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The Papal Sentence.
259

would still be needed. But essentially, and on the main cause of the trouble, the Pope had at last spoken, and spoken finally.[1] The passionate and devout Ortiz poured out on the occasion the emotions of grateful Catholicity. "The Emperor," he wrote, "had won the greatest of his victories—a victory over Hell. There had been difficulties even to the last. Campeggio had opposed, but at last had yielded to the truth. The Pope repented of his delay, but now feared he had committed a great sin in hesitating so long. The holy martyr, the Queen of England, had been saved. The Cardinals in past years had been bribed by the French King; by the influence of the Holy Spirit they had all decided in the Queen's favour. Their conscience told them they could not vote against her."[2]

In England the news of the decision had not been waited for. Two days after the issue of the Bull, the Act abolishing the Pope's authority was read the last time in the House of Lords, to the regret, said Chapuys, of a minority of good men, who could not carry the House along with them.

  1. Cifuentes to Charles V., March 24.—Spanish Calendar, vol. v. p. 84.
  2. Ortiz to Charles V., March 24, 1534.—Ibid. vol. v. p. 89.