must be purchased; for he was resolved not to treat with any that was not
dependent on his Family. And not only _Francesco_, the Cardinal
_Patrone_, was to be courted, but Cardinal _Antonio_, and _Don Tadeo_,
and his Wife likewise, who so aspired at the Visits of the Ministers of
Princes, that the _Pope_ would not give Audience to any that had not
first paid his devoir to that Lady: which was the Reason, why the Duke of
_Parma_ had such ill success in all his business.
In the beginning of his Reign the _Pope_, in a manner alone, manag’d all
the most important affairs of Christendom, with no small ardency and
zeal. But wot you what? The things which he did in the day he undid in
the night; for coming to consult with his Nephews, who alwaies found
their Uncle’s Opinion contrary to their own, they oftentimes brought him
to contradict himself, and reverse what he had formerly granted and
concluded.
’Tis true, he did this with great subtlety, not failing to find out some
fair and specious excuses wherewith to colour their pretexts, and clear
the _Pope_ of levity; by which means Embassadours were perpetually
deluded, even when they thought they had the Fish in their hands, which
on a sudden slipt away from between their fingers, beyond possibility of
recovery.
Hence affairs were protracted _in infinitum_; So that though in _Urban’s_
time many Princes treated of a League with the Church and the _Pope_
himself, nevertheless there was not any considerable one concluded in a
Reign of twenty three years; during which time divers Princes concluded a
League offensive and defensive against the _Barbarini_.
The reason of this was, for that the _Pope_ was too hard towards others,
and too soft towards his own Relations; Cardinal _Francesco_ too soft
towards others, (but dissemblingly) and hard towards his Uncle; Cardinal
_Antonio_ hard towards _Francesco_, and soft towards the _Pope_; and _Don
Thadeo_, who knew not how to do better, was hard towards the soft, and
soft towards the hard.
Cardinal _Francesco_ fear’d to disgust _Antonio_, and delighted to
displease the _Pope_; Cardinal _Antonio_ fear’d the _Pope_, but caus’d
_Francesco_ fear himself; _Don Thadeo_ sided with him that was most
obstinate in his opinion; And the _Pope_ deny’d to one what he could not
grant to the other, granted to this what the other desired, becoming
obstinate where there was need of pliableness, and pliable where it
behoved him to be obstinate.
Now a Court of this humour afforded work enough to the Ministers of
Princes, who were alwaies receiv’d by the _Pope_ with ambiguous
expressions, by Cardinal _Francesco_ with abundance of faire promises,
and by Cardinal _Antonio_ with a long train of exquisite complements.
But when the Ministers press’d to come to a conclusion of any important
business, Cardinal _Antonio_ sent them to his brother _Francesco_, who at
the appointed hour of Audience us’d to go his visits to the seven
Churches, and the _Pope_ himself pretended indisposition of body. And
thus the effecting of all urgent business was rendred impossible.
In _Urban’s_ time ’twas hard for Princes Ministers to find the streight
gate to enter into publick Negotiations, and when they were in, they
found themselves in a Labyrinth, out of which they could scarce extricate
themselves after a thousand turnings and windings.
_Monsieur de Lionne_, a person of great Abilities, being employ’d
Embassadour to _Rome_ by the most Christian Crown, one day ask’d a
familiar friend of his (pleasantly) _What kind of person himself had_?
To which his Friend answered. _That he had the person of a man worthy of
this Age_. Monsieur _de Lionne_ reply’d to him, _That he took himself to
be like a Tennis-ball bandi’d to and fro by foul-players_; alluding
hereby to the Artifices and tricks put upon him by the _Barbarini_ in his
negotiating with them concerning the affair of _Castro_.
The truth is, any other Minister but Monsieur _de Lionne_ would have
shewed much anger in _Rome_, in the time of the War of the Duke of
_Parma_ with the confederate Princes. This great Man, who was dispatch’d
on purpose to procure the appeasing of the rising tumults, knew not which
way to turn his wits to invent projects and artifices enough to oppose
those of the _Barbarini_, who continually promis’d what they never
intended to perform.
He was sent from _Herod_ to _Pilate_, and from _Pilate_ to _Caiphas_: The
one answer’d, _Yea_: The other, _No_. But what was most important, the
_Pope_ had granted him leave to treat with the two Cardinals his Nephews,
with a promise to confirm what should be by them concluded. Hereupon
having one day by the power of perswasions reduc’d the said two Lords to
reason, he repair’d to the _Pope_ to beseech him to confirm the Treaties
agreed upon with his Nephews; but he receiv’d for answer, _That ’twas
expedient to consider upon the matter_; which consideration never had an
end.
