the _Nipotismo’s_ commit, in robbing the Church, and perverting the use
of its Riches; And yet to see those very same Princes contribute out of
their own Revenues, and their Peoples Sweat and Labour, towards the
enriching of those that they blame.
I think it would be as great a piece of Justice to punish those that are
robb’d, as to chastise him that commits the Theft: For if so, the number
of Thieves would diminish infinitely; since every body then would take as
much care in preserving, as the Thief could use Art in stealing. Whereas
now every one relying upon the surety of the Publick Laws, and the
punishment that attends those that violate them, does as it were give an
occasion of offending against them; and as the Proverb says, _The
Occasion makes the Thief_; which is as much as to say, That they that are
negligent in preserving their own, are the cause that others have a mind
to it.
If Princes following this Truth, did shut up their Treasures, and stop
that Stream of Wealth which flows from their States to _Rome_, while they
see that it is all ill us’d, and employed to the ruine of the Church and
True Religion; certainly the _Pope’s_ Nephews would not commit so many
Scandals: neither would the World have so much reason to murmur against
them.
But our Complaints are not like to cease, while Princes shall think it
honourable and pious to oppress their Subjects, that they may supply the
Court of _Rome_: And, on the other side, the _Nipotismo_ shall make no
scruple of taking any thing from the Church and State, and alledge for
their excuse, _That they take nothing but what is the superfluous part of
the Churches Revenue_.
What do so many Abbies, Pensions, and other Revenues, which Princes
bestow upon Church-men, serve for; but to weaken so much their own
States, and strengthen another Princes? to make that which is Sacred,
Profane? turn Crosses into Swords, and Humility into Pride and Majesty?
And when they have bestowed thus their Gifts and Presents upon those that
do not need them, they are not only forsaken in their greatest distress
by Church-men; but are set upon by them, and brought to their ruin, that
the Church may have the Soveraignty over their People, in the Place of
the lawful Princes.
All the disorders and scandals of the Church, State, and Church-men, take
their rise from their Riches. When the Church was poor, Church-men were
holy, having nothing to employ their minds about, but the Rules of a Good
Life: but since once Riches came amongst them, farewell Holiness of Life;
they have not the leisure; they are too much taken up with telling their
Money, buying and selling Estates and Princedoms; they forget those
spiritual Riches of the Soul, and mind only those that relate to the
Pleasures of the Body.
Riches came in by little and little upon the Church, and by the same
degrees Sanctity and Holiness of Life went out. They that read the
History of the Church, cannot chuse but have discerned all along the
truth of what I say.
And yet every one knowing this, and being so forward to complain and
murmur against the _Popes_ avarice, and their Nephews prodigality; no
body thinks of blaming those that by continual Gifts do every day supply
and furnish them with these Instruments of Wickedness.
Christ has declared definitively, and pronounced with his own mouth, in
the sixth Chapter of Saint _Matthew_, _That it is impossible to serve God
and Mammon_. Now _Mammon_ being interpreted Riches by most, nay by all,
the conclusion is, _That it is impossible to serve God and Riches_.
The _Popes_, on the other side, do by their continual practice prove to
the World, in enriching their Families, that they are firmly perswaded,
that one may at the same time serve God, and the _Mammon_ or Riches of
this World; or else certainly they would give over tormenting themselves,
to make their Kindred great.
Riches are that _Primum Movens_ which set the Sphere of the _Nipotismo_ a
going; and we may say, That in this Heaven of theirs, they are no less
devout than poor simple Women are, to purchase that which is promised
them by the Church of_ Rome_: For as the one falls down before a
Crucifix, and adores the Altar, to gain Indulgences; so do the _Pope’s_
Nephews prostrate themselves before their Treasures, and believe that
they obtain the pardon of all their faults, in worshipping the Coffers in
which they have buried the Churches Riches.
Now if Christ has said, _That there is no serving God and Riches_, How
can the _Popes_ give their Nephews leave to serve Riches and God? Have
the _Popes_ the Power of giving our Saviour the Lie? For what is it
else? For either they believe not Christ’s Words to be true, or else
they are resolved to contradict them in their Practice; both which are
abominable to any rational or serious Christian: though I believe that in
_Italy_ there are thousands who, frighted by the Inquisition, would
rather answer, _That Christ was mistaken in his Doctrine_, than say,
_That the_ Pope _does amiss in his Practice_.
