Part 17

All the good he did to the Church, was, that he shew’d himself very liberal to Writers and Learned men of all sorts; not out of any natural inclination towards them, but only to oblige them to write well of himself and his Kindred. And accordingly there were some infamous Writers (as I may deservedly call them) who made comparison between his Raign and that of _Alexander_, with a parallel of the qualities of these two persons. Amongst the rest one made a Book, intituled, _The glories of the Papacy of_ Alexander _the Sixth and the_ Borgian _Family_. God give a thousand ill years to such Writers, who flatter falsly, and at their pleasure make Angels of Devils, and Saints of Tyrants.

An other good thing which this _Pope_ seem’d to do to the City of _Rome_, was, that there being a great dearth in the State, he caused great plenty of corn to be brought from _Sicily_, and by this means render’d the City very plentifully stored. But ’twas not any affection for the people that induc’d him to it, but he did it out of consideration of great profit to himself; for he sold corn at _Rome_ for double the price it cost in _Sicily_, trading with the Churches money, and putting the gain into the purse of his Bastards. Whence it may be concluded, that he never had any intention to do good to the publick.

_Innocent_ the eighth, of the house of _Cibo_, was as benign and inclin’d to do good, as _Alexander_ was cruel and addicted to do evil. The truth is, _Innocent_, who gave neither Offices nor Riches to his Relations, but with moderation (as I have said in due place) was a _Pope_ worthy of that time, when Christendom seem’d to be threatned with most heavy calamities.

This man studied from morning to night how to procure benefit to the Church, ease to the People, and comfort to the Catholicks; so that no sooner was any thing mention’d to him, but he presently answer’d, _So be that it bring good to the Publick_. From whence it may easily be gather’d, that all his motions tended to do good, and were far from the design of doing evil.

He rewarded all those Cardinals who had nominated and promoted him to the Papal Chair. To the Monastick Orders he granted particular favours and priviledges, especially to that of St. _Dominique_ and St. _Francis_. He lightned the Church, and likewise the Palace and Court of all superfluous expenses. He us’d great charity towards the Poor. He lov’d his Country, and caus’d most ample satisfaction to be given to the _Genoeses_ who had been ill treated during the vacancy of the See. He honour’d, and requir’d others to honour all extraneous Nations of the World; insomuch that the Turk himself sent an Embassadour to him with some Presents, meerly because he had understood this generous demeanour of the _Pope_; amongst which Presents was the Title of the Holy Cross, and the Spear which pierc’d the side of our Saviour. Thus the _Romans_ report and believe; and accordingly I write it.

He readily pardon’d injuries receiv’d, provided his Pardon were desir’d with humility; and he receiv’d Embassadours with so great curtesies, that in those days, the Princes of Christendom knew not how to do a greater favour to a deserving Officer of State than to send him Embassadour to _Rome_, to negotiate with so worthy and good a _Pope_.

He re-bless’d the _Venetians_, who had been interdicted by his Predecessor; and although a _Genoese_, yet he omitted not to bestow divers favours on the Senate; being wont to say, _That Popes may receive great honour by keeping good correspondence with the Republick_, _and great shame by breaking with it_. Whence during his Government he entred into League with the _Venetians_, not in order to raise war against any, but only for procuring an Universal peace, and the tranquillity of all Christendom.

He suppress’d all those Tyrants who in several places tyrannis’ed over the State Ecclesiastical. He reduc’d unto friendship the disunited hearts of the _Romans_, particularly, the Families of _Colonna_, _Orsini_, _Margoni_, and _Santa Croce_, which were all embroil’d together in civil feuds; and he commanded all Governours of the State to use their utmost endeavour for extinguishing all other intestine combustions.

He reduc’d all the Kings and Princes of _Europe_ to an Universal Peace (and believe me, ’tis little less than a miracle to unite together so many disunited minds.) And indeed since the daies of _Augustus Cæsar_, never was there seen in _Europe_ so great a peace and concord between all Princes: who attributed this blessed tranquillity to the pious intention and good conduct of the _Pope_.

He brought to pass, that three the most powerful Armies that ever appeared in the world were rais’d for the destruction of the Turk; two by Land, whereof one was commanded by the Emperour, the other by the King of _Hungary_; and the third was a very mighty Fleet commanded by the _Pope_ in Person, accompanied with the Kings of _France_, _Spain_, and _England_, besides part of the Colledge of Cardinals, and a great number of Princes.

