sismondi (chap. 66.) cites Andreæ Billii Histor. Mediolan. 1. ix. p. 143.

He was remarkable for a downcast look.

Vultu alioqui decoro et venerabili, nun

quam oculos in publico attollebat, ut a parente meo, qui eum sequebatur, accepi.'-Vola terra, lib. xxii., p. 815, ap. Bayle.

an influence which was everywhere felt, and everywhere felt for evil*. And if it were just to select from the long list of pontifical delinquents one name, to which the downfall of the Church should more particularly be ascribed, we should not greatly err in attaching that stigma to Eugenius.

·

The unexpected accident of his elevation inflated still further an inconstant mind. Some success which he gained in a struggle with the Colonna family for the treasures of his predecessors, filled him with unbounded confidence; and it was in such a mood that he plunged into hostilities with the Council of Basle. His first endeavours were directed to crush it, ere it came into operation or even existence; but finding that hopeless, and convinced that an assembly so solemnly convoked, and so earnestly desired, must meet or seem to meet, he determined to neutralize its character by changing its place. Accordingly, he notified to the President, towards the end of the year, that by his own full power' he had transferred it to Bologna, in Italy. The President was the Cardinal Julian Cesarini, a man whose eminent talents qualified him for that office, in which he was placed by Martin, and confirmed by Eugenius, and who may have deserved the reputation which he has received from Bossuet, of being the greatest character of his age.' At any rate, he was, on this occasion, more mindful of his duties to the Church, than of his obligations to his master, and respectfully refused obedience to the pontifical mandate.

Julian Cesarini, Cardinal of St. Angelo.

Three purposes were specified, for which the Council of Basle was convokedt: (1.) The reunion of the Latin and Greek churches; (2.) The reform of the Church in its head and members; (3.) The reconciliation of the Hussites. We shall confine our account, for the present, to the second of these, and resume the thread which was broken at Constance : in so doing, it will be our misfortune again to observe the one party furiously contending against its own lasting interests, and repelling the friendly hand which would have purified and saved a foul and falling system; and the other party, thwarted by perpetual impediments, insults, artifices, so as to confine its exertions to unworthy objects, and not effectually to accomplish even those. The former, consisting for the most part of Italians, were the myrmidons of absolute papacy; while the latter comprehended almost all that was enlightened and generous and virtuous among the clergy of the rest of Europe.

Though many of the prelates had been long assembled, the first public session was not held until the 14th of December, 1431; and from that time forwards, for the space of two entire years, the energies and patience of the

*Contemporary Italian historians exert all the talents of partizanship in his favour. But Sismondi, who has estimated with less prejudice his political, as well as his ecclesiastical character, speaks of him very differently. Dans les révolutions violentes où on le voit sans cesse engagé, en guerre avec son clergé, avec ses sujets, avec ses bienfaiteurs, il manque presque toujours en même temps et de la bonne foi, et de la politique. Il y a peu de tyrans à qui on peut reprocher plus d'actes de perfidie et de cruauté; il y a peu de monarques imbécilles, qui aient donné plus de preuves d'incapacité et d'inconséquence.' Republ. Ital., cap. lxx.

Concilium hoc congregatum est propter extirpandas hæreses, faciendum pacem, reformandum mores.' Epist. (2) Juliani Card. ad Eugen. IV. Julian places first that which seems to have been in his mind the most important object: the third, the reformation, he regarded rather as the means of restoring the unity of the Church.

The method in which that very large body proceeded through its deliberations was both generally judicious, and particularly calculated to neutralize the majority of Italian deputies. It is given at length by the Contin. of Fleury, liv. cvi., § 6.

Contention between the
Council and the Pope.