About four years ago I was in _Bagni del Vallé_, a Town so called; where,
amongst others, was a Father of the Order of Saint _Augustine_, by name
Father _Paolo Segani_, who called himself a Preacher; though for my part
I believe he was so far from being a good Divine, that he was scarce
Master of the Rules of _Grammar_ in the _Latin_ Tongue.
This good Father was one day engaged in a Dispute with a Protestant
Gentleman, about the Infallibility of the _Pope_; and there were many of
both Religions present, amongst whom I was one. The _Protestant_ was a
_Frenchman_, called _Jean Antony Guerin_, a Doctor of Physick, and a very
ingenious Gentleman; but one who excelled in the knowledge of the Holy
Scripture, and did so well understand all the hard Passages of it, that
the Ministers of his Religion did often take great pleasure to hear him
discourse with so much ability about it.
The Dispute on the Catholick’s side was most spent in Words, he being
able to answer to all the Protestant’s Reasons with nothing but a
Negative, and say, _It is not true_, _That is false_.
But at last, as they grew warm, the Protestant pressing closer upon him,
put this Question to him, on purpose because he saw him so ignorant.
_Whether or no it were easier for Christ to have err’d in delivering his
Gospel_, _than for the_ Pope _to erre in his Decrees_?
At this the Monk smiled, and thinking to hit the nail on the head,
answer’d him boldly, _That he believed that Christ_, _as Man_, _might
have erred_; _but that the_ Pope, _as God_, _could not erre_.
At this Answer the Protestant burst out a laughing, and so did some
_Swisser_ Ladies, who without doubt had more wit and discernment in
matters of Religion, than this impertinent Monk. And thus the Dispute
ceased; the Protestant contenting himself to have shewed the others
Ignorance, and the Monk thinking he had answer’d most invincibly.
And indeed, in what Soul or Mind can this Opinion be receiv’d, That the
_Pope_ is more infallible than Christ; That God should fail in his Words,
and a _Pope_ be infallible in His Decrees? O Blasphemy, and horrible
Error in the poor abus’d People! who give more credit to the _Pope’s_
words, than to Christ’s own Gospel.
It has been observed, that in the _Popes_ Families there has been Saints,
even amongst their inferiour rank of their Servants; and yet there never
was any of their Nephews Saints. I have turned over great Volumes of the
Church-History, a purpose to see if amongst that great number of men, who
are said to has performed Miracles, there were any one of a Nipotismo to
be found amongst them: But truly I lost my pains; for the _Popes_, who
have filled up the _Roman_ Kalendar with thousands of Saints, have not
yet been able to place one of their Nephews there. And indeed, how is it
possible that they, that live in delight and greatness, should have room
amongst those that have purchased their place in heaven by sufferings and
poverty?
And me-thinks, it is a sad thing to observe for the Nephews, that all the
harm the Church has received was from those amongst them that shewed the
strongest Propension to Riches and Power: whereas all the good that has
been done by them comes from those amongst them that have been moderate,
and contented with ordinary riches. And now if we measure the good by
these moderate men, and the ill by the insatiable, the number of the last
being much greater than that of the first, will demonstrate to us that
the damage the Church receives from the _Nipotismo_ is much greater then
the good they ever did or will do to it.
In the time that _Urban_ the eighth Excommunicated the _Lucheses_ for
going about to repress the Insolence of Church-men in their State; all
the _Italian_ Princes sided with them, not out of any particular
affection to them, but out of a politick reason, they being all concern’d
in the loss of _Lucca_, for thereby the Ecclesiastick State and the pride
of the _Nipotismo_ would have been encreased. And yet no body for all
this durst say any thing against the _Pope’s_ Person or Authority, but
lay all the fault upon the _Nipotismo_; As one day I heard a Senator of
_Venice_ discoursing in these words:
_Italy has little reason to complain of the_ Popes, _but it has a great
deal to murmur against their Nephews_. Urban _would be good and holy if_
Francesco Antonio _and_ Tadeo Barberini _were not devils_; _but as his
affection blinds him to them_, _so does their pride blind them in their
conduct towards Princes_. _Because they __have a Vail drawn over their
eyes_, _they think that all the world must be one colour_. _And they are
so busied from morning to night in disposing of that vast Treasure which
they have already gathered_, _and in inventing new waies to purchase
more_, _that they think not of getting the favour of those Princes who
will remain such when the_ Barberins _shall cease to be Lords and
Masters_. _If their Interest had not so great an Empire over them they
would govern the Church better_; _and in a word_, _the Church would be in
them_, _and not they in the Church_.
