make them depart as well by meanes of the Nuntio as of another Minister of a certaine Prince who for foure daies space hanted their Couent at last they gained them by suggesting that all the world would cast their eyes vpon the Capuchines and that their resolution would be a definitiue sentence of the validitie or inualiditie of the Monitorie Wherefore since their opinion would be infallibly followed and embraced by all the world they now had a faire occasion offered to merit much of the Holy See Which did puffe them vp in such sort that they went to the Prince to declare vnto him that they could not remaine and Father Theodore de Bergamasco the Companion of the Prouinciall passed so far as that he had the boldnesse to say that their condition was much differing from the condition of the other Religious whose actions were of small importance but the Capuchins ought to be the rule of all the rest all the world hauing an eye to them for to take example whether to esteeme the Popes Censures or to contemne them Now the terme of 24. daies prefixed in the Monitorie approaching the Iesuites were required on the 9. of May to giue a certaine resolution who then declared their equiuocation by refusing to say Masse which they said was not contrary to their former promise inasmuch as the Masse for the excellencie of it is not cōprehended vnder the name of Diuine Offices And certes it was a pretty inuention to offer themselues to doe Diuine Seruices and then after to exclude the Masse because of its excellence and all others likewise because they had not wont to celebrate them and so by this shift to promise all things and performe nothing to the Republique as also to abide within the State and yet withall to keepe the Interdict according to the intention of the Pope Hereupon the same day the point was put in consultation and it was determined in full Senate to send the Grand Vicar of the Patriarke for to receiue and take into his charge all the ornaments and iewels of the Church with commandement vnto the Iesuites that they should speedily auoid the Countrey Letters also were written to the Gouernours of Cities that they should cause them to depart from the places of their Iurisdiction The Iesuites of Venice vnderstanding this resolution called tumultuously vnto the Church their deuoted ones from whom they drew a very great summe of money and perswaded the Capuchines that at their parting they should goe forth in Procession with the Holy Sacrament seditiously intending to moue the people if it had been possible And the euening being come they demanded of the Magistrates to be assisted by publique Officers for their securitie which was accorded vnto them But here with not contenting themselues they sent to request the Ambassador of France that it would please him to let them be attended by his Seruants which he did not thinke fit seeing they had already a publike guard In the end that euening they departed two houres within night each one carying the Holy Host at his necke to intimate that Iesus Christ departed with them to this spectacle there were assembled a great multitude of people as well by land as by water And whē the Superior who last of al entred the Barque demāded Benediction of the Viccar of the Patriarch who was there straight a voice was raised by all the people crying in the language of that Country Andè in mall ' hora Goe with a vengeance or in the Deuils name These men in the meane while had hid in the Citie vessels and precious ornaments of the Church many bookes and the best moueables of their House which they left in a manner void All the next day there remained the relikes of a fire in two places where they had burned an incredible quantitie of writings They left also a good number of cruses to melt mettals the noise whereof being heard thorow the Citie which scandalized the few deuoted ones which were left there the Father Posseuine writ and his letter was publikely seene that these cruses were not to melt gold or siluer as they were slandred but only for to accōmodate their bonnets Shortly there remained not any thing of importance within the House saue the Library bequeathed vnto them by the Arch-Bishop Leuys Molino Bishop of Treuiso which was found with in their Armories and a case of bookes forbidden in a place separate But at Padua were found many Copies of a certaine Writing containing eighteene rules vnder this title Regulae aliquot seruandae vt cum Orthodoxâ Ecclesiâ verè sentiamus that is to say Rules which ought to be obserued to the end that our Beleefe may be conformable to that of the Orthodox Church in the seuenteenth whereof there is a prescription to take heed how men presse or inculcate too much the grace of God and in the third it is ordained that men must beleeue the Hierarchicall Church although it tell vs that that is blacke which our eye iudgeth to be white Before their parting they left vnto their Penitents some instructions how they ought to gouerne themselues in the obseruation of the Interdict The Iesuites being thus gone there seemed small cause of feare for the other Religious that they would breed any trouble But vpon the bruit which ran of the Capuchines and Theatines who said that they must needs keepe the Interdict there were some that imputed this manner of proceeding in them to a feeblenesse of conscience easie to be deceiued and so condoled with them and desired they might be tolerated Others more aduised seeing well that this did proceed from their ambition to seem better than others with designe to be fauoured by his Holinesse detested their hypocrisie But the Senate reputing it not agreeable to that reason and iustice which they vsed in matters of State nor to the seruice of God and tranquillitie of Religion and that on the contrary in times so calamitous such a noueltie might bring much danger if within the State it were permitted that any Ecclesiastique should obserue the Iuterdict gaue order that all those who were not disposed to continue the Diuine Seruices should retire out of their Dominions Whereupon the Capuchines Theatines and the reformed Franciscanes departed from Venice and others Religious were appointed to the Gouernment of their Churches But the Capuchines in the Territories of Brescia and Bergamo where there were no Iesuites to seduce them did not accord with the other but remained and continued their Diuine Seruices without any innouation for which they were bitterly persecuted by their Superiours at Rome with Excommunications and other Spirituall penalties although without effect as touching their Temporalls because the Prince had taken them into his protection and for the Spirituals they defended themselues by some Writings which were published vpon very good groūds being men well learned and of great prudence who were not carried to take any resolution but with the
of a new Duke The Pope hauing aduise of this from the Nuntio how he had presented the Breues and how the Duke was deceased writ vnto him that he should Protest vnto the State and enioyne them not to passe on to a new Election in as much as it should be void being made by men excommunicated aiming by this new deuice to bring some confusion or diuision within the State as sometime it fals out at Rome in the Vacancie of the Chaire shewing himselfe herein vtterly ignorant of that Republique which doth not receiue any alteration by the change of their Dukes or by a Vacancie but remaineth still equally firme and stable The Nuntio to execute this command required audience of the State with great importunitie but he could not be admitted it being their custome not to heare any Ministers of Princes during the Vacancie vnlesse their businesse be that of condoling Whilst they applied themselues to the Election of a new Duke the Nuntio communicated to many persons the Commission which hee had to protest and besides another order which he had to see that hee did not any thing which might seeme to approue any of those proceedings They made remonstrance vnto him concerning this enterprise how important it was to attempt a thing vnheard of in the world and at once to confound matters Spirituall with the Temporall Briefly that it was an extreame iniury and irreparable not only to the State but year 1606 further to all Potentates and that in the Citie would not follow any alteration on this occasion but the iniury would excite all the world ioyntly to sustaine the publique dignity and peraduenture breake off all commerce with the Court of Rome He gaue notice vnto the Pope how he had not beene admitted to Audience by the Councellors and at the same time writ vnto him of all these considerations But the Electors did not long delay to acquit hemselues of their charge for the tenth of Ianuary M DC VI. by scrutiny according to the custome they elected vnto the Dukedome Leonardo Donato a Senator of all the rest without controuersie the most eminent for his life full of integritie for his experience in Gouerning and for his exquisite knowledge in all good Learning adorned besides with all