But whilst all things were putting in order, and eight months of the year allotted for preparation already elapsed, this great _Pope_ fell sick; and his death shortly ensuing hindered Christendom from the most glorious expedition that ever was (or perhaps will be) undertaken against _Asia_; and so much the more in that _Alexander_ the Sixth was his Successor.

These examples are alledged by me, to shame those _Popes_ who are so infinitely strangers to the spirit and qualities of _Innocent_. The Church indeed much needs in these daies such a _Pope_ as he to remedy the innumerable disorders and scandals which are so dayly multiply’d in _Rome_ and the whole State by this practice of advancing Nephews. But since the death of that _Pope_ so well dispos’d to do good, there have succeeded in the Papacy a multitude of Wretches, inclin’d to nothing but to do mischief, and to avert whatever good might accidentally come to pass.

The chief mischief I find in the Papacy, is, that the unworthy examples of so many _Popes_ addicted to do hurt to the Church, far exceeds the good example of _Innocent_, who hath had few (or none) like himself, in constant seeking good, and averting evil, not only from _Rome_, but also from all Christendom.

In this present Age, _Popes_ strike in with the most, and relinquish the fewest; that is, they follow evil because many have follow’d it, and they despise good because they see it embrac’d by few; accounting it better to hazard their lives amongst a herd of Wolves than to be secure in the company of Sheep.

Greater mischief could not befall the Church, than that which hath befaln it through the strange changes either of the Nature or Disposition of the Successors of _Innocent_ the eighth, to the admiration of all but the _Popes_ themselves; who never wonder at any thing, conceiving that they have authority sufficient to sanctifie wicked actions.

Now to make a little comparison between the actions of _Innocent_ the eighth with those of _Urban_ the eighth, _Innocent_ the tenth and _Alexander_ the seventh, the three last _Popes_; it appears that these latter were wholly bent upon sumptuous Buildings, beautifying of Altars, repairing of Walls, and other external Ornaments; whereas _Innocent_ on the contrary slighted all Pomps and Magnificences, seeking only the substantial and internal good of the Church. The former plotted from morning to night how to sow division amongst Princes: but _Innocent_ spent all his nights in considering how to unite all States and Kingdoms, for the common benefit of Christendom.

Nor is there much need to believe that the _Popes_, who shall succeed _Alexander_, will be apt to imitate _Innocent_ the eighth. For in the whole Colledge of Cardinals ’tis not possible to find even but one of the like _disposition_; and I am confident there may be found above fifty of the humour of _Urban_, and above as many more of that of _Innocent_ the tenth, as also no less number of that of _Alexander_ the seventh; although there be not in all much above threescore Cardinals.

They would think it a sin to imitate good Examples for this reason, if for no other, that they have seen the same imitated by few. And the truth is, good examples are so scarce, that the _Popes_ have not had, these forty years, time to seek them; the same being in a manner hid from their eyes, and strangers to the City of _Rome_, from whence goodness seems utterly banish’d, and wickedness recall’d thither with promise of great rewards.

Great Volumes might be filled with the History of _Sixtus_ the fourth, who was the man, that first made his Nephews absolute Lords of the Church: If I should set down all the good and evil committed by the said _Pope_ during his Reign. But it would be superfluous, since all the Church receiv’d by that _Pope’s_ actions, is summarily contain’d in the Introduction and Advancement of his Nephews. A thing extremely scandalous to all Ages, and withal so mischievous that ’tis impossible ever to be laid aside; in regard the _Romans_ themselves are so accustom’d to it, being like Lepers, that feel neither the Iron nor the fire which corrodes their bowels.

It comes here into my mind, that travelling once from _Rome_ to _Loretto_, in the same Litter with a very aged _Roman_ Gentleman, I fell to discourse with him about sundry things pertaining to the Papal Government; and particularly I had the curiosity to ask him, How it could be consistent with the spirit of true _Romans_ to suffer so patiently the Dominion of the _Pope’s_ Nephews, who were so addicted to scrape up wealth, affront most Princes, overturn all things, and tyrannise both in Temporals and Spirituals, with an authority so absolute, uncontroulable, and even contrary to reason, that their Government seems rather Turkish than Christian?

He answer’d me with a smile, _That the Romans were become callous_, that is insensible; alluding to their spirits, which alike endure all things from the hands of Nephews, who by several waies tend to the destruction of whatever they meddle with.