But what a strange Sacrilegious opinion is that which is maintained by
the Divines of the Church of _Rome_? viz. _That one who has got his
riches by Extortions_, _and oppressing of the poor_, _and any wicked
way_, _is not obliged to a restitution to the poor_: _But it is enough if
when he dies he leaves his Estate to some Church_, _founds a Monastery_,
_or an Hospital_; as if it were lawful to transgress the Law of God, and
bring ones self into a state of damnation to satisfie that covetous and
insatiable humour of the Church-men.
If the Walls of _Rome_ could speak, and the Fabricks of so many stately
Cloysters had mouths to make themselves heard; if those vast Palaces of
the _Nipotismos_ were animated; Oh! How many tender-hearted Christians
would be fain to forsake the City, and retire into desarts, that they
might not hear the stones complain for the poor, and lament their
misfortune?
_Ferdinand_, Second Duke of _Toscany_, having a great deal of reason to
complain of the _Barberins_ proceedings towards him, said one day to one
who was about to go in Pilgrimage to _Rome_: _That the holiest Temple
__that he should see there would be the_ Barberins _Palace_, _for that it
was cemented and built with the bloud of many Martyrs_.
If any body in _Rome_ should steal but the value of six pence in his
greatest necessity from a Priest, without doubt the _Nipotismo_, who has
the Government of the City in their hands, would cause him to be hang’d
immediately: and yet they that rob and spoyl the Church go off free, and
without any punishment.
Every day there comes out some new Order from the Datary-Office for the
reformation of the abuses committed by Church-men in their employments;
and the _Popes_ do give often particular Commissions to This and That
Cardinal to enquire into the lives of the Monks, and take away those
Scandals which do every day encrease: And yet for all this the _Romans_
observe, that the more the Decrees of Reformation are, the more are the
Vices multiplied; the disease being so stabborn and inveterate, that it
grows worse when the Physician goes about to apply remedies to it.
The _Pope’s_ subjects curse the _Nipotismo_ for their Tyranny and
Extortions. Christendom is scandalized to see that they little believe
that Religion of which they make so great Profession. The Church weeps
and sheds tears to see its bowels gnawn and torn by the _Nipotismo_. The
State, weakned by so many Taxes and Oppressions, sends its cries to
Heaven against them. The Monks exclaim, seeing that the _Nipotismo’s_
Avarice deprives them of their Profit, and makes them contribute towards
the maintenance of their Grandeur. Princes and Embassadours retire
discontented from _Rome_, not being able to endure the _Nipotismo’s_
insolence. The Altars themselves are often forsaken and stand empty, the
Nephews refusing to grant Indulgences without money.
Certainly these abuses, these disorders, these scandals should drive the
_Popes_ out of _Rome_. That Gardener that does only cut the top of the
Weeds, and not root them out, is but an ill Gardener. But how can the
_Popes_ reform the abuses of the Church, if they do not begin with their
Nephews? For it would also else be a very preposterous Reformation that
should begin with the Effect, and leave the Cause untouched. Some say,
that the _Popes_ are holy in the Reformations of the Breviary, and the
chastizing of the _Romans_ for their faults: But they are devils in
leaving the crimes of their Nephews unpunished; for they trusting to
their Uncles Indulgence, do slack the Reins, which should curb the
natural inclination which we all have to do ill.
But it is now time to enter into a particular Narration of the good and
hurt the Church has received from the _Nipotismo_; and as we begun their
History at _Sixtus_ the fourth, and continued it down to _Alexander_ the
seventh now reigning: So we will now begin at _Alexander_, and trace it
backwards up to _Sixtus_ the fourth.
The first mischief, and indeed the most considerable one, caused by the
_Nipotismo_ of _Alexander_, was the change made by them in the _Pope_;
whom from godly, pious, and inclin’d to mortification, they have made
sensual and ambitious.
_Alexander_ in the first months of his elevation to the Popedom had so
taken upon him the profession of an Evangelical life, that he was wont to
season his meat with ashes, to sleep upon a hard Couch, to hate Riches,
Glory, and Pomp; taking a great pleasure to give audience to Embassadours
in a Chamber full of dead mens skuls, and in the sight of his Coffin,
which stood there to put him in mind of his death.