heroicall vertues qualities rare in this age All Ambassadors forthwith went as the manner is to congratulate with the new Prince only the Nuntio neglected to doe that office till he had receiued answer from his Holinesse touching some considerations which he had sent by suggestion of some sage Prelats Yet though the Nuntio did not performe his complements the Duke did not omit to write vnto the Pope as the custome is and to giue him aduise of this Election Vpon this newes there went a rumor in Rome that the Pope had a purpose not to acknowledge the new Duke and although it came to the eares of the Ambassador yet he neglected not to visit all those who were neare the Pope declaring the certaine mischiefes that would ensue if this deliberation were executed that for his part he was resolued what to doe if his Holinesse should refuse the Letter which he was to present vnto him in the name of his Prince But the Pope whether moued with his discourses or by some aduice which he had from his Nuntio passed in silence that pretension receiued the Letter and answered the Duke congratulating with him for his Election and reuoked the Order formerly giuen to his Nuntio of not presenting himselfe to the Duke In the space of time which passed from the presentation of the Breues vntill the answer which was made by the Senate whereof we shall speake at all Audiences the Pope vrged to haue their resolution saying that they ought not to deferre for default of a Prince and that the Senate might well notwithstanding be assembled that they should not thinke to spend or gaine time by deliberations that he was an enemie of time that he had written in hope of the obedience of the Republique but if he had not a speedy answer hee would resolue vpon some other course and one time he said We will dispatch the next morning which afterward hee explained not to haue beene spoken affirmatiuely but only that he might not oblige himselfe to any limitted time but remaine free to doe what pleased him though he should lose his skin he would maintaine the cause of God and his owne reputation The opinion of the Court was that the Republique would submit and rather liberally bribe than trouble their peace that among the Senators many were scrupulous and therefore that in the streits of deliberation feare might produce good effects But at Venice the first affaire treated in Senate after the election of the Prince was this difference with the Pope and first an Ambassador was appointed in place of Leonardo Donato now made Duke who was Peter Duodo Knight and taking the Breues which they beleeued to be the one touching the Lawes the other the Prisoners after they had opened them they were both found of the same tenor and couched in the same termes In these Breues the Pope said in substance That it was come to his knowledge that the State in former yeeres had treated and ordained in their Councell many things contrary to Ecclesiasticall liberty and to the Canons Councels and constitutions Pontificall but among others that in the yeere M DC III. in the Councell of Ien hauing regard to certaine lawes of their Ancestors for bidding to erect Churches or other places of deuotion without permission in stead of abrogating and disanulling the old ordinances touching this matter they had againe reuiued and decreed the same and extended that statute which formerly onely concerned the Citie of Venice to all other places of their Dominion vnder great penalties as if Churches and persons Ecclesiasticall were in any sort subiect to the Temporall iurisdiction or hee who foundeth a Church were worthy of so rude a chastisement as if he had committed some great crime Moreouer that in the Moneth of May last past the Senate hauing regard to another law made in the yeere M D XXXVI whereby was prohibited the perpetuall alienation of Lay mens goods within the Citie and Dukedome of Venice to Ecclesiasticall places without permission of the Senate vnder certaine penalties in stead of reuoking that law as their dutie required they had againe renewed the same and extended that law with the penalties to all places of their Dominion as if it were lawfull for Temporall Princes to ordaine any thing to exercise any iurisdiction or to dispose in any sort without the Ecclesiastiques and particularly without leaue from the Pope of the goods of the Church especially of such goods as haue beene giuen vnto Churches persons Ecclesiasticall and other places of deuotion by the faithfull for remedie of their sins and discharge of their consciences That these ordinances tending to the damnation of soules to publique scandall and also contrary
Taken away notwithstanding this latter pleased them better because it was vsed on both parts the word Taken away being employed both in regard of the Censures and of the Protestation But the Cardinall declaring that he could not herein goe beyond his charge which he had from the Pope and the Senate perceiuing not any difference lest they should seeme to deny it only because they were instantly requested they condescended in the end that the word of Reuocation should be vsed And to shew that all was done in one and the same time it was concluded to say The Protestation in like manner is reuoked All these particularities being thus concluded and determined and the Manifesto dressed they appointed the day the 21. of Aprill to giue an entire accomplishment to that which was determined which was done in the manner following The Cardinall was lodged in the Palace sometime of the Duke of Ferrara whither Fresne that morning went by times and Marc Ottobon the Secretary being come with two ordinary Notaries of the Dukes Chancery the Officers brought Marc Antony Brandolino Valdimarino Abbot of Neruese and Scipio Sarazin Canon of Vicenza Prisoners entring with all their troupe into a Chamber where was the Ambassador accompanied with his Domestiques and some others of the family of the Cardinall And hauing saluted the Ambassador they told him that those were the Prisoners which conformably to that which had beene accorded the most Illustrious Prince had sent to be deliuered to his Excellence in gratification of the Most Christian King with protestation not to preiudice hereby the authority which the Republique hath to iudge Ecclesiastiques The Ambassador answered that so he receiued them Then the Secretary demanded some publique instrument or act hereof to be made by Girolamo Poluerin and Iohn Rizzard the Dukes Notaries in presence of those of the Cardinals Court and of the Ambassador together with the publique Officers This done the Prisoners recommended themselues to the Ambassador who with words of curtesie promised them his protection and going out of the Chamber with the company causing the Prisoners to be brought after him into a Gallery where the Cardinall walked he said vnto the Cardinall These are the Prisoners which are to be deliuered to the Pope The Cardinall pointing to one neere him said Giue them to him who was Claudio Montano a Commissarie sent by the Pope to this effect who touched them in token of dominion and possession and praied the Ministers of Iustice which conducted them that they would be pleased to keepe them for him This Act thus finished the Cardinall departed with the Ambassador and both went vnto the Prince who after Masse was gone with the Signiory and the Sages into the Colledge where all being set as ordinarily the Cardinall pronounced these formall words I reioyce very much that this happy day so much desired by me is come wherein I declare vnto your Serenitie that all the Censures are taken away as in deed they are and I take therein much pleasure for the benefit which shall redound hereby to all Christendome and particularly to Italy Then the Duke put in his hand the decree of the reuocation of the Protestation And after some words of complement the Cardinall praied them to send their Ambassador with speed to Rome and so departed The reuocation of the Protestation was addressed vnto the same Prelates to whom the Protestation was directed and in substance contained That a means being found whereby the Pope was certified of the vprightnesse and sincerity of the Republique in their actions He had taken away and remoued the causes of the present differences And also as the Senate had endeuoured alwaies to entertaine a good intelligence with the Holy See so they receiued much contentment by obtaining the effect of this their iust desire whereof they were willing to giue them notice adioyning that on both sides all being executed which had been agreed on and the Censures being taken away the Protestation in like sort did remaine reuoked The Cardinall had determined after the Audience of the Prince to goe to the Cathedrall Church of S. Peter there to celebrate Masse and the Ambassador Don Francis de Castro had intreated him that he might there assist the rumor whereof going thorow the City very much people were there assembled early Wherefore many Masses were celebrated from morning till Mid-day as also the dayes before both