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128 told the Ambassador that unless the Emperor would permit his master to divorce the Queen and take another wife, there was no remedy left. The King's scruples of conscience, instead of abating, were on the increase, owing to the opinions of others who thought as he did, and no one in the world could turn him. Chapuys thought it more likely than not that the question would be introduced at once into Parliament, where he had heard that a majority had been bribed or gained over to the King's side. With the consent of the Commons he would consider himself secure all round. Should the Pope pronounce in favour of the Queen, the English would say that the sentence was unjust, for, besides the suspicion and ill-will they had towards the Pope and other ecclesiastical judges, they would allege that in confirming the Bull of Pope Julius, the Pope and Cardinals would be only influenced by their own interest "to increase the authority of the Pope, and procure him money by such dispensations."

At this moment Chapuys feared some precipitate step on Henry's part. Norfolk, whom he saw frequently, told him that "there was nothing which the King would not grant the Emperor to obtain his consent, even to becoming his slave for ever." "The reform of the clergy was partly owing to the anger of the people at the advocation of the cause to Rome." "Nearly all the people hated the priests," Chapuys said—an important testimony from an unwilling witness. Peers and Commons might be brought to agree that Popes could grant no dispensations in marriages or anything else, and so save their money. If there was nothing to restrain them but respect for the Pope,