Prodromus or Forerunner

...concerning status and observance, especially in the matter of the reformed Archdioceses and Bishoprics original: Ertz- und Stiffter; these were territories ruled by bishops or archbishops, many of which had been taken over by Protestant administrators., as well as confiscated monasteries and ecclesiastical properties, a majority could always be established. Thus, by these same means in the Council of Princes original: Fürstenraht; the house of the Imperial Diet where the various princes and lords of the Empire voted on legislation., whatever the Papists desire could be pushed through. This would then be the swift and certain path to ensure that, in a few years, nothing would remain of the Lutherans and Calvinists, neither root nor branch.

Regarding this, it must be carefully noted that although the Imperial Capitulation original: Kaiserliche capitulation; the formal contract of conditions that an Emperor-elect had to sign before his coronation, outlining the rights of the estates. Article 39 explicitly demands that His Imperial Majesty should seek the advice of the Electors from the very beginning in important and difficult matters; yet in this most difficult of all matters—where such an assault is made upon the College of Electors original: Churfürstliche Collegium; the elite group of princes responsible for electing the Emperor, whose composition was a cornerstone of Imperial law., one noble pillar of the Empire is torn away and another set in its place, and the Empire is stirred up over it—it is intended to overthrow the Religious and Secular Peace original: Religion- und prophanfrieden; referring primarily to the Peace of Augsburg (1555), which provided the legal framework for coexistence between Catholic and Lutheran states. all at once, despite so many sincere assurances previously given. This has happened even though the secular Electors are the most affected, yet none of them were ever consulted. Indeed, the Elector of Saxony original: Churfürst von Sachsen; John George I, a leading Protestant prince who often found himself caught between his loyalty to the Emperor and his faith. himself was only informed after the fact and was treated as if he were nothing original Latin: pro nullâ.

Instead, the Pope must send a Capuchin original: Capucciner; a Catholic friar from a branch of the Franciscans, often used as diplomatic envoys during this period. (because the Jesuits original: Jesuiter; the Society of Jesus, who were often viewed by Protestants as the primary instigators of the Counter-Reformation and political subversion. have lost their credibility) to the ecclesiastical Electors for this purpose. And before all others—even before the collective Electors of the Empire—this must be negotiated with the King of Spain original: König auß Spania; Philip IV of Spain, whose interest in the Palatinate was strategic for the "Spanish Road" military supply route.. It is his consent that is sought, urged, and secured, rather than that of the Electors. Where then remains