in that Church and in others there was a great frequentation of Masses and other Diuine Offices praying God that what was Treated for the accommodating of so great a Cōtrouersie might succeed to his glory The Cardinall going from the Colledge tooke his way to S. Peters and at the same time the Count de Castro went to the Audience of the Prince to congratulate with him In the meane while the Cardinall arriued at the Cathedrall Church where for the multitude of people they celebrated at three Altars and expected a while the comming of Don Francis de Castro with Don Innigo de Cardenas alwaies continuing Masse after Masse At length the Ambassadors being come the Cardinall celebrated in the presence of an infinite multitude The same day after dinner a bruit was scattered that that morning in the Colledge the Cardinall had giuen an absolution which caused a great discontentment to such as were zealous for the publique Honour who were curious quickly to discouer the originall of such a bruit with designe to haue a remedy so fixed was that resolution in the spirits of the Venetians to shew constantly that the Republique was not in any fault but this rumour was suddenly appeased because in seeking whence it might arise they found it had beene scattered here and there by the French who said that all the Senators of the Colledge being assembled and expecting according to the custome that the Duke should first sit downe then after all to take their place in order the Cardinall made the signe of the Crosse vnder his hood Which being vnderstood the generall discontent was turned into merriment for as much as none is ignorant that if this be admitted as an Absolution the Ecclesiastiques may giue Absolution from their Censures euen to them which refuse it or wch do not desire it that none can hinder it that they may also following this doctrine absolue men absent as it shall seeme good vnto them That if the Card. made the signe of the Crosse vnder his hood he might haue done it more cōmodiously in his Lodging this importing nothing to the purpose It was sufficient that the Interdict had not beene obserued for any one moment and that the Senate refused not onely absolution but euen all ceremonies which might haue the least apparence thereof In the euening of the same day the Senate assembled where they deliberated to elect an Ambassador to goe to Rome to reside with his Holinesse and Francis Contarini a Knight was elected who had beene sent by the Republique some yeeres before with
King-killers and Assassins wherein their weake or wilde Nouices are first frighted out of their Wits and so animated and prepared for any the most desperate enterprises Neuer was Sect so iustly and vniuersally hated and feared All Nations detest and suspect Them yet still they prosper So strangely that whosoeuer seriously eyes their Power and Practises will see they doe but equiuocate with their owne Masters the Pope and Spaine pretending to be their Factors and Instruments but indeed hauing their right eye vpon Themselues So that if the World do not quickly resolue to preuent Them by an vtter abolishing of this pestilent Vermin the next Age will see the Iesuites plant both the Catholique Crownes vpon the Head of their Generall In the meane while we sleepe and which is worse we sinne Neuer more need we had to be at peace with God and well vnited among our selues being threatened with so many dangers and Enemies abroad What then can wee iudge of so many new Doctrines in the Church so many old sinnes in the State but that they are certaine symptomes and indeed Causes of our approaching ruine which in all humane iudgement cannot be auoided vnlesse the Lord as he is wont work some Miracle in our preseruation He hath long wooed vs with innumerable vnparalell'd mercies and of late scourged vs with a furious Mortality but our dull dead hearts are still stupid and insensible we do not turne to him that smiteth vs we doe not meet our God by Repentance we returne nothing but insolence and ingratitude We despise his Mercy and defie his Iustice we scoffe at Holinesse in stead of honouring and imitating it we laugh at sinne in stead of lamenting it and those are called Manners with vs which our honest Fore-fathers would haue counted Vices Our Atheisme Sacriledge Luxury Excesse Pride Vnthankfulnesse open Prophanenesse c. crie downe vengeance vpon our heads and will doubtlesse make vs the example of Gods indignation to all the World as we haue beene formerly of his loue the pity of our Friends the hissing and reproach of our Enemies round about vs. Tunc votorum praecipuus locus quum spei nullus All you that loue and feare God and that tremble vnder the expectation of his wrath giue him no rest stand vp in the breach and quasi manu factâ Deum ambientes assault him with your prayers helps to quench this fire of his anger with your teares of sorrow Giue not ouer weeping repenting and praying till you haue receiued a gracious answer till the sinnes of our Nation be pardoned his imminent iudgements auerted his ancient fauours recouered till he haue rebuked Satan and trodden him vnder our feet till he haue frustrated the bloudy hopes and desires of the Enemies of his Truth till he build vp the breaches raise the ruines binde vp the wounds of his Sion Saying with Daniel O Lord God which art great and fearefull which keepest couenant and mercy towards them that loue thee and keepe thy Commandements We haue sinned and committed iniquitie and haue done wickedly we haue rebelled and haue departed from thy Precepts and from thy Commandements For wee would not obey thy Seruants thy Ministers which spake in thy Name to our Kings to our Princes to our Fathers and to all the People of the Land O Lord righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee and to vs open shame and confusion of face as appeareth this day Yet compassion and forgiuenesse is with the Lord albeit we haue rebelled against him Now therefore O Lord heare the prayers of thy seruants and their supplications and cause thy Face to shine vpon thy Sanctuary that lyeth waste for thy Names sake O Lord heare O Lord forgiue O Lord consider and doe it deferre not for thine owne sake O my God for thy Name is called vpon thy City and vpon thy People Errata PAge 8. line 1. for was sent reade was neere sent p. 16. l. 19. for degree r. decree p. 23. l. 1. for Neralse r. Neruese ibid. l. 10. for Priorie r. Prior. p. 37. l. 9. for of Fen r. of the Pregadi p. 115. l. 14. for Prinli r. Priuli p. 119. l. 3. for could r. would p. 164. l. 4. for obedience vnto r. obedience due vnto p. 193. l. 16. for Damila r. Damiata p. 206. l 5. for Papatins r. Papalins p. 207. l. 26. for Courts r. Commands p. 210 l 21. for there Sosa r. Frier Sosa p. 211. l. 2. for as be was desired r. as he desired p. 229. l. 11. for it is r. it was p. 245. l. 16. for that not hauing r. that hauing ib. l 19. for repaied r. repaired p. 334. l. 16. for his horse r. his House In Epist to the Reader conclusions r. combustions amased r. amused THE HISTORY OF THE QVARRELS OF POPE PAVL 5. With The State of Venice First Booke POpe PAVL the fift was addicted from his youth and nourished in those studies which haue no other end but to acquire vnto the Pope the Spirituall and Temporall Monarchie of all the world and to aduance the order of the Clergie so farre as not only to exempt them from all power and iurisdiction of Princes but further to exalt them about Kings themselues and to submit vnto them Secular men in all kindes of seruices and commodities Being come to perfect age hee had yet better means to manage those armes by which this doctrine is maintained For hauing exercised the office of Auditor of the Chamber a charge altogether agreeable to his nature and inclination in as much as the power attributed to that Magistrate is to be Sententiarum censurarum intus extrà latarum vniuersalis executor He employed himselfe in this charge more exactly than any of his Predecessours so that more Monitories and Citations were thundered out by him during the fiue yeares of his office than had beene in any fiftie yeares before In that while he conceiued a vehement desire of vengeance against those who seemed to him to bring some empeachment to the libertie or to speake more properly licentiousnesse of persons Ecclesiasticall and to the free and arbitrary exercise of Excommunication But because the desire of reuenge is extinguished or at least repressed when it is directed against Persons so potent and eminent that there is no hope to effect it his courage and resolutions were bent not so much against Kings and Monarches as against Republiques or popular Common-wealthes because that considering the Gouernours thereof in their priuate persons in which respect they are without power he might hope to attaine his end howsoeuer they were ioyned in one body and assisted by authoritie which accompanieth publique forces But aboue all he had a particular designe of reuenge against the State of Venice as well because it alone sustaineth the dignitie and hath the true markes of a Prince independent as because the Ecclesiastiques haue no dealing in that Estate and yet further it alone among all Princes doth not giue pensions to any
