Part 16
In a word, this _Pope_ had undertaken the ruine of all Protestant Princes; wherefore he sent great Succours to the Emperour in his war against the Prince _Palatine_ of _Rhine_, who after some resistance was driven out of his Country, and proclaimed Traytor to the Empire: whereupon his dignity of Prince Elector was conferred upon _Maximilian_, Duke of _Baviere_, a Catholick Prince, much protected by the _Pope_.
And the Emperour, in acknowledgment of the _Pope’s_ zeal and affection, presented him with the Prince _Palatines_ Library, esteemed, for the great number of Manuscripts in all Tongues, one of the most famous of all _Europe_: The _Pope_, having thanked his Imperial Majesty, caused the Library to be transported to _Rome_ with great charge and expence; and as soon as it came, he solemnly sanctified it with his blessing, and so laid it up.
_Paul_ the fifth was almost of the same humour, though he did not undertake things so rashly, but would wisely consider the good and evil that might come of them. It is believed, that in his time an infinite number of Hereticks return’d to the Church of _Rome_; but I am sure, that above a hundred _Italian_ Families forsook their Country, and withdrew into Protestant Princes Territories, where they might freely follow the Rites of their Religion. Particularly, they went to _Geneva_, where great numbers resorted every day, and above all many _Lucheses_, of which some are now aggregated amongst the principal Families of that City.
This _Pope_, though so zealous for the Church, was nevertheless very Indulgent to his Family, who did usurp a power and authority, as prejudicial to the Church as it was offensive to Princes; with whom the _Borgheses_, as well as the _Barberins_, would often enter into contest.
In the time of this _Pope_, _Italy_ had like to have seen sixteen Cities of it become Protestants, as Monsieur _De Lion_, the French King’s Embassadour told the _Pope_; and thus the occasion was:
Paul _and his Kindred_, _for I know not what reasons_, _did bear a secret grudge to the State of_ Venice, _and did wait for nothing more than for some occasion of shewing their spleen_; _and it falling out that the State of_ Venice, _according to their ancient Form of Government_, _did put some Church-men in Prison_; _the_ Pope _upon the notice of it excommunicated not only the Senate_, _but the whole Nation of the_ Venetians, _as if they had been guilty of their Magistrates fault_. _But these wise Senators were not so easily daunted_, _but resolving either to preserve their power and authority within their Government_, _or to hazard the ruine of it_, _set some of their Divines on work to write against the_ Pope’s _authority_, _and his Excommunication_; _which writings did then_, _and have since produced so great an effect in the minds of most men_, _that now there is not any little Prince of_ Italy _that cares for the_ Popes _Excommunication_, _as it has been clearly seen by the examples of the Duke of_ Parma, _the Commonwealth of_ Lucca, _the Duke_ Charles _of_ Lorain, _and many others_.
The constancy of the _Venetians_ was invincible in this occasion, and so great, that they sent the _Pope_ word, _That if he did not recall his Excommunication they would provide for their own preservation by such remedies as should become the dignity of their State_, _and its ancient Majesty_.
And that they might the sooner bring the _Pope_ to their desires, they politickly sent to _Geneva_ to require that City to send them some of their most able Ministers to instruct them in the Protestant Religion. This Artifice having frighted the _Pope_ into a condescendency, he was fain to come to an agreement very disadvantageous for the honour of the Sea of _Rome_.
If this _Pope_ had not been so unjustly severe towards the State of _Venice_, he would have left a much better name behind him. For to say truth, he did the Church much more good than evil: but it was, and will be, a great spot to his reputation to have gone about to undo the Bulwark of Christendom: for such has the State of _Venice_ alwaies been reputed.
We must be forced to skip _Leo_ the eleventh (for his short life gave him no time to do good, and hindred him from doing any harm to the Church) and come to _Clement_ the eighth, who was a _Pope_ that lived both with his Kindred, and for them a good while.