God forgive that scandalous resolution of _Sixtus_ the fourth to introduce (I will not say the _Nipotismo_, but) the Insolence, Vanity, Ambition, Avarice, and the too great Liberty of the _Nipotismo_: For the Church had formerly seen _Pope’s_ Nephews in the _Vatican_, but not till then the Vices in their Nephews, which peradventure (if not without all peradventure) were brought in by the aforesaid _Pope_ by means of the conniv’d-at Liberty which he suffered his Relations to take, and for that having no regard to the future, but minding wholly the present, he went in the direct road to the destruction both of Church and State.

This was that _Pope_, who made war against the _Colonneses_, quarrell’d the _Venetians_, and committed several other exorbitances, for no other reason but the sake of his Kindred; who, during his thirteen long years Popedom, were never any one of them the Authors of least advantage to the Church, but altogether addicted to spend and spoil, to waste and poure out their Prodigalities at her cost.

More might be said, but to what purpose is it to rub old sores whilst every day produces new and fresh occasions of grief and trouble?

Where are those Primitive times, when the lives of the Ecclesiasticks were solely dedicated to the publick good, and they possess’d nothing as their own; but whatever was surplus to what was necessary to sustain Nature, was all disposed of to the poor, with so holy and overflowing Zeal from the true fountain of perfect Charity that it refresh’d even the very sight of the beholders?

One of the greatest evils which the _Nipotismo_ hath constantly caus’d hath been their little regard to do good to the poor. The _Romans_ do and ever have observ’d (and would to God they had not observ’d throughout all ages) that the least charity is that which comes from the houses of the _Pope’s_ Nephews, who themselves have nothing but what they receive as it were by a general Alms; which is no sooner got into their clutches but it becomes transformed into hereditary Principalities, and into a Revenue not temporal, but perpetual and eternal.

But methinks they ought at least to cover these substantial wickednesses with an appearance of good, by giving the poor the remains of their superfluities; and not suffer them to clamour at their Palace doors, from whence they are so often driven by the violence of their servants.

But the truth is, the _Romans_ give so little credit to the good they should do, having been witnesses themselves to so much of their ill; that it is not possible for them to believe that what they give in Alms proceeds from a good and charitable heart, but from hypocrisie and design.

If there was ever a charitable Cardinal in _Rome_, certainly ’tis Cardinal _Francisco_, who is indeed the most Eleemosynary person in the world: which I know, as not only having seen his publick, but his private Alms. And yet notwithstanding, there is not a _Roman_ but believes this to be a meer design, to gain the hearts of those who may be able to advance him to the Papacy. And to say the truth, The principal vertue that shined in _Alexander_, when he was Cardinal, was the great charity he shewed to the poor, giving them almost his whole Revenue; which was mention’d in design of his advantage in the Conclave. But he was no sooner chosen _Pope_ but that humour left him, and ever after he held for the height of Charity, what he did to enrich his Kindred, who were indifferently poor, and stood in need enough of the Alms of the _Vatican_.

I conclude this Book with affirming, that the mischiefs which the _Nipotismo_ have occasion’d, and still do continue to the Church, are more easie to be seen with the Eye, than writ with the Pen; and therefore those who have been at _Rome_ will have more satisfaction in the reading it, than those to whom it will be very difficult to be believ’d, nay, even to be conceiv’d in their imagination.

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The THIRD BOOK.

The Contents.