whatsoeuer with such persons an Edict which doubtlesse had beene highly commended by some former Popes But this man after it had beene represented vnto him approued the law in it selfe but said neuerthelesse that the Republique of Luca had no authority to make any such ordinance which touched Religion howsoeuer it were in it selfe good and holy for as much as Laiques haue not any power to decree in matter of Religion although the Law be in fauour thereof And therefore he absolutely commanded that the Edict should be rased out of their Records hauing an intention to make another the same in substance but to publish it by his Pontificall authoritie The other was that the Republique of Genoa being aduertised that the Gouernours of certaine Lay Fraternities instituted by deuotion had not dispensed the Reuenew with requisite fidelitie resolued to examine and renew their accounts and to this effect commanded that the Bookes should bee brought vnto the Duke And in the same Citie there happened a thing of much greater importance occasioned by a new institution of an Oratorie of Secular persons in the House of the Iesuites for Christian exercises wherein they of that Congregation conspired not to fauour any but of their owne Society in the distribution of Magistracies Whereof the State hauing notice by publique authoritie they tooke order to prohibite all such Assemblies These Decrees which indeed commended the pietie of that Republique as desirous to prouide against the euill husbanding of temporall goods giuen to pious vses and to preuent all vnlawfull conuenticles and assemblies which vnder pretext of Religion tend to the ruine of Cōmmon-wealths were not expounded in the true sence nor well accepted by the Pope but contrarily he was much offended and gaue the Republique to vnderstand that these Ordinances were against the Liberty Ecclesiastical and therefore expressely he enioyned them to reuoke their Edicts otherwise he threatned to thunder out his Censures Hee made great instance to the State of Venice that they would succour the Emperour with money for the warre of Hungarie against the Turke offering himselfe in case the Senate should make difficultie for feare of prouoking against themselues so puissant an Enemie to receiue it secretly and passe it vnderhand that it should not be perceiued In which treatie hee and his Nuntio vsed a forme of discourse not like as when one Prince represents vnto another their common interests but like one which demandeth some extraordinary contributions from his subiects And therefore after some modest words of answer at last for a finall resolution the Senate said that for the conseruation of their Estates they were forced to make great expenses and to prouide for many diffidences which hindred that they could not apply themselues to any new enterprises that it was necessary first of all to settle a perfect intelligence among Christian Princes to the end that hauing quitted all suspitions they might being well vnited entend the oppression of that common Enemie that whensoeuer any ouerture vnto a good Vnion should be offered the State would not be the last that should take armes against the enemies of Christianitie This answer seemed strange vnto the Pope as perswading himselfe conformably to the doctrine of the moderne Canonists that he might command any Prince to doe whatsoeuer he thinkes expedient for the common good of Christendome neuerchelesse he iudged not meet to ground his Quarrell vpon this but vpon some other occasion which in pretence at least might be more spirituall and trench more neerely vpon the See Apostolique Wherefore first onely in generall termes he treated that the Ecclesiasticall libertie might not be in any fashion violated but rather that iurisdiction restored entire this was the talke of his Nuntio in Venice and of himselfe at Rome to the Embassador of the Signiory After comming to particulars hee mentioned some affaires concerning Nauigation and the imposition vpon oyles and touching an exchange on the coast of Romagna for the Marquisate of Ancona assaying by all meanes to make the State receiue his commandements Further he proposed the reuocation of an Ordinance made by the Senate the eleuenth of December MDCIIII forbidding the Subiects of the Signiory to set forth any Vessels by sea or to make any assurances or companies for the traffique of any merchandize whatsoeuer to be exported out of the State of Venice into foraine countries vnlesse first it passed by Venice alledging that this would hinder the great importations and abundance in the Estate of the Church and by consequent was against the Ecclesiasticall Libertie But being answered that euery Prince commands his subiects that which may serue for the commoditie of his owne Estate without considering what may follow thereupon to neighbour Princes which cannot iustly be therewith offended howsoeuer they may be in some sort endamaged and that whensoeuer his Holinesse shall commaund his Subiects any thing which may turne to the profit of his Gouernment the State would not take it in euill part nor esteeme it against their Libertie the Pope perceiued by this essay that thus he could not compasse his intention there being not any shadow of pretext to fetch this controuersie within the bounds of things Spirituall For this reason so soone as he could apprehend an occasion which might more probably be thought Spirituall leauing the rest he setled his proiects and purposes wholly vpon this The occasion was that at Vicenza one Scipio Sarraceno Canon there of a Church who had with great contempt defaced the Seale of the Magistrate which was put to for the custodie of the Bishops Court of Chancery at the request of the Chancellor the See being vacant did his vtmost endeuour to seduce a Damosell his kinswoman and preuailing not with her after he had long molested and pursued her in publique and euen in the Church at last in a despitefull outrage he shamefully defiled her portall and house doores with his excrements for which cause being assisted by some Gentlemen of her family she came to Venice and there put in her complaint against this Canon who being called readily presented himselfe The Canon had a kinsman Bishop of Citta Nuoua a man very busie and enterprising who serued in Venice for a Guide and Counseller to all the Nuntio's and Ministers of the Pope and by his counsels directed all their actions and the Nuntio's had expresse order to communicate with him their Commissions By his meanes the Nuntio was moued in this affaire who both by his owne disposition was vehemently desirous to procure for the Clergie a licentious exemption and but a little before was come to Venice with that designe The Nuntio then and this Bishop speedily gaue aduice of this businesse vnto the Pope and to the Bishop of Vienza who was then in Court who thereupon treated together and mutually excited themselues to the defence of the Canon and of the Ecclesiasticall Libertie Both the one and the other spake of this matter to Augustin Nani Embassador of
to the Ecclesiasticall liberty were of themselues void and of no value as furthermore he declared them to be such no man being obliged to obserue them On the contrary that they which had made these Statutes or any like or which had furthered them had incurred Ecclesiasticall Censures and depriued themselues of all such lands as they held of the Church as also their Estates and Demaines were subiect to other penalties in such sort that they could not be absolued vnlesse they reuoked all such lawes and reestablished all things in their former estate That hereupon being placed in the Soueraigne Throne and not being able to dissemble or endure these things he admonished the Republique to consider the danger whereinto they had cast their soules vpon this occasion and betimes to seeke a remedy otherwise in case of disobedience he commanded vnder the paine of Excommunication latae sententiae that the foresaid Laws both ancient and moderne should be reuoked and disanulled that this Monitory should bepublished in all places of their State and that he expected from them account there of if they did it not that he should be constrained after his Nuntio had giuen him notice that his Letters were presented to come to execution of the penalties and to such other remedies as he should thinke meet remembring the reckoning which he was to giue vnto God at the day of Iudgement and declaring that he who had no other end but the repose and tranquillitie of the Common-wealth could not in duty dissemble when the authority of the See Apostolique was dimini shed Ecclesiasticall liberty trod vnder foot the holy Canons and Decrees neglected the rights of Churches and the priuiledges of Ecclesiasticall persons violated of all which the charge and custodie is committed to him besides affirming that hee was not moued to doe