_Pamphilio_, though it were in it self a very necessary action, for the
preservation of the _Pamphilian_ Family, was nevertheless scandalous and
injurious to the Churches reputation; the more because being made without
his Uncle’s consent, it so looked as if this eminent Dignity of Cardinal
were a thing to make sport with, and a profession as easily cast off
without shame, as it is ordinarily conferred without merit.
But this had been but an inconsiderable fault, which would have been
forgiven without pain in this disorderly age, if all Christendom had not
been offended by the tyrannical government of the proud _Donna Olympia_;
who having usurped that power which the _Popes_ do ordinarily confer on
the _Nipotismo_, had brought them to such a desperate case, that they did
almost revolt against their Uncle; whose humorsome fancy did make such
work by displacing one, and putting in another, sometimes a true,
sometimes a false Nephew, and sometimes governing without any at all,
that the most patient and unconcern’d spectator could not behold so
capricious a Prince without indignation.
_The Nipotismo_ being by _Donna Olympia’s_ means depriv’d of the power of
doing good, had nevertheless the faculty of doing mischief left them; and
the Lady would have been well pleased with it, for she did seek after all
occasions of making them odious to the _Pope_, and to every body else:
but they perceiving her design, became good, or at least innocent, out of
spight, that the imputation of all the miscarriages might fall upon her
alone, they being not disposed to bear a part of the pain, who had none
in the pleasure.
For this reason the Prince _Pamphilio_ was alwayes most obliging and
ready to serve the Church, and those that requir’d his assistance; giving
therein demonstrations of his good nature, and hopes that he might one
day rule better with his natural simplicity and equity, then _Donna
Olympia_ with her refin’d, but wicked policies.
So the two Princes _Ludovisio_, and _Giustiniani_ did behave themselves
with all care and circumspection, out of a design of pleasing the vulgar;
since they could not be admitted to please their Uncle, whose affections
they had lost, without having any thing laid to their charge that might
deserve so severe a punishment. Let us therefore conclude the innocence
of this _Nipotismo_, who never had the power of doing any good, nor the
convenience of doing any harm to the Church; which nevertheless was
severely handled by that impudent and covetous _Donna Olympia_.
Now let us go a step higher, and come to the _Nipotismo_, of _Urban_, or
the reign of the _Barberins_; who seemed to be born for the Empire of the
world: and of them indeed there is much to be said. For in the space of
three and twenty years, there was occasion for every one of them to show
his parts and inclinations, and make the world acquainted with their
temper.
They that have writ the life of _Urban_, having proposed to themselves no
other design than that of pleasing the _Barberins_, do make perpetual
Encomiums of his good actions, but pass silently all his ill ones, that
they might not lose that favour, which to purchase they had undertaken to
transmit such gross flatteries to posterity.
There is no doubt but _Urban_ did very much advantage the Church and
State, enriching them with a great number of Hospitals, Churches,
Colledges, Libraries, Castles, Forts, Altars, Temples, Canonizations, and
Beatifications: but if we consider the greatness of his visible Revenue,
for the space of three and twenty year, we shall finde that his expences
are inconsiderable compared to it.
I am acquainted with a Roman, who had the curiosity for two years
together to inform himself of all the expences of the _Barberins_ in the
Pontificate of their Uncle, that is, of all the money they had laid out
both for the Church and their own Family, and found by computation, that
the publick expense consisted in nine millions and a half of Crowns; and
their visible private one in twelve.
Let it not seem strange to any one, if I say visible, for every body
knows, that the great policy of the _Nipotismo_ consists in hiding their
own expenses, and publishing those that they are at for the Church; whose
rotten Walls they ordinarily plaister over with a little Lime and Water,
while they build new ones for themselves, covering them with some sad
colour that they may hide the expense.
They that will please themselves, let them read the Life of _Urban_,
which has been inserted among the rest of the Lives of the _Popes_,
composed by _Platina_, and there they will meet with such a quantity of
his good works, that they cannot chuse but esteem him as one of the
holiest _Popes_ that ever was; but they that are otherwise inform’d, are
mov’d to laugh both at the _Pope_ and the Author.
There you shall meet with nothing but, that the _Pope_ visited such a
Church, confirmed such a Decree of his Predecessor, gave the people his
Benediction from the Church of St. _Jean_ of _Lateran_, visited the
Hospital of the Trinity, made a great exhortation to the Bishops, excited
the Monks to reform, beautified St. _Andrè Avellino_, received
Ambassadors with great state, opened the Holy Year with Magnificence,
consecrated the Church of the _Vatican_, gave the title of Cardinalate to
the Church of St. _Charles_, re-built the Colledge of the Grecians, _&c._
But all this while not a word of the Progress of _Gustave Adolfe_ in
_Germany_, of the Turk in the other parts of Christendom (while the
_Pope_ lets them both alone) of the excommunication of the Duke of
_Parma_, of that of the State of _Lucca_, of the affront done to the
State of _Venice_, of the disrespect show’d to the Crown of _France_ in
divers occasions, of the War begun in _Italy_, of the Catholick Religion
declining in _Poland_, of the Artifices used in the War of the
_Valtolina_, and in a word, of so many miscarriages, and offences given
to _Rome_, the State, and all Christendom, by the extravagant passions of
the _Barberins_: Of all this I say there is not a syllable, nor the least
mention.
Every one knows that _Germany_, the Empire, and the Catholick Religion
were upon the brim of their ruine, for want of succour; and yet at that
very time the _Barberins_, did make War upon the Princes of _Italy_, with
the treasure of the Church; their minde being more bent upon the raising
of their Family, than upon the conservation of Christendom.