The Cardinals, the Princes, the Prelates, the _Romans_ were all touched
with so pious an Example, and did begin to think of reforming their
lives. The Hereticks themselves did bear that respect to his Holiness,
as to prostrate themselves in the streets, when he went through _Rome_,
not so much in fear of his Majesty, as in honour of his Vertue. Divers
French Protestants came on purpose to _Rome_ to know whether his words
did answer his reputation, and if he did really lead the life he was said
to lead. The noyse of his Sanctity being so great in _France_, that it
was almost impossible to believe all that was said of it.
Thus lived _Alexander_, while he lived without a _Nipotismo_: But no
sooner had they set their feet in _Rome_ but the _Pope_ changed his
nature, or rather came to himself; for instead of Humility, succeeded
Vanity; his Mortification vanished, and his hard Couch, was changed into
a soft Feather-bed; his dead-mens skuls, into so many Jewels; and his
thoughts of death, into eternal designs of Ambition and Grandeur: Filling
up his empty Coffin with Money, as if he had a design to corrupt death,
and purchase life with Riches.
Hereupon a publick Minister, returning from his Audience the very same
day that the _Nipotismo_ came to _Rome_; and having felicitated his
Holiness upon their arrival, said, as soon as he came home, to one of his
friends these very words: _He is not of the same humour he was wont to
be_; _he was us’d to stand with __his eyes fixed upon the ground_, _and
now he does nothing but fix them upon_ Don Agostino; _Heretofore we did
hear him sigh_ often, _and now he is as inclined to laugh_. _I am afraid
the_ Nipotismo _has already spoyled him_.
This is the first harm that they have done the Church. I do not know
what good they may do hereafter, but hitherto they have done so little
that it is invisible; whereas the mischief they are Authors of, is
obvious to all eyes. _Don Mario_, who is the _Pope’s_ Brother, and the
Head of the _Nipotismo_, does exercise his place of Governour of _Rome_
with so much Tyranny, that the City it self is become odious to many
Families of quality, who have left and removed to other Towns, that they
might not be any longer subject to one who gives occasion of complaint to
the People, the Gentry, and Strangers; For he is not only averse from
doing curtesies, and inexorable in punishments; but he is inclin’d to
disgust all those who, having to do with him, do not appease his angry
genius with money.
Besides, assuming to himself, in the Government of the _Borgo_, a greater
Authority than does belong to him of right, he does, as it were eclipse
and stifle the jurisdiction of the Governour of _Rome_; who often is
forced to own those faults of which he is innocent, _Don Mario_ laying
upon him all the miscarriages, and taking to himself all the profit of
both places. For proof of this I will bring an example which will never
be forgot by Posterity.
In the time that the Duke of _Crequy_ received that affront to see his
Coach assaulted and fired upon by the _Pope’s_ Guards; the _Cardinal
Imperiale_, who was then Governour of _Rome_, was so innocent of this
accident, that he did not so much as know of it till it was past, and
then he found that _Don Mario_ had so engag’d him in it, that there was
no retiring; and indeed though he have since made a Journey into _France_
to justifie himself: nevertheless the French Court, who cannot forget the
affront done the King and Nation, can less avoid remembring of Cardinal
_Imperiale_, who was charged as the Author of it.
And yet they are very well informed that the design was laid by _Don
Mario_, and the execution only charged upon Cardinal _Imperiale_, who has
been fain to endure that humiliation and punishment which did belong to
the other.
Indeed if the _Pope_ had not in good time made satisfaction for the
Injury, the _French_ King was resolved to seek his reparation by his
Sword; not against the _Pope_, who knew nothing of the business till
after it was brought about; but against his Brother, who had set
_Imperiale_ upon the execution of it.
But in the reparation, the Church was the most endammaged; for besides
the loss of its honour, and that respect which was wont to be borne to
it, it received a very great blow in its strength and riches: for not
only the _Pope’s Nuncio_ was immediately sent away from the French Court,
but also his Vice-Legat was driven from _Avignon_, and the Court of
_Rome_ was forced to entertain an Army all the time of the Treaty, and
before, for fear of being surpriz’d by the Kings Forces; and when it did
come to an agreement, it was concluded in a dishonourable and shameful
way for _Rome_, and for the Church. This is the good and profit that the
Signor _Don Mario_ has brought to the Church; and yet in the Articles of
Peace there was little or no mention made of his person.