this by any worldly consideration nor desired any other thing but the glory to exercise perfectly so farre as he could his Apostolique Gouernment And as he did not purpose to vsurpe any thing vpon the Secular Authority so would he not permit that the Ecclesiasticall should be diminished That if the State would obey his commandements they should deliuer him from great paine which he suffered in their regard and might still retaine the lands which they held of the Church That by no other means the Republique could so well secure it selfe from the incommodities which it suffered by Infidels as by conseruing the rights and liberties of Church-men who watch day and night in prayer to God for their conseruation The Senate considering these difficulties raised by the Pope deliberated to conferre thereof with their Counsellors learned in the Ciuill lawes who were Erasmus Gratian of Vdine and Marcus Antonius Pellegrine of Padua Knights and famous Lawyers at that time as it appeareth by the workes which they haue published And further that they might haue neere them a Counsellor versed in Diuinity and in the Canon Law they called vnto the seruice of the Signiory Frier Paul of Venice of the Order of the Seruites With these three and with other principall Doctors of the Vniuersitie of Padua as also with those of the Citie of Venice and the neighbouring places men eminent for sound learning and good conscience the Senate aduised how to answer the Pope with most conueniency They resolued also to consult on these questions the most celebrious Doctors of Italy and other parts of Europe and to vse their counsel touching other difficulties which might be offered And in short time they had the iudgement of many excellent Lawyers of Italy not subiect to the State of Venice and in particular of Iames Menochio President of Milan a person illustrious for his honourable Labours in the defence and maintenance of the Authority of Magistrates and for his learned Writings which hee hath published and wherein he shall liue for euer They had also not long after sent vnto them in writing the opinions of the most renowned Doctors of France Spaine who by diuers arguments shewed euidently that the controuersies moued by the Pope concerned neerely the Temporall Power wherein the Papall authoritie ought not to intermeddle and therefore that it was lawfull for the Republique to make any such Ordinances so farre as respects of Gouernment might require There were also sent to Venice the Lawes of almost all the Realmes and Estates of Christendom wherein the like Ordinances are obserued which afterwards were alledged in diuers Bookes published in fauour of the right of the Republique But for that time the Senate vnderstanding the iudgement of the Doctors made answer the 28. of Ianuary in these words for substance That with much griefe and wonder they vnderstood by the Letters of his Holinesse that the Lawes of their State obserued carefully through so many ages and neuer questioned by any of his Predecessors the reuoking whereof would subuert the Foundations of their Common-wealth were reprehended as contrary to the authority of the See Apostolique and that they which made them Persons of great pietie meriting well of the See Apostolique who are now in Heauen were noted for violators of Ecclesiasticall Libertie That according to the admonition of his Holinesse they had examined and caused to examine their Lawes old and new but had found nothing which might not well be ordained by the authoritie of a Soueraigne Prince or which might iustly offend the Popes authority being euidently a thing belonging to the care of a Secular Prince to haue regard what Companies are erected within his Dominions and to preuent the building of such Edifices as in time to come may be hurtfull to the publique safetie And although their State abound with Churches and places of Deuotion as much as any other yet when they see conuenient they haue neuer refused to giue permission to new Foundations themselues thereunto contributing liberally That in the Law against the perpetuall alienation of Lay goods vnto Ecclesiastiques the question being of things purely Temporall they could not be taxed to haue done any thing contrary to the Canons and Decrees That if the Popes haue power to forbid the Clergie to alienate any goods of the Church vnto Persons Secular without leaue Princes may doe the same and take order that the goods of Seculars shall not be alienated to the Clergie without permission Nor doe the Ecclesiastiques by this meanes lose any thing bequeathed or giuen vnto them seeing they receiue a price answerable in value to the immoueable adioyning that it tends to the great preiudice not only of the Temporall State but also of the Spirituall to weaken the forces of their Republique which by such alienations is depriued of necessary seruices and which in effect in a Vantgard and Fortresse for all Christendome against the Infidels That for these reasons the Senate could not perswade themselues that they had incurred any Censures since Secular Princes haue by Law Diuine from which no Humane Law can any way derogate a power to make Lawes in things
that they were cōdemned by the Councell of Pope Symmachus by that of Lyons vnder Pope Gregory 10. as also by the Decrees of the Councels or Assemblies of Constance and Basil that this matter had been declared against Henry 2. King of England against the Kings of Castile and against the Kings Charles the 2. and Charles the 4. That he knew well there were some Doctors Canonists who approued that Law forbidding the alienation of Lay mens goods in fauour of the Clergie but that they were of small number and account and spake against the common opinion And in case there yet remain'd any doubt he did then declare that all these Lawes were contrary to Ecclesiasticall Liberty Besides he caused to be read a Constitution of Innocent the third vpon a certaine Edict of Henry Emperiour of Constantinople and proceeding to speake of criminall iudgements against persons Ecclesiasticall hee said that the Venetians pretended to haue some priuiledges which not withstanding they did extend to places and causes not comprised in them euen against the persons of Bishops He commended further his patience hauing so long time expected their repentance by reason whereof he might without further delay or granting any longer terme come to the Interdict but mitius agendo hee had deliberated to giue them respite of foure and twenty daies more and that he might doe all things canonically he was content to take the voices and suffrages of the Cardinals Whereupon each one gaue his suffrage and first the Cardinall Pinelli commended his Holinesse for that he had assigned foure and twenty daies for terme of respite because so much had beene assigned to Henry 3. King of France The Card. d'Ascoli made a signe with his head that he was of the same opinion without speaking word which could be vnderstood as also hee had done vnder Clement 8. when the Monitorie against the Duke Caesar d'Este was published The Card. of Verona hauing praised the zeale of his Holinesse who had proceeded he said in this affaire lentâ festinatione he added that in a Senate composed of so great a number of persons as was that of Venice things could not be dispatched with such speedinesse that it was not good to bee too hastie against a Repub. which had well-merited that the businesse might well be yet a while deferred vpon hope thereby to gaine them and in the meane time men might haue time to weigh their reasons and he concluded with these words Sed differ habent paruae commoda magnamorae But defer holy Father little delaies sometime bring great commodities At this word the Pope interposed and said that he had done nothing of his owne proper iudgement that he had aduised with learned men and beene directed by their counsell Whereupon the Card. replyed if this were so he could not contradict that which had beene resolued by his Holinesse The Cardinall Sauli said that the Venetians had beene too long forborne and heard that it was meet to vse rigor against them to make them yeeld therefore for his part he thought it good to proceed with courage in this businesse referring the issue to God whose cause was handled The Card. of Saint Cecile said that he lamented the condition of the times which forced his Holinesse to haue recourse to such remedies but withall hee reioyced that in this his Holinesse had not any humane respect but aimed onely at the honour of God and the dignity and liberty of the Church The Card. Bandini praised God who had giuen occasion vnto his Holinesse in the beginning of his Papacie to purchase vnto himselfe an immortall renowne by restoring the Ecclesiasticall liberty and iurisdiction The suffrage of Card. Baronius grounded vpon that Theme that the ministery of S. Peter hath two parts the one to feed the other to kill hath beene so often published that it seemes not needfull here to mention it The Card. Iustiniano said that he conformed himselfe to the iudgement