reated him to put an end, once for all, to the pope's
usurpation; and to invite the Protestant princes, for the universal weal of
Christendom, to unite in a common alliance. In his present situation he was
inclined to act upon this advice. "As concerning his own realm, he had
already taken such order with his nobles and subjects, as he would shortly
be able to give to the pope such a buffet as he never had heretofore;" but
as a German alliance was a matter of great weight and importance,
"although," he concluded, "we consider it to be right expedient to set
forth the same with all diligence, yet we intend nothing to do therein
without making our good brother first privy thereunto. And for this cause
and consideration only, you may say that we have at this time addressed
these letters unto you, commanding you to declare our said purpose unto our
good brother, and to require of him on our behalf his good address and best
advice. Of his answer we require you to advertise us with all diligence,
for according thereunto we intend to attemper our proceedings. We have
lately had advertisements how that our said good brother should, by the
labour of divers affectionate Papists, be minded to set forth something
with his clergy in advancement of the pope and his desires. This we cannot
believe that he will do."[672]

The meaning of this letter lies upon the surface. If the European powers
were determined to leave him no alternative, the king was prepared to ally
himself with the Lutherans. But however he might profess to desire that
alliance, it was evident that he would prefer, if possible, a less extreme
resource. The pope had ceased to be an object of concern to him; but he
could not contemplate, without extreme unwillingness, a separation from the
orderly governments who professed the Catholic faith. The pope had injured
him; Francis had deceived him; they had tempted his patience because they
knew his disposition. The limit of endurance had been reached at length;
yet, on the verge of the concluding rupture, he turned once more, as if to
offer a last opportunity of peace.

The reply of Francis was an immediate mission of the Bishop of Bayonne (now
Bishop of Paris), first into England, and from England to Rome, where he
was to endeavour, to the best of his ability, to seam together the already
gaping rent in the church with fair words--a hopeless task--the results of
which, however, were unexpectedly considerable, as will be pr