Christendom was involved in great troubles when he came to the Pontificate, there being nothing but Wars and Divisions. The Turks did assault _Germany_, and the Protestants did torment the rest of the Catholick Princes; besides that, the banish’d Criminals of the Kingdom of _Naples_ had made themselves Masters of a great part of it, and spread themselves over all the Country. The _Pope’s_ main end, amongst all these disorders, was first to provide for his Kindred; and that care took up so much of his time and treasure, that he was not in a condition to succour those Princes that were fighting for the defence of that Religion of which he was the Head. In the mean time the _Spaniards_, who had a mind to hinder Henry King of Navar from possessing the Crown of France, which he was lawful Heir of; foreseeing that of themselves they would not be able to resist _Henry’s_ Right, nor hold out against so generous and warlike a Prince, they did their utmost Endeavours to get the Pope on their side, and declare against the King of Navar, as against an Heretick, and by consequent incapable of receiving the Crown.
At first, the _Pope_ refused to engage openly in a business which would be necessarily expensive and troublesom; and therefore for a while he let the _Spaniards_ alone, hoping that of themselves they would be strong enough to effect the Work without him: But they having perceived his intention, soon made a breach in it by the means of the _Nipotismo_, which they gained; and at whose perswasion the _Pope_ sent an Army under the Conduct of _Appio Conti_, who was kill’d in an Encounter by some of _Henry’s_ Forces.
The Catholick Princes of the Realm of France, who were on Henry’s side, together with the greatest part of the Nation, sent upon this the Marquis of _Pisani_ to _Rome_, to desire the Pope to recall his Army, and not to oppose a Prince who had promised to be instructed in the Catholick Religion: But the _Pope_ not only refused their Request, but would not so much as endure that the Marquis should set his foot in any part of the State of the Church.
Things being in this posture, _Henry_ at last resolved to dash all his Adversaries Machines to pieces at one blow; and therefore he solemnly renounced his Heresie, and was reconciled to the Church: So in spite of the _Pope_ and the _Spaniards_, he obtained a Crown, which could never have encompassed a more worthy Head than his. After this, the _Pope’s_ Army was fain to retire, having done little or nothing.
The same hapned in _Flanders_, whither he sent another Army to help the _Spaniards_ against the _United Provinces_, who, since the death of the Duke of _Parma_, had obtained many Victories; but it was with as little success as the first: So that the _Pope_, weary of spending the Treasure of the Church to no purpose, commanded his Forces home, leaving the _Spaniards_ to look after their own Affairs.
The Expences of this _Pope_ were exorbitant; for he did undertake every thing rashly, and more out of _Capriccio_, than ripe judgment and deliberation: So that he undoubtedly did the Church more hurt than good.
There is little to be said of _Innocent_ the Ninth, _Gregory_ the Fourteenth, and _Urban_ the Seventh; for the greatest mischief they did the Church, was, that they liv’d so little. We will therefore come to _Sixtus_ the Fifth.
The _Nipotismo_ of this _Pope_ was one of the most innocent ones that ever was seen; for he hindred them from taking any part in the Government: So that they were in the Court, like Beggars at a Church door, of whom few People take notice.
Not that he was so severe, as to hinder them from a share in his Fortune; for he did bestow large Revenues upon them all: observing nevertheless, to refuse always every thing that they begg’d, and to give them when they least thought of it. He did much affect this sort of Generosity, or rather Soverainty; for he never suffered any of his Relations to put their hands into his Coffers; nay, he was so absolute, that once he banished a Kinsman of his, because he found his House better furnished, than it could be by those Gratifications which he had received from the _Pope_, who used no more words with him but these, _We have given you so much_, _and you have so much_; _How came you by the rest_? And so without delay he banish’d him, and divided his Fortune amongst his other Relations.
If the Nephews of other _Popes_ become rich, it is by the abuse they make of that Authority which they usurp in the _Pope’s_ Name. But it was not so with the _Nipotismo_ of _Sixtus_; for he never gave blindly, but with his eyes open, and discreetly: And if there were any Error committed in their growing rich, it was the _Pope_ that was the Author of it, and not they, who were meerly passive, and did but receive their Uncles Liberalities.