_OF the difficulty which the Ministers of Princes meet with in treating with the Nephews of the_ Pope. _Of those things that prevail most in the_ Nipotismo. _Of the policy of the Church-men_. _Of the way the Court of_ Rome _useth to make others to conform to their designs_. _What Graces are hard to be found in_ Rome. _Of what they ought to be provided of_, _that would dispatch their business well with the_ Pope. _Of the_ Roman _Climate_, _subject to variation_. _Of the causes why some Ministers lose themselves in_ Rome. _Of the manner how the_ Pope _calls the Cardinals_. _Of the_ Popes, _who understand not Court-affairs_. _Of the Papacy of_ Gregory _the fifteenth_, _troublesome to those who were to negotiate with him_. _Of __some Ministers_, _who play their State-affairs at hazard_. _Of the Assembly of the Cardinals_, _which serves the_ Pope _for false pretext_. _Of the intricacy that was found in the time of_ Urban _the eighth_. _Of the manner of the_ Pope’s _Negotiations with the Ministers of Princes_. _Of Negotiations never to be concluded_. _Of the Answer of_ Seigneur de Lion _to his Friend_. _Of the Policies of the_ Barbarini. _Of the disgust_, _the Republick of_ Venice _receiv’d from the_ Barbarini. _Of the dissatisfaction of the_ Lucheses, _the Crown of_ Poland, _and the_ Bollougneses. _Of the cheats put upon the two Crowns of_ Spain _and_ France. _How the_ Barbarini _serv’d the King of_ Portugal, _in reference to the Bishop of_ Lamego _his Embassadour_. _Of some Examples of the Contrivances of_ Pope Innocent. _Of the Duke of_ Parma’s _Army going into the Field_. _Of the humour of_ Urban _the eighth_, _to deny favours to all_. _Of the affronts_, _which Princes do receive from the Court of_ Rome. _Of the nature of the Ecclesiasticks_. _Of the Catholick Crown_, _that admits in their State none but of the_ Roman _Faith_. _Of the damage_ the Spaniards _receive_, _by suffering themselves to be governed by the Court of_ Rome. _Of the displeasures that do arise betwixt_ Rome _and_ Spain. _Of the Northern Policy_, _and of_ Italy, _which laughs at the Spanish Zeal_. _How many Princes are disgusted_, _to see the_ Spaniards _humble themselves so to the_ Pope. _How many Ministers are deceiv’d_, _who confide in Cardinals_. _Of the effect of the Protection of Cardinals to Princes_. _Of the interest of the Cardinals to advance the Papacy_. _Of the Corruption of the Colledge of Cardinals_. _What qualified persons they chuse to be Cardinals_. _Of the_ Pope, _how he shews himself a Monarch_, _when he __pleaseth_, _and Head of a Commonwealth when he listeth_. _Of_ Alexander _the seventh’s applying himself to publick business_. _Of his Ambition to undertake more than his constitution could endure_. _Of the answers which Embassadours receive from the Cardinal_ Padrone. _Of the secresie and craft of the Court of_ Rome. _How Cardinals use to reveal secrets to Princes their Friends_. _How little the_ Pope _trusts the Cardinals_. _Of Papal Excommunications_. _Of the fear of the Church-men_. _Of the Title of_ Universal Father _in the person of the_ Pope. _Of a pleasant Example of_ Paschal _the second_, _applied to his Successors_. _How_ Popes _treat Leagues with Princes_. _Of the sudden change of the Nephews of the_ Pope, _from a low to a high degree_. _Of the effects which that produceth_. _What the Kindred of_ Alexander _did in_ Sienna. _Of the disgust which Ministers receive by treating with unexpert persons_. _Of the time that is lost in studying the nature of the_ Nipotismo. _Of a strange example which befel an Embassador who negotiated with Cardinal_ Capaccino, _Brother to_ Urban _the eighth_. _Of a_ burlesque _and biting Answer_, _given by the same Embassadour_, _to the same Cardinal_. _Of the answer of the Embassadour_ Justiniani, _made to one who asked him_, _if he went to negotiate with Cardinal_ Astalli. _Of some Examples of the Covetousness of_ Pope Boniface, _prejudicial to the Negotiators of the Court_. _Of_ Clement _the seventh_. _Of_ Paul _the fourth_. _Of_ Sixtus _the fifth_. _Of_ Urban _the eighth_. _Of the names_, _the Nephews give the hours they spend in publick business_. _Of a Reproof that_ Gregory _the fourteenth gave to his Nephew_. _Of that Peevish way wherewith the_ Pope’s _Nephews negotiate with Embassadours_. _Of the __Reason_, _why the Family of the_ Popes _do not continue long in Grandeur_. _Of a similitude of Trees applied to the Nephews of the_ Pope. _Of the wonder that ariseth in the world_, _to see the houses of the_ Popes _decay_. _Of some Families that are yet in being_. _Of the difference between those Families that give being to_ Popes, _and those that receive their being from them_. _Of the_ Popes _which came out of the house of_ Colonna. _Of the Glory of the House of_ Rovere, _how it failed in_ Urbino, _how long it continued in its Grandeur_. _Of two_ Popes _that came from the House of_ Cibo _in_ Genoa. _How that Family despised the being citizens of_ Rome. _Of the Family of_ Alexander _the sixth_. _How it was divided into two branches_; _one in_ Italy, _the other in_ Spain. _Why that in Italy failed before that of_ Spain. _Of the Family of_ Picolomini. _Of the force of_ Leo _the tenth_, _used to render the House of_ Medici _potent_. _Of the time that the Familie of_ Medici _supported themselves in Grandeur before_ Clement _the seventh_. _How they are deceiv’d_, _who believe the Grandeur of the house of_ Medici _proceeds from the papacy_. _Of the destruction of the Commonwealth of_ Florence _necessary to the Ecclesiastical State_. _The example of this Family ought not to serve for a pattern to those who discourse of the ruine of the Families of the_ Popes. _Of the Family of_ Farnese. _How they first came into_ Italy. _Of valiant men in the world_. _Of services performed by the House of_ Farnese. _Some examples concerning the same_. _A notable saying of_ Eugenio _the fourth concerning the_ Farnese. _Of the Ambition the_ Popes _had to be served by them_. _Of the ingratitude of_ Urban _the eighth_, _and_ Innocent _the tenth_, _towards the Family of_ Farnese. _Of the __interest that moved_ Paul _the third_, _to make them great_. _Of the great persecution it hath receiv’d_, _for above these forty years_. _Of the Government of_ Parma _and_ Piacenza, _how it came to the hands of the_ Farnesi. _Of the house of_ Monte, _how little a while it lasted in great splendor_, _although raised by_ Julius _the third_. _Of the House of_ Caraffa. _Of its fall_; _how near to the birth of its good fortune_. _Of the disdain of_ Paul _the fourth_, _and_ Pius _the fourth_, _to the Caraffies_. _Of the glory in which the House of_ Caraffa _shines now in_ Naples. _Of the House of_ Buon Compagnii _of_ Gregory _the thirteenth_. _Of the House of_ Perotti _of_ Sixtus _the fifth_. _To what greatness raised_. _How long it continued in that state_. _Of its failing_. _Of the House of_ Sfondrata _of_ Gregory _the fourteenth_. _Of its rise_, _and fall_. _Of the house of_ Aldobrandina, _what it was_, _and what it is_. _Of the Family of_ Burghesi, _and_ Ludovisi, _and of some other particulars touching the failing of the Pontificial Families_.