fathers were wearied, and their passions excited, and their attention wholly diverted from the great object of their meeting, by uninterrupted contentions with Eugenius. They had come together from all parts of Europe, and their numbers were swelled by the addition of many of the inferior clergy; they arrived, deploring the debasement, and eager for the regeneration, of their Church; they were confident, too, in their power, and it was to this power that they chiefly trusted to repress the excesses of papacy; yet, when they would have advanced with ardour to realize these hopes, they found themselves engaged in a tedious and irritating contest for their own independence. In the course of this contest they published and republished those decrees of Constance, which proclaimed the superior prerogatives of the Council. They reiterated the authorized assertions, that a Council General represents the Church, and is the Church; that, as such, it derives its attributes immediately from Jesus Christ; that, as such, it is impeccable; that it is thus possessed of infallibility-a boon which had been denied, not only to Popes who had erred in matters of faith, but to the angels themselves, for they had sinned; that on these accounts the Pope was subject to the Council in all things regarding (1) faith, (2) the extirpation of schism, and (3) the reformation of the Church; that he was only the ministerial† head of the Church, inferior in eminence to that mystical body; and consequently (for this was the point to which the whole tended), that he possessed no power over the Council, either to dissolve or transfer it. But all these, and all similar assertions, fell without any effect upon the mind of a pontiff, who was in real monastic sincerity persuaded, that there existed in the Church no other legitimate authority whatsoever, excepting his own. It was in vain to appeal to ancient canons against modern usurpations, where ignorance had conspired with interest to overthrow reason and justice. It was in vain, that all the learning and genius and eloquence of the Church were arrayed on the same side-their weapons were unfelt or unheeded by a stupid and selfish bigotry.

*

Cardinal Julian

Cesarini.

During this controversy (if such it may be called) Cardinal Julian boldly maintained the principles of the Council and the cause of the Catholic Church. His mind was naturally capacious: deep and assiduous study, which so commonly contracts a feeble understanding, had enlarged and enlightened his; and a mission, which he had personally undertaken for the conciliation of the Bohemians, had brought before his eyes thecauses, the obstinacy and the contagiousness of spiritual rebellion. He was one of the few Italians, who had penetrated the truth, so long manifest

The 'synodal response of the Council may be found in substance in the Continuator

of Fleury, lib. cvi., § 14. The original is in Labbe's Hist. Concil.

+ This is urged by Æneas Sylvius, Comment. de Gestis Basil. Concil., lib. i., p. 16. The same writer also argues that the Pope is more properly the Vicar of the Church than the Vicar of Christ.

This last position, together with some of the others, was proved by arguments derived (1) from reason, (2) from experience, (3) from authority, in the synodal response addressed to Eugenius, at the second session. The argument from authority chiefly rested on the text from the 18th chapter of St. Matthew- If thy brother shall trespass against thee, and will not hear thee, and shall neglect to hear the witnesses, tell it unto the Church; but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.' Still the question remained, what constituted the Church?

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

to the northern prelates, that a thorough reformation in discipline was necessary for the preservation of the Church. We cannot so well illustrate the condition of affairs at that period, as by citing some passages from the two celebrated epistles which he addressed from Basle to Eugenius*. One great motive with me to join this Council was the deformity and dissoluteness of the German clergy, on account of which the laity are immoderately irritated against the ecclesiastical state: so much so, as to make it matter of serious apprehension whether, if they be not reformed, the people will not rush, after the example of the Hussites, upon the whole clergy, as they publicly menace to do. Moreover, this deformity gives great audacity to the Bohemians, and great colouring to the errors of those, who are loudest in their invectives against the baseness of the clergy on which account, had a general Council not been convoked at this place, it had been necessary to collect a provincial synod for the reform of the German clergy; since, in truth, if that clergy be not corrected, even though the heresy of Bohemia should be extinguished, others would rise up in its place.' If you should dissolve this Council, what will the whole world say, when it shall learn the act? Will it not decide, that the clergy is incorrigible, and desirous for ever to grovel in the filth of its own deformity? Many councils have been celebrated in our days, from which no reform has proceeded; the nations are expecting that some fruit should come from this. But if it is dissolved, all will exclaim that we laugh at God and man. As no hope of our correction will any longer be left, the laity will rush, like Hussites, upon us. This design is already publicly rumoured. The minds of men are pregnant; they are already beginning to vomit the poison intended for our destruction. They will suppose that they are offering a sacrifice to God, when they shall murder or despoil the clergy. Sunk in general estimation into the depth of evil, these last will become odious to God and the world; and the very moderate respect which is now felt for them will entirely perish. This Council is still some little restraint upon secular men; but as soon as they shall find their last hope fail them, they will let loose the reins of public persecution.* 'Should the Council be dissolved, the people of Germany, seeing themselves not only deserted but deluded by the Church, will join with the heretics, and hate us even more than they. Alas! how frightful will be the confusion! how certain the termination! Already I behold the axe laid at the root. The tree is bending to its fall, and can resist no longer. And certainly, though it could stand of itself, we ourselves