There is no doubt, but that under this _Pope_ the Church received much more benefit than damage; for the _Nipotismo_ having no Power, could not be otherwise than good and innocent; and the _Pope_ himself was so wise and vertuous a Prince, that there were few Miscarriages in his time; if we except that only occasion, in which _Sixtus_, by his too hasty Excommunication of King _Henry_ the Third of _France_, brought the Church in danger of losing for ever so noble and flourishing a part of _Christendom_; as it had hapned already, by the rashness of one _Pope_, that the Kingdom of _England_ was entirely lost, only because _Clement_ the Seventh would not yield a little of his Authority. And indeed, I think, the greatest blemish upon the Reputation of _Sixtus_ is, that he suffer’d himself to be so far transported with anger, as to Excommunicate _Henry_ the Third of _France_, for having caused the Cardinal of _Guise_ to be killed, and the Cardinal of _Bourbon_ to be shut up in a close Prison, with the Archbishop of _Lyons_, who were indeed all three Traytors to the Kingdom, and Conspirators against the Royal Person of _Henry_. The Consistory of Cardinals did oppose this violent Resolution of _Sixtus_, by remonstrating to him the terrible consequence of it, and the danger that all the Church would incur by the loss of so noble a Christian Kingdom.
But the _Pope_ laughing at all this, answered the Cardinals in this manner; _If therefore you will have it so_, _we will bring it to pass_, _that from henceforward you shall be neither honour’d nor reverenc’d by Princes nor Kings_; _but despis’d_, _vilified_, _and exposed to the hands both of the Oppressor_, _and the Executioner_. _Certainly_, _if the killing of Cardinals be conniv’d at_, _and pass’d over without resentment and chastisement_, _it may very easily become the Case of every one of you_. _However_, _we will rather do that which Justice requires_, _though you little care that Reason be done for the Violence committed_, _not so much against you_, _as the Sacred Purple_.
Nevertheless, the _Pope_ was wary, not to precipitate things so suddenly; but suffered five Months to pass, after the death of the Cardinal of _Guise_: during which interval, he made by Letters several Admonitions to the King; all which proved to no purpose, the King being resolute not to free the Cardinal out of Prison, which the _Pope_ so vehemently urged. Whereupon, seeing he could not prevail, he thundered out the greater Excommunication, with all the accustomed Forms, against the King, and against all those who in the said matter should afford Counsel to, or in any manner whatsoever assist him. Besides which, he also cited the said King to make his personal Appearance at _Rome_, within the term of seventy days, there to give account of the Death of the Cardinal of _Guise_, and the Imprisonment of the Cardinal of _Bourbon_.
The King conceived great indignation upon this proceeding of the _Pope_, and began to advise with the Prelates, Bishops, and Counsellors of greatest trust with him, how to ward off such a Storm; and things were carried so far, that the Council-Royal seem’d resolv’d to create a Patriarch in _France_, particularly for the _Gallicane_ Church, who should not in any wise be subject to, or have so much as the least Communication with the Church of _Rome_: And ’tis likely the _French_, who affect Novelties, would not have been backward to close with this Resolution.
But whilst Matters went on in this manner, it so came to pass, that the King, as he lay with a great Army at S. _Cloud_, two Leagues from _Paris_, was on the first day of _August_, in the year 1569. wounded in the belly with a two-edged Knife, by a Dominican Fryar named _Jaques Clement_ Native of the City of _Lans_, and of the age of twenty three years, as he was receiving Letters from the hand of the said Friar, who was upon his knees; of which Wound he died within fourteen hours, in regard his Entrals were pierc’d, having imploy’d this short in ordering such things as concerned his Soul.
This Murder hapned seventy eight days after the Summons by the _Pope_ for his Appearance at _Rome_, within seventy days; and his Holiness rejoyced not a little at it, since hereby the displeasure, which the Consistory of Cardinals, the People, and Nobility had conceiv’d against him, as one that car’d not much to see the destruction of a Kingdom, which would breed disturbance to the common quiet of _Italy_, from Age to Age, both by Sea and Land.
Great were the Stirs which succeeded in _France_ after the King’s death; inasmuch as _Henry_ King of _Navar_, next Heir to the Crown, began to endeavour the possession thereof, by warring against the Lords of the _Ligue_, who were back’d and upheld by the _Spaniards_, by whom the Succession of _Henry_ was infinitely opposed.
