that when _Innocent_ beheld his Cousin _Olympia_ anxious and troubled
lest the Ecclesiastical State should become involv’d in a War, and lest
many Cardinals should engage in it on behalf of the Duke of _Parma_, out
of spight to the _Pamphilian_ Family, the _Pope_ comforted her with these
words; _Cousin_, _fear nothing_, _the Cardinals will be for us in spight
of their own teeth_, _and will defend the Ecclesiastical State in
consideration of their own Interest_, _though we should go about to ruine
it for ours_.
The Grandeur of the Scarlet Gown depends upon the Majesty of the Triple
Crown, and the Cardinals are proportionably Great as the _Pope_ is so;
whence it is that they strive with all possible ardour to promote the
Advantage of the Church, and the Honour of the _Pope_; which failing,
their own Reputation and Glory must partake in the Eclipse.
Great undoubtedly is the Magnificence of the Colledge of Cardinals; and
greater it would be, if it had not been perverted both from the first
Institution thereof, and retrench’d of the Prerogatives wherewith it hath
been augmented by divers _Popes_, for the maintenance of its Grandeur and
Honour.
But the _Popes_ have corrupted and spoil’d all; inasmuch as into that
Colledge, into which the greatest Princes of the World think it a glory
to enter, they have introduc’d some, who have received their Original
from the vilest Dunghil of the World; and ’tis not many years ago, that
one was created Cardinal, who was the Son of a base Catchpole.
Hence it comes to pass, that the _Popes_ seeing the Scarlet Robe upon the
Shoulders of so vile and unworthy Persons, they despise it likewise when
it is worn on the backs of Great Princes. And ’tis more than true, That
good _Popes_ honour the Cardinals, when such Honour brings profit to
themselves; otherwise they make a mock both of their Persons, and their
Order.
And hence it is, that Princes Ministers find themselves in a wrong Box,
when they put any trust even in those Cardinals who seem the greatest
Zealots for their Interests.
Thus I have made a Relation of the manner how things are wont to be
negotiated at _Rome_, and shew’d how the great Polititians of _Europe_
may salve their Reputations; as also the Grounds and Causes of those
Mischiefs, which break the sleep and make the heads ake of as many
Publick Ministers as reside in _Rome_.
When the _Pope_ perceives that Negotiations tend to his own Advantage, he
doth things like an absolute Monarch: but when he knows that they are
likely to cause any prejudice to him, he lays the cause of not succeeding
upon the Congregations of the Cardinals, of which there are infinite at
_Rome_.
In this manner he shews himself rather as Head of a Commonwealth, than an
absolute Prince: and indeed those Congregations serve more for a pretext
and help to the _Pope_ and the Nephews, than for any benefit to the
State.
From such a Government little Fruit, and no Satisfaction can be drawn by
the Ministers that negotiate at _Rome_; but rather, as accordingly it
falls out, disgusts, affronts, and dissatisfactions.
In the _Roman_ Court there passes not a day without reproaches against
the _Pope_ and Nephews, as those who study nothing else but to
accommodate themselves, and incommodate all others that endeavour the
good of the State and the Church.
Greater attendance and application cannot be, than that of _Alexander_
the Seventh both to Civil and Ecclesiastical Affairs; and which is most
considerable, he doth all things with such an eagerness, that he appears
to take no small glory therein.
He lets not one day pass without giving publick Audience, at least very
seldom, unless those Infirmities which are his constant Companions
indispose him to follow his good intentions; as it hapned for these days
lately passed, wherein for a good while together he was not able to give
Audience to the Embassador of _France_.
_Innocent_ undertook things slowly, and this slowness spoil’d all; but
_Alexander_, being most contrary to such a nature, enterpriseth every
thing with great ardour: and this spoils all too, the Ship being lost
oftentimes as well through too little Wind, by falling into the hands of
Enemies, as likewise through too great a Wind striking upon Rocks.
The Ministers of Princes even still find very great difficulties in
negotiating at _Rome_, and perhaps greater too than those which they
found in the time of _Innocent_; who indeed intangled things, because he
would not extricate them: but _Alexander_ confounds matters by too great
eagerness to rectifie them. _Innocent_ lov’d not to meddle, but with
those things whereunto he was enforced; but _Alexander_ thrusts himself
upon such as might better be let alone.