The first Epistle begins in these words-Multa me cogunt libere et intrepide loqui ad Sanctitatem vestram; periculum videlicet eversionis fidei ac status ecclesiastici, et subtractionis obedientia a Sede Apostolica in iis partibus; denigratio quoque famæ ejusdem Sanctitatis. Cogit et me charitas qua erga V. S. afficior et qua mihi affici scio. Ita enim opus est ut, intellecto discrimine, cautius rebus agendis postea consulatur.' The following sentiment is worthy of the best ages of Christianity: Et si dicat S. V. Habuimus guerram (bellum); ego respondebo, quod etiam si guerræ adhuc durarent, etiam si essetis certi perdere Romam, et totum patrimonium ecclesiæ, potius subveniendum est fidei et animabus, pro quibus Dominus noster Jesus Christus mortuus est, quam arcibus et moniis civitatum. Carior est Christo una anima quam non solum temporale ecclesiæ patrimonium, sed etiam cœlum et terra.' Again, Pro Deo, non permittat sibi V. S. talia persuaderi, quia timeo dissidium in ecclesia Dei. Vereor ne advenerit tempus, de quo dicit Apostolus, quod oportet primum ut fiat discessio.' The fears of the Cardinal were obviously directed not to a second schism, a mere orthodox division of the Church, but to the absolute revolt of its children. But its destiny was not yet accomplished; one more century of turbulent, contested, and flagitious domination was yet required to fill the cup. But if the overflow did not take place at the time, it at least proceeded from the country, indicated by Julian.

6

should precipitate it to earth.' 'Again, should a prorogation be proposed and a transfer of place, to the end that in the presence of your holiness greater blessings may be accomplished, no man living will believe it. We have been deluded (they say) in the Council of Sienna: so it is again in this; legates have been sent out, bulls have been issued; nevertheless, a change in the place is now sought, and a delay in the time. What better hope will there be then?' Most blessed Father, believe me, the scandals which I have mentioned will not be removed by this delay. Let us ask the heretics, whether they will delay for a year and a half the dissemination of their virulence? Let us ask those, who are scandalized at the deformity of the clergy, if they will for so long delay their indignation? Not a day passes in which that heresy does not sprout forth; not a day in which they do not seduce or oppress some Catholics; they do not lose the smallest moment of time. There is not a day, in which new scandals do not arise from the depravity of the clergy; yet all measures for their remedy are procrastinated! Let us do what can be done now. Let the rest be reserved for this year and a half. For I have great fears that, before the end of the year and a half, unless means be taken to prevent it, the greater part of the clergy of Germany will be in desolation. It is certain, that, if the word should be once spread through Germany that the council is dissolved, the whole body of the clergy would be consigned to plunder.' 'But I hear that some are apprehensive lest the temporalities should be taken away from the.Church by this council. A strange notion! Though, if this council did not consist of ecclesiastics, there might be some question on the subject. But where shall we find the ecclesiastic, who would consent to such a project? not only from its injustice, but from the loss the body would sustain from it. And where the layman? there are none, or next to none? And if some princes should haply send their ambassadors, they will send, for the most part, ecclesiastics, who would in no wise consent. Even the few laymen, who will be present, will not be admitted to vote on matters strictly ecclesiastical; and I scarcely think that there will be, upon the whole, ten secular lords present, and perhaps not half so many. But if we dismiss the council, the laity will then come and take our temporalities indeed. When God wishes to inflict any misfortune upon any people, he first so disposes, that their dangers shall not be perceived nor understood. And such

6

is now the condition of ecclesiastics; they are not blind, but worse than blind; they see the flame before them, and rush headlong into it.' Within these few last days I have received intelligence, which should tend still further to divert you from dissolving the council. The prelates of France have assembled at Bourges, and, after long and scrupulous investigation, have decided that this council is not only legitimate, but must also of necessity be celebrated both in this place and at this time; and so the French clergy is about to join it. The reasons which have moved them to this were sent at the same time, and have been forwarded to your holiness. Why then do you longer delay? You have striven with all your power, by messages, letters, and various other expedients, to keep the clergy away; you have struggled with your whole force utterly to destroy this council. Nevertheless, as you see, it swells and increases day by day, and the more severe the prohibition, the more ardent is the opposite impulse. Tell me now-is not this to resist the will of God? Why do you provoke the Church to indignation? Why do you irritate the Christian people? Condescend, I implore you, so to act, as to secure for yourself the love and good will, and not the hatred, of mankind.'

« PreviousContinue »