In these Commotions and Broils of _France_, the _Pope_ gave not those Assistances to the _Ligue_, which they expected and required; and this upon several accounts, but especially because he would not condescend to the Instances of the Cardinals and the _Spaniards_, who much solicited him; giving them this answer, _When we were against the dead_ Henry, _all you were our Opponents_; _Now that you would persecute the living_ Henry, _we will not side with you_, _for the sake of our own Interest_.
It was not a little displeasing to the King of _Spain_, that the _Pope_ did not succour the _Ligue_, nor declare Excommunicate those Princes and Prelates that followed the side of _Navar_; so that the King resolv’d to make some Protestations to the _Pope_ concerning this Tergiversation. But his Holiness wanted not Pretexts to fence with, and in a manner made sport with those _Spanish_ Cardinals, who importun’d him either to unite with the _Ligue_, or send considerable Assistance to it.
_Gregory_ the Thirteenth had Nephews, who did not degenerate from the Name of _Buoncompagno_; that is to say, they little car’d to do good, and less to do evil. Nevertheless, according to the Instinct which seems natural to _Pope’s_ Nephews, this Family of _Buoncompagno_ could not restrain it self from disgusting some of the principal Persons of the City, by the death of two Gentlemen, pretended to be slain by accident, through the indiscretion of the _Sbirri_ or Serjeants. A Policy observed by all Nephews, to colour their vindicative Outrages upon all occasions.
From hence it may be gathered, That the intention of the _Buoncompagni_ propended more to Evil than to Good; and accordingly they fail’d not to give Instances of the former, though ’tis hard to find any of the latter.
But if Nephewship ever did good in _Rome_, ’twas in the time of _Pius_ the Fifth, when all the Proceedings of the Nephews were directed to Good, in regard they wanted Spirit to gainsay the good intention of this _Pope_; who could not endure to see them in _Rome_, out of a jealousie, that being fatned with the Treasure of the Church, they might fall into the same wicked Road, which had been trodden out by so many others.
_Paul_ the Fourth (for there is not much to be said of _Pius_ the Fourth) took not the same course; for he advanc’d a Nephew, who for the space of neer five years, knew not how to do any thing but evil, and evil so enormous, that his Uncle was forced to drive him out of _Rome_, and his Successor to put him to death in _Rome_.
In the beginning of this _Pope’s_ Reign, the Murthers, Rapes, Violences, Robberies, Cheats, Injustices, and a thousand other Enormities and Vices, which surrounded the Ecclesiastical State, to the damage of all _Christendom_, were attributed to the _Pope_, who had set up his Kindred in _Rome_; whom after the _Pope_ had banished the City, his Holiness’s Reputation seem’d to revive in the hearts of the Catholicks, who had been scandalized at him, and now saw, that all the Mischiefs were to be attributed to the _Pope’s_ wicked Relations.
’Tis a strange thing, That amongst so many Nephews great and small of the House of _Caraffa_, into whose hand the _Pope_ had put the Government of the Church, there should not be one into whose head ever came so much as a single thought to do any manner of good to the Church, to _Christendom_, or to the afflicted State Ecclesiastical.
The mischief which the Nephews of _Pope Caraffa_ brought to the Church, or rather to the whole World, was so great, that to this present day the People of _Rome_ retain a certain impression of hatred against all that bear the Name of _Caraffa_, however Noble Gentlemen; it not being possible for any so much as to behold one of them, without regret and aversion.
Cardinal _Caraffa_ was twice in danger (I say, in danger; for in him the _Papacy_ would have been endanger’d) to be _Pope_; Once at the time of the Election of _Innocent_, and before at that of _Urban_; But at both times he was excluded, for the sole consideration of his being of the Family of _Caraffa_; the very Name whereof, in remembrance of the Nephews of _Paul_ the Fourth, remains extremely odious both to small and great.
Otherwise, the Cardinal in himself was a Person of merit, and vertue sufficient, to enable to ascend to such a Dignity, as well as those others that have ascended in his place. Some excluded him, because they doubted lest the _Caraffi_ would turn once again to the _Sicut erat_, that is, to aggrandize themselves at the cost of the Church, and the damage of all _Christendom_; and so much the more, in regard the number of the said Cardinal’s Nephews was so great, that even himself could hardly count them; notwithstanding that he did what he could to make it believed, that he was wholly free from personal interest, as well as that of blood.