Hence ’tis that Ministers seeing the _Pope_ employ his mind on a thousand
businesses of Christendom, and but of a weak and infirm constitution,
they forbear to trouble him; as Cardinal _Mazarine_ and _Don Lewis d’
Haro_ did, who would not let the _Pope_ have any hand in the Treaty of
the last Peace, to the no small displeasure of the poor _Pope_, who was
ambitious to receive his part of the glory in a business so important to
the Universe.
That which makes publick Agents at _Rome_ thus backward, is the knowledge
they have of the _Pope’s_ mind; who is inquisitive and curious to know
every thing, to have a hand in every action, to pry into all the affairs
of Christendom, and briefly, to lade himself with so many businesses,
that he must needs precipitate them all through want of strength to carry
them on: whence ’tis that oftentimes he answers one Minister concerning
certain matters of which he had conferr’d with another, and so confounds
both himself and them that negotiate with him, who for fear of further
embarassing the _Pope’s_ understanding are fain to break off their most
important Audiences.
In the beginning of his Papacy, being ambitious of glory, he would needs
sustain alone the weight of all the world, not only of the State
Ecclesiastical, in the middle whereof he lean’d upon others, but did not
cast the burden wholly off from himself; and at present now he approaches
towards his end, his infirmities enforce him to leave others to do, that
which it grieves him that he cannot do for others.
Matters were well believ’d, but ill understood at the first entrance of
the Cardinal Patron and _Don Mario_ into _Rome_: and now they are well
understood, but ill believ’d. These Lords began to Reign with their Eyes
shut, and their Ears open; and at present, the Style being changed, they
rule with their Ears shut, and their Eyes open, whence proceeds the
multitude of inconveniences to publick Agents.
The Cardinal _Patron_ exercises the Office of his Patronage, in giving
himself Patronage for enjoying his pleasures, and avoiding, as much as
possible, all hard and knotty affairs; which are wont to perplex the
mind, and confound the brain of a Gallant.
Hence it is, that Embassadors, who treat with him, reap no other good but
a fardle of Complements, and pleasing Expressions, with no small hope
that he will act abundantly; but in reality he doth nothing: so that they
depart from his Presence outwardly satisfi’d, with their hands empty of
any thing of substance.
I have known some Ministers, who have believ’d they might speed in their
publick affairs by the easiness of knowing the secrets of the Court;
which is of great use to a publick Agent, namely, to know the actions,
treaties, and conveniences of others, and to keep his own, and those of
his Prince, secret.
Indeed, the secresie of the Court of _Rome_ seems not to be so great as
the subtilty, although Excommunications and Censures make a great noise:
For those who are introduc’d into this Court are so only for two ends,
either to exalt their Family, and support it from falling, (for the
Ecclesiasticks, having no Wives, naturally encline to enrich their own
Nephews) or else to aggrandise themselves, out of that ambition which
alwaies lies under the Robes of Prelacy.
The Cardinals, however sometimes vertuous and experienced persons, are
not exempt from certain imperfections which commonly reign in _Rome_; for
they are either oblig’d to Princes by a thousand benefices and gifts, or
else are their natural Subjects: and for this reason the Princes who have
great concerns with _Rome_, the more they see Authority and Offices of
any Cardinal increas’d, the more they study how to oblige him to be at
their devotion, and to withdraw him from that of the _Pope_.
Now almost all the Cardinals reveal the things which they pretend to
discover, either through the importunity of inquisitive Agents, and not
to disoblige those to whom they are oblig’d, or else to put greater
obligations upon the Princes to whom they are Pensioners, to the end they
may receive gratuity after gratuity both to themselves and their Kindred,
and especially that they may be assisted in their Pretensions to the
Papacy, when the See Apostolical shall become vacant; which is the
greatest spur of all.
To this Embassadours trust, and alwaies treat with the Cardinals who are
adherents to their Masters, to discover the Counsels by their means. But
indeed, they deceive themselves; for the Cardinals being as much
concern’d as the _Pope_ in the defense of the Church, the State, and the
publick good, in regard all are in capacity to be _Popes_, they will
never reveal any thing which may prejudice that Papacy which makes them
great, and which they aim one day to govern.
The Cardinals are not so indiscreet as to reveal any thing that may in
any wise prejudice the Interests of the Papacy and Ecclesiastick State;
they reveal such things as may be of prejudice to the single person of
the _Pope_, or rather of his Nephews, whom commonly they hate through
envy.
