But he was aware that the very existence of the Papacy depended on circumspection.

He therefore used all his advantages with caution, and resolved to win the day by diplomacy.

With this object in view he introduced the further system of negotiating with the Catholic Courts through special agents.
Instead of framing the decrees upon the information furnished by his Legates, he in his turn submitted them to Philip, Catherine de'Medici, and Ferdinand, agreed on terms of mutual concession, persuaded the princes that their interests were identical with his own, and then returned such measures to the Council as could be safely passed.

In course of time the Holy Ghost was not packed up at Rome for Trent in carpet-bags before he had gone round of Europe and made his bow in all cabinets.
It must not, however, be thought that matters went smoothly for the Pope at first, or that so novel a method as that which I have described, whereby the faith and discipline of Christendom were settled by negotiations between sovereigns, came suddenly into existence.

In its first sessions the Council, to quote the Pope's own words, resembled the Tower of Babel rather than a Synod of Fathers.