[Sidenote: 1538] The most obvious results of the Consilium was to put another weapon into the hands of the Lutherans.

Published by an unauthorized person, it was at once seized upon by the Reformers as proof of the hopeless depravity of the Curia.
So dangerous did it prove to simple-minded Catholics that it was presently put on the Index! Paul's diplomacy tried to play off the Empire against France and to divert the attention of both to a crusade against the Turk.

Hoping to advance the cause of the church by means of the war declared by Charles V on the Schmalkaldic League, the pope, in return for a subsidy, exacted a declaration in the treaty, that the reason of the war was religious and the occasion for it the refusal of the Protestants to recognize the Council of Trent's authority.

But when Charles was victor he used his advantage only to strengthen his own prerogative, not effectively to suppress heresy.

Paul now dreaded the emperor more than he did the Protestants and his position was not made easier by the threat of Charles to come to terms with the Lutherans did Paul succeed in rousing France against him.