The effect hereof is, that most _Popes_ put little trust in the Cardinals
when any matter relating to their own House is in agitation, but they do
all _motu proprio_: for themselves having, whilst they were Cardinals,
revealed what they ought to have kept secret, they doubt, being
afterwards _Popes_, that others do the like by them; and for this cause
they secure themselves, as much as possible, from such dangers.
The Papal Excommunications, which are great against those that reveal the
secrets of the _Roman_ Court, as well Temporal persons as Spiritual, have
no other effect but to put all into confusion, and to cause ambiguities
on all sides. Hence such things as are revealed, seem not really to be
so, but only intimated; and consequently no small prudence is requisite
to understand what is spoken, because the revealers fearing the sting of
the Excommunication within their breasts, utter only doubtful, perplex’d,
and ambiguous words; by which means such Agents, as think themselves
illuminated by such revelations, soon after find themselves puzzled and
confounded.
The cause hereof is the fear, which Excommunication begets in the breasts
of the scrupulous. But it is true in general, that to mingle things
certain with doubtful, is proper to the _Roman_ Court; and things true
with false, to the Ecclesiasticks.
But the Ecclesiasticks being less guilty of valour then fear, (for
oftentimes they fear even their own shadows) the more important things
are, the more they consult about them; which the _Popes_ do, not because
the good of the State requires it, or the care of their Pastoral charge
urges their consciences thereunto; but only to take from their successors
the occasion to charge the blame of mischief upon their Nephews. And
this is the cause that Negotiations are prolonged, publick Ministers
confounded, and poor Christendom so embroiled, as it is at this day.
Ambassadors at _Rome_, especially in the beginning of a Pontificate,
think they treat with the new _Pope_ as a person disinteressed, and the
Universal Father, not only in reference to things pertaining to the
Church, but also to the civil Interests of Princes, and affairs most
important to the Universe.
But they deceive themselves, and this Error confounds their Treaties;
whilst the _Popes_ have nothing but the bare Title and outward shew of
Universal Father, acting all things according to the dictates of their
own will and interest.
Were the _Popes_ really Universal Fathers, they would love all alike, and
deal with all without affection or hatred: But truly, I know not how they
dare assume that Title, especially those _Popes_, who, without any need
of the Church, have made it lawful to themselves to begin Wars, hinder
Peaces, persecute Nations, and make Leagues against Crowns,
Commonwealths, and Princes, perhaps (nay without perhaps) better
deserving of the Church, and affected to the publick and universal
tranquillity.
I know that if the _Popes_ would deserve the Title of _Universal Father_,
they out to be Universal towards all; and if at any time to be
particular, it should be either out of absolute necessity of Reason of
State, or some great importance to the honour of the Church. Thus did
the Primitive _Popes_, but within these last hundred years things are
altogether transform’d; for the waies of the _Popes_ are directed to the
advancement of their Families; whence every _Pope_ has often chang’d his
thoughts and purposes, and made shew of one thing outwardly, and meant
another inwardly; not for that reasons of State (but the reasons of their
own Families) so requir’d: which latter are commonly more dear to the
_Popes_ than the former. The Ministers of Princes understand what I
mean.
’Tis not possible for the most expert Minister at _Rome_ to succeed well,
and with his Master’s satisfaction, in the things which he negotiates
there. Before I give a reason whereof, I will relate what I read three
daies ago in a little book, whether Historical or Fabulous I know not,
but much to the purpose.
They say, _Pope Paschal_ the second took a conceit to have an Astrologer
divine his thoughts. To which end he sent for an Abbot very intelligent
in the Art of Astrology, and demanded of him, _What himself thought_?
The Abbot surpris’d at this odd-proposal, desir’d time to answer, and
returning home fell to study an Answer; but, not being able to find one
fit and proper to the Question, he remain’d much troubled and melancholy.
His Cook observing it, and understanding the cause, bid his Master take
courage, and leave the business to him; for he would effect it with
reputation to them both. The Abbot was well pleas’d with this discourse,
and being desir’d by the Cook to let him have his Gown and other Habit,
gave him it: wherewith the Cook being cloath’d, repair’d to the _Pope’s_
presence, and that with the more confidence, for that he was in person
and voyce very like the Abbot.
The _Pope_ no sooner beheld him, but taking him for the Abbot, _Well_,
(said he) _What do I think_? The bold Cook answer’d without delay, _Your
Holiness thinks you speak with the Abbot_, _but ’tis with the Abbots
Cook_.
