The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

THE CASE OF CARRANZA. 349
the chapter of Toledo on July 20th, 1567, that the trial would
end " very soon."^
As a matter of fact, however, the decision was by no means
at hand. On November 7th, 1567, the tribunal asked to be
allowed first to examine the writings of Carranza which had
been left in Spain. On March 27th, 1568, it wrote to Spain
for further information as to the various statements of the
archbishop. On August 2nd in the same year, the Pope, in a
brief to the Cardinal Espinosa, asked to have the writings of
Carranza on the Epistles of St. Paul, and his sermons which
were in the possession of private individuals. ^ The case had
not really been ripe for judgment when it had been transferred
to Rome. On December 31st, 1564, the day when the Papal
demand to take over the case took effect, the trial in Spain
had been abruptly stopped and no further steps had been taken
there to continue it.^ About the middle of 1569, however,
the deliberations were so advanced that everyone was of
opinion that a decision was imminent. In October the sessions
and deliberations of the commission came to an end, the Pope
took possession of the minutes of the trial, and together with
Cardinals Peretti and Aldobrandini subjected them to a close
examination in order that he might form his own opinion on
the matter. It was thought that the final judgment would be
pronounced about Easter, 1570.*
This time, too, the general expectation was at fault ;
events
stated that the archbishop will soon be set at liberty. On August
12, 1570 {ibid. 318) it is reported that the end of the case had been
proposed, but very secretly, at a meeting of the Inquisition. On
July 18, 1571 (Urb. 1042, p. 89b, loc. cit.) it is stated that the case
is very near its end.
^ PoGiANi Epist., IV., 260 seq.
^ Corresp. dipl., II., xxiv. Cf. Zuniga to Philip II., August 17,
1567, ibid. 439 seqq. ; Philip II., October 11, 1568, on the appoint-
ment of further Spanish assessors, ibid. 474 seq. The *br'.ef of
November 7, 1567, to Cardinal Espinosa in Brevia, Arm. 44,
t.T3, p. Gob, Papal Secret Archives,
^ Corresp. dipl., II., xxvii.
' Ibid. IV., X., xiv.