All the Policy of the _Barbarini_ lay in drawing out affairs in length,
and concluding nothing; so that when ever these Nephews concluded any
thing with the Ministers of Princes, they presently sent word to the
_Pope_, that he should deny to confirm what they had done, and at the
same time gave out that such denial was contrary to their wills.
The Republick of _Venice_, when they saw that ancient Monument remov’d
out of the _Vatican_, which represented the Benefits done by St. _Mark_
to the Church, sent an Express to carry their just complaints to the
_Pope_, but he could never obtain any kind of satisfaction, not so much
as in words, the _Pope_ turning the matter from himself to his Nephews,
and the Nephews from themselves to the _Pope_.
In the mean time great affront was done to the honour of a Republick so
well deserving of the Church, without which one may say perhaps there
would not be now a _Pope_ in _Rome_, if any where else.
In like manner the Commonwealth of _Lucca_ sent an Embassadour to _Rome_
to complain of the injury done to them by the _Pope’s_ sending to them
the Lord _Recagna_ with the title of Commissary, (which was a thing not a
little derogatory from the Soveraignty of that State) and the more, in
that this good Prelate, sent from the _Barbarini_, had something of the
Barbarian.
But this Embassage had no effect, besides a return of Plenary Indulgency,
which the Embassadour carried home, who seeing himself so often baffled
at the _Vatican_, fell into the humour of negotiating with the Saints,
and made his business to receive the Stations sometimes of one Church,
and sometimes of another.
The Crown of _Poland_ for six years together solicited by its Embassadour
to have a Cardinal’s Hat for the Lord _Visconti_, according to his just
Priviledges; but in all that time he not only could not obtain his
intent; but moreover the Popish Embassadour at his return knew not what
cause to tell his Master of the denial; for they all gave him good words,
and bad deeds. Cardinal _Antonio_ excus’d himself by saying, _That he
had no authority to effect it_; Cardinal _Francesco_, _That his desire
was to serve his Majesty_, _but his Holiness did not think the Person
worthy_; And the _Pope_ pretended, _That he could not make a man Cardinal
who was an enemy to his Nephews_.
The same was the case of the Citizens of _Bononia_, who dispatch’d an
Agent to _Rome_, to supplicate his Holiness, that he would please to
remove the Commissary _Della Grascia_, whose being there mightily
intrench’d upon their Priviledges, but they receiv’d the same Answer with
those of _Lucca_; their Envoy returning laden with fair words, but not
with Indulgences, as he of _Lucca_; for out of displeasure to have miss’d
his intent he would not visit the holy places, but said to a Friend that
moved him to go and receive the Stations of St. _Mary Maggiore_, (rather
like a Protestant than a Catholick) _My Friend_, _If there be no treating
with the_ Barbarini _who can speak_, _there is less with the Saints who
cannot_. _To what purpose is it to solicite the dead_, _if it be so hard
to address to the living_?
The two Crowns of _France_ and _Spain_ are manifestly imposed upon every
day, the _Spanish_ Policy little availing with the _Barbarini_, whilst
they stir not a hairs breadth from their ordinary Maxime, which is to
perplex the understanding of Embassadours, one of them denying as much as
the other promis’d. Which gave occasion to a certain _Florentine_ of the
great Duke’s Court to say, _That the greatest miracle of_ Rome _was to
see all the Ministers of Princes tantaliz’d with the ambiguous and
confus’d treating of the_ Barbarini, _to so great prejudice of all
Christendom_.
But if ever any Prince was tantalized by them, ’twas the King of
_Portugal_, who by the advice of _France_, and upon hopes given by the
fair words of the _Barbarini_, sent the Bishop of _Lamego_ with the title
of Embassadour Royal to _Rome_, where he was receiv’d with great honour
and respect. But in substance ’twas all but smoke, the Embassadour being
unable to obtain either a favourable Yea, or a flat No; that I say not
that he obtain’d sometimes the one, and sometimes the other.
This intricate procedure in so important a matter was the cause of great
disorders, the _Spaniards_ distrusting the words of the _Barbarini_, and
the _French_ giving little or no credit to the offers made by them. For
Cardinal _Antonio_ never ceas’d to assure _France_, _That_ Lamego _should
not fail to be receiv’d as a publick Embassadour_; and Cardinal
_Francesco_ continually promis’d _Spain_, _That his Holiness would never
admit a Portugal Embassadour_.