And the mischief was, that they did so besiege the _Pope_, that there was
no means of informing him of the deplorable state of the Affairs of
Christendom; for neither the Emperour, nor the King of _Poland_ could
ever obtain any answer to their demands, which I believe never came to
the knowledge of the _Pope_, no more than their dangers. The _Nipotismo_
answering their Ambassadors conformably to their own interest, without
any regard to the Fatherly and Pastoral care, to which their Uncle was
bound by the duty of his place.
But that which was worst of all, was, that they did not openly refuse
their help, but by delayes and promises keeping still the Emperour and
King of _Poland_ in hopes, they made them neglect to make peace with
their Enemies, and refuse those conditions, which else they would have
accepted, had not the _Barberins_ entertain’d them with the hopes now of
an Army, then of a great summe of Money; and at last disappointed them of
all.
However the people of the State belonging to the Church were the worse
for it; for the _Barberins_ taking occasion from the obligation the
_Pope_ was in, to assist these Princes, did thereupon lay most heavy
Taxes and Impositions upon both Church-men and Layes: The simple people
stirred up by the exhortations of some Preachers who made it their
business to declare in their Sermons, That God could not be better
pleased then by that assistance given to the distressed Catholicks, did
sell all their Jewels and preciousest Houshold-stuff to give away to
those that had the Commission of gathering their Benevolence.
Out of these summes which were thus raised, the _Barberins_ did send it
may be one or two in the hundred, and this after so long waiting, and by
such chargeable wayes, that half of the money was absorbed in the
exchange: which the Emperour and King of _Poland_ having perceived, they
were fain to give over their soliciting the _Barberins_, and defend
themselves as well as they could.
The Protestants themselves, though much rejoycing at the decaying state
of the Catholick Religion in _Germany_, were nevertheless infinitely
scandalized at the _Pope’s_ proceedings, saying, as it was true, _That
the_ Barberins _did the Catholicks more mischief by denying them succour
with such dilatory wayes_, _than the Protestants by the force of Arms_.
In a word, I think it is not a hard thing to perswade that the
_Barberins_ in the time of their reign did the Church a great deal of
mischief; it would be much a harder to convince any body of the good they
have done: and it is so difficult a business, that for my part I shall
not undertake it; only I will give the _Barberins_ this good counsel,
which is, that if they desire to make posterity lose the memory of their
ill conduct under their Uncle, they endeavour to get Cardinal _Francesco
Barberino_ made _Pope_ after the death of _Alexander_; for so it may be,
that as in their Uncle’s time they did much more hurt then good, they
will under Cardinal _Francesco_, who is pious and vertuous do more good
than hurt.
There is an example of this already in the two _Popes_ of the Family of
_la Rovere_; _Sixtus_ the 4th. and _Julius_ the second; for in the time
of _Sixtus_ the _Nipotismo_ was most highly guilty towards the Church,
and did much harm, and little good; but under _Julius_ it did much good,
and little harm: so the same thing may happen for the _Barberins_, if
_Francesco_ be made _Pope_.
_Gregory_ the 15th. who was _Urban’s_ Predecessor, lived to do mischief
enough, but it seems had no time to do good: of the four parts of the
Popedom his Nephew had three, and he one.
All this Popes thoughts were bent upon the Protestants ruine,
particularly, he had a spight to _Geneva_, calling it the nest of the
Devil; and therefore he pressed the Duke of _Savoy_ to besiege it,
promising him great succors of men and money. He likewise assisted with
all might and main the Emperour in his War against the Protestants of
_Germany_. He failed not to solicit the King of _France_ to torment and
molest the _Huguenots_ of his Kingdom, and prevailed with him to do it:
which cost him dear, and had like to have proved fatal to his Monarchy,
though at last he remained victorious.
The Cardinal _Ludovisio_ his Nephew, quite contrary, did what lay in his
power, to quell in his Uncle, this unmeasurable desire of ruining the
Protestants, and engaging all Christendom into bloody Wars; but the
_Pope_ would never hearken to any thing that he could say about that
particular, answering him alwayes in these words, _’Tis enough that I let
you do what you will with the Catholicks_; _pray let me have the liberty
of doing what I please against the Hereticks our enemies_.
His Remonstrances to Ambassadors upon this Subject, were so frequent at
every audience that they were tired with them; and when sometimes the
Cardinal _Ludovisio_ would interpose, and say something to qualifie the
heat of the _Pope’s_ exaggerations, he would command him to hold his
tongue; and sometimes say to him, you have a touch of an Heritick in you.
He did all his endeavours by a thousand plots and Artifices, to reduce
_England_ again under the obedience of the Church of _Rome_, but all to
no purpose: at last, seeing himself disappointed in this his main design
after such pains and expense, he resolved to get back to _Rome_. _Marc
Antony de Dominis_, who in the time of _Paul_ the fifth _Gregories_
Predecessor, had left _Italy_, and was fled into England; where, having
declared himself Protestant, he did write many shrewd books against the
_Pope_, and the Court of _Rome_, as one who was well informed of all its
disorders.
The _Pope_, the better to compass his intention, sent to _London_ certain
Prelates disguised, who had been heretofore intimate with _Marc Antony_.
These, coming to him secretly, promised him not only the _Pope’s_ and the
Churches pardon; but also assured him, that he should be made Cardinal at
the next promotion. The Archbishop, trusting to the Oaths and Engagement
of these Prelates, left _England_, and return’d once more to _Rome_,
where he made a recantation of all his Errours, as they call’d them; But
a little after, being carefully watched by the _Pope’s_ Spies, they took
hold of some words that he said; and having clapt him up in the
Inquisition Prison, began to question him for Heresie; and without doubt
he had undergone the dreadful fire of the _Roman_ Purgatory, if timely
death had not prevented the _Pope’s_ revenge.
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_.