Protestantism in Poland and Bohemia - James Aitken Wylie

decisive effects on the Kingdom of Poland and its
future destinies. "It would have upset," says
Krasinski, "the dominion of Rome in Poland for
ever."[5] Rome saw the danger in all its extent, and
sent one of her ablest diplomatists to cope with it.
Cardinal Commendoni, who had given efficient aid
to Queen Mary of England in 1553, in her
attempted restoration of Popery, was straightway
dispatched to employ his great abilities in arresting
the triumph of Protestantism, and averting ruin
from the Papacy in the Kingdom of Poland. The
legate put forth all his dexterity and art in his
important mission, and not without effect. He
directed his main efforts to influence the mind of
Sigismund Augustus. He drew with masterly hand
a frightful picture of the revolts and seditions that
were sure to follow such a Council as it was
contemplated holding. The warring winds, once let
loose, would never cease to rage till the vessel of
the Polish State was driven on the rocks and
shipwrecked. For every concession to the heretics
and the blind mob, the king would have to part
with as many rights of his own. His laws
contemned, his throne in the dust, who then would
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