Not much different is that which befals Embassadours of Princes who
negotiate at _Rome_; where the _Popes_ are wont to do like the
_Jackpuddings_ of a Play, who change themselves in a moment from Man to
Woman, and from a Physician to a Muleter.
When an Embassadour thinks he treats with a Temporal Prince, and about
Civil matters, ’tis with a Spiritual Bishop, and about matters
Ecclesiastical. Religion serves the _Pope_ to disguise Temporal
Dominion, and Temporal Dominion to disguise Religion. Religion precedes
Policy, if the Affairs of Embassadours be contrary to the Policy, which
the _Popes_ have in their heads: Policy precedes Religion, if the
Embassadours Strengthen and confirm the particular Policy of the Popes.
If perchance a publick Agent treats a League offensive or defensive with
the _Pope_, he finds greater difficulties therein than he imagin’d; for
if the _Pope_ see that the League brings much more profit to himself than
to the Prince that desires it, he concludes as a Temporal Prince, without
derogating from the Authority Spiritual: That is, he reserves a secret
clause in his mind to break, the League when he will, under colour of
Religion: But if he know that the League is likely to bring much more
advantage to the interest of the Prince than to his own Family, and to
Religion than to his own Purse; excuses are immediately in the field, and
the _Pope_, of a Sacred High Priest, becomes a secular Prince, denying to
do any thing, for fear of hazarding the State.
The Ministers of the Emperour and the King of _Poland_ can witness what I
say, for one of them hath often sworn to me, That the _Popes_ do in
businesses so confound the Sacred with the Profane, and Religion with
Policy, that it is not possible to know whether it be better, to treat
with them as Temporal Princes, or as Secular Lords.
Amongst all the difficulties which Embassadours meet with at _Rome_, this
is the greatest and most deserving to be mentioned.
They that enter upon the Government at _Rome_, are ordinarily at their
entrance destitute of all vertue, much more of Political skill; and no
sooner begin to be a little acquainted therewith, but they must go off,
and give place to others, that enter with like qualifications.
The _Burgheses_ had never manag’d any kind of publike affair:
nevertheless as soon as _Paul_ was made _Pope_, they became Masters
without having ever been at School, and undertook to weild a Scepter,
before they had passed the Ferula.
Cardinal _Ludovisio_ had never gone out of his little _Podere_, where he
entertain’d himself from morning to night amongst those Peasants,
sometimes in playing at Hazard, and sometimes in dancing Country Jigs,
till, his Uncle being become _Pope_, (_Gregory_) he left _Podere_ for the
_Vatican_, the Dance for the Court, hazard for fortune, and the Peasants
for Princes; passing in a moment from the command of a Cottage to the
Empire of the Church, and from small affairs to the great interests of
the World.
Of the _Barbarini_, one was fetcht from the bottom of a Cloister, where
he had scarce learnt to command a Butler to lay the cloath; another was
taken from the Colledge of the Jesuites, where he had practised only to
run up and down the stairs of the Oratory; a third was taken from the
cure of a small Benefice; and the forth from a state of Domestick peace
to command Armies. A fair turn indeed, no less wonderful than unexcted:
yet these Lords have had this particularity, that though they entred upon
the government of the Church extremely ignorant, nevertheless in a few
daies they became Masters of Masters, and seem’d old, although but boys,
in the subtleties of this Court.
Of the two Nephews of _Innocent_ the tenth, the one legitimate, the other
adopted, we have spoken sufficiently, and need not rub the sore again; in
regard they manifested themselves altogether unexpert, the one by
renouncing the Hat, as unable to bear the weight of command; and the
other by being expell’d the City, for venturing to command beyond his
understanding. For all this _Innocent_ introduced them to a vast
Government, and laid upon their backs that world which the most expert
are hardly able to sustain.
What shall we say of _Don Mario_, _Don Augustino_, and Cardinal _Flavio_?
What Governments, Employments, and Charges had they ever possess’d in
their lives? Was it not a fine sight to see _Don Mario_, who had never
worn a Sword in his life, declared _Generalissimo_ of the Holy Church,
receiving at the same time, with the General’s Truncheon, a Licence to
keep the Sword alwaies in the Scabbard? For when he offered to draw it,
and swore to defend the Church with it, the _Pope_ dispens’d with him;
saying, _Brother_, _put thy Sword up into thy Scabbard_, _if thou wilt
have part in my Kingdom_. To which Command _Don Mario_ hath been alwaies
obedient.