of his Holinesse being iustly taken vpon a case notorious Notorietate facti notorietate iuris that he saw not what excuse the Venetians could alledge that to wait any longer should be to nourish them in their sins and to partake with them vpon these reasons he commended the resolution of his Holinesse The Card Zapata said that the delay of twenty foure daies was too long and that the Ecclefiastiques vnder the Venetians were in worse condition then were the Israelites vnder Pharaoh The Card. Conti gaue thanks to God who in these times had giuen a Pope vigorous of age and strength which by his zeale and vertue could and would restore againe Ecclefiasticall liberty and the authority of the See Apostolique All the rest with few words consented or after a repetition of the reasons vrged by the Pope confirmed them or amplified the reasons and allegations of the Canonists Which being done they passed to Consistoriall propositions according to their custome The number of Cardinals present in this Consistorie were forty and one the Cardinals of Como Aldobrandin Santiquattro and Caesis not going that morning No other thing could be expected from the Cardinals but that they would consent to the deliberations of the Pope some by their proper inclination being carried to the same opinion as being passionate for the Ecclefiasticall liberty others because their particular interests by reason of the pretensions which they might haue vnto the Papacie forced them to accord others had not the boldnesse to contradict the Pope in any matter lest they should so cut off the hope of profit from them or theirs in which regard one of them excused himselfe saying that if he had said any thing against the designe of the Pope he had much endamaged himselfe without any furtherance to the Republique And it is a thing without doubt in the Court of Rome that the Cardinals voices are taken in Consistorie onely in apparence and by way of ceremonie in as much as they are neuer informed of the affaire whereof they are to treat but of the fact alone which is presented or at the most they haue no further information then those few words which the Pope is pleased to speake two seuerall times in Consistorie as hath beene said And not seldome matters are propounded whereof they neuer heard word So that the Popes goe with assurance to propound in Consistorie whatsoeuer is to their humour grounding vpon the custome which is among the Cardinals to consent to all that which is proposed which is openly derided in the Court of Rome changing the Latine word by the figure of agnomination assentiri into assentari This Consistorie thus finished the Monitorie was affixed in the accustomed places of the City of Rome and incontinently scattered euery where an infinite number of Copies being imprinted partly in Latine and partly in the Italian which were sent thorowout all the Cities of Italie and into the State of Venice it selfe were dispersed a great quantity which had been sent vnto the
might haue order from himselfe which yet did no more succeed by reason of the opposition made by the Marshall Prainer ill affected towards the Venetians D'Alincourt Ambassador of the most Christian King did the same Office but as from himselfe to whose demands the Pope would not condescend but answered that he ought rather to exhort the Republique to obey wherefore he gaue aduise to the King his Master by the ordinary Currier as well of that which had passed as also of the Office by him tendered and of the Popes answer The Count of Verrüe Ambassadour of the Duke of Sauoy treated with more vigour in the name of his Master with his Holinesse exhorting him to make delay and to find meanes to compose these differences to whom he answered that this were the ready way to render the Venetian more obstinate and that the Duke ought to addresse himselfe to them to make them obey Whereupon the Ambassadour could not containe himselfe but replied that the word Obey was too harsh to be vsed towards a Soueraigne Prince and that a delay in this case would in the end be found very behouefull The great Duke of Tuscany also writ to the Bishop of Soana praying him to doe the same Office in his name with his Holinesse After the publication of the Monitory the Ambassadors of the Republique were visited by the Ambassadours of the Emperour of the King of France and of the great Duke of Tuscany who communicated vnto them what they had done with the Pope and how they found him still in his first resolution Some men were of opinion that the Pope according to the custome of those that are without experience quickly after the Monitory had beene published the heat of his courage being a little tempered would seriously consider the inconueniences which in all reason he might see would follow and hereby beginning to relent would desire an occasion to prolong the terme if he were thereunto required by the Republique Others said it was likely that by the mediation of Princes and their Ambassadors alone he would giue longer terme if he did beleeue that the Republique would accept it Which might haue beene for his aduantage considering that by this meanes a way had beene opened to cause his commandements to be receiued But the Pope remained firme resolued to see the issue of his Monitorie the publication whereof being knowne at Venice it was first by the Senate ordered that all should haue recourse to their praiers command was sent to al Churches Monasteries as well of men as women and other places of deuotion to make orisons and supplications following the ancient vsage and a good summe of money was also distributed in almes to these holy places Then after they deliberated vpon the Gouernment and consulted whether it were meet to leaue their Ambassadors at Rome or to call them home Some were of opinion that they should be recalled since that the Republique hauing receiued so great an iniury could not with any honour keepe them at Rome Others considered that to call them away were vtterly to breake off all communication In the end both opinions were approued and both the one and the other followed with this temperament They resolued to call home onely the extraordinarie Ambassador thereby sufficiently testifying their sensiblenesse of the wrong but to leaue the Ordinary to doe all offices of piety and reuerence towards the See Apostolique and to preuent an absolute rupture which they would auoid till they were forced by an extreme violence It was also determined to communicate all these matters to the Ambassador of England to whom till then they had not imparted any of these things for considerations which hinder to treat with him vpon points controuerted with the Pope And accordingly they writ to Gregory Iustiniano Ambassador of the Repub. in England that he should informe the King Henry Wotton the English Ambassador at Venice complained with words of courtesie that they had communicated these things to other Ambassadors so long before him but for the pretensions of the Pope he said that he could not vnderstand this Romane Theologie which is contrary to all iustice and honesty Now to the end that they might prouide against the inconueniences which the Popes Monitorie might cause command was giuen to all Prelates and Ecclefiasticall persons that they should not publish or permit to be published or affixed in any place wheresoeuer any Bulls Breues or other writings which might be sent vnto them Furthermore proclamation was made vnder paine of incurring the displeasure of the Prince that whosoeuer had any Copie of a certaine Breue published at Rome against the Republique should bring it vnto the Magistrates at Venice or to the Gouernours of Cities and other places of their State to which all men did so cheerefully obey and brought out so many copies that it was a thing maruellous to see what quantitie had beene imprinted neither was any one any where affixed by reason of the generall diligence of all the people who discouered in diuers places and caused to arrest those who came for that effect They imparted likewise to all the Agents of Princes which were then at Venice the reasons and causes of these motions and the same was written to all the Residents for the Republique with Princes It was also thought fit by the Senate to write to all Gouernours of Cities and places within their State and to giue them aduice of the iniurie which the Republique had receiued and did daily receiue from the Pope as also the pregnant reasons which they had in their defence with order that these letters should be communicated to the Consuls Communalties of their Cities Which being done euery where were seene the effects of an incredible obedience and submission towards their Prince with great resolution to defend and maintaine the publique liberty for aid whereof they offered succour of men of money and armes according to the abilitie of each place and these offers were afterwards performed in their time with the same promptitude and cheerefulnesse During this time Duodo the extraordinarie Ambassador of the Signiory at Rome receiued commandement to depart He tooke leaue of the Pope the 27. of the Moneth telling him that seeing he could not obtaine of his Holinesse to take into his consideration the reasons by him represented and hauing no more to say or doe he was called backe to Venice The Pope answered him with words of courtesie towards himselfe and touching the difference said that he had done nothing but what his conscience obliged him to doe that the case was cleare and decided that in the whole order of his proceedings he had followed the example of his Predecessors that his weapons in this quarrell were spirituall the vse whereof accorded well with that fatherly loue which he had euer caried to the Republique requiring onely such obedience as all Princes are bound to render vnto him But at Venice the Nuntio of the Pope
