Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 4.djvu/280

260 of the occasion while it endured, and in December, 1545; the Council of Trent was opened for despatch of business. The Emperor, dragged into a reluctant approval, permitted the attendance of the bishops of Spain, partly to gratify the Pope, partly to control the Italians; and so welcome were they, and so doubtful had been their coming, that when they arrived, the cardinals, legates, and prelates went out to receive them at the gates, and a special seat of honour was assigned to the Archbishop of Toledo as the Imperial representative.

If prudence was still important, the presence of some one in authority who could keep his judgment cool was not unnecessary. The zealous fathers desired at once to draw the sword and pass a censure on the Germans before Charles was ready for the struggle for which he was obliged in haste to prepare himself. The Archbishop of Toledo interposed. In spite of a querulous murmur, he contrived for the time to turn the heat of discussion into less dangerous channels. Original sin was brought forward, and next a fertile discussion on the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin. And when on this point the fiery conflict had burnt out, the Bishop of Fiesoli threw in the