When the Cardinal was called to the Government, he was reading the Fables
of _Æsop_, and _Don Augustino_ was making love to a little Courtisan of
_Siena_: and yet on a sudden the latter was called from the arms of a
base Strumpet, and made worthy of the Marriage of a great Princess; and
the other from his Pastime of _Æsop_, was admitted to the management of
the greatest Affairs, not of _Rome_ only, but of the whole World.
Now what prosperous issue can Negotiations have with such a Race of
Politicians? Where shall Embassadors begin, at the Head or the Tail?
What devices shall they have to unfold their meaning to such as want
sense? Unless all _Popes_ should imitate _Gregory_ the Fifteenth, who in
the beginning of his _Papacy_ would not treat of any important matter
with any Minister, but excused it by saying, _That he would stay till his
Nephews were a little instructed in Political Negotiations_: And he had
reason to stay, for in a short time one of them had an ambitious Whimsey
came into his Crown, that he understood more than all the Cardinals, and
his Uncle to boot; and accordingly he acted and commanded, without
communicating with either.
’Tis a tedious thing to Princes Ministers, who are old Stagers in
Councils and Affairs, to have to do with raw, unexperienced Persons, and
such as are much different from the Primitive Governours of the Church;
who, though introduc’d barefoot, and ill clad, and void of all
experience, yet their native simplicity serv’d them very well for the
preserving a virtuous Life, far from Political cunning: whereas the
Nephews of the present _Pope_ enter simple, not to edifie the People, and
adorn the Church with good Lives; but to Lord it over Princes by Policy
not comprehensible.
Most Agents lose their time in learning the nature of those that bear
sway at _Rome_, who are indeed unknown to all. They study in what manner
to treat with such Persons. They strive to gain the affection of those
Governours, who are without any, unless we will say, That they have given
up all their affection to heap up Money. They labour to ingratiate with
those Nephews who possess all the Grace of the _Pope_: And in a word,
Night and day they contrive to know and be known to the Nephews at
_Rome_, in order to their better success there.
But what? in the fairest of these Intrigues, after so many watchings and
toils, after having understood those whom they understood not before, in
the greatest heat of their Negotiations, in the beginning of their joy
for having found out the right way of managing Affairs, and whilst they
are beginning to lay open their Interests to Persons by this time arriv’d
to some capacity, behold the death of the _Pope_ falling out on a sudden,
drives from the _Vatican_ and from the Government those Nephews who are
now understood and experienc’d, to introduce others ignorant,
unexperienc’d, and so void of all Political Knowledge, as never to have
seen the Court but on the outside, Consultations but in Sport, nor
Publick Ministers save in their Coaches.
In this manner poor Embassadors are forced to turn over a new leaf, and
like young Scholars put to a new School, they must learn over again what
they had learn’d before, to their no small dissatisfaction, as well as
injury to their Affairs.
These so sudden shiftings of the Scene, puts the Ministers all in
disorder; and the only satisfaction they find, is to laugh at the new
Princes of the Church, who have so suddenly leap’d from the Dunghil to
the Throne.
Cardinal _Onofrio_ Brother to _Urban_ the Eighth, who was taken from a
Cloister of _Capucines_, and introduc’d into the Affairs of the Court,
could never accustom himself to live in any other manner, but in that
slovenly way of the _Capucines_; so that when he was to receive any
Embassadors, he committed the most ridiculous pieces of clownishness
imaginable.
One day speaking about some War of the _Turk_ in _Germany_, with the
Imperial Embassador, who desir’d him to prevail with the _Pope_ to
succour Christendom, which was endanger’d in that Country; the good
Cardinal fetching a great sigh, began to say, _Ah_, _my Lord Embassador_,
_those Coleworts_, _those Coleworts in the Capucines Garden_, _make me
always remember my former condition_; and so continuing a Discourse of a
quarter of an hour, concerning the goodness of Coleworts, the excellence
of Turneps, and the manner how the _Capucines_ boil them in good fat
broth; seeming to lick his fingers almost at every syllable, and to
swallow a Turnep at every word.
Another time going to visit the _Spanish_ Embassador, and forgetting
himself to be a Cardinal, and not a Capucine, he ask’d on a sudden, _Of
what Covent is your Reverend Fathership a Son_?