they were ready to receiue any iust aduice tending to peace And therefore that he should imploy himselfe toward the Pope to cause him to take off his Censures that so a way might be opened for the Senate to shew their good will and then in respect vnto his Maiestie they would doe whatsoeuer they could possibly sauing alwaies their Libertie The Ambassadour hereupon replied that the King foreseeing and fearing the euils which would follow vpon these differences not for any particular interest but meerely out of respect to the Republique had deliberated to interpose Himselfe that alreadie at Rome he had done all that could be desired in this affaire Wherefore it seemed vnto him that the Senate ought to put confidence in the King and declare vnto him what they would doe in case that the Pope should take off the Censures or for to induce him to reuoke his Monitory But since the Senate would not depart from these general termes nor trust the King hee was resolued to retire himselfe and henceforth not to trouble any person about this businesse For touching the Pope who beleeued that he had not done amisse as being ruled and conducted by the holy Spirit and that in reuoking his Censures he should suffer in his reputation it could not be possible to draw him to it but only by shewing him what he might obtaine for his satisfaction in fauour of his Dignitie He said moreouer that Alincourt found the Pope of a nature firme and resolute and that it was meet to be a skilfull Orator to perswade him that if sometimes being vanquished by reason hee yeelded a little yet after he was wont to resume his former resolution And when he was forced by reason he would say he would thinke on the matter but this thinking was to remaine constant in his resolutions Wherefore if they would say no more the King his Master would not intermeddle THIRD BOOKE WHilest these things were treated at Venice at Rome and in the Courts of Princes the Iesuites did not cease to doe all sorts of euill offices to the Republique within and without Italy in the Cities where they liued scattering many calumnies as well in priuate Discourses as in their publique Sermons So farre as that they sent Letters into the Signiory to their adherents and caused their Deuotes to come to the Confines and themselues very often entred the State disguised and vnknowne for to seduce the Subiects publishing Indulgences in fauour of them who would obserue the Interdict or perswade others to obserue it or who would fauour the pretensions of the Pope They forged also false and counterfeit Letters dispersing them vnder the name of the Republique of Genoa to that of Venice and also scattered in many places a writing of one of their Sectaries in the name of the Citie of Verona to the Citie of Bresse These artifices being come to the knowledge of the Senate it was decreed that information should be made against the seditious actions of these men as well since these last occasions as long time before vpon many others And touching that which they had done in this last occasion it was manifestly iustified that in their Sermons they had vsed inuectiues against the Republique calling them Heretiques Lutherans and slandering the Gouernment as tyrannicall abominable with an infinite number of like Epithetes and that within the Cities of Ferrara Bologne Parma Mantua Bari Palermo and in other places that from their sleights and suggestions had proceeded all the euill passages happening in Spaine and in Bohemia vnto the Ambassadour of the Republique and in France and Polonia they had attempted that they might receiue all kinds of affronts especially in England that they had done all the disgrace vnto them which they could with the Catholiques of that Kingdome so farre as to finde fault that the Republique held an Ambassador with the King as that King reciprocally at Venice although they excused other Princes saying that their interests required it but there was not the like reason for the Republique That with the Princes of Italy they had endeuoured to effect that the Republique should not be permitted to make any leuy of men within their Estates when this deuice succeeded not they went in all places detesting the name of Venice and finally menacing them that should go to warre in their defence the seditions are numberlesse which they haue excited within the Dominions of the State by their Letters instructions and speeches with the Subiects of the Republique who went for their affaires vnto the Cities where these men were with their deuoted ones which they caused to come vpon the confines of the State It was further iustified that a good part of the vexations done by the Pope vnto the Republique vpon these occasions had proceeded from their instigations and from the hopes that they had giuen him that they had a faction and could put diuision in the Senate Now for matters passed formerly it was also verified that when the Republique after the death of Henry 3. gaue the title of most Christian King vnto Henry 4. these men had vaunted at Rome that they had put scruples in the consciences of many Senators who had repented themselues of that they had done promising to absolue them in case that they would promise to retract that therefore it was facile at the least instance of the Pope to change the whole face of this affaire which was the cause that his Holinesse pressed them who being not satisfied hence followed so many discontentments that on diuers occasions they had shewed themselues the fauourers of great Princes by that meanes had mingled themselues in the affaires of Gouernment that they dispended yearely aboue an hundred crownes in the portage of Letters whereby appeared the multitude of their affaires and the correspondencies which they had in all parts Further it was proued against them that they had great designes vpon the goods and faculties of their Penitents and of Women especially to the great preiudice of Families Also their Doctrine was considered in matters Politique that they praised Monarchy and blamed an Aristocratie with certaine Maximes very contrary to the Gouernment and Institution of the Republique adde hereunto that the Iesuites had beene the Authors and Instruments of all Vproares Seditions Confusions and Ruines happening within our Times in all Kingdomes and States in the world Wherfore hauing found their faults in so great number and they not only in some particulars of them but in the corps of their Societie all was proposed in Senate who deliberated hereupon the fourteenth of Iune and made the Decree which followeth That the Congregation of Iesuites hauing beene receiued at Venice from their first beginning and there euer since fauoured they on the contrary returning nothing but ingratitude towards the Republique and shewing themselues still inclined to doe all sorts of euill Offices to that State in which disposition they yet continued by insupportable enterprises and insolent