The _Pope_, for all this, is so pre-possessed with a good opinion of him,
that he does give him thereby an occasion, and almost an invitation of
committing more _mischief_, than he would do otherwise.
But if _Don Mario_ has been useless, or rather prejudicial to the Church,
certainly _Don Agostino_, his Nephew, has been little better: He is one
that would seem to be born to an Empire; and were it _Alexander’s_ or
_Cæsar’s_ he did enjoy, he would not show a more lofty carriage, nor
affect a greater insolence.
When he goes through the City, he does so little regard any body, that he
is scarce induced to salute those Gentlemen that civilly do prevent him
by pulling off their hats first: but he never begins to any body, no not
to a Prince; which is so odious, that for that only pleasure of seeing
his pride abated, the Romans do wish the _Pope’s_ death.
He did, what lay in his power, to make an eternal Enemy of the Family of
the _Colonna’s_; which is the noblest and best beloved of _Rome_, and
countenanced by the greatest Monarchs of Christendom; and if the _Pope_
had not wisely caused satisfaction to be made for the affront done to the
_Colonnas_ at the Theatre, the Family of the _Chigi_ would have incurred
the enmity of a House, which in time might have been revenged, or at
least in the quarrel the City of _Rome_ would have been divided, and in a
kinde of War within its self.
The Cardinal _Padrone_ too on his side giving himself too much up to
sensual pleasures, is the cause of great disorders in the Court and
Church; for all the Congregations of Cardinals, of which he is the head,
are much puzled how to deal with, and humour a man, who cares for nothing
less than that which is committed to his care. Some of the Cardinals and
Prelates take example by him, and do commit great scandals; for which
they excuse themselves by saying, _That the Cardinal_ Padrone _does
commit greater_. And thus betwixt them the poor Church is ill serv’d in
both its Temporal and Spiritual.
I have nothing to say of the other Nephews and Kindred of the _Pope_; for
supposed they had good inclinations, they have little or no occasion to
bring them to effect for the publick good, they being not admitted to any
publick employment. And indeed it would be but loss of time for any body
to summe up the good this _Nipotismo_ has done the Church; for it is so
little, and their ill actions are so many, that it would be stifled by
them, like good Corn by Tares.
The people is more oppressed than ever, the City is ill provided, and all
things are dear and scarce; the Prelates are discontented, and the money
it self is condemned to a perpetual confinement in _Don Mario’s_, and the
_Nipotismo’s_ Coffers.
It is a strange thing to see, that the _Popes_ should have the power to
perswade others to renounce their fortunes, to run into Monasteries, to
embrace Pilgrimages, and Mortifications; and yet not be able to perswade
a little moderation to their Nephews, and make them content themselves
with that lawful encrease of their Fortunes, which every body is well
pleased to allow them: but they must still be laying taxes upon the
people, and discontent upon Princes and States.
I have a friend that is of opinion, that by the means of Indulgences, the
peoples vices do daily diminish. I know not whether it be true or no,
but I am sure that the _Nipotismos_ do daily increase, they little caring
for Indulgences, and being of opinion, that the _Pope_ is obliged to open
them the door of Paradise by force. And though this may be taken as a
facetious conceit, yet I am certain that the _Nipotismos_ in good earnest
do little frequent Churches, but are more employed in getting of money,
and taking their pleasure.
But now it is time to speak of _Innocentius_ the 10th. his _Nipotismo_,
of which it may be said, that it did a little good, and no hurt; because
it was alwayes under the _Popes_ disgrace, and _Donna Olympia’s_
oppression; so that none of it were able to show either their malice or
their bounty, if they had any: for that good which they did do, may be as
well interpreted to proceed from a design of winning the peoples favour,
to whom only they could have recourse in their disgrace, as from any good
Principles of their own.
But however it were, the poor Church was never the better; for what
between _Innocentio’s Capriccios_, and _Donna Olympia’s_ tyranny, it was
most miserably governed; and the Court brought into such a disorder, that
the like was never seen before, nor I hope will not be hereafter: since
the impression and mark of those blows which it received then are still
to be seen in the face of the Church, and will appear to fright all those
that should go about to bring a like scandal upon it.