Yet no such measure could be lightly hazarded.

A congress while the Council was yet sitting, would have been too palpable and cynical a declaration of the Papal game.

As events showed, it was not even necessary.

When Lorraine returned to Trent, the French opposition came to an end.

The Spanish had been already neutralized by the firm persistent exhibition of Philip's will to work for Roman absolutism.[48] There was nothing left but to settle details, to formulate the terms of ecclesiastical reform, and to close the Council of Trent with a unanimous vote of confidence in his Holiness.