And accordingly by this course the _Barbarini_ wholly disgusted the
_Portugal_, little satisfied the _Spaniard_, and nothing at all the
_French_, and brought the City it self into danger by that fray which
happen’d between the two Embassadours, with the death of some Courtiers
on both sides, and the declaring _Lamego_ irregular and depriv’d of all
Ecclesiastical Benefices, according to the usual penalty of Homicide.
A thousand other Examples might be brought of like nature, but I must
omit them to pass on to the actions of _Innocent_ the tenth, who had
reduc’d the Court to such a confus’d state, that no body knew where, nor
how, to begin any Negotiation; whereupon a Minister of the Duke of
_Parma_ said one day, _That ’twas easier to make a bed for a dog_, _than
to understand the humour of_ Innocent.
The Government of _Urban_ was the best in the World in comparison of that
of _Innocent_; for _Urban_ delighted to negotiate with Embassadours, but
the other avoided their presence as much as possible he could; and when
he receiv’d them, ’twas after so disobliging careless manner, that few
car’d to confer with him.
No hours were so tedious to him, as those wherein he was to give Audience
to a publick Embassadour; for he little car’d to be troubled with the
important affairs of Christendom, or those of the Papacy it self.
His particular Maximes were to deny all favours, to answer all sutes with
a Negative, and never to resolve upon any thing that might advantage the
Church, or weaken its Enemies.
What others avoided, was in him predominant; that is to say, He lov’d
that which was worst. If he possess’d any vertue, he employ’d it not to
the benefit of Christendom, but of his own Family; as on the contrary he
did his ill qualities to the mischief of the Church and the City.
At first indeed he seem’d so desirous of knowing all affairs both publick
and private, that ’twas hoped, his Government would prove the happiest
that ever was to the Church. But this vigilance caused no small hurt in
general; for when the Subjects of the Ecclesiastical State, Prelates, and
forreign Ministers, conceiving the same to proceed from zeal to Justice,
had brought and delivered their Memorials, in hopes of a speedy Answer,
it prov’d all but loss of time; for they never were call’d, nor admitted
to any answer at all. Whence, the _Pope’s_ way, of denying all and
resolving nothing, being understood, it became an ungrateful employment
to have any thing to do at _Rome_.
And to make the way of arriving at their ends more difficult to Princes
Ministers, for a long time together there was no Officer at Court to
present the Petitions of Suiters, as formerly, but he declared one of his
Nephews to be Cardinal Patron; who was the Cardinal _Astalli_, but with
an authority so streight and limited, that he was almost asham’d of it.
By this means the Court became so much the more at a loss; for such as
address’d to this Nephew, receiv’d no other comfort, but to behold him
shrink up his shoulders, (as young maids do when ask’d by their Fathers
whether they will marry) and hear him tell them, _That all should be
represented to his Holiness_. And the truth is, as to this point he was
very punctual: But he did it after so timerous and indifferent a manner,
out of fear to cross the _Pope_, whose answer he knew was alwaies the
same, _That the matter shall be taken into consideration_; The plain
meaning whereof was, _That nothing at all shall be done in it_.
In this confusion some thought it best to address immediately to the
_Pope_; but, besides the difficulty of Access, the Event prov’d alwaies
alike; whatever care they took to make their Proposals clear and
intelligible, they alwaies hung in the hedge. Yet there were some too
that fansied _Innocent_ one of the greatest Politicians of the World,
till perceiving by effects the clean contrary, they remain’d as mute as
Statues for shame of their mistake.
His suffering _Donna Olympia_ to rule all, his exalting, and abasing his
adopted Nephew _Astalli_; his banishing, and recalling _Don Camillo_ his
own Nephew; his persecuting, and reingraciating with the _Barbarini_; and
in a word, his changing his will and judgment every moment; and his
inconstancy in every thing, save granting Sutes, would have imbroiled any
Government whatsoever, and much more the Papal, which is naturally full
of confusion.
When there happens a _Pope_ like _Innocent_, bent wholly to reject all
the instances of Princes; the only remedy is to sow disturbances in the
Church, and broyls between the Protestants and Catholicks, thereby to
puzzle the _Pope’s_ brain, and frighten him, so that he shall rather seek
the friendship of Princes, than they his. Of the success of which course
I shall give some Examples.
