s
knowledge; and he conjured them not to publish those papers, or make
any further use of them, till his affairs were in such a situation as to
secure his liberty and independence. And his secret advice was, whenever
they should find the proper time for opening the scene, that they should
prevent all opposition, by proceeding immediately to a conclusion, by
declaring the marriage with Catharine invalid, and by Henry's instantly
espousing some other person. Nor would it be so difficult, he said
for himself to confirm these proceedings, after they were passed, as
previously to render them valid by his consent and authority.[***]

* Burnet, vol. i. p. 47.

** Rymer, vol. xiv. p. 237.

*** Collier, from Cott. Lib. Vitel. b. 10.

{1528.} When Henry received the commission and dispensation from his
ambassadors, and was informed of the pope's advice, he laid the
whole before his ministers, and asked their opinion in so delicate a
situation. The English counsellors considered the danger of proceeding
in the manner pointed out to them. Should the pope refuse to ratify a
deed which he might justly call precipitate and irregular, and should
he disavow the advice which he gave in so clandestine a manner, the king
would find his second marriage totally invalidated; the children
which it might bring him declared illegitimate; and his marriage with
Catharine more firmly riveted than ever.[*] And Henry's apprehensions
of the possibility, or even probability, of such an event, were much
confirmed when he reflected on the character and situation of the
sovereign pontiff.

Clement was a prince of excellent judgment, whenever his timidity, to
which he was extremely subject, allowed him to make full use of
those talents and that penetration with which he was endowed.[**] The
captivity and other misfortunes which he had undergone by entering into
a league against Charles, had so affected his imagination, that he never
afterwards exerted himself with vigor in any public measure; especially
if the interest or inclinations of that potentate stood in opposition to
him. The imperial forces were at that time powerful in Italy, and might
return to the attack of Rome, which was still defenceless, and exposed
to the same calamities with which it had already been overwhelmed. And
besides these dangers, Clement fancied himself exposed to perils which
threatened still more immediately his person and his dignity.

* Burnet, vol