THE difficulties, which the Ministers of Princes meet with in their treaties with the _Pope’s_ Nephews, are so great, that the most refined Wits and politick Heads of the Universe cannot easily fathom them; every one losing himself in an Abyss of wonder to see the Court of _Rome_, in all her own concerns, and with all persons, so selfish and singular, whilst she alone glories in the Title of Universal.

It would be no great matter, if the Nephews would rest satisfied with embroyling and discomposing the minds only of the Principal Ministers of State; and did not likewise make themselves the unhappy instruments of bringing Treaties and Negotiations of the greatest weight to irreparable confusion: the ruine whereof must necessarily draw the consequence of damage to the Pontifical State, disorder to Christianity, and perpetual distaste to those Princes, who know themselves obliged to send their Agents to a Court, where they shall rather receive occasion of disgust than profit. For the Church-men cannot treat with any Prince, without wounding his reputation with secret reproaches and back-biting language.

There are two things, Ignorance and malice (the usual Patrimony of _Popes_ Nephews) which are predominant in the _Nipotismo_, which subvert and drown even those appearances of good, that might otherwise be found in the Court of _Rome_: And the mischief of it is, that these two are inseparable, and go alwaies hand in hand together in the _Nipotismo_; their ignorance is not accompanied with that honest simplicity which often is seen in some of weak understanding; but quite contrary, an ignorant Nephew no sooner marches into the _Vatican_ (which thing God knows too often happens) but Artificial Malice displaies her Banners; and if by chance within the Camp there happens to be found out any one that’s good and vertuous, she doth her utmost to make him pass for an ignorant lackwit. Whence the Church, Christendom, and the Court do all suffer by the malice and ignorance of those Lordly Nephews, who matter not by which of these two abject qualities they govern.

There have been several Princes in our Age, who finding themselves deluded in some of their affairs, have blam’d their own Officers, judging the errors which occasioned their damage, and were indeed committed by the _Nipotismo_, to be caused by the inability of their Ministers; as if it had been in their power to overwhelm the Course of nature, and thwart a malicious Ignorance.