When the Duke of _Parma’s_ Army took the Field, to get redress concerning
the detension of _Castro_, under the Command of _Don Gauffrido_; the
_Pope_ extremely affrighted, as one not much accustomed to the Trade of
War, caused the Holy Sacrament to be expos’d forty hours, and Processions
to be celebrated to all the Churches in _Rome_.
And not knowing what might be the issue of the War undertaken by the said
Prince, who breathed nothing but the extremities thereof against his
Person, he thought it his best course to gain the Princes of
_Christendom_ to his side, and to oblige them to relinquish the
Protection of the Duke, by rendring himself extraordinary easie to all
Addresses, granting Favours to all Demanders, and receiving Publick
Ministers with so much obligingness, that they needed no more but to open
their mouths for any Suit or Request, that of the _Pope_ standing always
open to accord it.
A certain Embassador, who for three years together could never obtain any
other Favour but that of Common Indulgences, finding his desires now
satisfied in what ever he demanded, writ to the Prince his Master, _That
the_ Pope, _like a Hackney-horse_, _travelled very well with a Spur in
his Flank_; _and that he had lately obtained_, _in eight days_, _more
than he could do before in three years_: _So that it were to be wish’d
that the Duke of_ Parma _would give him a touch or two more of the Spur_.
In the very same manner, at the time that the _French_ had made
themselves Masters of _Portolongone_, all sort of Favours ran out with a
full torrent, many times preventing Requests: Nor did the _Pope_ suffer
any man to depart from his Presence, who was not satisfied to the height
of his wishes.
But no sooner was this State of Affairs changed, that is to say,
_Portolongone_ recovered by the _Spaniards_, and the Duke disappointed in
the War, but Negatives appear’d afresh in the Field with greater
peremptoriness than before; and the _Pope_ became as deaf as a Stone to
all manner of Supplications or Petitions.
Hence it may be clearly seen, or at least argu’d, That most _Popes_ (if
not all) neither grant Favours, nor bear any regard to Princes, save at
such time as they stand in need of them.
_Urban_ the Eighth was of this very same humour, denying without
exception all sort of Favours, which had not their original from his own
or his Nephews inclination, however just Reasons might be alledged for
them; and this as well to the _French_, whom he made semblance to love,
but really lov’d not; as to the _Spaniards_, whom indeed he affected,
though without giving them the satisfaction of seeing any tokens of that
affection.
Nevertheless, when he saw _Odoardo Farnese_ Duke of _Parma_ enter
victorious with 3000 Horse, for the regaining of _Castro_, most
injuriously detained from him, then indeed he began both to humble
himself to _Spain_, which he had kept under before, and to gratifie
_France_, to which he had on divers occasions shewn himself ungrateful;
and also to solicite the Friendship of all sort of Princes, as well small
as great; and that not by promising, but by real concession of Favours
with a plentiful hand in _Germany_ and _Italy_.
Wherefore seeing the _Popes_ have a particular Method of bearing
themselves ruggedly and contemptuously to Princes, when they need them
not; ’twere good Policy in Princes to bring it so to pass, that they
might always be in a state of Fear, sometimes by threatning neer hand,
and at other times by vexing them at distance.
The Indignities which Princes receive often from the Court of _Rome_,
proceed not immediately from an evil intention in the _Popes_ towards
them, but from the too good inclination of Princes towards the _Popes_;
there being some so tender-conscienc’d, that they fear the loss of their
Souls in disgusting a rascallion Court-fly that bears the Cassock of a
Priest, and serves to sweep the Antichamber of his Holiness or the
Cardinal-Nephew.
The Ecclesiasticks have Swords in their Mouths, but no Courage in their
Breasts; I mean, they threaten all People, without considering what issue
such Menaces may have: But when they see themselves reprov’d or
threatned, then their hearts fail them, they fall a trembling, and humble
themselves to every body, especially Grandees; although withall, they
have the cunning to colour their Fear with the pretext of a religious,
pious, and devout Meekness.
The nature of the Ecclesiasticks is to disgust such as comply with them,
and fawn on those that disgust them; So that if Princes would advance
their Affairs, and bring down the haughtiness of _Rome_, they must
endeavour to mortifie the _Pope_.
