DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.71557#0340
308
MEMOIR OF
their opinions, and was cited to Rome to undergo
the scrutiny of the Inquisition; but Paul III.,
whose amiable disposition often inclined him to
shrink from giving effect to the powers with
which that tribunal armed him, put a stop to the
inquiry. Prudence now enjoined his departure
from Italy; and turning his steps to France, he
was graciously received by Margaret of Savoy,
and also at the French Court. In the year 1552
he returned to his native country, confirmed in
his attachment to the Reformed faith by his inter-
course with foreign Protestants, and fixed himself
at Padua, within the Venetian territory*, where
he hoped to enjoy the society of those whose
opinions coincided with his own, without molesta-
tion. But Paul IV., in his furious prosecution of
all suspected heretics, quickly after, cited him to
Rome, and, upon his non-appearance, fulminated a
sentence of excommunication against him. From
the consequences of this sentence he was relieved
by the favour of Pius IV., without abjuration of
his opinions. On the accession of Pius V., who
emulated Paul IV. in implacable bigotry, finding
himself in danger, he fixed at Florence, under the
protection of Cosmo, the Grand Duke of Tuscany,
with the intention of ere long retiring to Geneva.
One day, when Carnesecchi was a guest at his
table, a letter was brought to the grand duke from
the pope, earnestly intreating him to deliver him
* Schelhorn, vol. ii. p. 192. Amcen., Hist. Eccles.
MEMOIR OF
their opinions, and was cited to Rome to undergo
the scrutiny of the Inquisition; but Paul III.,
whose amiable disposition often inclined him to
shrink from giving effect to the powers with
which that tribunal armed him, put a stop to the
inquiry. Prudence now enjoined his departure
from Italy; and turning his steps to France, he
was graciously received by Margaret of Savoy,
and also at the French Court. In the year 1552
he returned to his native country, confirmed in
his attachment to the Reformed faith by his inter-
course with foreign Protestants, and fixed himself
at Padua, within the Venetian territory*, where
he hoped to enjoy the society of those whose
opinions coincided with his own, without molesta-
tion. But Paul IV., in his furious prosecution of
all suspected heretics, quickly after, cited him to
Rome, and, upon his non-appearance, fulminated a
sentence of excommunication against him. From
the consequences of this sentence he was relieved
by the favour of Pius IV., without abjuration of
his opinions. On the accession of Pius V., who
emulated Paul IV. in implacable bigotry, finding
himself in danger, he fixed at Florence, under the
protection of Cosmo, the Grand Duke of Tuscany,
with the intention of ere long retiring to Geneva.
One day, when Carnesecchi was a guest at his
table, a letter was brought to the grand duke from
the pope, earnestly intreating him to deliver him
* Schelhorn, vol. ii. p. 192. Amcen., Hist. Eccles.