Long would the discourse be, and infinite the words, if I were obliged to give account of the Nephews of all the _Popes_, one after another (according to the order begun) down to _Sixtus_ the fourth: to whom, as being the Introducer, not of the _Nipotismo_ it self into _Rome_, but of the Pride and boundless Authority thereof, may be justly attributed all the Evil, which, for the two last Ages, the Nephews of _Popes_ have caused to the Church.
Wherefore, I will for the present omit to make a distinct survey of the mischiefs of the other; partly, because I know not readily how to discover the good of any; and partly, because my heart will not suffer me to view, without tears, the Evil of all; which is the more grievous, because irremediable.
What might I say of _Marcellus_ the second, who lived but a short time, and gave no authority to his Nephews? Or what of _Julius_ the third, who minded nothing else but Feasting, sometimes with one, sometimes with another; and kept his Kindred at _Rome_, rather to accompany him to Entertainments, than to assist him in the Government of the Church, which he little heeded?
What Discourse shall I make of _Paul_ the Third, who would have had the _Farnesian_ Lillies turned the State of the Church into one sole Garden for their own use? Or of _Clement_ the Seventh, who out of a _Capriccio_ lost the Kingdom, by refusing to grant _Henry_ the Eighth of _England_ a Divorce from _Catherine_, and a Licence to marry _Anne Bouillon_, with whom he was in love? What praise shall I attribute to _Adrian_ the Sixth, a great Enemy to his own Relations, and perpetually averse from the introducing of a _Nipotismo_?
What shall I say of _Leo_ the Tenth, of the most Noble Family of the _Medici_? Where shall I find the good which he did to the Church, spoiling other Princes of their States, to transfer them to his own House? What Title shall we give to _Julius_ the Second, of whom it was not known whether he were inclin’d to the hatred or love of his Relations? What shall I say of _Pius_ the Third, who liv’d not long enough to receive the Visits of his Kindred?
But if there be not much to be said of the forementioned _Popes_, there is a super-abundance of matter to be said of _Alexander_ the Sixth, whose very memory raises horror in the breasts of the _Romans_, even to this day. It seems God Almighty thought fit to chastise _Christendom_ with the barbarity of this _Pope_, who, not contented with his own cruel, covetous, and insatiable nature, introduc’d a _Nipotismo_ not degenerating from the manners of their Uncle.
Amongst the other _Popes_ and their Nephews, was seen, though in the midst of much ill, some spark and glimmering of good; whereas in the Person of _Alexander_ and his Nephews, was never perceptible the least ray of good, amidst a vast Ocean of evil; deplorable even by future Ages, not only to those which were so unhappy as to see him living.
Some strongly believed, That this _Barbarian Pope_ had sworn himself, and caus’d his Kindred likewise to swear, _Never to do good to the Church_. And they had reason to think so, whilst no sort of Reason prevailed with him, or any of them, who acted all things with an Authority not otherwise limited than by their own unbridled Passion.
He would not allow that the City of _Rome_ should enjoy certain holy priviledges peculiar to it alone; and therefore in the year 1500, having publish’d an Universal _Jubile_, he granted more Indulgences to those that staid at home than to those who, as the custom is, came to visit the Churches of _Rome_, ordain’d for that purpose.
Nevertheless, some were willing to think that he did this out of good policy, as doubting lest, all the people of Christendom being already offended with the wicked carriage of his Sons, there might happen at _Rome_, amidst the variety and confusion of sundry Nations, some resolution to the prejudice of all his House. But such reasons had no place in his mind; for those that came to _Rome_, were led thither by devotion; and the diversity of Nations hinders the Union of a People that would take Arms against their Lord.
The principal cause lay in his own humour, which was cruel and totally averse from doing good to any others besides his own Relations: And whereas by so great a concourse the _Romans_ were likely to gain something by the traffick of holy Merchandise, to wit, Medals, Crowns, and other consecrated works, besides the Rent of Lodgings, and sale of Provisions; He would not that they should enjoy this benefit, although the hindrance of it was accompanied with loss both to himself, the Church of St. _Peter_, and the Office of the Datary.