The Catholick Crown, in testimony of its affection to the _Popes_, admits
into its Jurisdiction only the _Roman_ Religion; besides that the
_Spaniards_ also shew themselves most concerned in keeping up the _Pope_
the Head of the Church, and enriching the Ecclesiasticks.
However, they have fared little or not at all the better for it, as to
their Negotiations at _Rome_, in regard that the Ecclesiasticks (that is,
the _Popes_) esteem them not more than others for it; but through fear
commonly afford as much or more countenance to the _French_: from whom on
the other side they receive greater disgusts, under pretence of the
_Gallican_ Priviledges.
’Tis true, the _Roman_ Court very well perceives, that the _Spaniards_
reverence it as the Sanctuary of their Glory, and the Absolute Mistress
of the preservation of their States; and accordingly it treats them
familiarly, that is to say, with good words and ill deeds, with fair
shews and bad substance.
The _Spaniards_ suffering themselves to be too much domineer’d over in
the Court of _Rome_, is not only hurtful to the Government of the
_Spaniards_ themselves, but also thereby prejudices the Interests of all
those Princes that have concerns either at _Rome_, or with _Rome_; For
when any inferiour Prince would with specious Reasons defend his Right
over Ecclesiastical Persons, these men presently alledge for their
justification the Example of the _Spaniards_, and thereby enforce him not
to refuse, what so great and powerful a Monarchy as _Spain_ refuseth not
to do. And of these Examples the _Popes_ have the _Vatican_ full, and
make use of the same in all Occurrences, to the perpetual nauseating of
Princes therewith.
This manner of proceeding between the Ecclesiasticks and the _Spaniards_
cannot last long, because the long languishings of Princes, ensuing
thereupon, will enforce them either to yield to some violent Remedy, or
to open the gate to death.
Every day, yea, every moment, displeasures arise between the Crown of
_Spain_ and _Rome_; which, how-much soever debated, turn always to the
satisfaction of the _Pope_, and the disadvantage of the Interests of the
Catholick King.
In brief, The Dominion which the Court of _Rome_ hath gotten over the
_Spaniards_ is so great, that how many and considerable soever the
disgusts be which this Court puts upon them from day to day, nevertheless
the _Spaniards_ dare not come to a Rupture with it, being better
contented to suffer themselves, than to make others suffer.
The Policy of the _North_, yea and that of _Italy_ too, laughs at this
_Spanish_ Zeal, which stoops in so humble sort to the arrogance and
insolent Proceedings of the Ecclesiasticks. And indeed What reason is
there that such a Monarchy should submit its Empire to a simple
Bishoprick? Nevertheless, this is seen done every day in the
Ecclesiastick State.
Were it not for the _Spaniards_, I verily believe Affairs at _Rome_ would
not be so imbroil’d and perplex’d as they are; for the _Popes_ become so
extremely proud towards other Princes, and render all Negotiations so
extremely difficult, through the little account they make of Publick
Ministers, in regard they see themselves back’d and supported by so
potent a Crown in _Italy_.
Nevertheless, I cannot but imagine, That other Princes are for this
reason extremely incensed with anger against the _Spaniards_, who to
satisfie an apparent out-side Zeal, ruine the Common Cause of the
Sovereignty of all other Princes.
If the _Spaniards_ would comply with other Sovereigns, to give the
_Popes_ now and then a touch of the Spur, thereby to oblige them to go on
in the right way, the management of Affairs at _Rome_ would be very
expedite, and the Ministers of Princes would not meet with so many
difficulties: Which I leave, with the rest, to the consideration of the
_Spaniards_ and other Princes.
Some Ministers there are, who flatter themselves into a belief that they
may be able to bring their Negotiations to a prosperous end, by means of
the friendship they have with Cardinals, and the great Interest these
Cardinals have to defend those Princes of whom they are intitl’d
Protectors.
But this Opinion of theirs hath no other effect but to confound their
Negotiations so much the more, whilst the Protection of Princes by those
Cardinals is only external and nominal: for otherwise Policy obliges them
to seek in the first place the advantage of the _Pope_, before the profit
of the Princes, whom they serve, or at least seem to serve.
Every blow of mortification which the _Pope_ receives from any Prince,
recoils to the damage of the Cardinal Dignity; and therefore the
Cardinals labour to bring it about, that the Advantages may be always on
the _Popes_ side. Nor is it necessary to believe the Cardinal, who
professeth, _That the Interests of his Prince are dearer to him_, _than
those of the Scarlet Gown it self_.