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.
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.