with whom the Treatie is For touching the first it was certaine that the King his Master was well affected and had no other aimes but the common good That the greatnesse of the Republique was aduantageous to Him as being the Bulwarke of Christendome against the power of the Turkes And for his owne Person hee protested that he was not come to vse Deceit being noble by Birth and therefore obliged to speake Truth aboue all things Touching the second the point of Treaty was for Peace a thing excellent and for an Vnion with the See Apostolique a thing very profitable to the Republique all Histories being full of the mutuall good offices which they haue euer rendered the one to the other as on the contrary their Disunion must needs be very pernicious to the Repub. for if their cause were vniust it would incense all Princes against them and though it were reasonable yet was it not fit therefore to forget what Reuerence men owe to the Soueraigne Bishop Touching the third that the Treaty here was with a Senate of great Prudence Louers of Peace enemies of Nouelty who had beene alwaies Authors of Tranquillitie in Italie not of any Troubles He discoursed further of the damages of War and the mischiefes of Heresies saying that although the Republique by their owne strength and greatnesse could sustaine all sorts of violence and were able to withstand sufficiently all that should assault them neuerthelesse other succours although not expected or desired would vncalled offer themselues and such as might be suspected hand to dismisse and so much more hurtfull as Italy was in good estate whence might arise many corruptions which might put their Gouernment in great danger As these things were considerable so the King his Master accordingly had beene willing to aduertise them thereof for the affection which He and his Auncestors euer haue had to the Republique and for that all are commonly interessed in the Peace of Italie and he praied them to referre all matters to some Arbiters Himselfe and others That the King did thinke himselfe obliged by way of gratitude to interpose in this affaire as remembring that sometime the Republique had interposed to accommodate some Differences betweene the Emperour his Grand Father and the King his Father and the Pope That it was very necessarie for Princes to maintaine their reputation but yet they ought not to deale too rigorously with the Pope And Dâ—… Francis the better to expresse the Kings vehement affection in this businesse passed so far to say in manner of exclamation The King hath so great a desire to compose this Difference that of his two Daughters he would be content to sacrifice the one if by that Sacrifice all Dissentions might be appeased For conclusion he said That he saw very well there 〈◊〉 no other way to this end but that the Repub should in some sort satisfie the Pope and that if he could coniecture what would be acceptable to the Senate he would willingly propose it but being not able to doe it that he would expect from his Serenitie some temperament which he might carry vnto the Pope and he would labour with all his power that it might be accepted his purpose being not thereby to hinder any Treaties already in hand but rather to cooperate so far as hee could inasmuch as it was not the intention of his King to take the Treaty out of the hands of the King of France as desiring nought else but that an Accord might follow which would be as pleasing to him if Others could performe it as if he Himselfe To this the Senate answered praising first the great piety of the Catholique K. and his good will to Peace and thanking his Maiestie for his good Offices to pacific these contentions adioyning that they saw willingly and with much contentment his Ambassador principally for the Person of the King which he represented also for the good will which the Duke of Lerma had to the Republique and for the good correspondence and intelligence which the Count of Lemos his Father did alwaies hold with them Then they passed to particulars saying That they had vsed all kindes of humilitie and of respect towards the Pope and also done all good offices which might be desired to the end that he should noâ— fall into this precipice giuing him many occasions and meanes to see his danger and after he had thus precipitated yet they gaue care to althose that were willing to speake of an Agreement and had condescended to all which Dâ—â— Innigo de Card enas proposed On the other side the Ecclesiastiques had let themselues loose to Iniuries that they had published defamatorie Libels Detractions and railing speeches not onely in printed Bookes but in their Sermons made in the Cities neighbouring vpon the State Moreouer that they had vsed all meanes to corrupt the Religion and to sow sedition amongst the People briefly they had attempted all sort of wicked practises both openly and in secret And for the Pope they saw for the present to great inconstancy in his actions often recalling his owne words they saw also his preparations for Warre that they had occasion to feare that he would serue himselfe of time to gaine aduantage by the Treaty and to make others secure hauing indeed no desire of Agreement That for the time to come the Rep. would doe nothing but what was necessarie for their defence and to repulse iniuries by consequent that it was needlesse to perswade them to the Peace so much required but it was meet to addresse themselues to Him from whom the euill proceeded who still was the cause that it was not remedied Yet notwithstanding if besides that which had beene done by the Republique which was more than they ought to haue done He could aduise them what to doe more saue still their Liberty and without preiudice to their Gouernment they would not faile to shew their good will in execution of it as they had done to others Don Francis replied that he had nothing to answer for the Popes actions or of his intentions much lesse what they ought to be as being sent not by Him but by the King his Master from whom though he had order to procure with all his power an Agreement yet had he not Commission to descend to particulars And if he should resolue to write that he might receiue order to this effect it would be a thing too tedious and no way proportionable to the Affaire which required speedy resolution which with Time would grow worse and worse That he was a Stranger in the Businesse and therefore not to be remembred of what was past but when the Senate would declare their wil to him with confidence he would effectually propose it and cause it to be accepted To this the Duke immediatly answered that when the Senate should vnderstand what the Pope desired they could Treat and make declaration of their will but the way being shut vp by reason
receiued according to the ordinarie custome Moreouer Don Francis de Castro quickly after the Agreement dispatched a Carrier to his King and gaue him account of what had passed which was receiued in that Court with an extreme pleasure The King thought himselfe freed of a great trouble To the Nobility it was very acceptable not onely to see themselues deliuered from Warre but further because they hoped that this example would moderate the purchases of Ecclesiastiques in Castile of such goods as they call Patrimoniall di Radice as they haue beene moderated in Portugall and in Arragon the thing being certaine that within the last 40. yeares the Regulars alone haue acquired to the summe of 250000. Crownes in goods in that one Kingdome After that the Currier of Don Francis was arriued came another Currier expresly sent by the Senate and carrying a commandement to their Ambassador to doe his complements to the King And when the Nuntio receiued no order touching these Matters for many daies after the Duke of Lerma made great complaint vnto him that the Pope made small account of so great a King who with so much expence had maintained the authority of the Apostolique See Order was also giuen immediatly to the Count de Fuentes that he should disarme who either for want of money or for some particular designe which he had or because he had a custome not to obey the first commandement saying that they who are far off doe not see necessities did not dismisse his Companies on the contrary he put them vpon the shoulders and charge of the Communalties Of which grieuance when they aduised the King praying to be eased the sole Communalty of Milan being herein at the cost of 7000. Crownes a day the King of Spaine was forced to write againe vnto him with his owne hand yet warily and not with absolute command lest he should hazard his Royall authority But because it was come to the knowledge of the King that if the Count de Fuentes remained any longer in Armes there must needs follow some inconuenience since he disgusted all the Cities of the State by meanes of those Lodgings contrary to their priuiledges although he pretended they owed him thanks for interrupting and violating the Priuiledges of the great City Milan without Sedition they tooke a resolution to command him absolutely For they of the Councell who did not like to see any stirs in Italy considered that this Accord had not onely deliuered them from the incommodities of a Warre full of great dangers but was further also profitable vnto them for the Inconueniences which might haue hapned by the humors of the Count being giddy-headed and hard to be gouerned and by the Popes inconstancy much wauering in his deliberations The 12. of May Don Inigo de Cardenas gaue aduice vnto the Duke of this last commandement giuen to the Count de Fuentes that hee should presently by all meanes disarme and demanded passage thorow the Dominions of the Republique for the Germans vnder Madruccio to returne vnto their Houses Which was freely granted prouided that they should passe in order and without Armes 1500. of them desired to passe by the Grisons but the passage being denied them they were constrained to take their way by the Lac de Garde within the State of the Republique It is certaine that the expences made by reason of these motions among the Grisons by Fuentes amounted to the summe of 800000. Crownes not accounting the Charge of the Communalties of the Cities and Countrey which was inestimable FINIS LONDON Printed by John Bill Printer to the Kings most Excellent Maiesty M. DC XXVI